Tag Archives: Buying a business

Bad Strategies are Like Undercooked Pasta…Nothing Sticks

I worked in my family’s Italian restaurant as a pizza cook during my teen years and even today I still have to taste  pasta to know for sure that it is done.  Another way is to throw it against the wall … Continue reading

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Taxes and a Load off Your Debt, Or is It?

Losing your home is bad enough, but paying taxes because the experience rubs salt in the wounds.  Prior to 2007, there was very little relief for a debtor that had a residence debt forgiven.  However, that changed in 2007.  Canceled … Continue reading

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Business Cents: Before You Add That New Employee or Invest in that Venture…

Several years ago, a small business prospect asked me about their idea of employing a new sales person.  At that time, the company’s industry was high sales with low margins.  This prospect were being crowded out by the big home technology manufacturers … Continue reading

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Judo 101: How a Small Business Can Fight a 500 Pound Gorilla

Over my life time, I’ve trained in several martial arts.  It started at eight years old with Judo.  Within six weeks I had learned how to maneuver a 200 pound man (instructor) and flip him over my shoulder.  (I weighed … Continue reading

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Small Business Opportunities in the Wind

Small businesses are the main sources of employment in our country.  According to the US Small Business Administration, small firms: Represents 99.7 % of all employer firms. Employ half of all private sector employees. Pay 44% of total US private … Continue reading

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What is the Difference Between a Business Plan and a Strategic Plan?

Business plans are very familiar to me.  I receive calls from time to time to design one for individuals who have potential investors.  In doing so, I try to incorporate some form of a strategic plan in the product because new entrepreneurs rarely think on that … Continue reading

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How to Launder(for More)Money Without Getting Washed Up

I know that title can get me into trouble, but I couldn’t resist. I had lunch today with a childhood friend (no he is not nine years old).  I hadn’t seen  Gary in about 30 years. He still looks the … Continue reading

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Where Do We Go From Here? Strategic Planning In the Fog

The yellow bus lights glowed in the dark as my only beacon.  I couldn’t see 20 feet in front of me on Highway 99 in the central California valley, but we had to get to Lake Huntington.  The four cars … Continue reading

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If You Are Reading This, You’ve Proved My Point

 Last January, I again participated on the planning committee for the 2011 Entertainment Industry Conference for CPAs and attorneys.  We agreed on most of the usual topics to be presented at the conference.  Then, I suggested social networking.  The idea … Continue reading

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Small Business Promotion Using Social Media–How We Did It

I couldn’t believe it.  Well, actually I could, but I didn’t want to.  Gregg Towsley of WSI Quality Solutions sat down with me me 18 months ago and showed me that my business’s social profile was dead.  In other words, if … Continue reading

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