October 13, 2023
Plan Now or React Later
The NFL season started with the usual hyperbole, predictions, and upsets. The first upset was when the defending champion Chiefs got beat. A big factor…
September 29, 2023
Don’t Get Burned by Lack of Preparation
After the horrific fires in Maui many people jumped to the usual suspects regarding the cause – climate change and the hurricane south of Hawaii.…
September 15, 2023
The Little Things Equal Success
We recently had a birthday celebration for my wife at Tutta Bella (disclaimer – we are friends with the owner, Joe Fugere). At least four…
September 12, 2023
My Company, Its Culture, and My Employees are Poised for Growth
Daniel Pink, in his book Drive, quotes an owner about his employees: “They’re not resources, they’re partners.” Here are my top three factors: Employees want…
August 24, 2023
All-Star Clean Up
It was All-Star week in Seattle. The week was filled with baseball events, the Home Run Derby, and the game on Tuesday. As part of…
August 10, 2023
Story of a Deal Lost
On the surface it looked good. Peaking under the hood changed things. The business seller wanted $7 million. The buyer decided it’s worth $6 million.…
June 21, 2023
Are Your Financial Statements Fact or Fiction?
On the top of the value driver list is having solid financial systems and therefore accurate financial statements. Too often we must use the term,…
May 30, 2023
Diligence is an Issue at All Levels
Recently the Wall Street Journal’s Saturday “The Numbers” column was about the “M-Score.” The M-Score was created by business professors in the 1990s and the…
May 23, 2023
An Exit Plan Means a Higher Value
I recently wrote, “exit planning really does mean planning (in advance).” It’s one of the items on my list of 12 value drivers for small…