Setting Small Business Goals

Richard Birke, the chief architect of JAMS Pathways, joined Karah Bailey on Providence Now ABC6 to share actionable advice for small business owners looking to grow in 2025. With decades of experience in negotiation and conflict resolution, Birke outlined clear strategies to set goals and foster effective collaboration.

Three Key Questions for Smart Decision-Making

Birke recommended that business owners ask themselves three crucial questions when planning changes:

1. What do you want? Define your priorities clearly.
2. What are the options? Identify realistic possibilities to avoid disappointment.
3. What happens if there’s no deal? Assess alternatives to make better choices.

These questions, inspired by the Harvard Negotiation Project, help create a solid foundation for sound decision-making.

Building Collaboration and Managing Conflict

Birke emphasized that no business succeeds in isolation, making collaboration essential. He advised owners to develop skills in negotiation and conflict resolution, understand neurodiversity, and train their teams in managing differences effectively.

“The more you learn about all the different ways that our species manifests itself, the more humans you're going to be able to relate to,” he noted.

For more on Rich Birke’s tips for small business success, visit ABC6.com.