Business Leadership

Annual impact reports used to feel optional and easy to put off. Today, more companies are choosing to publish them because stakeholders want to see what businesses stand for. An impact report is an honest way to show how a company approaches sustainability, social responsibility and long-term accountability. When done well, it builds trust by turning values into something concrete and measurable.

The High Value of Impact Reports

Annual impact reports do more than exist to satisfy external expectations. When used intentionally, they can support real business goals. Some of the most meaningful ways it creates value include the following:

A successful business exit rarely arrives without months of planning and thought. More often, it unfolds quietly after years of deliberate preparation. Whether you're ready to retire or your passion lies in a different venture, being prepared to sell requires structure, clarity and proof that the company can succeed without its long-standing owner at the helm. Fortunately, there are clear and practical steps that business owners can take to position their company for sale.

Remote work gives you access to talent in every state. It also creates new compliance challenges you cannot afford to ignore. Employment laws now follow your employees, not your headquarters. That means every time you hire across state lines, you take on new legal obligations, from wage rules to tax filings. Missing just one requirement can result in penalties or lawsuits that disrupt operations.

Your team requires more than a flexible policy to stay ahead. You need clear systems that account for where people actually work. With remote jobs here to stay, you must prioritize retaining talent and protecting your business as it grows.

The commercial insurance landscape is more complex than ever. Yet, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) need to invest in the cornerstones of coverage to protect their assets, employees and reputations. 

Forgoing insurance in the new year would be a grave mistake, especially if you want to ensure organizational resilience and see sustainable growth. Although every dollar counts, there are specific insurance policies you should not go without. These four coverage options are becoming increasingly accessible and are worthwhile investments for 2026.

In today's competitive landscape, the right technology is critical for growth and efficiency. For years, cloud computing has offered businesses robust tools for data processing and storage. However, the very centralization that makes the cloud so valuable can also create challenges, including rising costs, latency issues and a dependency on constant connectivity. 

As a result, business and IT leaders are increasingly exploring edge computing. Consider the benefits, challenges and key considerations that help leaders determine if it’s the right fit for their business.

Keeping a business at the top of their game requires significant time and resources, especially when aiming to stand out in increasingly competitive industries. However, a business’s ability to succeed today requires more than great marketing strategies and a strong team.

Cybersecurity remains an essential element that all businesses need to master. The reality is that there are countless threats just below the surface, with cybercriminals always looking for their next victim. Ransomware attacks, for example, affect hundreds of thousands of businesses every year, and new strains of malware are becoming harder and harder to combat.

Many point-of-sale (POS) systems are marketed as being able to “fit any business.” But in reality, retail operations rarely look the same. A grocery store, a furniture showroom, and a boutique may all process sales, yet the workflows, compliance requirements, and customer expectations are vastly different. When the technology doesn’t account for those differences, the friction begins to show — in duplicate data entry, checkout delays, or even missed opportunities for customer engagement.

These issues are more than small inconveniences. Over time, they erode revenue, consume staff resources, and undermine customer trust.

Across the U.S., small businesses and nonprofits are facing unprecedented operational pressure. Inflation, tightening labor markets, shifting donor and consumer expectations, and rapid digital transformation have created a landscape where organizations must do more with fewer resources. At the same time, AI adoption has become a defining competitive advantage ... but only for those equipped to implement it effectively.

It is already a strenuous event when an employee quits, but it is crucial to follow best practices to keep company data secure after their departure. Employees have access to sensitive company data that they could exploit, especially if they quit for a negative reason. Having proper steps in place when an employee leaves can help a company avoid a data breach.

If you feel like your company has hit a growth ceiling, it might be time to look into expansion. Several markets exist outside of the popular and competitive choices that are eager to explore new brands from international retailers.

Why Untapped Markets Are an SMB’s Greatest Opportunity

The U.S. is the world’s top spender. In 2023, consumer spending in the country reached $18.8 trillion — more than double the amount spent by China, the second nation on the list.