Tag Archives: Santa Monica

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

Posted in Business Finances, Strategic Planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

Posted in Business Finances, Strategic Planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

2010 Small Business Tax Breaks Revisited

It’s always good to practice the basics, like a major league baseball player who may work on his swing by hitting a ball off a tee.  So here I am going back to the IRS tax site to remind small business … Continue reading

Posted in Business Finances, Tax Planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Tightrope of Employee Tax Classification is Getting Frayed

My grandfather was Alfano the Great.  In the 1920′s he walked between 2 eight story buildings with no net.  In addition, he walked on his hands, rode a bicycle and did wheelies.  All for a few bucks.  Obviously, he never … Continue reading

Posted in Business Finances, Tax Planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Business Acumen: Beware of Useless Advice

There are brilliant people that study for years to provide brilliant advice based on solid, empirical evidence.  Then, there are others that just talk well. Financing, Outsourcing And 7 Other Tips from an Expertby Shira Levine, touts the advice of … Continue reading

Posted in Personal Finances, Strategic Planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Startup Strategy: Are You Playing the Same Old Tune?

My college-aged son played “Satin Doll” with his jazz band in a local upscale restaurant last week.  I turned to my wife and told her I played that song in a big band music group back in 1969.  The 1953 … Continue reading

Posted in Business Finances, Strategic Planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A CPA/Planner Tip on How to Survive in the New Business Economy

I worked with a plumber, Dan, when I was 15 years old.  I learned some plumbing, but mostly I ran to his truck for tools and dug ditches…lots of ditches.  Dan told me that I was good, but I wasn’t as … Continue reading

Posted in Business Finances, Personal Finances | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Financial Independence: Does That Define Your Small Business?

I grew up in a family of small business people.  It started with my grandparents who opened an Italian restaurant in 1949 with their four high school children.  At that point, my grandfather would arrive at the restaurant at 4 am … Continue reading

Posted in Business Finances, Personal Finances | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

CPA Economic Depression Thinking: Buy Your House and Pay it off…Good Idea? Maybe.

As a CPA, I have categorized home-owner’s financial strategy into two categories over the last 32 years:  One, the Depression Victim, and Two, the Leverage Junkie.  The Depression Victim’s financial strategy is a person who has lived or heard about people … Continue reading

Posted in Business Finances, Personal Finances | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DeBabbitting the Business Strategy Process: Can Creative People Be Developed?

           My grandfather left quite a legacy.  He came from Italy as a boy to start a new life.   He acted in and scripted silent movies, fought in WWI, tightrope walked between two eight story buildings (without a net) over a busy Chicago … Continue reading

Posted in Business Finances, Strategic Planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments