“Destiny is a name often given in retrospect to choices that had dramatic consequences.” – J.K. Rowling I’ve had the opportunity recently to visit with a number of leaders who are nearing the end of their careers. They seem to be spending quite a bit of time reflecting on the past, as people in that … Read more
“There’s always free cheese in the mouse traps, but the mice there aren’t happy.” – Anonymous One of the hazards of my occupation is that sometimes people make assumptions. Perhaps the most common assumption is that when we say we can help your business be more successful, people assume that means we’re going to bring … Read more
“Looking back, my life seems to be one long obstacle course, with me as the chief obstacle.” – Jack Paar One of the things that holds true for leaders everywhere is that there is never a shortage of new things to learn. People change, technology changes, markets change, customers change – the list goes on … Read more
“It is easy to sit up and take notice. What is difficult is getting up and taking action.” – Al Batt I was fortunate enough to spend a morning with a group of leaders recently, and one of the topics that came up was how you can spot potential in younger employees. The conversation covered … Read more
“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” – George Bernard Shaw What do you really believe about change? Do you actually think you’re capable of making change in your life or your business? When … Read more
“Make every detail perfect, and limit the number of details to perfect.” – Jack Dorsey It’s been mentioned in this space previously (here and here, for example) that focus is one of the most critical parts of success for any organization. When I talk to leaders, they all agree that’s true. And yet nearly all … Read more
“Expecting life to treat you well because you are a good person is like expecting an angry bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian.” – Shari R. Barr Humans are interesting creatures. Despite all evidence to the contrary, we always seem to start new endeavors with the idea that everything will go smoothly. … Read more
“When we are no longer able to change a situation…we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Viktor Frankl We talk with our clients a lot about the importance of being agile as an organization. As markets change, as customers change, as people change, as technology changes, our businesses have to be able to adapt. The … Read more
“Slaying sacred cows makes great steaks.” – Dick Nicolose I was reminded recently of a problem that many leaders face on a daily basis. I was visiting with the leader of a business that’s been around a long time and, by virtually any measure, has been very successful. Over the past few years, however, things … Read more
“A good plan implemented today is better than a perfect plan implemented tomorrow.” – George S. Patton One of the struggles of leading in today’s world is the feeling that you don’t always have all the information. There are so many moving parts and so many things change so rapidly that we end up with … Read more
Get to know our proven, forward-thinking accounting, planning and business consulting experts.
1008 Third Avenue Sheldon, Iowa 51201 • (712) 324-4614 & 5130 E. 57th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57108 • (605) 610-4611
© 2025 Cain Ellsworth & Company, LLP
Sheldon:
1008 Third Avenue Sheldon, Iowa 51201 • (712) 324-4614
Sioux Falls:
5130 E. 57th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57108 • (605) 610-4611
© 2017 Cain Ellsworth & Company, LLP
