For many business owners, choosing a successor is the most challenging task related to succession planning. Owners of family-owned businesses, who may have multiple children or other relatives to consider, particularly tend to struggle with this tough choice.
Brand Audits Can Help Companies in a Variety of Ways
A strong brand can help boost revenue, while a weaker one may reduce sales opportunities and stifle growth.
Like many business owners, you’ve probably spent considerable time and energy crafting your company’s brand. Doing so has likely involved coming up with a memorable business name and logo, communicating with customers in a distinctive manner, and, above all, building a solid reputation in your market.
Make Business Succession and Estate Planning Inseparable
If you’re a business owner, your company is likely your most valuable asset. To ensure it survives after you’re gone, you first need a succession plan that will provide a smooth transition of the business to one or more of your children (assuming you want to keep it in the family). In addition, you need an estate plan that effectively addresses the tax impact of transferring your ownership interests to the next generation.
3 Areas of Focus for Companies Looking to Control Costs
Cost control is fundamental for every business. However, the location and method of addressing this challenge can change over time based on various economic and logistical factors.
Strategic Planning for Businesses Needs to Include Innovation
When the leadership teams of many companies engage in strategic planning, they may be inclined to play it safe. And that’s understandable; sticking to strengths and slow, measured growth are often safe pathways to success.
Could a 412(e)(3) Retirement Plan Suit Your Business?
When companies reach the point where they’re ready to sponsor a qualified retirement plan, the first one that may come to mind is the 401(k). However, there are other, lesser-used options that could suit the distinctive needs of some business owners. Case in point: the 412(e)(3) plan.
Tax Considerations When Choosing a Business Entity
Are you in the process of starting a business or contemplating changing your business entity? If so, you’ll need to decide how to organize your company. Should you operate as a C corporation or as a pass-through entity such as a partnership, limited liability company (LLC), or S corporation? Among the important factors to consider are the potential tax consequences.
Get a Jump on Tax Planning
Summer is a good time for some tax planning that could lower your 2024 tax bill. Since the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which increased the standard deduction, fewer people benefit from itemizing deductions. You can use this IRS Interactive Tax Assistant to find your 2024 standard deduction.
How to Keep Control Over Inventory
Many businesses need to have some inventory available. However, having too much inventory is expensive, not just to purchase but also to store, safeguard, and insure. So, keeping your inventory as lean as possible is critical.
