Once You Attain Success Which Toys Will You Buy First?

You cannot escape the shouts of doom. “The economy is collapsing!” some talking head exclaims on a news program. Then another rattles off the latest unemployment numbers as though taunting you. An “expert” says businesses will have to shut their doors en masse if Obama’s stimulus plan doesn’t work. Oh no, not another Depression! What will you do? You simply smile as though knowing something no one else knows. You roll up your sleeves and get back to work. There’s a business to build. Deals to make. And toys to reward yourself with.

While one shouldn’t avoid what’s happening in the economy, the dominant trait of successful people is the constant thought of being successful. No matter the environment they’re currently experiencing. This includes surrounding themselves with people, and things, that represent the vision of success. It may be difficult today with everyone proclaiming from rooftops that America is sinking faster than the Titanic. But it’s possible. First, turn off the pundits and quickly dismiss anyone who wants to pontificate about “our impending doom.” Okay? Now, close your eyes. Sit back. Relax.

Think of the one item you dreamed of owning once your business takes off; that something you identify as a representation of your success, so that you can finally holler, “I made it!” Maybe you see yourself in the gray Continental GTC from Bentley, roaring around long, serpentine roads flanked by million dollar homes perched along a hill. Perhaps it’s owning a Rolex Yacht-Master II to complement that other baby, the 447 Sport Sedan from Cruisers Yachts. What about arriving to your office in couture suits from the most gifted of designers, such as Gian DeCaro, who makes Bill Gates look as much as he’s worth? Haute living at its finest. Yes?

Okay, then what about a BeoVision 9 television from Bang & Olufsen, hanging from the wall in your entertainment room? You know the one whose screen rotates to follow the sleek hand held remote around the room. Imagine your guests wowed by its exquisite aluminum frame and crystallized picture that places them right in the middle of the action. Seven channels of sound surround them. Dual subwoofers shake them. And the integrated center loudspeaker moves them. Your friends will say you finally made it!

Components made by Bang & Olufsen are status symbols for many entrepreneurs. The Denmark based company possesses one of the world’s strongest brands, representing distinctive and exclusive televisions, music systems, loud speakers, telephones and various media products. Their components are so renowned for their artistic appeal that they can be found gracefully standing on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Celebrities revere B&O products not just for their style but also for their exquisite quality, output and durability. Bang & Olufsen’s components are often featured on the big screen and they adorn the walls of the multi-million dollar homes of many Hollywood celebrities.

Still imagining a Bang & Olufsen television gracing your home? Their products are just as well regarded as owning a Mercedes-Benz or Bentley, or wearing a Rolex or Tag Heuer watch. So what will mark your success?

Almost all industry titans who started from nothing dreamt of that one item that would allow them to feel successful. Whether it’s hanging a Bang & Olufsen television in every room or owning a rare coin collection, they had to have it to feel complete. They could have negotiated a ten million dollar deal and still felt unsuccessful; until they purchased that million-dollar Picasso or hobnobbed at least once with the social-elite. It’s a phenomenon that will never disappear, and should never invite criticism.

It’s in the rented basement where a cracked wall supports a poster of a silver Lamborghini Murcielago. It’s a distant daydream and at the same time a representation of what it means to have status, be well regarded and achieve success. The person, now with the exotic car at the center of his thoughts, dreaming of the day when he can drive it into his garage, is suddenly driven to start his business, even as the economy falters. These status symbols are the impetus for the Bill Gates of the world to move strongly in the direction of their dreams, to bleed their hands raw and burn midnight oils until there are no more candles left. These symbols of success that seem outrageous to the many keep the hearts beating and hope flowing for business owners struggling to make payroll or satisfy their monthly bills; their perseverance allowing them to experience that breakthrough that puts their business, and themselves, closer to their dreams.

So while the talking heads, the pundits and the random guy-on-line bemoans the current economic season, hoping to invoke some similar doom-and-gloom rant from you, just close your eyes. Sit back. Relax. Picture the item that will mark your success. Smile. You’ve bled, cried and sweat a thousand times for your business. So you deserve this moment. Now roll up your sleeves and get back to work. Your toys are waiting for you.

This article was written by Omar Reed, a freelance business writer and financial analyst

Can Your Accountant Make Your Business More Successful?

When the highly esteemed American economist, Theodore Levitt, redefined the “corporate purpose” to creating and keeping customers, he invited a deeper meaning for business creation, transcending the old belief which said business existed only to make money. Ultimately in order to create and keep customers, business owners must always think “growth,” even before the first dime is registered.

Growth means creating unique products or services while looking to improve existing products or services. It means partnering with other businesses or associations that can introduce those products or services to larger market segments. And it also means forging key business relationships that will help grow your small business into a medium-size business, and potentially grow your medium-size business into a large business. One of those key business relationships is the one you create with an accountant, the one person who could mean the difference between growth, stagnation or failure.

One of the biggest mistakes small business owners make is not having a big enough vision for their economic potential. ‘Why do I need an accountant now? I’m getting along just fine without one,’ many of them think. It is at the start-up phase of a business where an accountant can offer the most valuable advice and service. Most business owners aren’t savvy when it comes to bookkeeping. An accountant has the specialized knowledge to set-up the chart of accounts for recording transactions, which will later be organized into financial statements that will tell the story of your strategic success or failure.

A good accountant can guide you through monthly financial statements, helping you understand what the numbers mean, and how to use them to make strategic decisions. And what about having to decide how your business will be set-up? After consulting with another key business association, your lawyer, an accountant can explain the advantages and disadvantages of forming a sole proprietorship, C Corporation or S Corporation relative to your situation.

Do you know what you can deduct and what you cannot? An accountant is there if you have questions about what business expenses are deductible. You want to maximize all deductions that you are entitled, while avoiding penalties for deducting expenses that you are not entitled. While deductions are extremely important for businesses, it is also a complicated process as the rules and regulations continuously change, often varying by state.

Benjamin Franklin said, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Tax issues have certainly been the death of many start-up businesses. Technical situations such as filing W2s and 1099 forms have caused businesses thousands of dollars in penalties. A good accountant will know what taxes to pay and when to send out the forms. In the case of 1099s, he will advise if individuals who work for you are truly independent contractors, or should be registered as employees. Making a mistake here could result in hefty penalties, potentially crippling a young business.

What’s critical is that business owners truly understand the importance of developing a relationship with an accountant, instead of just thinking, ‘Okay, I’ll get one because I guess I have to.’ This is where business owners miss it. They should be thinking about this relationship as they would any strategic planning issue. Accountants have the ability to directly affect your business success, or its failure. Good accountants will have knowledge of the industry you’re in and recommend a course of action you may not have thought of, since they may have experience dealing with similar situations. The relationship with your accountant is so important that when your business stumbles, your accountant will be there to help position it back on track.

A good accountant can save you money by providing expert and timely advice, which often translates into business growth. Remember, it’s not enough to just make money. It’s about continuously creating new customers and holding on to them.

Oftentimes whenever a business owner is trying to break through that next level of revenue stream, an accountant knows exactly what to do and can steer a business away from any potholes. They can share their wealth of knowledge as in the case of knowing what lending institutions are more likely to lend to a particular business model.

What should you do when looking for investors to help get your business off the ground? Do you just pick up the yellow pages, walk to the local bank or do you look for someone who knows how to maneuver within this space, and can offer critical, time- and money-saving advice?

For example, if you own an Internet technology business, your accountant could advise you of which venture capital firms invest in Internet technology business models; you’re not wasting time searching out venture groups that are more amenable to lending to brick-and-mortar businesses. Most of the time, this kind of information can only be obtained through having the right accounting relationship. The right accountant may even have direct contacts in the very organizations that will fund your business.

There are a number of ways to find the right accountant for your business. You can ask a fellow business owner who you respect, get advice from an existing business relationship, such as your lawyer, or go through the yellow pages. Business owners should understand the risks if they choose to take any of these routes.

Using an accountant that has been referred to you by a friend or family member may not be the right accountant for your particular business needs. A lawyer’s expertise is “law.” While lawyers may certainly know accountants, they may not know which one is right for you. And using the yellow pages may be tantamount to playing the lottery if you’re looking for a perfect match. Searching this way takes time, and if the accountant isn’t the right one, it will also cost you money.

Anthony Randazzo is the CEO and General Manager of Johnny Rockets Restaurant, at the Broadway Mall, in Hicksville, New York. He quickly needed to find an accountant to provide services that his current accountant couldn’t perform. He found GoodAccountants.com after typing “accountants” in a search engine.

“They set us up with the perfect accountant,” Randazzo says. “The accountant knows the industry and knows exactly what we needed to do.” The franchise needed an accountant who was familiar with the restaurant industry and GoodAccountants.com found them one within 24 hours. “Now that we have a new accountant, our back office, all of our paperwork, is streamlined. Life is so much easier.”

The new accountant helped find new relationships with banks, helped find new investors and helped develop multiple franchise opportunities. As a result of getting a new accountant, Randazzo is hopeful of opening up as many as 10 franchises in the Long Island area of New York. “If not for GoodAccountants.com, we probably would have just picked one out of the yellow pages and wouldn’t have found the perfect accountant for what we needed.”

“GoodAccountants.com did not charge a fee for their services at all,” continues Randazzo, “and they set us up with a free consultation with our accountant.” In the past people have paid thousands of dollars for this type of referral service. That was before the advent of the Internet and before GoodAccountants.com existed.

At the end of the day, whether business owners decide to use a professional referral service or slog through the yellow pages, finding the right accountant may be the answer to creating true growth and success.

This article was written by Omar Reed, a freelance business writer and financial analyst