What We Can Learn from Neil Armstrong's Recent Death

You may have joined the nation today or yesterday on Facebook and Twitter in mourning the passing of an American hero.  Neil Alden Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the Moon, passed away on August 25, 2012.

Why, then, are there so many posts of a "RIP Neil Armstrong" nature?  The theory is that there was a misunderstanding about a post marking the anniversary of his death. (source)

Whether it was one misunderstanding or a series, there were enough people under the impression that Neil Armstrong had just died to get the "news" trending.





1.  People miss crucial details.

Maybe this happens a little more often on Twitter or Facebook.  The messages there don't get the same priority as business communications.  However, if you shoot someone an email the length of a tweet, don't make it something too important.

This goes for office communications as well as client communications.  ESPECIALLY client communications.  If your ads aren't understood correctly, that's lost money.  If there's a foul-up handling something for a client due to a miscommunication, that may be a lost client.

Take a little more time to make things clear, and explicitly address possible confusion.  When you say "on Wednesday" go ahead and add "the 28th" or "tomorrow".  Nobody's going to criticize you for being easy to understand.

2.  People forget things.

Yes, people should have remembered that Neil Armstrong had died, especially when posts mention that it was the anniversary of his death.  However it happened, they missed it, and they'd forgotten.  Some of you may be wondering how that's possible.  He's Neil Armstrong.  Other readers are wondering what the big deal is.

The fact is that people have different circles of interest.  Person A thinks it's incredible that Person B forgot about Neil Armstrong.  Person B thinks it's incredible that Person A has never heard of the Beatles.  Rolling out your newest product is big news to you, but it may not be on someone else's radar at all.  Even though you've been advertising half a year and have talked with this very person about it, go ahead and throw in a one sentence reminder.  "We're excited about relasing XYZ..."  "I hope to see you at the back-to-school party..."  Again, you've got nothing to lose.

Hint: The correct answer is 'yes'.

Here's a survey from HBJ's business pulse. I was thinking of answering "Yes, if they're comfortable." On further thought, it's really, "Yes, it's expected." If you're not comfortable on twitter or other social media relevant to your business, it's worth the time and effort to get comfortable. Twitter, for example, is a quick, free line of communication to your clients. What's better, it's a line of communication directly from them to you.

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/poll/poll/12432862?goback=%2Egmr_4909800

Interfacing with my CPA – Support for Small Businesses

                 These simple questions will help you keep your CPA running smoothly no matter what model or version you’re using.

1.  Is your CPA plugged in?

                Ensure that your CPA regularly receives information about your business.  Your CPA is programmed to operate on whatever information it has and assume that information is current.  Make sure your business’s financial records are connected to your CPA.  If there are business related emails more important than daily activity, you might forward them to your CPA as well.  This will allow your CPA to record and report investments and other dealings promptly and even assist you in executing them if desired.

2.  Are you logged in correctly?

                Check to see that your CPA has all necessary information.  Your CPA will need certain information about yourself or your business in order to function properly.  Your CPA can tell you everything required upon request.  The information needed will vary depending on what your CPA is doing.

                Keep in mind that CPAs have different modes such as tax preparer, CFO, bookkeeper, and more.  Operating your CPA in one mode may require more information than another mode.  Again, your CPA can list all needed information upon request.  There may even be an unimportant looking email from your CPA on this subject sitting in your inbox.

3.  Are you running the correct mode?

                Make sure that you have engaged your CPA to function the way you want.  If you are having your CPA file reports with the SEC, the CPA will need several components, including a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement.  These may be generated by your CPA or by yourself and then sent to your CPA.  Make clear to yourself and your CPA who will be producing these documents.

4.  Are you running current software?

                If you answered question 1 affirmatively, then this issue is likely taken care of by automatic updates.  Your CPA is regularly downloading everything needed from your business.  However, your CPA may encounter additional requirements, especially at certain times of year.  Should this happen, your CPA will prompt you for additional information.  Quick response is highly recommended.  Too much delay may result in your CPA freezing up, difficulty running programs, or, worst of all, an error, which often results in financial loss.

We hope this short list of common CPA issues was helpful.  Should you have further issues or questions, please visit http://www.clearfinancials.com/contact.htm, and we will be glad to assist you.

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The Morning Ledger: SEC Sounds Alarm on Fraud

http://t.co/eZW6HELsfP

Common Cents Newsletter from Clear Financials

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Common Cents A short newsletter keeping you in touch with an ever-changing financial world Click to play video Click on video to play NFIB June Analysis The National Federation of Independent Business has taken a cautious approach to examining the business climate once again.  The optimism index they’ve developed rose for the second month in a row ending May with a rating of 94.4.  This is a strong increase from April’s rating of 92.1, which was up from March’s 89.5. The 1.3 dip from February to March was the cause of some pessimism among the NFIB’s economists, and they remain skeptical that recent growth in small business optimism is a lasting trend.  One concern is that the reading is still historically low: “…6 points below the pre-2008 average and 13 points below the peak for the expansion…”  Another is that job creation has not yet replaced the jobs lost in the recession. My hope is that they are being overly cautious.  The NFIB notes that May’s 94.4 is the highest the index has been in a year (last May was also 94.4), but the short term of the trend makes it less reliable.  I believe that this trend may be part of a slightly larger one that is more significant over the lifetime of the recession.  For about 80% of months since October 2010, each month has had a rating above average for that month in previous years.  That is to say, for any month in 2011, 2012, or 2013, it was likely better than that month in 2008, 2009, or 2010. Examining the patterns of monthly change in the optimism index over the same time period yields similarly encouraging statistics.  Once again, for about 80% of months since October 2010, each month had either standard change (within half a point of the average for that month any given year) or was significantly above average.  That’s not to say there was no decrease in the index.  For example, March, June, and July have seen decreases in the index every year since 2008, but June 2012 is the only one of those months since 2011 to see a drop that was significantly below average.  In short, the most pessimistic times are behind us, and optimism has been generally growing for a few years. The most significant outlying point of data is the 5.6 point plummet of November 2012.  That was the worst drop in the entire data set with only one other month anything like it: October ’08 with 5.4 point drop in optimism.  However, it would seem that the member businesses of the NFIB are as optimistic now as they were a year ago.  Instead of coasting along like the 2011-2012 gentle climb from 92 in November to 94.4 in May, 2012-2013 showed huge progress from 87.5 in November to that same 94.4 in May. Perhaps this is just a correction from an overreaction to the election as people find they may be able to continue business as usual.  On the other hand, this might be an accelerated time of growth at the end of what may be a trend heading out of the recession.  A great deal of the more specific data from the NFIB shows that some figures like sales have been exceeding expectations.  It really does not bode well that the percent of member firms borrowing money is on the low end in recent months, but then it seems that those who are borrowing have found it easier to do so.  Once again, my assertion is that whichever businesses take action now and look to expand will find themselves ahead of their competitors who catch interests rates a little higher for coming later. The report may be found here: http://www.nfib.com/Portals/0/PDF/sbet/sbet201306.pdf NFIB Small Business Economic Trends June 2013 © NFIB ResearchFoundation. ISBS #0940791-24-2. Chief Economist William C. Dunkelberg and Senior Policy Analyst Holly Wade are responsible for the report. How We Do Business Business should be more than just about money and competition.  At least half of our waking hours are devoted to our work, and for those of us running small businesses, the lion’s share of the day goes into our business.  Shouldn’t something in which we invest so much of our lives be an expression of ourselves instead of just a means to an end? I’ve done my best for years to conduct business in an honest fashion.  When I’m looking to hire someone, I try to get to know that person a little first in the hopes that I’ll have business associates who think the way I do.  I started Clear Financial Solutions so that I could help businesses do more of what they do well instead of just trying to turn 90 cents into a dollar.  I’m glad to say that the people I work with are also concerned with getting the job done instead of just billing hours.  Together, we work to cross the t’s and dot the i’s as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible so that our clients can focus on  conducting business. There are far too many stories in the news about fraudulent accounting and embezzlement.  I read about one accountant a few months ago who was fired because he refused to lie to auditors about inappropriate expenses.  I admire his integrity; it’s so sad that this is how he was forced to show it.  I’m thankful that we at CFS get to exercise integrity on a regular basis.  The hours billed are real hours that were spent focused on you, the client, by myself or someone who answers directly to me.  If there’s ever a question about an invoice, I am always available to sit down and clarify the work we performed and the time it took.  That’s accounting with accountability. Get Your Free Sample Report today! Discover the value of KPI reports and how they help your business grow and become more profitable and network with other great business owners. Come to our Complimentary Lunch & Learn on Thursday, August 15th from noon to 1 pm. RSVP by clicking on the image below   Help Us Do What We Do Well Help Clear Financial Solutions find problems to solve, and we'll give you a $50 gift card.  Simply refer someone who could use our services, and receive an American Express gift card from us, usable anywhere American Express is accepted.  Go out to dinner, take in a show, by a round (or two) at the bar, or whatever you like on us just for being part of the Solution. *One $50 AmEx gift card awarded per revenue generating referral Clear Financial Solutions, Inc.   www.ClearFinancials.com

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How to Prevent a Shareholder Blowup

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