Archive By Section - Business Columns
Brad Watson: I want my HOA to take action
DR. HOA, There have been several instances of vandalism at our community's pool area recently, and it is taking weeks, and in some cases months for repairs to be made. I called the management company and they told me that the board must approve all repairs at meetings, but they only meet every other month. Is it typical for repairs to take this long, and do boards have to meet and vote to simply fix ...
Jerry Citarella: Trusts as retirement plan beneficiaries – yes or no?
There are so many things to consider when determining what's needed to achieve your goals and protect your family and assets. A big part of responsible planning is setting up a living trust.
Ken Keller: You must always know your role
It isn't the prospect that kills the spirit of the sales team. It isn't the lack of trying that stops the forward progress of a project. It isn't the size of the raise that kills the initiative of an engaged employee. What impacts these things and grinds organizations to a halt is that the battle in many companies has shifted from outside to inside. As the cartoon character Pogo said, "We have met the enemy ...
Janice France-Pettit: ChexSystem monitors how you handle your bank account
Most consumers know that before a lender decides to extend them a loan or a line of credit, they will investigate their credit history, so it is important to maintain a favorable credit score. While your credit history is a critical component of your personal finances, your banking track record is also important. Just as a lender will assess your creditworthiness before extending a loan, most financial institutions will assess your risk level before opening ...
Carl Kanowsky: All’s fair in love and landscaping
George and Fred had been friends and neighbors for 18 years. George had a reputation in the hood as the "handy man."
Steve Tannehill: The holy grail of business, part II
In my last piece, I covered changes in the capital environment for small businesses and provided an overview of debt capital available to small businesses. This week, I'd like to focus on grants and some equity capital sources.
Jerry Citarella: Why are annuities so often the problem?
This week's column is going to be written with tons of restraint. If I could type it in all capitals, for effect, I would, but that's not realistic. I admit I'm not the financial police, but I have made a commitment to inform and protect, so, here I go.
Ken Keller: A guide help to sell more groceries, or anything else
I've heard from a reliable source that one of most ardent readers of The Signal uses this weekly column to educate his management team. His company is both well known and well respected in Southern California. I have been shopping at one of their supermarkets for more than 20 years. It was not a good initial experience. When I first moved into the neighborhood, I headed to the store to fill up the refrigerator with ...
Erika Kauzalrich-Bird: Statewide home prices post first increase in 16 months
Like daffodils popping up through lingering drifts of winter snow, the California housing market is showing multiple signs that it is emerging from its long slumber, not the least being that the median home price posted its first year-to-year increase in 16 months.
Brad Watson: Dealing with maintenance issues in HOAs
Dr. HOA, I live in a townhome community, and for the past eight years, my HOA has failed to maintain the exterior of the units. As a result, many owners units have become damaged by dry rot. Recently, due to financial issues, the HOA changed the rules making all dry rot repair to the exterior of the buildings a homeowner's responsibility ...
Jerry Citarella: Where is your ‘financial adviser’ focused?
As you go through your process of finding the right person to work with regarding your finances, it can get confusing sometimes. Who's right for you, and who will best serve your specific needs? What type of adviser should you use? Should the broker be one who works for one of the big-named brokerages or maybe a big insurance company? Maybe someone at a local independent firm might be best for you. It can get ...
Ken Keller: Sometimes, you have to ‘think differently’
I grew up rooting for Marichal, Mays, McCovey and Gaylord Perry playing for the San Francisco Giants. Fortunately, across the bay from Candlestick were the Oakland A's, a team I watched win the World Series in 1972, 1973 and 1974.
Carl Kanowsky: Due diligence can make or break a business
Several clients seek my advice about signing long-term leases for their businesses. I explain that there are numerous factors to consider before committing themselves. For instance, the obvious things, such as rent, common-area maintenance charges, the condition of the building, personal guarantees, any tenant improvement allowance, incentives to sign the lease, such as forgiven rent, exclusivity and a whole host of other topics. But one thing I always tell them to do is to visit ...
Steve Tannehill: Capital: The Holy Grail for small businesses – Part I
"If you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow some." - Benjamin Franklin
Jerry Citarella: Target date funds can offer appropriate risk
In last week's column, I discussed company-sponsored retirement plans. This week, I thought I'd help you understand a type of investment option that's become common within these types of plans. If you're a participant in your company's plan, there's a good chance you have target-date funds as options for your assets. Many mutual fund companies have created them, partially as a way to help investors avoid some of the biggest mistakes commonly made, but there's ...
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.
