All posts in December 2017

Unethical Behavior In Business

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The sad truth is there are people who part take in unethical behavior within the workplace. Unethical behavior includes a variety of activities. Some unethical business behavior may include lying and changing the number of hours they have worked, making a long distance phone call on the business phones, and copying business software so they can use it at home. There can be more serious unethical behavior such as altering business records. There are also behaviors which are deemed as unethical and behavior that is illegal but ultimately is up to the business to decide if the behavior is illegal or not.

When a employee discovers someone that is being unethical, it can sometimes test what their own ethical values are. Sometimes behavior that is unethical and not illegal can fall under a grey area such as, what is right or wrong and can make it difficult to know what to do when they encounter it. However, people will also have different opinions on what is ethical and what isn’t. An example could be saying that it okay to say a white lie, and they make it okay because they can justify it their mind.

The employees own sense of what is right or wrong, comes into play when they witness someone else doing something that isn’t part of the companies standards. The employee will need to address how they are feeling about the activity and will they inform on the activity or do they turn a blind eye.

When the employee witness the employee doing something unethical a decision is made in what to do about it and so they are presented with a number of difficult options. Should they go and talk to the person or do they go and speak to the supervisor.

There are techniques that are put in place to make it easier to help with the decision and manage unethical behaviors. The company needs to create a policy for the company, that is signed by each employee so, they are aware on what to do. This will minimize the awakened feeling of what to do when seeing someone act unethically.

The second part is to show a outline of what will be expected of the person when they discover someone doing something unethical. It should also have the person that needs to be contacted and what the process is involved in doing so. Having a clear set instructions, will have a more proactive way on reporting on someone who is doing something unethical. So, by having this it can deal with this issue easily and quickly before it becomes a big issue.

The consequences should be clearly stated of what the unethical behavior is. That way, the person who witness the activity is aware of what to do which lessens the risk of someone not reporting something that is unethical.

Business Management Degrees Build Versatile Career Choices

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Earning a Bachelors degree in Business Management can open the door to a wide variety of career placement and career advancement opportunities. In todays increasingly competitive economy it is especially important to hold a versatile degree that is applicable within a variety of sectors, and a Business Management degree can help do just that.

Most every business requires strong leaders who can oversee projects, lead other employees, and make strong business decisions; consequently, these positions may often be filled by individuals who hold a Business Management degree.
What a Business Management Degree Can Do for You

Part of the reason individuals with a Business Management degree are so marketable is because of the valuable skills they acquire while in school. Business Management classes guide them through the fundamental areas of business, including finance, accounting, management, information systems, production, marketing and human resources. However, in addition to these essential building blocks, Business Management students also have the opportunity to learn:

* Effective decision-making and critical-thinking skills
* Strategic and tactical goal setting
* Strong communication and leadership skills
* Motivation, team building and leadership skills
* How to forecast trends in particular industries
* How to work efficaciously with a wide variety of people
* And much more

Each of these skills is necessary for individuals holding management positions within a business, and acquiring them may increase your chances of landing a job.

Possessing a Business Management degree can be helpful for finding your first job, but it is also extremely beneficial as you work to advance the career you already have. No matter what industry you are working in, the skills obtained through a Business Management degree can help to place you ahead of the competition. Because it can be applied in almost any industry, it is one of the most versatile degrees you can acquire.

So what kinds of jobs can you get with a Business Management degree? With this versatile degree you can enter nearly any industry and pursue a position as:

* Assistant Manager
* Supervisor
* Office Manager, Project Manager,
* General Manager, Regional Manager
* Director, Director of Operations
* Executive Assistant
* Financial Analyst
* Recruiter
* Executive Assistant
* And much more

Keep in mind, most of these positions exist within each facet of a particular business, from the human resources department to the sales, accounting and marketing teams. That means there may be multiple opportunities for placement and advancement within specific businesses and industries. Furthermore, the skills used in each of these positions are easily transferable between various industries, leaving you with opportunities for advancement. Keep in mind that some positions require additional experience for consideration.

Make the smart choice when it comes to starting a new career or advancing in the one you already have. Pursue a Business Management degree and start experiencing the possibilities today!

Five Steps To Planning A Successful Business Exit

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A business owners exit is a once-in-a-lifetime transformation. Were not talking about selling a house or a car. This is a complex process that requires the technical expertise of a team of trusted advisors. The key to any successful business exit is planning. It must begin with personal reflection on the part of the owner regarding what he or she wants out of the business exit. Only then can the owner, along with his advisors, design an appropriate exit strategy. The five (5) planning steps outlined in this article are designed to help business owners define their personal goals, understand all the transfer options and work with an advisory team to execute a successful business exit plan.

Step 1: Define the Personal Goals of the Owner

Since personal goals intertwine so closely with the daily existence of a private business owner, it only makes sense to begin with the basic albeit crucial question, What do I want to accomplish with my business exit? The answer seems obvious–make the most money after taxes and fees. Often, however, it isnt this simple. Owners have nourished and raised their businesses from infancy; they typically care a lot about who will take the reigns. Family members might also be involved in the business. Their fate will also be dependent upon what the business owner ultimately decides.

Aside from money, other motives for a business exit can include transfers to family, transfers to employees, transfers to co-owners, partial transfers to gain some liquidity today but still run the companys day-to-day business, or an initial public offering. The decision often comes down to a question of liquidity. A substantial source of liquidity outside the business makes for a much easier choice.

However, more often than not an owners wealth is tied up in the business. The owner must therefore balance his financial and interpersonal goals in order to find the best possible exit strategy. Therefore, an assessment of the range of values for the business is the crucial next step.

Step 2: Understand that a Range of Values Exist for the Business

The value of a privately-held business depends largely upon who buys it. Its not as simple as watching the ticker tape for todays stock price. The type of buyer can impact both the price placed on the shares (or assets) of the business and the tax consequences to the selling owner. Value (net transfer price) is therefore a range concept.

Internal transfers to employees, family, and co-owners provide fewer dollars up front, but allow for greater control of the business, continued income, and flexible timing and tax characterization of payments to the exiting business owner. By contrast, External transfers to other industry players, financial groups, or by initial public offering command more liquidity up front while the owner relinquishes more control over the Company and the timing and tax characterization of payments. A closer examination of the transfer options can help an exiting business owner determine the right balance of money and control over the future of the business.

Step 3: Examine the Options Available for the Transfer of Shares

There are seven (7) primary purchasers of privately-held business stock (or assets). Below are listed the Parties to the Transaction and Types of Transactions Available (samples; not a complete list)

Internal Parties:

Employees – Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Charity – Charitable Remainder Trust
Family- Gifting Program
Co-owners – Leveraged Buyout

External Parties:
Financial Groups – Recapitalization
Industry Buyers – Acquisition (at Synergy Value)
Initial Public Offerings – IPO (at Public Market Value)

Based on the primary goals defined in step one (1), an exiting business owner chooses the party to whom the business will be transferred. That designee, once chosen, will determine the limits or expansion of the Value. At the end of this phase, the process comes full circle as the Value (after taxes and fees) is matched against the owners goals. If the two meet as one, congratulations! A successful business exit strategy has been devised. Now its time to execute.

Step 4: Provide Full Financial Disclosure to the Buyer

This step isnt going to be easy on the business owner. Assembling financial records and presenting them to a buyer/successor is a very time consuming, very personal survey of how the business is run. It can be huge psychological block for many exiting owners. Remember, any savvy buyer (or successor) to a business will need to understand the financial condition of the Company. When an owner fesses up to any creative accounting they may have employed over the years to help build wealth and reduce tax bills, the process goes smoother. Full disclosure is the best path to a seamless process. There is an old saying – if the truth will kill a deal, then there is no deal.

Not only that, but it may reward the owner in the end. Full disclosure is not about passing judgment, but instead affords the buyer (or successor) an opportunity to assess the businesss true profit potential. The astute exiting business owner will recognize this in advance. Why? Because most creative accounting practices depress the profitability of a business. Clear those away and the Buyer will recognize a higher earning power and in turn a higher Value for the Company.

Step 5: Assembling the Advisory Team No One Should Go It Alone

Planning and executing a successful business exit strategy is a complex process that requires the technical expertise of a team of trusted advisors. Its not the time to take short cuts or pinch pennies. Time and money should be invested in assembling the right team of advisors; a successful business exit is more than worth it. It should be viewed as an investment in success.

We must understand that business owners are independent self-starters. If they werent, their businesses wouldnt be so successful and we wouldnt be talking to them. But some of their strengths and characteristics can lead many business owners to attempt the do-it-yourself business exit strategy. This can create an unnecessary drain of time and money on both the business owner and their business.

A business owners exit is a once-in-a-lifetime transformation. It is an important milestone that is sure to provide any business owner with one of the most challenging yet satisfying sense of accomplishments.

So remember, planning is the key to any successful business exit because a proactive approach to an Exit Strategy is the only approach to a successful Exit Strategy. If youve come to the end of this discussion, youre already ahead of the game.

How To Get A Bigger Business Tax Refund

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Business tax refund tips can help prevent you from overpaying taxes and increase the size of your refund check. The sad fact is most businesses overpay their tax liability each year. Overpayments can occur because deductions were not maximized, tax withholdings were incorrect or due to the change of tax laws.

Sometimes your refund can be the result of simply paying more cash than was needed to balance your accounts with the IRS.

It is imperative to go through your business tax plan to have a look at what you can do to reduce the income taxes you are required to pay, legally, and ethically. The following business tax refund tips will help you determine what deduction areas might need further focus with your accountant.

Claiming a home office deduction no longer entails a greater possibility to be audited, when done right, so you can utilize this deduction and still minimize the possibility of an Internal Revenue Service audit. The space you write off must be intended and used for business of course and to determine how much of the area in the home is used as a home-office and become requires the following computation. Measure the work space. Divide it by the number of square feet of the home. The percentage will be your business use percent of the home intended for business. This provides the percentage of business expenses from home expenditures such as rent or lease, mortgage, insurance, utilities, that can be safely claimed as a deduction thereby increasing your refund if you are not currently writing these expenses off.

When a business operator does not claim a home office deduction you can deduct the business or office supplies being purchased. Keep the receipts from these purchases so they can offset the business returns that will be taxed. Missed dedcuctions are the key to increasing your tax refund by reducing your expected taxable income.

Another business tax deduction underutilized is to write off the furniture used in your office. You can deduct 100% of the amount spent on furniture in the same year of purchase. You can also opt instead to claim the value depreciation over 7 years if this will net you a great refund. Run the numbers in order to decide. An IRS chart is available to keep track of depreciation from year to year. Additional supplies like fax machines, computers, photocopy machines, and computer scanners are also deductible and will help maximize your office deductions.

Keep records of expenditures with dates, mileage, toll fees, parking expenses, gas expenses, and the purpose of the travel as the IRS offers tax deductions for such business expenses. You can also add up your business expenses and deduct these costs against personal auto expenses like gas, maintenance and repairs, as well as insurance payments. If your vehicle is being leased, payments for this are also possible deductions to maximize your return. You can surprise yourself with a large tax refund simply by taking full advantage of the tax code.

For small-scale business travellers, the travel expenses and hotel accommodations inclusive of dry cleaning services, car rental services, and tips are deductible. For meals consumed while travelling, only 50% percent are deductible. However, business meals back home with clients are 100% deductible. Entertainment expenses with clients are 50 % deductible while gifts for clients and employees are totally deductible up to twenty-five dollars per person within a year.

Expenses incurred paying for personal health insurance premiums are deductible. Nevertheless, the deduction cannot be beyond the net profit the business makes and is not permissible if the person is qualified for some other health insurance coverage which also takes account of the medical insurance of a spouse who is employed. If the spouse works for the business owner, his or her medical premiums are totally tax deductible. This may include you and the children being dependents on his or her medical plan.

Improving your business tax refund can be done through planning your taxes to use retirement savings that are tax deductible.

Being self-employed and operating a personal business, a business owner is required to provide twice the amount an employee contributes for social security. However, 50% of the payments are deductible.

Business call expenses made from the house not including regular fees and charges if kept in record are also deductible, returning hard earned money back to you at the end of tax season. At years end, the phone usage cost amounts may be summed up and deducted.

Bigger refunds through tax organization. Salaries provided to kids below eighteen years old who work part time for you as a business owner or part of a partnership with your spouse can be deducted. This does not apply if the business is run as a corporation. Your tax organization strategy will help determine if this deduction is worthwhile to pursue.

Getting a bigger tax refund come IRS accounting day is a matter of taking advantage of the opportunities in that were created in the tax code to help you keep your hard earned money.

Payroll deductions, withholdings and deductions working in harmony for your business translates into ethical, legal savings on your taxes each and every year that you can bank on.

The Benefits Of Having A Mobile Business

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Some people like working nine to five, leaving the house at the same time every morning, and arriving home at the same time each evening. They enjoy this routine because it’s stable. However, it’s hard to take vacations with this type of job, as you have to schedule time off. It’s also hard to run errands or make appointments when their working hours are the same as yours. Basically, there’s not a lot of freedom in this type of job. If you had a mobile business on the other hand, you’d be able to go anywhere you want, do anything you want to do, and more.

All you need to run a mobile business is your laptop and an internet connection. As long as you have internet access, you can conduct business anywhere, anytime. You could go work down by the beach. You could take a vacation on the fly, and you could even move on the fly if you wanted to. With a mobile business, you’re never tied down, and can earn income wherever you choose to go.

There are various types of mobile businesses. E-commerce websites where you sell services or products online, advertising / marketing jobs, writing jobs and much more. As long as you keep on top of your orders, and ensure your clients are satisfied (and this is of paramount importance, especially with online business where you don’t meet the customer face-to-face), you can run a successful business from wherever you may find yourself.

Mobile businesses are becoming increasingly popular. People like the idea of mobile business because they can travel and pretty much do what they please, according to their own schedule. In addition, these types of businesses are also great for single parents. It’s hard for a single parent to go to work each day, pay for day care, and all the other worries that come with raising a child on your own. With a mobile business, the stay at home mum or dad can work away at their online business and watch over their own child at the same time.

If you don’t like the daily grind, 9-5 structured job, and you’d like more freedom in your life, you should consider a mobile business. Find out what you like to do, and research the type of business you would like to run. As long as you have a laptop, an internet connection and a passion for your job, you can be as successful as you want to be, and you won’t be tied down like you would be with a regular job.