Latest Articles
- How to Get the Most Out of a Business Health Review with Your Accountant
While working with my clients and as Program Manager of the Entrepreneurial Assistance Program I have a common theme presents itself. How do I figure out how my business is doing? As a business owner I need to know the answer to this myself. So when I meet with my accountant, I want to give him the most up to date and accurate information. Thus providing the data he needs to help me make sound financial decisions. Your accountant can do this for you but they will need “information”.
- Planning For Success
So why is planning important? Without it you will waist a considerable amount of money, time, and resources. You can’t get where you want to go if you don’t know where you want to end up. Working with clients I usually find businesses that have grown ad hoc and call me when their inefficient back office operations are hampering growth. By developing a business plan you can prepare for growth and potential risk or problems. Therefore you are responding to your environment not reacting. Also, having a solid plan gives you a tool for making decisions.
- 10 Key Factors in Choosing Customer Relationship Management Software (CRM)
One of my favorite topics we teach in class is how to compile information that can be used to make smart business decisions. What usually comes up during class is many start-ups and existing companies know they need a tool to help them with collecting and using information but do not know where to start. This article’s focus is the ten key factors to help you choose the right Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software for your company.
- 10 Tips for Creating a Data Goldmine
I have been working with many clients who have their information in a database but are unable to get the information they want or know where to find it. Usually the culprit is a series of issues that come together to create the perfect storm of inefficiency. The tips below will help you to prevent this storm and maximize the information in your database to increase productivity and profits.
- How to Make More Money in 2012 with Data Driven Decisions
I have mentioned in many of my articles about metrics. Things we use to measure success and how far you are from reaching your goals. Data is much more than that – it is a valuable tool to make solid business decisions. It also helps you to save as well as make money. Below are some of the metrics you can use to help grow your bottom line in 2012.
Planning – Start The Year Off Right!
I know that for everyone in the country this is a tough time right now. But within this economic climate lies opportunities. What better way to discover these but through planning. All businesses should have a business plan with long and short term goals. Everything you do should be contributing to these goals. If you have not done so, now is the time to examine where you want your business to go.
I will be working with Criss Ittermann, owner of Eclectic Tech, to revamp, brain storm and reexamine Croll Organizing. I will also be speaking with my accounting professional and sales coach Debra Pearlman, owner of DP Sales Pro, to continue development of my business. All of these plus marketing, administration, customer service, public relations, etc. are the arms and legs of Croll Organizing. Just like a person can not walk if the body does not work as one unit, same goes for your business.
Here is a basic outline to get you started:
• Write down your goals for the next 1, 3, 5 and 10 years.
• Examine the cash flow that would be needed to accomplish those goals.
• Work backwards – What would have to happen next to make those goals a reality.
• Create an action plan to do it.
• Review with professionals during this process so you do not waste money, time and energy.
Your success depends on good planning. All businesses should have a lawyer, accountant and financial advisor. Many accountants can either help with the advisor part or direct you to the right person. You will also need someone you can trust to help you get started setting up your workflow, marketing, public relations and website. If you already have these look at what is working and what is not. Track everything so you can make good decisions.
Work with your team to help you realize your dreams and goals. A wonderful resource to find local talented professionals is the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. One thing I have learned as a business owner, you can not do it all by yourself!
Thanks for the recommendation. I'd say that every business needs a "board of directors" -- the nice thing about being a "sole-proprietor" business is that I don't have to take minutes during my board meetings -- but I do indeed have an unofficial board. Cindy is one of the people I'm proud to have on my board. And I'm proud to be on hers.
So who's bringing the donuts to the next board meeting? : )
I'm also finding it's invaluable to have people, both paid and unpaid, that I can discuss the overall issues in my life with. As a sole proprietor, personal issues are as intertwined with my business as business issues are with my personal life. For example, if my car breaks down it's both a professional and personal disaster. A school delay can cost me dearly. There's very little resources for delegation, and the only things I'm delegating are office-related tasks. And during school vacations, it's HARD to concentrate. I have to feed a family of 4-5 people 3 square meals a day and try to find peace to make phone calls. Doesn't work out as well as it should, so it's a blessing that it's a slow period anyway.
For those of us who need to squeeze every minute out of our busy week, Cindy's advice and training is absolutely invaluable. I'd be past my eyebrows in piles, and I don't think I'd be able to do the planning I've been doing lately if it weren't for Cindy helping me carve a few more miraculous hours out of every week. Less is falling through the cracks, and even my billing usually goes out on time. Thank you Cindy,
And happy New Year everyone.