Mastermind Solutions, a Toronto based management consulting organization that focuses on business growth through strategy, marketing, finance and organizational design and Corporate Renaissance Group (CRGroup), a leading provider of business software and performance management solutions, today announced a strategic alliance to bring a full suite of complementary services to the mid-market business[...]

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Just Imagine. Business growth starts with your imagination Imagine elevating your business to a level that was previously unimaginable. Yes, it is possible, and don't let anyone convince you otherwise. As you confront the advent of the new year there are a number of important things you should do to improve the odds of an improved outcome next year.  Start by: Developing a budget for the [...]

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The concept of a part-time executive is becoming much more common. As a business growth strategy many mid-sized businesses realize that they function successfully with the resource of a part-time executive, without the need to engage a full-time employee in every role. Depending on the need, part-time executives can be engaged for short-term assignments or on a permanent basis, much like an [...]

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Many mid-sized businesses that are focused on their business growth strategy are constrained by the resources available for the accounting and finance function. These owners or CEOs often ask me about this dilemma. Here are the ten essentials that I believe must be in every business for the Accounting function to support a dynamic, growing business: Establish formal, written credit & [...]

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Don't get distracted by all the fancy tools you may see in your marketing toolbox. They are important, but only within a relevant context. Tools cannot be utilized effectively if there is not a nail to be smacked into the wall, or a light that needs to be fixed, or a wall that needs to be patched. There are circumstances that need to be in place before any particular tool can be used in an [...]

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When my clients are hiring, they often express a preference for someone from the same industry. They assume that the individual will have a much easier time familiarizing themselves with, and contributing to, the needs of the particular business. The same issue is often raised when I am being considered as a consultant or coach. I have always believed that for management roles, diversity is much [...]

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Do you worry that you are perceived as a "bean counter" or do people call you that "in jest"? How do you get away from this disparaging label? Beans are a cheap commodity, so to count them is a rather silly thing to do. A "bean counter" is one who nitpicks over small things. It is a derogatory term for accountants, bankers, and anyone who holds a financial interest in an endeavor.” A bean [...]

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By Julie King, Published on CanadaOne. Growth is often the bulls eye businesses aim for, yet ironically enough, when it arrives the sudden surge can cause a company to falter or even fail. James Phillipson, a chartered accountant who provides strategic financial management skills to small and medium sized businesses (SMEs), has a good grasp of the "growth challenges" smaller companies face. For [...]

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Two recent conversations reminded me of the importance of collections to the cash flow of a business and the ability to use that cash flow to grow your business. Too often, I find that businesses have delegated collection of accounts receivable and then do not adequately supervise that critical function. The art of collections is based on persistence and regular calling of customers with the [...]

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In The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business Harvey Schachter quotes Peggy Cunningham, Dean of Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax who says “…surround yourself with smart people who have different perspectives and different skills. Listen to them respectfully and attentively, draw out their ideas, and work to integrate their perspectives into your plans and solutions to problems.”[...]

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