archiveDe Facto Director Insider

Andrea d’Agostini is building businesses, fast. From his time as an actor in his late teens and early twenties, to his expansion of his entrepreneurial portfolio in the years to follow, there seems to be nothing he can’t do, craft, and attempt in order to make the world a more...

"I rose from humble origins with toxic family background. When I was 18 years old, I dropped out of college to support my parents financially and joined the Indian Air Force. I had to struggle hard to earn my livelihood. I sacrificed my personal time, invested a portion of my...

A study conducted a few years ago analyzed the impact of five operating levers—price; revenue; cost of goods sold (COGS); selling, general, and administrative expenses; and research and development—on the bottom line of any business. Specifically, researchers were trying to understand how each of these independently impacts the overall profitability...

Do your employees play the "blame game," or are they willing to take responsibility for their actions and outcomes?  Winning organizations and individuals do not make excuses or point fingers when they have not met their performance expectations. Instead, they freely assume ownership for the outcomes they have produced. Creating...

Sarah was super excited to be promoted to a leadership role. She’d worked incredibly hard to climb the ladder and be considered leadership material. She would now be leading the team that she previously worked with. This made her a little nervous and she was concerned how her team would...

If there's one thing every team wants to hear from a leader in every communication, it's gratitude. In addition to boosting your team's morale and motivation, public recognition also reinforces that you're paying attention to and supporting their endeavors. Even minor expressions of gratitude can have a major impact on...

Running a full-service insurance brokerage is generally a straightforward proposition. The company’s agents prospect for clients and write targeted insurance policies for those who come on board. Agents earn commission for the policy sales and retention. As the agents’ books of business grow, the insurance brokerage expands and may offer...

What happens when a highly successful, multi-level-C-Suite visionary leader decides to become the new owner of a small, chic, bridal boutique nestled in a loft in Soho? The wedding dreams of New York brides started coming true – one gorgeous bridal gown at a time. High powered exec, Laura McQuade...

If you are trying to raise awareness for your company, there are lots of options you have available. Even though you can invest in a traditional marketing campaign and raise awareness online, you should also consider running a special promotion from time to time. This can make a significant difference...

The most essential characteristic for building an authentic brand is integrity: you must be who you say you are, and you must remain true to your moral compass. Key aspects of this include consistency and making sure that all of your actions are in alignment with your core values, which...