Business Planning & Consulting

Midyear is a good time to update your business’s strategic plan

Is it time to update your business’s strategic plan? If you haven’t conducted a planning session in a couple of years, your plan may not reflect today’s business environment. We provide tips on making the process easier and less time consuming.
June 10, 2026
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Strategic planning isn’t meant to be a one-time exercise. Your plan should evolve with your business — and the environment in which it operates. Regular reviews help ensure your business remains focused on the right priorities and positioned to take advantage of new opportunities. Even if you can’t find time for extensive “big picture” thinking, […]
#BusinessGrowth, #LeadershipStrategy, #StrategicPlanning
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Business Planning & Consulting

Looking for funding? Consider SBA loans

It can be tough for startups and other small businesses to borrow money at favorable terms. The Small Business Administration can help. Learn about its loan programs and how to apply.
May 27, 2026
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If you’re seeking financing to start or grow a small business, don’t forget to look at loan programs through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Down payments, interest rates and borrowing fees are typically lower, and application requirements may be more flexible than you’d find elsewhere. Some SBA loans also come with counseling and education, […]
#BusinessGrowth, #SBALoans, #SmallBusinessFunding
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Business Planning & Consulting

What you can do to protect your business from rising costs

Although inflation is rising, businesses can manage higher prices and even thrive by lowering costs and enhancing cash flow. We suggest several ideas for fighting the effects of inflation.
May 20, 2026
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For the 12 months ending in April 2026, the U.S. inflation rate was 3.8%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Prices for your business’s products, materials and other operating costs may have risen faster in recent months than you anticipated, making planning and forecasting challenging. How can your business counteract inflation? Start by making prudent […]
#BusinessStrategy, #CashFlowManagement, #InflationPlanning
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Business Planning & Consulting

How to ensure your business really owns its intellectual property

Securing ownership of your business’s IP is critical. Without the right legal agreements in place, employees or contractors could claim rights to these important value drivers.
April 22, 2026
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Whether it’s a trademark, copyright, patent, trade secret or other piece of IP, its ultimate value to your business depends on you owning it. Without airtight agreements with employees and independent contractors, these workers may claim that the IP they research and develop belongs to them. Some companies learn they don’t actually own IP assets only […]
#BusinessPlanning, #IntellectualProperty, #IPProtection
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Business Planning & Consulting

Starting a business? 5 things you need to know

Launching a new business requires more than vision alone. Here are five things you need to know before you get started.
April 15, 2026
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So you’ve decided to start your own business — congratulations! Many new owners open a business to be their own boss and chart their own course. However, along with those benefits come some complications compared to being someone else’s employee. Planning and budgeting are critical, and you’ll have plenty of new tax compliance responsibilities. 1. It […]
#BusinessPlanning, #Entrepreneurship, #StartupBusiness
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Business Planning & Consulting

Considering layoffs? Try these alternatives first

If your business has become financially distressed, layoffs may seem unavoidable. Not necessarily! This article suggests alternatives, such as trimming perks, benefits and wages, first.
April 8, 2026
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It’s every business owner’s least-favorite task: laying off staff. But sometimes, layoffs are unavoidable. Labor costs are a significant line item on most companies’ income statements, and reducing your workforce can potentially help restore stability if your business hits choppy waters. On the other hand, many costs are associated with staff reductions. These include severance […]
#BusinessStrategy, #CostManagement, #WorkforceManagement
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Business Planning & Consulting

Unite your company’s sales team around a USP

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December 18, 2025
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For today’s small to midsize businesses, a strong sales function doesn’t start with scripts, software or even the most talented representatives. It begins with clarity — everyone doing the selling must be on the same page. One way to achieve such clarity is to formally define your company’s unique selling proposition (USP). This is typically a […]
#SalesStrategy, #UniqueSellingProposition, #USP
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Business Planning & Consulting, Tax Planning

There’s still time for businesses to benefit from clean energy tax breaks

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October 14, 2025
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The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law July 4, 2025, extends or enhances many tax breaks for businesses. But the legislation terminates several business-related clean energy tax incentives earlier than scheduled. For example, the Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit (Section 45W) had been scheduled to expire after 2032. Under the OBBBA, it’s available […]
#BusinessTax, #OBBBA, #TaxUpdate
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Business Planning & Consulting

Is your company’s pricing strategy still viable?

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October 3, 2025
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Pricing is among the most powerful levers for business owners to calibrate their companies’ profitability. Set prices too low and you risk leaving money on the table. Set them too high and customers may pass you by for cheaper competitors. Your continuous objective should be to find that sweet spot where prices are competitive while […]
#BusinessPlanning, #PricingStrategy, #Profitability
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Business Planning & Consulting

5 ways your business can build a stronger annual budget

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September 3, 2025
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As summer gives way to fall, many businesses begin their budget-setting processes for the upcoming year. This annual rite of passage can be stressful, contentious and, perhaps worst of all, disappointing if your budgets often fail to achieve their objectives. The good news is that there are many ways to enhance your company’s budgeting process […]
#BudgetingTips, #BusinessPlanning, #FinancialPlanning, #SmartBusiness
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