What is PEST analysis? It’s not an examination of whether there are ants or rodents on your premises. PEST stands for Political, Economic, … Read more about PEST Analysis and What It Means to Your Business
Recession-Proofing Your Business: Making Strategic Plans
Each year for the past several years, I’ve run a series of articles throughout the year on a single main topic and this year will be devoted to … Read more about Recession-Proofing Your Business: Making Strategic Plans
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly in the Inflation Reduction Act
On August 12, 2022, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act (I.R.A.), a $739 billion measure intended to bring down inflation, encourage green … Read more about The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly in the Inflation Reduction Act
5 Ways to Recession-Proof Your Business
Are we in a recession, which is defined as a significant decline in economic activity or two consecutive quarters of GDP contraction (something we’ve … Read more about 5 Ways to Recession-Proof Your Business
Recovery Strategies: Staying Positive
It’s axiomatic that small business owners are optimists who, as Winston Churchill said, “see the opportunity in every difficulty.” Why else would they … Read more about Recovery Strategies: Staying Positive
Plan Your Holiday Sales Strategies Now
Kiplinger forecasts that the child tax credit payments being sent to parents each month from July through December will support more consumer spending … Read more about Plan Your Holiday Sales Strategies Now
How to Compassionately and Legally Break Promises to Your Staff
At the end of February 2020, the federal unemployment rate was 3.5%. At that time, business owners were looking for ways to attract and retain valued … Read more about How to Compassionately and Legally Break Promises to Your Staff
COVID-19 and Small Businesses: 5 Big Surprises
In just a couple of months, the small business landscape has dramatically changed, in some instances forever. The medical impact of COVID-19 continues … Read more about COVID-19 and Small Businesses: 5 Big Surprises
Preparing for Economic Changes: Staying Alert
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” - Jimmy Dean. No one knows how the economy … Read more about Preparing for Economic Changes: Staying Alert
Preparing for a Recession
Why would you consider thinking about a recession when we’re in the middle of a boom economy? Because every boom is followed at some time by a bust. … Read more about Preparing for a Recession
What Does an Improved Economy Mean for You?
The most recent NFIB Index of Small Business Optimism shows that the optimism of small business owners is at near record highs. Earnings trends were … Read more about What Does an Improved Economy Mean for You?
What Is Wall Street Telling Main Street?
The market has been amazing for more than 8 years (since March 2009): the Dow gained more than 14,000 points and the S&P tripled. That upward … Read more about What Is Wall Street Telling Main Street?
Lower Oil Prices Isn’t Good News for Everyone
Oil prices at the pump haven’t been this low since 2003. The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts that prices will stay low through 2017, … Read more about Lower Oil Prices Isn’t Good News for Everyone
How to Get Entrepreneurship Moving
Follow @BarbaraWeltman The economy may be good for some sectors (the government reported that GDP increased an annual rate of 2.3 percent in the … Read more about How to Get Entrepreneurship Moving
Sole Proprietorships: A Tax Perspective
Follow @BarbaraWeltman IRS statistics help to paint a picture of sole proprietorships in the U.S. and makes for interesting reading. Following a … Read more about Sole Proprietorships: A Tax Perspective