August 2019 Newsletter
Recharging Your Batteries

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes . . . including you.” – Anne Lamott

Many business people, especially owners, consider vacations “guilty pleasures.” That’s assuming they take one at all.

Vacations should be a necessity, not a luxury. From a company perspective, most of us understand that people working for banks or finance departments are required to take time off to ensure monetary systems and protocols are not being overridden by employees. This should apply to all positions to limit fraudulent activities. Having individuals take time off also ensures you do not have a “critical keeper” or a person the company cannot function without.

Individually, have you ever had a brilliant business idea halfway through your trip, seemingly out of nowhere? And then kick yourself because you should have thought of it before? That’s the power of disconnecting. Does the mere thought of it make you break out in a cold sweat? Go somewhere without service: a camping trip on a remote mountain, a tropical island in the middle of nowhere, a cruise where the signal is spotty at best.

Recently, I took off an entire week to drive through the mountains of New Mexico on the Backcountry Discovery Route to enjoy of lot of great scenery and ignore the daily pressures of life. The best part was not having access to the internet or phone service so there was no reason to even worry about what others were doing or not doing.

Then a couple weeks ago I took a short trip to tour Dodger Stadium, watch a live L.A. Dodger game, and then go for a hike in Griffith Park the next morning; each time leaving my cell phone in the vehicle so I was not interrupted from giving my older children 100% of my attention.

If a week-long trip or weekend getaway is not practical, limit access to your devices to once per day. You’ll find that those closest to you will be only too happy to help and appreciate the attention.
Fundamentals: Operations – Part 1
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then,
is not an act, but a habit.”
- Aristotle
What are Operations?

Jobs or tasks consisting of one or more elements or subtasks, performed typically in one location. Operations transform resource or data inputs into desired goods, services or results, and create and deliver value to the customers. Two or more connected operations constitute a process, and are generally divided into four basic categories: (1) processing, (2) inspection, (3) transport, and (4) storage.
(business dictionary website)

The purpose of operations is to manage the resources needed to create your company’s products and services. These may include customer service; planning, designing or engineering products; scheduling work; buying or making components; assembling or manufacturing products; testing quality; maintaining inventory; and delivering the services or products. Operations are also affected by the location, size and type of facilities required and available; worker skills and talent; technology or special equipment; and scalability. When your organization has the systems and processes in place to deliver on the promises made to your customers in an efficient and effective manner, while providing the opportunity to scale up or into new markets, the value of your business increases.
 
It all starts with an operations strategy to ensure that your resources work together, while aligning with your marketing, finance and overall business strategies. This is a written plan that addresses best practices to ensure that all operational aspects are being utilized properly.
 
We will discuss your operations plan in more detail in next month’s newsletter.
The Five D’s: Disagreement
“The aim of argument, or of discussion,
should not be victory, but progress.”
– Joseph Joubert
I often talk about the “Five D’s,” as five major events that can create severe disorder in a business. These are:

  • Disagreement
  • Divorce
  • Disability
  • Distress
  • Death
While none are pleasant to think about, it is imperative that owners have a contingency plan for each to give the business a fighting chance of survival should one or more occur. The good news is there are definite steps within our control that we can use to minimize the negative impact.

The first D, “Disagreement,” can occur with a customer, an employee, a supplier, a vendor, or many others; yet often takes place at the ownership level. Business partnerships are like marriages, and the relationship, even among former friends with the best of intentions, can disintegrate under unrelenting pressures, particularly when money, egos and negative emotions are involved. These kinds of rifts can filter through the entire organization, causing employees to take sides, and can even result in costly lawsuits that cause the company to fail. Don’t say it can’t happen to you. I’ve seen business partnerships reach critical meltdown more than once. 

No matter how rosy things my appear now, spelling out intentions, agreements, policies and procedures early, before there’s an issue, is essential in working through potential disagreements over decisions such as reinvesting for growth or taking dividends; how to structure benefits or taxes; when to sell or bring in another investor; and which exit option to pursue.

Depending on your business structure, you will need an operating agreement, partnership agreement or shareholders’ agreement to set expectations and provide procedures to be able to address and resolve these issues effectively. Upon reviewing what you are trying to achieve, using a good business attorney to assist in the process is something I highly recommend so the many dynamics can be articulated properly without later misunderstandings.
UPCOMING EVENTS

AM&AA Southern Nevada Chapter:
Planning Strategies for a Successful Business Transition
August 20

Business Valuation: What's it Worth to You?
October 3
Owning a business can be the most exhilarating time of your life. And the most challenging, because working without a net is both thrilling and terrifying.
 
No matter where you are on the business rollercoaster, Chuck understands those sleepless nights feeling all alone while a million thoughts race around in your head. He knows because he’s been where you are. It’s the reason he started Eagle Corporate Advisors in the first place. To provide just the right kind of coaching, advising and mentoring support for any issue, milestone or decision, to help you and your business perform at a higher level — smoothly and with the best information at your fingertips. And to give you back that sense of controlling your own destiny.  
8125 S. Eastern Avenue, Suite 275
Las Vegas, Nevada 89123droppable-1559924947141