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Clear thinking for creative business leaders.

Explore CBI’s latest insights on financial strategy, operations, growth, and the realities of building a creative business that can adapt, scale, and last.

Smarter, not harder: What CBI is learning about AI

It’s hard to open LinkedIn, read a business blog, or skim a newsletter without seeing it: “Here’s how I use AI to…” “AI isn’t a strategy, it’s a tool.” “If you’re not using AI yet, you’re already behind.” The urgency is real—the tech behind AI feels like it’s getting…

Feeling uncertain about the economy? Here’s your financial gut check

“Are we in a recession… or just in a weird moment?” We’ve been having a lot of these conversations with clients lately.  The short answer? It’s complicated.  The longer answer? Whether or not the U.S. officially labels this a recession, many creative business owners…

Is bigger really better in business?

When you think of “business growth,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Most likely…more. More employees, larger offices, and increased overhead. But what if the conventional wisdom about business scaling—and success—doesn’t always apply, especially for…

Traditional financial advice doesn’t always work for creative businesses. Here’s what does.

I still very clearly remember my first years living in New York City. I had moved to NYC a few years after getting my BFA in Fine Arts and Art History from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I was heading to the city to get my MFA from the School of Visual…

Automation for beginners: 4 tools to make simplify your business

Even if you don’t currently have automation built into your business, you most likely see evidence of these simplifications every day: The reminder from your favorite retailer via email that you “still have items in your shopping cart” A birthday coupon from your…

Shift your thinking around delegation

When we talk with clients about business challenges, one is always at the top of the list: the inability to delegate. It’s a struggle for many reasons. We know the work needs to get done, and we both 1) know how to do it and 2) struggle to articulate what the result…

Rebuilding that connection habit

Remember life pre-COVID? Even if you were a remote-first culture, you still built in time to visit your clients in person. Meet with your team regularly. Travel to conferences. Now, don’t get us wrong: remote work and being able to connect virtually is a beautiful…

Shifting your mindset around vacation

It’s summer, and you know what that means: everyone seems to be on vacation. Does “everyone” include…you? We’re not in the business of telling leaders what to do, but we’re going to make an exception when it comes to the vacation conversation. Because taking a…

Guiding teams through the AI/Automation transition

As the spring season unfolds around us, we are reminded that change is not just a part of nature, but a fundamental aspect of our businesses as well. The rapid adoption of AI and automation is reshaping how we work.

Mastering communications across a distributed team

As businesses become more distributed, effective communication becomes vital for successful teamwork. By 2030, around 80% of business tasks will be outsourced to professional service firms and technology.

Shift your thinking around delegation

Shift your thinking around delegation

When we talk with clients about business challenges, one is always at the top of the list: the inability to delegate. It’s a struggle for many reasons. We know the work needs to get done, and we both 1) know how to do it and 2) struggle to articulate what the result…

Rebuilding that connection habit

Rebuilding that connection habit

Remember life pre-COVID? Even if you were a remote-first culture, you still built in time to visit your clients in person. Meet with your team regularly. Travel to conferences. Now, don’t get us wrong: remote work and being able to connect virtually is a beautiful…

Shifting your mindset around vacation

Shifting your mindset around vacation

It’s summer, and you know what that means: everyone seems to be on vacation. Does “everyone” include…you? We’re not in the business of telling leaders what to do, but we’re going to make an exception when it comes to the vacation conversation. Because taking a…

Guiding teams through the AI/Automation transition

Guiding teams through the AI/Automation transition

As the spring season unfolds around us, we are reminded that change is not just a part of nature, but a fundamental aspect of our businesses as well. The rapid adoption of AI and automation is reshaping how we work.

Mastering communications across a distributed team

Mastering communications across a distributed team

As businesses become more distributed, effective communication becomes vital for successful teamwork. By 2030, around 80% of business tasks will be outsourced to professional service firms and technology.

Levvy elevates workflow management in the age of digital frustration

Levvy elevates workflow management in the age of digital frustration

A recent survey found that more than 50% of employees are overwhelmed by too many communications via too many channels at work. And app proliferation costs businesses hundreds of millions of dollars a year in unused licenses. Introducing Levvy, a new solution aimed to overcome tech overload.