One of the most critical components to building a company, as opposed to a solo practice, or even a business where you are managing everyone and everything, is to learn to step into your full leadership. A primary key to that leadership is your ability to train your team so that you can confidently delegate […]
Read MoreQ: What Are the Tax Pros and Cons of LLCs? –Strategic Business Owner A: Dear Strategic: LLCs, or “Limited Liability Companies,” bridge the gap between sole proprietorships and traditional corporations, meeting an unmet need in today’s dynamic small business world. LLCs appeal to business owners because they combine the liability protection of a corporation with the tax advantages of […]
Read MoreDo women have it tougher than men in the corporate world? Many signs point to yes, but a 2015 report released by New York analytics firm MSCI suggests companies with strong female leadership show greater returns on equity than those without. The report found companies with strong female leadership held a 2.7% return on equity […]
Read MoreMany small businesses are family owned. While family owned businesses enjoy the benefit of familial solidarity, their strength is often threatened when it’s time for leadership to be passed down. Succession plans help ensure the transition from owner to owner is an easy one, but many small and family-owned businesses do not have such a […]
Read MoreWhen growth and funding are top priorities, it is wise to not let legal soundness fall to the wayside. Not surprisingly, 1 in 10 startups fails due to overlooked legal issues. Without a lawyer looking out for your best interests, it’s easy to miss common legal mishaps that pose a threat to any startup. Mistake […]
Read MoreYou’ve put in the time to get your business off the ground and now you’re up and running. You have a product or service that’s selling well, team support to keep everyone happy and a proven income model. Congratulations! You’ve overcome the biggest obstacle to business sustainability. Surviving the startup phase is often the toughest […]
Read MoreQ: How can I create an unhackable password for my business? –Cautious Business Owner A: Dear Cautious: Picking a strong password is a critical cyber security practice all business owners should master. Weak passwords can make your secure accounts vulnerable to hackers, increasing your risk of fraud, identity theft and security compromises. Strong […]
Read MoreOpening a new business location is an exciting venture. It also comes with inherent risks. A new site can increase profits and brand exposure, but it also opens up possibilities for failure. Rushing into expansion and opening a new location can do more harm than good if proper preparations are not made. Increase your chances […]
Read MoreThose new to the business world often lack the first-hand experience of initiating and building healthy business relationships. But protecting these vital relationships with carefully crafted business agreements—such as those for co-owners, suppliers and clients—is essential to growing a new business without risk of being taken advantage of or of burning valuable bridges. To decrease […]
Read MoreIn part 1, we discussed the importance of knowing how to negotiate business deals and mitigate conflict whenever possible. Besides being a financial drain, business disputes can also create conflicts that require precious time and energy to resolve. Setting clear boundaries and realistic expectations when making professional agreements is essential in setting yourself up for […]
Read MoreA large part of being a successful business owner is knowing how to make deals and facilitate conflict when it arises. When in a dispute over a deal or an agreement that has been made, the potential costs are endless. The potential cost of litigation, the potential cost of loss of reputation, the potential cost […]
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