Obtaining equity capital is perhaps the most complicated and costly legal issue involved with starting and growing a business. Since the 1930s, businesses have had to comply with strict requirements in both federal and state securities laws, particularly with respect...
Business Builders
SBA lending: What you need to know
There are many different types of financing available to small business owners, but the advantages attached to loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration can make them hard to beat. These advantages may include lower interest rates, longer payment terms and...
Attorney-client privilege: What you must know
We’ve all heard the term “attorney-client privilege,” but do you know what it actually means? Many businesses and individuals assume it protects all communications with their attorney – including emails, documents, advice and recommendations – but this is not always...
Unraveling the mystery of organizational culture
Whatever measure you use, whether revenue, net income or living your mission, the buck stops with you when it comes to the overall success of your organization.
Adapting to the changing, competitive hiring landscape
With a mere 2.7 percent unemployment rate in the state of Minnesota — and 3.6 percent nationwide — finding the right talent is tougher than ever. Candidates can be as selective as they like when it comes to accepting employment offers. I’ve seen how this shift has...
IT security protections for every growing business
Cybercrimes are increasing in intensity and hackers are setting their sights on small and medium businesses who are more vulnerable for not fully investing in their network security. According to the National Cyber Security Alliance, at least half of the 82,000 new malware threats released daily to steal credit cards, sensitive data and money are aimed at SMBs. Take steps to implement critical IT security protocols and protect everything you have worked to build.
The surprising thing about uncertainty
What I have discovered over the last two years is that uncertainty has actually increased my customers’ appetite for change. With so many outside influences on our daily lives, making a big change feels like self-determination. My customers are as motivated and impatient as I have ever seen them and uncertainty has increased their desire to have as much influence as possible over the events around them.
The growing role of technology in human resources
For a long time now, large businesses have used a variety of applications, software tools and technology systems within their HR departments. Their reason for doing this is simple: there are more people, as well as infrastructure and paperwork required to support them, than these companies’ HR teams can handle manually. So, they use technology to automate routine tasks, streamline processes, ensure compliance and more. As a result, they increase efficiency and minimize their need to spend valuable resources on additional staff.
Strategies for becoming a data-driven company
We are in the era that data experts are calling the Age of Big Data. In fact, we have been for several years now. The data craze has driven us to a widespread state of what we like to call “Analysis Paralysis.” It’s that point where you collect every piece of information that is, will be or may become important. And for most business owners, that means you’re now sitting on an enormous pile of data without any real insight.
Mergers & acquisitions
The business selling process can be a roller coaster of highs and lows that oftentimes finds business owners questioning their decision to part with their “baby.” They will have days when business is strong and they wonder why they are selling. Other days they can’t maintain employees and they are thankful to be moving on.