Shane’s really deep insights
You Can Only Manage What You Measure
For many small and medium–sized businesses (SMB’s), there is a stark disconnect when it comes to truly understanding the cost of product/services. Specifically, the disconnect comes into play when tracking (or not tracking) labor costs. Many companies purchase raw materials and/or components, assemble finished goods, and then erroneously determine their costs based on those inputs…
Read MoreMayan Calendars, Fiscal Cliffs, and Your Business
I just checked on Yahoo News® and I’m happy to report that the “Mayan Apocalypse” did not occur at 9:11 PST today, contrary to the Mayans’ prediction a few thousand years ago. Considering this cataclysmic possibility, I must admit that I considered moving to Cincinnati since Mark Twain said “If the world comes to an…
Read MoreSuccession Planning For Dummies
I am seeing a lot of succession planning experts in the news, seminars, blogs etc. these days. And rightfully so. As noted in my prior blog, somewhere between 8 and 10 million small U.S. businesses owned by baby-boomers will come to market over the next ten to fifteen years. These statistics suggest a looming and…
Read MoreThe Coming Small Business Exodus
You’ve heard the statistics. Somewhere between 8 and 10 million small U.S. businesses owned by baby-boomers will come to market over the next ten to fifteen years. That sounds like a buyer’s market to me. That is why it is also predicted that less than 20% of these companies are expected to have a successful…
Read MoreSo You Want to Sell More?
I know, I know. What does a bean-counter, accountant geek know about sales? Actually more than you might think. But setting aside all pre-conceived notions, I wanted to share an article I discovered today. It’s about the physiological changes in people who are asked to talk about themselves. It is really quite fascinating. Here is…
Read MoreOff to the Races
The economy is clearly in the early stages of recovery. GDP for last quarter has now been unexpectedly upgraded to 4%. The manufacturing sector has led the way to recovery and is stronger than it has been in some time. Employment, one of the last leading economic indicators, is improving. Many of my clients, not…
Read MoreNatural Gas is Cheap – Good or Bad News?
I have blogged on this subject before, but now things are different. Now some of the energy industry’s brightest minds actually agree with me. Natural gas is clean burning, plentiful, and as liquid natural gas (“LNG”) makes a wonderful automotive fuel. There is a reason that Boone Pickens, Chairman of the Board at Clean Energy,…
Read MoreThe Discovery™
So The Discovery™ process is all about listening, which takes a little time, but is infinitely more productive than traditional “selling.”
Read MoreThe safest way to fire an employee
“Whether the employee wins in court is not even the greatest concern. The cost of defense as well as the countless hours of disruption to the company will likely be the most expensive part of the transaction.”
Read MoreWhy do you need a CFO?
“I will often ask ‘how much in additional annual sales do you think you could you bring in if you were to free up an extra 8 hours per month?’ Maybe $100,000? Maybe a million dollars? Maybe more?”
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