For the new year, I have decided to ask some of the most respected industry leaders to share their thoughts on success. Thank you to Norm Hullinger, the CEO of alphabroder, for sharing his valuable advice. First question: In your years of experience in our industry, what do you think the most financially successful people…
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Ask the Accountant… Question: I have sales in several states. Do I have to collect sales tax in states other than my own? Answer: Sales tax has always been a complicated issue, and it was made infinitely more complicated by the Supreme Court ruling in South Dakota v. Wayfair in 2018. The decision means that…
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It’s curious to me that we are in the “branding business,” yet so many companies seem to have a brand that does not contribute to their success. Here’s a rule I learned many years ago: If you sell products, you will be asked to quote prices. If you sell solutions, you can name your price. Pick…
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Ask the Accountant… Question: Do You Know Where Your Order History Is? Answer: I have been working with OrderMaster users recently, because this software system is no longer supported by the manufacturer and the software is crashing. Hundreds of distributors have been using OM for as long as 20 years. It is now failing because…
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Ask the Accountant… Question: How can I find out which invoices are open and when they are due? Answer: In QuickBooks Premier, go to: “Reports” > “Customers and Receivables” > “A/R Aging Detail” This report will list all of your open invoices and their due dates. It will also “age” the invoices, showing how long…
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No matter what your faith, these words from John Lennon’s song “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” are an awesome reflection for all of us at this time of the year. Take a few moments and reflect on these words: So this is Christmas And what have you done Another year over And a new one…
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Ask the Accountant… Question: I am downloading QuickBooks Premier. Which edition do I pick? Answer: QB Premier has multiple editions built into it. You purchase QB Premier, but select the edition when you are downloading the software. For our industry, choose the Manufacturing and Wholesale Edition. It best suits our business needs, and has a…
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Do you see your career as just a job? Just a way of making money? Something that keeps you from doing what you really want to be doing with your life? If you can see your career as a calling, it can become a positive expression of you, an integral part of who you are…
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Ask the Accountant… Question: Is it hard to update from my QuickBooks Premier from an earlier year to the current year? Answer: That depends on how old your current QB is. If it’s from the last three or four years, it should be a matter of installing your new QB Premier, and merely opening the…
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In his list of things to do to maximize success, Lou Holtz, the legendary coach and analyst, once said, “Stop watching CNN.” He wasn’t talking about the news station. He was talking about all news sources that only broadcast “CNN”—Constantly Negative News…
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