The COSO effect: How the new control framework adds value, not just work for work’s sake
Every business, private and public, has a control structure. Internal controls or COSO are the functional steps that process accounting transactions generated by a business. However, the standards for this framework were essentially stale and no longer a reflection of the current business environment, so they were updated last year.
How the Unified Patent Court could affect European patents
Businesses will want to plan ahead for changes to the patent system that are likely to be implemented across much of Europe.
Properly preparing when selling your business delivers maximum value
When it comes to generating the best bang for your buck, selling a business might be more important than running the business well. The instinct of sellers might be to begin disengaging from the business after choosing to sell, but sellers must own the sales process if they are to earn as much as possible […]
Success at work begets success at home and vice-versa, so can there be a balance?
Work/life balance is the ultimate word problem for any professional — and you thought you were beyond the painful struggles of your school-age math career! Consider: Google the term “work/life balance” you’ll get about 334 million results. With all the people on the planet, this brings us to 1-in-12 weighing-in on this complex equation. Your […]
Patrick Niemann will do whatever it takes to show his people at EY that he has their back
Patrick Niemann discovered the value of being able to work with others early in life. As the 10th of 11 children, he really didn’t have a choice. “I recognize that in a large group, you may not have unanimity,” says Niemann, managing partner of Greater Los Angeles for EY. “But you work things out, you […]
On-the-job training: Sarah Forrer has to learn on the fly to keep up with Main Street Cupcakes’ growth
At eight months pregnant, long after Main Street Cupcakes had closed for the day, co-owner Sarah Forrer sat at a table with her sister discussing logistics. “All I wanted to do was go to bed and we were sitting there talking to a logistics company in Washington state,” she says. “And I remember we got […]
Carter Logistics’ fights turnover with training, but the biggest lesson is copping to mistakes
Statistically speaking, John Paugh is doing much better at retaining truck drivers than the rest of the industry. Here’s why.
How to answer the question of when to sell your business
Identifying the four D’s of dysfunctional leaders
Someone recently sent me a Washington Post article about the Pentagon’s investigative actions to remove abusive leaders. One general was described as a profane screamer who was “cruel and oppressive.” Another leader was singled out as a verbally abusive taskmaster and still another was “dictatorial,” “unglued” and a master of “profanity-fused outbursts.” A power-hungry senior […]
Proposed patent reform bill will put a chill on innovation
The words “patent troll” conjures an image of a nasty, devious being, bent on greedily demanding tribute from anyone seeking to cross the bridge. But by the definition in some of Congress’ recent proposals to address patent reform, that troll is me. Under the cover of hard-to-oppose legislation aimed at curbing these horrible trolls, a […]