The North Central Florida Business Report

The calendar indicates that we are beginning spring. Unemployment figures have dropped a bit, and consumers are starting to spend again. All is well with the world, right? Well, maybe. Undertake some of the following springtime activities to “spring” ahead of the competition. By being proactive in your business planning and management, you should be able [...]

Those who describe themselves as “bookkeepers” fall between two extremes—from secretaries with data-entry skills to professionals with degrees and years of experience. There is no regulatory body that oversees the bookkeeping profession, so anyone can say they are a bookkeeper. When hiring a bookkeeper, it’s important to know what skill level your company needs and [...]

by Chad Paris You might have heard of the benefits of “going green” in attracting customers and doing your part to help the planet. “Greening” refers to the sustainable business practices that are incorporated into both a business’s actions and products, and while some might label it a trend, I consider it essential if you [...]

In the early stages of starting and running a business, entrepreneurs do it all, essentially being the chief operating officer, chief cook and chief bottle washer in their business. As the chief operating officer, the COO is responsible for managing the company’s day-to-day operations and reporting to the chief executive officer. While that is necessary [...]

Now is the time to review and update your business plan. Gather the documents you will need to file your taxes, review how your business performed in 2011, make arrangements for its financial and personnel needs in 2012, assess your market position and develop a strategy for the coming year.

Core Strategies for Working Remotely. Creating a great high-performance team when everyone works out of the same office is a big challenge, but when your folks are spread out across multiple offices, time zones and sometimes even continents, the challenge is exponentially multiplied. In working with several large companies that have far-flung offices and operate [...]

Instead of focusing on what is wrong with your job and the organization you work for, look for everything that is right, good and exciting. Look for opportunities where you can challenge yourself to grow and add real and significant value

One of the first decisions facing a new business owner is determining the best legal structure under which to operate.

This is a critical decision since it can affect your ability to shelter income from unnecessary taxes. And in spite of what you may have been told or what your neighbor may be doing with her business, there is not a one-size-fits-all.

It is a commonly held truism that in any successful business, the first generation starts the company, the second generation grows the company and the third-generation runs the company into bankruptcy. That jibes with a statistic I recently read that said the average “successful” business lasts between 30 and 50 years.

The cost of the space you occupy is most likely one of the largest expenses for your business. However, you only have an opportunity every three to five years to make decisions regarding the lease that dictates these expenses. Here are six tips to help you achieve the most favorable terms when it’s time to [...]