Brian S. Gerau Consulting

11/10/2026

THE LOST ART OF COMMUNICATING.

Somewhere along the way, we traded conversations for text messages, relationships for notifications, and understanding for the need to be heard.

We've become good at communicating quickly, but are we communicating effectively?

Good communication requires three things we sometimes overlook:

Empathy: Take time to understand another person's perspective.

Patience: Listen before reacting. Not every conversation needs an immediate response.

Face-to-Face: Put the phone down. Eye contact, body language, and genuine conversation still matter.

In business, leadership, and life, relationships are built through meaningful conversations, not just digital exchanges.

Pick up the phone. Have the conversation. Listen to understand, not just to respond.

The world doesn't need more communication. It needs better communication.

BSG Consulting Has The Answers. Contact us today at 573-864-0985.

10/31/2026

My pleasure! I was able to gain more insight on all the amazing and vital aspects that SEMO Pets does for our county. From changing the lives of pets and their owners to the fact that they are a no kill shelter, such an important organization. Proud to stand along side this organization. Check them out at Semopets.org to adopt, donate, or learn more.

🧡Our Board of Directors is always working hard behind the scenes. This week, they spent two evenings with consultant Brian Gerau discussing the future of Southeast Missouri Pets and leadership development.

Our Board is committed to challenging themselves and entertaining new ideas. They strive to take caring for pets and their people to the next level!🏆

Thank you to all of our board members for their dedication and giving of their time and talents. We can’t wait to see what the next 50 years brings!

10/12/2026

One of the many keys to a successful small business is consistent operating hours.

Customers are creatures of habit. They want to know when they can count on you to be open, and if you’re not open, you’re missing opportunities to serve customers, build loyalty, and generate revenue.

Having unpredictable business hours or frequently closing unexpectedly sends the wrong message. It creates frustration, inconveniences your customers, and can drive them to competitors who offer the consistency they need.

If your customers are constantly asking, “Are you open?” it may be time to reevaluate your operating hours.

Especially in a small town, consistency matters. Customers support businesses they can depend on. Establish regular hours, communicate them clearly, post them where customers can easily find them, and make every effort to stick to them.

Remember: If you’re not open, you can’t be successful.

Your customers deserve consistency, and your business deserves every opportunity to succeed!

(Pass along and share)

Call BSG Consulting today for more strategies at 573-864-0985.

09/15/2026

BRING ENERGY. BRING EXPERIENCE. BRING RESULTS.

Searching for a keynote speaker who delivers passion, real-world insight, and practical leadership strategies that move audiences to action.

Brian S. Gerau provides dynamic keynote presentations that inspire, challenge, and equip attendees to elevate their performance and purpose.

Make your next event unforgettable.

Book Brian S. Gerau today: 573‑864‑0985

09/08/2026

A healthy (small) business requires more than a good product or strong sales. It takes:

Quality + Pricing + Marketing + Customers + Employees + Leadership + Financial Discipline + Planning+ (MISC)

Most importantly: Activity doesn’t equal success. Results do.
The real question is: Are all the pieces working together to create a profitable, sustainable business?

Take a look at some (not all) of the pieces of a (small) business-

☐ Good Product/Service – Quality, value and consistency
☐ Competitive Pricing – Know your costs, margins and market
☐ Marketing & Advertising – Consistently promote your business
☐ Customer Service – Create loyal, returning customers
☐ Inventory – Maintain adequate product and supplies
☐ Location & Appearance – Accessible, clean and professional
☐ Staffing & Training – Right people, properly trained
☐ Leadership – Strong, visible on-site management
☐ Financial Management – Budget, cash flow, reserves and profitability
☐ Professional Advisors – Regularly meet with your CPA, banker and advisors
☐ Strategic Plan – Know where you're going and how you'll get there
☐ Community Involvement – Give back and build relationships
☐ Measure Results – Track outcomes, not just activity
☐ Adaptability – Recognize problems and adjust quickly

For more tips and insight, contact Brian S Gerau Consulting today at 573-243-8131

08/20/2026

Outcome > Task

Are you driven by tasks or driven by outcomes?
The distinction matters.

Activity is easy to measure—meetings, emails, calls, checklists, assignments. But activity alone doesn’t guarantee progress. A full calendar and a long to‑do list can create the illusion of productivity without producing meaningful results.

The real question isn’t what was done.
It’s what changed because it was done.

Outcome‑focused leaders prioritize:

Results over activity
Impact over effort
Solutions over excuses
Progress over busyness
Goals over checklists

Tasks matter—but they’re the path, not the finish line.

Outcome > Task.

If your organization is tracking how much work is being done instead of what that work is achieving, it’s time to shift the conversation.

Stop measuring activity.
Start measuring results.

For more insights, contact BSG Consulting at 573-864-0985.

08/20/2026

As a public speaker for more than 20 years, I’ve given great presentations—and some bad ones. I’ve also sat through a few doozies. You know the ones. Halfway through, you’re looking for the exit or reaching for your phone.

The truth is, public speaking is an art—one mastered through technique, preparation and time.

Effective leaders understand the importance of:
Relatability – Speak in a way people understand and connect with.

Audience Awareness – Know who you’re speaking to and what matters to them.

Timing – Even the right message can fail if delivered at the wrong time.

Relevance – Give people the information they need, not everything you know.

Clarity – Keep your message focused, simple and memorable.

The goal isn’t to prove how much you know.
The goal is to make sure your audience understands what you’re saying. That is the art of public speaking.

For strategies for your next public speaking appearance, contact us today at 573-864-0985.

08/18/2026

Burnt out?

By clients?
By staff?
By your board?
By the daily demands of running a business?

Sometimes, leadership can feel like you’re carrying the weight of it all.

At Brian S. Gerau Consulting, we’re here to listen, strategize, and help you conquer the burn of business.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Contact us today: 573-864-0985

Let’s turn burnout into a better path forward.

08/14/2026

Thinking of taking that next step on public service? City, School or have a legislative priority and don't know where to start? We do.
Contact us today at 573-864-0985.

08/13/2026

Why do you sit on a Board of Directors?

Is it because you’re passionate about the mission?

Because you want to build your leadership skills?

To add another accomplishment to your résumé?

Because you were asked—and felt obligated to say yes?

Or maybe because you genuinely believe you can make a difference?

Being a board member should be more than having your name on a roster or attending a monthly meeting. An effective board member brings commitment, curiosity, courage, accountability, and a willingness to ask the difficult questions.

The ideal board member doesn’t simply agree with everyone in the room. They listen. They challenge. They contribute. They understand their role in governance—and they put the organization’s mission ahead of personal relationships, titles, or recognition.

Before you accept your next board position, ask yourself:

Why am I really doing this?

And if you’re already serving, ask yourself:

Am I truly adding value?

Great organizations don’t just need more board members.

They need the RIGHT board members.

— Brian S. Gerau Consulting