August 23, 2023
When in Doubt, Don’t Talk
I was to give a talk on my business at Seattle Executives, sat down at my table, and the person next to me started a…
August 16, 2023
All-Star Clean Up
It was All-Star week in Seattle. The week was filled with baseball events, Home Run Derby, and the game was on Tuesday. As part of…
August 9, 2023
Growth Drives Value
When there’s a discussion or list of small business value drivers, rarely is growth mentioned as a value driver. But growth is an important driver…
August 2, 2023
Once Again People are the Roadblock
I can’t name the company because 99% of you reading this will recognize it. I recently went to a Mariners game with the company’s CEO…
July 28, 2023
One Size Does Not Fit All
Growth by acquisition can be a powerful strategy. Heck, I wrote a book on it. But let’s look at when it works and when it…
July 24, 2023
Growth Cures a Lot of Ills
A past client was the president of a major public company. I remember him saying, “Growth hides a lot of operational warts.” This is why…
July 6, 2023
The Bigger the Spreadsheet
One of my rules for business buyers and sellers is: The bigger the spreadsheet the less chance of a deal. This means, don’t get analysis-paralysis.…
June 29, 2023
You’re Making Things Up Again
A great chorus from the play The Book of Mormon is, "You're making things up again, Arnold" followed by, "You're stretching the truth again And…
June 22, 2023
Do You Have Five Years?
The May 6, 2023 Wall Street Journal had a large feature article on Warren Buffett and his track record of investments. What was really interesting…
June 15, 2023
Are Your Financial Statements Fact or Fiction?
On the top of the value driver list is having solid financial systems and therefore accurate financial statements. Too often we must use the term,…
