Cash management

The Steps Below Should be Taken to Prevent the Need for Running Parallel Software  Before the project starts, a business requirements study should be conducted. At each day end, the data should be transferred to the new software test environment. Transferred data should be verified on daily basis for accuracy. This data verification eliminates the need to run parallel software. The end users should be trained in the test environment. Project managers should be assigned to each department.     Prior to going live, users’ proficiency should be determined. The training and technical staff should remain on site to ensure successful going live. VAI Client’s Return-on-Investment Imperial Dade: Food service and Janitorial Supply Business grew through M&A integrating the acquired company’s software into the VAI ERP Software 100% ROI Payback in 1.1 years Savings: $ 1,194,353 Black River: Produce Distributor 45% ROI, Payback in 2.3 years Savings: $ 1,188,529 Autumn Harp: Cosmetics Manufacturer Boosted Productivity and Reliability Saved $100,000 in one year  Dorcy International: Warehouse Automation Increased Efficiencies and Productivity Dropped from a $170,000 variance to less than $5,000 in one year ERP Software Benefits Cloud or Server Options are available VAI ERP software source code is provided and easily customized to meet your various business needs rather than changing your business model to meet the ERP Software requirements Ability to buy unlimited users Integrates with various vendors’ software applications lowering operating costs and improving bottom-line profit Designed for mid-market manufacturing, distribution, and food companies that need fully integrated ERP software Customers’ success stories

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 will result in production disruption. Order cancellations will result in excess inventory. Reduction of Profit from reduced sales price to move excess inventory. Cash on hand reduced as funds are tied up in unsold inventory.   How to Manage the above issues! Replace the outdated software with real time software needed to: Better manage everything related to sales and inventory   The Benefits Resulting from Real Time Software! Understanding inventory turns to maximize inventory at item levels. Knowing Vendor Reliability to achieve better product availability! Understanding the inventory availability when managing multiple locations.   Customers’ success stories

Hello XPX! If you or your Middle Market clients are not happy with their current banking relationship, I’m happy to discuss anything from solving day-to-day problems to complete acquisition financing.  Comerica is the largest bank headquarter in Texas.  We take a holistic business approach, always putting our customers and our community first, and providing our clients a very high-touch banking experience. Specialties Include: M&A Financing Traditional C&I Lending SBA Loans Owner-Occupied Commercial Real Estate Machinery & Equipment Working Capital Lines of Credit Leasing Treasury and Cash Management Services And if you’re in Austin, I’d also make a great 4th for Pickleball!

Shelby Jackson – Marketing Associate   Revenue is up! But you have less cash than ever. Why is that? We’ll be covering the top 7 reasons why, like many other businesses, you might have no cash despite revenue being up. Then we’ll discuss important things to consider as you build your annual forecast.   Reason 1: Delivering Before Getting Paid Revenue is up, but you have 3 types of revenue and the biggest one is net 30 (or net 60 or net 90). Sales are up, but you have no cash because you let your customers wait to pay. Being flexible with your customers is great, but do you know how it is impacting your business? If you have revenue growth but you get paid after 30 or more days, you need to pay your staff and probably your suppliers. That could cause a cash crunch in a rapidly growing company.   Reason 2: Accounts Receivable Problems, You are Selling but Not Getting Paid for all your Sales Not all revenue is created equal! If you’re selling but not getting paid for all your sales, you could have Accounts Receivable (A/R) Problems and you will be short on cash. Some clients never pay! If you get stiffed by your customers, you still put time, money, and effort into supporting the sale. Make sure you’re selling to people who will pay!   Do you know what type of customers you are adding?   Reason 3: Returns! Clients return things and you refund the revenue If your customers buy more stuff and return it in a way you can’t resell it, you have all the expenses of producing the high sales, but not all the revenue you thought you’d get. Your sales are lower (because returns are not sales) but your expenses are higher!  Are you looking at the right sales figures?   Reason 4: Inventory Are you sitting on too much inventory? Even if everything you’re selling is highly profitable, a warehouse full of inventory costs money to contain and the inventory will eventually become ruined or obsolete.  Do you know how much inventory you need to grow your business, and do you know how much cash you’ll need to support your future inventory needs?   Reasons 5: Unprofitable Business You are selling but losing money! Here’s a case scenario. You have 5 products that make sense in a specific mix, but some of those products may actually not be profitable. You choose to keep them as loss leaders, to fill in gaps, or as a way to use extra scrap material. But what if your sales increases are from products like that?  Is that where your money is going?   Reasons 6: Inflation You are selling more but costs are higher, so it is actually less profitable! Inflation rapidly increased in 2022. According to BLS.gov, the United States saw the annual inflation rate increase by 7.1% as a result of the lingering effects of COVID shutdowns, supply-chain disruptions, and more. Even if revenue is up, income may be down due to higher expenses. Are you selling more units or just the same number of units (or fewer!) at higher prices? Are your expenses going up faster than your revenue?    Reasons 7: You are selling more but debt and other overhead are eating all your profits You are making profitable sales, but your overhead is costing you way too much. This could include debt used to finance inventory, expansion, or even prior losses.  Do you know how much your overhead is? How much do you need to sell to pay for your overhead? Will your overhead change as your revenue increases?   How do I avoid this happening in the future? Our Answer: Build an Annual Forecast   If you know how much you will really sell, how much profit that will really produce, how much inventory, financing, and overhead you’ll need to make this all work, you’ll have a better plan and lots of advanced notice on cash flow issues – well ahead of time and before they become problems.   You’ll be empowered to pick products that will make you more money. Reject customers that will cause you hassles, and plan for your overhead needs so that you have the necessary resources (human, financial, marketing, and more) to take your business to the next level.  There are multiple factors that can lead to no cash despite revenue being up, and sometimes it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly how to move forward! An annual forecast is a great way to plan the next steps for your business to make measurable and intentional decisions for increasing cash flow.    About Us Our team of seasoned CFO’s at Imperial Advisory have over 150 years of collective experience giving valuable corporate finance insights that can help you put your best foot forward in 2023! For more information, reach out to www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm

Loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration can help businesses “start, build, and grow” but can they also be used to cash out? If you are a small business owner, chances are you have heard of SBA loans. If you haven’t, SBA loans are a means of funding for small businesses through the U.S.’s Small Business Administration. These loans give small business owners the chance to get financing with the backing of the federal government. The federal government guarantees the loan so if something happens, they will pay back the bank if the loan defaults. Say you invested $500,000 in the constructing and building of your business and you wanted to cash out. Could you actually cash out using an SBA loan? One couple came to Wallace Capital Funding, LLC with the same question. The couple had a long history of coaching local kids in basketball and wanted to have a basketball facility of their own as a way to give back to their community. But not just any basketball facility, they wanted to have a world-class basketball gymnasium for kids to come and train. Without taking out any loans, the couple invested $3 million of their own money and brought this multi-million dollar facility to their community. The facility turned out to be a large success and amassed millions of dollars in value. The couple wanted to see if they could cash out their investment through an SBA loan. The answer is it depends. Currently, we are looking into the method of how they invested into their business. Under SBA guidelines, there are regulations on ways and how much you cash out? Every transaction is different, and unique rules apply to your specific opportunity. The benefit of working with Wallace Capital Funding, LLC instead of a bank is that we will work with you to ensure the structure of your loan application under SBA guidelines from a business owner point of view. WCF consultants will use the Business Funding Analysis to help structure the deal properly so you can get the cash your business needs. You can also join WCF’s mailing list, which can be found on our website or give us a call at 1-800-809-5629 to learn more. For all of your business financing needs, Wallace Capital Funding, LLC can help. Whether you need funding for new equipment, financing commercial real estate, or to cover staff expenses before your contract payment comes through, Wallace Capital Funding, LLC can create a custom funding solution that’s right for you.

Every business owner dreams of a business with lots of cash and positive cash flow. With this type of business, the owner can reinvest in the business, take distributions, and pay off debt. The options are endless. The problem is, most business owners don’t know which levers to pull in their business to increase cash. They ultimately wind up feeling confused and frustrated, sometimes lying awake at night wondering how to make it happen. Every business owner deserves to have a business with a strong financial future.  Recently, I worked with a professional services practice that relied on insurance company reimbursements for their cash flow. Insurance companies are notorious for slow payments, often taking 60-90 days to remit payments. To cover payroll at times, this business owner had to borrow money from a lender and pay 30% plus interest.

A valuable asset with guaranteed income without paying a dime After reading the headline, you might be asking yourself — “How can I really afford a million-dollar, multi-family property without paying anything?” With the help of Wallace Capital Funding, LLC, one client was able to make it into a reality. However, he first needed to guarantee his own financing so we could then use the Business Funding Analysis (BFA). This client originally owned ten single family homes in the Birmingham area but wanted to own his first multi-family property. The type property of interest was a rarity. With 36 apartment units, the whole property had a HAP Contract, was classified under Section 8 housing, which guaranteed our client would get monthly income directly from the government. It is like buying a business with guaranteed income. Vacancy rates are also much lower for those investing in Section 8 properties. This is because renters are more likely to stay and renew year after year. And in many markets, Section 8 properties attract a long waiting list of interested tenants. We have established how great this opportunity is but how do you get into a property with no money down? The first step is to determine if you and your business can qualify for additional funds using the BFA. If you don’t remember from our last

For two Wallace Capital Funding LLC clients, a Pretend Play Center was their business dream. What is a Pretend Play Center? I had the same question. Remember running around with a large white coat on, who were you? A doctor or chemist? Or maybe you put on a red hat and said “weee, wooo, weee, wooo” like a siren. Who were you? A fire chief. It’s a place where a kid can dream to be anything they set their mind to. A doctor, a chef and everything in between. The clients wanted to make a difference in the lives of local youth while also operating a profitable business during their retirement. And this dream became a reality thanks to the Business Funding Analysis. So, you might be asking yourself — What is a Business Funding Analysis? The analysis is a tool that Wallace Capital Funding LLC uses to pre-qualify business owners for traditional as well as non-traditional funding for businesses including real estate financing. Say you are a home inspector. You do a thorough job of looking at every fine detail of a home to make sure it is up to code. The plumbing system ran well. The electrical wiring was working. The air conditioning unit functioned great. You breathe a sigh of relief for an easy day of work as you head to the front door. Just as you are ready to approve the house, you hear a light scratch in the wall. And what originally sounded like a quiet tap suddenly grew louder. A small crack begins to form and a hoard of baby mice spills out onto the foyer. No matter how much a small business thinks they are qualified, sometimes it is not as simple. You never know what is “behind the walls” unless you open them or what lenders are looking for in their applicants. So, what does a Business Fund Analysis do? The Business Funding Analysis makes sure you get the funding you want and deserve. It uses the same process as banks go through to qualify for a business loan but also includes alternative financing. The analysis predicts the likelihood of you getting financed before submitting any official documentation to lenders. Prior to the Business Funding Analysis, all documentation would go straight to lenders. However, it was not guaranteed that you would be approved. Now, the analysis ensures you will get approved in a hassle-free process. Interviewing clients prior to having the Business Funding Analysis was a challenge because you never knew whether a person would qualify. Using the same process as the lender is the best way to guarantee approval and avoid any heartache or embarrassment. Established in 2002, the Business Funding Analysis is continuously developing and improving to get you the loan of their dream just like the Pretend Play Center. Talk to one of Wallace’s Capital Funding LLC today to get the process started and get the loan you and your business deserves. Join WCF’s mailing list, which can be found on our

We’ve all had the experience of driving down the road and trying to change lanes, only to realize just in time that there was a car in your blind spot. Or maybe you didn’t realize in time and the day ended much more disastrous than expected. Keeping an eye on our blind spots and checking for things we may be missing helps to avoid these disasters.  The same is true in your business. As a business owner, you might be cruising along, missing something potentially catastrophic because it’s in your blind spot. Nobody likes unexpected surprises, especially ones that may take our business off-course.

Worry about cash flow is one of the top issues that keeps business owners up at night. Cash flow is like oxygen to a business and without it, the business won’t survive. Several years back, I had a client ask me, “If I’ve made $500,000 in profit, why isn’t it in the bank account?” A very good question I’m sure many of us have wondered. While profits are great, they don’t cover payroll, other operating expenses, bank loan payments, and owner’s distributions. Cash does. So doesn’t it make sense to track where your cash is in the same way you track where your profit is?

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How would it feel to shorten the time to productivity? Why does someone need to do their job the way they do? How can people become productive faster? Introduction: As a small business owner, you wear many hats. You’re the visionary, the marketer, the accountant, and often, the HR department. However, having the right people in the right roles is key to your success. It’s not just about filling seats; it’s about aligning talent with the demands of each department. This is where Kolbe comes in – a powerful tool that can help you unlock your team’s natural strengths and optimize your business’s performance. The Problem: Mismatched Skills and Frustration We’ve all seen a detail-oriented person struggling in a fast-paced, idea-generating role or a creative mind bogged down by rigid processes. Mismatches like these lead to frustration, decreased productivity, and, ultimately, higher turnover. This is especially damaging in a small business where every team member’s contribution is crucial. You might be tempted to use traditional methods, like resumes or personality tests. While these have their place, they don’t always get to the heart of how someone naturally gets things done – the key information the Kolbe A™ Index provides. Enter the Kolbe A™ Index: Understanding Your Team’s Conative Strengths The Kolbe A™ Index isn’t about measuring intelligence or personality. It measures a person’s conative strengths – their instinctive method of taking problem-solving action and getting things done. It reveals how they prefer to: Fact Finder: Do they need to gather data or rely on intuition? Follow Through: Are they good at meticulously executing plans, or are they more adept at improvising? Quick Start: Do they prefer to start new processes or refine existing ones? Implementor: Are they good at taking something complex and making it simple, or are they adept at handling intricate details? The Kolbe Index places you on a spectrum for each mode of action and gives you a number (ranging from 1-10) for how you naturally prefer to act within each mode. Map Roles to Kolbe Strengths: Now it’s time to analyze the demands of each department and role within your business. For instance: Marketing: You might look for individuals with high “Initiator” and “Fact Finder” scores. Operations/Production: This might be an area for those with a stronger “Follow Through” style. Sales: Those with a strong mix of “Initiator” and “Implementor” could excel here. Accounting/Finance: Look for those with a high “Follow Through” preference and a strong preference for “Fact Finder”. Open the Dialogue: Have open and honest conversations with your team. Share their Kolbe results (with their permission) and discuss how their strengths align (or don’t align) with their current role. Make Strategic Adjustments: Consider making adjustments based on the Kolbe results and those conversations. This might mean moving someone to a different department, shifting responsibilities within a team, or modifying a team member’s workflow to better utilize their strengths. It’s critical to remember that this is not a tool to punish or demean anyone but to place them in their best role, where they can thrive. Embrace Team Diversity: Each Kolbe profile offers unique strengths and values. A team of people working in the exact same way is not as effective as a team that balances diverse strengths. Benefits of Using Kolbe in Your Small Business: Increased Productivity: People who work within their natural strengths are more efficient and engaged. Reduced Frustration: Fewer mismatches mean less frustration, which leads to improved morale. Lower Turnover: Happier employees are less likely to leave. Improved Team Collaboration: When people understand how their teammates approach work, they can collaborate more effectively. Enhanced Problem Solving: A well-balanced team with diverse Kolbe profiles can tackle challenges more creatively. Better Decision-Making: Understanding the different ways each person naturally approaches a problem can lead to better decision-making in the long run. Rethink your Growth and Exit Planning: As a small business owner, you’re constantly looking for ways to optimize your operations and create a thriving work environment. Using Kolbe is not about forcing square pegs into round holes. It is about understanding the natural approach of your team and putting everyone in a place where they can thrive. Investing time and resources to understand your team’s conative strengths will pay dividends in increased productivity, happier employees, and, ultimately, a more successful business. So, take the first step, explore the power of Kolbe, and watch your team’s potential flourish. Call to Action: Are you ready to understand the power of your team’s strengths? It is important to have a Certified Kolbe Consultant guide you on how to use this data to attract, engage, and develop your team so you can grow and exit on your terms.

Listen to this post as a podcast: Click here to talk to Bloomwood about your finances. Are you ready to take control of your finances and maximize your after-tax income? If so, you’re in the right place. I’m Billy Amberg, founder of Bloomwood, and today, we’re going to explore a financial case study that affects everyone—whether you’re just starting out on your wealth-building journey or you’re a seasoned investor with substantial assets. The 1% Financial Advisor Fee: Is It Worth It? The financial advisory and wealth management industry invests massive marketing dollars to convince you that paying a 1% portfolio management fee is worthwhile. But is it really? Let’s break it down. For those with financial advisors who provide significant value through tax planning, estate planning, and comprehensive financial strategies, paying 1% can be justified. If you have a complex trust or unique investment needs, that fee might also make sense. However, if your advisor is merely managing your portfolio, responding to your questions reactively, and failing to offer proactive financial planning, then you are overpaying. Many advisors hold periodic meetings about investments, but that alone doesn’t justify the 1% fee. Why Paying 1% for Just Investment Management Is Too Much To understand why paying 1% for basic investment management isn’t worth it, we must first explore key investment principles. One of the best ways to structure your investments is by using the Three Buckets Approach: Cash Reserve Bucket: This is your safety net, typically covering 6 to 12 months of living expenses in case of an emergency. It also provides liquidity for investment opportunities, such as purchasing real estate. Fixed Income Bucket: If you need stable income to support your lifestyle, especially in retirement, this bucket consists of low-risk investments like bonds, ensuring steady cash flow. Long-Term Growth Bucket: Everything else belongs here. This is where equities and growth-focused investments come into play, aligning with long-term wealth accumulation. Understanding Risk Tolerance and Why It Matters Less Than You Think Many investors are familiar with risk tolerance questionnaires used by financial advisors or platforms like Vanguard. While these assessments provide insight into your comfort level with risk, they are not the ultimate determinant of investment strategy. For example, a young professional with limited financial resources who fears market volatility might lean toward ultra-conservative investments. However, avoiding equity exposure could mean they never accumulate enough wealth to retire. An advisor’s role should be to educate and coach clients through investment realities rather than just accommodating risk aversion. Why Beating the Market Is Nearly Impossible Many financial advisors attempt to justify their fees by claiming they can outperform the market. However, history shows that even professional fund managers struggle to consistently beat benchmark indices like the S&P 500. Consider this: The NASDAQ (Technology Index) has significantly outperformed the S&P 500 in recent years. The S&P 500 itself remains a difficult benchmark to beat even for top-tier investment professionals. The only funds consistently outperforming the market are quantitative hedge funds like D.E. Shaw, Citadel, and Two Sigma—which charge exorbitant fees and require massive investment minimums. If professional fund managers can’t consistently beat the market, how can an individual financial advisor do so? The answer is simple: they can’t. The True Cost of Active Management vs. Index Funds Rather than paying a financial advisor 1% to actively manage investments, many investors can achieve better results with low-cost index funds. Vanguard, for instance, offers index funds with fees as low as 0.05% per year. Additionally, for just 0.30%, you can get a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) through Vanguard, which is more than a third cheaper than the typical advisor fee. How to Determine If Your Advisor Provides Real Value Before you continue paying a 1% management fee, ask yourself: Is my advisor providing value beyond just investment management? Am I receiving proactive tax planning, estate planning, and financial strategy sessions? Can my advisor point to tangible financial benefits I’ve received beyond portfolio returns? If your advisor’s only contribution is managing your portfolio, you are likely paying for underperformance. Paying 1% for an actively managed fund that fails to beat the market is counterproductive when low-cost index funds offer superior long-term results. The Bottom Line: Are You Getting a Fair Deal? If you’re paying 1% for asset management, it should come with significant added value, including tax planning, estate planning, and personalized financial strategy. At Bloomwood, we focus on delivering real, tangible benefits beyond just managing investments. If you want to learn more about investing and getting massive value through financial planning, check out our other content: Kickstart Your New Year with Smart Financial Planning: A Comprehensive Guide Tax Planning: How Buying Tax Credits Can Cut Your Tax Bill and Boost Profits Disclosures Bloomwood does not make any representations as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, or completeness of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to or incorporated herein. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes and all users thereof should be guided accordingly. We are neither your attorneys nor your accountants and no portion of this material should be interpreted by you as legal, accounting, or tax advice. We recommend that you seek the advice of a qualified attorney and accountant. For additional information about Bloomwood, please request our disclosure brochure as set forth on Form ADV using the contact information set forth herein, or refer to the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website (

We know that a way higher-than-acceptable percent of those who sell their company have many regrets a year later.  A piece of that is how well did they plan life beyond the sale?  Purpose is a huge part of that, and we have many XPX members who are retirement coaches and help people plan for purpose.  That is incredibly important. And there is so much more.  How is that person going to thoughtfully, proactively remain healthy, minimize their health-related risk factors, stay mentally sharp, have a robust social network since so much of their current social network is wrapped up with the business, partners, clients, etc. And then what about knowing when and how to include family members so that inevitable changes in the future are fully planned?  We have XPX members who plan the financial, the estate, the insurance pieces which are all important.  There is a much deeper personal side that is rarely planned and leaves families not knowing what to do when a crisis happens, health declines, a spouse is lost, or other unexpected events. All of this can be planned, and when it is, the future is brighter and more secure. Selling the business just opens the door to new phases of life that are just as fulfilling and engage those prior business owners in new ways to engage with their community, their family, and their unique interests. Purpose is not busy-ness.  In a future article we will talk about how very important that differentiation is.

Listen to this post as a podcast: Click here to talk to Bloomwood about your finances.   Quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI) are two transformative technologies that have the potential to reshape industries and solve some of the world’s most complex challenges. Together, they form a dynamic duo capable of driving breakthroughs in fields ranging from healthcare to manufacturing. In this post, we’ll explore the synergy between quantum computing and AI, the challenges involved, and the exciting future ahead. What is Quantum Computing? Quantum computing offers the potential to solve problems that classical computers struggle with, such as those in drug discovery and material science. Quantum computers operate using quantum bits, or qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously (superposition). This ability to represent both 0 and 1 at once allows quantum computers to solve problems much faster than classical systems. How AI is Transforming Industries Artificial intelligence, particularly machine learning, is already transforming industries such as healthcare, finance, and defense. By analyzing large datasets and making predictions based on that information, AI systems are helping organizations make more informed decisions and predictions. In fields like healthcare, AI is improving diagnostics, personalizing treatment plans, and advancing medical research. In finance, AI-powered algorithms are being used for fraud detection, risk assessment, and market prediction. The Challenges of Building Stable Quantum Computers Despite its potential, building stable quantum computers remains a significant challenge. Quantum states are incredibly fragile, and any disturbance can cause errors in calculations. This makes developing reliable quantum computers a difficult task. Furthermore, quantum encryption is a concern, as quantum computers could eventually break current encryption methods. Researchers are already working on developing quantum-resistant encryption to address these challenges. The Rise of Quantum Sensing Quantum technology is not limited to computing. Quantum sensing is emerging as a powerful tool for detecting small changes in physical properties such as magnetic fields, gravity, and time. This could lead to breakthroughs in medical imaging, environmental monitoring, and navigation, with applications in everything from precision healthcare to transportation. The Economic Impact and Job Creation The growth of the quantum and AI industries is expected to generate over $1 trillion by 2035, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs across various sectors. By 2030, it is predicted that 250,000 jobs will be created in the quantum sector, with that number rising to 840,000 by 2035. These technologies will not only fuel economic growth but also provide opportunities for innovation and creativity across a range of industries. How Companies Can Capitalize on Quantum and AI Advancements Companies looking to thrive in the quantum and AI space must: Adopt early: Be early adopters of quantum and AI technologies to establish themselves as leaders. Create value: Apply these technologies in ways that solve real-world problems in industries like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. Innovate rapidly: Keep pace with technological advancements and remain adaptable in a fast-moving market. Invest in infrastructure: Have the financial strength to fund R&D and build the necessary infrastructure. Leverage marketing: Effectively communicate innovations to the public and industry stakeholders.   Key Companies to Watch in the Quantum and AI Space Tech Giants Leading the Way Companies like IBM, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Nvidia are heavily investing in quantum computing and AI technologies. These tech giants are positioning themselves for long-term leadership by developing cutting-edge solutions and forging strategic partnerships in the space. Industry Disruptors Smaller companies like Square, Chime, Clario, and Anduril Industries are harnessing AI and quantum technologies in unique and innovative ways. Particularly in finance, healthcare, and defense, these disruptors are pushing the envelope on what’s possible with these technologies. Innovations in Telecommunications and Manufacturing Telecommunications: The Future of Quantum Communication In telecommunications, BT is exploring quantum communication to enhance the security and efficiency of digital networks. IQ Go is leveraging AI to improve network management, optimizing resource allocation and improving network reliability. Manufacturing: Virtual Models for Optimization In manufacturing, companies like Forge are using AI to create virtual models of manufacturing processes. This allows them to simulate, optimize, and improve production lines with digital twin technology, resulting in greater efficiency and cost savings. Democratization of Quantum and AI Technologies One of the most exciting developments in the quantum and AI space is the democratization of these technologies. Cloud-based services now allow small businesses to access powerful quantum and AI tools without needing their own hardware. This mirrors the early days of the internet when once-exclusive technologies became available to the broader public, sparking innovation across industries. Quantum Startups Making Waves Several startups are making significant contributions to quantum computing. For instance: Reggetti Computing combines quantum and classical computing in a hybrid approach to enhance performance. IonQ is pushing the boundaries of quantum computing with trapped ions as qubits, offering high fidelity and long coherence times. Zapata Computing provides platforms for quantum algorithm development, making quantum computing more accessible to those without deep expertise in the field. Key Concepts in Quantum Computing To fully appreciate the potential of quantum computing, it’s essential to understand some key concepts: Superposition: Qubits can exist in multiple states simultaneously, allowing for parallel computations. Entanglement: A quantum phenomenon where qubits are linked, enabling instantaneous communication and increasing computational power. Fidelity: The accuracy with which qubits can be manipulated. Coherence Time: The duration for which a qubit can maintain its quantum state before it decays. Will Quantum Computers Replace Classical Computers? While quantum computers are powerful, they are not meant to replace classical computers. Instead, they are designed to tackle problems that classical systems cannot handle, such as complex simulations and optimization tasks. The future will likely see a hybrid approach where both types of computers complement each other, each playing to its strengths. Responsible AI Development As AI continues to evolve, it’s crucial that we develop it responsibly. This means addressing issues like bias, transparency, and accountability. For example, if an AI system is trained on biased data, it may perpetuate and even amplify those biases in its decision-making. In fields like healthcare and finance, transparency is essential. We must ensure that AI decisions are understandable and explainable, particularly when they have a direct impact on people’s lives. Similarly, accountability is key: if an AI system causes harm, we need to determine who is responsible. The Future of AI and Quantum Computing As we look ahead, the future of AI and quantum computing is filled with possibilities. These technologies have the power to revolutionize industries, create new economic opportunities, and solve some of humanity’s most pressing challenges. But with great power comes great responsibility. We must ensure that these advancements are used ethically and transparently to benefit society as a whole. The quantum era is here, and it’s full of opportunity. Whether through AI’s ability to enhance communication or quantum computing’s ability to solve complex problems, these technologies are set to transform our world. Check out our other recent article on investing in quantum computing! www.adviserinfo.sec.gov). Please read the disclosure statement carefully before you engage our firm for advisory services. The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor’s particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor.   The views expressed in this commentary are subject to change based on the market and other conditions. These documents may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.    All information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed.  There is no representation or warranty as to the current accuracy, reliability, or completeness of, nor liability for, decisions based on such information and it should not be relied on as such. Bloomwood is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Bloomwood and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. 730 Starlight Lane, Atlanta, GA 30342.

Enhance your member profile by adding a photo and your company logo! It’s a great way to personalize your presence and showcase your organization. Follow these simple steps to update your profile: 1. Log In to Your Account First, make sure you’re logged in to your member account by going to www.exitplanningexchange.com and clicking on the Log In button on the top right-hand corner of the page. Remember to use the email address associated with your member profile as your username. 2. Go to Your Profile Once logged in, navigate to your member profile. You can usually find this by clicking on your profile picture or your name at the top of the page. 3. Select “Edit Photo” Look for the “Edit Photo” button—typically located near the top of your member profile’s dropdown menu (photo below). Click on it to upload or update your high-res photo.

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