This guide is a collection of growth strategies that we have planned and implemented with our clients over the past 25 years. Your strategy selection should be based on the set measurable objectives to be achieved. The strategies can be relevant for any organization at any stage of growth.

Insight Strategic Concepts celebrates 25 years of being in business. Learn more about our evolution from strategic coaching to developing The Insight Growth System, BLOOM, Opportunity Collaborative, and online courses and learning solutions for leaders of small and medium-sized businesses, nonprofits, and community development projects.

Drawing from recent economic strategies and project announcements, manufacturing trends could add thousands of Northern Indiana jobs, boost GDP contributions, and foster diversification, though challenges like workforce gaps and legacy industry transitions may temper gains. Overall, the region stands to benefit from over $3 billion in announced investments, aligning with Indiana's broader advanced manufacturing resurgence, which accounts for 30% of private sector jobs and 42% of GDP statewide.

The Urban Renaissance Network (TURN) principals have specialized in the development and implementation of growth projects with progressive community leaders. We have collectively planned and implemented community development projects with a broad range of private and public leaders from most business and government sectors. We identify and integrate the vision, collaboration, work planning, and funding required to see projects through to execution.

In my original article from before 2018, inspired by Michael Collins' Saving American Manufacturing, I argued that the U.S. manufacturing sector was eroding the economy's foundation through job losses, trade deficits, and outdated practices. I emphasized the need for transformation beyond lean processes—focusing on growth, profitable customer selection, market expansion, and a shift to market-driven innovation. Since then, the landscape has evolved dramatically.

In today's "new economy," what you don't know can indeed destroy your organization—heightened uncertainty, rapid global shifts, and unmonitored employee morale lurk as silent threats, overwhelming leaders who cling to outdated historical data. Yet, opportunities abound: imagine forging creative bonds with customers and teams through proactive insights. At Insight, we advocate targeted research—inside audits of culture and productivity, outside evaluations of customer priorities, and around analyses of industry trends—to uncover misalignments and fuel strategic decisions. Start by engaging leadership to distill your unique DNA (mission, vision, values), align talent with roadmaps, and set measurable outcomes. Mobilize this knowledge into action: collect forward-looking data, share results to build trust, and refine plans in real-time. Don't wait for annual reviews; address your unknowns today to transform vulnerabilities into resilient, purpose-driven growth that differentiates you in a faster, service-based world.

Before starting the recruiting and hiring processes, Insight works with the management team to assure that everyone is on the same page with the requirements and expectations of the job. Too many times, managers are on different pages about what are the most important skills and talents for a candidate.

In the quest for personal and professional growth, self-assessments are powerful tools—but only if they’re accurate. "Beware the Inaccuracies of Self-Perception in Self-Assessment," dives into the pitfalls of flawed self-perception and its impact on effective self-evaluation. This article explores how cognitive biases and blind spots can distort how we view our strengths and weaknesses, offering leaders and professionals practical strategies to enhance self-awareness, leverage external feedback, and align self-assessments with reality for meaningful development and better decision-making.

Long ago, experts in the field of psychology (Plato, Aristotle, etc.) determined that there are three parts of the mind that we each have. These three parts make up our whole person. These three parts represent how we feel, do, and think during our individual creative processes. Learn more to optimize your performance!

In today’s competitive talent market, hiring the right people means more than checking boxes on a resume. "The Right Skills, The Right Fit: Take the Guesswork Out of Hiring," offers a strategic roadmap for leaders and HR professionals to streamline recruitment. By focusing on aligning candidates’ skills with organizational needs and cultural fit, the article reveals practical tools—like targeted assessments and behavioral interviews—to eliminate guesswork and reduce costly mis-hires. From defining role-specific competencies to fostering inclusive hiring practices, these insights empower businesses to build high-performing teams that drive long-term success in an ever-evolving workplace.

In a rapidly evolving business landscape, fostering a creative workforce is the key to staying competitive and innovative. "Tips on How to Cultivate a Creative Workforce" unveils actionable strategies to unlock your team’s creative potential, from encouraging open idea-sharing and embracing diverse perspectives to creating a psychologically safe environment where experimentation thrives. By prioritizing flexibility, investing in skill development, and aligning creative efforts with organizational goals, leaders can transform their teams into dynamic hubs of innovation.

A major challenge of sales and networking is achieving the balance of being involved with the process and then taking the time to follow up on leads. Once you gather leads, you need a system that will help you regularly respond to them.