• From Austin, Texas, veteran automotive leader Mark Stephen McCollum outlines a practical system to help professionals refocus and lead with intention.

Austin, Texas, 12th February 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, At 37, a general manager at a busy dealership in the Midwest felt like he was drowning. Sales numbers were steady, but staff morale was low, customer complaints were rising, and he was clocking 70-hour weeks. Every day felt like putting out fires, and despite outward success, he felt like he was failing.

One morning, he blocked off an hour with no phone, no meetings, and no interruptions. He wrote down what felt broken and what needed to change. That pause became the start of a complete turnaround. Six months later, turnover had dropped, his team was re-engaged, and he’d regained control—not just of the business, but of his role in it.

This isn’t just one person’s story. It’s a pattern across industries.

The Widespread Cost of Always Being “On”
Industry data reveals a troubling trend:

• 42 percent of dealership employees leave within their first year
  

• 61 percent of professionals in the automotive space report experiencing burnout
  

• Teams with high engagement show 21 percent greater profitability
  

• Over 70 percent of managers have never received formal leadership training
  

• Only 32 percent of leaders reflect weekly on what’s actually working
  

Mark Stephen McCollum, former Market President at AutoNation and current CEO of Automotive IntelliQence, has seen it from both sides.

“I thought if I worked 14 hours a day, I was leading well,” says McCollum. “But the best decisions I ever made came when I paused, asked questions, and let others step up.”

A Framework for Regaining Focus and Leading with Clarity
McCollum shares a simple but effective five-phase framework that any professional can use to recalibrate and lead more effectively—without waiting for a crisis.

1. Pause Intentionally
   Set aside one hour without devices or distractions. Ask yourself: What’s working? What’s not? Where am I stuck?

2. Ask, Don’t Assume
   Talk to your team. Ask open questions like: What’s slowing us down? What do you need from me? What’s unclear?

3. Prioritise the Essential
   Identify the one thing that only you can do this week. Delegate or defer the rest.

4. Make One Visible Win
   Choose one problem you can fix quickly and clearly. Involve your team and communicate the result.

5. Review Weekly
   Set a weekly time—Friday mornings, for example—to review progress, make adjustments, and stay intentional.

Quick Wins to Start With:

• Write a handwritten thank-you note to someone on your team
  

• Spend ten minutes talking with three frontline staff about what’s frustrating them
  

• Cancel a low-value meeting and replace it with a one-on-one conversation
  

• Ask someone new for an idea to improve how you operate
  

• Say, “I don’t have the answer, but let’s figure it out together” at least once

Red Flags That Shouldn’t Be Ignored:

• You haven’t had a meaningful conversation with your team in over a week
  

• People are leaving, but the only concern is this month’s numbers
  

• You find yourself solving the same issue repeatedly
  

• Your team hesitates to share feedback or raise concerns
  

• You feel drained at the start of the week, not just the end
  

“When you make a mistake—own it,” McCollum says. “That’s how you earn trust. Success doesn’t come from titles. It comes from the value you create.”

Start This Week
You don’t need to wait for a promotion or a clean slate to improve how you lead. Start with one hour this week. Use this framework to shift from reacting to leading—one clear step at a time.

About Mark Stephen McCollum
Mark Stephen McCollum is a veteran automotive executive with over 35 years of experience in the industry. He previously served as Market President at AutoNation, overseeing 22 franchises and more than $1.5 billion in annual revenue. Today, he is the founder and CEO of Automotive IntelliQence, a software company helping dealers make smarter, people-first decisions. Based in Austin, Texas, McCollum is known for his steady leadership style and commitment to mentoring the next generation of industry leaders.

• In a highly uncertain market environment, what truly determines an investor’s success or failure is never emotion, but rather cash flow capability.

London, UK, 12th February 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, When the market fluctuates and prices correct, most people are still waiting for a rebound. But reality doesn’t stop—monthly utility bills, household expenses, and the cost of living won’t decrease just because Bitcoin is falling. In a bear market, paper losses keep escalating, and assets keep shrinking.

Achieving $7,000 daily returns is no longer just a dream.

Moon Hash was born in this context. It’s not a tool for predicting market trends, but an asset management system specifically designed for bear markets. Through cloud computing power contracts, it allows digital assets to generate stable and continuous returns. — Moon Hash Official Website Registration Entry

The platform offers contract solutions with clearly defined cycles and structures, from $100 beginner contracts to high-computing-power professional combinations. With multiple contracts configured in parallel, experienced users can achieve daily combined returns of over $7,000 (actual returns depend on contract combinations and real-time parameters).

Understand the cycles and logic of different mining plans and choose the one that interests you.

Contract Examples:

Bitcoin (Beginner Basic Contract): $100, Term: 2 days, Daily Profit: $4, Total Profit: $100 + $8

Antminer S19j XP – Bitcoin Contract: $500, Term: 7 days, Daily Profit: $6.5, Total Profit: $500 + $32.5

WhatsMiner M60 – Bitcoin Cash Contract: $1500, Term: 10 days, Daily Profit: $21, Total Profit: $1500 + $210

Antminer T21 – Bitcoin/Bitcoin Cash Contract: $5000, Term: 20 days, Daily Profit: $80, Total Profit: $5000 + $2400

Avalon Air Box – 40 ft – Bitcoin Contract: $30000, Term: 33 days, Daily Profit: $570, Total Profit: $30,000 + $28,500

(For more details on mining contracts, please visit the Moon Hash platform)

This means—no need for frequent trading, no need to bet on market direction, no need to wait for a bull market; the asset itself can operate continuously.

Security, transparency, and compliance are the foundation of high returns. Moon Hash is not an anonymous project, but a platform with a real-world background and international guarantees: it has been reported by mainstream media (GlobeNewswire, AOL, MSN), mentioned by crypto industry platforms (such as MEXC), is headquartered in the UK, follows European compliance frameworks, is audited annually by PwC, and is insured by Lloyd’s of London for digital assets. The return structure is clear and transparent, all data is displayed in real time, the contract period is clearly defined, and there are no vague “high-return promises.”

Questioning why Moon Hash’s returns are so high?

Moon Hash combines BTC mining with an AI-powered computing power scheduling system, intelligently allocating computing power to high-yield scenarios. Leveraging over 130 global renewable energy data centers (tidal, wind, hydro, and solar), it improves computing power utilization and stability while reducing energy costs. Its goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, laying the foundation for long-term operation. The core strategy in a bear market is to build cash flow, not to gamble on rebounds.

True security comes not from price increases, but from the ability to “wait.” During market downturns, cash flow can cover living costs; during market recovery, you still hold assets; daily returns are automatically credited, withdrawable or reinvested at any time, with complete control over the process. Daily returns of $7,000 are not from gambling on market trends, but from a cash flow system built through structured computing power allocation.

While others are passively under pressure, your assets continue to operate. While others are anxiously waiting, you receive daily returns. A bear market is not the end, but a window to rebuild your advantage. If you’re looking for more than just opportunities, but also certainty and cash flow capabilities, then perhaps now is the time to make your moves.

Visit the official platform https://moonhash.com/ now to explore new ways to engage with digital assets.

(Click here to download the app)

Illinois, US, 12th February 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, As businesses face growing competition and rapidly evolving consumer expectations, marketing expert Garrett Kappel is emphasizing the critical role of clear brand positioning in achieving measurable business outcomes. Based in Lisle, Illinois, Kappel works closely with organizations across industries to help them define their market presence, sharpen their messaging, and create brands that deliver tangible, long-term results.

According to Kappel, many companies invest significant resources in marketing campaigns but fail to achieve desired results because they have not established a clear market position. Without a defined position, even well-funded campaigns can fail to resonate with audiences or drive meaningful growth.

“Brand positioning is the framework that guides every marketing decision,” Kappel explains. “When a company knows who it is, what it stands for, and who it serves, every campaign, message, and interaction becomes purposeful and effective.”

The Importance of Brand Positioning in a Competitive Market

Brand positioning determines how a company is perceived by its audience and how it differentiates itself from competitors. Kappel observes that in an increasingly crowded digital environment, clarity often matters more than sheer visibility.

Businesses that lack a clear position often send inconsistent messages that confuse potential customers. Conversely, companies with strong positioning communicate consistently, reinforcing credibility, trust, and recognition. Kappel emphasizes that positioning goes beyond logos or taglines. It encompasses a company’s value proposition, tone of voice, target audience, and competitive differentiation. When these elements align, every marketing effort gains cohesion and purpose.

Kappel has observed companies that have struggled to maintain relevance without clear positioning. For example, regional businesses often attempt to mimic competitors rather than develop a unique voice. This approach can dilute a brand and reduce customer loyalty. Kappel helps organizations identify their unique strengths and translate them into messaging that resonates across all marketing channels.

Connecting Brand Positioning to Measurable Outcomes

Many organizations measure marketing success by visibility metrics such as impressions, likes, or reach. While these are important, Kappel stresses that strong brand positioning should directly influence measurable outcomes, including lead quality, conversion rates, customer retention, and revenue growth.

“When positioning is clear, customers understand why they should engage, and that understanding translates into meaningful action,” Kappel notes.

To help businesses quantify these effects, Kappel collaborates with clients to establish performance benchmarks that tie strategy to outcomes. He emphasizes tracking both short-term metrics and long-term business results to ensure campaigns remain effective and relevant. Kappel also provides ongoing guidance to help teams adjust strategies based on data insights, which ensures continuous improvement and measurable growth.

Aligning Marketing Efforts with Business Goals

A common challenge Kappel sees is misalignment between marketing activities and organizational objectives. He asserts that brand positioning must reflect how a business operates, not just how it wishes to be perceived.

Effective positioning begins internally. Kappel works with leadership teams to ensure marketing strategies are fully aligned with mission, values, and long-term objectives. This alignment strengthens internal collaboration, improves consistency across departments, and enhances the customer experience.

“When a company’s internal culture and external messaging align, credibility follows naturally,” he says. “Employees become ambassadors of the brand, and customers perceive authenticity, which drives engagement.”

Consistency as a Competitive Advantage

In an environment dominated by trends and shifting platforms, consistency is a powerful differentiator. Kappel observes that brands that frequently change their messaging risk diluting their identity and confusing audiences.

Consistency, he clarifies, does not limit innovation. Instead, it provides a stable foundation that allows for creative adaptation while maintaining a clear identity. Kappel encourages businesses to develop messaging frameworks and brand guidelines to ensure consistency across campaigns, platforms, and customer interactions.

“Consistency builds recognition, and recognition builds trust,” he says. “Once customers trust a brand, they are more likely to engage, purchase, and advocate for it.”

A Research-Driven, Strategic Approach

Kappel emphasizes research as the cornerstone of effective brand positioning. Understanding customer behavior, market conditions, and competitor dynamics is critical before launching or refining marketing strategies.

This research-based approach reduces guesswork, allows for more effective resource allocation, and ensures strategies resonate with the intended audience. Kappel also advocates for ongoing evaluation and adjustment. Markets change, customer expectations evolve, and brands must remain relevant while staying true to core principles.

Through surveys, focus groups, and market analysis, Kappel helps businesses uncover actionable insights. These insights guide marketing plans, refine messaging, and identify opportunities for innovation, ensuring that strategies remain relevant in a rapidly evolving business environment.

Supporting Businesses from Lisle and Beyond

Operating from Lisle, Illinois, Kappel maintains strong ties to the Midwest business community while supporting organizations at a national level. He works with startups seeking clarity and established businesses refining their positioning. Across all engagements, Kappel emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and measurable progress.

“Strong brands are built through focus, discipline, and consistency. They do not happen by accident,” he explains.

His clients appreciate his ability to translate complex marketing concepts into practical, actionable strategies. Whether guiding regional organizations or national companies, Kappel’s approach is designed to deliver results and empower teams to maintain consistent messaging over time.

Educating Leaders on the Strategic Role of Marketing

Beyond client work, Kappel is passionate about educating business leaders on the strategic role marketing plays in achieving business goals. He believes that when leadership understands positioning, marketing is elevated from a support function to a strategic driver of growth.

Kappel works with teams to simplify complex marketing concepts and connect them to measurable outcomes. He teaches organizations to think of marketing as an ongoing, adaptable process. Clear positioning enables businesses to respond to market changes without losing direction or credibility.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Brand Positioning

As digital platforms continue to evolve, the importance of brand positioning will only increase. Kappel predicts that the most successful businesses will be those that communicate clearly, consistently, and authentically.

Businesses that invest in defining, maintaining, and refining their positioning will be better equipped to navigate competition, build customer loyalty, and drive long-term success. According to Kappel, the most resilient brands are those that communicate with purpose.

“Positioning is not about appealing to everyone,” Kappel concludes. “It is about being clear, credible, and relevant to the audience you serve. That focus allows businesses to build trust, grow sustainably, and achieve measurable outcomes that support long-term growth.”