Brains Trust - SmartCompany

During times of uncertainty, it is important to keep lines of communication open. But how honest should business owners be with their clients, customers, shareholders, board members and contractors about their struggles in this time of crisis?

30 March 2020

"Communication is so powerful at a time like this; it can provide relief and confidence, or increase panic and doubt," writes Airwallex's Lucy Liu.

Online retail explosion, pay-to-view conferences and a cleaning service boom: Twenty-one ways business will shift due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Brains Trust, Coronavirus, Remote Work

John Batistich

24 March 2020

"I suspect it will take years to rebuild confidence and balance sheets. And I know there will be serious long-term structural implications."

Right now, the only certainty is uncertainty. So what’s one change you’ve recently made to better equip your business for the challenging economic times ahead?

Brains Trust, Coronavirus

Jason Andrew

20 March 2020

How can you prepare your business for a recession? We asked SBO's Jason Andrew, AirTree Ventures' Daniel Petre and Luxury Escapes' Adam Schwab.

We often hear stories about businesses being built in spare rooms, garages and coffee shops… but there always comes a point when these businesses move into co-working spaces or offices and begin to hire. So, what was the first role you hired for, and why?

Brains Trust, Recruitment & Hiring

Vu Tran

13 March 2020

Who was the first person you hired when building your business? We asked three members of Smart Company's Brains Trust to share their experiences.

The government is reportedly considering wage subsidies, as well as cash injections and tax breaks, for its multi-billion-dollar coronavirus stimulus package. But is this what, or all, business needs?

Brains Trust, Coronavirus, Stimulus

Kent Kwan

6 March 2020

The government is reportedly considering wage subsidies, cash injections and tax breaks for its multi-billion-dollar coronavirus stimulus package.

Founder’s syndrome is the idea a business’ creator can’t keep their hands off as it grows. How should founders avoid this problem? What’s the best way to pass the baton as a business evolves? What can go wrong?

Brains Trust, Startup Advice

John Batistich

28 February 2020

Founder's syndrome is the idea a business' creator can’t keep their hands off as it grows. How should founders avoid this problem?

Double-down, iterate or abandon? How do you know when it’s time to kill off an underperforming product?

Brains Trust, Strategy

Jessica Ruhfus

14 February 2020

You've invested dollars, time and a lot of love into a product, but the product-market fit isn't what you expected... What do you do next?

How realistic is ‘work-life balance’ if you’re running a business? Can you successfully grow an ambitious enterprise on 40 hours a week?

Brains Trust, Wellbeing

Alborz Fallah

7 February 2020

There’s constant talk about ‘work-life balance’. In theory, it’s enticing and desirable. But how realistic is it for entrepreners and business owners?

Business Advice