November 20, 2017

4 Tough Questions to Ask Before Expanding to a New Location

Is business going so well that you're thinking about adding another location? If this is the case, congratulations! But before you start planning the ribbon-cutting ceremony, take a step back and ask yourself some tough questions about whether a new location will grow your company -- or stretch it too thin. Here are four to get you started: What's driving…Read More

November 13, 2017

Got Talent? Is Your Accounting Staff Delivering What They Should?

As a business owner or senior leader, have you calibrated your expectations with your accounting staff and have you stepped back and thought about the efficacy of your accounting team? When you are evaluating your accounting team's performance, make sure they are delivering these key results and competencies: RESULTS: Produces timely, basic financial reports on a monthly basis – balance sheet,…Read More

November 6, 2017

Fine-tuning Your Company’s Compensation Strategy

As a business evolves, so must its compensation strategy. Hopefully, your company is growing -- perhaps adding employees or promoting staff members who are key to your success. But other things can spur the need to fine-tune your compensation strategy as well, such as economic changes or the rise of an intense competitor. A goal for many businesses is to…Read More

October 9, 2017

How to Build and Maintain a Culture of Continuous Improvement

Have you ever worked for an organization where change was not embraced and the status quo was expected? How did you feel about that experience? I have, and personally I found it to be disengaging to the point that I sought to leave that organization quickly. Employees want to be engaged and valued; they want to learn and grow and…Read More

October 2, 2017

Are Your Employees a Cybersecurity Threat?

Today’s businesses operate in an era of hyper-connectedness and, unfortunately, a burgeoning global cybercrime industry. You can’t afford to hope you’ll luck out and avoid a cyberattack. It’s essential to establish policies and procedures focused on employees to minimize risk. Know the Threats There are a variety of cyber crimes you need to guard against. For instance, thieves may steal…Read More

August 21, 2017

Could a Stronger Governance Benefit Your Business?

Every company has at least one owner. And, in many cases, there exists leadership down through the organizational chart. But not every business has strong governance. In a nutshell, governance is the set of rules, practices, and processes by which a company is directed and controlled. Strengthening it can help ensure productivity, reduce legal risks and, when the time…Read More

August 14, 2017

Fraud (Part II): How to Protect Yourself and Components of an Emergency Plan

  In Part I of this series Ron Cox discussed the definition of fraud, who the fraudsters are both inside and outside of your business, the specific areas in your business that are being targeted, and the 10 Questions every business owner should be asking themselves. Now, in Part II, Ron will spell out the damage that can be done…Read More

July 31, 2017

How to Protect Yourself from Fraud: 10 Questions Every Business Owner Should Ask

This is Part I of a two-part series on fraud in the workplace. The Definition of Fraud According to the Institute of Internal Auditors, "fraud is any illegal act characterized by deceit, concealment, or violation of trust. These acts are not dependent upon the threat of violence or physical force. Fraud is perpetrated by parties and organizations to obtain money,…Read More

July 24, 2017

Business Owners: Put Your Successor in a Position to Succeed

When it comes to transitioning your role as business owner to someone else, you'll face many changes. One of them is becoming a mentor. As such, you'll have to communicate clearly, show some patience, and have a clear conception of what you want to accomplish before stepping down. Here are some tips on putting your successor in a position to…Read More