Building Strong Customer Relations
Every entrepreneur should keep ‘front of mind’ that customers are not just good for your business, customers are your business! It is a given that your customers are the most important need of your business: without them you have no business. It follows then that fostering an excellent relationship with your customers is the means to success. Understand […]
Do I Need A Holding Company ?
You, (or you & others), own the shares of the company that operates your business (aka OpCo). Do you need a holding company (aka HoldCo) that would own the shares of OpCo? This is an important question. Some advantages of a HoldCo are discussed below. Setting up and maintaining a HoldCo involves administrative and regulatory compliance requirements, (similar […]
WHY KNOW YOUR BREAK-EVEN POINT?
Navigating the Break-Even Point for Entrepreneurs For entrepreneurs, the idea of aiming for a break-even point might raise eyebrows. Isn’t the goal to make a profit, rather than just breaking even? It might sound like a setback or even a hint of failure. However, understanding the break-even point is a game-changer for your business decisions. At […]
HOW TO GET TESTIMONIALS
1. Ask in Person Ask your client, in person, for a testimonial when the work is done. Ask them to describe the problem, explain the solution, how it helped, and how it was to do business with you. Send a reminder if your client forgets. For credibility, it is best if the client’s personal / […]
Six tips to better manage Cash flow
We meet so many businesses at ASE. One of their key worry … “running low on cash” Cash in the Bank (and/or availability of credit) is essential to keep the wheels of your business turning. Cash is needed to cover running costs (overheads, supplies, staff etc.) Then of course there is growth. So many get […]
GROWING YOUR BUSINESS ONLINE
Creating a strong online presence, as we all know, is critical for today’s small business. However, it is daunting to navigate through its unfamiliar terminology and complexities. The following is a simple roadmap that explains the key elements and how your online approach should fit together: Develop an outstanding website! This is the hub of everything. Make […]
The Importance of A Pro Forma Evaluation
Using a Pro Forma Financial Statement Your financial statements provide a snapshot of your business’s finances and performance at a point in time; they provide information on profit, cost of goods sold (COGS), expenses and earnings before interest expenses and taxes (EBIT) . The foundation for planning the future course of your business starts with your financial […]
When To Prepare For Selling A Business
A Succession Plan Although hard to imagine, someday you’ll want to, or need to, sell your business; maybe lack of interest or energy, age or unexpected failing health. You should start thinking about a sale from the day you incorporate. Having a succession plan is critical for an organized, orderly, successful sale. It creates certainty and […]
The Benefits of An Advisory Board
This blog is relating a much appreciated testimonial from a successful client who has been with ASE for over twenty-seven years! He has recounted well, his ups and downs and how the ASE team helped in supporting, advising, and guiding him and his business over those many years. It shows the importance for any business to have […]
Why Do I Need To Learn To Sell To Be Successful…
This is a question that is frequently raised in our ASE meetings. Whether in business or in life in general, I feel that ability to convince and persuade, is a most important differentiator between success and failure. We all inadvertently sell. Many conversations opinions and assessments we engage in, are selling statements. Some have opined […]