I am well known for talking with clients (and anyone who will listen) on the subject of how business owners can do a better job of working with their bankers. I’ve done a monthly newsletter and podcast on the subject …
Recently I was talking with a CPA about the legal structure of a client vis-à-vis tax related issues. First, let me say that I’m not a CPA and I rely on tax matter experts for both my own and all …
OK, how’s quoting a 1998 hit by Shania Twain as a business reference? For those who don’t remember, are too young to remember, or just want to revisit the ‘90’s, here’s a link to That Don’t Impress Me Much on …
I regularly meet people who are in some stage of the start-up phase and looking to raise money to fund their business ventures. Since I seem to have this same conversation over and over, I thought it would be worth …
Last month I wrote one of my more technical pieces on various capital sources for entrepreneurs. This month, I’m touching on the realism of business plans and assumptions. Given last month’s topic, it seems fitting to start with valuation. If …
Do you have a profit culture? Your first thought may be to wonder what I mean by that question. Let me explain. Some companies are driven to achieve profit objectives. Everyone in the organization is aware (to a greater or …
Several months ago I wrote What Can You Learn from a Waterfall? and referred to the pool of water at the bottom being analogous to the pool of capital that a business accumulates from its retained earnings. Recently, I have …
There, I said it, pay more taxes. While most people react negatively to paying more taxes, I actually think it ought to be everyone’s goal! As tax deadlines approach (March 17 this year for corporate returns and April 15 for …
The other day I was in a Board meeting awaiting my portion of the presentation I began thinking about the level of detail that I had at hand. Other than to gather a few last minute facts and write the …
Companies are sold for a variety of reasons. The driving issue can be strategic fit, capital needs, succession planning (especially in the case of family held businesses), duration (in the case of private equity firms) or others. Regardless of …
