By: Rayanna Anderson Over the past 25 years, I have had the opportunity to work with thousands of small business owners. Some were great successes and others failed. According to the U.S. Small Business Association, almost half of businesses survive at least five years and about one third make it 10 years or more. If you are thinking about starting your own business, … [Read more...] about Bears Business Brief: Surviving small business ownership by focusing on failure
By: Vickie Hicks Having worked professionally with students and young professionals for over 25 years, I am often asked to share my best tips on professionalism. Investing time in the small details can reap big rewards in building a professional reputation and helping you climb the career ladder to success. Below is my top 10 list of professionalism tips for those new … [Read more...] about Bears Business Brief: Wear your name tag and write a thank-you note
By: Richard Ollis As we wind up 2015, U.S. workplace rules are beginning to smolder with more change. This past summer began with Supreme Court rulings in June that upheld subsidies for purchasing health insurance, and legalized same-sex marriage which entitles spouses to equal rights under federal and state laws. The pace of change then increased with a … [Read more...] about Bears Business Brief: Understanding 2015 employment rule changes
By: Dr. James Philpot Professional athletes are constantly evaluated by their numbers. A quarterback has a completion percentage, a pitcher an ERA. So how are your personal financial numbers? In my previous column (Sept. 27), I discussed the mechanics of constructing a personal balance sheet. In this column, I address common financial ratios for evaluating your personal … [Read more...] about Bears Business Brief: Assets and liabilities: How are your numbers?
By: Dr. Jeff Jones As interest rates have hovered near record lows for nearly a decade, many investors have increasingly sought alternatives to fixed-income securities in order to provide them with steady cash flow. One such investment alternative is something called a master limited partnership, or MLP. MLPs are an alternative to the traditional corporate … [Read more...] about Bears Business Brief: Exploring master limited partnerships