Tag: planning

  • The Long and Short of Succession Planning

    The Long and Short of Succession Planning

    For many business owners, putting together a succession plan may seem like an overwhelming task. It might even seem unnecessary for those who are relatively young and have no intention of giving up ownership anytime soon. But if the past year or so has taught us anything, it’s that anything can happen. Owners who’ve built…

  • Is It Time to Hire a CFO or Controller?

    Is It Time to Hire a CFO or Controller?

    Many business owners reach a point where managing the financial side of the enterprise becomes overwhelming. Usually, this is a good thing — the company has grown to a point where simple bookkeeping and basic financial reporting just don’t cut it anymore. If you can relate to the feeling, it may be time to add…

  • Run Your Strategic-Planning Meetings Like They Really Matter

    Run Your Strategic-Planning Meetings Like They Really Matter

    Many businesses struggle to turn abstract strategic-planning ideas into concrete, actionable plans. One reason why is simple: ineffective meetings. The ideas are there, lurking in the minds of management and key employees, but the process for hashing them out just doesn’t work. Here are a few ways to run your strategic-planning meetings like they really…

  • Keeping a King in the Castle with a Well-maintained Cash Reserve

    Keeping a King in the Castle with a Well-maintained Cash Reserve

    You’ve no doubt heard the old business cliché “cash is king.” And it’s true:  A company in a strong cash position stands a much better chance of obtaining the financing it needs, attracting outside investors or simply executing its own strategic plans. One way to ensure that there’s always a king in the castle, so…

  • Big Data Strategies for Every Business

    Big Data Strategies for Every Business

    You’ve probably heard or read the term “big data” at least once in the past few years. Maybe your response was a sarcastic “big deal!” under the assumption that this high-tech concept applies only to large corporations. But this isn’t necessarily true. With so much software so widely available, companies of all sizes may be…

  • Not necessarily a luxury: Outsourcing

    Not necessarily a luxury: Outsourcing

    For many years, owners of small and midsize businesses looked at outsourcing much like some homeowners viewed hiring a cleaning person. That is, they saw it as a luxury. But no more — in today’s increasingly specialized economy, outsourcing has become a common way to cut costs and obtain expert assistance. Why would you? Outsourcing…

  • Find Time for Strategic Planning

    Find Time for Strategic Planning

    As a business owner, you know that it’s easy to spend nearly every working hour on the multitude of day-to-day tasks and crises that never seem to end. It’s essential to your company’s survival, however, to find time for strategic planning. Lost in the weeds Business owners put off strategic planning for many reasons. New…