March 28, 2024
Published by 
Chris Cruger on March 28, 2024
Chris Cruger on March 28, 2024In the January issue of The Director, I wrote about the importance of planning, awareness and accountability as the bedrock of your business success in 2024. Having a plan is the first critical step. Next, and most important, is execution – putting a predetermined course (your plan) into action. It means carrying out tasks, activities and steps outlined in your plan to achieve your goal(s). If you don’t do those things, your plan will likely fail. In other words, a well-crafted plan is just the beginning. Its true power lies in the commitment and discipline necessary to make it happen. Execution marks the real difference between success and failure. Clearly Defined Roles The key starting point is laying out clearly defined goals about what you want to achieve. Make sure they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound, i.e., SMART […]
February 29, 2024
Published by 
Jarod Bernat on February 29, 2024
Jarod Bernat on February 29, 2024As we collaborate with our clients on their business operations, one of the components that we always factor in is creating a proper your succession plan early so that you are prepared well in advance of your transition out of the profession. Planning for your future now is vital. We asked Senior Associate, Jarod Bernat to share his insights on how the importance of a succession plan for a funeral home or cemetery business. Question: I do not have a succession plan for my business created yet. Do I really need one? Jarod Bernat: It often seems that within our profession, “planning for the future” takes on a different meaning than it does to the rest of the world. The funeral and cemetery profession is dominated by devoted servants to their communities who plan their lives and their businesses one […]
February 29, 2024
Published by 
Nicole Vullo on February 29, 2024
Nicole Vullo on February 29, 2024In our next installment of Ask the Owners, Diann Anderson, formerly of Anderson Funeral & Cremation Services discusses the importance having the right team outside of your internal team to help you be a success: Trust is something that you do every day. To trust is to have a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. While the concept of trust seems simple on the surface — it’s about believing in someone’s reliability, integrity, and competence — it involves various layers and nuances that make it intricate. One of the greatest challenges Steve and I faced when we started digging into changing the paradigm at our funeral home was “Who can we trust?” I’m not speaking about which employees are trustworthy. I’m speaking about the importance of having the right team outside of your […]
February 29, 2024
Published by 
Curtis Rostad on February 29, 2024
Curtis Rostad on February 29, 2024If you ask business owners to make a list of things they dread, having to fire an employee probably ranks right up there with an IRS audit. Both can keep you up at night and make you wish you didn’t own the place. But as much as they might dread it, eventually, most business owners are faced with having to terminate an employee. This article is intended to help when you are faced with that decision. First, I believe that no employee should be fired by surprise. They may be shocked when you actually do it, but they should already know that their performance (or lack thereof) has not been acceptable and that their job was at risk before they are terminated. I recommend that you conduct periodic job reviews and/ or have a progressive discipline policy. By reviewing performance […]
January 30, 2024
Published by 
Taylor Weber on January 30, 2024
Taylor Weber on January 30, 2024As we guide our clients through the uncertainties of 2024, the question of strategic positioning is paramount. We asked Financial Analyst, Taylor Weber to share her insights on how to set your business up for success this year. Question: “How can we strategically position ourselves for success in 2024, and what key factors should we prioritize?” Taylor Weber: This is a very important question and one that we are asked a lot by our clients, especially during the first month of the year. Establishing a solid budget and goals for our clients heading into the new year involves a collaborative effort and an evaluation of qualitative and quantitative factors, particularly considering the unique circumstances of what post-COVID looks like. It is crucial to recognize that comparing historical operations to the anomalous years of 2020-2021 might not be practical. The industry […]