August 25, 2022
Published by 
Chris Cruger on August 25, 2022
Chris Cruger on August 25, 2022Top challenges facing those who lead the team and how to deal with them. One thing nobody impressed upon you when you were chosen for a position of leadership is the importance of simply showing up – to be there to handle situations with integrity, confidence and a balanced head; to be the guiding light; to be present; to be there when you’re needed, whenever that might be. Another thing no one told you was that you are supposed to have all the answers. Actually, that’s not true, but it isn’t far off. As the profession moves into this post-pandemic era, there is greater need for quality leaders today than ever before, which also means there is tremendous opportunity for young professionals today. Whether that journey leads to working for someone else or for yourself, success will likely require you […]
May 30, 2022
Published by Chris Cruger on May 30, 2022
Chris Cruger on May 30, 2022Many of us think of leadership and management as being synonymous, but they really are not. Moreover, leaders and managers potentially possess very different skill sets. While management and leadership often have overlapping functions, they should not be used interchangeably. Peter Drucker said, “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” A very subtle, yet profound difference. The good news, bad news – You do not necessarily need management skills to lead, and vice versa, you do not need leadership skills to manage. What you do need is a clear direction and plan to execute on. Management is the how and when, while leadership is the what and why. Now, the interesting thing about these two functions is that they play a role in every organization. Whether you are a team of two or have 200 employees […]
May 29, 2022
Published by Chris Cruger on May 29, 2022
Chris Cruger on May 29, 2022Things in your business have changed, and owners may need to refocus their plans. The last couple of years have been quite the wild ride as the world as we knew it was turned upside down. The ways we’ve done things for decades have changed and so must our thinking when it comes to reinvesting in our business. What we reinvest in our business is a combination of capital (money) and your most valuable resource, time. There is only so much of each, and the way we use them is vitally important in securing the future of our business. We have been filled with revelations about consumers and their propensity for convenience, transparency and preneed. Their wants and needs are different now, so we must adapt. We are plagued by staffing challenges and many of the same factors impacting the […]
January 26, 2022
Published by Chris Cruger on January 26, 2022
Chris Cruger on January 26, 2022Each year, American Funeral Director Magazine publishes a yearly forecast article where experts and innovators in the funeral and cemetery profession share their predictions for the year ahead. For 2022, they share their visions of the future of cremation, memorialization, technology, what a post-pandemic world looks like, and more. Chris Cruger had the honor this year to be part of this insightful article. This article originally appeared in the January 2022 issue of American Funeral Director, published by Kates-Boylston Publications, and is being shared with permission. We have included his excerpt below. You can also download the entire article Chris Cruger on his vision of 2022 I think we’re going to see quite a bit of the same in 2022 that we saw in 2021. Consumer attitudes and behaviors have changed so dramatically through COVID that it has completely shakin’ […]
December 20, 2021
Published by Chris Cruger on December 20, 2021
Chris Cruger on December 20, 2021“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”– Benjamin Franklin When we gather for the holiday this year, I suggest we take a moment to be thankful. This has been a very long, hard past couple of years. The death care profession has gained new levels of recognition in the media and society. The emergence of the profession as the “last responders” has propelled it to new heights. However, this recognition does not come without a price. Many are worn out, stressed and on their last nerve. The past couple of years have been difficult for most, but extraordinarily so for our profession. To continue to do the incredible work that you do, you must be at the top of your game. Make sure that you are taking care of your –and your staff’s – mental health. There […]
December 9, 2021
Published by Chris Cruger on December 9, 2021
Chris Cruger on December 9, 2021The Renewed Focus on Pre-Need: Giving Consumers What They Want DOWNLOAD NOW While Covid-19 has had massive effects on how consumer perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors have changed at an accelerated pace all across the board, consumer demand for pre-planning is an area that has taken front and center for the funeral and cemetery professional. While the last two years have been taxing across the globe, hitting the psyche of consumers everywhere and in almost every industry, the pandemic has taken a particular toll on funeral and cemetery last responders who have borne the brunt of helping families affected by the virus. Because there is a heightened awareness over one’s own mortality given Covid deaths, there has been a marked change in the attitudes of consumers regarding the value and importance of having pre-arrangements in place. As we discussed in the […]
November 23, 2021
Published by Chris Cruger on November 23, 2021
Chris Cruger on November 23, 2021Preparation is key when it comes to your strategic business plan for the new year. We were recently asked what steps are needed to take right now to plan for a successful year. Chris Cruger provides his insights to this important question below. Question: What do I need to be doing in order to set my funeral home up for success in 2022? Chris Cruger: First, I would suggest to take a moment to be grateful. This has been a very long, hard past couple years. The profession has gained new levels of recognition in the media and society. The emergence of the profession as the “last responders” has propelled the profession to new heights. However, this recognition does not come without a price. Many are worn out, stressed and on their last nerve. As we look towards 2022, many […]
November 22, 2021
Published by Chris Cruger on November 22, 2021
Chris Cruger on November 22, 2021Strategic and operational plans are not just “set and forget” items. Your business’ growth and success depend on them. One ultimate mistake funeral home and cemetery owners and management make when putting together a strategic plan is confusing it with other types of planning. A strategic plan is a tool that provides you and your business with the framework to accomplish the company’s mission with proficiency and impact. Sorry, folks, the grand blueprint in your mind doesn’t qualify. Your plan really must be measurable and in writing. Typically, your strategic plan will encompass a timeframe of three to five years. It is not something you just set and forget. It should be your playbook for the business. You will constantly monitor and adjust it into a clear annual operating plan and budget. Regardless of what you call it, the point […]
September 21, 2021
Published by Chris Cruger on September 21, 2021
Chris Cruger on September 21, 2021The Democrats who are part of the House Ways and Means Committee have issued an updated draft on the tax legislation. This proposal is one that will have substantial effects to your personal taxes. For the legislation to pass, a minimum of House and Senate Democrats will need to agree, as well as the White House. We will continue to keep an eye on the legislative process closely and providing updates throughout the fall legislative cycle. With the proposed legislation totaling over 800 pages it is a challenge for anyone to offer you a comprehensive analysis. The good news is that a handful of the proposed changes would impact transactions or transfers that are made before the new bill is passed. Many of the provisions would not take effect until January 1, 2022. Highlighted below you will find some of […]
August 24, 2021
Published by Chris Cruger on August 24, 2021
Chris Cruger on August 24, 2021It’s time to decide whether you’ll evolve your business or prepare for succession. The reference to “growth” in the business world does not necessarily coincide with multiple acquisitions. What it does pair with is the word “evolve.” The Foresight Companies’ 2021 Funeral and Cemetery Consumer Behavior Study revealed that consumers are embracing completely new ways of doing things and have no intention of going back to the old ways. They are evolving, and so should we. Empirical insights from the study show this clearly: 74% of consumers expect to find prices online (66% expect to see products online as well). 47% of consumers will not do business with a firm if it does not provide pricing online (if there is an alternative). 32% of consumers’ attitudes about the profession have changed because of COVID. Consumer attitudes about the profession’s ability […]
June 23, 2021
Published by Chris Cruger on June 23, 2021
Chris Cruger on June 23, 2021One of the sexiest topics out there is always growth. The only question is, what does growing really mean? For the purposes of this discussion, let’s consider growth becoming greater over a period of time. Growth doesn’t necessarily mean an aggressive acquisition binge, but it does mean being in a constant state of evolution. As we have seen in the 2021 Foresight Consumer Behavior Study, 32% of consumers have a different attitude toward the funeral and cemetery profession or their expectations for memorialization have changed as a result of the pandemic. Consumers are embracing a new way of doing things – and they have no intention of going back to the old way of doing things. Technology is rapidly becoming the bedrock of the profession. Over the past year, three groupings have emerged – there have been clear winners and […]
May 25, 2021
Published by Chris Cruger on May 25, 2021
Chris Cruger on May 25, 2021Buying and Selling continues to be a hot topic with our readers and the profession in general. We were recently asked about the selling process. Chris Cruger provides his insights on this topic. Question: With everything going on right now, should I be thinking about selling my business? Chris Cruger: When considering your options, you need to ask yourself if the time is right to sell? Should you continue to operate? Consider these four issues: Examine your motives for wanting to sell – Is the decision being driven by health reasons, divorce, death, cremation, etc.… – The reason will determine the urgency and timing. Tax Environment – Sellers are able to get a very attractive capital gains treatment right now. A business sold today will have an effective tax rate of approximately 20 percent. That rate could go as high […]