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MCDA Business Brief
Insights on operations, finance, HR, and communications for growing businesses


Fix the Process Before AI Implementation
AI doesn't correct how work gets done. It follows it, faster and at a larger scale. Here's what to check before adding AI to any process.

Marilyn Murua


What Pay Transparency Laws Mean for Job Postings in 2026
A growing number of states now require employers to include a salary or wage range somewhere in the hiring process, and in many cases, directly in the job posting itself. If your business hasn't reviewed its job ad process against these requirements recently, this is worth a closer look, especially if you hire remotely or across state lines. Why this has become harder to ignore A few years ago, pay transparency requirements were concentrated in a handful of states. That's no

Marilyn Murua


Business Continuity Plan: What It Actually Needs to Cover
What a Business Continuity Plan Actually Needs to Cover Most business owners have thought about business continuity planning at some point, usually after hearing about it from an insurance agent, a client contract requirement, or a story about a company that didn't recover from a disruption. The instinct that follows is often the same: write a document, save it somewhere, and consider the topic handled. That instinct treats continuity planning as a compliance task. In practic

Marilyn Murua


What Business Records Should You Be Keeping and For How Long?
Proper recordkeeping is one of the most important responsibilities of any business owner. While maintaining organized records may not be the most exciting aspect of running a business, it can have a significant impact on financial management, compliance, tax preparation, and long-term business success. Unfortunately, many businesses either keep too little documentation or hold onto records without any clear organizational strategy. Both approaches can create challenges when q
Jun 194 min read


ESG Reporting Made Simple for SMBs
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting has traditionally been associated with large corporations and public companies. However, expectations are shifting. Small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are increasingly being asked—by clients, partners, lenders, and even employees—to demonstrate how they operate responsibly and sustainably. While ESG may once have seemed out of reach for smaller organizations, it is quickly becoming a practical and strategic consideratio
Apr 64 min read


Cryptocurrency Accounting Basics for Businesses: A Practical Guide
As cryptocurrency adoption continues to expand, more businesses are finding themselves transacting in digital assets—whether accepting payments, investing treasury funds, or exploring blockchain-based operations. While the opportunities are significant, so are the accounting complexities. Unlike traditional cash or financial instruments, cryptocurrencies occupy a unique space in financial reporting, requiring careful treatment to ensure accuracy, compliance, and transparency.
Mar 303 min read


AI Productivity Tools for Small Businesses
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept reserved for large enterprises with extensive technical resources. Today, AI-powered productivity tools are accessible, affordable, and increasingly practical for small businesses seeking to streamline operations, support teams, and enhance decision-making. However, adopting the right tools requires both strategic intent and a clear understanding of how they integrate into existing workflows. This article explores
Mar 104 min read


SOPs: Why They’re the Secret to Sustainable Growth
Growth is often celebrated as the ultimate business objective. Yet many organizations discover that expansion without structure leads to inefficiency, inconsistency, and internal strain. Sustainable growth—growth that can be maintained and scaled responsibly—requires systems. At the center of those systems are Standard Operating Procedures, commonly known as SOPs. While SOPs are sometimes perceived as administrative formalities, they are, in reality, strategic assets. Properl
Mar 63 min read
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