Cultivant was spotlighted at Kenmore Business Alliance this morning, thanks to Bothell-Kenmore Chamber of Commerce. Hoon, our co-founder, spoke on the importance of planning ahead for business owners so they can leave their businesses by design rather than by default.

Business owners want to hire, motivate and retain good people. Even if they succeed in finding a "perfect" hire, they are not always successful in motivating them, much less keeping them around. We asked our trusted friend, Ken Jacobs, a seasoned executive and a business consultant, to share his wisdom on how to boost employee morale. Ken has held senior management positions at both public companies and private companies. His last position was President of ACE USA, a Private Equity-owned company.  He co-authored a book, Managing is Everybody’s Business, and now helps business owners increase enterprise values through his consulting company, Work/Life Tools, LLC.  

​Several years ago, a friend and an owner of a professional practice asked me to help him run his firm like a "real business." As it turned out (and much to my surprise), I had the temperament and skills to think strategically, lead a team with fortitude, and relentlessly execute a plan with laser focus. ​I was a natural executive. ​

​My success in that role led me to a project with another firm, and then another, and so on. Thus began my life as an accidental executive and business consultant.