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	<title>Dynasty</title>
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		<title>WATCH THE BALANCE SHEET!</title>
		<link>http://dynastybuilder.com/watch-the-balance-sheet-2</link>
		<comments>http://dynastybuilder.com/watch-the-balance-sheet-2#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:37:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dan Lacy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Balance sheet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business Financing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Resource Library]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Asset]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Equity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[financial statements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fixed asset]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Income statement]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://dynastybuilder.com/?p=444</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Our culture revolves around statistics.  In baseball, the number of bases a batter crosses in a season is compared to his batting average.  In cinema rating, the second week of a film’s run is more important in forecasting its long-term success than the first.  And in farming, a higher per-acre crop yield is more important [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://dynastybuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/balancesheet1.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-447" title="balancesheet" src="http://dynastybuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/balancesheet1-300x199.jpg" alt="balancesheet" width="300" height="199" /></a>Our culture revolves around statistics.  In baseball, the number of bases a batter crosses in a season is compared to his <a class="zem_slink" title="Batting average" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batting_average">batting average</a>.  In cinema rating, the second week of a film’s run is more important in forecasting its long-term success than the first.  And in farming, a higher per-acre crop yield is more important than the total bushels harvested.</p>
<p>Obviously, statistical comparisons help us determine how well we are doing.  They are the measuring sticks of life.  Businesses use them, governments use them, churches use them, non-profit organizations use them.  In <a class="zem_slink" title="Business" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business">business</a>, the most widely used statistic is the financial statement.</p>
<p><a class="zem_slink" title="Financial statements" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_statements">Financial statements</a> are the measuring sticks for success or failure in business.  Smart managers know this and are able to make good use of the information found on a financial statement.</p>
<p>Within a company, financial statements are the most accurate record of performance and are, therefore, one of the most helpful management tools—if used correctly.  Financial statements can help management determine if profit targets are being met, if cash flow is adequate, or if long-range objectives are being achieved on time.  They provide a backbone for predicting the future.  In short, when management uses monthly financial statements as a resource and tool, it can usually foresee or even prevent the company’s failure.</p>
<p><sub> </sub></p>
<p><strong>THE BALANCE SHEET</strong></p>
<p>The most important element of a financial statement is the <a class="zem_slink" title="Balance sheet" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balance_sheet">balance sheet</a>.  The balance sheet provides a picture—a literal snapshot—of the financial condition at a given time in a company’s history.</p>
<p>A balance sheet is better understood by focusing on the “balance” idea.  It has three components:  one on the left side of the fulcrum and two on the right side.  The component on the left side is called “<a class="zem_slink" title="Asset" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asset">assets</a>,” the total funds invested in the business.  The two components on the right side are “liabilities” and “capital.”</p>
<p>Liabilities are the funds supplied to the business by its creditors.  Capital is the funds supplied to the business by its owners.  The assets side should always be in balance with the liabilities and capital.  For example, when product is purchased for resale, inventory increases on the assets side of the balance sheet and accounts payable increases on the liability side.</p>
<p>The balance sheet has been standardized by the accounting profession to contain mostly the same categories.  You can pick up a balance sheet from General Motors and one from your local grocer and both will have assets, liabilities and capital.</p>
<p>The assets on a balance sheet are arranged in decreasing order, depending on how quickly they can be turned into cash (liquidity).  That is why cash is always first, accounts <a class="zem_slink" title="Accounts Receivable" rel="wikinvest" href="http://www.wikinvest.com/metric/Accounts_Receivable">receivable</a> second, inventory third and so on.  The liabilities are listed in order of how soon they must be repaid.  Accounts payable usually top the list, followed by other payables, taxes payable, bank note payable, mortgages, etc.  Capital is defined by a number of categories depicting the type of funds that are invested by the owners of stockholders.</p>
<p><strong>YOUR FINANCIAL BALANCE</strong></p>
<p>The balance sheet is an excellent management tool for keeping you in touch with the financial balance or financial imbalance of your business or organization.  This financial balance has crucial cash flow and profit implications that can greatly benefit or hinder the businessman.</p>
<p>Entrepreneurs usually start their companies with a relatively small amount of money, usually not enough.  The overwhelming share of <a class="zem_slink" title="Equity (finance)" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equity_%28finance%29">owner’s equity</a> though, comes from a powerful source—retained earnings.  During the history of the business, there needs to be a reasonable balance between the proportion of owners’ (stockholders) money in the business (capital) and other peoples’ money (liabilities).  There isn’t a precise, scientifically derived cutoff point between financial balance and financial imbalance.  But there is an approximate point, and its impact is real and immediate.</p>
<p>The best way to determine this point is with the “debt-to-worth ratio.”  It measures the relationship between liabilities (other peoples’ money) and capital (owners/stockholders’ money).  This ratio is calculated by dividing the <a class="zem_slink" title="Liability (financial accounting)" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liability_%28financial_accounting%29">total liabilities</a> by the total equity (common stock, plus retained earnings, plus current year earnings).  For example, if the company has $350,000 in liabilities and $100,000 in capital, it has 3.5 to 1 debt-to-equity (capital) ratio.  This means for every $1 the owners have invested in the business, the other people have $3.50 loaned to the business.</p>
<p>Determining the adequacy or inadequacy of this debt-to-worth relationship is not simple and is based on the historical performance of the company, the type of industry, the owner’s own capital and the concrete prospects the company has for profitable operation in the immediate future,  For most closely held businesses, the ratio should be somewhere between 4.0 to 1 and 1.5 to 1.  A business that has maintained consistent profitability over the last few years can have a higher debt to worth ratio than a business that has erratic or low profitability.</p>
<p>The balance sheet is also a great source of information when determining how to increase a business’ cash flow.  The effective use of all assets—accounts receivable, inventory and <a class="zem_slink" title="Fixed asset" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixed_asset">fixed assets</a>—is paramount to maximizing available money.  With detailed information from the balance sheet and a <a class="zem_slink" title="Income statement" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Income_statement">profit and loss</a> statement, a business can measure the effectiveness of its investment in the key assets that directly affect its cash flow.</p>
<p><strong>OTHER WAYS TO ANALYZE</strong></p>
<p>Before using your balance sheet to pinpoint additional problems, gather up your last three years of financial statements and a projected year-end balance sheet for the current year.  Then take the following three steps:</p>
<ol>
<li>Calculate the debt-to-worth ratio for each year and determine whether the ratio is getting bigger or smaller.  If bigger, figure out why and make some changes to correct the problem.  It needs to be getting smaller.</li>
<li>Review your investment in accounts receivable.  Is the investment in this asset growing at the same rate as sales?  Slower?  Faster?  Retailers won’t have a  heavy investment in accounts receivable, but for those businesses that do, a faster growth in accounts receivable as compared with sales will deplete cash flow.</li>
<li>Review your investment in inventory.  For businesses in retail or wholesale, this will be a key line item to review.  As with accounts receivable, the amount of inventory on hand needs to relate directly to sales.  If sales in the business have been growing at a rate of 12 percent over the last three years, at what rate has the investment in inventory been growing?  If the investment in inventory is growing much faster than the growth of sales, this will negatively affect cash flow.  If it has been growing slower than sales,  it could positively affect cash flow.</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>REVERSING PROBLEMS EARLY</strong></p>
<p>To ignore the information available on a balance sheet is detrimental to a businesses financial health.  Many of these problems can be reversed early enough by analyzing financial statements.  For entrepreneurs to be able to manage the financial balance of their own business, they will have to be able to analyze their own financial statements and be able to evaluate those figures in light of some good business planning.</p>
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		<title>Problems with your bank</title>
		<link>http://dynastybuilder.com/problems-with-your-bank</link>
		<comments>http://dynastybuilder.com/problems-with-your-bank#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:04:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dan Lacy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Financing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cash flow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Banking Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Banks and Institutions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Small business]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://dynastybuilder.com/?p=439</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Financing is critical to the growth, development and survival of small businesses in Indiana. What is currently happening in the financial markets today is not helpful to Indiana small businesses overall. Every business owner today knows that maintaining their current lending relationships is critical. This brings me to discuss the important topic of avoiding problems [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://dynastybuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/lending.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-441" title="lending" src="http://dynastybuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/lending-279x300.jpg" alt="lending" width="279" height="300" /></a>Financing is critical to the growth, development and survival of <a class="zem_slink" title="Small business" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_business">small</a> businesses in Indiana. What is currently happening in the <a class="zem_slink" title="Financial market" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_market">financial markets</a> today is not helpful to Indiana small businesses overall. Every <a class="zem_slink" title="Business" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business">business</a> owner today knows that maintaining their current lending relationships is critical. This brings me to discuss the important topic of avoiding problems with your <a class="zem_slink" title="Bank" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank">bank</a>.</p>
<p>Here are <a class="zem_slink" title="Dynasty (TV series)" rel="imdb" href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081856/">Dynasty</a>’s top five “RED FLAGS” that bankers look for that can lead to closer scrutiny of your business and possibly even a loss of the businesses borrowing ability.</p>
<p><em>1) </em><em>Lack of timely <a class="zem_slink" title="Finance" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finance">financial</a> information</em>. One reason to not provide your financial information in a timely fashion may be that you or your CPA are busy.  However, bankers will naturally assume that there is poor financial performance being kept from them. I recommend voluntarily providing the information <em>before</em> being asked, even if it is going to prompt concerns. My experience shows that being proactive with the bank leads to better outcomes in the long run.</p>
<p><em>2) </em><em>Lavish spending</em>.  Whether it is on personal or business assets, owning the most expensive furniture, cars or other assets at the expense of a company’s liquidity can quickly turn a bank against a business. I have seen more relationships strained or more prospect opportunities end when it is discovered the business or business owner is highly leveraged in unnecessary spending.</p>
<p><em>3) </em><em>Increasing receivables and payables</em>. A slowdown in collecting receivables will lead to a <a class="zem_slink" title="Cash flow" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cash_flow">cash flow</a> crisis resulting in the inability to cover payables and other debts.  You can be a best in class business, offering the best products and the highest level of <a class="zem_slink" title="Customer service" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customer_service">customer service</a>, yet close the doors because there is no cash.  This problem can easily be spotted in the <a class="zem_slink" title="Financial statements" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_statements">financial statements</a>.</p>
<p><em>4) </em><em>Declining deposit balances</em>.  Some companies will have normal cycles that result in higher or lower balances during those periods.  Bankers who know their clients will spot an unusual increase or decrease in cash and ask questions.  Overdrafts on your account immediately send an undesired signal.</p>
<p><em>5) </em><em>Other new bank <a class="zem_slink" title="Debt" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debt">debt</a></em>.  Bankers do not like surprises.  Finding out a company has new borrowings from another bank is a major concern.  Banks occasionally check to see if any liens have been field on a company’s assets.  If a banker sees new debt they will wonder why you did not call them first and have real questions about the relationship.</p>
<p>One of the best methods of insuring you don’t have any RED FLAGS is to maintain a continued dialogue with your banker. A banker’s job is to spend time talking to clients and understanding their business beyond the need of the moment.  At the same time, business owners should take steps to ensure a solid relationship exists with their bank and be proactive as well.</p>
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		</item>
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		<title>If You’re Serious About Improving Your Cash Flow . . .</title>
		<link>http://dynastybuilder.com/if-you%e2%80%99re-serious-about-improving-your-cash-flow</link>
		<comments>http://dynastybuilder.com/if-you%e2%80%99re-serious-about-improving-your-cash-flow#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:36:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dan Lacy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cash flow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[billing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business success]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Indianapolis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[inventory]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recievables]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[taxes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://dynastybuilder.com/?p=435</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Here are 10 ways you can improve the performance and the cash flow in your business. If you take a close look at the following you can have a dramatic impact on the performance of your business, make more money, give you fewer headaches and make your spouse happier.  Make a concerted effort to work [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://dynastybuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/cash-flow.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-436" title="cash flow" src="http://dynastybuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/cash-flow-257x300.jpg" alt="cash flow" width="257" height="300" /></a>Here are 10 ways you can improve the performance and the cash flow in your business. If you take a close look at the following you can have a dramatic impact on the performance of your business, make more money, give you fewer headaches and make your spouse happier.  Make a concerted effort to work on each one of these for the next thirty days and then call me.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></p>
<p>1.   Collect your receivables. Almost every business has past-due receivables. Phone the people who owe you the most money, and try to resolve the problem on the spot. If you can&#8217;t get the cash flowing immediately, try to negotiate a payment schedule, or schedule a follow-up call.</p>
<p>2.   Chip away at overhead. Review &#8220;fixed&#8221; expenses, and identify those you can cut. Try this exercise: Review every canceled check for the past 90 days and decide if the expenditure was really necessary. Bad spending habits are developed when cash is plentiful.</p>
<p>3.    Control inventory. Inventory can be a black hole for business cash &#8212; money goes in, but it doesn&#8217;t come out until the product is sold. Take a careful look at your inventory of parts, supplies and products for sale. Sell at a discount, products that are gathering dust.  Scrap, rework, or return any other obsolete inventory.</p>
<p>4.    Don&#8217;t overpay estimated taxes. Many smaller businesses are allowed to pay quarterly estimates equal to either 90% of current-year or 100% of prior-year taxes. Make sure you pay the lesser amount, since that&#8217;s all the IRS requires.</p>
<p>5.    Review owner&#8217;s compensation. In many small businesses, the owner&#8217;s draw, salary or expense account is often a significant cash drain.  Reduce family expenditures. A little financial discipline at home may save the family business. Once you have current cash flow under control, begin to focus on long-range planning.</p>
<p>6.   Develop tight controls over billing and collections. To speed up cash flow, reduce the time between shipping your product and sending an invoice. Consider semi-monthly instead of monthly billing, and send second notices more quickly. Talk to your banker about ways to speed up collections; inquire about lock boxes, wire transfers, pre-authorized checks, and electronic trade payments. And don&#8217;t overlook a sure-fire, low-tech system: open your mail everyday, and deposit the checks.</p>
<p>7.   Plan the payment of your bills. Analyze all discounts, and refuse a discount only if the amount that you will earn on the cash by delaying payment is greater than the amount of the discount. Pay all non-discount bills as late as possible without jeopardizing your good vendor relations. Cash should be transferred from savings into your checking account at the rate necessary to cover checks. If a large amount of excess cash ends up in a low-interest account, transfer it to a higher-return account by the end of the day.</p>
<p>8.   Eliminate weekly paychecks. If you currently pay your employees weekly, perhaps they would be willing to accept biweekly or even monthly payment with mid-month advances.  The advantages to you: longer use of your cash and less frequent payroll tax deposits.</p>
<p>9.    Re-evaluate company practices. If certain customers are always late paying their bills, consider dropping them. Look for new business that will help your company&#8217;s cash flow, instead of focusing only on increased sales. Consider leasing assets rather than buying them.</p>
<p>10.  Look ahead. Develop a written cash flow plan and follow it. Finally, maintain an adequate line of credit and a good relationship with your banker.</p>
<p>You can read this article and you can do nothing, and nothing will change. But if you take action on these one by one, you will dramatic improvement in your business. I guarantee it.</p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Your business is like a three-legged stool</title>
		<link>http://dynastybuilder.com/your-business-is-like-a-three-legged-stool</link>
		<comments>http://dynastybuilder.com/your-business-is-like-a-three-legged-stool#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:23:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dan Lacy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Financing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cash flow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Resource Library]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Magazines and E-zines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marketing and Advertising]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Revenue]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Small business]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://dynastybuilder.com/?p=427</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[


You probably didn&#8217;t realize that the stool was invented by   accident by a Swiss woman by the name of Maria Schitonstool in 1749. She   was poor and had to burn furniture to stay warm in the winter. The last   pieces of furniture she had to burn were her chairs, so [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><a href="http://dynastybuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/threeleggedstool.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-432" title="threeleggedstool" src="http://dynastybuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/threeleggedstool-200x300.jpg" alt="threeleggedstool" width="200" height="300" /></a>You probably didn&#8217;t realize that the stool was invented by   accident by a <a class="zem_slink" title="Switzerland" rel="geolocation" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=46.8333333333,8.33333333333&amp;spn=10.0,10.0&amp;q=46.8333333333,8.33333333333 (Switzerland)&amp;t=h">Swiss</a> woman by the name of Maria Schitonstool in 1749. She   was poor and had to burn furniture to stay warm in the winter. The last   pieces of furniture she had to burn were her <a class="zem_slink" title="Chair" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chair">chairs</a>, so she sawed off the   arms and back for fire wood and ended up with a stool, maybe not as   comfortable but served its purpose well. The idea caught on very quickly   and she became famous. The stool was later modified by <a class="zem_slink" title="Dairy farming" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dairy_farming">dairy farmers</a> into one with three legs, because it was very strong on irregular   surfaces.</p>
<p>Joe and Bob were two dairy farmers who each needed a   milking stool.  Joe wanted a fast solution to his problem so he   scrounged around his barn to find the parts to build his stool, he found a   flat seat and 2 pieces of strong wood for legs; but ended up with a scrawny   third leg about ½ the size of the others.  The stool worked; but Joe had   to sit on his stool with tenderness in case he put too much weight on the   stool breaking the smaller leg, sending Joe to the ground.  Joe&#8217;s   neighbor Bob wanted to make sure he had a good, strong stool that would last   a long time. He spent much more time building this stool and made sure that   each component was strong &#8211; the seat and the legs. Bob&#8217;s stool was so   strong he started using it as a step to store products up high on   shelves. His stool never broke.</p>
<p>Now allow me to explain how the 3-legged stool is like a   <a class="zem_slink" title="Business" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business">business</a>. Let&#8217;s name the 3 primary legs or functions of a business:</p>
<p>1)   Sales/<a class="zem_slink" title="Marketing" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marketing">marketing</a> &#8211; without sales a business is dead and marketing is the   precursor of <a class="zem_slink" title="Revenue" rel="wikinvest" href="http://www.wikinvest.com/metric/Revenue">revenue</a> generation.</p>
<p>2) The product made or service provided by   the company &#8211; if you don&#8217;t have a good service or product to provide to   customers, the business is doomed.</p>
<p>3) Finance &#8211; <a class="zem_slink" title="Money" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Money">money</a> is the lubricant that   keeps the business machine running &#8211; a machine that is well lubricated &#8211; will   run forever with few problems.</p>
<p>And finally the seat &#8211; that is   management, the component that keeps the 3 primary legs of the business   together: sales/marketing, product or service and <a class="zem_slink" title="Finance" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finance">finance</a>.  The better   these three legs work together, the better the organization functions.</p>
<p>The key to this story is not to be like Joe, the cheap   farmer who did not spend the time to find a third strong leg for his   stool.  Joe will spend more time worrying about his stool breaking and   disrupting his day than Bob.  Bob will be more efficient and productive &#8211;   no worries about the foundation he sits on.</p>
<p>Most business owners come from the sales or product side   of the business, and have little knowledge of finance &#8211; this is nearly always   the weak leg in a <a class="zem_slink" title="Small business" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_business">small business</a>. With one weak leg &#8211; the whole business is   weaker because the business is only as strong as its weakest leg.  The   goal of management is to make sure that all three legs are strong and   durable.</p>
<p>In finance that means:</p>
<p>1) accurate and timely financial   statements</p>
<p>2) a revenue and profit plan for the year defined monthly</p>
<p>3) a   forward looking cash flow plan insuring adequate cash flow to run the   business</p>
<p>4) a sound financing plan supported by a local lender(s)</p>
<p>5)   monthly performance accountability with the managers of: sales,   production/service, and finance</p>
<p>I have employed this system for the last fifteen years,   and the results &#8211; 19 business owners have increased their person <a class="zem_slink" title="Net worth" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_worth">net worth</a> by   at least $1,000,000.  Think about how you can evaluate and strengthen   each of the legs of your business, it will pay you back a hundred fold.</p>
<p>Here is something I am going to give you today for FREE. If you follow it, it can improve your bottom line and show you 127 ways to cut your costs in business. Go to <a href="http://dynastybuilder.com">www.dynastybuilder.com</a> and click on the picture to receive your copy today!</p>
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		<title>Who Gets Financed In this Credit Crunch?</title>
		<link>http://dynastybuilder.com/who-gets-financed-in-this-credit-crunch</link>
		<comments>http://dynastybuilder.com/who-gets-financed-in-this-credit-crunch#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:26:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dan Lacy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Financing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit score]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debit ratio]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt ratio]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[financial statements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Indianapolis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Line of credit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[profitability]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://dynastybuilder.com/?p=411</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last week I met with a business owner who had just learned that his bank was not renewing his line of credit. Over the last 15 years the business had grown consistently, always had a $750,000 line of credit, but this year revenue was way off due to the recession. The bank had changed ownership; his banker [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://dynastybuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/iStock_000007300827XSmall2.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-414" title="iStock_000007300827XSmall" src="http://dynastybuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/iStock_000007300827XSmall2-300x225.jpg" alt="iStock_000007300827XSmall" width="270" height="203" /></a>Last week I met with a <a class="zem_slink" title="Business" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business">business</a> owner who had just learned that his <a class="zem_slink" title="Bank" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank">bank</a> was not renewing his line of credit. Over the last 15 years the business had grown consistently, always had a $750,000 line of credit, but this year revenue was way off due to the recession. The bank had changed ownership; his banker of 10 years had lost his job and after 45 years in business, the business owner was in brand new territory; finding a new <a class="zem_slink" title="Line of credit" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_credit">LOC</a> in a depressed economy during a credit crunch.</p>
<p>There are hundreds of businesses in central <a class="zem_slink" title="Indiana" rel="geolocation" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.0,-86.0&amp;spn=3.0,3.0&amp;q=40.0,-86.0 (Indiana)&amp;t=h">Indiana</a> in this predicament, so I decided to do a little research and come up with some guidelines of what it takes to get the attention of a lender in this &#8220;NEW&#8221; economy.</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="zem_slink" title="Credit score" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_score">Credit score</a> of the owner of 720 or better.</li>
<li>Decent payment history with vendors</li>
<li><a class="zem_slink" title="Debt service coverage ratio" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debt_service_coverage_ratio">Debt service coverage ratio</a> of 1.25:1.</li>
<li>Debt to worth ratio 2:1 or lower</li>
<li>A history of profitability</li>
<li>At least 2 years in business</li>
<li>Accurate <a class="zem_slink" title="Financial statements" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_statements">financial statements</a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>PROFITABILITY</strong> is the primary ingredient that impacts 5 of the 7 requirements listed above. In any economy, it is critical for management to keep focused on profitability. It is critical that the company <span style="text-decoration: underline;">work to a profit plan</span>. It impacts if the owner gets compensated adequately and regularly; it determines if vendors get paid in a timely manner; it is one of the largest components in <a class="zem_slink" title="Cash flow" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cash_flow">cash flow</a>; it grows equity (which impacts the debt to worth ratio); and the longer the history of profitability, the more likely the company is stronger <a class="zem_slink" title="Finance" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finance">financially</a> and as an added bonus &#8211; worth more.</p>
<p>And lastly, a word about accurate financial statements &#8211; although this seems like a no-brainer; it is a problem with many <a class="zem_slink" title="Company" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company">companies</a>. Financial statements are the report cards that everyone outside your organization evaluates to see your performance as a manager.  If the information is inaccurate, it reflects negatively on your ability to run your company.  Accurate statements prepared on the &#8220;accrual&#8221; basis are the first step in managing a company well and getting your bankers trust.</p>
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		<title>Planning Today &#8211; Thriving Tomorrow</title>
		<link>http://dynastybuilder.com/planning-today-surviving-tomorrow-2</link>
		<comments>http://dynastybuilder.com/planning-today-surviving-tomorrow-2#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:46:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dan Lacy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business model]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business success]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Isrealites]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[motivation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Numbers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Old Testament]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[profitability]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[resources]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Strategic planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Strategy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vital activity]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://dynastybuilder.com/?p=405</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In the first and second chapters of the book of Numbers in the Old Testament, we find a detailed description of the Israelite campsite during their wilderness trek.  To the casual reader, an outline of the particulars of encampment might seem to be irrelevant minutiae.  What is actually presented, however, is a brilliant model for [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://dynastybuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Planningandstrategy.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-406" title="Planningandstrategy" src="http://dynastybuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Planningandstrategy-300x199.jpg" alt="Planningandstrategy" width="300" height="199" /></a>In the first and second chapters of the <a class="zem_slink" title="Book of Numbers" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Numbers">book of Numbers</a> in the <a class="zem_slink" title="Old Testament" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Testament">Old Testament</a>, we find a detailed description of the <a class="zem_slink" title="Israelites" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israelites">Israelite</a> campsite during their wilderness trek.  To the casual reader, an outline of the particulars of encampment might seem to be irrelevant minutiae.  What is actually presented, however, is a brilliant model for <strong>effectively managing</strong> the activities of a large <a class="zem_slink" title="Organization" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organization">organization</a>.  Moses and Aaron were responsible for governing almost a million people.  By adhering to a carefully <strong>structured plan</strong> for day-to-day concerns they were able to prepare for long-term problems and issues more efficiently.</p>
<p>Of course, what was true for the ancient Israelites is also true today.  <strong>Planning is the key</strong> for any <a class="zem_slink" title="Business" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business">business</a> owner who wishes to build a company that has a solid foundation for future growth and development.  Yet, less than 15% of <a class="zem_slink" title="Small business" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_business">small</a> business owners surveyed admit that they are doing an adequate job of planning for the future of their business.  <span style="text-decoration: underline;">In fact, managers rarely fall short of their real potential for lack of technical competence</span>.  Of all the organizations and businesses I have consulted in the last 30 years, the one principle cause for<strong> failure</strong> is the inability or unwillingness of the executive staff to logically and <strong>consistently plan</strong> for the allocation of limited resources &#8211; labor, money and time &#8211; toward all the viable opportunities that exist.</p>
<p>While <strong><a class="zem_slink" title="Strategic planning" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_planning">strategic planning</a></strong> is an integral part of maintaining the growth cycle of a large <a class="zem_slink" title="Corporation" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporation">corporation</a> it is even more<strong> critical to smaller</strong> organizations because they, typically, <strong>lack the resources</strong> necessary to absorb the cost of mistakes, errors in judgment, or failure to foresee change.  The <strong>planning process </strong>allows management to evaluate the future where they want to be and how to get there.  It helps them <strong>establish goals</strong> and then gives them a<strong> performance standard</strong> by which to measure themselves.  Better yet, planning allows them a process to identify and<strong> resolve problems</strong> before they become crises.</p>
<p>Before gathering your staff together &#8211; either formally or informally &#8211; to begin the planning process for the future growth and development of your company, it&#8217;s important to understand exactly what this <strong>vital activity</strong> will accomplish:</p>
<p>1<strong>. Planning formulates the future.</strong> The planning process allows the people in your organization to anticipate and, therefore, shape the future.</p>
<p>2. <strong>Planning motivates people.</strong> Everyone wants to have a part in determining their future.  The greater the feeling of ownership each individual has in determining the objectives of the organization, the more committed they will be to making sure those objectives will be achieved.</p>
<p>3. <strong>Planning establishes the organizational structure</strong> of a company.  The planning process will clarify what structural issues need to be resolved in a company.  This will determine what organizational model needs to be implemented to address these issues.</p>
<p>4. <strong>Planning directs delegation.</strong> The key to effective delegation is understanding what assets and liabilities a company has in terms of its <a class="zem_slink" title="Human resources" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_resources">human resources</a>.  By determining who is best suited to handle a particular role, the entire organization should be able to live up to its maximum potential. (Tim Collins &#8211; Good To Great).</p>
<p>5.<strong> Planning promotes communications.</strong> The planning process affects each division of a company, including the finance, <a class="zem_slink" title="Marketing" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marketing">marketing</a>, sales and operations divisions.  Thus, for each area of a company to achieve their respective goals, they must cooperate and communicate with divisions that they normally don&#8217;t communicate with.</p>
<p>6.<strong> Planning fosters</strong> the process of<strong> monitoring</strong>.  The planning process establishes standards or goals that an organization must achieve to accomplish their overall objectives.  Without a monitoring system, management will not be able to assess how well these goals are being achieved.</p>
<p><strong>Planning is essential for the survival of the company.</strong> If the organization does not have the time or manpower to do adequate planning, then the company should <strong>utilize outside resources</strong> to help them set, monitor and achieve their goals.  Time spent on <strong>planning is time well spent,</strong> and money spent on planning is money well spent when the plan is utilized.</p>
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		<title>Six Powerful Ways To Accelerate Cash Flow</title>
		<link>http://dynastybuilder.com/six-powerful-ways-to-accelerate-cash-flow</link>
		<comments>http://dynastybuilder.com/six-powerful-ways-to-accelerate-cash-flow#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:50:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dan Lacy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Financing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cash flow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business success]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Strategic planning]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://dynastybuilder.com/?p=378</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Protecting your company&#8217;s cash position and cash flow is critical to survival. The old adage that &#8220;CASH IS KING&#8221; is still true today. In today&#8217;s economy where uncertainty is rampant, many businesses are having problems just staying alive, let alone growing. The outlook for the economy rebounding over the next two years isn&#8217;t that optimistic either. The Wall Street [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://dynastybuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/acceleration1.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-380" title="Acceleration" src="http://dynastybuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/acceleration1-300x182.jpg" alt="Acceleration" width="300" height="182" /></a>Protecting your company&#8217;s cash position and cash flow is critical to survival. The old adage that <strong>&#8220;CASH IS KING&#8221;</strong> is still true today. In today&#8217;s economy where uncertainty is rampant, many businesses are having problems just staying alive, let alone growing. The outlook for the economy rebounding over the next two years isn&#8217;t that optimistic either. The Wall Street Journal, Wells Fargo Bank and the University of Michigan are all predicting modest growth for the next 2 years: 2.1% in 2010 and 3.2% in 2011.</p>
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO?  Here are 6 steps you can take that will have immediate and positive impact on your ability to maintain positive cash flow:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Profitability </strong>- This is the most important &#8211; your company MUST be profitable. Look at your last three months profit and loss statements. If you are making money, your chances of maintaining a positive cash position are very good.  <strong>If you are losing money &#8211; your chances of survival diminishes with each month that you show a loss. </strong>The reason: losses deplete your cash position and each month you lose money, your cash position (and cash flow) deteriorates. Lose money long enough and you will not have enough money to make payroll and/or purchase inventory for future sales.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Revenue </strong>- develop a game plan to improve revenue. Pull out all the stops: Ask your sales people to commit more time, ask them to make more calls, ask for more work, quote more jobs, see more people and get better connected with customers. Start measuring weekly what is important in your sales area and review the data. You’ll be shocked at what you learn.  Also, selling is about building relationships; if your sales people are not doing that, your competition is.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Accounts Receivable</strong> -improve your collections:</li>
</ul>
<ol>
<li>Review you&#8217;re A/R report weekly</li>
<li>Read the notes on each account that is over 45 days old on what is being done, promises made, etc.  Get informed on who is paying slowly.</li>
<li>Get out in the market and talk to your customers that are slow &#8211; see what is going on.</li>
<li>Invoice weekly instead of monthly</li>
<li>Fax or email each invoice &#8211; don&#8217;t rely on snail mail</li>
<li>New customers &#8211; get a deposit on the new job</li>
<li>Get yourself and your employees involved in collecting past due amounts</li>
<li>On slow accounts &#8211; consistency is the key</li>
<li>Track the percentage of receivables over 60, 90 and 120 monthly, the amount of money over terms should decrease &#8211; if not, ACT</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li><strong>Inventory</strong> &#8211; less is better.  Inventory is not cash and the less you have to stock the better.  Work out a plan with your supplier to see if they can deliver more often, convert your old inventory to cash (especially if it is old, even at a discount), and measure your current inventory level against your current revenue level &#8211; you probably have too much inventory on hand.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Borrowing </strong>- make sure that you have maximized this ability. If you can restructure or refinance some existing long-term assets at today&#8217;s low rates, you should jump at it. Although credit is harder to get than it was 18 months ago, there are still lenders out there looking to lend money. Exhaust this ability by putting together a good business plan with your company&#8217;s last 2 years performance and start looking. Ford Motor Company went out and re-leveraged their key assets and built their cash up before the economic downturn &#8211; they are the only car company that didn&#8217;t need government money.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Accounts Payable</strong> &#8211; more is better. Although suppliers are also tightening up on credit policies, you can normally leverage this relationship for longer terms on repayment. If you’re in trouble with your suppliers already, talk to them and show them a plan as to how they will be repaid and how they are going to make more money in your account by selling you more product. But don&#8217;t make any promise you can’t keep on repayment because that will hurt you in the long run.</li>
</ul>
<p>Over the last 35 years, I have worked with hundreds of businesses.  Successful businesses do the things I have outlined in this article. If you’re not doing them, you are lessening your chance of succeeding as a business owner &#8211; which may end up feeling like a sharp stick in the eye. If you do them, your chances dramatically improve, and the pain goes away. If you need help, some direction, or a complete plan of action, call me today &#8211; 765-644-8887. An initial meeting costs you <strong>nothing</strong> and can help get you on the right track.</p>
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		<title>2 days that will increase your business by $25K or more in 2010</title>
		<link>http://dynastybuilder.com/two-days-that-will-increase-your-business-by-25k-or-more-in-2010</link>
		<comments>http://dynastybuilder.com/two-days-that-will-increase-your-business-by-25k-or-more-in-2010#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:24:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dan Lacy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Financing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dynasty Seminar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Speakers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[increase business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sales]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[seminar]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://dynastybuilder.com/?p=372</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On March 1st and 2nd, 2010, Dynasty Builders will be giving a two-day PROFIT business workshop at Franklin University of Ohio. This will take place at 8415 Allison Point, Indianapolis IN.
This workshop will cover an array of business topics including sales, marketing, and financial know-how for small business owners. We’ll teach you how to:
•	Increase profit [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://dynastybuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/iStock_000005509580XSmall.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-373" title="iStock_000005509580XSmall" src="http://dynastybuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/iStock_000005509580XSmall-300x225.jpg" alt="iStock_000005509580XSmall" width="300" height="225" /></a>On March 1st and 2nd, 2010, Dynasty Builders will be giving a two-day PROFIT business workshop at Franklin University of Ohio. This will take place at 8415 Allison Point, Indianapolis IN.</p>
<p>This workshop will cover an array of business topics including sales, marketing, and financial know-how for small business owners. We’ll teach you how to:</p>
<p>•	Increase profit by $25K by learning how to leverage your break even point<br />
•	7 steps to never running short on cash again<br />
•	4 ways to identify and penetrate your best customers<br />
•	Learn how to break all the rules &amp; get more sales in a down economy<br />
•	Get your phone to ring – learn what advertising works for your target market<br />
•	PLUS- 2 hours of 1 on 1 coaching from any of the instructors</p>
<p>If you’re serious about pushing through the boundaries you’re currently up against, this seminar will teach you everything you need to know, plus put you face to face with some the best of the best in their industry.</p>
<p>Instructors</p>
<p><strong>SALES:  Aaron Prickel</strong> – 15 years sales experience and current sales trainer at Lushin &amp; Associates</p>
<p><strong>FINANCE: Dan Lacy</strong> – 25 years experience in financial management coaching</p>
<p><strong>MARKETING: Lloyd Easters</strong> – 15 years marketing experince</p>
<p>The cost of this workshop is $995 with 100% money back guarantee if this doesn’t work in your business. For more information, contact Loisann@dynastybuilder.com or call 317-370-6626.</p>
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		<title>Is Obama&#8217;s Leadership Reflective of Most Business Owners?</title>
		<link>http://dynastybuilder.com/is-obamas-leadership-reflective-of-most-business-owners</link>
		<comments>http://dynastybuilder.com/is-obamas-leadership-reflective-of-most-business-owners#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:07:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dan Lacy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Financing]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://dynastybuilder.com/?p=361</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last night I was watching the news thinking about our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The generals say they need more troops and our current &#8220;commander in chief&#8221; is taking a &#8220;wait and see&#8221; attitude. Maybe you’re related to one of those soldiers, and they’re working for a commander who doesn&#8217;t have a plan for success [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-362" title="Money2010" src="http://dynastybuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Money2010-225x300.jpg" alt="Money2010" width="203" height="270" />Last night I was watching the news thinking about our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The generals say they need more troops and our current &#8220;commander in chief&#8221; is taking a &#8220;wait and see&#8221; attitude. Maybe you’re related to one of those soldiers, and they’re working for a commander who doesn&#8217;t have a plan for success in their theatre of operation. How would you rate that commander&#8230;who doesn&#8217;t have a plan? A commander who squandered blood, sweat and tears without a strategy?</p>
<p>As the Commander of your company, what is your battle plan for 2010?  Do you even have one? Economically, next year should be slightly better than 2009.  Credit will still be tight, there won&#8217;t be much growth in the economy and your competitors are doing everything they can to take your market share because they need the revenue to keep their doors open.   If you struggled in 2009, it won&#8217;t be much better in 2010.  <strong>Do you have a BATTLE PLAN for 2010?</strong> Are your chances of success much greater if you do have a strategy or do you believe in the &#8220;wait and see&#8221; strategy by commander Obama?</p>
<p>Hopefully, you will be one of the 15% of business owners who believes that your chances of succeeding in 2010 are much greater if you do have a battle plan for next year.  If so, here are 31 questions that will help you succeed in 2010:</p>
<ol>
<li>Where are we likely to finish (sales/cash flow/profits) in 2009?</li>
<li>What went right this year?</li>
<li>What went wrong this year?</li>
<li>What should we have done in 2009 that we didn&#8217;t do?</li>
<li>What did we do in 2009 that we should <em>not</em> have done?</li>
<li>What are our remaining three biggest sales problems?</li>
<li>What will be the consequences if we fail to overcome them?</li>
<li>What new initiatives (sales, marketing, organizational structure, cash flow, financing) should we explore?</li>
<li>Besides solving problems and launching new initiatives, what must we do better than we&#8217;ve done in the past?</li>
<li>What can we do, for example, to insure that we will attain 100% of our monthly revenue targets?</li>
<li>How can we increase margins?</li>
<li>How can we reduce account receivables on a monthly basis?</li>
<li>Where are we wasting and/or spending too much money?</li>
<li>What can we do to maximize non-traditional revenue streams?</li>
<li>Where is our largest &#8220;growth market&#8221;, how are we going to identify that target market, and how are we going to sell them?</li>
<li>How can we do a better job of prospecting for new customers?</li>
<li>How can we improve the revenue from our regular and biggest-spending accounts?</li>
<li>How can we up-sell smaller accounts with big-account potential?</li>
<li>Should we consider any changes in organizational structure?</li>
<li>What additional people do we need for 2010?</li>
<li>What additional other resources do we need for 2010?</li>
<li>What additional training do we need to improve performance?</li>
<li>What &#8220;unique expertise&#8221; that is not available from our competitors &#8211; can we offer our customers?</li>
<li>What standard of performance have we set for our salespeople?</li>
<li>How do we get the sales staff to buy into our 2010 goals and strategic game plan?</li>
<li>What can we do to better manage each salesperson for the good of the company?</li>
<li>How can we make our employees jobs more enjoyable?</li>
<li>What monthly profit targets should we set for 2010?</li>
<li>What monthly cash flow targets should we set for 2010?</li>
<li>Does this management team believe our goals are realistic and therefore achievable? Why?</li>
<li>Am I willing to commit, without reservation, to hitting my targets and planning for them?</li>
</ol>
<p>Create a plan of action based on your answers, and you&#8217;re on the path to great success. My monthly business owner workshop can help you work through these issues. I take 10 business owners, just like you, who are going to thrive in 2010. This is a hands-on monthly workshop that will help you create the battle plan that will drive you to greater success. Call 765-644-8887 or email <a href="mailto:Dan@DynastyBuilder.com">Dan@DynastyBuilder.com</a> to reserve a spot in the next group.</p>
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		<title>Small Business Outlook 2010 &#8211; Are you ready?</title>
		<link>http://dynastybuilder.com/small-business-outlook-2010-are-you-ready</link>
		<comments>http://dynastybuilder.com/small-business-outlook-2010-are-you-ready#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:58:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dan Lacy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Financing]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://dynastybuilder.com/?p=356</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As most of us are developing our business plan for 2010, the biggest question we are facing is how to project revenue for the year.  This is probably the most frequently asked question that I have fielded in the last 60 days. Most economists agree that the U.S. economy is transitioning from the deepest and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-358" title="door" src="http://dynastybuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/door1-300x199.jpg" alt="door" width="300" height="199" />As most of us are developing our business plan for 2010, the biggest question we are facing is <strong>how to project revenue for the year</strong>.  This is probably the most frequently asked question that I have fielded in the last 60 days. Most economists agree that the U.S. economy is transitioning from the deepest and longest post World War II recession to an economy that will be characterized by subdued but positive growth in 2010. HOW WILL THIS IMPACT YOU NEXT YEAR?</p>
<p>There are a lot of negative trends, percentages, etc. But you CAN grow revenue next year. Fully understanding the economy, YOUR market, and how you ATTACK will make all the difference for you. Here is a bullet point review of what has happened over the last 18 months that will help you get a macro perspective on what you think your company is capable of doing in 2010, based on your target market, geographic focus and product line:</p>
<ul>
<li>The economists predicted that the 2009 U.S. economy would contract by 2.4 percent and they were right.</li>
<li>Employers shed 7.3 million jobs since December 2007. The official jobless rate last month jumped to 10.2 percent , a 26 ½ year high.</li>
<li>Even with the bear market rally in equities and the recovering housing in 2009, household net worth has contracted nearly 20% or $12 trillion in lost net worth &#8211; a degree of trauma that we have never before seen.</li>
<li>The birth in baby&#8217;s after World War II (baby boomers) has driven the U.S. economy for the last 5 decades.  There are currently 78 million baby boomers over the age of 53.  This mass of people realizes that they will live another 20 or 30 years and will never fully recoup their net worth loss in the 2008 &#8211; 2009 recession.</li>
<li>People under 55 years of age are finding it difficult to get employment.  Those that are unemployed and under-employed is closer to 17%, this U-6 number is the highest since the statistic was developed in 1994.  There is a youth unemployment crisis in the United States of epic proportions and there are a record number of Americans that have been out of work for longer than six months who cannot find employment.</li>
<li>Indiana has been hit harder than the rest of the nation in terms of jobs lost, percentage-wise, since manufacturing makes up a great number of jobs in the state.</li>
<li>Credit availability for small businesses contracted dramatically in 2008 and 2009.  Small businesses that depend on access to credit account for more than half of all new jobs created nationally.</li>
<li>The personal saving rate hit a high of over 12% in the early 1970s through early 1980&#8217;s and dropped for 30 years to 1.5% in early 2008 and reversed in the second quarter of 2008 and jumped to nearly 5% by the second quarter of 2009.  The largest reversal in the shortest period of time since 1952.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>How the experts expect 2010 to stack up:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>The Financial Forecast Center predicts that the gross domestic product for the first quarter of 2010 will be flat, increasing ½% in the second quarter and steadily improve in the third and fourth quarters.</li>
<li>Consumers will be cautious in their spending and will continue to save.</li>
<li>Credit availability for small business will be hampered.  Most businesses are going to find it more difficult than normal to finance investments and expand their business.</li>
<li>Prime rate is projected to remain at 3.25% through the first half of the year with a slight change of an upward move toward year end.</li>
<li>The unemployment rate will drop to 9.6% by year end, small businesses will start adding new jobs.  It will take another 3 to 5 years to reach full employment.</li>
<li>Inflation will remain low due to cautious consumer spending and continued high unemployment.</li>
<li>The housing market will show some growth; but, like the overall economy, it will be muted.   Home prices are expected to rise slowly in most markets.  Nonresidential construction will be weighted down by excess supply and tight credit for firms seeking to buy or lease space.</li>
<li>The only part of the population actually seeing any job growth in this recession is the people over the age of 55.  This age group that recently retired is finding they must go back to work to satisfy their retirement lifestyle.</li>
</ul>
<p>You can probably spots some trends in the data that will have a positive impact on what you&#8217;re offering to your customers. If not, then perhaps you need us to help you figure it out.</p>
<p>Have you put together a specific plan? Have you prepared a detailed financial forecast for 2010 with revenue, margins, overhead expenses and profit?  Will you have enough cash to operate successfully in 2010?  Is your banker fully confident in your ability to improve your performance in 2010?   Will you sleep better in 2010 than you did in 2009?</p>
<p>Don&#8217;t have a success plan for profit, expenses, revenue and cash flow for 2010?  Contact me before December 22 and I will give you a 100% guarantee that if you use our program to develop your strategy in 2010, you will be miles ahead of your competition and you will sleep better at night.</p>
<p>My record in 2009:  70% of my clients had between a 15% and 40% reduction in revenue between 2008 and 2009.  82% of them are projected to beat their profit budget for 2009,  27% will make more money in 2009 than the in 2008, 100% of them have adequate financing in place, and only 8% are not performing up to budget levels.  Let me help you.</p>
<p>Zig Ziglar said it best &#8220;Every choice you make has an end result.&#8221;</p>
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