Kent Burns Blog

Think diversity in the workplace is just a nice-to-have? Think again. It's a must-have. In the competitive business landscape, inclusive hiring isn't just about ticking boxes for corporate social responsibility – it's a strategic powerhouse driving business success.

It's high time we acknowledge that these worn-out tactics might just be the culprits behind missing out on exceptional talent. It's not just about finding someone who checks all the boxes; it's about uncovering those hidden gems, the kind of talent that can propel a company to new heights.

Performance reviews have become a staple. They are often seen as a critical time for reflection and assessment of an employee's contributions over the year.

'A-Players' are the high-performers, the ones who not only excel in their roles but also propel the company forward. But how significant is their impact compared to the rest of the team? Understanding this distinction is crucial for any organization striving for excellence.

Navigating the complex world of business leadership requires continuous learning, and one of the best sources of wisdom is often found between the pages of a well-written book.

In the busy world of hiring, we often focus on the "what" and the "how." But there's a crucial question we sometimes overlook: "Why?"

In the rush to streamline and automate, many have lost sight of the fact that at the heart of every application is a person, eager and hopeful to forge a connection and find a place where they can contribute and grow. Don't lose out on an exceptional candidate.

The absence of face-to-face interactions can erode the sense of community and teamwork, cornerstones for any successful career. Without these meaningful connections, opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, or promotion might become scarcer.

Every organization, whether a fledgling startup or a Fortune 500 giant, aspires to have its ranks filled with these high-caliber professionals. Yet, the irony is palpable. While everyone desires an A-Player, many companies consistently fall short in securing them.

For some companies, internal equity is stopping them from making a change and improving their team. 

How are you enjoying living behind the mask?  Life has turned into a big masquerade party, hasn’t it?  At first it was…strange.  Now it’s been normalized.  It’s added a new dimension to people watching.  Some have chosen to use masks as yet another opportunity to make a fashion statement.  It’s changed communication and interpersonal dynamics.  [...]

Gratitude is an interesting construct.  Cicero called it “the greatest of the virtues.” For me, it’s always been a good thing.  My family and my Faith taught me the importance of gratitude, and how to express it appropriately.  I don’t always get it right, but I try. Consider the word’s basic meaning. Gratitude is what [...]

The Great Mary Kay Ash said, “There are three types of people in this world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened.” I’ve always liked that quote.  There’s great wisdom in it.  One can observe this phenomenon of human nature every single day.  It doesn’t matter [...]

The world is a noisy place. The noise level has increased substantially over the past 100 years and increased exponentially in the past 10 – 15.  There are many distractions, and new ones are continually added to the old ones – which recur because humans keep repeating their past mistakes. It’s largely these distractions that [...]

My oldest daughter has a new partner and a new baby daughter.  They live across the country from us, and because of the COVID mess, Grandma and I were not there when she was born.  Finally, after a month of waiting and wondering when we could see them, we jumped on a plane and went [...]

We’ve all been seeing it.  It’s become arguably one of the most overused phrases of 2020. “Our New Normal” The media has latched onto it.  Remember the age-old political tactic: He who frames the issue, wins the argument.  Reality is being re-framed in front of our very eyes.  “Things are not going to be the [...]

America has been experiencing “the good old days” for three-plus years now.  Companies have been succeeding.  Jobs have been plentiful.  Consumers have felt good about their future and about spending their money. The current hiccup (and I use that word intentionally) has created challenging business conditions for many.  Lots of struggling going on.  Not all [...]

It’s inspiring to see what America is accomplishing in the face of COVID-19.  One can argue that it’s our most unified, collective action since World War II.  The Federal Government, all 50 State Governments, local governments, American business and the American people are, for the most part, aligned against a common enemy.  We have singularity [...]

  The quality of your days reflects the wisdom of your schedule.  We have all been given a gift.  Life has been altered for us in so many ways.  We are doing without many things that were part of our daily life.  We are living a stripped-down existence.  “Essential businesses”.  “Essential activities.”  Taking extra time [...]

  A little different twist on my blog today.  In these crazy times, it’s always good to pay attention to our surroundings and learn from others who are navigating on the front lines. Sahm’s is a very successful, family-owned restaurant business in the Greater Indianapolis Area.  The Indianapolis Business Journal profiled them in a podcast [...]