business finance Archives | Page 10 of 12

Budget Time: Managing Your Money During the Next Thirty Days

This time of year brings out a lot of good articles regarding saving money. I found this one in the Wall Street Journal. 7 Smart Holiday Moves for the Holiday This article amplifies what I have suggested for the last year in various articles. The main word to keep in mind is BUDGET. How much can you afford, and not to be burdened by guilt because you did not spend enough money on someones gift. Even though Black Friday has passed, there are still a lot of good deals out there if you start early and look for them. For example, today, I decided to invest in LED Christmas lights. They use far less energy than normal lights. I didn’t want to replace all of my lights at once because of the cost, so I bought 4 boxes. Not only will this save money on electricity, but the exchanging of my normal lights got me a 30% discount at Home Depot. So, I saved money on the purchase, bought within my budget, and will save money on electricity for the next 30 days.

The same can be done for small and medium businesses. Plan and buy smart. Your bottom line will surprise you, not to mention your lower credit card bill in January.

Electing to be an S-Corporation

A client wanted to turn invoke an S-Corporation election for tax reasons. The only problem was that he was about two months too late for the current fiscal year. Ten years ago, that would have been a large problem, but with the IRS’s new positions, that problem is not so big. Recent regulations have been issued that allows shareholders relief in late elections.

But, if you want to elect an S-Corporation, make sure that you have looked at all aspects like personal tax benefits, you tax basis for taking losses, medical costs deductions, etc. Most business persons only look at the first benefit and disregard the rest. If you are into the minutia, here is an interesting, but technical article from the AICPA.

Above all, if you elect to be an S-Corporation, play by the rules. I wrote a blog on this not too long ago. Take a look at it for some advice, but always consult a tax advisor regarding your particular situation.

Is Social Media Marketing Worth Paying For?

Chances are, you are reading this blog because of our social networking efforts. Nice to meet you.

But, does that really matter? I mean, I am passing on information, but is social medial market really worth the time (and money if you hired a consultant or employee)? Check out this Inside Edge article that sheds some light on this question. But while you are reading that, I’d like to look at it from another point of view. I believe immediate ROI(return on investment) is not always the answer. The answer to this question lies in your horizon and, yes, history itself.

First the history. When I was a teenager (mid 1970s, OMG!), the yellow pages were my stepfather’s lifeline to his plumbing business. He would struggle on how much to invest, how big the ad, and which telephone books to appear in? The cash outlay was staggering for a small business. But he had to do it with the hope that some lady, who had sewage leaking from her ceiling, would find his ad, and call him in a panic. His horizon was short because the likelihood that this customer would have another plumbing problem, or find his number again, was remote. If the calls did not come in during the twelve months that he advertised, he lost his investment. During most calls, he or his plumbers could not build a lasting relationship. They just fixed the immediate problem.

Secondly, your horizon. Social networking is different. The whole medium is designed to build relationships. In addition, once you place an article, ad, or so forth in the viral-sphere, it lasts forever. You may be reading this blog on November 2011, one year after I posted it. So, the horizon is stretched beyond your eyesight. The longer the horizon (along with the timeliness of your information), the more likely your ROI will multiply. Combine this with SEO (search engine optimization), and your chances increase dramatically.

Lastly, If you are thinking of using social networking or SEO, keep in mind that you are on the edge of a new fronteir. You will be an industry leader. There are wagon ruts in the desert, but not all of them lead to Santa Monica. Some lead to Donners Pass. This is why you must constantly check your compass, map, and ration your provisions.

Phone Instead of Your Credit Card To Buy Something? Listen-up Small Businesses?

Hold on to your small business hats, things are moving even faster. Google Inc. Chief Executive Eric Schmidt said Monday that the smart phone will eventually replace the credit card. This may come as a surprise to you, but Bill Gates predicted that and a lot more over 15 years ago in his book, The Road Ahead. This advent of technology will have a lot of challenges to small business. Some of the issues are things like, will a business have to pay any credit card fees for the transaction? Obviously there shouldn’t be one of the merchant charges, because the phone may not be using the small business merchant’s number. What about security? If someone uses a stolen phone, can they access the owner’s bank account to purchase small business merchandise? Will the small business retain the same security as a credit card transaction?

The small and medium sized businesses should be looking at these developments closely, but not just compliance issues. This type of new technology could give a small and medium sized business a competitive advantage over their rivals. How? Let’s assume that these transactions will not impact the small business as much as a credit card transaction. That translates into a savings to the small business, and maybe the consumer.

Or, what about a small business advertising that they accept I-pad credit purchases? That service can bring customers into their establishment. Small and medium sized businesses can process their purchases without high-interest charging credit cards.

Small businesses must look at as many technological advancements as possible and ask the question, “How can this technology create a marketplace where the competition becomes irrelevant?” The small businesses that jumped on the first ATM machines created an edge for a short time. Now, you don’t need them.

CPAs help Emerging Small Businesses with their Tax Strategies

A recent Los Angeles Times article discussed why emerging small businesses need to engage in tax planning. The article rarely alluded to CPA’s as the solution. Instead, the article attempted to educate the small business person with some facts that a CPA could tell them in five minutes.

As a CPA, musicians used to be that my biggest challenge. With the advent of new technology, and so many people going into business, the challenge has changed to “ma-pa businesses. Musicians, of course, have the reputation of wanting to play their music and not be bothered with the mundane business end. That is still true in my CPA practice, but at least some musicians ask questions and want to understand what is happening with their money, and why. As a CPA, I applaud this.

In regards to ma-pa businesses, they are experts at the service or product they provide to the public. They seen to focus on two things: “What are my sales?” and “Do I have enough money to make payroll?” They are too inundated to engage a CPA strategist to help them plan for the future. (Read the E-Myth for a good example).

As a CPA, another issue with ma-pa businesses, is that they may not listen to tax advice. Some business owners tend to think that a CPA is against them because we tell them that they cannot deduct personal expenses. These deductions can be very dangerous for the business owner, and CPAs since we sign the tax returns. Secondly, it is bad from a business planning strategy because the business owner can never know the true health of their business. Lastly, hiding personal expenses in a business also reduces the small business owner’s income when it comes time to qualify for a loan. There are legal ways which CPA’s reduce taxes.

CPA’s can make a huge difference in a new business if brought in early. That is why many new business owners have taken advantage of our free one hour consulting offer.

Watch Out for These 7 Traps as You Cash Flow Your Holiday Shopping

“Cash flow,” don’t “credit flow” your holiday shopping this year. But, as you walk into your favorite outlet mall, look out for the 7 Sales Pitches that are looking to take your money. The Wall Street Journal article examined the nature of these pitches and why they work on consumers.

“Shop today and save 50% next week.”

“Limit five per person.”

“Our Big Sale ends tomorrow/today/in a few hours.”

“Get 23% off.”

“We have a great deal on the accessories for that, too.”

“Save $250! (New price: $500.)”

“Get a free gift with your $50 purchase.”

So many bruise their cash flow this time of year because they lose track of their spending. It is so easy to buy something for someone and pick up something else for yourself because, well, because you deserve it , right? One good strategy is to leave the credit card home and use cash. Don’t credit flow, cash flow your holidy shopping. Start by making your list of gift recipients. Second, set a limit of what you want to spend on all gifts. For example, if you have 10 people to buy gifts for, but only $300 to spend, then you will have to limit yourself to an average of $30 a gift. Sure, you may spend $40 on one person, and $20 on another, but you get the idea. Cash flowing your holiday season will keep that unpleasant surprise appearing in your January credit card bill.

There is another danger. Using your checking account and running into your overdraft. That is just as bad as credit flowing your purchases, because you end up using a high rate credit card instead. To cash flow your holiday, go take cash (that you have in your account), out of the ATM. This is your buying fund. As you check off your gifts, you use this cash only. Don’t spend it on lunch, or gas.

Cash flowing your holidays will also help you buy smarter and not impulsively. You know that you have only so much money to spend, and you will be forced to move on to another gift selection. If you cannot buy all the gifts by this pay day because of a cash shortage, wait until the next pay day to draw out the needed cash. The item you want to buy may still be there.

Let’s say your cash flow will only allow $30 per gift, but there is a $60 item a family member really needs. Call another family member and split it. This way the gift recipient gets the gift they need, and you stay within your budget.

In these days of lay-offs, furloughs, reduced sales, we all need to shop smarter.

Think of Your Business Clients as “Fans” and You, a Rock Star

Music Think Tank posted an article, How Well Do You Know Your Fans? that define different segments of a band’s fan base. As you read the article, substitute the word fan for business client. We all have business clients that appreciate our services on different levels. Levels of dependability, confidence, and of course honesty. Business clients can be classified in similar groups as rock fans. The questions to ask as a business owner is why are some clients more dedicated than others? What did I, as a business owner do that impressed clients to be loyal to me as some are. Lastly, once you have answered these questions, adjust your strategy in business client relationships and procurement. Learn by the mistakes when losing business clients, and duplicate the attributes you possess with those who are your greatest fans.

Are You Skating to Where the Puck is Going to Be?

“I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it is.” –Wayne Gretsky.

This may be an overused quote, but it speaks volumes about why businesses, products, and careers strategies fail. I remember when ET hit the movies. As you well know, it was a monster hit. At the same time, I had a movie producer client who was intrigued in another script he had received because “it was just like ET.” I said to myself, “We already have an ET.” Well, the copycat movie was never made.

So much of strategy is based on copying what others have done successfully. That is not “strategy;” that is “similarity.” The link below tells the story of the imminent demise of the CD, and how companies are strategizing to squeeze every drop of life out of it before it succumbs to new technology. When you duplicate what others have done, you become a commodity. In the end, nothing will different you from others; just price. That is a red (full of sharks), not blue ocean strategy. To develop this blue ocean you must focus first on what you are delivering to your consumer, or business. Second, you must take a hard look at what consumers want, and what they are getting that they don’t want. This strategy will lead you to your blue ocean. Don’t let your strategy be swept away by copying others.

BMI article: Bye Bye CD

Strategic Planning with Cheap Technology in the Entertainment Industry

An article by Brian Stelter appeared in the New York Times about the iPad use in the entertainment industry.

Pitching Movies or Filming Shows, Hollywood is Hooked on iPads

The article demonstrates how creative types are altering their strategies by leveraging the iPad technology to display ideas of movie characters, locations, and actors. This strategy is very elastice because its limitation is the creative ability of the user. Whether it is college students carrying digital textbooks, doctors carrying patient records, or producers carrying the daily shootings, the strategy has changed. When I first started using a personal computer in the 1980’s, Lotus 123 was the big time saver. You would enter your row of numbers and click total. Nevermind that the red “WAIT” sign would flash twenty times, Lotus 123 was the greatest invention.

But there was a problem. I was constrained in developing my work strategy by Lotus 123’s functionality. All it could do was mathematical functions. But now, we are at crossroads where a disparate list of technologies have come together. The problem of limiting your strategy by the computer’s functionality has shrunk dramatically. Now, instead of the user’s strategy being limited by the equipment, the equipment is limited by the user’s strategy and abilities.

So, what does this mean to every business person and artist? It means that you should not look to technology to execute your strategy, but develop your strategy to execute the equipment’s capability. Do not do things the old way, but imagine a new way of doing things.

So, how do you start? Well, the first way is to step into the shoes of your customers. What are they looking for in a service of product? What should they be looking for, but have ignored it because nobody has offered it in such a way?

One of many theories is the Blue Ocean Strategy. Southwest Airlines sought to offer air transportation at the cost of a car rental. As history shows us, they were able to accomplish this and grab market share.

The next step is to build a strategy with milestones and metrics so you can honestly monitor your execution.

The last step is to alter your tactics in order to accomplish your goal.

Need Help Choosing a Retirement Plan? Use this Interactive Tool to Help you Decide

Retirement Plan! I can’t even make ends meet. I can’t use bread and butter money to stash away for the future!

Sometimes, that is statement I hear from individuals and business owners. So many just struggle through the daily grind, and don’t think about their retirement. Some small business owners think they have a good plan, i.e., place the entire risk on their business. When they are old enough they will sell the business to finance their retirement. Both of these positions are alarming, and are missing the biggest advantage to a retirement plan: time. When you invest tax deductible money in a retirement plan, it grows tax free over many years. If done correctly, compounding growth can set you up for a nice nest egg when you need it.

Ok, so I got your attention, sort of. But which retirement plan? Well, the AICPA has launched a nice tool to help you decide. Check it out.

https://www.choosingaretirementsolution.org/