Happy Productive Employees are Working with Their Strengths
Your employees are important pieces of the puzzle that make up your business. Help your employees to discover and work within their strengths instead of forcing them to fit where it doesn't belong.
Appoint a Manager to Lead your LLC
Steve explains why it is prudent and important to select a Manager to lead your LLC when there are several members vs. a Member-managed LLC. Unless your LLC is owned by only one Member, a Manager-led LLC is your best choice. Discover why...
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!"
Should I Sell Business Divisions Separately vs Sell the Company as a Whole
Steve shares some thoughts to consider when selling your business. Often, it can make more sense to divide the company and sell the divisions separately. Other times, there is a synergy that is only available when the company is whole. Discover more about how this might apply to your situation.
Charge an Application Fee When Hiring to Help Pre-Qualify Candidates
Run of the mill recruiting brings you a LOT of unqualified applicants. Before you invest your time and money screening those applicants - reviewing applications, paying for drug screens and background checks - why not consider charging an application fee to prospective employees? You might find that those who are unqualified won't pay the fee and you're left with a smaller, more qualified pool of applicants to choose from.
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.
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.
Run your Business According to your Exit Strategy
From the start of your business, plan your exit strategy. To whom will you sell your business?
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.
Apply the 80-20 Rule to Maximize Results in Your Business
Running lean - and using your business resources wisely - ensures productivity, profitability and longevity.
Interview Potential CPAs to Find the Best Fit for Your Business
Don't work with the first CPA you talk to! Interview them, using these 13 questions to be sure that their services fit your needs.
Four Steps to Finding the Best CPA for Your Business
It's important to have a good business advisor! Explore these four areas for consideration when choosing the best CPA to help make you and your business successful…
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.
The 3 Best Cloud Collaboration Apps for Business
Cloud collaboration with remote team members has become much easier since the advent of cloud-based file storing and sharing.
A Part-Time MBA: The Next Best Step for You and Your Business?
It's been nearly five years since the global economic meltdown. Your family business has survived, but no doubt you've had to make alot of cuts.
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.
3 Bad Habits That Can Kill Your New Business Venture
Starting your own business? You'll be faced with a wide variety of bad habits to conquer. Many of these result from simple human nature.
Questions to Ask When Buying a Business Part 1: Seven Often Overlooked Considerations
There is much more to consider than the purchase price when you are buying a business. Steve outlines seven primary questions to ask when buying a business so that you have a full understanding of what you are getting for that purchase price. Whether it is company culture or industry regulation, you will want to understand how considerations such as these will impact your long term success, and subsequently your buying decision. Be sure to talk to your current business advisors for more information on how these questions to ask when buying a business might impact your particular situation, or talk with Steve via email or phone to get his advice.
Timing the Decision to Fire
Employees often fire themselves. Setting aside the employee who deserves to be terminated for cause –theft, sexual harassment, drunkenness, and so on…
10 Tips to Help You Fire an Employee
Small business owners occasionally have an obligation - in the law, in good business practice, and in good faith - to fire employees. There is no simple way to fire an employee - no way to do it without emotion or lasting memories.