Some of the biggest news of the CVOID-19 era has been the delicate lease negotiations between landlords and tenants. With reduced revenues, tenants struggle to make regular rent payments but don’t want to lose their locations for when things normalize again. Landlords, especially those who also carry mortgages, cannot afford to be without rent for […]
With the recent COVID 19 global pandemic, it is more important than ever to manage your cash effectively. While we know cash flow is the cornerstone of any business, it is often easy to lose sight of those controls when times are good. But cash management and cash flow are vital to your business success. […]
Business is booming in Sacramento, CA. Yes, many business owners are selling and the owners are moving out of California. That’s a normal and healthy part of the capitalist system. How do I know business is booming in Sacramento CA? There is a need, however, to talk about is the businesses that are growing and […]
There are a thousand and one things for a business owner to think about. Arguably one of the most critical issues is business liability and ensuring that you understand and are prepared for all types of pitfalls that may occur in the running of your company – in other words – you need to know […]
The term small business size has a variety of meanings. Not just to you and your customers but also to any one of the many government agencies that impact how you operate your company. You may think of a small business as the mini-mart down the street but your operation with dozens of employees and […]
As a business owner, you may see articles about S-corporation. These are corporations that elect to pass corporate income, losses, deductions, and credits through to their shareholders for federal taxation purposes. The shareholders of an S corporation will report the flow-through of income and losses on their personal tax returns; taxes are imposed at their individual […]
There’s nothing like tax errors to derail your day… or maybe even your year. But here’s how to eliminate tax errors from your business. However, with eFiling, you may be able to reduce your company’s tax errors by 19%. Businesses that use paper tax forms experience a 20% error rate on average, but when filing […]
As January ends, Capital One’s Small Business Growth Index has discovered that America’s small business owners have some concerns about their prospects for the year, especially when it comes to taxes and cash flow. The good news is that overall, small business owners have positive feelings about their finances, with 47% saying that their businesses’ […]
Research shows that small and medium enterprises (SME) or Main Street companies valued at $2-50 million are going to market because of private equity firm (PEF) recapitalization. The Market Pulse Report, which is published quarterly by the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), M&A Source, and the Pepperdine Private Capital Markets Project, explains that private equity […]
There are several new laws that go into effect January 1st. Among these are some changes to employment practices for California employers in the areas of employee family leave, job applications, interviews, background checks, and compensation. SB 63: Parental Leave Expansion As the law stands today, under both California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and the […]
The most recent Market Pulse survey shows that roughly two-thirds of M&A experts predict that a rising interest rate environment will have a significant effect on their ability to finance transactions. The interest rate is going up in the lower middle market. The Market Pulse survey interviewed 315 business brokers and advisors in 37 states […]
It’s not uncommon to see litigation against a physician or medical practice. Those who have failed to act on the matter of asset protection before a suit is initiated could be at great financial risk. As you start to consider selling your medical practice, it’s an opportune time to look at your business structure, your […]
California Manufacturers Advantage® (CMA) is a terrific program that’s geared toward small and medium sized manufacturers. This California manufacturing program provides a comprehensive review of your business, with technical expertise and strong leadership skills to spot issues and create meaningful solutions. Every year, CMA advisors help hundreds of manufacturers around California identify and implement business […]
Roseville-based Gallina LLP announced it’s merger into Minneapolis-based CliftonLarsonAllen LLP. The area’s biggest firm based on the number of local CPAs says it’ll be effective the first of the year. Gallina has more than 300 employees in 12 offices. Those are in California, Nevada, Utah, and Washington. CliftonLarsonAllen employs over 4,500 professionals, with more than […]
California employers must remember that starting on January 1, 2017, the state Minimum Wage will increase to $10.50 per hour. This is the first stage of the law that was passed in April 2016 which mandates that California adopt a $15 state minimum wage by 2022. The change in minimum wage to $10.50 per hour […]
After five years in midtown Sacramento, the vegetarian/vegan restaurant Garden to Grill announced it will shut down in early December. The owners posted on Facebook that the restaurant will close on December 11. A different business will quickly be in that spot by the middle of December, although there are currently no additional details about […]
The holiday season has expanded in recent years. Advertisements and commercials in October? Crazy, indeed. What used to be just a few special days with friends and family now includes shopping and the expectation of great deals. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are now two of the most highly anticipated days of the year for […]
The Sacramento City Council recently voted unanimously to award about $970,000 in public funds to 15 winners of the first annual RAILS program (“Rapid Acceleration, Innovation and Leadership”). The money was given to several programs that are designed to support local technology startups and give young people and underrepresented groups with the skills necessary to […]
The national residential market is in constant motion. It’s up and down. It varies in each state of the US. It varies within each county in the US. You guessed it, it varies in each city in the US. Joel Wright is the author of the Wright Report. Joel is a licensed California Real Estate […]
A boutique medical practice, Parsley Health, is set to debut its first location in downtown San Francisco later this month. It’s a growing trend in Northern California and around the country. An increasing number of physicians are practicing concierge medicine and opening boutique practices as a way to avoid dealing with insurance and reimbursements. These […]
10 billion business cards get printed in the United States every year. Of that, 88 percent of these get thrown out after the first week, according to CNN. This might lead some to wonder whether business cards have become a wasteful relic in an age of smartphones and social media when everything is going paperless. […]
Congratulations on selling a company! As an entrepreneur, selling a company is a wonderful achievement. You’ve proven that you can deliver results in the form of sustained profits and a positive market value. This is evidence of future profits and success for the new owner. No doubt you’ve been thinking about your exit-strategy and your next moves […]
Cloud Based Services can enhance your business in many ways. While data storage is the most common form of cloud service, the cloud can do much more than just store data. However, with so many cloud products on the market, how do you know which will work best for your company? Here’s a look […]
One of the biggest headaches for the single business owner is may be their death; or perhaps it is their taxes? Because there’s no Accounting Department down the hall or a benefits coordinator on the fourth floor of your company in Sacramento, it’s up to you to manage your taxes. Without the resources of a […]
It may be hard to fathom that in 2015, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in 79% of its investigations! One could see that violations would be anticipated in the course of audits in response to employee complaints. However, the Wage and Hour […]
Business needs can change over the course of its life. At the start, you might’ve liked keeping things simple. However, as your business grows and becomes more successful, you may need more from its structure and organization than just ease of management and familiarity. It can be tough for a first-time business owner to elect […]
Today’s business world is drowning in data. Cisco projects that the amount of data transmitted over the internet in 2016 will surpass 1 zettabyte, equivalent to 1 billion terabytes or 1 trillion gigabytes. A percentage of this is valuable, but much is useless. Eighty percent of data that companies store in active files has not […]
Are you using your tech tools to their full potential? From virtual hangouts and social media scheduling tools to file sharing and the latest in smartphones, these are the tech tools that can help you get more done on the job. Schedule Social Media in a Snap Whether you’re posting articles to your blog, updating […]
Building assets in your business is good business. For example, although buying and driving behaviors for personal cars can be relatively predicted, this is not always true for company cars and their various users. Research into company car drivers found there is no such thing as the typical corporate car user. Instead, there are different […]
On April 19, 2016, I received an email from someone I never met before saying they had an interest in a business I had for sale they saw on one of the websites I used to advertise businesses for sale. Because I help those that want to buy and sell a business this was part […]
The manufacturing industry has experienced tremendous growth over the last few decades, with more companies adopting lean methodology and successfully competing in a global marketplace, according to the National Association of Manufacturers. Productivity also hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. Overall, the hourly output for all workers in the manufacturing sector increased over 2.5 […]
May guests on 105.5FM and Money 2.0 The response to my weekly radio show on 105.5FM called Money 2.0 has been terrific. I’ve been receiving inquiries from guests who would like to share their business story or information, calls from listeners who have a question about a product or service and lots of other positive […]
On Sunday May 22, 2016, Fareed Zakaria, in one of his segments on his show on CNN called GPS or Global Public Square asked the question why the number of new companies in the last 6 years is declining. Fareed’s observations included too much regulation stifling innovation, credit being hard to get, the movement of […]
New legislation has been introduced by a Southern California lawmaker in an effort to cut down on the number of frivolous disability-access lawsuits brought in our state of California against business owners. State Senator John Moorlach of Costa Mesa, CA says that his bill, SB 1142, would provide property owners and businesses with the “right […]
If employees are a company’s greatest asset, great companies must know how to manage those assets with the same effectiveness as handling their capital. An engaged and satisfied employee is one who will stay around longer, saving the company a huge amount in training and turnover. Dinner on Google The tech giant is known for […]
According to the Michigan Retailers Association, expenses — not sales volume — make or break a store’s profitability. But reducing expenses in an already lean-running business can be daunting and may be difficult to put into practice. While it may be impossible to reduce your rent or inventory expenses, there are ways to save thousands […]
At some point, many entrepreneurs entertain the thought of picking up and moving their business. Whether it’s hoping to lower expenses, tap into a better workforce, increase sales or improve overall quality of life, relocating your business can be an exciting change. However, there are certain stipulations you should keep in mind if you’re considering […]
It’s difficult to see large corporations as they once were, small start-ups that few people thought had a chance for success. However, every company started somewhere, and most that changed the world took serious risks before they solidified as the business we now know. But how did iconic companies — Apple and Goodyear — go […]
Small business owners had to think about many issues last year—including some that could impact the cost of running their businesses. Despite their concerns, a recent survey says that about 73% of small business owners feel successful, and just over half (52%) are optimistic that the economy will improve in 2016. This is according to […]
Bad customer service is costing American businesses billions of dollars. A 2016 report by Forrester Research found that 73 percent of respondents said valuing their time is the most important thing a business can do to provide exemplary customer service, and 53 percent of customers will not complete an online purchase if they can’t get […]
If you’re a mom and a business owner, you know first hand how hard it can be to juggle your professional and personal lives. Your kid’s school is calling you because your daughter forgot her homework, and you’re trying to meet your clients’ needs too. It’s a lot for anyone. First off, you should know […]
As the internet continues to build in popularity, more companies are realizing the value of maintaining a strong web presence complete with consistent content and captivating graphics. However, smartphones and smart devices continue to dominate the market and show no signs of slowing down. Because of this fact, thousands of companies are channeling their efforts […]
Without exception, the sale of a business from the current owner or seller to the new owner or buyer is exceptionally difficult. In simple terms, the difficulties for each party touch the ‘head’ and the ‘heart.’ For the seller, normally their greatest challenge is their ‘heart.’ They have been thinking and talking to their loved […]
The overnight success of companies like Facebook and Uber has changed the way people think about entrepreneurship. It’s no longer a profession for those who simply want to own a business. To be an entrepreneur in the digital age means having the desire to build a brand around an essentially simple idea. It’s as much […]
The importance of accurate bookkeeping cannot be underestimated. It touches so many aspects of the business. Accounting and bookkeeping are critical components to managing your business properly, along with keeping these records for tax purposes. Maintaining accurate and up-to-date financial records for your operations will tip you off to cash flow and tax issues. Most […]
Make sure that you’ve thoroughly prepared your due diligence for a structured, competitive transaction process and to ensure that the window of vulnerability is as short as possible. Window of Vulnerability Throughout your interaction with a potential bidder right up until the sale is closed, there’s what is called a window of vulnerability where you […]
We could all use a little more maximization and automation in our daily lives to make our time and focus at work more productive. From self-brewing coffee pots to smart thermostats, there are a range of gadgets that can help make our hectic business lives just a little bit easier. Here’s how you can optimize […]
What’s the first decision for a new business owner? The answer should be simple and complete. Do absolutely nothing. Buying a business is a demanding process. It’s demanding intellectually and financially but it’s more demanding emotionally. If you’ve bought a business you’ll know the above makes perfect sense as you can remember lying awake late […]
Finance is the lifeblood of business, but for many small business owners, it is also their least favorite part of being an entrepreneur. When TD Bank asked 500 small business owners to name their least favorite task, 46 percent said bookkeeping. Many entrepreneurs avoid this anxiety by putting off their finances, but this can return […]
Over the last two years I’ve become completely convinced of the importance of financial statements. Four of my clients had listed their business to sell with me. In all four cases, the business had to come off the market as the financial statements they had given me to share with buyers and represent the performance […]
How do you manage capital costs and selling a business? Almost without exception, a business sells for a Fair Market Value or FMV. FMV is recognized in law as mainly meaning that a business will only sell once the buyer and seller understand exchange full information not only about the business and how it works […]
The concept of a work-life balance is hardly a new one. Most parents are familiar with the idea of devoting attention to their families while also masterfully handling their career and personal goals. The problem is that most of these folks also think it is impossible to truly achieve. While it’s not an easy balance […]
Mobile technology is in a constant state of flux. Hardly a week goes by where apps don’t update, and smartphones often change in size or in software versions. In an ever-changing digital landscape, how do you optimize your business’s website for maximum sales and outreach? If your business has run aground in keeping up with […]
Rex Berry is my guest on 105.5FM and Money 2.0 and our topic covers employment law and how an employer in the Sacramento area can take steps to reduce unwelcome lawsuits and employee claims; which drain the owner by wasting time and energy on a unproductive problem. Rex is an attorney and therefore a member […]
\Bret Rossi lives and works in the Sacramento area and is a member of The State Bar of California. That is, by profession he’s an attorney. Like all attorneys, he has specific areas of interest or specialization and these are Litigation and Bankruptcy be it personal or business. That’s not how Bret sees his job, […]
Donna Sauter lives and works in the Sacramento and Modesto, CA areas and likes to deal what many would consider the most boring subject of all; taxes and financial statements. As far as Donna is concerned, her job is not about taxes and financial statements but using the data and wealth of information that flows […]
General Stanley McChrystal, amongst other things, was a 34 year military veteran in the US military including the US Commander in Afghanistan up until 2010 when he resigned and was replaced by General David Petraeus. Recently he wrote and published a book called “My share of the task” and was talking with Charlie Rose on […]
Securing your business may seem like a daunting task, but with some cost-effective technology, it does not have to be a struggle. Protection can be a huge source of stress for business owners, so prevent what you can. From break ins, to hacks, to employee theft, there are simple ways to make sure that your […]
Everyone knows the old adage that you have to “spend money to make money,” but when it comes to tax deductions for your business, it is possible to generate business while saving money. There are a variety of deductions your business can take advantage of if you keep careful expenditure records throughout the year. As […]
Americans are spending almost three hours a day on mobile devices and about three hours a day watching television, according to a 2014 study by digital analytics firm Flurry, giving brands plenty of opportunities to reach customers on screens. How effective those brands are at their advertising campaigns goes beyond slapping a commercial on TV […]
Representations and Warranties are standard clauses in any purchase agreement for a business or practice. It’s not something the buyer and the seller tend to spend too much time on; until something goes wrong. Once it goes wrong, the conversation quickly turns to hiring an attorney and taking legal action. Perhaps a little knowledge may […]
Dell Richards was my guest on Money 2.0 and Dell came on board to talk about PR or Public Relations and in particular its use as part of the marketing mix of a business. Dell’s background comes from spending more than 20 years as a journalist and then 10 years handling the media including owning […]
Jake Goldman is my guest on Money 2.0 and is an expert in distributive website development. What, you have never heard of distributive website development? Don’t worry, neither had I. My reason for inviting Jake on the show is that he knows a lot about websites. Websites are now becoming the first thing any new […]
For many operations large or small, the right software can make the difference between a productive workplace and a sluggish one. While implementing new applications might seem like it could overwhelm staff, employees quickly adapt to the use of software applications. Cornerstone On Demand reports that employees who use applications in the workplace use an […]
Sustainable business practices are earning a lot of buzz in the business world, and rightly so. Aside from the obvious environmental advantages (and those are substantial), there are three good reasons entrepreneurs are launching businesses that are good to the environment. Let’s take a look: 1. Sustainability Is Becoming the Norm What used to be […]
Asset Preservation by Deferring Capital Gains Tax Asset preservation by deferring capital gains tax is what Bill Angove is all about. Bill was my guest on Money 2.0 to talk about the work he does at Asset Preservation, Inc. where Bill is the Vice President. Asset Preservation specializes in helping clients defer capital gains tax […]
The amount of data that’s generated every day is overwhelming to even think about. According to Science Daily, 90 percent of all the data in the world has been generated in the last two years. Many businesses enlist the services of a content management system or digital asset management service to access and manage this […]
The Uncertainty Principle, according to Wikipedia, is a variety of mathematical inequalities used in Quantum mechanics. As I have almost no understanding of Quantum mechanics I am unable to use it effectively except I heard it paraphrased the other day with an explanation that “the more precisely you study and learn something, the less you […]
Are you an entrepreneur with a great business idea or a small business owner trying to expand or grow your business? Are you looking for capital to fund your venture? Are you having difficulty getting people to pay attention to your ideas and plans? If your answer is “yes”, then you should register now at […]
Build it and they will come. It sounds good, but that’s not exactly how it works in the business world. Opening the doors of your business for the first time can present a host of challenges, depending on your industry. And in some instances, it gets even more complex upon discovering you’ve overlooked a pertinent […]
Michelle Elder is a CPA and joins me on Money 2.0 to share some great tax and accounting tips for small business owners. Michelle owns and operates Elder Accountancy and has just completed her 30th tax year (but please don’t mention this to her.) Michelle begins by sharing what piqued her interest in her field […]
From online retailers to all sizes of brick and mortar stores, price-match guarantees seem to be everywhere. Customer loyalty programs and benefits like price matching can help retailers increase the amount of repeat customers they receive. According to a report by BIA Kelsey, a repeat consumer spends 67 percent more time on a purchase compared […]
You are finally running the business of your dreams. Maybe you realize that very business is going to require some extensive (and unexpected) travel to a remote village. Or maybe you just got invited on a once-in-a-lifetime yachting trip that offers a front-row view of the glaciers and wildlife of Alaska. You’d give anything to […]
There are so many tasks a business has to perform that you, a business owner might get overwhelmed occasionally; what if you could automate a lot of it? You might have more time to spend on more important things, or even leave early one day out of 365. What can you automate? You’d be surprised. […]
So you are thinking about starting your own business or better yet, leap into becoming the next and biggest entrepreneur. You’ve read that 5 out of 6 millionaires achieve millionaire status by owning and operating a business so you want to get on with it.
Right now the world and therefore the global economy is awash with new technologies that seem to appear every day. I recently read that Google acquires one new company every week. When I spent 5 years working at Hewlett Packard, each day the reception area had the creators of new software arriving to spin and […]
In June 2013, Karl Palachuk joined me as my second guest on an episode of Money 2.0. Karl is the author of ten books and has an extensive background in I.T. Most of his books are I.T. related, however one of his books, Relax Focus Succeed®, is a life balance book
Importance of a financial plan for a business owner. Most business owners spend a disproportional amount of time running their business to make sure it’s successful. Similarly, most business buyers, especially those buying a business in their late 30’s and 40’s are doing so because they believe they can earn more as a business owner than as an employee and therefore set themselves up for when they plan to retire.
How do I turnaround my business? The Great Financial Crisis has been particularly brutal on some businesses. Especially some businesses in some industries. The manufacturing industry has been suffering for the last ten years or so due to government policies that almost provide an incentive for manufacturers to send jobs offshore.
New business models are emerging that challenge the old assumptions about how to operate a business for profitability.
In the book “Firms of Endearment – How World Class Companies Profit from Passion and Purpose”(Wharton School Publishing), the authors, Sisodia, Sheth and Wolfe, provide many examples of how companies that take care of all the stakeholders – not just the shareholders – achieve significantly higher profits.
SPICE is their acronym for all the stakeholders:
Buying or selling a business is a complex matter. There is no question about it. The complexities start from the moment a buyer and seller start interacting but there is natural conflict in place. For a start, the buyer doesn’t have any history of the operation of the business and so has to rely entirely on the representations of the seller. Conversely, the seller has lived and breathed the business, knows its upsides and downs including its strengths and weaknesses. My Golden Rule when assisting with a business transaction is for each party to put their feet in the shoes of the other party. In other words, the seller should see things from the buyer’s perspective and the buyer should see things from the seller’s perspective.