In my ongoing effort to wrangle various hosting vendors into a coherent strategy, I have come across a common problem.

Businesses don’t trust their employees.

I am not talking about clocking in and out, blocking web sites or inventorying each paper clip allotted to the cogs in the vast corporate machine.

How many times have you been told I have to check my manager?

When I call or email with a question, I do not want to hear that someone has to check with higher management.

I want an answer.

If an employee cannot answer the question or make a commitment that will secure my business, then I do not want to talk to them ever again.

Small businesses require direct communication with authentic and authoritative people.

You will fail if you put a layer of “filter” employees between customers and decisions makers.

From the janitor to the CEO, everyone in your company makes or breaks it, every single day.