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When I worked for a global accounting and audit firm back in the 1990s, we followed detailed procedures and checklists. (Quick joke: Why did the accountant cross the road? Because that’s what they did in last year’s file.) These checklists ensured we followed proper standards, improved quality, and reduced risk to both the client and … Continue reading The SME Business Wealth Builder M5 Growth Strategy Model Third Gear: Methodology

When my family operated Clear Lake Lodge back in the 1980s before the internet and Trip Advisor®, we learned that our best marketing was referrals from satisfied guests. And, we changed the name from Siesta Hotel to Clear Lake Lodge so we appeared earlier in the yellow pages. Is your marketing stuck in the ‘80s? … Continue reading The SME Business Wealth Builder M5 Growth Strategy Model Second Gear: Marketing

How would you define the strategy of your business? What is your competitive advantage? How do you create a sustainable, differentiated business that can provide more value to your customers in a dynamic and constantly changing market? How do you attract and retain key talent and customers? How do you leverage technology? What are your … Continue reading The SME Business Wealth Builder M5 Growth Strategy Model First Gear: Mindset and Strategy

In Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving a little earlier than our American friends but we do it much the same, with family, food, and football. But there is one other thing, we Canadians also do yardwork! Last week, I was attending Alan Weiss’s “Thought Leadership” conference in West Palm Beach, Florida, when Hurricane Matthew approached the … Continue reading Thanksgiving

Every president or owner of a private company knows that it can be very lonely at the top. Setting up a formal board of directors or an advisory board can not only reduce the loneliness but also significantly improve your company performance and valuation through good governance. Companies of any size can benefit greatly from … Continue reading Good Governance for Private Companies

If you want to know what the executives of any public company were (and are) thinking, read the Management Discussion and Analysis section of their quarterly (10-Q) or annual (10-K) reports. Last week, we discussed financial reporting and forecasting as performed by public companies and how it could benefit your company. Today, I want to … Continue reading Management Discussion and Analysis — Or, “What were they thinking?”