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Entrepreneurship as a Re-entry Option
How Recently Incarcerated Individuals Are Leveraging Their Entrepreneurial Talents
Over this past year I’ve had the privilege of teaching several 10 week startup business classes specifically designed for individuals reentering society. This has been one of the most gratifying experiences I have had in my business career and I’d... Read More >> |
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Entrepreneurship as a Re-entry Option
Over this past year I’ve had the privilege of teaching several 10 week startup business classes specifically designed for individuals reentering society. This has been one of the most gratifying experiences I have had in my business career and I’d like to share the story with you.
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How to Stand Out in a Pond Full of Fish
Beating Commoditization
While there are encouraging signs of better days to come for some industries, the recession continues to take its toll as competing companies slash prices in order to survive. Especially hard hit are those that didn’t crack the commoditization code before the economic downturn. Industries with a low barrier to entry are even more prone to competitive price pressure because buyers see no difference between providers except price.
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Strategic Hiring for the Long Term
Looking Beyond Your Immediate Staffing Needs
Rapid growth can feel like you're caught in a storm, that is why it's important to read the forecast in order to be properly prepared.
When firms experience rapid growth they generally find themselves adding staff quickly, and with less diligence, in order to get their immediate needs met ASAP. The long term consequences of this knee-jerk reaction can be very costly, both in terms of hard dollars as well as... Read More >> |
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Staging your business for sale is more than just window dressing!
If you are thinking of selling your business it is essential to objectively assess its performance in all key functional areas, through the eyes of a strategic or financial buyer.
Prior to the credit crunch and the resulting shrinkage of investment capital, a significant number of lower market middle businesses were being sold at higher multiples of adjusted earnings (EBITDA) than what can be expected now. Many of these were owned by baby boomers that notably are transitioning... Read More >> |
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Banks Say They Are Lending!, Where’s the Money?
Much has happened in the commercial credit markets as a result of the Great Recession, but it comes as no surprise given the conditions that existed before the credit crunch.
Background
Prior to 2000 there were fewer banks in metro areas like Chicago and their lending criteria were typically conservative. Borrowers had fewer choices and less negotiating leverage when seeking business financing. What followed was a rapid increase in the number of bank branches and the entry of... Read More >> |
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Your Business Can Survive the Credit Crunch If You Can Play by Banking’s Tough New Rules
Yes, your business can survive... and even thrive.
But in recent one-on-one interviews with senior loan officers we learned just how much stricter their lending criteria are. It's critical for you as a business owner to learn to play by some tough new rules. Read More >> |
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7 Ways to Work with Your Banker in Good Times and Bad
How can you use the current credit crunch to strengthen your company? How can you increase the odds that your business will be a preferred borrower in good times and bad? Read More >> |
