Category Archives: Protecting the business

How to cheat legally on your tax return.

When do you cross the line between honesty and dishonesty in tax planning?  Is it ethical to allocate income between periods to take advantage of tax breaks?  Can expenses be put off until the next period to increase income, or … Continue reading

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Do you really need an accountant?

First, let’s be sure we define our terms. Accountants are trained, certified and usually quite experienced in financial analysis, both creating and reviewing data.  Bookkeepers are often trained on the job although sometimes more formally and handle the physical work … Continue reading

Posted in Depending upon others, Protecting the business | 2 Comments

Can your lawyer destroy a good business deal?

Let’s talk about lawyers… Over the years in business and as a member of over forty boards, I have received good advice from corporate attorneys and on occasion bad advice as well.  There is a line that should be drawn … Continue reading

Posted in Depending upon others, Protecting the business, Surrounding yourself with talent | 2 Comments

What if you see juicy competitor information?

Has this happened to you?      Many of us belong to industry associations and find ourselves at conferences and trade shows with time to spend with competitors.  Some of these are old friends, some even former associates.  It is natural to … Continue reading

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Should you be optimistic about your corporate growth?

Planning for future space needs after COVID. One of the most obvious observations I make with growing company CEO’s is that planning for a new office is done with an optimistic view of the future, incorporating planned space that compromises … Continue reading

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If you must lease an office, make it a short one!

 Avoid long-term commitments! It is statistically true that at least half of the young companies funded by angel or venture investors will not survive three years from funding to demise, and more than that percentage will die with two years if … Continue reading

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What’s your answer? Are remote workers productive?

We’ve been measuring & disagreeing since COVID. Do home-based employees work with the same dedication and productivity as those in office cubicles next to each other? That depends upon the management as much as the employee.  I have a friend … Continue reading

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Would you commit to an office lease today?

Always true: Rent your first, next, or continuing office with caution.  Several years ago and before COVID’s changes, I became involved with a Southeast Asian company looking to expand into the United States.  During the discussions with the CEO about … Continue reading

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How to make a small problem into a big one.

Allowing small problems to escalate into big ones is simple.  Just ignore the signs for long enough and the job is done.  It takes far more energy to regularly review the key performance indicators you’ve established for each individual and … Continue reading

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Why we should fire fast, not last!

Our first reaction to marginal performance. Here is one that takes a real leap for a younger manager or CEO to believe.  After hiring someone with all the attendant enthusiasm followed by the training and learning curve, if an employee … Continue reading

Posted in Depending upon others, Protecting the business, Surrounding yourself with talent | 1 Comment