Construction projects require a lot of people to be in sync about a lot of issues. They require teamwork, communication and coordination. While you may work with lumber, steel, bricks and mortar, the most critical ingredient in your construction process is people. Getting people to understand what needs to be done and, more importantly, to agree to do it is the key to successful construction projects. People generally want to do a good job. When they don't do a good job, it's often because they don't know what to do or how to do it.

 

 

 

Operating a family business isn't easy. Between the demands of the family, keeping customers happy and the never-ending business challenges, making it through the workday can be a real challenge. You can overcome this challenge by learning to set priorities. Consider the adage: How you spend your time is more important than how much time you spend. Being efficient with your time and effective with your actions can go a long way toward making both your business and family time more fruitful and enjoyable.

 

 

 

Every employee helps a business either make money or spend money. Make sure your employees understand how their behavior affects the company's bottom line.

 

 

 

In these tough economic times, people are looking at alternative ways to keep costs low. Bartering is one that has become more popular. Just remember, the tax law requires the fair market value of the bartered goods or services to be reported as income by both parties.

 

 

 

One solid relationship with a wealthy philanthropist can make more money for a nonprofit than a year of mailings and events. Although some fund-raisers shy away from it, getting major gifts from large donors is an important component of any fund-raising program.

 

 

 

The prognosis for income taxes points to a future with higher rates. If your medical practice operates as a pass-though entity, with the income tax on your profits paid on your personal income tax return, there is a good chance you will experience higher tax rates in the coming years. With tax rates expected to rise, the traditional tax planning technique of deferring income to future years and accelerating deductions into earlier years may prove to be counterproductive. If you expect to face higher marginal tax rates in the future, you may consider options to accelerate income and defer deductions.

 

 

 

You schedule your work week. You plan your vacation. You prepare for your retirement. But what if you have a stroke or other debilitating illness? What happens to your assets? Americans over age 65 face a 40 percent chance of a nursing home stay, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). And more than 60 percent over age 65 will use some professional home care services during their lifetimes.

 

 

 

A real life case can provide valuable insights into valuation issues and how to resolve them. A CPA firm was recently retained by the wife in a matrimonial matter. Her husband owned a business in the transportation sector. The firm typically values the business as of the date the complaint for divorce was filed. Depending on when firm members are brought into the case, they may be preparing reports a year or more after the complaint has been filed. This delay can lead to a lack of records or, at times, a lack of recollections.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Controlling Cash Flow - Reduce inventory to the smallest amount possible while still meeting customer demands. Use this cash flow to pay down lines of credit or other debt.

 

 

Your Planning - Stay well informed. Read magazines such as Money, Consumer Reports and Fortune.

 

 

Wall Street Journal

 

Forbes

 

MarketWatch

 

CNNMoney

 

Reuters