The Providence Business News Executive Poll is a weekly survey of 70 business leaders throughout the state, representing small and large companies in a variety of industries. more

Jeremy Crisp and the other managing partners at Nail, a Providence communications agency, like to think of their employees as machines – sort of. more

Zig Ziglar, the iconic motivational speaker of our time, passed away Nov. 28, 2012. In his honor, I am updating and annotating an article I wrote in 1992 after I had the privilege to meet him for the first time, and interview him. more

Changes in health care laws and labor relations will affect businesses dramatically next year, but many human resources managers at a Providence Business News-sponsored Employment Trends 2013 summit said they consider social media a contender for a top spot on the list of concerns. more

The digital world is changing rapidly with profound implications for how small businesses are found online, in search, on mobile devices and in social media. Here’s my list of some of today’s key digital trends with the greatest potential impact: more

Bill Reed, a chair with Vistage International, was one of five CEOs and peer-group facilitators who recently participated in a forum on the benefits of peer groups. Held in late September at Babson College, “The Power of Peer Groups to Support Growth and Change,” offered attendees an overview of the benefits of peer groups. Reed has been a chair with Vistage for several years and also serves as a partner at School Street Capital Group. He is a former CEO and currently chair’s Vistage’s CEO Peer Advisory Board and a Vistage Key Executive Group, which are comprised of leaders from enterprises in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. more

Sure, nobody wants to be labeled a Scrooge. But if you’re among the roughly 50 percent of U.S. businesses (and shrinking) that still offer traditional year-end bonuses, it might be time to join the 21st century – and plan for something different in 2013. more

The Providence Business News Executive Poll is a weekly survey of 70 business leaders throughout the state, representing small and large companies in a variety of industries. more

When East Providence-based Capital Properties Inc. announced a fat dividend of $2.25 per share to be paid on Dec. 27, the company became the latest of scores of businesses large and small locally and across the country responding to potential tax increases that could go into effect in the new year. more

The Providence Business News Executive Poll is a weekly survey of 70 business leaders throughout the state, representing small and large companies in a variety of industries. more