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How Does Your Company’s Return Policy Compare With Big Retailers?

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Finance expert Mike Periu on the latest return policy trends for retailers. Larger retailers spend a great deal of time crafting return policies. According to the National Retail Federation, 83 percent of retailers kept their policies more or less the same as last year with 7 percent tightening theirs. Those with more restrictive changes usually shortened the period of time during which a customer may return the purchase. During the holiday season, however, many retailers have implemented … [Read more...]

Microsoft to Launch Office 2013, Advance Copies Available

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Finance expert Mike Periu on some of the new features of Microsoft's new Office 2013 and how you can find a trial version. Microsoft will launch Office 2013 during the first quarter of next year, but just as they have done with previous versions, you may download a trial version now to start experiencing the new functionality and features built into the latest version. Excel, the finance and accounting workhorse of the Office suite is packed with more than 50 new and interesting features that … [Read more...]

5 Moves to Make Now to Lower The Tax Liability for Your Business

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Finance expert Mike Periu on smart moves you can make before the end of the year to lower the tax liability for your business. There are less than two weeks left in 2012 but that is plenty of time to take steps to lower your small business tax liability. Given the uncertainty over what will or won't happen with regards to income taxes, it's best to take advantage of every opportunity now in case they disappear next year: Make planned asset purchases now. Equipment bought in 2012 qualifies … [Read more...]

Impress Investors and Lenders With Your Personal Credit Score

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Finance expert Mike Periu on how to get the best possible personal credit score before applying for funding for your business. For small-business owners seeking funds from investors or lenders, it's almost a certainty that your personal credit will be reviewed as part of the process. Since many small-business owners are intimately tied to their businesses, it's difficult to imagine someone investing in a business where the owner has terrible personal credit. Lenders expect owners to have a … [Read more...]

Fiscal Cliff Plan B Fails and Negotiations Effectively Halt

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The latest surprising developments regarding fiscal cliff negotiations. It now looks highly unlikely that a deal to avert the fiscal cliff will be passed before Christmas, if at all. In a stunning turn of events, the Speaker of the House John Boehner was unable to muster enough support from his own political party to pass the Plan B alternative that would raise income taxes on people earning over $1,000,000 annually and maintain existing lower tax rates for everyone else. Even if Plan B had … [Read more...]

Dynamic Pricing Strategy Doomed to Fail?

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Finance expert Mike Periu on how a dynamic pricing strategy can backfire for online retailers. According to pricing strategy consultant Rafi Mohammed, the dynamic pricing model implemented by online retailers this Christmas season is likely to fail in the long-term. Dynamic pricing, which is price changes in real time depending on demand, is what airlines use to set prices for tickets. In that industry, consumers are willing to accept fluctuations in price because they can understand that … [Read more...]

As Cash Deposits Hit Record, Lending Stays Flat

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Although Cash Deposits Hit Record, in banks are at an all-time high, finance expert Mike Periu explains why lending remains flat. According to the most recent data released by the Federal Reserve, the banking sector in the U.S. is out of balance. For every $1 that banks hold in deposits from consumers and businesses, they try to lend out 95 cents. Right now, the industry is lending about 78 cents for every dollar in deposits. This is happening for several reasons. First, companies (and to a … [Read more...]

Who Do You Trust More: Accountants or Bankers?

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Finance expert Mike Periu on a recent survey that reveals whether accountants or bankers are more trusted financial advisors for small-business owners. Small-business owners need expert advice to grow their businesses. When it comes time to make an important strategic or financial decision, who do you turn to for the best advice? Sage Omnibus recently conducted a survey asking 1,000 small-business owners who they confide in for advice. Fifty percent believe that accountants provide the best … [Read more...]

2013 Financial Resolutions for Your Business

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Finance expert Mike Periu on the three business Financial Resolutions chief financial officers should make for the coming new year. John Calia, partner at strategic advisory firm SCA Group, recommends three New Year’s financial resolutions for chief financial officers or those running your business’ finances. 1. Hold cash. It's more important than ever to maintain a significant cash position to shield against 2013 uncertainty. European insolvency, Middle East unrest, the fiscal cliff and its … [Read more...]

Save Money on Small Business Travel

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Finance expert Mike Periu shares money-saving tips for Small Business Travel that may help close deals. As we prepare for 2013, it's important for business owners to acknowledge that face-to-face meetings can't be replaced with technology when its comes to closing a large deal. Traveling to meet clients and potential clients is far more expensive than a Skype or GoToMeeting conference, but it's certainly possible to minimize the travel cost and still achieve your main goal—closing the … [Read more...]