Ask an Expert Articles

Business » Ask an Expert | By Helmut Flasch @ Monday, 10th July 2006 @ 2:17 PM

First of all you really do need to decide THAT you want to succeed!! I know it sounds crazy to have to tell someone that he must decide to succeed in order to succeed and some doctors might well be putting this issue aside right here with the comment, "Gee, another kind of philosophical garbage." Too bad for you, because the truth is that, if you are not where you want to be or are not at least moving fairly well in the direction of where you want to be then you simply HAVE... more...

Business » Ask an Expert | By Dave Kauppi @ Monday, 10th July 2006 @ 11:31 AM

We are often contacted by a business owner after he has been approached by a buyer. He wants information form us on the merger and acquisition process, which we are happy to provide. He wants to wait, however, to engage our firm to sell his company "until this situation with the buyer plays itself out." This is the start of the death spiral. I don't want to sound overly dramatic, but this rarely has a happy ending. These supposed buyers will drain your time, resources, focus... more...

Business » Ask an Expert | By Dave Kauppi @ Friday, 7th July 2006 @ 1:11 AM

In my prior business experience in the information technology industry, it was a very common practice for potential buyers to submit a Request for Proposal in order to make a purchase decision. After several years as a Merger and Acquisition advisor, I finally got an RFP. A light bulb went off. This is the most important "purchase decision" a business owner will ever make, and yet the process of selecting an advisor in a multi million dollar transaction was generally less diligen... more...

Business » Ask an Expert | By Jim Smith @ Tuesday, 4th July 2006 @ 11:13 AM

When working in the business world, one is inclined to encounter instances where professional interests or professional and personal interests clash with each other, causing an inability for a person or company to operate smoothly. Such an instance is referred to as a conflict of interest and usually occurs when conflicting spheres come into contact with each other such as in the legal profession when a firm’s clients come into conflict with one another. Such an occurrence can make it difficult ... more...

Business » Ask an Expert | By Jan Hayner @ Wednesday, 28th June 2006 @ 5:16 AM

Now is a time get home paper records together and organized to create an organized inventory or everything that is owned by a family or single person, all of their investments, all serial numbers, account numbers and the list goes on. Whether they are the person setting out on their own, newly weds, middle age or senior citizens, a disaster can effect all of them in the same way. It is having all of the information that an insurance agent needs to file that claim that can make an agent’s ... more...

Business » Ask an Expert | By Daegan Smith @ Saturday, 24th June 2006 @ 12:48 PM

Know what Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates have in common? They all have the multi-million dollar idea. What is that multi-million dollar idea? This is that bright idea that just flashed over your head. Suddenly that idea became an invention, an innovation, something of enormous scope that left the people stunned and got you that multi-million dollars! Steve Jobs' Apple was his idea. Microsoft was Bill Gates'. See what I mean? Now mul... more...

Business » Ask an Expert | By Dave Kauppi @ Saturday, 24th June 2006 @ 11:29 AM

When you are wearing all the hats already, trying to sell your company yourself can hurt your business. A major mistake business owners make in exiting their business is to focus their time and attention on selling the business as opposed to running the business. This occurs in large publicly traded companies with deep management teams as well as in private companies where management is largely in the hands of a single individual. Many large companies that are in the throws of being acquired ... more...

Business » Ask an Expert | By Terry Frerker @ Friday, 16th June 2006 @ 5:26 AM

The difference between 'getting by' at work and being successful is not solely dependent on technical skills or knowledge. We all know colleagues who have strong 'people skills' and not the strongest technical abilities but who nonetheless possess a distinct position of leverage or influence at work. These individuals are focusing on their strengths and use the power of interpersonal skills and networking to their advantage. You can too! One should never underestimate... more...

Business » Ask an Expert | By ameen kamadia @ Wednesday, 14th June 2006 @ 4:42 PM

Tip #7 in our series on how to save money when buying a house is: Use Down Payment Assistance Not enough money for the down payment? You might be surprised to hear that there are people who are willing to give you money for your down payment. How much they give you varies, but in many cases you do not have to give this money back. There are several non-profit organizations that provide grant money to homebuyers. There is usually a small fee if you get approved. The amount given to ... more...

Business » Ask an Expert | By Dave Kauppi @ Wednesday, 14th June 2006 @ 1:03 PM

The biggest mistake business owners make is waiting too long to sell. Have you ever heard, “I sold my business to early?” Compare that with the number of times you've heard somebody say, “I should have sold my business two years ago.” Unfortunately, waiting too long is probably the single biggest factor in reducing the proceeds from the sale of a privately held business. The erosion in business value typically is most pronounced in that last year before exiting. The decision to... more...

Business » Ask an Expert | By Sarah Deak @ Wednesday, 14th June 2006 @ 8:03 AM

When a business is just starting up or in the midst of significant change, one of the best ways address new challenges is by hiring a consultant. Consultants are brought into companies that are in need of a helping hand during times of trouble or opportunity. The growing business of consulting is used by thousands of companies a year, and independent consulting is the fastest growing business in the United States. Consultants are experts at pin-pointing their client’s problem and solving it in a... more...

Business » Ask an Expert | By Dan Sherman @ Wednesday, 14th June 2006 @ 1:34 AM

The loan that is taken out to buy a business asset is generally termed as commercial mortgage. Commercial mortgages are used to buy offices, shops, restaurants or other type of (generally) building. But they can also be used to buy other business assets such as plant or machinery. As well as being a useful way of financing the purchase of business premises for a new business, commercial mortgages can also be an excellent way of funding the expansion of an existing business. A commercial m... more...

Business » Ask an Expert | By Dave Kauppi @ Wednesday, 14th June 2006 @ 1:11 AM

You have made the decision to sell your healthcare information technology company. Maybe it was because your prospects are selecting the inferior product but superior safety of your brand name competitor. It could be that one of the industry giants recently acquired one of your small but worthy competitors and has removed the risk component of a buyer's decision. You may think that you have a limited window of opportunity for your technology and you should sell it while it still enjoys a co... more...

Business » Ask an Expert | By Khemal Dole @ Tuesday, 13th June 2006 @ 1:34 AM

When you hear someone mention that they are in marketing, what do you think they do exactly? What does "Marketing" mean and what kind of jobs are their in the marketing field. When someone says they are in Marketing there are a number of specific jobs they could be referring to. Marketing jobs are varied in their type and structure, so if you think marketing is something you might enjoy doing, you should consider what that can encompass. Here are a few of the more common marketing jobs y... more...

Business » Ask an Expert | By Jeff Casmer @ Tuesday, 6th June 2006 @ 4:18 AM

Getting A Business License: Once you have met with the zoning and business license departments and have determined that your business meets all the specific requirements for operation as a home-based business, you are ready to officially apply for the license. Business licenses are generally issued through the city or county clerk's office and require completion of an application form. The most common information asked will cover business name, type of legal structure, location, type of bus... more...

Business » Ask an Expert | By Khemal Dole @ Tuesday, 6th June 2006 @ 2:08 AM

Marketing is not as simple as many may lead you to believe. In order for your business to be effective, you need to understand what is involved in promoting what you are offering in terms of products and services. That is where a good marketing initiative comes in to play. A marketing initiative is essentially anything that is clearly defined as a marketing effort. Simple, isn't it? It is basically anything specific in your marketing plan. So what types of things are considered marketing in... more...

Business » Ask an Expert | By Katheryn Hoban @ Sunday, 4th June 2006 @ 6:21 PM

This is an important lesson in your journey. It will set you apart from many others with similar ideas and passion. It will offer you breakthroughs and give you a profound sense of accomplishment. Many people talk the talk but don’t deliver. There are lots of entrepreneurs out there who have nothing to show for themselves but a bunch of unfinished ideas and dreams. If possible, finish what you started. Don’t quit before you complete it, or let someone talk you out of your dreams,... more...

Business » Ask an Expert | By Katheryn Hoban @ Sunday, 4th June 2006 @ 5:55 PM

If you have self-discipline in your work, and towards your goals, you will accomplish everything that you set out to achieve. It is not easy to become self-disciplined, but the rewards are great. There are many areas in your life where you can be self-disciplined. You can be disciplined with your thoughts. Do not let your fears carry you away. If you have thoughts of worry filling your head it chokes out productive and solution-filled thoughts. Discipline yourself so that any time ... more...

Business » Ask an Expert | By Katheryn Hoban @ Sunday, 4th June 2006 @ 2:32 PM

Determination goes very well together with discipline. Determination is deciding that something is a fact, or that you are firm about your position. When you are determined to achieve something, you will do whatever it takes to achieve that result. It is a force of your mind that becomes evident, that will not take no for an answer. In your mind and your heart you have determined that there is an answer or solution and that you will discover it. When you have determination, ... more...

Business » Ask an Expert | By Katheryn Hoban @ Sunday, 4th June 2006 @ 1:08 PM

Passion is your fuel. It motivates you to press on. It propels you up the mountain of your dreams and goals. Have a passion for life, for people, for animals, for your causes and your convictions, and you will be nearly unstoppable. Be a champion for those who have great needs and can’t do anything about it themselves. Speak with passion, teach with passion, lead with passion, love with passion, play with passion, and enjoy with passion. Someone who is passionate is intriguing t... more...