Q1 isn’t feeling how you thought it would, right?

Q1 usually comes with optimism.

New goals. Fresh energy. A sense that this is the year things finally click.

But a lot of recruiters I talk to are feeling something different right now.

Undoubtedly, they’re working and they’re busy. And yet… Q1 feels slower, heavier, or less predictable than expected.

That’s not a motivation issue.
It’s a positioning issue.

Most Q1 plans are built around activity:

• More outreach
• More follow-ups
• More effort

But effort without clarity doesn’t compound.

When your market doesn’t clearly understand who you’re for, what you solve, and why you’re different, everything takes longer. That when clients hesitate, referrals slow quietly and wins stretch out.

I’ve seen this for many years now. 

Q1 doesn’t fall apart all at once.
It drifts.

And here’s what else I’ve seen. The fix isn’t doing more. It’s tightening your message so your effort actually converts!!

Larry@BusinessRefund.com

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Stop reacting, start flourishing.

Top CFOs in 2026 are doing more than just crunching numbers—they’re automating, analyzing, and making smarter money moves in real time.

Here’s a peek at the strategies top CFOs are using:

• Use AI agents to do the boring work, like inventory and reporting.
• Get insights you can trust with secure, personalized analytics powered by Model Context Protocol.
• Follow the finance trends that actually matter in 2026.

Transform your finance team with these top tips for the rest of the year.

Larry@BusinessRefund.com

Generational conflict

Are generational clashes the biggest problem your company isn’t paying attention to? While older folks have had to adapt to a rapidly changing tech space over the last couple of decades, a younger cohort has been born into it.

A study from newly formed revenue orchestration company Clari + Salesloft is diving into the topic—specifically AI usage—and finding the generational divide comes at a pretty penny. According to the report, companies are on average losing $56 billion in productivity annually due to growing generational divides based on AI usage.

The survey shows that 85% of respondents using AI-enabled tools think the technology is improving their performance; however, 64% say they aren’t using the full capabilities available to them—and that number jumps to 75% among the baby boomers surveyed.

“Employees in revenue-generating roles should be one of the biggest beneficiaries of AI, but right now it’s becoming a divider instead of a multiplier,” Clari + Salesloft CEO Steve Cox said in a statement. “When AI is implemented intentionally, it aligns how work gets done and raises the floor for everyone, not just the early adopters.”

Your iPhone Has a Secret Feature That Can Help You Fall Asleep

Didn’t know you had white noise on your iPhone? Well, you do—and you can set up this useful hidden feature in just four easy steps.

Even on the best of days, life can be overwhelming. Noise, distraction and anxiety can make it hard to relax, fall asleep or simply focus. But we have some good news for you: There’s a hidden iPhone hack that can help you get the peace and quiet you’re craving. Background Sounds is a handy iOS feature that lets you play white noise on your iPhone and mercifully drown out the disruption around you. Loud traffic? Barking dogs? Noisy guests in the hotel room next to yours? See ya!

Unfortunately, you won’t find “white noise” easily labeled on your phone. Here’s how to locate the white noise on your iPhone and turn it on, step by step:

Head to Settings > Accessibility.

Select Audio & Visual.

From there, search for Background Sounds, and toggle it on.

Select Sound to choose which noise you want to play in the background.

The background sound will start playing as soon as you toggle it on. 

You can also adjust other settings in Background Sounds, such as volume level and the option to keep the white noise on when your iPhone is playing other media. 

Once you’ve set it up, you’re done!

How We Educate Business Owners

Our posture matters.

We do not sell anything.
We educate business owners.

Business savings is leverage — not a product to be pushed.

The education framework

Every conversation centers on three ideas:

1. Leverage
Savings can be used strategically to grow, stabilize, or unlock opportunity.

2. Specialized tax incentives are excellent
When a business has employees and/or commercial property they are often the best option. 

3. Why we exist
Most businesses qualify for some of the 30+ new programs recently released.

All three are wins.

Language to practice

“Stryde identifies savings through specialized tax incentives, financial audits, and employer strategies—helping businesses reclaim lost cash flow from multiple overlooked areas..”

 Homework

Have 3–5 education-only conversations this week (minimum).
Lead with curiosity and education.

Reflection

When cash flow is tight and expenses feel out of control, Stryde is the partner that finds what others miss. We go beyond surface-level savings to dig deep—uncovering hidden tax credits, eliminating unnecessary fees, optimizing benefit programs, and streamlining employer costs. Every dollar we recover goes straight back to your bottom line.

Coverage Creates Trust

Local leadership is not about cherry-picking “ideal” businesses.

It’s about owning the market responsibly.

If we believe small businesses are underserved, then we don’t pre-judge who deserves our time. We serve everyone the same.

Why? Because:

• They may need us in the future

• They may refer someone who does

• They may share your educational material

• They may know someone who should be doing this work alongside you

Coverage creates trust.
Trust creates opportunity.

Market ownership requires structure

If you want to steward a local environment, you must know your environment.

That means every business:

• Documented

• Trackable

• Followed up with

• Served consistently

1. Create a spreadsheet or use a free CRM (like HubSpot).

2. Build a list of every business in your defined area.

3. Include:

   • Business name

   • Address

   • Phone/email

   • Notes section

This is not admin work.
This is market stewardship.

Additional commitments

• Join your local Chamber of Commerce

• Attend local networking events

• Be present, curious, helpful, and authentically you — not salesy

• Go Social! Follow local social media guidelines so people see you both in town and online

Leadership Reflection

Am I willing to steward the whole market — or only the parts that feel easy?

Your Community Business Owners Will Be Stronger Because of You!

You Got This,