blog
December 4, 2017
Cutting costs when you’ve gone over budget

Year end can’t get here soon enough for some business owners — especially those whose companies have exceeded their annual budgets....

November 6, 2017
Minimize inventory, services to make your financials shine

Your business financials — where they stand currently and where they might be going next year — are incredibly important....

November 6, 2017
Fortifying your business with enterprise risk management

Hundreds of years ago, prosperous towns managed the various risks of foreign invaders, thieves and wild animals by fortifying their entire communities with walls and towers. Today’s business owners can take a similar approach with enterprise risk management (ERM)....

October 25, 2017
Valuation Often Affects Succession Plans in Hard-To-See Ways

Any business owner developing a succession plan should rightfully assume that regular business valuations are a must. When envisioning the valuation process, you’re likely to focus on its end result: a reasonable, defensible value estimate of your business as of a certain ...

October 12, 2017
4 ways to get (and keep) your business data in order

With so much data flying around these days, it’s easy for a company of any size to get overwhelmed. If something important falls through the cracks, say a contract renewal or outstanding bill, your financial standing and reputation could suffer....

October 5, 2017
Critical connection: How costs impact pricing

As we head toward year end, your company may be reviewing its business strategy for 2017 or devising plans for 2018. As you do so, be sure to give some attention to the prices you’re asking for your existing products and services, as well as those you plan to launch in the...

September 29, 2017
Bridging the divide with a mezzanine loan

In their efforts to grow and succeed, many companies eventually reach the edge of a precipice. Across the divide lies a big step forward — perhaps the acquisition of a competitor or the purchase of a new property — but, financially, there’s no way across. The money is ...

September 23, 2017
Restaurant Sales Tax Audits – What to Watch For – Tip #3

Third of 3 Blogs on this topic: The Minnesota Department of Revenue has dramatically increased the number of Sales and Use Tax audits in recent years. The audits are getting more sophisticated and focused on a few key areas that can really trip up business owners. ...

September 18, 2017
Understanding Client Profitability

“We love our customers!” Every business owner says it. But all customers aren’t created equal, and it’s in your strategic interest to know which customers are really strengthening your bottom line and by how much....

September 17, 2017
Restaurant Sales Tax Audits – What to Watch For – Tip #2

Second of 3 Blogs on this topic: Minnesota Department of Revenue has dramatically increased the number of Sales and Use Tax audits in recent years.  The audits are getting more sophisticated and focused on a few key areas that can really trip up business owners....

September 12, 2017
New Form I-9 Required On September 18th

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a revised version of the Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) on July 17th....

September 11, 2017
Find the Right Path Forward with KPIs

From the baseball field to the boardroom, statistical analysis has changed various industries nationwide. With proper preparation and guidance, business owners can have at their fingertips a wealth of stats-based insight into how their companies are performing — far beyond...