Archive By Section - Business Columns
Take a risk — but do it intelligently
Taking risks is difficult, whether for an individual or a company, because it involves uncertainty.
New laws to know in the new year
It's the most wonderful time of the year! Chestnuts roasting, cooler weather, holiday decorations, long lines in retail stores and ... a bevy of new laws passed by the legislature for California employers.
Don’t ignore served divorce papers
In the initial stages of a divorce many people find it difficult to face the reality of the circumstances before them and will often ignore and try to avoid the process altogether, but doing so can have serious detrimental effects.
Tax strategies for your business this year
The month of December is winding down, but you still have time to make some tax-advantaged moves for your business before the year is up. These are a few ideas to put on your list. Capital contributions
Business owner resolutions for the New Year
* The economy might not be working for me, and it might not be working against me, so to play it safe, in 2009, I am going to be satisfied with flat revenue. We will worry about growing the top line in 2010.
The foundation of every organization
Organizations are built on people. The only true long-term competitive advantage any organization has is the people employed and working inside of it.
Staying the course during a recession
Now that the media has announced we are "officially" in a recession, do you think anyone you know wasn't aware of it?
Myths regarding annuities
Myths surrounding annuities and misconceptions about them have gained a foothold with both the general public and the media. These misconceptions stem largely from a lack of information.
Helping your attorney will save you money
The average legal client in the Santa Clarita Valley is an individual or small company. Their legal needs and economic situations differ greatly from those of the corporation, insurance company, financial, governmental or other more powerful institutions that commonly are opposing the individual consumer.
Punitive damages aren’t compensatory
Punitive damages are damages imposed to punish certain defendants for malicious conduct, fraud or other despicable conduct. In California, punitive damages have nothing to do with compensating the victim of such conduct. Instead, they are imposed, in addition to compensatory damages, to punish the defendant for egregious or despicable wrongdoing.
Up to $7,500 tax credit for certain home buyers
If you haven't owned a primary residence for three years or more, you need to read this. I just got back from my annual income tax update tax course that runs two-and-a-half days. Among the myriad information presented, I discovered one piece of new tax law that might be beneficial for first-time home buyers in particular. In an effort to get home sales off the ground again, the Federal Government has created up to a ...
Whatever you do, avoid probate court
Avoiding probate is one of the major reasons (and often the only reason) that my clients give for wanting to establish an estate plan. Most of them have heard that a Living Trust can avoid the cost and delays associated with probate and allow assets to transfer to the beneficiaries without court intervention. In most cases, if the trust is properly drafted and funded (many trusts that I review are not), this is correct.
Some lessons for gauging your business
An informal survey of business owners conducted last week provided some interesting lessons learned that might be applicable to most anyone who owns or runs a business.
Looking at leadership on a smaller scale
The current financial crisis has owners, managers and employees worried about their companies, their jobs and their futures.
Couples retirement strategies, part three
Despite some recent reforms, federal and state taxes can still take a big bite out of inherited assets, including retirement plans, but there are some special circumstances.
Articles by Section - Business Columns
Disaster recovery — is your business prepared?
Is your business prepared for a disaster? While it is not something any of us like to think about, businesses should have a disaster plan in place.
Joe Klocko: The conundrum: supply and demand, wages and the skills gap
Most people understand the basic economic principle of supply and demand and incorporate it into their daily decisions. They may not do it consciously, but economic decisions are made every day by each and every one of us.
Ken Keller: Learning from the Pumpkin Patch
Last week I provided the Pyramid of Business Success, a nine layered structure. Layer seven was the Growth Plan.
Bob Khalsa: State’s pending sales at four-year high, share of distressed sales drops
The recent rise of pending home sales to the highest level in nearly four years supports experts who believe California's home resale market will achieve full bloom this spring.
Ken Keller: The Pyramid of Business Success
I've long admired Coach John Wooden's "Pyramid of Success." In business, whatever blueprint, instructional manual or paint by number kit being used before the enterprise launches is quickly tossed aside once the doors open. After that, it becomes a freelance-thing or a free for all, for those lacking mentors, a Sherpa or the time to figure it out.
Peter Bellas: Now that we’ve been forecasted
Once again we are upon the season of forecasts. A quick perusal of any investment website will turn up some very rosy and optimistic forecasts for the coming year and a least a few doom and gloom predictions.
Ken Keller: Keeping yourself motivated
One challenge of being a business owner or holding a position of leadership is keeping motivated.
Bob Khalsa: Real Estate Talk
January is typically a dormant time of year for the residential real estate market in the Santa Clarita Valley, yet this market recovery is so unusual that no one was surprised when statistics showed January posted the highest sales total for the month in six years.
Buying distressed properties
Real estate development during the Great Recession has proven to be a very challenging endeavor. Even seasoned professionals have found themselves struggling to service debt on projects that are producing monthly net negative cash flows.
Ken Keller: Do the right thing, quickly
Last week I wrote about the 2012 Gallup Poll where only 21 percent of U.S. adults rated business executives with high or very high in honesty and ethics.
Ken Keller: What is it that you believe in?
In the course of working with business owners and leaders, I have observed that the organizations that are the most successful over the long run are the ones that have a strong focus.
