Blog
Insights, tools, and training straight from the team at Compass Point
BLOG | LEADERSHIP
Are you tolerating toxic productivity?
Toxic productivity. Is this a new term to you? Or did the phrase make you cringe because you KNOW it exists in your organization? While it sounds like an oxymoron, it is more prevalent than most business leaders care to admit. Toxic productivity comes from employees who are a constant source of drama...
Read Post
BLOG | TRANSITION / SUCCESSION
From Empires to Enterprises: Succession strategies that make or break legacies
History provides us the benefit of hindsight and powerful lessons. Take Genghis Khan and Alexander the Great, both great conquers. Yet one implemented a structured succession plan that ensured the survival and expansion of his empire, while the other's failure to do so led to the disintegration of his vast holdings shortly after his death. A strong succession planning is the ultimate competitive advantage.
Read Post
BLOG | NEXT CHAPTER
From Hero to Mentor: The Mid-Career Shift That Changes Everything
Transitioning from front-line leader to mentor doesn’t mean fading into the background. It means stepping into a new, equally powerful role—one that focuses on legacy, long-term impact, and equipping the next generation to lead effectively. But let’s be honest: this shift isn’t easy.
Read Post
BLOG | EXECUTION
Hitting a Wall in Business: Which Blocks are in Your Wall?
A management team had hit “that wall”. Sales were stagnant and communication was at an all-time low. The team dreaded meetings and they weren’t sure how to move forward. Learn how the owner transformed his stagnant company with the help of a new CFO and consulting support, resulting in a significant profit increase and revitalized team dynamics.
Read Post
BLOG | CUSTOMER
How Family Businesses Can Navigate Post-COVID Challenges
“In quiet and untroubled times, it seems to every administrator that it is only by his efforts that the whole population under his rule is kept going..."
Read Post
BLOG | FAMILY DYNAMICS / GOVERNANCE
Becoming a Family Business: This Firm Lives What They Teach
You may know the man in the photo as Tom Garrity, Founder of Compass Point, a family business consulting firm in Southeastern PA, headquartered in the Lehigh Valley; I know him as my inspiration, mentor, confidante, tennis partner, and best of all – my dad. This blog marks...
Read Post
BLOG | LEADERSHIP
Cracking The Culture Code for Business and Leadership Strategy
Discover how business and leadership intersect in Daniel Coyle's "The Culture Code," offering insights into building successful organizations. I recently asked the LinkedIn community what book most closely aligns with your leadership identity...
Read Post
BLOG | FAMILY DYNAMICS / GOVERNANCE
The 4-Letter Word Owners Can’t Afford NOT to Talk About: EXIT
I’ve had my share of family business owners who avoid discussing this four-letter word to the point of pure denial, quickly ending the conversation when this word bubbles up. The word? E-X-I-T. It sounds so final. The brutal truth is that 100% of owners exit the business, yet only 50% – just 1 out of 2 owners – will do it on their terms...
Read Post
BLOG | LEADERSHIP
Family Business Peer Groups are Gamechangers for the Next Gen
Many family-led companies hire business consultants to grow the business. Some even send their emerging leaders to personal development programs. But there is a gap – and it’s a BIG one.
Read Post
BLOG | PEOPLE / TALENT
Unlocking the Golden 5% in Your Employees
The Golden 5% is the full expression of our ability, multiplied by our maximum possible effort, multiplied by our full contribution of heart. It is the performance equivalent of what we offer in a deeply loving relationship – the absolute best of ourselves. And yet, we rarely give it or reliably inspire the giving of it by others in organizations. Why?
Read Post
BLOG | FAMILY DYNAMICS / GOVERNANCE
Business Issues: Identify and solve, or they could cost you.
Part of the challenge in a family business, or any business for that matter, is that the world does not stop and allow you to pursue your strategy in a nice, orderly fashion. Whether it is internal or external, business issues pop up throughout the day. So how do you prevent issues from derailing the company’s progress? Here are a few ideas for minimizing their occurrence and how to deal with them effectively when they do happen.
Read Post
BLOG | PEOPLE / TALENT
How to Coach (or deal with) a Negative Employee
As a leader, it is more likely that you’ll manage a negative employee or situation than not. Whether it is a short-lived instance or a long term issue, it can be manageable with candid conversations. Here are a few steps that work well to address and remedy the situation: Unearth the problem...
Read Post
BLOG | FAMILY DYNAMICS / GOVERNANCE
The Many Facets of Ownership
In 1978 the 2-circle illustration of family business evolved when Harvard business professor Renato Tagiuri and then-graduate student John Davis added a third circle – Ownership – to better account for the distinct groups that existed in a family business. With the addition of Ownership, the 3-circle model more accurately captured the seven facets of ownership.
Read PostWhere Family Businesses Come to Grow & Learn
At Compass Point, we make it easy to get insights, training, tools, and articles straight to your inbox and help family business owners and their team continue to grow, learn, and lead.