Internet Sales Increase 14%

Internet sales up over 14% this weekend!  Are you online and got your share?  If not, let me know.  I can help!

I have a technology client that is one of the best in Hawaii.  Well recognized and respected.  Been in the business for almost 20 years.  They can have you up and running on the internet for much less than you think.

Follow this link and check them out.  http://www.supergeeks.net/   Deal directly with Kim Kerr (the owner) and let Jim know that Reg sent you.  Let me kow if I can help.

Reg Baker
http://www.regbaker.com/ 

Small Businesses Need Help!

According to the SBA, "the cost of doing business is 36% higher at small companies compared with their larger counterparts, a representative of the Small Business Administration told the Senate. The added costs are the result of government regulations including tax-related costs and environmental requirements. The disparity makes it more difficult for small businesses to compete, said Winslow Sargeant, the agency's chief counsel for advocacy".

A couple of interesting facts; small businesses employ the majority of all workers and are usually the first to recover from a slow economy.  Contrary to popular thought, small business owners are not wealthy and struggle just like everyone else.  In most cases they struggle even more than their employees!

We need to reduce regulation, cut small business taxes and do everything we can to promote small business.  We need to help small businesses to survive so that they can begin hiring again and put America back to work!

Reg Baker, CPA

Getting Better?

Business is beginning to pick up. Getting real busy! Anyone else see this?

I have closed several new accounts in the past month. I am seeing signs that more business is coming. I haven't seen this type of activity for over a year or more. Is it possible that the end of the Great Recession is coming to an end?

Let's hope this trend continues for a long time........

Veterans Day

Today is Veterans Day! 

Proud to say I did my tour with the Navy in SE Asia (1974 to 1975). 

Where would America be without her Veterans?  Would there even be an USA?

If you see a Vet today, please thank them!

Reg Baker

What you need to know about putting your business online

Super Geeks - Guest Blogger

"If your business is not online, you're dead."

 

I recently overheard a colleague say that. Harsh words. But take a look around. Big companies are actually going out of business. Blockbuster underestimated Netflix.com and is now shuttering thousands of stores. Barnes & Noble was slow to leverage the internet and now the whole company is up for sale.

If well-funded companies like those are feeling the impact of the internet, you can imagine how serious it is for the little guy. But as my grandfather used to say: You never want to miss a good crisis.

 

Now's the time to retool your business around the internet.

If you do it right, you may be able to eat the big boys' lunches!

Read my Pacific Business News column on what we did for ProImageHawaii.com and how you can use the internet to build your company's bottom line.

Here are my 10 tips for getting going with e-commerce success.

We can help.

Want a custom website for your business? Does your existing site need to be modernized? Request a FREE quote on your project. http://www.supergeek.net/

Nearly two-thirds of retailers, or 64 percent, expect their companies' online revenue to increase by at least 15 percent compared with last year, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation's Shop.org online arm. Read more at http://www.staradvertiser.com/.

Always, always emulate best practices. These companies do e-commerce well:

 

http://www.amazon.com/ - the epitome of ecommerce

http://www.dell.com/ - customized shopping + concierge

http://www.iqvc.com/ - easy to find what you're looking for
http://www.clinique.com/ - site bonds well with shopper right away
http://www.fogdog.com/ - good, easy access to big inventory

Reg Baker comments:  James Kerr and Super Geeks have been clients of mine for over 15 years.  James and his Team are great to work with and gets results.  Please contact him via his website http://www.supergeeks.net/ or call (808) 531-GEEK (4335).

I'd be happy to work with you and Super Geeks to get you online and generating internet sales dollars! 

Reg Baker, CPA

(702) 283-0784

Email: reg@regbaker.com

Employee Appreciation

On my way to attend a early morning ceremony honoring outstanding employees. We need more of these!

We need to recognize the efforts of employees every chance we get. It is the employee that is the face of the company and it is critical to keep them motivate and “happy”. In many (if not all) companies it is the employee that can make or break its success.

If you see an opportunity to show appreciation to an employee (whether your company or someone else’s) please do so. Positive feedback is always appreciated and can be highly motivational.

Reg Baker, CPA
http://www.regbaker.com/

Obamacare Lawsuit Status

Obamacare Insurance Costs Skyrocket!

I recently attended a briefing on the Obamacare lawsuit filed by over 30 states; including Nevada (despite Nevada's Attorney General refusal to participate). I was stunned to learn that the average annual insurance cost that the young & healthy will need to cover when Obamacare is fully implemented is about $15,000 per household. This is a greatly inflated amount (for the young and healthy) that is necessary to cover the insurance costs for the rest of the nation.


Personally I am seeing 20 to 30 percent increases for my clients when they renew medical coverage for their employees. The insurance companies are increasing premiums due to the Obamacare mandates of not allowing preexisting conditions and eliminating caps on benefits to pay out. With these huge premium increases many employers are either passing the increase on to employees or dropping coverage all together. The promise Obama made of no increase cost has, as expected, proven to be false and misleading. It is no wonder that Obama’s approval rating is at record lows.


The other issue the lawsuit addresses is the federal government’s mandate that all citizens are required to purchase a specific product (i.e. medical insurance), regardless of state governments laws. This type of specific product federal mandate that overrules state laws has never, in the history of our nation, been done before. The theory is if we let this happen now what is next? Is a federal mandate to purchase a GM vehicle to support the auto industry or maybe borrow money to support the banking industry next? Silly as it may seem, there is no way to predict what will happen next. Just look at prohibition, $700 screwdrivers and federal grants to study the habits of ants in Africa


In the early days of our country, the states allowed a federal government to exist as long as state rights were not overridden. The Obama administration is attacking this very basic principal that our country was built on and intentionally ignoring our countries founding fathers intent.

Let’s hope that the lawsuit is successful.

Dredit Card Debt Down!

Consumers paying off credit card debt much faster than before the Great Recession!  Maybe caused by bankruptcy filings?!  LMAO

With unemployment and underemployment at record highs and businesses shutting their doors everyday, how can consumers be paying off their debt?  The only way I can think of is that the debt is being discharged through bankruptcy. 

Okay, maybe some are biting the bullet and cutting back on their expenses, which is the smart thing to do.  But with retail sales numbers flat or slightly better than last year this strategy of cutting back does not seem to be widespread. 

What will happen when the double dip recession slaps us all in the face and layoffs, downsizing and reduced hours start all over again??  We will all wish that we had cut back, reduced our debt and been better prepared.

Good luck to all those trying to survive out there!

Reg Baker, CPA
www.regbaker.com

Samll Business Picking Up

Small Business Shows Sign of Life!

NFIB survey shows small-biz optimism highest since Sept 2008! Job openings 16 month high! Vegas left out; but it’s a start!

Vegas seems to always lead the nation in a slow down and lag the nation in a rebound. It's all discretionary spending; gets cut first and replaced last.

The NFIB survey shows that small businesses nationwide are feeling better about a recovery. Let's hope it sticks and spreads to every business in the country!!

A Quote to Remember!

Something we all must keep in mind as we move forward in life and business.

"Never confuse motion with action". --Benjamin Franklin

Cost of Children

COST OF CHILDREN IS HIGH

Parents – It costs over $200,000 to raise a child to the age of 18, not including college expenses! Are you ready?


Google or Bing “Cost of Children” and get more information than you will ever need.

Contact me if you want to start doing some planning.  It is never too early or too late!

Reg Baker, CPA PFS
http://www.regbaker.com/

Powerful & Moving!

This is powerful. Especially for a Vietnam Veteran like me who saw way too much at a very young age......

http://www.nragive.com/ringoffreedom/index.html

Please pass this on for all those that are still in harms way.

Reg Baker, CPA

New State President for CPA's

I am officially the State President of the Nevada Society of CPA's. I am looking forward to a very interesting and productive year.

Please contact me with any thoughts or ideas on how to improve the Nevada Society of CPA's and increase value to its members.

Reg Baker, CPA PFS
(702) 283-0784
http://www.regbaker.com/

Guest Blogger - Even Now Are You Leading Inspired?

Mercedes Warrick is a good friend of mine and a master of maximizing internal energy. Mercedes is my Guest Blogger today and offers a very insightful blog. Enjoy!

Even Now Are You Leading Inspired?

In one of the most deeply impacted economic regions in the country, Las Vegas professionals are taking emotional hits amplified by feeling the painful impact of a severe financial realignment.

CPAs, CFOs, attorneys, and human resources executives are the lead professionals when deciding who stays and who goes. Loss of employees often also means deciding which essential service stays and which get cuts. These hard decisions are not only affecting the people losing their jobs. These hard choices affect the professionals making the decisions as well.

Recently I had lunch with two of my executive friends, both having had a crucial year of layoffs and heart break. Making choices that were critical to their companies’ imminent survival, they have had to make the tough people decisions that have influenced families and lives. As their stories unfolded I watched these compassion filled men agonize. It is not a view that many see and it was humbling that they let me in a little.

Watching as their body language gave way to their inner feelings; the tough exterior only a façade both are saying that, “life is too short.” One is changing directions totally, seeking to build up people while leading a profession towards recovery. The other, a recognized expert and leader, is in for the “long haul.” He is seeking to build up his work family, re-fortifying trust in an industry and company that is going through a huge identity crisis. Each asks me, “So what are you doing now?”

After spending many years in executive level marketing and corporate communications ~ which I loved ~ and now 3 or so years basically basking in Zen; I quietly say, “I am empowering leaders to lead at the speed of ZEN.”

“What does that mean?” each asked.

It means that even as you are going through this tough time you take an internal inventory and take care of what you need. Simply, are you asking?

What am I learning?

How am I growing? Becoming more compassionate? Standing in my courage?

Am I being true to my values and beliefs?

What inspires me? Soothes me? Comforts me? Even now…

How am I making sure that “this action, idea or belief” is showing up in my life now?

Abraham Maslow simply stated that we have a hierarchy that moves us through a continuum of satisfaction, safety, love, esteem, self actualization, a vision of the personal self and free will. Maslow stated that we must satisfy the lower levels before we can move to a personal utopia.

We are dynamic and the Zen, the place where our soul resides within us, allows for inner reflection. New seeds of desire, wants and inspirations are planted during these hard environments. And, whether we decide to stand our ground or bring new metamorphosis and change, when we lead from a dynamic sense of Self it inspires the people around us to move through their change gracefully, be courageous and transform too. So even as they are losing a job or maybe doing two or three times more work ~ often in fear ~ of what has happened to a family member or friend, your leadership is being noted. Your compassion and your stance present an energy that is dynamic and influential.

So where are you and how are you taking are of Self? Are you emerging? Changing direction? Standing your ground? Leading at the speed of Zen means having a communion with your inner Self knowing that within every time of recycling, room is made for planting. Are you…?

Educating Your Self!

Living Seeking Information and Knowledge

Growing Your Self!

Living with Awareness, Seeking Know- How

Motivating Your Self!

Living Seeking Action, Consistency & Living Inspired. Leading Inspired!

Live Every Moment, Every Day

***

This article may be reprinted with the following credit listed.

Mercedes Warrick is The Intuitive CEO™ at The Achievement Sanctuary®. After a life changing event she decided that life is too precious and now energizes leaders, emerging entrepreneurs and professionals to live inspired, lead inspired…. Leading at the speed of ZEN! Contact Mercedes at: mercedes@TheAchievementSanctuary.com or visit www.TheAchievementSanctuary.com

Mercedes Warrick
Intuitive CEO™
@ The Achievement Sanctuary™

I am Dedicated to Energizing Your Success!

For speaking engagements, 9 Breaths for Conscious Living

1-hour mini seminars, private consultations....

(702) 348-8800

www.TheAchievementSanctuary.com

Join me on Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedeswarrick

Reg Baker, CPA Installed as State President of Nevada Society of CPA’s

On June 4th, I will be installed as State President for the Nevada Society of CPA’s. This will be the second time that I have served as a State President or Chairman for a state society of CPA’s. I served as a two term Chairman for the Hawaii Society of CPA’s and now the State President (similar to Chairman) for the Nevada Society of CPA’s. Very few CPA’s have had the privilege of serving as the elected leader of two state Society’s of CPA’s.

My focus during the next year as State President is to promote Financial Literacy and generate interest with our members in industry. Occasionally we tend to forget that there are many CPA members that do not practice public accounting, We, as a society, need to increase visibility and service to these non-public accounting CPA’s.

Financial Literacy is an essential element of education that must be incorporated into our schools and colleges. Many of the social problems we are experiencing today could have been mitigated if we only provided some basic financial skills or awareness to our younger members of society. Warning our children and young adults of the danger of excessive debt, teaching them how to save and plan for the future and providing them knowledge to avoid being victims of a scam is a moral obligation we must take seriously.

Please let me know if you would be interested in assisting the NSCPA’s in either of the above objectives.

Interesting Observation & Ladies Attire

For all the ladies out there and for interested men:

Dress shabbily, they notice the dress. Dress impeccably, they notice the woman."

--Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel,French fashion designer

This is probably true for both sexes, although I am not sure how many men would actually wear a shabby dress...........

AICPA Council Meeting

Heading to the American Institute of CPA’s Council meeting in San Diego! Lots of important issues to discuss and address! 

I will be making good contacts throughout the country which could be very valuable. It is always fascinating to hear about the various challenges being faced by not only fellow CPA’s from different parts of the nation but also their clients. There is a never ending list of new problems and solutions. The experience is eye opening and very valuable.

Rotary Presentation

Had a great time presenting to the Centennial Hills Rotary Club on "Why Bankers and CPA's have a Stressed Relationship".

Essentially it has to do with the transformation of the Banker, Borrower and CPA team to a “cover your ass” litigation focused process. Banking is not what it used to be and neither is practicing as a CPA. Both industries have changed for a number of reasons but it has a lot to do with the litigious environment we now operate in.

I have a list of topics I can speak on.  Call me if you need a speaker!

Older Siblings Less Risky!

The order of your birth affects the amount of risk you take?

Research shows that younger siblings act riskier sooner than older siblings!

Apparently it has to do with older siblings having greater responsibility sooner than younger siblings.  Being the first born I can attest to that!! 

What do you think?

Reg Baker, CPA PFS
"First Born Son and Sometime Risk Taker"

Nevada Business Magazine Interview

Just had a great interview with Nevada Business Magazine! We discussed many challenges facing the CPA industry in Nevada. Look for me in the July issue!


Topics discussed were how the economy in Nevada was impacting CPA firms in the state, client retention issues, the IRS Tax Preparer Registration Program, regulatory issues like Big GAAP/Little GAAP, Big SOX/Little SOX and IFRS. Great dialog, great people and great reading!

Pick up the July issue of Nevada Business Magazine and let me know what you think!

Reg Baker, CPA PFS
Ph: (702) 360-2823
Cell: (702) 283-0784
Email: Reg@regbaker.com
http://www.regbaker.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/regbaker