As we move into the Holiday Season every November, we often find ourselves reflecting on the past year and reminding ourselves what we have to be thankful for.

Welcome to the fourth quarter of 2020! We made it! After how the year has gone so far, I am starting to wonder… what’s next? Or as someone told me, what level of Jumanji are we going into now?

It appears Fall is officially upon us! If you are in Wisconsin like us, that typically means leaves changing colors, pumpkin or pumpkin spice EVERYTHING, big comfy sweaters, football, and all the kids going back to school. Well this year, that last part seems to be a little bit different for everyone. Some schools are 100% virtual, while others are 100% in person, and then there are some that are an interesting mix.

I am frequently reminded of how important it is to have smart, trusted friends and colleagues in your network. If you’re like me, you read a lot – books, blogs, biz podcasts. I try to absorb a lot, always trying to improve my own skills and our company. But there’s nothing like a personal conversation with someone you trust to really get creative juices flowing. Sometimes you get advice that hits you precisely when you need it.

As we are living through these unprecedented times, I’m trying to hold some gratitude in my heart for how much our recordkeeping skills are needed right now. Of course, some (many?) days I am really thinking, for goodness sake, when is this going to end!? And how can one woman eat that many snacks? One of our Fine Point team members coined the phrase, “the Quarantine 15” and I tell ya, it’s a real thing. Ok, back to business!

As we are living through these unprecedented times, I’m trying to hold some gratitude in my heart for how much our recordkeeping skills are needed right now. Of course, some (many?) days I am really thinking, for goodness sake, when is this going to end!? And how can one woman eat that many snacks? One of our Fine Point team members coined the phrase, “the Quarantine 15” and I tell ya, it’s a real thing. Ok, back to business!

Luella Schmidt joins The Lucy Ann Lance Show in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Chamber report.

One of the most common recurring topics between me and my fellow entrepreneurs is how to deal with truly toxic customers.

I’ve been thinking about the idea of collegiality lately, and how it impacts culture at work. I remember watching Brett Favre years ago when he was still the Packers’ QB. He had just been sacked, but got up with a big grin, mouthing off and joking with the defender who tackled him. John Madden, in typical fashion, went off on a tangent about how Favre is so collegial.

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