Why Your Team Still Uses the Old System
Buying new software is a purchasing decision, but getting employees to use it is a management process. Employee resistance is not always stubbornness. A new system can change who has access to information, whose work is visible, and who is held accountable for delays or incomplete records. It can also temporarily reset an employee’s sense of competence.
Training alone does not solve this problem. If employees consistently route around a system, the owner should examine where and why that happens. The owner’s behavior matters just as much. If employees are expected to record job status in the system but the owner continues asking for updates by text, the team learns that the official process is optional.
S.M.A.R.T. Management provides a structured way to approach adoption. Make the expected behavior Specific by defining which tasks must be completed in the system. Make it Measurable by tracking completed records, active users, missing fields, or the percentage of jobs updated correctly. Keep it Attainable by starting with one workflow. Make it Relevant by explaining how the system reduces duplicate work or improves service for each role. Make it Timely by assigning an owner and reviewing adoption on a defined date.
WEEKLY RECOMMENDATION
This Week's Pick: The I in Team
One of the central ideas in Responsible Influence: Build the “I” in Team is that a leader’s responsibility to an employee does not end with the working relationship. How the leader handles their departure shows the rest of the team what that relationship was built on.
FEATURED VIDEO
How Clarity, Communication & Responsible Influence Build Trust
In this episode, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Kurt Luidhardt, founder of Liberty Spenders and president of The Prosper Group, to discuss how intentional leadership and communication shape the people around us. They explore why influence is never neutral, how clarity and transparency build trust, why leaders need dedicated time to think, and how challenging assumptions can prevent costly mistakes. Kurt also discusses storytelling as a way to help employees understand the larger purpose behind their work.
SMB SIGNALS
73%
of small businesses reported higher expenses over the previous three months, the highest share recorded since the survey began in early 2025.
Fall in Inflation-adjusted Monthly Revenue
Inflation-adjusted monthly revenue fell 1.52% to an average of $49,850 per business. Employment declined across all eight regions and 20 states tracked, while revenue fell in 18 of the 20 states.AI Eases Soloprenuers
FreshBooks' survey found that 90% say AI makes it easier for one person to start and run a business, while 65% say reviewing AI output and checking its accuracy can create additional work.Bipartisan Legislation
Congress is advancing bipartisan legislation to restore the $7.5 million debt limit for Subchapter V bankruptcy after it fell to roughly $3 million in 2024. The process allows eligible small businesses to restructure debt while retaining ownership and avoiding some of the costs of a traditional Chapter 11 case.
EVENTS
How Value Planning Reduces Panic and Builds Value (Virtual - September 24, 2026)
The Wisconsin SBDC webinar will explain the financial and operational factors that affect a company’s value. Owners will learn how buyers assess a business, which risks can reduce its value, how cleaner financial statements and stronger processes improve transferability, and what to consider when preparing to buy or sell.
3rd Annual Entrepreneurship & Leadership Summit (Baton Rouge, LA - October 1-2, 2026)
Southern University’s two-day summit will bring together entrepreneurs, students, business leaders, lenders, government agencies, and development organizations. Sessions will cover starting and scaling a business, leadership, acquisitions, access to capital, certifications, funding opportunities, and wealth creation. Attendance is free.
MORE TO READ
The Small Business Perspective (U.S. Bank)
U.S. Bank’s survey of roughly 1,000 small-business owners found that 68% reported growth over the past year, down from 88% in 2025, while optimism fell from 93% to 83%.
Output Baseline Check
Most owners notice when an employee's output changes, but without a baseline, it is difficult to tell whether the change is meaningful or simply normal variation. The Output Baseline Check gives you a reference point for one role in about 25 minutes, then takes a few minutes to update each month.
WEEKLY INSIGHT
"The best leaders don't just adapt to change — they anticipate it and prepare their teams."
— SMART Advantage Team
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