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 […]