Richard

Shaquille O’Neal is a busy man. The four-time NBA champion is a broadcaster, a partner in multiple franchises, an investor, a philanthropist, and an educator. And all of those pieces come together in his latest project, The Grind, a three-episode YouTube series that features entrepreneurial students of the online teaching platform Campus competing for $60,000 in prize money.

“We wanted to give these kids and young adults a chance to pitch,” Shaq told Entrepreneur for an upcoming episode of the How Success Happens podcast. “We wanted to see grit, resilience, determination, and belief, and they came up with some great ideas. It was great to see.”

Related: Shaquille O’Neal Used an Unconventional Strategy to Start His Chicken Restaurant — Here’s Why It Worked

The show was filmed at Campus investor Joe Lonsdale‘s home in Austin, and Shaq was joined by judges Jennifer Hyman (CEO of Rent the Runway) and Poppy Thorpe (Snapchat board member) to help make the big money decision.

While the spirit of the show is about nurturing new ideas and encouraging talent, it was not all lovey-dovey. The students were put through a competitive admissions process to get on the show, and throughout the three-part series, they went through intensive workshops and rigorous pitch practice sessions.

Shaq routinely advised competitors to calm their nerves when it came time to ask for funding. “ I was speaking from experience,” Shaq explains. “When you come into somebody’s world and want to borrow their money, you have to be confident. You gotta speak to the experts and know the ins and outs of your business. I do my due diligence so I can really understand what I’m asking for. You don’t want to go into a meeting with Jeff Bezos and just ask for a hundred million dollars. You want Jeff to understand your business and what you will do with that money. You want him to believe in you.”

The entire season is up now — binge to find out who walks away with a life-changing investment!

Related: Watch the New Season of ‘Elevator Pitch’

KFC is shaking up the fast-food landscape by announcing its new chicken tenders-focused concept, Saucy. The chain, long known for its Original Recipe fried chicken, is making a strategic pivot to cater to the growing demand for customizable, sauce-heavy meals. With this move, KFC aims to capture a slice of the fast-food market while reinforcing its position as a leader in chicken innovation.

Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget.

“Everyone is obsessed with sauce – more is more,” KFC’s chief new concept officer, Christophe Poirier, told Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN). “With Saucy, we’ve taken KFC’s famous Original Recipe and amplified it with a brand-new concept that lets consumers play with flavor.”

Saucy features chicken tenders and 11 sauces — with flavors including Chimichurri Ranch, Jalapeño Pesto Ranch, Spicy Mango Chutney and Sweet Teriyaki, NRN reported. The first location is scheduled to open in Orlando, Florida, on January 10, 2025, making it the debut hub for what the brand describes as a “flavor-forward dining destination.”

Saucy joins a wave of similar experiments by major players in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) space. Taco Bell has its Cantinas concept, focusing on elevated menu items and urban-style locations, as well as a new coffee concept, Live Más Café. Meanwhile, McDonald’s has been testing a spinoff beverage concept, CosMc’s, targeting suburban diners with nostalgic branding and unique menu offerings.

Related: See Who Made This Year’s Franchise 500 Hall of Fame

These moves highlight a broader trend in the QSR industry: the pursuit of niche concepts that differentiate brands in an increasingly crowded market. By honing in on specific consumer preferences — like KFC’s focus on saucy chicken tenders — brands hope to build loyalty and capture market share in untapped segments.

This approach could be particularly lucrative for KFC. The chicken tenders segment has been growing steadily, with sauces and customization key drivers of consumer satisfaction, Food & Wine recently reported. KFC’s deep brand equity and proven innovation ability — seen in past hits like its chicken sandwich and plant-based nuggets — position the chain to succeed with this venture. If the Orlando location proves successful, it could pave the way for a broader rollout, further cementing KFC’s place as a frontrunner in chicken-focused fast food.

Related: Greg Flynn Owns 1,245 Restaurants and Makes $2 Billion A Year. Here’s How He Did It.

Read More: Nation’s Restaurant News

Imagine a team so energized that every project feels like a shared victory, where ideas flow freely and people bring their best to work every day. It’s the kind of environment every leader dreams of, but it doesn’t happen by chance. Motivation isn’t something you can buy — it’s something you need to build.

Something I’ve learned as the founder of ButterflyMX is that when employees feel truly motivated, they don’t just show up — they step up. Motivation fuels productivity, creativity and the kind of ownership that takes a project from “done” to “exceptional.” Because when you get this right, you don’t just lead a team — you unlock their potential.

Related: 12 Ways You Can Immediately Start To Motivate Your Employees

Understanding what truly motivates employees

To understand what truly motivates employees, you need to look into the deeper drivers of engagement: purpose, growth and recognition. People want to know that their work matters, that they’re progressing in their careers and that their contributions are seen and appreciated.

This comes down to two types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic. Extrinsic motivation comes from external rewards — things like bonuses, promotions or public praise. It works well for short-term goals but rarely sustains long-term commitment. On the other hand, intrinsic motivation comes from within. It’s the personal satisfaction of solving a complex problem, the pride of mastering a new skill or the joy of contributing to a shared mission.

Here’s the key: Different people are motivated by different things. Some thrive on growth opportunities, others need clear recognition, and some are energized by a strong sense of purpose.

Build a foundation of trust and purpose

A motivated team shows up because they believe in what they’re doing. When employees see how their tasks impact the bigger picture, they bring more energy and pride to their roles. As a leader, it’s your job to connect their day-to-day work to a larger mission. Whether your business is improving lives, solving complex challenges or delivering exceptional service, consistently reinforce why the work matters. People want to know they’re moving the needle in a meaningful direction.

And it starts with you. Lead with authenticity. Your team mirrors your energy, so show up with enthusiasm, transparency and a clear sense of purpose. Share your vision openly, acknowledge challenges honestly, and bring genuine excitement for what’s possible. When your team sees that you believe in the mission and in them, they’ll feel empowered to do the same.

Related: The Key to Employee Engagement Is Purpose. Here’s Why — and How to Foster It in Your Workplace.

Recognize and celebrate wins — big and small

Recognition is one of the simplest — and most powerful — tools you have to motivate your team. The key to effective recognition? Make it personal. Some employees light up when their achievements are highlighted in a team meeting, while others prefer a quiet “thank you” in a one-on-one chat. Taking the time to tailor your approach shows that your recognition is genuine, not just a box to check.

Equally important: Celebrate progress, not just perfection. It’s the smaller, incremental wins along the way that keep teams motivated. Did someone meet an ambitious deadline? Recognize it. Did your team brainstorm a great solution to a challenge? Celebrate their creativity.

Small moments of appreciation can create big shifts in energy and engagement. Even a simple “I see how hard you’re working on this, and I really appreciate it” can go a long way.

Recognition doesn’t need to be elaborate, expensive or over-the-top — it just needs to be consistent and sincere.

Foster connection and collaboration

Motivated teams aren’t just groups of individuals — they’re connected, collaborative units that thrive on trust and shared purpose. As a leader, it’s up to you to create opportunities that foster these connections.

Start by building moments for team bonding. Simple, intentional opportunities like virtual coffee chats, team lunches or collaborative brainstorming sessions can go a long way. The goal is to create spaces where team members can connect as people, not just coworkers. A team that knows each other beyond their job titles is more likely to support, trust and motivate one another.

Next, shift the focus from competition to teamwork. Competition might drive short-term results, but it can also fracture teams and create unhealthy dynamics. Instead of asking, “Who’s performing best?” ask, “How can we succeed together?” Celebrate group wins as much as individual achievements, and remind your team that their combined strengths will get them further than anyone can go alone.

Finally, build a culture of constructive feedback. Motivated teams don’t operate in silence — they thrive on clear, actionable feedback that helps them improve. Praise effort, highlight wins, and, when offering constructive criticism, be specific and solutions-focused. Instead of vague feedback like, “You need to do better,” try, “I loved your initiative on this project. Let’s explore how we can sharpen the results next time.”

Related: Why Prioritizing Connections Will Be the Superpower That Drives Your Success

Promote work-life balance to prevent burnout

Burnout kills motivation faster than any setback or challenge. When teams are overworked, overwhelmed and running on empty, their creativity suffers, productivity dips and engagement fades. A team that feels constantly “on” won’t deliver their best — they’ll simply do what it takes to survive. To keep motivation alive, leaders must prioritize rest, balance and sustainable workflows.

Start with policies that empower your team to recharge. People have different rhythms and responsibilities outside of work, and a little flexibility can go a long way in keeping them motivated and refreshed. But policies only work if you, as a leader, set the tone. Lead by example, model healthy work-life balance: Take time off when needed, protect your evenings, and show your team that rest is not just allowed — it’s encouraged.

Motivation isn’t something you check off a list — it’s something you build into the DNA of your team. The energy of your team determines the success of your company. When you make motivation a daily priority, you’ll unlock a level of performance, creativity and collaboration you didn’t think possible.

For entrepreneurs and professionals, a reliable tool can make all the difference — even something as simple as a pen. The ForeverPen™ takes simplicity to the next level by offering a writing instrument that’s not only portable and durable but also completely inkless.

If you’ve already heard enough, head straight to checkout and get one for $23.99 (reg. $40).

Designed to last a lifetime, the ForeverPen uses a special silver-based alloy to write without ever needing ink or refills. This means you’ll always have a pen ready to jot down notes, sign contracts, or sketch out ideas — whether you’re in the office, traveling for business, or brainstorming in a café.

At just 1.5 inches long, this pen is small enough to attach to your keychain or fit discreetly in your pocket. Its sleek, minimalist design doesn’t just look professional — it’s built to withstand the demands of daily life. Whether it’s tossed in a bag or clipped to your keys, this pen is as durable as it is functional. Plus, it makes it way harder to misplace it.

For busy professionals, the ForeverPen offers unmatched convenience. You’ll never have to scramble for ink refills or worry about your pen running dry during a critical moment. From quick memos to on-the-spot signatures, this pen is always ready to perform.

Perfect for entrepreneurs on the go, this is one pen that’s worth keeping around for the long haul.

At just $23.99, the ForeverPen™ Tiny Inkless Pen and Multi-Tool is a small but mighty investment in reliability that you can purchase instantly by skipping ahead to checkout now.

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Whether you’re planning on working hard or hardly working in 2025, this refurbished iPad Air could be your perfect partner. Here’s the deal: It’s a few years old and pre-owned, so you save $274, even though it’s still an excellent tablet for working on the go or entertainment at home.

The only catch? Since you only have to pay $325 instead of $599, this iPad Air deal is expected to sell out fast—order yours as soon as possible.

Working hard? Here’s why it’s great.

If you’re lugging around your laptop everywhere you go, having an iPad for work can be a real back-saver. Maybe you’d use it to take notes or work on presentations—this model is compatible with the Apple Pencil and Bluetooth keyboards (sold separately).

Business owners might also love downloading point-of-sale apps or using a larger screen for social media marketing. You’ll have 64GB of storage to add whatever you need and a roomy 10.9-inch display with vivid colors to make work just a little less painful.

Hardly working? This iPad is a dream.

We can’t blame you if you want an iPad for reading, streaming in bed, or just playing apps. We all have a little bit of a kid in us. This model’s lightweight build of less than a pound makes it a great device for pretty much whatever you want, especially if you’re a traveler.

If you’re the type of person always on FaceTime chats, you’ll love having an iPad instead of your tiny phone. The tablet has 7MP front and 12MP rear cameras for high-def friends and family calls.

Don’t miss out on this refurbished iPad deal: $325 for a 2020 iPad Air in grade “A” condition (reg. $599). Limited quantities are available.

Apple iPad Air 4th Gen (2020) 64GB WiFi Sky Blue (Refurbished) – $324.97

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With the turn of the calendar comes important personal health checks — the kind of things you do annually to make sure you’re staying on top of your well-being. It may be tempting to avoid these checkups. I mean, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” right? Yet, we don’t always know we’re “broken” until we look more closely. And we can’t get healthier if we don’t get checkups, set goals and work toward them.

Your entrepreneurial health matters, too. And while the hustle of running a business can cause you to overlook your entrepreneurial health, it’s critical. If you want to be successful and build a company that outlasts your leadership, you need annual checkups.

The goal is to build value within your company that prepares you for the future. This starts with yearly internal culture, personal and value checkups, which result in a process for short — and long-term planning that will set you up for personal, financial and business success. That’s why, each calendar year, I set three checkups in motion to ensure good entrepreneurial health.

Related: 10 New Year’s Resolutions Entrepreneurs Should Make Every Year

Checkup #1: People and culture

Every year, I send an internal survey to check the health of my company’s people. They are incredibly important to the company’s value. The survey takes about 20 minutes, and I use it to produce an employee satisfaction barometer so I have a true measure of the atmospheric pressure inside the business.

A highlight of this survey is that I ask them to rank 20 or so benefits in order of what they’d like to have included in their compensation package. Then, in the coming year, we provide all of the top five and most of the next five benefits. Benefits ranking #11 and #12 might be provided if certain key performance indicators are met in the coming year, and each employee can select the two most important benefits to them. It’s a way to understand what’s important to the employees overall while recognizing not every employee needs the same things from a benefit package.

Related: How to Master Your Strategic Planning As You Prepare Your Business for 2025

Checkup #2: Value

I also complete an enterprise value assessment each year, which helps me understand the value of my company if I were to sell it at that moment. A value assessment helps me identify areas in which the company has increased in value and where our opportunities for growth lie in the year ahead. It also helps me consider whether this year is the right time to sell the business.

For example, if my business is worth $50 million and my wealth gap — the amount of money I need to harvest to meet my personal lifetime wealth needs — is $25 million, it may make financial sense to sell, even if this won’t be my last business. For the clearest picture, I always recommend engaging a value advisor — one who is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA).

Checkup #3: Personal

Of all the checkups, this is the most often overlooked, which is strange since the new year often brings a time of personal introspection. Let’s say your value assessment says that your company needs to enter a period of growth, and your advisory team is telling you that your market conditions are ripe for growth. That means your business will need an injection of cash and time. Is it the right time for your personal goals — as a parent, as a spouse — for you to invest further into your company? Both with time and money? If your personal goals aren’t aligned with where your business is heading, you’ll need to resolve those issues before you enter into any yearly planning process.

Related: Successful Entrepreneurs Use the Holidays to Reset–Will You Be One Of Them?

Processing your checkup, planning with a process

Once I’ve completed those three checkups, I’m armed with the right information to head into planning for the new year, as well as any longer-term strategy. The value and personal checkups help me understand whether or not my business is entering into a period of growth (or what I have to do to get it there) and if I’m preparing to exit my company. With that understanding, I can envision my short and long-term goals. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Start with long-term thinking — three to five years out. Host a retreat to discuss the vision and path ahead with your company’s leadership, using the direction you have from your three yearly checkups.
• Then, take a step back. Together, develop a written plan for the next two years, including both strategy and financial goals. Don’t just include numbers — explain how you’ll meet those numbers. Give each department leader time in the retreat to explain to their fellow executives how they’ll meet those goals.
• Then, focus on the year ahead. Identify short-term goals, opportunities, threats, income-producing and value-producing strategies. Identify the themes within the plan. Do you need more technology? More strategic partners? Operational changes? If you’re planning an exit, how can you maintain or accelerate value quickly? This should be your most detailed plan — it’s the one you’ll start working toward when the calendar turns on a new year.

This time of year is always invigorating for me. Every new year brings unlimited possibilities that really excite my entrepreneurial spirit. Making sure I build a plan that stays true to what I discovered during my yearly checkups gives me the best shot at moving closer to my personal and business goals.

A government shutdown is just hours away and lawmakers are scrambling to come up with a plan. If Congress doesn’t agree on a measure, the shutdown goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

Each year, Congress must pass a spending bill to keep the government running. That’s supposed to happen by Oct. 1. Now, after continuing resolutions, Friday is the new deadline. Two measures have failed already.

Experts from EY tell Entrepreneur that a government shutdown could leave “a visible mark on the economy.”

“We estimate that each week of a government shutdown will cost the U.S. economy $6 billion,” says EY Chief Economist Gregory Daco.

What services would be affected by a government shutdown?

A government shutdown would put a stop to most government agency activities, including the IRS. Though TSA officers and active-duty military will have paychecks delayed, they will stay on duty, reports CBS.

National Parks and Smithsonian museums would close—just in time for the holidays.

How does a government shutdown impact the U.S. economy?

A very brief shutdown would have a “negligible impact” on the economy, though as time goes on it grows significantly.

On an annualized basis, a one-week furlough would cut $6 billion, or 0.1% off real GDP growth in Q4 (even though furloughed workers have always been paid retroactively), Daco says.

“The 35-day government shutdown in early 2019 led to rising policy uncertainty,” he added.

What services are not affected by a government shutdown?

Air traffic controllers, food safety inspectors, armed services, and the U.S. Postal Service would not be affected. Those services have separate funding, as does The Fed.

How many government shutdowns have there been?

There have been 20 shutdowns, with the longest being 35 days between December 2018 and January 2019. At that time, 375,000 federal government employees were furloughed and another 425,000 workers were required to work without pay, per EY data.

Life moves pretty quickly. And no matter what field you’re in, it’s easy to miss things. This is precisely why this AI-powered recorder can be an incredibly useful tool—and you can skip right to checkout to get it even faster.

When it comes to managing meetings, phone calls, or lectures, the Focais Meet One AI-powered recorder is a game-changer. Designed with business leaders, students, and all types of professionals in mind, this portable device can transform how you handle audio.

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This device captures crystal-clear audio, filters out background noise, and automatically translates and transcribes your recordings with 98% accuracy. The Focais Meet One does all this while fitting comfortably in your pocket. Sound like a win for your business? Head right to checkout to get it now.

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If there’s one enduring lesson from my career, it’s this: Bureaucracy is the enemy of innovation. It stifles creativity, clogs decision-making and traps bold ideas in endless loops of approvals. Bureaucracy wasn’t designed to foster progress — it was built to maintain control.

During the Industrial Revolution, it provided organizations with the structure and predictability needed to scale factories and manage vast workforces. At the time, hierarchies and approval systems were revolutionary. But now? They’ve become chains holding us back.

Gary Hamel and Michele Zanini articulated this perfectly in their book Humanocracy: “Bureaucracy was not invented to foster human creativity but to enforce control.” They’re absolutely right. How many times have you seen great ideas dismissed in meetings with the excuse, “That’s not how things are done?” How much energy is wasted navigating processes rather than solving problems? Bureaucracy survives on fear — fear of change, fear of risk and fear of the unknown.

That’s why forward-looking organizations are setting up innovation labs, startup accelerators and creative hubs — places where employees are encouraged to break free from the constraints of “business as usual.”

Now, imagine what happens when everyone is empowered to innovate without limits. That’s the potential of AI that excites me most: It has the power to democratize innovation. Yet this is precisely why AI will encounter resistance — not from competitors but from entrenched bureaucratic systems. AI doesn’t just make workflows more efficient; it redefines them. It questions the very existence of the layers of management created to maintain outdated processes.

Related: Scale Your Business, Not Your Hierarchy. Here Are 3 Ways You Can Harness The Benefits of a Flat Organizational Structure As You Grow.

AI: The great bureaucracy disruptor

AI doesn’t just optimize — it transforms. It flattens hierarchies, demands transparency and dismantles traditional power structures. For those managers who thrive on gatekeeping, AI represents a fundamental threat, eliminating barriers they’ve spent careers building.

Consider this: AI thrives on efficiency, speed and clarity. Tasks that once consumed hours of human effort — like vetting vendor contracts or managing customer service inquiries — are now handled instantly by AI systems. Employees can experiment with bold ideas without wading through endless committee approvals.

But the true power of AI lies in decentralizing decision-making. By analyzing vast datasets, AI equips frontline employees with actionable insights that previously required executive oversight. This creates organizations that are faster, more agile and less dependent on gatekeepers.

AI also brings unparalleled transparency. Where bureaucracy thrives in murkiness, AI thrives in openness, democratizing data and providing visibility into organizational workflows. This transparency builds trust, accelerates progress and creates accountability — areas where bureaucracy has historically fallen short.

Lessons from history: Why AI is different

As I’ve shared many times, resistance to transformation is nothing new. During the Industrial Revolution, workers feared the loss of their livelihoods. The printing press threatened institutions that once controlled information. Today, AI faces similar skepticism as it redefines work and automates repetitive tasks.

The difference this time? Speed. Past revolutions unfolded over decades, but AI is evolving at an exponential pace. Leaders don’t have the luxury of slow adaptation. Organizations that embrace AI as a tool for innovation, not just efficiency, will uncover new opportunities to create, grow and thrive.

Related: 6 Steps to Leading Effectively in an Artificial Intelligence Environment

Leadership in an AI-first world

Bureaucracy has taught leaders to protect the status quo, but in an AI-first world, the status quo is a liability. As I share in my AI executive workshops, leadership today demands a new paradigm that reimagines how organizations operate:

1. From control to curiosity

Leaders don’t need to be AI engineers, but they must ask the right questions: What can AI automate? Where can it uncover opportunities? How can it drive creativity? Leadership in this era requires experimentation and exploration.

2. From authority to empathy

As AI reshapes roles, it will disrupt workflows and create uncertainty. Leaders must be transparent and empathetic, showing employees how AI will enhance their potential rather than replace them.

3. From hesitation to decisiveness

The rapid adoption of AI leaves no room for indecision. Leaders must move quickly to dismantle outdated systems and embrace AI-driven solutions.

4. From delegation to empowerment

AI enables decisions to happen faster and closer to the action. Leaders must empower their teams to leverage AI insights and act independently, focusing on creativity and strategy — areas where humans shine.

5. From obfuscation to transparency

Bureaucracy thrives on silos and opacity. AI thrives on openness. By embracing transparency, leaders can foster trust and hold everyone accountable, creating a culture where innovation thrives.

The road ahead

This isn’t just a shift in leadership — it’s a complete redefinition. The role of a manager will evolve from enforcing rules to facilitating creativity, championing innovation and guiding transformation.

In an AI-first world, hierarchies will begin to collapse as real-time data eliminates the need for multiple layers of oversight, enabling faster and more efficient decision-making. At the same time, workflows will be reimagined as leaders take on the critical task of redesigning processes to seamlessly integrate AI, ensuring organizations can adapt quickly and effectively.

Related: How to Become an AI-Centric Business (and Why It’s Crucial for Long-Term Success)

As AI takes over repetitive tasks, creativity will rise to prominence, with human ingenuity becoming the most valuable and irreplaceable asset within any organization. Moreover, transparency will emerge as a defining advantage, as organizations that embrace openness and accountability gain trust and agility, leaving legacy systems and bureaucratic competitors far behind.

The future of leadership is already here. The question is no longer whether this transformation will happen but who will lead the way.

Tired of the endless hustle? Most entrepreneurs are working harder than ever, but their results aren’t keeping up. In 2025, that’s about to change. There’s a free, hidden AI from Google that’s a light year ahead of ChatGPT, and it’s poised to revolutionize how you grow your business.

In this video, I’ll show you how I used Google’s relatively unknown AI to double my sales and triple my leads in just one month. You’ll discover how this powerful tool can analyze your email campaigns and website copy to uncover hidden insights that most marketers miss. I’ll walk you through the exact steps, including the specific prompts I used to prime this experimental AI model to think like a top 1% marketing analyst.

Download the free ‘AI Success Kit’ (limited time only). And you’ll also get a free chapter from Ben’s brand new book, “The Wolf is at The Door – How to Survive and Thrive in an AI-Driven World.”