Secrets kill. Transparency saves. In workplaces where trust is already fragile, silence or half-truths can do more damage than any technological disruption. And now, as artificial intelligence reshapes the workplace, that principle has never been more urgent. AI itself is neutral. It doesn’t care about workers, unions,...
Private equity has mastered the sprint. EBITDA grows, roll-ups consolidate, exits deliver multiples. The model works, until it doesn’t. Here’s the paradox: the very tactics that drive short-term success often erode the long-term value buyers are willing to pay for. Debt strangles innovation. Cost cuts splinter...
The secret to growing your business is not capital alone. It is clarity. As a growing business, you have proven your model, built teams, and carved out market share. But unlike giants with unlimited capital, you are in the scale‑up period where every decision about positioning...
When a restaurant starts to slip, the instinct is almost always the same: chase the tangibles. Cut portion sizes. Raise prices. Remodel the décor. Throw money at marketing. These are visible levers, easy to measure, easy to justify in a boardroom. But restaurants don’t fail because...
I’ve lived logistics from both sides of the fence, as a buyer negotiating contracts and as a provider running companies with razor‑thin margins. That dual perspective taught me something most outsiders miss: the rules of this industry aren’t written in textbooks; they’re written in the...
As an executive, I’ve studied the economic drag caused by aging leadership. One insight stands out: when senior roles open due to mandatory retirement, younger professionals earn more earlier and retire with more. It’s not just about fairness. It’s about financial efficiency, organizational vitality, and...
In my years of executive leadership and mentoring, I’ve observed a recurring distinction among professionals seeking guidance. Broadly, they fall into two categories: those who pursue mentorship as a means of survival within their organizational environment, and those who seek it as a catalyst for...
By John Scheel, Managing Partner at Stone Management Partners Twenty years ago, I led a delivery transformation at a major consumer packaged goods company. The challenge was simple: how do we offer next-day delivery without drowning in cost and complexity? The solution wasn’t just operational, it was...
By John Scheel – Stone Management Partners In today’s digital landscape, convenience is king, but emotional resonance is the crown jewel. Two tech giants, Amazon and Uber, have redefined what it means to shop and travel, not just by streamlining the process, but by transforming it...
By John & Garry | Stone Management Partners At some point in every founder’s journey, the very traits that built the business —passion, grit, and relentless effort —become the things that hold it back. We’ve seen this firsthand in companies at a crossroads, where growth stalls...