Election season is upon us, and the ads, mailers and yard signs are impossible to miss. As a business leader in your community, raising your voice in advocacy on policy issues can be critical to long-term success.

Since the pandemic, it feels like we have been in a relentless upward march of prices that affects everything from groceries to gas. New numbers released last Thursday revealed that consumer prices dropped 0.1% from May. On an annual basis, inflation eased to 3% last month from 3.3% in May.

This Thursday marks the 248th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a document and message that set our nation on a new course. While many of us plan to enjoy a holiday from work to celebrate our nation’s freedom, now is a great time to think about how entrepreneurship could be a path to your personal freedom.

Have you ever encountered a problem or an issue at work and thought there should be a technical solution to this problem? Do you have ideas for an application or technical concept that could be a business but don’t know where to start? Your next opportunity to work through the problem and create a solution and possible business is coming up from Innovate SOMO.

Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to join a couple hundred other guests at the Grand Opening of the Buckner Ragsdale Event Center (BREC) in downtown Cape Girardeau. A long shuttered and underused property now has a new opportunity to benefit the community and region, while highlighting the economic impact that preservation can have.

The temperatures are warming up and the detour signs and orange cones are out in force, meaning construction season is underway. While this can certainly feel like a hassle when it disrupts your normal commuting patterns, continued investment in our infrastructure is good for business.

We are just one week into the summer season and the classic cries of “I’m bored” are starting to creep into households across the region. If the kids are older, encouraging them to find a job can be a terrific way to fill the summer void. But for younger kids, maybe the answer to boredom should be entrepreneurship.

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of our nation. While reflecting on Veterans' service and those that have made the ultimate sacrifice today, I also think it’s important to remember the value that service men and women can bring to your business as employees.

One often overlooked yet incredibly powerful strategy to improve business performance is to invest in professional development for employees. While it may require resources upfront, the return on investment can make it a savvy choice for businesses of all sizes.

Planning can often be a frustrating and time-consuming process that feels unnecessary or of low priority. For some leaders when you already have an end goal or desired outcome in mind, taking time to work on the idea with your team or partners can seem unimportant. If your goal is to hit the target, it might be worth the extra effort to aim before you fire.