Leadership
An effective leader creates an inspiring vision of the future and are passionate about developing the emerging leaders around them. They constantly work to improve their emotional intelligence and know that a strong team culture is the foundation for accomplishing the mission. They are in a perpetual state of preparation and embrace the inevitable changes their businesses will face.
- NQDCs – “Let Me Count the Ways”
 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation (NQDC) plans are a powerful tool for incentivizing and retaining key employees. They offer virtually unlimited flexibility in methodologies, objectives and rewards to suit a company’s strategies and goals.
What is “unqualified?”
Quite simply, NQDCs are discriminatory. Some owners shy away from that term, but discrimination isn’t automatically illegal. ... - How Much Does the Big Picture Really Matter to Your Business?
 It’s hard to have a business conversation today without someone invoking “the Big Picture.” The 24-hour news cycle runs on urgency, outrage, and uncertainty—and it needs a constant supply to keep attention locked in. The result? Everything sounds like a crisis.
Wars. Tariffs. Sanctions. Inflation. Interest rates. Cyberattacks. Political standoffs. Supply ... - Celebrating Mr. Fezziwig
 Since 2013 I’ve updated this piece about the underappreciated and forgotten boss of A Christmas Carol, Mr. Fezziwig. I hope that you enjoy it. Merry Christmas!
Last week was the 182nd anniversary of the publication of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol (December 17, 1843). The immortal words of Ebenezer Scrooge are ... - Business Ownership Isn’t What It Used to Be
 If you’ve been a business owner for a long time, you’ve lived this shift firsthand.
Many Baby Boomer owners started out alone—just an idea, a customer, and a willingness to take a risk. Hiring that first employee was a milestone. Now, years later, some of those same businesses employ dozens or ... - The Inexperienced Advisor – An Exit Planning Horror Story for Business Owners
 This is a cautionary tale for business owners—one that’s “based on a true story.” The facts are real, although the exact sequence of events might raise questions if the IRS were to take a closer look.
A small business owner received a $1,000,000 offer to sell his company. He had already ... - What Business Owners Should Know from the 5th Annual Exit Planners Survey
 Between February 1 and March 2, 2025, ExitMap conducted its 5th annual survey of professionals who help business owners plan successful exits. This is the only survey that gathers insight across multiple advisory specialties—offering a wide-angle view of the professionals supporting entrepreneurs like you during one of the most critical ... - Decisions Made from Fear
 When Fear Dictates Decisions
I can’t. We won’t. I shouldn’t.
Sound familiar? These thoughts creep in as your business grows. You’ve overcome a lot already—taking that first leap, pushing through uncertainty, making tough calls when the stakes were high. But now, you have something to lose. The fear of getting it wrong can paralyze progress. - Missed Opportunities
 Your business is doing pretty well. You’re adding to your personal savings every month and are more focused on tax strategies than making payroll. But how do you know if you’re leaving opportunities on the table?
Some indicators are obvious. Others, less so.
One of the easiest to spot is stagnation. Businesses ... - Goals and Resolutions
 Businesses set goals. These can be budgetary, operational, recruiting, sales or profit oriented. Individuals make resolutions. - What is “Holistic” Planning?
 Financial planners use the term “holistic planning” frequently. It’s meant to indicate that they consider the client’s short- and long-term life goals and the future they visualize. According to Fidelity Investments Holistic Wealth Planning is continuous and considers two dozen aspects of client wealth objectives.
The Valuation Reality Gap
Only one of ...
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