Rather than using the typical corporate hierarchical structure, try using a more horizontal approach. Let the people who work in operations have a greater say in operating the company. For example, someone working on the front line of their job will know more about strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities than an executive who is mostly hands off. Also, don't be afraid to invest in human capital. As it is said in management school, human capital is your strongest asset. I have an MBA and never got promoted past customer service. This was really disappointing since I loved the company, and I loved working there. Dealing with the bureaucracy of upper management is what really bothered me. Use an approach similar to a company like Google, Microsoft, or Starbucks. Seriously avoid typical, old guard, management practices of cutting costs by outsourcing to no end, cutting pay, cutting hours, laying people off, not paying benefits, etc. Everything comes down to efficiency. It is quite possible to run a profitable business, share it with employees, pay out decent benefits, and still earn a strong profit for owners. It has been done many times before. The employees are the front line of the business battlefield. As Sun Tzu said in his Art of War, reward soldiers handsomely for their efforts, and they will remain loyal.