Steven Schlagel 5/15/14 Steven Schlagel 5/15/14

What Can I Use as a Tax Deduction for My Business?

Steve is frequently asked: "Can you provide a list of tax deductions for my business?" Go beyond those "lists" and think about those expenses that might be unique to your business.

3/19/14 3/19/14

What Makes a Good Manager?

Do you define a manager only by the tasks for which they are responsible? Steve explains that HOW a great manager accomplishes tasks with their team is far more important than the tasks themselves. A good manager employs servant leadership to encourage and orchestrate the tasks completed by the team.

3/6/14 3/6/14

Mentoring Helps Ensure Success of Succession Planning

Many times, succession planning involves selling to an employee group or family member. Because this often means seller financing, it's important to develop your management team so that they can take over even before you step aside to ensure the long term success of the business.

2/27/14 2/27/14

Anticipate your Business Strategy with a Buy Sell Agreement

100 percent of businesses end at some point. If you have one or more business partners, start the relationship with a business prenuptial - a buy-sell agreement - as part of your exit strategy for your business. Steve hits some of the important aspects of a buy-sell agreement as a good business strategy.

1/29/14 1/29/14

Give Your Prospect Three Options to Say Yes to Working with You

When you're in a service business, your find that often prospects want the highest level of service at the lowest possible price. Discover these tips for providing just the right level of service at a price that best fits your prospect's budget to get your prospect to say, "Yes!"

1/16/14 1/16/14

Be Willing to Walk Away for Your Best Negotiations

If you care too much about "getting the deal done," chances are the results won't be good. If you are willing to walk away from the deal, you become a very strong negotiator and end up with a deal that makes good sense. Be willing to walk away for your best negotiations.

1/8/14 1/8/14

Minimize Interruptions to Maximize Productivity

Interruptions can be a business killer. Each interruption statistically takes 45 minutes of your time to get back on track. Structure your day with uninterrupted blocks of work time to increase your business productivity. Being available to your employees, clients, friends and family is always important but be sure to build structured time blocks into your week and you will see a huge difference in your business productivity.

Steven Schlagel 12/23/13 Steven Schlagel 12/23/13

How to Manage the Three Different Types of Employees that Make Up Your Workforce

Explore the different ways to lead and collaborate with the three different types of employees that exist within your workforce.

10/2/13 10/2/13

Why Should I Hire a Small Business Coach, Consultant , or Mentor?

Discover how collaborating with a Small Business Coach, Consultant or Mentor can have a positive impact on your small business. Is there a need or skill that you need to learn or develop to help grow your business? A small business mentor can help you strengthen a weakness or help you learn a new skill to improve your business so you can get to the next level.

7/26/13 7/26/13

What is the Difference Between a Small Business Consultant, Coach or Mentor?

Discover the ways in which you can distinguish between a Consultant, Coach, or Mentor. Whether you want to solve a problem, build a skill, or work with a wise sounding board, understanding the differences among these three different functions will help ensure your success.Steven Schlagel is a CPA and Attorney with offices in both Durango, CO and Farmington, NM. More than the typical CPA, Steve mentors, coaches and consults with small business owners just like you every day to help them solve problems and build value in their business.