Whether you’re running a service company, building a tech product, or preparing an exit, the three business value plays deliver a strategic roadmap for understanding how your business creates value — and how you, as the owner, ultimately extract it.

Tax season arrives every year, but 2026 brings a unique wave of changes, questions, and opportunities for business owners. Learn about the most common issues, misconceptions, and strategies shaping today’s tax landscape.

Operational excellence is the most overlooked driver of competitive advantage. This article explains why delivering your product or service right every time, not most of the time, is the key to stronger efficiency, repeat business, and sustainable profitability. Through examples from industry leaders like The Ritz-Carlton and Pal’s Sudden Service, it illustrates how mindset, clarity, and consistent systems enable organizations to achieve exceptional results.

A world-class leadership team is the most reliable driver of sustainable growth. This article explores why exceptional talent outperforms even the best strategies, how high performers transform execution, and the practical tools leaders can use to evaluate, strengthen, and scale their teams for long-term success.

The latest Simple Numbers data reveals a sharply divided entrepreneurial economy, with some companies gaining momentum while others struggle to maintain profitability. Key trends in labor efficiency, operating costs, and market demand highlight why certain industries are advancing and others are contracting. Understanding these dynamics, and the strategic actions that follow, is essential for business leaders navigating 2026.

Marketing in 2026 is changing rapidly, and small business owners are under increasing pressure to adapt. In a recent episode of Profitability Playbook: The Simple Numbers Podcast, hosts Mike Maxson and Brandon Gray interview Shawn Byrne of My Biz Niche to break down the biggest shifts in the marketing landscape. From the influence of artificial intelligence to the growing importance of platform‑specific messaging, Byrne emphasizes that what you say matters more than where you

The start of 2026 has already delivered an influx of news affecting entrepreneurs, from conversations about returning to the office to questions surrounding discounts, tariffs, and shifting market demand. In a recent episode of Profitability Playbook: The Simple Numbers Podcast, Brandon Gray and Mike Maxson break down these emerging headlines and share what they mean for business owners navigating an unpredictable landscape.

As another year wraps up, many business owners reflect on the same pressing questions: how to handle bonuses, whether to make year‑end purchases, and how to plan effectively for the year ahead. In a recent episode of Profitability Playbook: The Simple Numbers Podcast, Brandon Gray and Mike Maxson break down these decisions with practical guidance, from rethinking bonus strategies to avoiding unnecessary spending and building flexible financial plans.