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JEFF MAYFIELD
AUTHOR
Business & Leadership Articles
I write about two broad areas that reflect different parts of my experience and current work.
My Business & Leadership articles examine economic change, business cycles, financial resilience, strategy, leadership, continuous improvement, risk, and the decisions organizations face as conditions change.
My Great Salt Lake writing explores the lake as an interconnected system of water, wildlife, landscape, people, economy, communities, stewardship, and shared responsibility.
Use the categories below to explore the subjects that interest you.
The Great Salt Lake’s Future Requires Shared Responsibility
What am I really looking at? That question led me to learn more about the lake, its history, wildlife, tributaries, communities and changing conditions. The more I learned, the more convinced I became that Great Salt Lake cannot be treated as somebody else’s problem. Its future touches wildlife, families, businesses, agriculture, public health, recreation, government and communities across the basin.
Jeff Mayfield
1 day ago3 min read
The Contraction Phase – Navigating Economic Decline and Crisis - The Unavoidable Business Cycle
The Contraction Phase ... this phase often exposes weaknesses built up during the boom
Jeff Mayfield
Apr 4, 202510 min read
The Peak Phase: The Tipping Point Before Decline - The Unavoidable Business Cycle
At the peak of an economic cycle, everything appears unstoppable ... ..... But history tells a different story.
Jeff Mayfield
Mar 28, 202511 min read
The Expansion Phase: The Engine of Growth - The Unavoidable Business Cycle
The smell of fresh opportunity fills the air when an economy enters an expansion phase. Factories roar to life, businesses hire workers ...
Jeff Mayfield
Mar 21, 20259 min read
The Governmental Use of Tariffs: 100 Years of Economic Impact and Lessons for Business Leaders
For centuries ... tariffs have been one of the most powerful and controversial tools used by governments to shape ... economies ,,,,,,,,, ,
Jeff Mayfield
Mar 1011 min read
Business Cycles and Uncertainty: Challenges and Solutions for Businesses
Economic uncertainty ... explore these issues, examine its implications, discuss real-world examples, and journey towards solutions.
Jeff Mayfield
Mar 78 min read
The Unavoidable Business Cycle - A series of articles from the developing Thriving Through the Storm Business & Leadership series
Economic uncertainty is inevitable, but failure is not. Companies that thrive ... are those that understand ... the business cycle.
Jeff Mayfield
Feb 310 min read
Mastering Cost and Quality in the Modern Economy: Why Your Business Needs a Unified Strategy Now
The Crisis No One Talks About - Mastering Cost and Quality in the Modern Economy: Why Your Business Needs a Unified Strategy Now
Jeff Mayfield
Jan 133 min read
A Culture That Causes Your Business To Soar
Have you ever taken a business trip or a vacation that required you to fly in a commercial aircraft to reach your desired destination? What are the steps required to safely provide you and your loved one’s transportation to your desired destination? Building and operating a commercial aircraft and running a successful business share similarities in terms of planning, execution, quality control, and continuous improvement. Let’s examine a portion of our flight to our destina
Jeff Mayfield
Dec 20, 20254 min read
Implementing Motivational Empowerment for Continuous Improvement: A Six Sigma Success Story
As I reflect on the topic of Motivational Empowerment, one instance stands out vividly, that I mentioned in a previous post on developing my leadership approach, and I thought it was worth delving deeper. This instance occurred while we were pursuing a Six Sigma quality rating from our largest customer. We faced a significant issue with nonconforming parts (NCP) in the form of misaligned holes, which had a tolerance of just 1/1000th of an inch. These defective parts would cra
Jeff Mayfield
Nov 18, 20254 min read
Decision-Making in the Workplace: The Power of Discovery and Teamwork
Decision Making Process Decision-making is a critical aspect of success in the workplace, marketplace, and our jobs. Every decision we make, whether small or large, has the potential to impact the trajectory of our careers, our organizations, and even our personal lives. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of careful consideration of facts, the role of healthy skepticism and questioning in strengthening decisions, and how these elements contribute to better ou
Jeff Mayfield
Nov 11, 202510 min read
Developing My Leadership Approach
Leadership is often born out of necessity, shaped by the challenges and opportunities one faces. My leadership approach, the Motivational Empowerment Leadership Model (MELM), was solidified during a time of meaningful change for the manufacturing company I was leading.
Jeff Mayfield
Nov 4, 20257 min read
A Real Life Overview and Introduction to Revenue Generation, Cost Structures, and Pricing Methods in Business
Introduction In the competitive world of business, understanding how to generate revenue, manage costs, and implement effective pricing strategies is crucial for achieving and sustaining profitability. This comprehensive guide explores various methods of revenue generation, different types of cost structures including variable direct material costs, direct labor costs, overhead costs (both semi-variable and fixed), and appropriate pricing methods based on these cost pools. By
Jeff Mayfield
Jan 31, 20259 min read
Real Life Introduction to Continuous Improvement
Definition and Importance Continuous Improvement (CI) is a systematic, ongoing effort to enhance products, services, or processes by...
Jeff Mayfield
Jan 17, 20256 min read
Strategic Business Plan Process: How It Works and How It Can Benefit Your Organization
A business plan is .... a living, dynamic process that can transform a vision into reality and serve as a vital tool for ongoing management.
Jeff Mayfield
Jan 14, 20255 min read
Utilizing a 5-Year Business Plan a Roadmap for Success
A well-crafted 5-year business plan is more than just a document; it’s a roadmap guiding your business toward sustainable success.
Jeff Mayfield
Jan 3, 20255 min read
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