How healthy is your business?
POSTED: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 02:41 PM PTBY: Lance Fenton
Today’s business environment is more volatile than ever and owners’ real-time feedback is necessary to make informed decisions. During my career, I have been fortunate to work with several successful businesses in Idaho. I often look at these companies to learn more about the habits of successful business owners.
One of the most common habits of [...]
Even small businesses can raise equity capital
POSTED: Monday, January 30, 2012 at 01:12 PM PTBY: T.J. Angstman
As the Great Recession comes to a close, entrepreneurs, investors and even speculators are seeing business opportunities for the first time in many years. Getting financing for such opportunities is more difficult than ever, and certain types of businesses have virtually no access to capital.
Whether seeking to finance expansion of manufacturing facilities, acquisition of a [...]
Some businesses blowing smoke over health care
POSTED: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 12:30 PM PTBY: Dan Bobinski
Soon you might get fired for eating too many Krispy Kreme donuts. Why? To save on health care costs, your company has instituted a policy that allows them to fire overweight people.
As of this writing, the above policy is fictional. However, some organizations actually have policies that prohibit hiring people who consume legal products in [...]
Are you ready for 401(k) fee disclosure rules?
POSTED: Monday, January 23, 2012 at 04:27 PM PTBY: Michelle Hicks
As recently as last summer, when I asked clients how they were preparing to respond to new 401(k) fee disclosure rules I got this answer, “I’m not worried about it. My vendor is handling it.” Now, with the rules taking effect in just a couple of months, I’m hearing this answer, “OMG, I didn’t know [...]
Wearing the right hats in your micro-businesss
POSTED: Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 10:23 AM PTBY: Dan Bobinski
If you run a micro-business, you carry a heavy burden and wear a lot of hats. Knowing which hats are the most important for you – and how to wear them – will save you a lot of headaches.
Although no official definition exists for a micro-business (often referred to as an mBiz), the one I [...]
There’s still some ‘paradox politics’ in Idaho
POSTED: Monday, January 16, 2012 at 01:46 PM PTBY: Michelle Hicks
Tags: Line of Communication
In the late ‘80s, political journalist Randy Stapilus penned a book about the dichotomy of Idaho politics and called it, Paradox Politics. At the time, it focused on such Idaho political dilemmas as how a Libertarian-leaning Republican U.S. Senator like Steve Symms could be embraced by the same electorate that loved a Democratic governor like [...]
Plate overflowing? Learn how to say ‘no’
POSTED: Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 08:39 AM PTBY: Dan Bobinski
Tags: Workplace Excellence
If you’re feeling overloaded, overbooked and overwhelmed, perhaps it’s time you learn how to say “no.” I’m not talking about being belligerent or difficult, but rather managing your activities to regain a sense of sanity – and be more effective.
Over the past several decades, psychologists have been studying Cognitive Load Theory, based on the assumption [...]
Small-cap effect in January not as strong in 2012
POSTED: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 10:20 AM PTBY: Andrew Leckey
Tags: Successful Investing
The so-called January effect, in which small-cap stocks have tended to outperform large-cap stocks at the start of each new year, is not evoking the same bold confidence that it has during more predictable market periods in the past.
“Small-cap stocks do tend to benefit from the increased attention that investors pay to their stock portfolios [...]
Nothing lasts forever, especially if you don’t adapt
POSTED: Friday, January 6, 2012 at 12:55 PM PTBY: Dan Bobinski
Tags: Workplace Excellence
If you’re my age, you probably grew up using a Kodak camera taking pictures on Kodak film. But if you’re just graduating high school this year, you’re probably asking, “What’s Kodak?” They’re still in business (barely), but struggling because they haven’t adapted well with the changing marketplace.
Also consider Blockbuster LLC, the video rental store. They [...]
Is your audience emotionally challenged?
POSTED: Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 09:02 AM PTBY: Michelle Hicks
Tags: Line of Communication
The beginning of a new year is often the time when an organization’s leaders reach out to communicate an exciting new vision and goals. While leaders may be pumped about their message, it is important to remember that in challenging times, employees may not be in the same state of mind. If you want your [...]
