Category: Risk

  • Strengthen Your Supply Chain with Constant Risk Awareness

    Strengthen Your Supply Chain with Constant Risk Awareness

    When the COVID-19 crisis exploded in March, among the many concerns was the state of the nation’s supply chains. Business owners are no strangers to such worry. It’s long been known that, if too much of a company’s supply chain is concentrated (that is, dependent) on one thing, that business is in danger. The pandemic…

  • SBA Offering Loans to Small Businesses Hit Hard by COVID-19

    SBA Offering Loans to Small Businesses Hit Hard by COVID-19

    Every company has faced unprecedented challenges in adjusting to life following the widespread outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Small businesses face particular difficulties in that, by definition, their resources — human, capital and otherwise — are limited. If this describes your company, one place you can look to for some assistance is the Small Business…

  • Look Closely at Your Company’s Concentration Risks

    Look Closely at Your Company’s Concentration Risks

    The word “concentration” is usually associated with a strong ability to pay attention. Business owners are urged to concentrate when attempting to resolve the many challenges facing them. But the word has an alternate meaning in a business context as well — and a distinctly negative one at that. Common problem A common problem among…

  • Bridging the Gap Between Budgeting and Risk Management

    Bridging the Gap Between Budgeting and Risk Management

    At many companies, a wide gap exists between the budgeting process and risk management. Failing to consider major threats could leave you vulnerable to high-impact hits to your budget if one or more of these dangers materialize. Here are some common types of risks to research, assess, and incorporate into adjustments to next year’s budget.…

  • Deciding Whether a Merger or Acquisition Is the Right Move

    Deciding Whether a Merger or Acquisition Is the Right Move

    Merging with, or acquiring, another company is one of the best ways to grow rapidly. You might be able to significantly boost revenue, literally overnight, by acquiring another business. In contrast, achieving a comparable rate of growth organically — by increasing sales of existing products and services or adding new product and service lines —…

  • How to Research a Business Customer’s Creditworthiness

    How to Research a Business Customer’s Creditworthiness

    Extending credit to business customers can be an effective way to build goodwill and nurture long-term buyers. But if you extend customer credit, it also brings sizable financial risk to your business, as cash flow could grind to a halt if these customers don’t make their payments. Even worse, they could declare bankruptcy and bow…

  • Refine Your Strategic Plan with SWOT

    Refine Your Strategic Plan with SWOT

    With the year underway, your business probably has a strategic plan in place for the months ahead. Or maybe you’ve created a general outline but haven’t quite put the finishing touches on it yet. In either case, there’s a time-tested approach to refining your strategic plan that you should consider: a SWOT analysis. Let’s take…

  • Economic Damages:  Recovering What Was Lost

    Economic Damages: Recovering What Was Lost

    A business can suffer economic damages arising from a variety of illegal conduct. Common examples include breach of contract, patent infringement and commercial negligence. If your company finds itself headed to court looking to recover lost profits, diminished business value or both, it’s important to know how the damages might be determined. What methods are…

  • Reduce Insurance Costs by Encouraging Employee Wellness

    Reduce Insurance Costs by Encouraging Employee Wellness

    Protecting your company through the purchase of various forms of insurance is a risk-management necessity. But just because you must buy coverage doesn’t mean you can’t manage the cost of doing so. Obviously, the safer your workplace, the less likely you’ll incur costly claims and high workers’ compensation premiums. There are, however, bigger-picture issues that…

  • Does Your Supply Chain Have a Weak Link?

    Does Your Supply Chain Have a Weak Link?

    In an increasingly global economy, keeping a close eye on your supply chain is imperative. Even if your company operates only locally or nationally, your suppliers could be affected by wider economic conditions and developments. So, make sure you’re regularly assessing where weak links in your supply chain may lie. Three common risks Every business…