How to navigate the implications of doing business abroad
As technology continues to make the world seem smaller, more U.S.-based companies are looking overseas for untapped opportunities. International expansion has traditionally been undertaken primarily by large, multi-national companies. Today, small, private companies are increasingly venturing outside the U.S. But seeking overseas opportunities comes with a different rulebook. What are the hazards and pitfalls that […]
How to bridge the succession gap when your kids are too young to take over
A 52-year-old businessman has sole ownership of a business and his wife takes care of their home. They have three children, ages pre-teen through early college. One or two of the kids have voiced an interest in working in the business, but the businessman realizes his children won’t be ready to take his place, even […]
Why businesses need to understand how policies affect employment laws
Many businesses assume that employment at-will means the employer can terminate the relationship at any time. While the default assumption is that employment is at-will, some actions taken by employers can create an implied-in-fact contract. “That’s where employers can often get into trouble with a disgruntled employee. At-will employment allows the employer to fire an […]
Shani Magosky: Imagining family-friendly places to work in the state of Florida
We can always count on Northern California to generate a good debate. On one hand, we saw Yahoo eliminate work-from-home arrangements last year, and on the other, the city of San Francisco passed the Family Friendly Workplace Ordinance on Oct. 8. Essentially, this ordinance and a similar law recently passed in Vermont grant employees the […]
David Lopez found a better way to deliver a much-needed service with Dental Fix Rx
Four years ago, David Lopez found his calling. A striving Fort Lauderdale entrepreneur, Lopez came across a unique opportunity: a mobile dental equipment repair company. With a strong background in franchising, Lopez, who was looking for a recession-proof business model that could offer a high return on investment, knew he had found what he had […]
How business owners can measure the results of marketing programs
It’s important to know the desired outcome before entering into a marketing program, says Ryan Barringer, senior vice president of marketing and brand strategy at Bridge Bank. “Too often a manager invests in a campaign without having first identified the appropriate criteria to evaluate its performance. The output might be obvious — a TV spot, […]
Neglecting client service could be a fatal mistake for your business
The customer is always king. It might sound like a cliché, but when you think about it, how long has it been since you actually heard somebody say it? There was a time that customer service was a given. Remember the scene in “Back to the Future” when the lead character arrives in the 1950s […]
How you can lower your business litigation costs this year
The cost of business litigation is inherently uncertain because of unforeseen maneuvers by your opponent and unexpected rulings by the court. However, there are things that you — as the client — can do to reduce your litigation costs, including your attorneys’ fees. “Experienced clients know how to efficiently use their litigators,” says Monte L. Mann, a partner at Novack and Macey LLP. Smart Business […]
Sharon Meers: Five myths to toss in 2014 to make workplaces happier
Myth: Women and men are equal in the workplace We wish it were already true — but it’s not. Women top out at around 15 percent of leadership in almost every profession and the pay gap persists. Studies show that progress has stalled for over a decade. People think employers and the government can fix […]
Sheri Atwood: Be your own boss
Transitioning from corporate America to entrepreneurship takes determination and drive. If you want to start a business but don’t know where to begin, you’re not alone. More Americans continue to leave the corporate world to start businesses. A few years ago, I was a vice president at a Fortune 500 company, a divorcee and a […]