Creating a strong culture in a remote or distributed team requires more than virtual social events. It demands a structured system of defining core values for hiring and firing, and then relentlessly over-communicating important information across multiple channels to ensure alignment.
Small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) struggle to hire not from a lack of applicants, but because talent from large corporate layoffs often lacks the "owner's mentality" and versatile experience required to thrive in a smaller company. The skill sets are fundamentally different.
The true power of AI is unlocked by adopting an "AI First" approach. This means completely redesigning workflows with AI at the core, rather than simply using AI to accelerate existing processes. This shifts employees' roles from performing tasks to managing the AI agents that do the work.
To effectively integrate AI, business owners cannot simply delegate the task. They must first undergo hands-on AI training themselves to grasp its potential. This firsthand knowledge is crucial for reimagining workflows and organizational structure, rather than just making incremental improvements.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are often seen as a top-down tool for measurement. However, their primary benefit is for the employee, providing clarity on their objectives and a clear definition of success. A lack of KPIs often indicates that management itself hasn't clearly defined what's important for a role.
Effective upskilling isn't about random training. Leaders must first identify the new capabilities the business needs (e.g., AI-driven marketing). Only then should they assess which current team members have the desire and aptitude to learn and implement those new skills, creating a clear path for growth.