“In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield.” – Warren Buffett Given the goings-on since our last post, we need to discuss the importance of disaster preparedness for small businesses. According to FEMA.gov, almost 40 percent of small businesses never reopen following a disaster because just a few inches of … [Read more...]
Knowing When To Double Down
“You've got to know when to hold 'em, Know when to fold 'em Know when to walk away, And know when to run.” – Kenny Rogers As a dedicated business owner, I’m seated nearly all day, either in: a car, behind a desk – at home or at the office – or at meetings. Now that I think of it, the most time I spend standing is in court or at a coffee … [Read more...]
Managing Your Business When Displaced
“You don’t have to live like a refugee.” -- Tom Petty Welcome back, folks. Is thing on? Many of you might be wondering, “where the heck is Joshua?” Some of you are just wondering what I am wearing. The answer to the first is: here, there, and everywhere. Since Tax Day, the firm has been retained to handle a flurry of activity in and out of … [Read more...]
Are You Productive Or Busy?
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney We small business owners are often in-demand -- by clients, employees, relatives, creditors, debtors. The list can be quite extensive. I believe there’s a major difference between a productive owner and a busy one. The former produces measurable results, and the latter … [Read more...]
Tax Tips For The Self-Employed
“The self-employed person can't just go to the end of the year and say here's how much I owe. You are required by law to make payments during the year.” -- Don Roberts Some of my favorite clients -- the self-employed -- are looking to settle up with the government for 2016 and, the very, very good ones, are filing their quarterly taxes for this … [Read more...]
Damage Control Advice For When A Vendor Lets You Down
“Every crisis offers you extra desired power.” -- William Moulton Marston Last Tuesday, we discussed crisis management as if your business let a client down. Today, we’ll explore how to handle damage control when the opposite happens and the vendor fails your business. Once again, we’ll use the example of a box containing critical, … [Read more...]
Succession Tips For The Family Business
“Family first.” – Michael Bluth from “Arrested Development” Brinen & Associates has advised many family-run businesses. We’ve often found that children who are actively employed in the business are not clearly identified as successors for a variety of reasons – intentional or not. Appointing the child who shall ascend to the throne can be … [Read more...]
Crisis Management Lessons from The Oscars’ Envelope Gaffe
“You got stuck in a moment, and you can’t get out of it.” -- U2 The 2017 Academy Awards may be old news but its envelope-handling blunder poses two questions you’re bound to ask during your business’ life cycle: “What you should you do if you fail a longtime client?” and “What should you do if the client fails you?” … [Read more...]
Learn From Nasty Gal’s Mistakes
“I’m a creative. I’m a brand-builder. I’m a rainmaker. I’m a pretty good marketer, but that’s not something I want to do every day.” – former Nasty Gal CEO, Sofia Amoruso “Play to your strengths” and “know your limits” are phrases that get tossed around often. Young entrepreneurs should do well to remember them, though, as their companies … [Read more...]
First Days in Mnuchin Land
“Government! Three fourths parasitic and the other fourth stupid fumbling.” ― Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land It was only two weeks ago that we explored the economic possibilities of a U.S. Treasury led by Steven Mnuchin. Though the former Goldman Sachs CIO had some opposition in the Senate, he was confirmed earlier this … [Read more...]
