Owning a business means handling your share of curve balls. There’s always something that changes the dynamics of doing business — a shift in customer demographics, regulatory changes, or even a once-in-a-lifetime global pandemic. Whether it’s the way you connect to potential customers, how you serve them, or even the basic premise of what you’re [...]
In the last decade, online retailers have become more common, and the demand for brick-and-mortar retailers to accept online orders has skyrocketed. This means that almost all businesses are exploring the online marketplace. This trend toward online selling is an exciting opportunity, but it can also be confusing, which is why it’s important to hire [...]
The U.S. Tax Code offers few “quick fixes” for businesses that are short on cash, but the recent revival of net operating loss (NOL) carrybacks might be one of them. NOL carrybacks are only permitted for a short time, but by taking advantage of them while you can, your business may be able to secure [...]
With the memory of the most disruptive year in modern history still fresh in our minds, it can be tempting to throw up your hands and say, “What’s the use of planning?” But here’s the thing: When the dust settles, the companies best positioned for the COVID era will prove to be those that entered [...]
Did you know that 1099 reporting will be very different this year? As we enter the 2020 tax year, businesses will report nonemployee compensation on a new Form 1099-NEC instead of Form 1099-Misc. The IRS now requires the new form if companies pay more than $600 to a nonemployee, such as an independent contractor. 1099-MISC [...]
Quick! What was your highest operating expense last month? What was the percent change month-to-month? And how does that expense compare to the same month last year? If you can’t answer those questions in just a minute or two, then you might want to consider the benefits of dashboards. Dashboards: Beauty in Simplicity Learn how [...]
“What is my business worth?” That is the question every private business owner will ask at some point in time. While publicly-held businesses can instantly derive values from stock markets, the owners of privately-held businesses have no such markets available. Notwithstanding, the underlying concepts used to value public businesses are equally utilized by potential buyers [...]
Cash flow is more important than ever. Even when markets are down, taxes will come due, loans will need to be repaid, and investments will be required to keep your organization on sound footing. While a positive cash flow is not the only factor that influences success, it’s a good indicator that a business is [...]
The temptation might be substantial, but contractors should avoid under-bidding projects during an economic downturn. While the reasons might seem logical – it keeps cash flowing and enables a contractor to retain its workforce – the end doesn’t justify the means. It could have disastrous consequences. These are surely uncertain times, and in times of [...]
When managing our business operations in times of economic instability, we tend to focus on the expense side of the equation. We ask ourselves: Where can we cut costs? Is this a necessary purchase? Can we negotiate a lower fee? The revenue side can easily get overlooked. But just like our cash outflows, we can [...]
Sometimes progress comes from dire situations. Consider the lodgepole pine: The tree’s hard cones release their seeds only when exposed to the crucible of a fire. Likewise, economic crises can highlight the natural resilience of members of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The COVID-19 pandemic has uprooted our lives and the way we work, but agile and [...]
“Bad businesses are destroyed by a crisis; good businesses survive them; great businesses are improved by them.” —Andy Grove, former CEO, Intel There’s nothing like a crisis to give people clarity and crystallize the fundamentals of running a successful business. Although this crisis has been unlike anything we’ve seen before in our lifetimes, it has [...]
As business losses continue to mount from the pandemic-induced economic shutdown, parties from different civil arenas are pursuing various solutions to cover the losses. Judicial, legislative, and political developments are all pressuring insurance companies to contribute. Despite these forces, the insurance industry continues to balk at the notion of covering business insurance (BI) claims that [...]
CRI Partner Michael Cerow recently spoke in a virtual webinar where he spoke to small business owners in Brevard County, FL. This webinar discussion included information on the CARES Act, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
As businesses continue to deal with the effects of COVID-19, it is imperative to focus on the steps you can take to protect and help your business withstand the coronavirus storm. For a closer look at the filing process for business interruption claims, be sure to check out our previous articles regarding Business Interruption Loss [...]
UPDATE: As of April 24, 2020, the federal government approved replenishment funding for the PPP by way of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. Learn more. The recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or the CARES Act, has earmarked nearly $350 billion in a relief program through the Small [...]
The effects of the COVID-19 virus are only beginning to be felt within our communities and across the nation. Both business leaders and employees are looking for answers to difficult questions as we work to control both the spread of the virus and the economic effects after its curtailment, resulting in significant insurance policyholder considerations [...]
In the event that your business suffers an interruption or loss of income as a result of the pandemic or restrictions imposed by civil authorities, there are steps that you can and should take to assess the impact on your business, mitigate your losses, and chart a path forward. Next steps Thoroughly review your policy [...]
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a devastating impact on people, communities, and businesses worldwide. Virtually every business has been affected, and losses continue to mount daily due to both government and self-imposed restrictions. This inability of businesses to operate as usual can create what is known as business interruption losses. These losses consist of both [...]
Business owners across the United States are experiencing unprecedented challenges as they navigate the uncertainty of COVID-19. With many businesses required to significantly limit operations or even close down for extended periods of time, business owners are left wondering how they can survive the storm. One potential lifeline may very well be hidden inside your [...]
