Share what you know with millions of people

Focus is the best place to turn what you know into remarkable content

×

Charles Freeland

Follow Following Unfollow

Business Consultant

80 points

Having owned and operated several successful businesses, I draw on my experience to consult with and to assist small and medium sized businesses with their marketing and to finance their business growth.

Aug. 2, 2011

Charles Freeland answered this question

What's the difference between a CFO and a Controller?

A CFO is a corporate officer primarily responsible for managing the financial risks of the corporation. This officer is also responsible for financial planning and record-keeping, as well as financial reporting to higher management.
A comptroller is a management level position responsible for supervising the quality ... more

Business Finance

Aug. 2, 2011

Charles Freeland and 4 other people answered this question

As my business grows, at what point do I need outside (or hire my own staff) help in accounting?

Kim and Diane are "right on target". As a business owner (and definitely NOT an accountant) my opinion, which may not be worth 2 cents, is to have someone guide you from the very beginning. And it looks to me like, either of these two ... more

Aug. 1, 2011

Charles Freeland and 6 other people answered this question

Are there any alternatives to loans to finance my small business?

Every response has some very good advice, and I concur with each. You might download and read "29 Ways to Fund a Business" http://business-financing-book.com/node/4 The link contains some very good info also. more

Business Finance

Financial Services

July 21, 2011

Charles Freeland is now following Lori Janjigian and 3 other people

July 20, 2011

Charles Freeland and 4 other people answered this question

How do you develop your personal brand?

Chris:
Janet Fouts is "right on" with her response to your question. I concur.
Our company does not advertise in social media, however. Call me an "old school" guy, but I just do not believe in it.
Our sales people are "on the street" and "face to face" ... more

Human Resources

July 18, 2011

Charles Freeland and 3 other people answered this question

What are the benefits of conducting a vendor due diligance report?

Dr. Ezendu's outline for DD on a vender is nearly the exact list our company has and is using to background a vender prior to doing business. Very well put, sir. more

Business Finance

Finance Reports

June 14, 2011

Charles Freeland and 20 other people answered this question

Should a sales candidate have to provide W-2s from previous sales jobs to substantiate performance?

No! What Alex Shootman said...........

Human Resources

May 16, 2011

Charles Freeland asked a question

What is the range percentage of rates and fees charged by asset based lenders?

Asset Based Lending

May 15, 2011

Charles Freeland and 7 other people answered this question

What are the main reasons to upgrade your Linkedin account?

Of all the responses I read, NONE aswered the question that was posed. Where all of the negativity comes from is a mystery. If the respondents don't like LinkedIn, why not leave? That would solve your problem.
To respond to the question -- an upgraded LinkedIn ... more

General Management

Linkedin Profile

May 15, 2011

Charles Freeland and 6 other people commented on this post

Why sales should stop "checking in" and five tips to avoid it

Oh yes! Mr. Craig Rosenberg's (1-"always mutually agree...") and (2-"don't be such a wimp") are the core answers to the question. One must have control of the sales process, and a client (based on my experience) sincerely appreciates the sales person taking control and "taking ... more

Sales Intelligence

April 13, 2011

Charles Freeland and 3 other people answered this question

Purchase or Lease? What is the right choice for small business owners?

I disagree that leasing is more expensive than other forms of finance. In some small cases, such as the above mentioned cars (most times which is retail) that can be true.
With the advantages for 2011 of 100% depreciation and IRS 179 tax deductions, leasing is ... more

April 6, 2011

Charles Freeland and 25 other people answered this question

Do you really read electronic newsletters that hit your inbox?

If I have subscribed, yes, I read them. Non subscribed newsletters are deleted 97% of the time. more

April 2, 2011

Charles Freeland and 5 other people answered this question

How do you track and analyze the monthly expenses of your small business?

A combination of the three responses, above.
An annual budget vs actual expenses, tracked in an excel spreadsheet.
Quickbooks for monthly accounting. CPA for year end annual finances and taxes. more

Analytic Applications

Expense Management

March 15, 2011

Charles Freeland recommends this answer by Raelin Musuraca

If you go into business with a friend what are some things you should do to protect yourself?

First and foremost you want to protect your friendship. You do this by setting aside the friendship and meet as business colleagues to put in place contracts with each other. Talk about it and agree to leave the "friend" outside the room. It's a state ... more

March 15, 2011

Charles Freeland and 1 other person answered this question

Why don't owners in leagues such as the NFL and NBA make athletes shareholders in the teams?

If I want to trade someone (or get rid of them) can you imagine the legal headaches that would arise if you had a partnership agreement?
I certainly would not want a partnership with a LeBron James, or from the past, a Dennis Rodman.
Smaller "up front" ... more

Collective Bargaining

March 12, 2011

Charles Freeland and 2 other people answered this question

Business credit cards with rewards: Which one's the best?

In my opinion, the very best credit card is from American Express. Good incentives, many other benefits, great customer service, and more security than any other card. more

Business Credit Card

Business Travel

March 12, 2011

Charles Freeland and 4 other people answered this question

What's the best thing about being an small business owner?

Small Business Owner

March 12, 2011

Charles Freeland and 18 other people answered this question

What is your favorite software for small business accounting?

What Douglas Millington said..................

Accounting Software

March 12, 2011

Charles Freeland and 1 other person answered this question

Do you use a credit card that provides rewards or incentives for making purchases?

In my opinion, the very best credit card is from American Express. Good incentives, many other benefits, great customer service, and more security than any other card. more

Business Credit Card

Business Finance

Feb. 23, 2011

Charles Freeland and 2 other people answered this question

How are the current tax laws favorable for businesses?

Lauren:
Perhaps John and I are looking at this from a different perspective. There are recently passed laws that are absolutely favorable to business, and are positive additions.
For instance, The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. Here is a White Paper on the subject: http://www.smartfinanceoptions.com/SmallBusinessJobsAct.pdf
And ... more

Accounting Software

Business Finance

Feb. 15, 2011

Charles Freeland and 1 other person answered this question

Under what economic conditions should a business invest in growth vs build its reserves?

In my opinion, a business should invest in growth when the market is down, in preparation for when the market is on the upswing. more

Growth Strategy

Jan. 29, 2011

Charles Freeland recommends this answer by Teresa Dentino

Is there a new "normal" that we need to consider when we make financial plans now?

The new normal to consider in planning is that we no longer can rely on highly-leveraged situations to create growth - whether we're discussing small businesses, corporations, individual finances or even at the government level. For several decades we experienced a feeling of well-being and ... more

Following 2 Topics

Business Finance

Following 4 People

Followed by 20 People

Knowledgeable in 18 Topics

#479 of 2984

#61 of 244

#207 of 749

General Management

#282 of 1194

Personal Branding

#13 of 43

Business Finance

#18 of 52

#25 of 64

#22 of 65

#27 of 87

#217 of 519

Sales Management

#205 of 522

#522 of 1429

Human Resources

#634 of 1481

#772 of 2156

#24 of 26

#58 of 88

#102 of 116

#768 of 1456