The nation’s broad economic indicators continue to fluctuate from month to month, sending mixed signals about the direction of the economy. But overall, it appears that the economic environment both nationally and in California has improved markedly from the depths of the Great Recession. This is presenting some Los...
As they come to the end of the first quarter of the year, many Los Angeles and Southern California business owners may discover that their first-quarter results are significantly less than what they had budgeted. If so, they may be wondering how they’re going to get back on track....
In our last article, we discussed how to maximize your company’s potential sale price by focusing on a handful of “value drivers” during the time leading up to the business’ sale. Here, we discuss the strategic aspects of selling your business and the different types of potential buyers. When...
For years, many Los Angeles and Southern California business leaders have used a simple strategy to save on taxes. Instead of the operating company owning its owner-occupied real estate, the owners will form a separate entity (usually an LLC) to buy the real estate and then lease it to...
“Cash is king!” says the old business axiom. And yes, cash flow is critical to the successful operation of any company. Without cash on hand, your business can’t pay overhead and vendors, buy raw materials, meet payroll, or do pretty much anything. But let’s face it: Most greater Los...
For years, there has been an ongoing debate in the accounting community regarding to what degree the complex requirements of generally accepted accounting principles (or GAAP) apply to small and non-public companies. U.S. GAAP was created primarily for publically held companies that have to meet strict regulatory reporting requirements....
The chief financial officer (or CFO) is an important position at many mid-sized businesses. As a result, many Los Angeles and Southern California business owners and executives believe that they need a full-time CFO on their staff in order for their company to reach its full potential. Usually, however,...
The start of 2014 feels a little bit different than the past few years for many Los Angeles and Southern California business owners and executives. For the first time since before the financial crisis, there appears to be significant optimism among many owners and entrepreneurs as business conditions improve...
Referrals are the “holy grail” of sales and marketing for most Los Angeles and Southern California businesses. When someone you know refers a potential new customer to your business, this gives you a tremendous advantage over competitors when it comes to turning the prospect into a client — because...
Raising capital is a big challenge for many Southern California business owners and executives, especially those seeking startup and early-stage financing and seed funds. But getting the money is often just the start of things — owners and entrepreneurs often find it just as challenging to determine how to...