Business owners often search for clarity in strategy, markets, and financial performance. Yet the most enduring guidance comes from something far less tactical. As Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, put it: “Keep a firm North Star on the values of the company. Because if you get the values right, if Read more
Last month, we published “How Does Your Trusted Advisor Make You Feel?” This is part 2 of the three-part series. Executive Insight Confidence in business is not instinctive; it is built over time. It comes from structured input, an informed perspective, and the ability to see both risk and opportunity Read more
Executive Insight The true value of a trusted business advisor is not simply expertise; it is the confidence you gain in your decisions. Strong advisors reduce uncertainty, bring structure to complexity, and help you move forward with clarity. What Confidence Looks Like After meeting with your advisor, you should feel: Read more
At C2, we believe inflation is not a surprise. It is a management test. We would like to use a client in a services business to show how they are managing the inflationary impact on their business. Because they believe they have a talented team, they want to minimize turnover Read more
As you begin 2026 business operations, you likely prepared last fall with budgets and marketing plans. The key to success is: do you have the infrastructure in place to succeed in those plans? Is your organization built to succeed? Most leadership teams begin January by talking about revenue targets, new Read more
Despite an increasingly complex economic landscape, mid-market business leaders are entering 2026 with a striking level of confidence. According to the Baker Tilley recently published 2026 Mid-Market Report, 96% of surveyed executives believe their organizations are prepared to navigate uncertainty, including concerns around tariffs, regulatory change, inflation, and technology adoption. Read more
With AI in every news article, how can it be used in your business? We offer this checklist of areas where small businesses are using AI tools to reduce process time and simplify their operations. This is not an exhaustive list, but these are common areas where you can find Read more
In today’s volatile and fast-moving business climate, agility has become a form of currency. For many owners, especially mid-sized or growing companies, the challenge isn’t recognizing opportunity but accessing the right leadership to seize it. That’s where fractional executives come in. A fractional executive is a senior leader, CFO, COO, CMO, or Read more
Despite economic uncertainties, geopolitical instability, and fluctuating interest rates, the middle market M&A landscape in 2025 is showing resilience. While the number of deals has softened slightly, dealmakers are focused on quality, technology, and strategic alignment to get deals across the finish line. Here’s how middle-market M&A deals are getting Read more
We have had many discussions with clients this year on this topic as political uncertainty has driven market uncertainty. When faced with a challenge, the way we manage uncertainty can determine whether the situation improves or spirals further out of control. Too often, we confuse reacting with responding—but these are two vastly different Read more