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Entrepreneurs and business owners are the modern-day heroes in our economy. However, they don’t have a government pension. They don’t get two months off in the summer. They aren’t guaranteed a paycheque. They sign unlimited personal guarantees to the banks. They take risks that most people are unaware of and unequipped to handle. But it’s … Continue reading Structures to Create and Protect Business Wealth

My good friend, who is also one of my earliest consulting mentors, Richard Fontanie and I were having lunch in the park this week. Lunch consisted of a burger and salad from my favorite restaurant, The Diplomat Steakhouse. You can trust a steak house to make a great burger! The Diplomat’s Burger Supreme Photo by … Continue reading Leadership for Private Companies

Recently, I introduced the Business Wealth Builder® Growth Manifesto. The first point is to develop a growth strategy. In good times, it’s easy to grow. In fact, many companies grow in spite of themselves, their strategies, and their lack of proactive management. They just answer the phone or email and fill the order. That’s not … Continue reading Growth Strategies and How to Grow in a Slow Economy

This week, I’m giving a presentation to the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors on how to strengthen their brands. They are all consultants and advisors to farmers. Farmers, as you know, grow our food, feed us, and provide us with safe, cost-effective and nutritious choices for our excellent quality of life. The best definition of … Continue reading Branding Lessons for Business from Photography

Achieving profitable business growth to build your wealth is neither simple nor easy. However, by keeping focused on critical factors that ensure profits and growth, you can be successful in growing your business and building your wealth. Here is my Growth Manifesto Part I: Performance and Growth Growth Strategy – this needs to demonstrate your … Continue reading The Business Growth Manifesto

The Financial Manifesto After 25 years as a management consultant and CPA advising private companies on growth and building business wealth, I’ve developed these 12 financial philosophies and strategies that help my clients to accelerate profitable growth, maximize the valuation of their companies, and dramatically increase their personal wealth. Don’t minimize taxes. It’s short-term thinking … Continue reading CASH ISN’T KING, IT’S THE ACE!

When was the last time that you ignored something small, such as a ticking sound in your engine or a decline in a product line’s margins, and then it turned into something major and cost a lot of money to fix? One of our strengths in human nature is to ignore little things so we … Continue reading All Problems are Icebergs

On a recent business trip to Washington, DC, we used lots of Uber and Lyft rides. When we asked the drivers about their costs, the economics were interesting. “I pay $25 per day in fuel.” He was driving an older Toyota Camry. Question: how high are your operating expenses? “I pay $40 per week in … Continue reading Minimizing Expenses or Maximizing Profits?

On a recent business trip to Washington, DC to host my first SME Advisor® Global Mastermind Group, we had several first hand experiences using Uber, Lyft, and local taxis. Here is what we learned from the drivers, and include some of their “quotes:” “Uber seems more concerned about increasing quantity, not quality.” We agree. Our … Continue reading Business Lessons from Uber Drivers

Following up on last week’s article on the Four Ps of Pricing, let’s discuss the strategic purpose of pricing. Here are the Four Ps of Pricing. 2. Purpose My favorite quote is, “when you buy quality, you only cry once.” We all know that you get what you pay for, and that cheap stuff is … Continue reading The Power of Pricing