Wise Woman Shining

A Healthy Business = Improved Small Business Development

caseydawes — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 17:54:44 +0000

What is one main thing that bedevils small business owners — especially those who are just starting out? It’s cash flow. Most entrepreneurs underestimate what they need to run their business and how much they need to live while they’re building their business. This lack of knowledge affects their small business development opportunities.

Only Spend [...]

5 Things to Do To Prepare for Small Business Taxes by January 31

caseydawes — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:56:28 +0000

You know what comes right after holiday season, don’t you? Taxes!

The sooner that you get your materials together for your small business taxes, the more free you will feel. If you are a small business owner and you’re NOT in retail, you may notice your work slows down the end of December and the [...]

The Razor’s Edge

caseydawes — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:18:40 +0000

In the 14th century, it is supposed, William of Ockham proposed that the idea that the simplest explanation is usually the best. (I’m paraphrasing–see Wikipedia for more detail on Ockham’s Razor.) And yet, I constantly see small business owners make their lives more complex than they really have to be. They live on the razor’s [...]

What Should an Author Say in a Blog?

caseydawes — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:48:44 +0000

For an author, a blog is an important marketing tool. But if you look at many author’s blogs, you’ll find that the blog is directed toward other writers, rather than the readers we need to enjoy our stories.

While readers are interested in the writer’s craft to a certain extent, they don’t particularly care about [...]

Five Ways to Reduce Business Expenses

caseydawes — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:29:11 +0000

Business women need to pay close attention to their finances in this economic climate. Sales cycles have become longer and cash reserves are more important. What are five ways you can reduce business expenses while still retaining key employees and services for your company?

Start planning your business goals, strategies and objectives for 2012. Determine [...]

Are Business Women Asking the Wrong Question?

caseydawes — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:45:45 +0000

A lively discussion at my local business group, Missoula Businesswomen’s Network, prompted me to wonder if business women are asking the wrong question.

The conversation centered around the backwards movement of women in higher positions such as CEOs and Board of Directors members over the past few years. (Only 12 Fortune 500 companies have business [...]

Small Business Profitability Part 7: Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable

caseydawes — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:23:15 +0000

Two other reports to review on a weekly basis are to insure that your bills are being paid in a timely manner (Accounts Payable) and that you’re receiving money due you in a timely manner (Accounts Receivable).

Accounts Payable

Accounts payable reports will show you what you owe to other people and if you are [...]

Small Business Profitability Part Six: Balance Sheet

caseydawes — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:49:35 +0000

I’ve never seen a report confuse entrepreneurs as much as a balance sheet. Yet this is a critical report about the health of your company. Cash flow is the queen of your business. Your balance sheet is your foundation.

Basically, the balance sheet tells you how much you owe and how much you have invested [...]

Small Business Profitability Part Five: Small Business Cash Flow is Queen

caseydawes — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:23:33 +0000

According to a report by a US bank, 82% of businesses that fail do so because of poor cash flow management skills or poor understanding of cash flow. Cash flow problems apply to small business as much as they do to big business.

At least once a month I meet someone who doesn’t understand where [...]

Small Business Profitability Part Four: Cash and Accrual Accounting

caseydawes — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:32:03 +0000

In order to boost small business profitability, you need to be able to read your financial reports. And one of the concepts that trips up a great number of small business owners is the difference between cash and accrual accounting.

The difference between accrual and cash accounting has to do with timing.

When using the [...]