July 28, 2016

“Small” Data, Big Insights–Finding Value in the Data you have at your Fingertips

You have probably heard a good bit of chatter about Big Data and how it is transforming the world of business. This is absolutely true for large businesses that fit a certain profile – businesses with high transaction volumes, those in industries with established data publication processes, those who have advanced data collection systems already in place, etc. However, for…Read More

June 30, 2016

How to Turn Employees into Idea Machines

Think that creativity in business is limited to what goes on in the advertising or marketing departments? Think again. Innovation and fresh ideas are needed in all parts of a company to stay ahead of the competition. Without creativity, you risk having a stagnant organization and a bored workforce.  Innovation and fresh ideas are needed in all parts of a company…Read More

June 29, 2016

Trademark Due Diligence – A Mark of the Future

When it comes to structuring a successful M&A transaction, existing trademarks play an important role for both parties involved. Valuing trademarks and creating a strategic vision for them can lead to success down the line. Increasingly, intellectual assets can be worth more than fixed assets when it comes to a company's value. Consequently, it is no surprise that valuing intellectual…Read More

June 21, 2016

Public Sector–Complex Areas to Understand for Maximum Opportunity

The Public Sector is a complex market with a large variety of companies focusing on supplying goods and services to this customer base. In addition, there are a vast number of customers within the Public Sector, each with their own varying requirements for doing business. The defense industry is one of the biggest and most regulated areas in the U.S.…Read More

June 6, 2016

Earnouts – Advantages and Challenges

Recently I came across a conversation regarding the advantages of 'earnouts' when selling a company. Earnouts can sometimes be used effectively to bridge a price difference between buyer and seller; but both sides should understand the implications and unknowns associated with this structure. When considering an earnout as part of your transaction, keep these key issues in mind: To what degree…Read More

May 6, 2016

Looking for the Win-Win in Deal Structure: Asset Sale vs. Stock Sale

As a former investment banker for 20 years who now provides pre-transaction advisory services to private business owners, I use plain language to help my clients understand the complex, often nuanced issues that they will need to navigate in selling their business. One such topic is the fundamental question of whether to structure their M&A transaction as a sale of assets…Read More

April 13, 2016

How to Raise the Capital you Need and Remain in Control

Private equity funds offer a way to get an infusion of capital (and additional business acumen) for your company for a period of time, while letting current management maintain a leadership role in its operation and avoiding a sale to a strategic acquirer. It's called equity recapitalization, and it typically involves selling a minority or majority stake in your company…Read More

March 30, 2016

Employee Stock Option Basics for Growing Companies

Stock options are a common compensation strategy used by start-up and growth-stage companies to attract, motivate, and retain employees, particularly when competing for talent against larger, more established companies. Offering options to potential employees may allow these companies to pay lower base salaries and conserve current cash flow, while providing significant potential upside incentive to employees. This article provides a…Read More

March 17, 2016

Strategic Planning–Are you a Dreamer or a Task Rabbit?

By Jeff Wraley If forced to make a binary classification of those who struggle with their small business’ strategic planning, I might create these two groups: The Task Rabbits I have worked with many business owners who are trapped in day-to-day, keep-the-lights-on-type of tasks. While these individuals are great at keeping their business afloat, they don’t make time for “what…Read More

February 24, 2016

Open Your Ears: A Simple Guide to Improving Your Communication Skills

By Virginia Kenyon If we were unable to communicate, where would we be? That's just it...we probably wouldn't "be" anywhere. Communication is so important that, in some instances, our lives actually depend on it. On a daily basis hostage negotiators talk gunmen into handing over their weapons or convince suicidal men and women to seek help rather than take their own…Read More

February 17, 2016

Think Like an Investor to Get the Capital You Need

Early-stage and emerging-growth companies seeking funding beyond the initial seed money from friends, family, and angel investors enter a highly competitive arena where innovative ideas are more numerous than interested investors. Because of this, securing an initial “professional” investor meeting - and advancing beyond the initial meeting to serious discussions - may prove a challenge, particularly for management teams not…Read More

January 5, 2016

Leadership Bang for the Buck

As we launch into 2016, companies find themselves in need of deeper and more specialized skill sets to overcome the challenges of the day and build greater value. At the same time, organizations are watching the bottom line. The rise of interim and fractional leaders filling the void is here and this tide does not appear to be turning anytime…Read More