The operator's briefing · August 20, 2026
Run by operators, not bloggers.
Business Concepts
2026 US retail store closures are down year over year, yet chains like Forever 21 folded fast. See what separates survivors from the casualties.
Business Concepts
Bankruptcy is not one tool. Compare Chapter 7, 11, 13 and Subchapter V by business structure, plus the 2026 debt limits, and see which fits your case.
Leadership
Mark Zuckerberg's 2026 AI bet, $145B capex, and 8,000 layoffs hold real leadership lessons. See what to copy, what to skip, and how to lead with conviction.
Business Concepts
CoreWeave stock jumped after blowout Q2 2026 earnings and a $104B backlog. Here's what CRWV's AI cloud business means for your tech strategy.
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Explore
Styles, development and the judgment calls nobody teaches you.
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Listening, feedback and the conversations that move work forward.
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Bosses, coworkers, careers - navigating the real workplace.
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KPIs, delegation and running teams that deliver.
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Positioning, segmentation and marketing that actually sells.
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The concepts behind every sound business decision.
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What AI can genuinely do for a small business today.
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Honest reviews of the tools we run our own businesses on.
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Free resources
Instant, no-signup math for the numbers that run a business.
Original, operator-framed data you can cite.
Latest
AI for Business
Compare the best free AI website builder options for 2026, plus free AI image, video, and logo tools to launch your site without spending a cent.
Communication
We tested icebreaker activities for adults in real meetings and retreats. See the 9 that spark real conversation, no cringe required.
Communication
Icebreaker events turn strangers into a working group fast. See 10 formats that fit any conference, retreat, or team meeting, plus tips to make them land.
Workplace & Career
In what capacity you know the candidate? See 7 ready-to-use answers for reference and application questions, plus what recruiters expect you to say.
Software
Job scheduling software splits into three unrelated categories: field dispatch, staff shifts, and IT batch automation. See which one actually fits your team.
Business Concepts
Levitt Pavilion brings free concerts in over 100 towns nationwide, plus 50 shows every summer in Sioux Falls. See dates, venues, and how to attend.
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Software, tested for real
Every tool in our directory is reviewed with real screenshots, real pricing math and a straight verdict - from people who use these platforms to run actual businesses every day.
All-in-one CRM
GoHighLevel, HubSpot and the contenders compared
Project management
monday.com, Asana, ClickUp - which fits your team
AI tools
What is genuinely useful for a small business
Finance & ops
Payroll, accounting and scheduling that scale
More to explore
Management
A meeting agenda keeps every meeting short and useful. Get copy-paste formats, a reusable template, and real examples that end with owned action items.
Management
Micro management means over-controlling how work gets done. Here are 15 clear signs you're a micromanager, why it hurts teams, and how to stop.
Management
The psychological effects of micromanagement include anxiety, stress, burnout, and learned helplessness. See how control harms employees and how to recover.
Business Concepts
Stock market holidays 2026: is the stock market open today? The 2026 NYSE and Nasdaq calendar, early closes, and the July 3 Independence Day closure.
Software
Team productivity software compared: 8 categories, real 2026 pricing, and a simple method to pick a lean stack. See which tools fit your team.
Software
The top business schools for 2026 according to FT, US News and QS, with tuition, salary data and how to pick the right MBA for your goals.
Software
What is monday.com? A no-code Work OS where teams build custom boards for projects, CRM, dev, and service. See how it works, pricing, and who it fits.
Business Concepts
Capital goods examples explained simply: machines, buildings, and trucks a business uses to produce value, plus how working capital and COGS fit together.
