Archive By Section - Business Columns
Five mistakes to avoid when planning your retirement
A recent article in the May 12 issue of U.S. News & World Report addressed the mistakes people make when the market is very volatile and discouraging like we are experiencing these days. Even people with
Why should we add you to our payroll?
Dear Job Seeker: We have posted this letter on the company's Web site and it is also available to individuals who come to our office and ask our receptionist if we are accepting applications.
Thoughts to ponder when buying, selling a small business
The advantage to my readers of my column is that you get the benefits from either what I'm currently doing or the research brought about by a reader's query. Today's column is a result of the latter. When one of my readers asked for information about selling a business, I realized that this wasn't something I was familiar with so it entailed doing some research. What follows is a part of that research that might ...
How do you know if you can afford to retire?
An index that measures the percentage of households at risk of being financially ill-equipped for retirement was launched in Washington D.C. in June, 2006. It was touted as the most comprehensive measure of its kind by many in the financial world.
Four commitments a leader should make
In good times and more challenging times, leaders have to stand for something. Here are the four commitments a leader needs to make for themselves and the people they are responsible for:
Advantages of Internet banking abound
Now that you have followed all the directions for doing your "due diligence" making sure your Internet banking company is legitimate, let's look at the advantages:
Be aware of new cell phone rules for drivers
Two new laws dealing with the use of wireless telephones while driving go into effect July 1. The first law prohibits all drivers from using a hand-held wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle. However, motorists 18 and older may use a hands-free device. The second law prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from using a wireless telephone or a hands-free device while operating a motor vehicle. Both laws allow a driver to use ...
Inherited IRAs
When an IRA owner dies, a designated beneficiary, who is an individual, can establish an inherited IRA and start taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) over the beneficiary's own life expectancy. By spreading out the death benefit, a beneficiary can reduce current income tax liability by not taking a lump-sum distribution and will enjoy continued tax deferral on the asset s remaining in the inherited IRA.
New law provides tax break for buying business equipment
Are you thinking of buying business equipment this year? If so, you'll be happy to know the Economic
Are you managing when you should be coaching?
I grew up watching John Madden coach the Oakland Raiders. In an era when most NFL teams had thick binders filled with rules and associated penalties for players, Madden went the other way.
Internet banking: The latest hoopla
It seems that we've all gotten so busy that "clicks to bricks" (what Internet banking is called) has become the way to go. There are many entrepreneurs who are still a bit skeptical about it, so I decided that I'd give you the scoop.
‘... If you watch the pennies ...’
It is always a good time to keep an eye on costs in an organization. Financial reporting is a great way to look back on what happened; it is more important to look forward to see what can be proactively addressed.
Living trusts not just for the wealthy
Imagine if your kids go to the bank to get their inheritance after you die, and the bank won't give them the money unless they go to court for months and spend thousands of dollars in probate fees. Imagine if you give all your money to your spouse after you die, but then the government steps in and takes a huge chunk of your assets that were intended for your heirs.
Reasons not to retire
More and more present and future retirees are finding that the traditional idea of retirement is passé. What's more, there's plenty of evidence that keeping your hand in the game, or even finding a new calling, will yield a longer, healthier and happier latter stage of your life. And given rising health care costs, that adult child who suddenly has returned home or the aging parent who needs care, working a little longer may well be as much a need as a want.
Try running your business as if it were a bank
Banks are in the business of making money, and most banks are profitable, extremely so. Peter Ueberroth, the head of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, started a bank because he said something to the effect of "Šif you get the business model set up correctly, it becomes a money-making machines"
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.
