Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

How To's

  • Thumbnail
    How To

    How to strengthen your board and improve your competitive edge

    Ward Graffam Updated: June 11, 2021

    A good board can provide a competitive advantage to your business. But companies need to periodically evaluate what skills they need on their board in order to make use of that advantage.

    Ward Graffam Updated: June 11, 2021
  • How To

    How to choose the best commercial lease for your business

    Drew Anderson Updated: June 23, 2021

    Even in the best of times, commercial leases can be challenging to navigate. In the wake of COVID-19, most business owners are reconsidering a number of factors as they work their way back to something that resembles normal.

    Drew Anderson Updated: June 23, 2021
  • How To

    How to weather this crisis as a nonprofit

    Jack Moore Updated: December 1, 2021

    Despite the recent economic upheaval, there are steps that every not-for-profit can take to feel better prepared and buttress an endowment against the next round of market stressors.

    Jack Moore Updated: December 1, 2021
  • How To

    How to know when to trademark — and when not to

    Stacy Stitham Updated: May 14, 2021

    There is no shortage of advice available from trademark attorneys urging you to register your latest and greatest logo, product name or brand. Although there are often good reasons to consider applying for a trademark, there can be good reasons not

    Stacy Stitham Updated: May 14, 2021
  • Ask ACE

    Ask ACE: How to communicate successfully with a team

    Felicia Garant, Garant Consulting LLC Updated: July 27, 2020

    A guest consultant from the Association for Consulting Expertise addresses a familiar business challenge by first asking, "Who needs to know?"

    Felicia Garant, Garant Consulting LLC Updated: July 27, 2020
  • Ask ACE

    Ask ACE: How to handle the new, serious role of manager

    Jim Milliken, Portland Management Consultant Updated: July 13, 2020

    A guest consultant from the Association for Consulting Expertise advises a reader who's been promoted to a new management role but is struggling to be taken seriously by subordinates — formerly, peers.

    Jim Milliken, Portland Management Consultant Updated: July 13, 2020
  • Ask ACE

    Ask ACE: What to do when you don’t know what to do

    Jim Milliken, Portland Management Consultant Updated: June 29, 2020

    A guest consultant from the Association for Consulting Expertise responds to a reader's question with some fresh thinking about fresh thinking.

    Jim Milliken, Portland Management Consultant Updated: June 29, 2020
  • Ask ACE

    Ask ACE: Do’s and don’ts for starting up a business after COVID-19 downtime

    John Shorb, The Delphi Group Inc. Updated: November 12, 2021

    A guest consultant from the Association for Consulting Expertise advises a reader on the basics of reopening a business in the wake of the recent public health shutdowns.

    John Shorb, The Delphi Group Inc. Updated: November 12, 2021
  • Ask ACE

    Ask ACE: How can I make business meetings meaningful?

    Jim Milliken, Consultant Updated: June 1, 2020

    A guest consultant from the Association for Consulting Expertise advises a reader on how to make sure management group gatherings are worth the time.

    Jim Milliken, Consultant Updated: June 1, 2020
  • Thumbnail
    How To

    How to conduct a marketing audit

    Marnie Grumbach, Fluent IMC Updated: May 18, 2020

    Keeping a brand relevant is an ongoing commitment, a guest writer says. With that commitment comes the need for keepers of the brand to constantly analyze its relevance.

    Marnie Grumbach, Fluent IMC Updated: May 18, 2020
  • Ask ACE

    Ask ACE: How to overcome aversion to change

    Arthur Fink, Arthur Fink Consulting Updated: May 18, 2020

    In a time of volatile change, a guest consultant advises a reader on how businesses and their people can accept and adapt to it.

    Arthur Fink, Arthur Fink Consulting Updated: May 18, 2020
  • How To

    How to determine if your business should file for a registered trademark

    Sage Friedman, Murray Plumb and Murray Updated: July 7, 2021

    Trademark law is an area where popular perception deviates substantially from legal reality. A guest writer explains that too many companies waste time, energy or money pursuing a registered mark. But it can be necessary, too.

    Sage Friedman, Murray Plumb and Murray Updated: July 7, 2021
  • Ask ACE

    Ask ACE: How can I make productive use of downtime during the pandemic?

    Jim Milliken Updated: May 4, 2020

    A contributor from the Association for Consulting Expertise suggests how to make the most of a business hiatus when your work involves face-to-face consultation.

    Jim Milliken Updated: May 4, 2020
  • Ask ACE

    Ask ACE: What do I do in a financial crisis?

    Terry Johnson, Principal, Practical Decisions Updated: April 20, 2020

    A contributor from the Association for Consulting Expertise advises a reader on how to deal with a challenge more and more businesses are facing in the midst of global health crisis — financial crisis.

    Terry Johnson, Principal, Practical Decisions Updated: April 20, 2020
  • Ask ACE

    Ask ACE: In the age of coronavirus, how do you manage a distributed team?

    Arthur Fink, of Arthur Fink Consulting Updated: November 24, 2020

    A contributor from the Association for Consulting Expertise advises a reader on a frequent challenge in the new normal — what it takes to lead a team of remote employees.

    Arthur Fink, of Arthur Fink Consulting Updated: November 24, 2020
  • Ask ACE

    Ask ACE: Is there a good way to stop wasting time?

    Jim Milliken, Consultant Updated: April 1, 2021

    A contributor from the Association for Consulting Expertise advises a reader on how to make the most of a precious commodity — time — without using too much of it in the process.

    Jim Milliken, Consultant Updated: April 1, 2021