How Can We Avoid the Traps in Managing Customer Credit? (Part 2 of 2 Parts)

By Joel Block | 02/24/09

If you missed Part 1 please click here to read it.This article is the fifth in a series by my colleague and friend Eric Shaw of http://www.nycreditinc.com. Eric is one of the top credit analysts in the market. I regularly go to Eric to help me analyze client issues and for assistance in making a variety of business decisions. Not to mention, Eric is a rock star when it comes to networking. This article concludes what we began two weeks ago... read more »

Do You Want a Little Friendly Advice?

By Joel Block | 02/23/09

Two years ago, I was asked by a company to help them find some capital. Before I could fully agree to the engagement, however, I had to make an evaluation of the company and its prospects because my batting average is critically important to me, and the only way that I can keep my batting average high is by selecting only deals that I know that I can do.This particular company was very interesting. They were in the business of prepaid credit... read more »

What Business Lesson Comes from a Hot Dog Stand Operation?

By Joel Block | 02/17/09

One of my good friends is Harvey Goldstein, CPA. He is one of the best known CPAs in southern California and for 42 years, Harvey ran what became one of the region's preeminent CPA firms, with over 200 professionals. There aren't many business situations that Harvey hasn't seen and there isn't much business advice that Harvey hasn't dispensed. But one of his gems is a little story about a business owner who was having the usual types of business... read more »

Isn't it Just Economics 101

By Joel Block | 02/17/09

My kids have been asking what exactly is going on with the economy and what exactly happened that made the situation so bad, so fast. They are really referring to what the tipping point was that caused this entire iceberg to turn over in September 2008.I try to explain it to them as simply and succinctly as I can and somehow, by boiling it down into terms that even my 7th grader can understand, it helps me to understand the situation a little... read more »

Where are the Loopholes in Corporate Liability Limitations?

By Joel Block | 02/13/09

My good friend and attorney colleague, Steven A. O'Rourke http://www.calcorplaw.com is a very sharp corporate and business lawyer. He is a guy that other attorneys go to when they want to debate the law. But he is also a guy that entrepreneurs and business owners should go to when they are concerned that they are thorough and accurate because Steve strives to be both. We often kick around concepts that affect the entrepreneurial community and... read more »

Isn't It All About Value?

By Joel Block | 02/13/09

At the end of the day, how much money you make is always about how much value you deliver to the person who has engaged your services. It may not be a perfect formula, but more or less it works out this way every time. The more value you deliver, the more money you make. If you don't make too much, you must not be contributing much value to the organization or people that you are servicing.In the extreme, think about a movie star like Tom... read more »

How Can We Avoid the Traps in Managing Customer Credit? (Part 1 of 2 Parts)

By Joel Block | 02/10/09

This article is the fourth in a series by my colleague and friend Eric Shaw of http://www.nycreditinc.com. Eric is one of the top credit analysts in the market. I regularly go to Eric to help me analyze client issues and for assistance in making a variety of business decisions. Not to mention, Eric is a rock star when it comes to networking. He has a lot to offer and I would like to bring it to my readers over the next several weeks. This... read more »

Is It Ever Worth Taking A Short Cut?

By Joel Block | 02/09/09

Earlier today, some crazy guy flew by me on a Los Angeles freeway. First, he was in the far left lane. He cut in between everybody, moving himself to the far right lane. He zigzagged again to the left so that he could try to gain some time and pass all the other cars. I couldn't figure out if the guy was really in a hurry or if he just liked playing games and driving dangerously.The ironic part of the story is that when I got to the off-ramp... read more »

Would You Try to Sell a Blue Car to Someone Who Wants a Yellow Boat?

By Joel Block | 02/06/09

I was having lunch with a group of filmmakers this week -- I make it a habit to meet with several filmmakers a month, partly to see what deals they're working on and partly to provide education and mentorship to these individuals who work hard to make their Hollywood dreams come true.These weren't "wannabe" filmmakers. These were sophisticated people -- people who had advanced degrees. One was a CPA who prepared the private placement memorandum... read more »

Business Advice on LLCs and Securities Law - A Word to the Wise?

By Joel Block | 02/06/09

This is the second article in a series by my good friend and attorney colleague, Steven A. O'Rourke http://www.calcorplaw.com. He is a very sharp corporate and business lawyer and he is a guy that other attorneys go to when they want to debate the law. But he is also a guy that entrepreneurs and business owners should go to when they are concerned that they are thorough and accurate because Steve strives to be both. We often kick around concepts... read more »