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Corporate Taxes
written on January 31, 2012 by Marlene Herman
Owning a Franchise

If you never owned a business, one of the biggest surprises can be the exorbitant taxation especially in the State of Ohio. Taxes and rates will vary based on your tax structure, sales volume, city, state, and type of business.

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Employees for Franchises
written on January 30, 2012 by Marlene Herman
Owning a Franchise

One of the hardest and seemingly simple things to do is find good employees. You would think with unemployment at an all-time high since the depression, people would be knocking on your door. It also seems to make sense that the Franchisor would have a steady stream of candidates looking for a job since it will also benefit their bottom line. more...

Sales Leads
written on January 30, 2012 by Marlene Herman
Owning a Franchise

One of the advantages of owning a Franchise over a startup is increased sales. Franchises are a proven business model and supplementary sales leads are one of the benefits. No matter what business you get into, obtaining new sales or leads is one of the most difficult aspects of running a business. Of course, some new franchisees think that because they bought the “name” customers will be standing in line waiting for service. The reality today is that if a consumer does not know a “name” of a company for the product or service they need, the first thing they do is ask a friend or relative.

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Personals – I am looking for…..
written on January 20, 2012 by Eric Kurjan
Strategic Planning and Execution

Recognizing or wanting to change is one thing, but doing it requires any entirely different mindset. more...

‘Tis the Season - Strategic Planning –It’s a real Party!!
written on December 01, 2011 by Eric Kurjan
Strategic Planning and Execution

 

If you don’t have a plan for 2012, you better hurry up. Your business success depends on it.

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Why Floss?
written on October 27, 2011 by Eric Kurjan
Strategic Planning and Execution

 

A company-wide culture of leadership is tough to build but has enormous rewards.

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Who Needs to Know Your Succession Plan? – Part Two
written on October 10, 2011 by Chris Cooper
Succession Planning

 

Many business owners struggle with to what extent to share their plans, and who to share them with, regarding exiting their business. Maintaining a high level of secrecy is often viewed as an integral component of planning, and in many cases is the right course of action. On the other hand, it is a common observation regarding human nature that rumor and innuendo will soon fill a vacuum of little or no information. The effect of false rumors and misunderstandings on a small business can be catastrophic.

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Multiple Franchise Locations
written on October 07, 2011 by Marlene Herman
Owning a Franchise

 

Most prospective franchisees open one location and only aspire to add locations by region and/or state but there are advantages to owning multiple stores. 

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Who Needs to Know Your Succession Plan? – Part One
written on September 30, 2011 by Chris Cooper
Succession Planning

 

Once again Apple is in the news regarding its succession strategy for (now former) CEO Steve Jobs. The impact of his health issues on Apple as an ongoing, successful business have been reported elsewhere (and everywhere), so I won’t go into a lot of detail here. What I wish to focus on is the commotion that occurred a few months ago when some larger Apple shareholders questioned the extent of the company’s plans for replacing Jobs should he need to step down. After all, these major shareholders stood to lose a lot of money should a hurried exit of the brains behind Apple occur. It would be hard not to see their concerns as legitimate.

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Women Owned Franchises
written on September 06, 2011 by Marlene Herman
Owning a Franchise

 

There are enormous opportunities today for women. Franchisors see women as a particularly good fit for particular products or services.

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2011 Franchise Industry Trends
written on September 06, 2011 by Marlene Herman
Owning a Franchise

 

The franchises that dominate industries are Fast food restaurants (59%) and Hotels (47%). Some services are almost required such as health care and child care. Although we seem to still have enough money to keep Spas, pets, and physical fitness franchises going strong

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Leading Horses to Water- Part II- Drink the Water
written on August 18, 2011 by Eric Kurjan
Strategic Planning and Execution

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Profit Sooner: Take this test to see if you have the recipe for a successful business.
written on August 04, 2011 by Shelley Solomon Cull
Strategic Planning and Execution

Want to profit sooner rather than later?  Having your own business takes guts.

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What a Waste of Time!
written on July 22, 2011 by Eric Kurjan
Succession Planning

Driving higher levels of performance and ultimately better results starts with solid plans.  One area, if managed, that can directly impact the bottom line is reducing wasted employee time.

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Leading Horses to Water
written on June 06, 2011 by Eric Kurjan
Strategic Planning and Execution

Changing your behavior takes hard work and commitment, so what is the return on the investment for taking on the hard work of changing an organization?

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Don’t Underestimate the Emotional Side of Exiting Your Business
written on May 26, 2011 by Chris Cooper
Succession Planning

When talking to business owners and professional groups about ownership succession, I tend to spend more than a little time on what might be termed the “softer” side of exiting a business. This could include relationships with a spouse, children, and other family members; relationships with employees, customers, and the community at large; life after retirement; and yes even illness and personal mortality.

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Success Strategies: Lessons Learned from Jim, Dan & Dr. Seuss
written on May 13, 2011 by Shelley Solomon Cull
Strategic Planning and Execution

My dad taught me many lessons on strategies for success. One business growth tip was, “you don’t always have to re-invent the wheel”. 

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6 Reasons Why Successful Companies Use Outside Business Advisers
written on May 10, 2011 by Dennis Sommer
Growth Strategies

Have you ever wondered why successful companies use outside business advisers, consultants and coaches?  Successfully building a profitable business, year after year, has been compared to balancing an egg on your head, while standing barefoot on sharp knives. It’s not easy to do and a wrong decision can be a disaster.

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Why Change?
written on May 02, 2011 by Eric Kurjan
Succession Planning

Changing your behavior takes hard work and commitment, so does improving your business performance.

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Expert Advise Pays for Itself
written on April 13, 2011 by Marlene Herman
Owning a Franchise

Your due diligence has found your future Franchise.  It’s time to negotiate the deal and you are waiting for the Disclosure from the Franchiser. 

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Make the Right Choice
written on April 13, 2011 by Marlene Herman
Owning a Franchise

 Franchise Business Review lists 14 Franchise Categories.  There are many choices available ranked by the Best Franchise by Category.

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Franchise Facts & Stats
written on April 12, 2011 by Marlene Herman
Owning a Franchise

Here are a few franchise facts & stats...

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Prioritize 'til it Hurts, Plan Your Ideal Week to Profit Sooner
written on April 11, 2011 by Shelley Solomon Cull
Strategic Planning and Execution

Could you work any harder?  Small business owners often feel like they are working full time and getting part time results. 

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Benefits of an Equipment Appraisal When Selling a Business
written on April 11, 2011 by Kipp Krukowski
Buying and Selling a Business

Having an equipment appraisal completed prior to selling your business is good planning and will likely result in a return on the investment.

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It's Time to Tell the Truth: Trust Building Toward Relationships
written on April 11, 2011 by Jeff Nischwitz
Growth Strategies


Trust ... that often cited, but often lacking ingredient for genuine relationships and organizational success. Nearly every organization I meet complains about a lack of accountability and execution, yet most are looking for the answers in the wrong place. Trust and relationships is at the heart of effective, accountable and executing organizations and teams. It’s critical that we understand the opportunities that we create when we tell people (including ourselves) the truth in order to grow, develop and execute.

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