Untitled
 Feature
Delay of FAS 150 Gives Closely Held Companies Another Reprieve
The new year arrived with some good news for owners of closely held businesses. Implementation of a new accounting standard that could have a major impact on the balance-sheet net worth of private companies has been delayed once again.
 Now's the time to reconsider your buy-sell agreements. |
Business Planning & Strategies
The Egg of Columbus
Innovation is about finding the sweet spot in apparent contradictions. An anomaly-finding exercise, if you will, when you challenge hidden assumptions to find new opportunities. Ideas should be de-risked, to the extent possible, but the route should be through appropriate research, not the search for proof of success.
Are you supporting the Columbuses in your organization? |
DeKaser's Financial Market Outlook
Of Ants and Grasshoppers
When thrifty ants are generally in short supply, the high rate of saving by businesses has become a concern to many economic observers. Rather, today's high savings behavior by businesses should provide comfort, rather than concern, about the economy's prospects.
Will business investments remain strong because of stockpiled cash? |
Small Business
Six Technologies are Projected to Impact Small Business Competitiveness in 2005
Technology, as a matter of course, is again projected to play an important role in the small to medium-size business (SMB) market in 2005, as these companies look to adopt new information technology to stay competitive with larger corporations.
Helping small businesses solve problems with technology. |
Economics
Economics Focus: Aiming for a Happy Medium
So how high might the fed funds rate go? It is commonly agreed both on Wall Street and in Washington that rates are heading back towards a "neutral" level. The notion of a neutral (or "natural") rate of interest was developed by Knut Wicksell, a Swedish economist. Wicksell saw this rate as one that was consistent with stable prices and that balanced the supply of and demand for capital.
Keeping the pot cooking, without either boiling over or losing heat. |
Finance & Treasury
Enterprise Risk Management: New ERM Model is Essential to Financial Reporting Controls
A new ERM framework-developed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP-has been issued by COSO, the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. It describes what a risk-management program entails for boards of directors, senior management, and other corporate officers.
Integrating risk management into an organization. |
International & Trade
Look Both Ways: Export Waiting Game
While the cost of making things keeps rising, the ability to raise prices appears to be limited in today's economy. What's a manufacturer to do?
Will the declining dollar really boost exports? |
Trends & Technologies
Shake, Rattle, and Merge
Although mergers dropped off starting in 2001 -- a victim of recession, corporate scandals, and a sluggish stock market -- the animal spirits have returned. A robust economy and soaring corporate profits have boosted stock prices and cash. In other words, there's plenty of ``deal grease'' around. Other factors are at play, too. The weak dollar makes U.S.assets more inviting to foreigners. Stricter governance standards are forcing poorly performing CEOs and boards to entertain unwanted offers. And in a repeat of the 1990s, deals are spawning more deals as companies scramble to keep up in consolidating industries. While it's a good bet that at least some acquirers will overpay or make bad choices, few are holding back.
Merging to stay a part of the pack. |
Human Resources & Benefits
Vigilance is Key for the Best Benefits Outsourcing Outcomes
Although benefits have been outsourced for longer than any other function, and HR professionals have much experience with it, the respondents to the HRfocus survey reported having to deal with difficulties as well as enjoying certain advantages.
Outsourcing benefits: The good, the bad, and the vigilant. |
Legislative & Regulatory
New Framework to Help Meet Looming SOX Reporting Deadline
Companies considered accelerated filers must comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requirements regarding disclosures on internal controls over financial reporting for fiscal years ending on or after Nov. 15, 2004. Other filers have until July 15, 2005.
Key elements, Good judgment, and Looking ahead. |
Sales & Marketing
10 Advertising Legal Issues
Are you or your marketing department planning to spend serious advertising dollars in 2005? From privacy issues to return on marketing investment to the National Association of Attorneys General - See what's in legal issues you may in store for the new year.
Top 10 reasons to rethink your marketing plan. |
Personal Investing
Savvy Investments for a Year Full of Surprises
Making serious money will require playing through a complex series of interest-rate, currency, and electoral cycles. Knowing how to arbitrage cost imbalances in the global economy will help as well. Investors will have to distinguish between near-certainties (the dollar will fall; interest rates will rise) and worrisome uncertainties (the shape of Social Security reform and events in the Middle East).
What to keep your eye open for in 2005. |
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