As a middle-market CEO or executive, you have probably learned from first-hand experience how important it is to manage your business in the face of economic uncertainty. It would be nice if everything in business were certain and predictable, but that’s just not how the...
“The only thing that’s constant … is change.” If you’ve been in business for any length of time, you know how true this saying is. With change comes disruption — and dealing with disruptive technology is one of the most challenging things middle-market business owners...
Economic optimism has been rampant in the U.S. over the past year or so, with leading economic indicators rising and consumer confidence levels soaring. But healthcare organizations are a glaring exception to all the economic blue sky and sunshine. Uncertainty and frustration due in large...
What a difference a year makes! This time last year, we were barely a month into the new administration and the air was filled with uncertainty and hesitation to pursue new business opportunities. Our nation had just endured perhaps the most divisive and tumultuous political...
Owners of seasonal businesses often face unique financial challenges when it comes to managing the business. This is especially true for retail businesses, many of which rely on sales made during the last quarter of the year to ensure a profit for the entire year.
The...
At first glance, the finance and production planning functions in a mid-sized business don’t seem to have a lot to do with each other. They are separated functionally and don’t often communicate with each other directly. Also, production planning reports to an operations director or supervisor while finance reports...
In the recent article, Plan Year-End Business Tax Strategies Now, I described a few year-end tax-planning strategies that could help you save money on your 2017 tax bill when you file your return next spring. But tax planning isn’t the only kind of planning you should be doing now. This...
If you own or run a mid-sized business, then you are probably used to working in an environment of uncertainty. Things are constantly changing in the world of business — whether it’s customer preferences, government laws and regulations, raw material prices or competitors’ offerings. Successful owners and entrepreneurs can...
Owners and CEOs of mid-sized businesses face a wide range of both opportunities and threats every day. For example, new technologies like the Internet can change the face of industries practically overnight, creating new opportunities that were unimaginable before. Meanwhile, threats like the emergence of new competitors can jeopardize market...
As we near the midpoint of 2017, both the business and economic environments in the U.S. remain relatively healthy and strong. This is reflected in the high levels of optimism among small business owners. The most recent National Federation of Independent Business Index of Small Business Optimism stood at...