Marco Terry

You can’t predict, but you can prepare for a 2024 environment full of uncertainty and potentially extreme outcomes.

Executives can improve their decision-making skills by applying simple techniques and becoming aware of common challenges.

A cash reserve is an essential component of a resilient business. It is your most important financial tool to ensure smooth operations.

Recessions increase the number of net-30 on invoices that turn into bad debt, but a simple method can catch them before they become a cash flow problem.

Tips and tools to help you navigate increasing inflation, interest rates and risk.

Companies in the construction industry are facing one of the most complex business environments in the past two decades. Get actionable suggestions to emerge from five current economic challenges as a stronger business.

The past couple of years have been marked by severe supply chain problems. As business owners, we have to adapt to this situation. We must find ways to operate in this environment, overcome its challenges and grow our companies.

Here are nine steps owners can take to ensure they are prepared to sell their business at the best possible price.

6 critical questions to ask before acquiring a company

Every January, I take my company through a process to prepare it for the year’s challenges. The goal is to position the company to handle problems and take advantage of opportunities. 

An owner can often get a good idea if their company could benefit from refinancing by asking four targeted questions.

Four strategies for glass company owners to handle this situation and limit the financial damage to their business.

Part I of the “All in Family” article series looked at several key considerations for business owners looking to sell to family members. It covered determining company direction, addressing management plans, pricing and more. Once those topics are discussed, an owner must determine the method and…

These topics of conversation may be uncomfortable, but they need resolution before the succession plan materializes. If they are not resolved beforehand, they are guaranteed to surface at the worst possible time.  

The Bottom Line We are in a unique time where there is uncertainty but also access to relatively cheap financing. This environment allows companies to improve their safety net, and potentially profits, by leveraging financing. It also allows them to improve cash flow by leveraging vendor…

Getting a large order can be either a blessing or a source of major problems for a company. It’s an obvious blessing if the company has the resources to fulfill it. However, if the company doesn’t, large orders can create havoc. It must scramble to find the resources to fulfill it. This task is…

Always avoid clients who are in a shaky financial position. They are prime candidates for bankruptcy. This advice may sound obvious, but few companies do anything about it until it is too late. This article presents strategies to detect and avoid potential client bankruptcies. But before…

There is growing concern that the United States is entering a recession. The decade-long recovery may be losing steam, and the economy may experience a contraction. At least, that is what some experts, and many TV pundits, say. Conversely, many experts are looking at the same or similar data and…

Two ways to grow Generally, there are two ways to grow a company. An owner can grow a company organically by increasing the client base through marketing. Or the owner can grow through acquisition by purchasing competitors. Organic growth is often slower but less risky. Growth by acquisition can…

The primary responsibility of a business owner or company manager is to make sure that employees are always paid on time. Nothing erodes company morale and employee goodwill more than missing payroll.  In my experience financing distressed businesses, few companies ever recover from missing…

Having a system in place to ensure that invoices are paid on time is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent cash flow problems. A company can avoid late-paying invoices and the problems associated with them by following the eight steps outlined in this article. Have a contract that…

One strategy to entice clients to pay sooner is to offer an early payment discount—usually a 2 percent discount if they pay within 10 days. A previous article in the October 2015 issue, “When to Offer Early Payment Discounts,” addressed considerations for suppliers. This article presents the…

During the recession that began in late 2007, things were tough for most companies. Many were laying off employees, and the construction industry ground to a halt. Most companies took any and every client just to get sales. It was a matter of survival. Unfortunately, this approach left many glass…

For small or new glass companies, buying supplies can be a serious challenge. They must pay their vendors as soon as—or, perhaps, even before—the supplies are delivered. This capital-intensive process means that they must have the cash at the time of purchase. Larger glass companies, on the other…