In part 1, we discussed the importance of knowing how to negotiate business deals and mitigate conflict whenever possible. Besides being a financial drain, business disputes can also create conflicts that require precious time and energy to resolve. Setting clear boundaries and realistic expectations when making professional agreements is essential in setting yourself up for positive outcomes. Although avoiding conflict is preferred …

Those new to the business world often lack the first-hand experience of initiating and building healthy business relationships. But protecting these vital relationships with carefully crafted business agreements—such as those for co-owners, suppliers and clients—is essential to growing a new business without risk of being taken advantage of or of burning valuable bridges. To decrease the risk of liability in …

Opening a new business location is an exciting venture. It also comes with inherent risks. A new site can increase profits and brand exposure, but it also opens up possibilities for failure. Rushing into expansion and opening a new location can do more harm than good if proper preparations are not made. Increase your chances of success by following these …

You’ve put in the time to get your business off the ground and now you’re up and running. You have a product or service that’s selling well, team support to keep everyone happy, and a proven income model. Congratulations! You’ve overcome the biggest obstacle to business sustainability. Surviving the startup phase is often the toughest obstacle. If you’ve made it …

When growth and funding are top priorities, it is wise to not let legal soundness fall to the wayside. Not surprisingly, 1 in 10 startups fails due to overlooked legal issues. Without a lawyer looking out for your best interests, it’s easy to miss common legal mishaps that pose a threat to any startup. Mistake #1 Many startups rely on …

Many small businesses are family owned. While family owned businesses enjoy the benefit of familial solidarity, their strength is often threatened when it’s time for leadership or ownership to be passed down. Succession plans help ensure the transition from owner to owner is an easy one, but many small and family-owned businesses do not have such a plan in place. …

A strong, identifiable brand is an invaluable asset to any company. Businesses can reap major rewards by building a brand image that accurately reflects the strength of the company. And in today’s business world, branding is necessary for businesses looking for longevity and growth. So, what do small businesses need to know about branding in the business world? Branding might …

If you’re relying on your top line to grow your wealth, you could be missing out on easy opportunities to save money and improve profits, independent of your revenue. Florida continues its economic growth through 2017. More and more entrepreneurs are setting up shop in the Sunshine State. Many of these new business owners are rapidly bringing their product or …

Planning for a natural disaster is never easy. In South Florida we usually get notice of an impending hurricane or tropical storm. Unlike the earthquakes of the West Coast and the tornados in the Midwest, hurricanes are tracked from the time they form. With proper planning, some of the damage can be mitigated. Hurricanes Dorian, Irma, and Maria will remain …

What if a magic formula existed to immediately and successfully connect you with international businesses? What if you knew a secret about how to get your business proposal favorably presented to the key decision-maker? Well, there is a method to do exactly these things, but you will have to invest your time learning your target’s culture. In many other countries, …