It’s spring here in Florida, and the golfers are out in force. Golfers tell you they love the challenge, being outdoors, and the relaxed pace golf offers. While golf and investing might seem disparate, they share many similarities. If you can improve at one, you can likely improve at the other. Off to explore the… Continue reading 10 Ways That Golf Improves Your Investment Returns
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6 Reasons Why Index Funds Often Outperform Private Equity
The dream of many investors is to build enough net worth to be able to invest in a private equity fund as a limited partner. However, private equity frequently underperforms index funds. These mystical funds can invest in private businesses and various other securities. Such great flexibility and sophistication should ensure excellent results, but this… Continue reading 6 Reasons Why Index Funds Often Outperform Private Equity
Higher Ed IS In Transition
This is part and parcel of my dissertation research right now. A combination of demographic headwinds, compliance costs, deferred maintenance, and deferred compensation are causing higher ed institutions to struggle – especially in the Midwest and Northeast. “If there’s one trend I’m seeing, it’s the rising level of anxiety pushing people into looking for miracle… Continue reading Higher Ed IS In Transition
Leadership – Leaders Move Faster
Do you let “perfect be the enemy of the good?” Today’s customer is looking for speed and frictionless transactions – often ahead of money or perfection. Time is the one thing they can’t make more of. “Move fast and break things.” is the new normal. We create environments where analysis paralysis is the norm and… Continue reading Leadership – Leaders Move Faster
Focus On Business Basics
When assessing a business for acquisition or turnaround, focus on six basics – Management, Assets, Strategy, Revenue, Costs, and Potential synergies/M&A. What might look good on a spreadsheet or a presentation often fails one or more basic. Be ready to make quick changes. Too often, we get enamored with the potential of a business… Continue reading Focus On Business Basics
Are We Pushing The Edge on Corporate Debt?
Leveraged loans, covenant-lite agreements, and historically low-interest rates and defaults gave us a frothy corporate debt market. An economic downturn could be crushing weak banks/FI’s, investors, and companies on edge. The article by Fortune discusses the issues in more detail. Long story short, we are operating at the marginal edge, and any blip is… Continue reading Are We Pushing The Edge on Corporate Debt?
Customer Service – How You Make Them Feel *IS* the Product
Technology companies often focus on their products and leave service levels far behind. They rely on shiny objects and whiz-bang features to sell products. Companies that lead with technology often forget that the result of customer interaction isn’t the technology – it’s how the customer feels using it. At fusionZONE, we strive to be… Continue reading Customer Service – How You Make Them Feel *IS* the Product
CCPA Is Coming To Your Business January 1, 2020
I spent the last few days (and much of this week) reviewing CCPA and emerging trends in data privacy. I expect this will become a Federal issue given interstate commerce implications – and it needs to be. A patchwork quilt of 50+ regulations won’t fly. http://ow.ly/90M750xwjQ8
IRS: EV Credit Fraud Costing Millions
According to research by Forbes magazine and the Treasury Inspector General, potentially $100 million in EV credits have been wrongfully claimed since 2013. The Service publishes a list of allowable vehicles that are eligible for credit. The credit is generally limited to plug-in electric vehicles and is subject to a phase-out. Forbes found that 7… Continue reading IRS: EV Credit Fraud Costing Millions
Federal Court Upholds SALT Deduction Limitation
The 2017 federal tax law, which President Trump signed after a party-line vote in Congress, limited to $10,000 the state and local tax payments that families can write off on their federal income taxes if they itemize deductions. The provision, known as the SALT cap, disproportionately affected wealthy, high-tax states, where residents are more likely… Continue reading Federal Court Upholds SALT Deduction Limitation