What Can the Small Business Development Center Do for You and Your Business? Part 2

We have had another client put something up on YouTube and thought you would like to see it. If we can be of any assistance to you or your business, please feel free to call.


The following YouTube video is from Terry Harris, owner and founder of Rubber Wholesalers. We have been working with him and his business for years. We hope we have contributed, in a small way, to his continuing success. Thanks Terry for the nice things you said!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7rNpDwah-U

Federal Debt and Deficit

The national debt and annual budget deficit are both exploding. Its effect on the economy on Main Street is starting to be felt by everyone of us.

I was sent this link a few weeks ago that calculates the debt and deficit figures (in real time) and thought you would like to see it.

Along with the debt and deficit, it calculates, based on Federal Reserve Data, the value of all assets owned by the citizens of the United States (Small Business, Corporate and Personal Assets). About $234,000 per citizen. It compares it to the total US governmental unfunded liabilities (Social Security, Prescription Drug and Medicare Liabilities) which comes out to about $305,000 per citizen.

If this was a client and not our Federal Government, I would advise the client to find a very good bankruptcy attorney, quickly!

It is more than a little scary!

http://usdebtclock.org/

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What Can the Small Business Development Center Do for You and Your Business?

We at the University of Georgia's Small Business Development Center spend our time assisting businesses in Northwest Georgia and not blowing our own horn. As it turns out, we don't have to.

I ran across this from one of our clients, Scott Lavelle with Niche Graphic Flooring in Rocky Face, GA, who was kind enough to post this video on YouTube. It gives you a very good idea about what we can do for your business. Thanks Scott !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OGguF2x9DU
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More Information about the New Healthcare Law

As a business owner, you are undoubtedly confused about how the new Healthcare Law is going to effect your business. I have found an article on how the new law will impact you.

Additionally, I have found an article on the single payer system in Canada that should open your eyes.

They are as follows:

http://asbdc-us.org/Resources/SmallBusDigArticle-HealthCareBill.html

http://www.examiner.com/x-6265-Burlington-Conservative-Examiner~y2009m4d3-Healthcare-is-not-a-human-right
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The New Healthcare Bill and Your Business

I will not discuss the politics of the recent Health Care Bill just signed into law. However, you need to be aware of how it will effect your business.

Depending on the size of your business, you will be compelled to provide health insurance to your employees or pay a fine to the federal government. The fine can be as high as $2,000 per employee per year, enforced by the Internal Revenue Service.

The government will form pools where small businesses can join together to negotiate favorable rates with insurance company as a group. The Federal government will offer tax credits to help small businesses pay for the compulsive insurance coverages.

If it survives constitutional challenges, most of the provisions will not kick in for a number of years. As a business owner, you need to start preparations now.

For more information on the new law, please go to an article at CNN Money: http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/22/smallbusiness/small_business_health_reform/index.htm?source=cnn_bin&hpt=Sbin
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Succession Planning

Let’s face it, you aren’t going to live forever. Are you going to retire or are you going to drop dead working in your business? You are the driving force and inspiration behind your business, so what will happen to it when you aren't there anymore?

Most business owners want the business they've worked hard to establish to continue, to thrive when they leave, whether it's in the hands of a family member or a new owner. A succession plan will secure the future of your business.

What is a Succession Plan?

A succession plan is a strategy which determines the best way for you to exit your business while ensuring the business continues. The plan determines who will take leadership and/or ownership of the business when you leave. There are two main options to consider when developing a succession plan:

* Retention Planning – keep it in the family! Many owners choose to keep the business in the family when they leave. If you plan to transfer your business to a family member you need to consider the legal obligations as well as the impact on family relationships.

* Buy-Sell Planning - (Selling the Business to External Parties, Like Employees or Businesses). Buy-sell agreements are legally binding contracts which control when owners can sell their interests, who can buy an owner's interest, and at what price. They are mostly used to ensure the smooth continuation of a business after a potentially disruptive event, such as an owner's retirement, incapacity, or death.


Do I Need a Succession Plan?

A succession plan is essential to securing the future of your business. Without a plan, the future of your business will be left to chance once you've gone.

With so much at stake a succession plan is vital and will help you to:

* Maximize the value of your business if you decide to sell;
* Unlock that value by enhancing the marketability of your business;
* Exit your business with maximum profitability and ready for its continued success.


How Do I Develop a Succession Plan?

There are no rules about what your plan should cover or the level of detail it should contain. Among other things your plan will depend on your objectives, family situation, financial position, health and age.

To be successful a plan should be realistic, workable and developed with input from groups and individuals who have an interest or share in the business. You should also talk to your business advisors such as your accountant, lawyer, the Small Business Development Center and others.

Here are a few questions to consider when developing your succession plan: Who will be your successor? How much is your business worth? What sort of management strategy should you adopt for existing staff to ensure a smooth transition? How will your departure affect key business relationship such as suppliers and major customers? Do you need to establish an estate? Do you need provisions for active and non-active family members? How much income do you need to retire/leave the business?

It's important to ensure that your plan is realistic and achievable. Once you've designed the plan, it's a good idea to set a timetable for completion and to schedule key milestones along the way to help keep you and your successors on track towards a smooth transition.

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Are you a victim of "Friendly Fraud?"

"Rock Boxes," "Closeting," chargebacks and other forms of consumer misconduct are on the rise. With the explosive growth of on-line commerce, a business owners should be aware. What do these terms mean? Retailers, online or brick and mortar, are seeing suspicious customer claims increasing.

Two articles listed below will provide more information and just might save you from becoming a victim.

Businesses Get Tough on 'Friendly' Fraud
by Pui-Wing Tam, FiLife.com, May 26, 2009

Frendly fraud, a term used to describe consumers trying to "get over" on merchants in little ways, is on the rise and retailers are fighting back. Merchants are fighting a surge in so-called friendly fraud, as more consumers try to get out of paying for their Internet purchases in the recession.

Online jeweler Ice.com Inc. and travel site Expedia Inc. are among companies seeing at least 50% spikes from October in friendly fraud, a term used to describe when a consumer disputes an online charge but doesn't return the item or has already used the product...


Read more about friendly fraud on FiLife.com, here:
http://www.filife.com/stories/businesses-get-tough-on-friendly-fraud
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Telltale Signs of E-Commerce Fraud
By Ori Eisen, E-Commerce Times, 02/25/09

In a time of economic crisis, there tends to be an increase in the number of people that turn to criminal activity. Although petty crime is usually one area that shows a significant upswing, an additional form of criminal activity on the rise is fraud.

As long as people can get away with it, there will be fraud. However, there are signs you can watch out for that might raise a red flag on potentially fraudulent transactions. Look for questionable street and email addresses as well as multiple orders from the same device...
Read more about preventing all types of ecommerce fraud here: http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/66278.html?wlc=1243444911

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