Archive By Section - Business Columns
Consider your business' performance
The current economic situation and the time of year may call into question the performance of business owners. Was it a good year? Was it a bad year? Why? How could it have been better? Why didn't the objectives get achieved? What problems surfaced that the organization was unprepared for?
Organize your organization
Vacations and long weekends are behind us, the economy remains a challenge and now is an excellent time to get refocused and reenergized, regardless of company size, industry or success to date.
A few tips for framing your retirement
A lot has changed since you were a kid. Retirement has changed as well. The way you picture yourself in retirement is probably different from your parents' retirement. It's no longer about a few years of rest and relaxation. It's about pursuing your lifelong dreams or discovering new ones.
Survival tips for small businesses
You may be in Mail Order, Direct Mail, or you may be a local merchant with 150 employees; whichever, however or whatever - you've got to know how to keep your business alive during economic recessions.
Is it time for a second career?
If you're among the casualties of recent cutbacks in the corporate world, you might be looking for a job in another field.
It’s time to talk to your kids about money
Communicating with teenagers is hard enough for most parents, and talking about money is no exception. In fact, research shows that only 36 percent of adults are teaching their children how to become financially responsible. In general, parents are uncomfortable speaking with their children about finances because a lot of people hold the widespread view that personal finances is a taboo topic.
‘Title’ can ruin your whole day
A recent study indicates that most Americans over the age of 55 have less than $25,000 in savings. For some, any inheritance they may receive is critical to their future.
Understanding Cal-OSHA citations
It's a safe bet that any business whose employees are engaged in construction, manufacturing, or other commercial production activities is probably familiar with the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, or Cal-OSHA. This is the state agency which regulates and enforces California workplace safety and health standards, and which issues citations for any violations of those standards.
Micromanagers are less than stellar bosses
Being a supervisor of people in a work environment is a very difficult job. On one hand there is a responsibility to get things done using those that report to you, quickly and efficiently as possible. On the other hand, there is a desire for those that report to you to have the ability to grow and assume accountability while accepting the fact that people, inevitably, make mistakes while they develop. Mistakes can be expensive. ...
Defining events can make or break a company
I did some re-reading of the best selling book "Good to Great" by Jim Collins. This was triggered by a recent interview I read of former president Jimmy Carter in the press.
More common IRA mistakes
Last week my column addressed three common IRA mistakes. This column will address another three by addressing beneficiary designations (or the lack thereof) that can have drastic effects on your IRA and protecting those assets for heirs. n Failing to review and update beneficiary designation forms. Whoever is named on an IRA beneficiary form is entitled to receive the assets. IRA owners should review their beneficiary designations at least annually or upon any ...
How to weather the recession
As your supermarket receipts sadly show, the price of many food items keeps escalating. Dairy products have jumped nearly 11 percent over the past year, coffee costs almost 9 percent more, and a dozen eggs are up 43 cents.
Don’t dilute trademarks
If you are thinking of starting a business, choosing your business name or brand name could have significant ramifications if you chose a name similar to a famous trademark because it could dilute the famous trademark.
Estate planning: Does it offer creditor protection?
One of the most common questions I am asked when meeting with a client to discuss estate planning is whether or not the estate plan will offer protection from creditors.
When someone at the top gets it wrong
Years ago, I happened to be in the warehouse of the company where I worked. As the president of the company walked from his office to the offices on the other side of the building, I observed a low-level employee approach the president, and ask him if he could get a paycheck instead of taking the week's vacation he was scheduled to start in a couple of weeks. The employee said he needed the money more than he wanted the time off.
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.
