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Is America really that polarized? The answer might be a surprise
The U.S. has become more politically polarized, but research shows people overestimate their differences and there is 'messy middle' majority of Americans who share overlapping political views.
Libertarians allege political discrimination in Tarrant County midterm ballot review process
The Republican chair of the early voting ballot board hasn’t followed state election law, libertarians claim.
Politics: The Final Weekend Before The Midterms
The final weekend of campaigning before Election Day has passed. President Donald Trump attended rallies in Kansas and Iowa on Sunday — despite initially announcing those rallies were cancelled. The president said they were back on the schedule on Friday.In more than two dozen campaign stops in October, the president’s influence among Republican voters has been tested — in a midterm election that is a referendum on his presidency so far.And while GOP campaigning continues to hinge on Trump — among Democrats, a fractured party in Michigan is becoming a problem of its own. In Michigan’s Senate Race, former Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens issued a late and shocking endorsement for the Republican candidate, Mike Rogers. Michigan’s Senate seat is a key piece to retaking control of the chamber for Democrats.More than 50 million votes have already been cast. What insight did this weekend’s campaigning give us to the state of the midterms?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.
QC 1000 belongs in the business case
Audit quality should be part of deciding what resources to commit, what work to change, and what support can safely be withdrawn.
Zainab Johnson's new special breaks boundaries of Black female comedy
In her new special, “Toxically Optimistic,” comedian Zainab Johnson turns a recurring backyard opossum into an unexpected story about challenging audiences’ assumptions.
BYU–Hawaii Student Writes Novel Promoting Mental Health Awareness in the Philippines
English and psychology senior Yvenna Laine Pomarejo says that storytelling is more than a way to imagine a better world; it is a way to help understand the world we live in. Inspired by her Filipino culture and desire to raise mental health awareness, Pomarejo turned to writing a young adult novel.
Martha Stewart apologizes twice for homeless Halloween costume
Martha Stewart dressed as a person struggling with poverty for Halloween. She addressed the backlash on Sunday.
Best Practices for Accommodating Mental Health Conditions
Employers must assess mental-health accommodation requests under the ADA and applicable state and local laws. They should engage in a documented dialogue, consider effective options—such as schedule changes, leave, or remote work—and grant an accommodation unless it prevents essential job duties or creates undue hardship. Indefinite leave generally isn’t required.
North Carolina attorney general joins lawsuit over business ownership rule
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson and 20 other attorneys general are asking a federal court to block a rule that exempts nearly all U.S. companies
Governor Newsom proposes $1 billion cap for film and TV tax incentive
In an effort to maintain California’s role in the film and TV industry, Governor Newsom is asking to expand the state’s tax credit program again.
McDonald’s McRib is back — and so is a fight over what’s in it
A Chicago federal judge allows a lawsuit accusing McDonald's of misleading customers about the meat in its McRib sandwich to move forward.
North Carolina attorney general joins lawsuit over business ownership rule
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson and 20 others are suing to block a Treasury rule that exempts most U.S. companies from ownership reporting.
UVA Health Expands Gastroenterology Services in Northern Virginia with Addition of Three Established Practices
UVA Health Expands Gastroenterology Services in Northern Virginia with Addition of Three Established Practices
Trump lawyers ask Supreme Court to set aside 20,000 California ballots
The appeal by the Trump administration comes days ahead of the midterm election, and after federal judges have rejected the bid to set aside 20,000 California ballots.
Dozens of Commonwealth leaders descend on Antigua at time of global political turbulence
Leaders representing nearly a third of the world’s population are meeting on the tiny Caribbean island of Antigua this week to strengthen ties at a time of global political upheaval
Former FBI boss in Chicago says he was forced out by politics, files lawsuit
The unexpected “resignation” by Chicago’s highest-ranking federal law enforcement official wasn’t a resignation at all, he said in a revealing first interview since his FBI career was brought to an end.
THE WEEK OF NOV 2, 2026
- Midterms to affect science policy - NSF backs off grant changes - PCAST to hold first meeting
In Kansas, a data center backlash is uniting voters across the political aisle
Data center developments are sparking backlash in Kansas, where even some Trump supporters are turning against the president over concerns about health, utility costs and farmland.
Howard Brown Health Plans $5 Million Rogers Park Clinic Expansion
A $3 million state grant will help fund renovations at the health center's Rogers Park location.
Machine learning and winter storm predictions to be the focus of Nov. 6 talk
Song Zhang, a graduate student in the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science at Penn State, will give the talk “Understanding, retrieving and predicting winter precipitation with polarimetric radar and machine learning” at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, in 117 Earth and Engineering Sciences Building on the University Park campus. The talk also will be available via Zoom.
FSU celebrates completion of $137.5 million health research building in Tallahassee
Construction is complete on FSU Health's $137.5 million Health Research and Collaboration building. The university unveiled it during a ribbon cutting Friday.
Learning to LEAP: Building business confidence for nature-related assessment and disclosure
Nature loss is a material business risk. Companies increasingly face expectations from investors, regulators, customers and clients to understand and manage their nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks and opportunities. Yet for many organizations, the challenge is not awareness of nature-related disclosures but their implementation in a focused, practical and business-relevant way. Learning to LEAP draws
Cancer Care Closer to Home: Barton Health Expands Cancer Care Services
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Barton Health is expanding access to cancer care in the Lake Tahoe region with the launch of Barton Cancer Care, providing patients with expert, coordinated cancer care closer to home. ...
Explore events for small businesses across Pa. during Global Entrepreneurship Week at Penn State
Global Entrepreneurship Week Penn State will bring entrepreneurs, business owners, students and community members together through events across central Pennsylvania and the commonwealth, offering networking, workshops and opportunities to connect with local businesses and entrepreneurial resources.
Two-thirds of 2026 Taste of Chicago food vendors were flagged with health code violations
A WBEZ/Sun-Times analysis of health department inspections revealed dozens of violations for food at improper temperatures. We also discovered little evidence that private events, like Lollapalooza, are inspected at all.
Haley Stevens backs Mike Rogers. And, Gulf states brace for potential attack on Iran
Democrats in Michigan are considering their options after Haley Stevens endorsed GOP candidate Mike Rogers for Senate. And the Gulf states are bracing for a possible U.S. attack on Iran after the midterms.
Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom, weighing 2028 runs, rally together in California
The California politicians showed a unified front while campaigning, which Democrats elsewhere struggled to do.
Talarico and Paxton would like to be called 'senator.' Does power come with the title?
Ken Paxton and James Talarico have made big campaign promises. Can they deliver?
Two-thirds of 2026 Taste of Chicago food vendors were flagged with health code violations
A WBEZ/Sun-Times analysis of health department inspections revealed dozens of violations for food at improper temperatures. We also discovered little evidence that private events, like Lollapalooza, are inspected at all.
As North Texas voters break early voting records, Tarrant County becomes an election battleground
North Texas saw a higher voter turnout this year compared to past midterm elections. Tarrant County had nearly 572,000 voters, which some experts say is expected with both political parties watching county races closely.
North Texas voters raise concerns about healthcare, Medicare and insurance costs ahead of midterms
North Texans say rising medical costs, insurance premiums and gaps in care for seniors are among the health care concerns they want elected officials to address ahead of the midterm elections.
Exciting new galleries leading a Los Angeles art renaissance
Over the past year, nearly 50 new commercial mid-sized galleries have opened across Los Angeles, significantly outpacing closures. We are not facing an art world apocalypse, it’s more like a necessary structural correction; increasingly, it looks like it might even be a renaissance.
A campaign season of surprises peaks with Tuesday's midterms
The campaign has been defined by affordability and economic issues that have spurred an expected turn toward Democrats by voters and created headwinds for Republicans.
How does this fluoride-free toothpaste compare when it comes to oral health?
Many people are swapping out their fluoride dental products for ones made with a mineral called hydroxyapatite. What do dentists say about it?
6 things to watch for on election night
Some of the key storylines to watch will center around various voters groups that have soured on President Trump during his second turn out.
When it comes to election pressure, this year's Georgia or Michigan could be anywhere
The districts that will decide control of the House and Senate next year are spread across the country. Voting officials in those places may face scrutiny and pressure they've never experienced.
Could virtual reality speed up learning?
Does swinging a lightsaber help us learn? New research from Florida Atlantic University and Brown University found that movement dramatically helps with certain kinds of complex learning. The research was published in the journal Science Advances. Interested in more science involving video games? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
Is Seagate Still The Business You Bought?
For questions about this article or underlying research, email help@trefis.com. If you own Seagate Technology (STX), you likely bought into a hard disk manufacturer whose profits expanded in strong years and contracted in weak ones.
Today in History, 1938: Wahpeton State School Science (NDSCS) adds air conditioning courses
On November 2, 1938, the Wahpeton State School of Science introduced an air conditioning course as part of an expansion made possible by a $95,000 addition to its trades building.
BUSINESS MONDAY: Spotlight on Literacy Network’s Pittsfield Learning Center
The new location allows the nonprofit to offer broader access and programs to the Berkshire community.
Commanders take care of business against flailing Eagles in prime time
After a sluggish start, Washington rallied for a 27-10 win against its NFC East rival on “Sunday Night Football.”
BUSINESS BRIEFS November 2, 2026: Business news in the Berkshires and beyond
Business news from Berkshire Art Center, Westside Legends, Bard College, Berkshire Money Management, and more
Is CVS Health Stock Worth More Than Its Competitors?
For questions about this article or underlying research, email help@trefis.com. In a peer group with UnitedHealth Group, Cigna and Walmart, CVS Health (CVS) ranks second of four on revenue growth and third on operating margin. CVS shares trade at 23.6 times earnings, compared with 12.
ACA changes: Higher premiums, fewer enrollment options
People signing up for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act for 2027 should expect higher premiums and fewer options.
If we say AIs deserve rights, it could start to believe it, Microsoft CEO says
Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman warns against building conscious AI, arguing that treating machines as sentient could lead to dangerous consequences.
Top 5 most-read stories last week: Ski resorts open, business closes and asphalt plant shutdown
Stories in this list received the most page views on SummitDaily.com from Oct. 25-31. 1. Breckenridge man arrested on attempted murder charge The Summit County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Breckenridge man Oct. 25 on a...
Political missteps could cost GOP
A president’s influence is not measured only by how many candidates accept his endorsement. It is measured by whether his leadership makes his party stronger. By that measure, Donald Trump’s political choices are putting Republican control of the Senate and the House at risk. The warning signs are visible in Texas, South Carolina and Louisiana, […]
For older voters, health costs and coverage are key issues
Rising healthcare costs are a major concern for older Americans, and it's affecting their finances and political priorities as they cast their ballots.
PENN Entertainment (PENN) Draws Earnings Attention, Is The Stock Still A Bargain?
Investor attention on PENN Entertainment (PENN) is building ahead of the September quarter earnings report on November 5, with a focus on digital integration, property upgrades, and exposure to higher gaming taxes. PENN Entertainment’s recent momentum has picked up, with a 1 day share price return of 3.72% and a 7 day gain of 9.66%. This follows a weaker 90 day share price return that declined 22.55%, while the 5 year total shareholder return is down 74.26%, illustrating a sharp contrast...
Do you know signs of a stroke? BE FAST are the words to remember
Sen. Chris Murphy is expected to fully recover from his stroke. The acronym BE FAST can help you remember the symptoms of stroke and what to do when it happens: Call 911 quickly.
Rep. Haley Stevens is no longer a Michigan Democratic Party member, chair says
Curtis Hertel announced the decision just over an hour after Stevens released an endorsement video for Michigan’s GOP Senate nominee, Mike Rogers.
South Texas Health System (@stxhealthsystem)
1 likes, 0 comments - stxhealthsystem on November 1, 2026: "Shaping the Future of Stroke Care: In healthcare, learning never stops. New research, treatment advances and best practices are constantly emerging, making ongoing education essential for improving patient outcomes and delivering high-quality care. Recently, Amanda Rubalcado, BSN, SCRN, Stroke Educator at South Texas Health System McAllen, presented an in-depth session on stroke recognition, treatment and prevention to students participating in the Pathways for Advancing Careers and Education (PACE) Program through the @vida_careers at @stcjaguars. The PACE program helps low-income, unemployed and underemployed Rio Grande Valley residents gain the education and training needed to pursue high-demand, high-wage careers, including careers in healthcare. Understanding the warning signs of stroke and the importance of timely treatment can make the difference between life and death. Through partnerships like this, STHS is helping prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals to deliver exceptional, compassionate care and build a healthier future for the Rio Grande Valley. #STHS #HealthcareEducation #STC #VIDA #CareerAdvancement #StrokeEducation".
Schumer calls Haley Stevens’s endorsement of a Republican ‘a despicable betrayal’
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer had endorsed Stevens in the heated Democratic primary for the coveted Senate seat.
Lawsuits say rural Alaska voting sites failed to open before Election Day
A hearing in the Midnight Sun case is scheduled for Monday.
Drake Copyright Lawsuit Over "Janice STFU" Dismissed Without Prejudice
The suit's central allegations were previously denied by a Drake rep as part of a larger effort to exploit the 'Iceman' artist's name.
How to think about the midterms — and the political moment the country is in
Polls show Democrats with an advantage in the midterm election but there are potential limitations and results may take a while to roll in.
Judge tosses Trump's attempt to block Alaska Senate results if GOP incumbent loses
A federal judge has dismissed a highly unusual lawsuit by the Trump administration that tried to block the certification of results from Alaska's U.S. Senate race if the Republican incumbent lost.
The midterms will test the nation's political direction and confidence
At least some portion of the nation is likely to have its political confidence — and perhaps even its sense of security — tested in the days and weeks ahead. That test could also continue for some time to come.
Marshall’s closing message in Kansas is a defense of his lawsuits against patients
Sen. Roger Marshall, an OB-GYN, practiced for decades in a mostly rural part of the state. He said Adam Hamilton is unfairly attacking him over the patients he sent to debt collection.
Democrat Haley Stevens appears with Michigan GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers
The appearance of Stevens, who recently clashed with Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed over an ad, marked a stunning turn. She previously said she wanted a Democratic victory in the Senate race.
Michael Mann accidentally shoots himself at L.A. gun range, rep says
The 83-year-old filmmaker suffered a minor injury when a gun discharged while holstered. His representative said he was treated at a hospital and is being released.
Alamo no longer appears on Ken Paxton’s tour
Ken Paxton's list of stops no longer includes the Alamo.
Politics questions? Ask Karen Tumulty.
Join our chief political correspondent for her next live chat on Monday, Nov. 2 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time.
Losing Michigan Senate candidate Haley Stevens: ‘Go vote!’
Her statement comes after days of public discord with Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed.
Trump administration promises US farmers $15 billion in weeks before the midterms
President Donald Trump’s administration has made $15 billion worth of promises to agriculture producers in the last few weeks of the midterm elections.
Political Pulse: $10 Million CYFD settlement, Crown Act lawsuit, and UNM Go Bond 3
Visit the post for more.
Maryland health insurance rates are rising. What to know as open enrollment begins
Marylanders can begin shopping for 2027 health insurance plans Sunday, as higher rates make comparing coverage and costs especially important.
It's ACA open enrollment time. Here are the changes for health insurance shoppers
The ACA health insurance marketplaces — find yours at HealthCare.gov — open Nov. 1 for 2027 coverage. Getting an early start may be especially important this year.
Both parties tried to game Alaska primary field
The Democrat running for Senate, Mary Peltola, is accused of recruiting a spoiler candidate, but Republicans have also boosted spoilers.
Trump Accounts: What parents need to know about automatic enrollment, $1,000 seed money and activation
Your child may be enrolled in a “Trump Account” whether you realize it or not
A potential Democratic wave looms over Trump. Where does MAGA go after the midterms?
The Republican reckoning tests a party infrastructure reshaped around President Trump since his insurgent rise in 2015 transformed the GOP.
Book Review: ‘Sound Tracks,’ by Graeme Lawson
In “Sound Tracks,” the musician and archaeologist Graeme Lawson tells our story, in ancient instruments.
How one family gave a critical boost to gene therapy research
A family affected by Sanfilippo syndrome raised millions of dollars for research. The Food and Drug Administration just approved a gene therapy the support helped make possible.
Clues emerge on why colon cancer may be harder to treat in young people
New research could offer targets for future studies and new treatments.
A battle for the soul of L.A. could reveal the future of the left
In California’s largest city, a progressive mayor once inspired by Castro’s Cuba faces a democratic socialist who wants to unleash housing development.
The corruption election: Democrats link Trump’s wealth to voters’ economic pain
Candidates are painting the president and Republican incumbents as enriching themselves while ordinary Americans struggle to make ends meet.
What's it like to run for Congress when the odds are stacked heavily against you?
The majority of congressional races this cycle are rated either solid Democrat or solid Republican. They're the opposite of tossups, where candidates from the minority party face near impossible odds.
Will Josh Shapiro’s Data Center Past Haunt his Political Future?
As Pennsylvania’s popular governor gears up for a potential presidential run, his reversal on the issue draws scrutiny.
Ye draws record Halloween Houston with North West & Playboi Carti
Ye, formerly Kanye West, drew a record-breaking crowd to Houston's Reliant Stadium with Playboi Carti & North West.
'Grasping at straws': Judge dismisses Trump suit against Wall Street Journal over Epstein letter
Saying the president was "grasping at straws," a federal judge on Saturday threw out Donald Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and media mogul Rupert Murdoch over a story reporting on his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
What's it like to run for Congress when the odds are stacked heavily against you?
The majority of congressional races this cycle are rated either solid Democrat or solid Republican. They're the opposite of tossups, where candidates from the minority party face near impossible odds.
Where to go Sunday for Dia de Los Muertos celebrations
Neighborhoods and towns all over the region have been observing Dia de los Muertos for decades as a way to remember the loved ones who are gone.
Washington scores late, rallies past Nebraska
Demond Williams Jr.came off the bench in the fourth quarter and threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Chris Lawson with 1:30 remaining as Washington rallied to beat Nebraska 17-10 in a Big Ten Conference game Saturday night in Lincoln, Neb.
Trump administration's social media posts criticized as racially inflammatory
The Trump administration’s online accounts have circulated images of a pumpkin carved with a sombrero design and a fake Halloween-themed background around a Black man apparently accused of food assistance fraud.
NASA's Swift telescope on the verge of plunging back to Earth
A NASA telescope is barely clinging to space after a failed rescue effort left it tottering and sinking toward Earth. A few pieces that don't burn up in the atmosphere are expected to land in the ocean on or about Friday.
Business Owners Have a Window. Most Aren't Ready to Use It. by Tully Ryan
I spend my working life on both sides of a business sale. As an M&A advisor based in Wilmington, I help lower middle market owners across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia sell what they've built. As the founder and CEO of IQExit, I work with the bankers, wealth advisors, CPAs and attorneys who sit beside those owners for years before a sale ever comes up. From both seats, I keep seeing the same thing. The market is ready for our owners. Too many of our owners aren't ready for the market. Start with our own backyard. Wilmington's metro area added more than 12,000 residents between July 2024 and July 2025, a 2.6% jump that ranked seventh in the country. It also posted the highest job growth rate of any metro in North Carolina. I see the same pattern in the growth markets I work in across the Southeast. New residents mean new customers and new workers. They also mean new buyers: people who moved here from corporate jobs and want to own something, private equity groups looking for add-ons in HVAC, electrical, landscaping and other trade services, and younger entrepreneurs who would rather buy a running business than start one from scratch. The ownership numbers are hard to ignore. About half of North Carolina's small businesses have an owner who is 55 or older, and roughly 85% of those owners have no succession plan, according to the North Carolina Employee Ownership Center. Nationally, more than half of Baby Boomer business owners have no documented transition plan. That isn't a crisis yet. It's a timing problem. A lot of businesses will change hands over the next decade, and the prepared ones will get the better buyers and the better terms. Buyers have money and they're using it. But an active market doesn't mean a fast one. The IBBA's latest Market Pulse survey found that Main Street deals took six to 10 months from engagement to close in the second quarter, and lower middle market deals took 11 to 12 months. That clock starts after the owner decides to sell. In my experience, the real preparation has to start years before. Two clocks, two playbooks When I sit down with an owner or their advisor, my first question isn't “What's it worth?” It's “When?” The answer puts the owner in one of two groups. If the owner wants out within 24 months, we're in execution mode. There's no time to rebuild the business. The work is cleaning up what a buyer will test: three years of financials that tie to the tax returns, an add-back schedule you can prove, customer and vendor contracts in writing, a lease that can be assigned, and a price the market will actually pay. The goal is certainty to close. If the exit is two to five years away, the owner has something worth more than time. They have choices. That window is where most value gets built, and most owners waste it by waiting. What kills deals In the lower middle market, deals rarely die over the headline price. They die in diligence, or they get retraded late in the process. I see the same causes again and again. The owner is the business. If every key customer relationship runs through the owner's cell phone, a buyer sees risk and a lender sees more of it. The books don't hold up. Buyers spot weak accounting fast. Statements that get revised mid-process, a revolving door in the bookkeeper's chair, revenue tracked on a side spreadsheet, and margins that slip while sales climb with no clear reason all make a buyer nervous. So does an owner who pushes back when asked for documents. And plenty of private owners run personal expenses through the company. Add-backs are normal. Add-backs you can't document turn into a lower offer. The real estate isn't sorted out. Many owners hold their building in a separate LLC. That's fine, but the lease terms or the property sale should be settled before a buyer shows up, not halfway through diligence. Revenue sits in too few hands. Picture a contractor with 40% of its work coming from one builder, or a service company running on handshake deals. Buyers will still look, but the terms shift toward more seller financing, an earnout, or less cash at closing. Owners and advisors: if your exit is three to five years out • Get a baseline now. Find out where the business really stands today: what a buyer would pay, who that buyer is likely to be, and which gaps would hurt you in diligence. You can't fix what you haven't measured, and the answer is often different from what the owner expects. • Make yourself less necessary. Spend the next few years building a manager or small team that can run daily operations and own customer relationships. Put handshake deals into written contracts. A business that runs without its owner is worth more and is far easier to finance. • Clean the books for three straight years. Buyers and lenders look back at least three years. Separate personal expenses, keep the financials tied to the tax returns, track every add-back as you go, and settle the real estate plan early. A word to CPAs CPAs often see a sale coming before anyone else, and you're usually the most trusted voice an owner has. Year-end meetings are the right time to start this conversation. Here's what I'd ask every CPA to do this season with business owner clients over 55: • Ask the timing question. “Do you see yourself owning this business in five years? If not, who takes it over?” Write down the answer and bring it up again at next year's meeting. • Run a proof of cash and review revenue recognition. Make sure the cash in the bank ties to the revenue on the books. Pay close attention to contractors with work in progress and to companies selling memberships or service plans. These issues are easy to fix with years of lead time and painful to fix a month before closing. • Pair the tax return with an exit readiness review. Invite clients to complete IQExit's Exit Readiness Intelligence (ERI) process as part of year-end planning. It gives you and the client a shared picture of readiness gaps and an indicative value range, and the results come back to you as the advisor. That turns a tax meeting into a planning relationship, and it puts you in position to bring in tax and M&A help early, when choices like purchase price allocation can still save the client real money. Changing the conversation For bankers, wealth advisors and attorneys, the hard part is raising the subject without seeming to nudge a client toward the door. I understand that. Nobody wants to tell a 60-year-old owner it's time to sell. So don't. Ask a different question: “If a buyer called tomorrow, what would they find?” That's a planning question, not a pitch, and it's useful whether the exit is two years out or 15. It's the question we built IQExit to help advisors answer. Whether you're in Wilmington, Raleigh, Charleston, Richmond or anywhere else, owners have a real opening right now. The buyers are out there and so is the capital. The owners who come out ahead will be the ones who start getting ready before they're ready to sell.
The Best Time to Fix Your Business Is When Things Are Going Well by Nathan Tayloe
There's a pattern I've noticed working with growing businesses over the years. Conversations about what needs to change rarely happen when things are going well. They tend to happen when growth slows, a competitor starts winning business, or something that used to work stops producing the same results. By then, the decisions are often harder, more expensive, and more urgent than they needed to be. It's understandable. When revenue is growing, customers are coming in, and employees are busy, there's little incentive to question what's working. Leaders have plenty to manage without creating new challenges for themselves. Running my own business has taught me that it's easy to get caught up in what's happening today and put off improvements you know will matter tomorrow. Those periods of success may actually be the best opportunity a business has to make meaningful improvements. When Success Makes Change Less Urgent Most businesses have things they know could be better. The challenge is finding a compelling reason to address them when everything appears to be working. Maybe the company has outgrown its original positioning. Perhaps internal processes haven't kept pace with growth, or the customer experience has become inconsistent as the organization has expanded. These issues don't necessarily prevent a business from growing. Strong demand can make them easier to overlook, especially when teams are focused on keeping up with the work already coming in. Over time, small inefficiencies become accepted ways of operating. Outdated processes remain in place because they've always worked well enough, and opportunities to improve get pushed aside in favor of more immediate demands. The business continues moving forward, but some of the things supporting that growth aren't getting stronger along with it. The Advantage of Acting Early When a business is performing well, leadership has something valuable: options. There's more flexibility to invest, experiment, develop people, and make thoughtful decisions without the pressure of an immediate problem that needs solving. Compare that with trying to make the same changes when revenue is declining, or the market has shifted. Investments become harder to justify, timelines get compressed, and decisions that could have been made strategically become urgent responses to circumstances. I've seen businesses postpone improvements for years because there was never a particularly good time to address them. Eventually, circumstances decide for them, often when they have fewer resources and less flexibility to respond. Growth Changes What a Business Needs This is especially relevant in a growing market like Wilmington, where new businesses, new residents, and continued investment are creating opportunities across the region. As organizations grow, the expectations placed on them change. Customers expect greater consistency, employees need clearer processes and opportunities, and leadership has to make decisions that support a larger, more complex business. What worked when a company was smaller may still work today, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will support where the organization wants to go next. Sometimes the most valuable improvements are the ones that prepare a business for demands it hasn't experienced yet. That might mean: Strengthening internal processes before they become bottlenecks Developing leaders before the organization depends on them Improving the customer experience before inconsistencies affect retention Revisiting positioning before the market outgrows the company's story None of these changes requires a crisis. They require recognizing that a growing business needs to keep evolving, even when current performance gives leadership little reason to worry. Use the Good Years Wisely Successful businesses don't need to constantly reinvent themselves. There's value in knowing what works and having the discipline to build on it. There's also value in occasionally asking whether the business is as strong as its current performance suggests. Are there problems we've learned to work around instead of solving? Are we still operating the way we did several years ago, even though the business has changed? What would we improve today if we weren't waiting for something to go wrong? Success creates the freedom to ask those questions and act on the answers. The businesses that make the most of that opportunity are often better prepared for whatever comes next. The strongest businesses don't need a crisis to recognize an opportunity to improve. They use the good years to prepare for the years ahead. — Learn more about how we help organizations strengthen their positioning, align their strategy, and prepare for what's next at tayloegray.com, or reach out directly at nathan@tayloegray.com.
Screenwriter sues director Alexander Payne, claiming ‘The Holdovers’ was stolen from his script
David Hemingson, the creator of ABC's "Whiskey Cavalier" and a veteran television writer for shows including "Kitchen Confidential" and "How I Met Your Mother," was also named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
Republicans are about to find out whether their gerrymanders backfired
As analysts forecast a possible 'blue wave' of support for Democrats, election experts are watching whether Republicans’ gerrymandering efforts could backfire, turning out to be a 'dummymander.'
Rep. Jake Auchincloss flashes gun, may have broken law, in ‘Yes on 9’ political ad
Congressman Jake Auchincloss is coming under fire for airing an online political video ad in support of the ‘Yes on 9’ ballot campaign in which critics say he broke state and federal gun laws.
Progressive political groups sue Alaska elections officials for failing to open rural voting sites before Election Day
The lawsuits were filed by the Alaska Democratic Party and a political nonprofit that has donated to a PAC spending millions to support Mary Peltola in the U.S. Senate race.
Phoebe Bridgers' phone-free Lost Tour lets an arena hear her think
The singer's first of three hometown shows at Inglewood's Intuit Dome was an intimate emotional spectacle.
Attorneys for Alaska say 'meritless' Trump demand to set aside Senate ballots 'not even possible'
Alaska’s Republican-run state government is urging a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed at President Donald Trump’s direction to stop the certification of a possible Democratic win in that state’s pivotal U.S. Senate race.
At Ken Paxton rally, impeachment had a silver lining
The Texas attorney general was impeached in 2023 by a Republican-led state House but acquitted in the state Senate. And then he went after his enemies.
Trump administration sued over federal efforts to set aside WA ballots
Three organizations have sued after federal officials ordered Washington state to set aside 400 ballots the U.S. government claims went to ineligible voters.
Congo's Ebola deaths top 5,000 as fear of continent-wide spread mounts
Deaths in Congo's Ebola outbreak have topped 5,000 as the disease spreads relentlessly.
Anti-corruption and party discipline: takeaways from from this week's key political meeting in Beijing
The Communist party central committee meeting was focused on discipline and fighting corruption. It comes ahead of next year when Xi is widely expected to try to secure a fourth term.
Virginia and D.C. sue over Trump's arch, adding to legal challenges as government wants work to begin
There are now three lawsuits calling for a halt to potential work on a monument that would rise 250 feet on a patch of grass off the bridge that spans the Potomac River, connecting the city with Arlington National Cemetery.