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    « March 2010 | Main | May 2010 »

    April 2010

    April 29, 2010

    Success Made Simple - An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive

    Success
    I regularly read a blog called:     CEO Blog - Time Leadership, written by Jim Estill.  He had very nice post this week about Amish Businesses and a book that was forwarded by Elizabethtown College Professor Donald Kraybill (one of the 3 authors of Amish Grace).  I thought I would share Jim's thoughts.

     

    I read a fantastic book called "Success Made Simple an Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive.” On the book jacket it says "discover why Amish businesses have a 95% success rate." Impressive.

     

    It is written by Erik Wesner who spent an intensive period of time in the Amish community even though he is not Amish himself. He started by trying to sell them books which he did with some success.

    Continue reading "Success Made Simple - An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive" »

    Posted at 07:19 AM in Book Reviews | | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

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    April 25, 2010

    Is Sales a Negative Word?

    Sell
    What is the first thought when you hear someone is in sales?  Is it positive?  In our culture we often think of selling as something that is not positive.  Trying to get something from others.  Why? Where did this come from?  Could it be because we all have encountered the “Glad Handing Networking Jerk?”  The person looking to constantly take and never give.

     

    A key misconception about sales is that it is an effort to get something from others. However the truth is that sales at its best and most effective is precisely the opposite. It is about giving. Selling is giving: giving time, attention, counsel, education, empathy, and value. In fact the word sell comes from the Old English word Sellan which means "to give."

     

    I have the privilege of teaching other professionals (accountants, attorneys…) rainmaking skills and continually stress the importance of giving first.  People like to do business with those they like and trust.  How do you build like and trust?  By giving first and also by giving unconditionally – serving others.  A wonderful quote from Keith Ferrazzi his book Never Eat Alone is, “the currency of networking is not greed but generosity.” 

     

    Everyone is looking for more customers, clients, sales… how are you trying to get this business?  Are you and your team focused on getting or giving? Are your sales just a transaction with a buyer or a relationship with another human being?

    Posted at 07:24 PM in My Thoughts, Rainmaking | | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

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    April 21, 2010

    Tax Amnesty Programs - Are They a Good Thing?

    Tax Amnesty
    When the 2009 Pennsylvania State Budget passed back in October of last year, there was a provision for a Tax Amnesty Program that would run from April 26, 2010 through June 18, 2010. Pennsylvania, along with 48 other states, will be facing a budget shortfall in 2010. To close the gap without depriving much needed funding from certain programs, states need to raise revenue but are hesitant to increase their tax rates. One of the best ways to increase revenue for a state is to collect on delinquent tax liabilities.

     

    According to the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), Pennsylvania is expected to raise $190 million of revenue through its amnesty program. However, this may be a conservative figure. In 2009, New Jersey estimated that they would raise $100 million through its amnesty program but ended up collecting approximately $725 million! Therefore, the timely balancing of Pennsylvania's next state budget could be dependent on the success of the 2010 Tax Amnesty Program. Several other states will be conducting amnesty programs of their own in 2010 to address shortfalls in their budgets.

    Continue reading "Tax Amnesty Programs - Are They a Good Thing?" »

    Posted at 03:38 PM in Tax | | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

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    April 18, 2010

    Under Contract with a Literary Agent to Write a Book

    Literary Agent
    How is that for an opening? I started writing my blog The Exuberant Accountant nearly two years ago.  My main reason for starting the blog was to share my passion for family business, advise business owners, mentor young people and help organizations create a best places to work culture.

     

    Most of my clients are middle market companies and those C-level executives (CEO, CFO, COO…) are busy running the company and seldom have the time to think much beyond the fires of the current day.  My goal was to give them regular executive updates on key topics that they should know about and motivate them to implement certain practices in their business.  I try to help them ask the right questions in their business to sustain and build upon employee morale especially in light of the economic downturn. I take great pride when a CEO will respond to one of my posts and tell me they discussed a blog post in a recent management meeting.

    Continue reading "Under Contract with a Literary Agent to Write a Book" »

    Posted at 05:59 PM in My Thoughts | | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

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    April 15, 2010

    Tax Day: What Does it Mean to You?

    April 15
    Since it is April 15th - Tax Day, I thought I would send out some thoughts and facts about taxes.      The Tax Foundation each year calculates “Tax Freedom Day.”  The day on which taxpaying Americans will have earned enough to pay their Federal, State and Local tax obligation.  That day was last week on April 9th; however this only takes into account the actual taxes estimated to be collected.  If they include the actual amount expected to be paid (this means the extra $1.3 billion dollars of deficit spending this year, it would exactly be May 17th (so keep working to pay that extra amount).

     

    Meanwhile, the Tax Policy Center estimates that 47 percent of households will owe no federal income tax for the 2009 tax year.

     

    And finally the national debt is currently running about $13 trillion, which amounts to about $116,000 per each taxpaying citizen. 

     

    So as we say in the business, “Happy Returns.”

    Posted at 08:38 AM in Tax | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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    April 11, 2010

    Network of Family Businesses: The Global Network of Family Owned Businesses

    Network of Family Business 

    When I meet with     family business leaders, I continue to hear they are looking for a place to network, obtain resources, learn best practices, hear from leading experts… but their business is not within a close proximity to a Family Business Center (such as the S. Dale High Center for Family Business at Elizabethtown College).  Well, a new on-line center has just started and I am proud to be among the list of featured speakers. 

     

    With increasing business challenges, reduced travel budgets and limited time, the Network of Family Businesses offers a unique way to learn how to meet those daily issues, while educating and developing leaders in your family's business without leaving your office. This organization is being lead by Dr. Steven Moyer who is an expert on family business and someone for which I have tremendous respect.

     

    The Network of Family Businesses will offer family members and shareholders the opportunity to network on-line, while also participating in the larger network with families in business. The Network provides a global on-line business network for families in business with key capabilities like social networks but with a family business twist and an educational component. Family business leaders are able to network with advisors, colleagues, and friends to gain new insight in preserving their family and their family’s business legacy. In addition, family members and leaders can learn from monthly educational seminars and tap into a variety of on-line articles and materials.

     

    I will be presenting a training session titled, “Passing Assets to the Next Generation - Does Fair Mean Equal?”  The list of speakers include Phil Clemens, CEO of the Clemens Family Corporation (Hatfield Meats), Mike McGrann, Executive Director of the S. Dale High Center for Family Business at Elizabethtown College, and many other amazing speakers.  Here is a link to the featured speakers. 

     

    If you would like more information, please feel free to contact me.

    Posted at 05:19 PM in Family Business, Speaking | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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    April 07, 2010

    Tax Credit Helps Small Employers Provide Health Insurance Coverage

    Tax Credit
    Many small businesses and tax-exempt organizations that provide health insurance coverage to their employees now qualify for a special tax credit, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

     

    Included in the health care reform legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, approved by Congress and signed by President Obama on March 23, the credit is designed to encourage small employers to offer health insurance coverage for the first time or maintain coverage they already have. In general, the credit is available to small employers that pay at least half the cost of single coverage for their employees.

     

    "This credit provides a real boost to eligible small businesses by helping them afford health coverage for their employees," said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. "We urge small businesses and tax-exempt employers to look closely at this important tax break - which is already effective - to see if they qualify."

    Continue reading "Tax Credit Helps Small Employers Provide Health Insurance Coverage " »

    Posted at 03:52 PM in Economy/Stimulus, Tax | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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    April 06, 2010

    Bill Alexander: Entrepreneur, Community Leader, Educator, Servant Leader

    Servant Leader
    In Harrisburg and the surrounding communities, many know William Alexander as a man who gives most of his time serving others and giving back to the community.  In his work and community activities, both past and present, you will recognize that not only is he a     servant leader, but he has been one for a very long time.

     

    Bill and his family have a rich history working with many organizations within the Harrisburg area. He is past Campaign Chair and Board Chair of the United Way of the Capital Region, past Chair of the Capital Region Chamber, and cofounder and past Chair of CREDC.

    Continue reading "Bill Alexander: Entrepreneur, Community Leader, Educator, Servant Leader" »

    Posted at 05:10 PM in Servant Leaders | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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    April 04, 2010

    Who Wants To Take Over Your 401(k) – Uncle Sam?

    401(k)
    As I pointed out in my blog post about     Entitlement Spending, the Social Security and Medicare trust fund has over $100 trillion in unfunded liabilities. How will Washington pay for this or make up the shortfall? Tax increases are an obvious solution, reducing benefits will have to be part of the equation. What other options exist?

     

    One option would be to take the suggestion of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) that wants to centralize all retirement plans for American workers, including private 401(k) plans, under one new retirement system for the United States. They will call it Retirement USA and they actually have a website.

     

    The SEIU suggests this plan would provide universal security and adequate income for future retirees. This pool of assets – yours, mine, everyone else’s, and the unfunded liability of social security would be professionally managed.

     

    When I watch our government take over car companies, financial institutions, health care, and now maybe add our retirement accounts, I ask the question: have we left capitalism and are we zooming right past socialism? If you have reached the age of 59 ½ is now the time to maybe draw down your retirement account?

     

    What happened to personal freedom and personal responsibility? I would love to hear your comments on this one.

    Posted at 07:55 AM in Economy/Stimulus, My Thoughts | | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

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