From investing in and advising dozens of marketplace businesses for more than a decade, we have found that while simple five-star systems are good enough at identifying and weeding out very low-quality products or suppliers, they do a poor job of separating good from great products or suppliers. This may not be a big issue for marketplaces offering commodity products and services, but it can be a serious problem for marketplaces where it is important to allow truly great providers to differentiate themselves clearly. To read the full article in Harvard Business Review, click: The Problems with Five-Star Rating Systems…
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If, like the Rolling Stones, you can’t get no satisfaction (on the job), a recent survey may be able to shed a little light on why. Business backer FundRocket asked more than 1,000 workers what gives them purpose and pride at work—and what they found may surprise you. (Hint: It doesn’t come down to salary.) To read the full article in Glassdoor, click: The Real Source of Job Satisfaction.
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The Value of a Business is Not Always What it Seems (Part I of II) Personal goodwill is taxed at the individual capital gains tax rate, not the higher corporate income tax rate. Therefore, a credible personal goodwill calculation can amount to significant tax savings. One that is not adequately defensible invites risk of an audit. Every personal goodwill calculation is unique to each business, and the management interview is crucial. In this first of a two-part article, the author discusses when goodwill may need to be calculated and answers whether goodwill is only present if a key employee is…
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Creating Visibility and Personal Brand Recognition In this article, Dr. Frederiksen provides seven branding tips for aspiring experts.
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7 Keys to Becoming a Visible Expert In this article, Dr. Frederiksen discusses seven keys to becoming a visible expert.
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Drop the Excuses and Start Networking You’re never too busy to build trust with your colleagues or meet new contacts, writes Peter Economy. You’ll miss out on opportunities if you avoid networking events because you think you’re too busy or unlikely to meet anyone important. To read the full article in Inc., click: 10 Networking Mistakes That Get in the Way of Your Success.
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The Growing Importance of Social Media and Marketing Expertise Referrals are an old standard—perhaps the old standard—for growing your practice. For the better part of the last century, firms have worked under a simple assumption: do good work for your clients, network with referral sources such as attorneys and CPAs, and you will win new business through referrals. In this article, the author discusses the viability of this and emerging models.
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Top State Courts Consider the Value of Goodwill, the Legitimacy of the Income Method of Valuation In State of Texas v. Clear Channel Outdoor, the Texas Court of Appeals considers testimony from an expert regarding the income method of valuation for the billboards; in Walsh v. Walsh, the Court of Appeals of Arizona reassesses the realizable benefits of stock redemption value in a law firm, and determines the net assets of the firm should not be conflated with the husband’s own goodwill based on his reputation and experience.