Is embezzlement trending? It seems to be. For most of my career, embezzlement was something I read about in the newspaper (back when newspapers mattered). Or I read about it on news sites as the internet took over. It was a rare event; newsworthy. But I never had experience, first, second or even third-hand, with […]
It’s Deal Time in the Business Cycle
Business cycles seem to last about ten years. Out of a typical decade, there will be a couple years of recession (we’re overdue), a few years of boom times and several years that are neither boom nor bust. It has been a long of time since our last recession but it was memorable. And while […]
Book Review: Dereliction of Duty
This isn’t my typical book review because Dereliction of Duty isn’t a business book. But the truth is there is much in this book that does apply to business and to life. Dereliction of Duty is H.R. McMaster’s history of what led the United States into the Vietnam War. I had never heard of McMaster […]
The Importance of Buy/Sell Agreements
Any business that has multiple owners and isn’t publicly traded needs a Buy/Sell Agreement. With large private companies with lots of owners/partners/shareholders, there is usually a routine way that parties come and go. Think of the large accounting or consulting companies with hundreds or thousands of partners. But with smaller companies with only a few […]
Book Review: Disrupted, My Misadventure in the Start-up Bubble
Disrupted, My Misadventure in the Start-up Bubble was written by veteran journalist Dan Lyons. Lyons worked in print journalism for many years until he was laid off by Newsweek magazine as a part of the long-term death of ink-on-paper. In an attempt to reinvent himself and start another career as a marketer, he landed a […]
My Ten Investment Rules
I’m not a wealth manager but I’ve learned a lot about investments during the course of my career. As on most financial topics, I’ve got some strong opinions and here are my Ten Investment Rules. Keep in mind they are just my opinion. 1—Invest in Yourself First This is probably most relevant to younger readers […]
Helping Your People be Successful
My last blog was titled, “Getting Rid of People Isn’t Always the Answer.” Or course, sometimes it is the right answer but I asked the question, “Have you done everything you can to make an employee successful before you let them go?” This is a big deal. As the owner/operator or supervisor of people, it […]
Getting Rid of People Isn’t Always the Answer
So often, it seems that the default answer to a problem in an organization is to get rid of someone, often the person at the top. Here’s my take on this: This is a lazy approach that often avoids dealing the root cause. Some examples follow. Get the Right People on the Bus It is […]
The Shedding of the Hats
Unless one buys an existing business, the start of a new enterprise usually begins with the owner being the only employee. It’s the typical start-in-a-spare-bedroom/garage story. The owner fulfills every job and ‘wears many hats.’ If this new enterprise enjoys some success, eventually the owner hires their first employee, an important milestone. Hopefully more employees […]
Long-term Success
This month marks the seventh anniversary for me of becoming a Consultant CFO. In my practice I try to help business owners and particularly enjoy long-term relationships because the client can accomplish so much. Two of my clients have been with me steadily from almost the start of my practice; one for over six years […]