- HR Speak
- HR Compliance
- Cutting Costs Without Cutting Corners
Cutting Costs Without Cutting Corners
Most SMB owners are cutting something right now. A recent G&A report found that 87% of small business owners say economic pressure has changed how they operate. But what can you do without losing the people and reputation that got you here?
Small business owners and leaders joined SmallBizLady® Melinda Emerson, along with G&A Partners' Tiffany Guthrie and Eleesha Martin, for practical advice on cutting costs without cutting corners.
SMBs got a practical framework for protecting cash flow while retaining key employees, including:
- Which benefits, perks, or salary cuts are genuinely safe, and which ones quietly cost you your best people
- How to handle raises, promotions, and hiring freezes without losing your team’s trust
- Where cost-cutting turns into a compliance problem, and what to check before it does
- How to make real efficiency gains now so you’re ready to grow when conditions improve
Meet Our Expert Speakers
Melinda Emerson, “SmallBizLady”
Small Business Growth & Entrepreneurship Expert, Host of The SmallBizChat Podcast
Melinda has spent more than 20 years advising entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 brands on navigating tight budgets, tough calls, and the realities of running a small business.
- 20+ Years of Experience: Advisor to entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 brands including Verizon, VISA, and Amazon on small business growth and operations.
- Author & Host: Bestselling author of Fix Your Business: A 90-Day Plan to Get Back Your Life and Reduce Chaos in Your Business and host of The SmallBizChat Podcast.
Tiffany Guthrie
Director of Shared HR Services, G&A Partners
Tiffany helps G&A clients make smart cost decisions without creating bigger problems down the line — including where cost-cutting can quietly turn into a compliance cost.
- 24+ Years of Experience: Specialist in wage and hour claims, worker classification, and multistate compliance.
- Practical Guidance: Helps employers make cost decisions with a clear view of what they actually cost later.
Eleesha Martin
Director of Corporate Recruiting, G&A Partners
Eleesha leads recruiting and retention strategy across corporate and agency environments, helping leaders keep their best people even when budgets are tight.
- 25+ Years of Experience: Talent acquisition and retention leader across internal roles and client hiring needs.
- Culture & Inclusion: Chairs G&A’s employee resource group YOUnify, championing inclusion and belonging.
Download the 2026 SMB Readiness Report
Our inaugural SMB Readiness Survey reveals how business leaders are balancing optimism about the future with increasingly cautious action. Download the report to understand today’s SMB realities that are going underreported — and see how business owners are responding to workforce, compliance, and growth challenges.
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