Owners’ Academy

March 31, 2023 By Robert G. Brody and Mark J. Taglia   Late last week, Michigan’s Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, made history when she signed legislation repealing Michigan’s right-to-work law for private-sector employees. The legislation moved swiftly through both Michigan’s Democrat-controlled House of Representatives and Senate and was approved down party lines before quickly being signed…

Our borrowers often ask us, “Is it better to buy an established business or start up a business?” It’s a reasonable question for those looking to exit their current employment or invest in a business for another income stream. While it may make sense in specific industries to start a business, the benefits of purchasing…

B2B businesses, particularly professional services, are some of the most skeptical and risk-averse companies when it comes to embracing marketing. I should know because I service this client base. However, once I explain how marketing can elevate awareness and increase ROI, most B2B companies will adopt today’s proven digital marketing tactics. In today’s blog, we…

Whatever happened to the original 11 companies Jim Collins featured in his 2001 book Good to Great? As part of a review I recently published of Collins’ original book, I uncovered a few unexpected surprises that have occurred since.  Spoiler Alert: One dropped 88%, another dropped 99%, and a third declared bankruptcy. Book Overview. Good…

Although there’s a strong parallel between creating a winning culture in Sports and Sales, winning cultures come in all shapes and sizes. There’s an important yet subtle distinction between creating a winning culture centered around winning at any cost and winning the right way. The difference between the two is often overlooked and dealt with…

By Robert G. Brody and Mark J. Taglia March 10, 2023   On Thursday, March 9th, President Biden submitted his proposed fiscal year 2024 budget request to Congress.  In it he seeks a $1.5 billion increase to the U.S. Department of Labor Budget.  Most of this increase would support the President’s paid family and medical…

I have a highly intelligent and successful ‘left brained’ colleague and friend who ‘gets it’ when it comes to understanding that data and fact sheets do not communicate meaning. This software developer, entrepreneur, certified project management professional, author, award-winning speaker and CIO of a medical practice knows that all the data in the world will…

I’m having a lot of client dialogue on Cash Balance Plans (CBPs).  A CBP is the third sleeve of a Retirement Plan – following the standard 401k and Profit Sharing sleeves of traditional plans.  The contribution limits are substantial allowing participants the ability to contribute significant $s pretax and to grow those contributions tax deferred….

Managing Today’s Reality of Excess Inventory:   The Domino Effect of Having Out-Dated Software Systems.   Not having real time information on the fast-moving products. Not having accurate information of the inventory level in multiple locations. No method of tracking Vendor Reliability of ON-TIME deliveries.   What are the Results of Excess Inventory? Late shipments…

Every business needs a strong marketing strategy and plan, but not every business needs a full-time Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Hiring an outsourced CMO can be the perfect solution for companies needing marketing leadership and business savvy without incurring high-ticket costs. Here are three reasons to consider hiring a fractional CMO for your business. 1. Fractional…

Small actions yield tremendous results. SUMMi7 is hosting an event next week for Medium-Sized Business Owners on March 30 in Plano, and you’re invited! If you’re not in the Dallas region and would like to attend, please DM us, and we can explore if a virtual experience is right for you. The topic for this…

By Robert G. Brody and Mark J. Taglia January 20, 2023 Last week the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”) proposed a rule banning companies from requiring workers to sign noncompete agreements.  Currently, there are about 30 million workers (roughly 18% of the U.S. workforce) who are subject to such agreements.    The FTC proposal would apply…

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Whistleblowers can blow their whistles a little louder tonight. The Supreme Court’s recent ruling, Murray v. UBS Securities, LLC, decided that an employee may prove a whistleblower retaliation claim without showing that their employer acted with retaliatory intent. As a result, it is now easier for employees to succeed on whistleblower retaliation claims under the…

In the competitive world of business, marketing plays a pivotal role to drive revenue generation, brand equity, and overall business valuation. Companies that view branding and advertising as a growth strategy are twice as likely to see revenue growth of 5% or more than those that don’t (source: “Put Marketing at the Core of Your…

Unleashing the Power of Collaboration Today, we’re diving deep into a powerful quote by Jim Stovall that packs a serious punch: “You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their successes, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins.” Are you ready for…

Do You Need a Virtual CFO? Every company must find an efficient way of handling accounting and bookkeeping functions. For many businesses, an outsourced accounting solution makes good business sense and provides much needed support with financial management. Some businesses and high net worth individuals will want to take their financial operations to another level…

On January 9, 2024, the Department of Labor (“DOL”) announced a six-factor test for determining whether a worker is an independent contractor or an employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). This new rule takes effect on March 11, 2024. Classifying workers as independent contractors or employees is extremely important—independent contractors do not receive…

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