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As a business owner, you know what it’s like to lie awake at 2 a.m. Maybe it has happened when you are excited and full of new ideas for your business. More often, it’s because you are worried about issues you will face the next day. Sometimes, it’s because you just woke up with the solution to a problem. I’ve experienced all those emotions about my businesses over the years. Awake at 2 o’clock? is where I share them with you, and hopefully help with answers that will let you sleep.
John F. Dini, CExP, CEPA
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Small business owners are the Hunters of the 21st century. We are 3% of the US population, and yet we create over half of all American jobs. As Hunters, we may not be inclined to manage by the numbers or stick to systems. Are you a Hunter or a Farmer?
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How prepared are you to exit your company?
The Assessment breaks down the four major categories of exit readiness; Finance, Planning, Operations and Revenue/Profit.
Tag Archives: banks
The Triple Threat: Phase II
Okay, I’m stepping away from the sales compensation series for a day, and admitting something to everyone. I’ve been writing the blogs on sales comp in order to duck the one I didn’t want to write. I am by nature … Continue reading
4 Responses to The Triple Threat: Phase II
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Your Official Inflation Notice
A number of my clients have not yet reacted to the crashing of the financial world around them. They are not idiots, but San Antonio remains relatively healthy, and almost 2/3 of the companies we currently work with (about 104 … Continue reading
3 Responses to Your Official Inflation Notice
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John:
I would agree to a point – but I think business insurance is an area that will remain open to negotiation – we saw our business property premiums increase only slightly at our recent renewal. Perhaps they are not fully feeling the pressure, yet.
Since insurers will be hurting just as badly, they want to convert coverage from their competitors, which means more aggressive pricing models – more coverage for the same amount or the same coverage for less money.
Analogy – how do you know a bank is in trouble right now? It offers the best rates on CDs, to suck in capital now to shore up its balance sheet while pushing higher expenses down the road.
Since any cash from a new account is better than no cash, insurers will compete on price to put money in the bank. And, of the three entities you discussed, insurers are the easiest to change, at least for property and casualty insurance.
Health insurance is more difficult to change, and in fact, you could argue it is more of a hassle to change it instead of your bank. But, for every business there is a point where no matter how badly you want it, the health insurance premium becomes unsustainable. Looking at the trend, a lot of businesses have already reached that point.
Unfortunately for insurers, they don’t have the direct power of the state to force you to buy.
Thoughts?
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. The Center for Media Research has released a study by Vertical Response that shows just where many of these ‘Main Street’ players are going with their online dollars. The big winners: e-mail and social media. With only 3.8% of small business folks NOT planning on using e-mail marketing and with social media carrying the perception of being free (which they so rudely discover it is far from free) this should make some in the banner and search crowd a little wary.
http://www.onlineuniversalwork.com -
very niec……………..
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If This Goes On…
Today the government is announcing a trillion dollars for “asset based markets.” The government has become a vague amalgam of “Treasury and Federal Reserve officials.” The asset based markets are apparently banks, hedge funds, credit card issuers and private equity … Continue reading
One Response to If This Goes On…
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Good suggestion on Thomas Friedman and I thought that article was great.
Can you give 2 or 3 quick hits on what a plan would look like. Is it financial, operational, some combination?
Chuck
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Taking a 360 degree view
This is an article I had published in the San Antonio Business Journal yesterday. http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2009/02/16/editorial1.html When the economy slows, small-business owners most often focus on the top revenue line as a key indicator of company health. In reality, the events … Continue reading
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Planning for the Strategic Triple Threat
1. The new need for multi-level strategy Over the last 4 months, I’ve been devouring information on the recession and economic crisis. I have come to the conclusion that small-business owners are faced with unprecedented complexity in their planning process. … Continue reading
3 Responses to Planning for the Strategic Triple Threat
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Thanks for sharing this blog. I really like the way you lay it out, the colors, and the content. Please check out Top 3 Recession Grants and let me know what you think!
Top 3 Recession Grants
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John,
Very well thought out and delivered!! Of terrific value for any business owner serious about their future and profiting in the coming months/years ahead. Thanks for the insights & business advice. You're a real pro and blessing to business owners everywhere!
Regards,
Matt Walsh
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A nice and informative blog for all small scale entrepreneurs. A Multi-level strategic plan need to be employed at all times.
Great article John. We are addressing similar issues here in Wilmington, NC with our TAB Board Members. In fact, we have a Lunch & Learn this coming Wednesday (10/7/09) to explore the "new normal". Our local TV station interviewed us on the 5pm news to discuss this issue and how our TAB Boards are helping. Here's the link for the 3 minute video clip: http://capcorp.wordpress.com/2009/10/05/the-new-normal-in-accessing-capital-to-grow-your-business/
John,
Spectacular article. Right on the mark. I'm forwarding it to every entrepreneur I know. I've been blogging on similar topics, especially in the area of "what is a business owner to do?" More at http://zthree.com/blog/category/sales/
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and wisdom.
John:
I would throw in a couple of additional points:
The major banks – BoA, Wells-Fargo, Citigroup, etc. have vastly greater losses than they have capital to cover. Add to that many regional banks about to take big commercial real estate hits, and the FDIC "insurance" is worthless for any business.
Banks will fail soon, we just don't know which ones yet.
You can guarantee that when the voters can't get money out of their savings account, Congress will insure they get the bailout this time. There is no cash available for an FDIC bailout – only more of Uncle Sam's credit card, and it is getting close to its limit. Be prudent – assume if your bank go under you will recover zero.
So it's time to really dig into your bank's balance sheet – you don't want discover a problem by having payroll checks bounce.
Second point – necessities will come first. It's time to go reread Maslow and re-discover the hierarchy of needs. People will pay for food and items associated with food first, then shelter (note this doesn't necessarily mean the mortgage payment right now, but does include power, heating oil, etc.). For a refresher see this link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs
Assume physical and safety needs will consume the bulk of available cash, so if we are hunting new sales – we need to sell where the cash is most likely to be available.
So if you are planning a new marketing campaign aimed at selling gold-plated electrical fixtures to pet stores that specialize in crystal dishes and escargot-pureee cat food, it's time for a new plan.
http://coomararunodaya.com.