Michael Houlihan – Alister & Paine

Seven Big Rules to Follow When Firing a Client

Michael HoulihanJune 13, 2016

Firing a client is one of the most difficult decisions a business owner will ever make. And when push comes to shove, few actually do the deed. First of all, firing clients goes against everything a business owner knows. Clients keep the business goi...

Hiring New Talent? Here Are Seven Ways to Spot Entrepreneurial DNA

Michael HoulihanMay 16, 2016

As the market continues to improve, your organization might (finally!) be plugging some holes in the workforce and even creating new positions. But as you shuffle through résumés, don't get too hung up on finding the perfect mixture of background and...

No Shortcuts to Engagement: Eleven Ways to Create Real Employee Engagement from the Ground Up

Michael HoulihanOctober 28, 2013

These days we hear plenty about employee engagement. We know disengaged employees are bad for business. We know an office full of innovative, collaborative employees who feel like “owners” is the key to surviving a brutal marketplace. So, yes: We ...

Why Face Time Still Matters

Michael HoulihanFebruary 4, 2013

It’s official: Email, texting, and social media are no longer just helpful supplemental business tools. They’ve taken over the whole game. Yes, technology has made many aspects of modern living more convenient and “connected,” but the pendulum has sw...

Will Your Small Business Be Better Off Four Years from Now?

Michael HoulihanJanuary 7, 2013

Every election year brings uncertainty to the business community. This one is no exception. Small business owners are feeling some anxiety over what President Obama’s policies could mean for their future. Tune out the naysayers and get back to work. ...