Don't blame sports if your productivity is off a bit this month
Count on Bob Lacy to be one of those business leaders who won’t be trying to calculate the hours his employees spend away from their work as they track their brackets or sneak a peek at the March Madness action on their computer, smartphone or tablet. “It’s fun to do and it’s a good thing […]
The search for a better way / Efficiency is the end goal for every business
There’s a saying that necessity is the mother of all invention. For most businesses in the last several years, tough economic conditions created a lifetime supply of necessity, resulting in companies large and small seeking creative ways to do more with less. For most CEOs, that meant taking a long, hard look at every position […]
How to utilize government-sponsored export support programs
Overseas sales and exports can really help business owners grow their companies. But, when the company gets its first international inquiry, an owner might say, “I always deal cash in advance. Send me a check. I’ll send you the product.” That’s not how the world works, says Art Rice, vice president and manager of International […]
Ivan Misner: Why drinking more water along with four other actions could really stoke your energy at work
At one time or another, we’ve all tried to find the secret to being happier at work. Even the most upbeat employees are going to have those times when they just don’t feel the same level of energy and passion about coming into the office each day. Last year, in an effort to boost the […]
Health care transformation: The Affordable Care Act has been a catalyst for change
While political battles and a glitch-prone website have dominated media coverage of health care reform, the Affordable Care Act also has brought about a major change in the way medical service is being delivered. “We’re in this dramatic transformation where health care providers, hospitals and physicians are coming together in an integrated model,” says Greg […]
Joseph James Slawek: Four tips to recognize and encourage hard work to drive results
The duty of leadership to effectively reward is essential to the survival and prosperity of any organization. Issues between the leader and his or her people regarding incentive compensation can undermine the entire motivation process. We really are in the “timely rewards” business as company leaders. Here are four principles for successfully rewarding your people […]
Eric Lofquist: How profit sharing attracts and retains national clients
Small and middle-market companies aspiring to land national accounts may have advantages over larger competitors by offering more flexibility, greater efficiencies, better service and faster turnaround. But often that’s not enough to win the business of the biggest and best brands, and the benefits that smaller organizations bring to the negotiation can be offset by […]
How to increase the value of your biggest asset — your company
Companies are valued based on a formula that takes into account cash flow and the multiple that a buyer would be willing to pay. Increasing the value of a business amounts to finding ways to affect those two factors. “Certain businesses, like a developer investing in land, are valued based on how much their assets […]
How to handle three hot tax issues for 2014
Smart Business spoke with Tyler A. Shewey, an associate at Berliner Cohen, about three tax issues that are receiving more attention in 2014. What is happening with sales and use taxes? The California State Board of Equalization (SBE) has focused on several areas lately. One area relates to delivery charges. When a business invoices customers, […]
How business owners can help identify expert witnesses
An expert witness is a person knowledgeable in a particular subject area who can assist a jury or judge in understanding specialized, technical or scientific evidence presented in a court case. Experts are needed to explain what is reasonable in various industries, scientific or technical information, complicated financial data, and anything else that laypersons might have difficulty understanding on their own. That’s why having a good […]