LEAPING INTO ACTION

What a difference an extra day in a month can make especially when it's shortest month of the year!! 

An extra day of finalizing numbers in an effort to reach your budgeted goals. With the Canadian dollar just above par with the US dollar some foreign exchange costs can be minimized. 

Interesting that gas prices in North America continue to rise however in Venezuela, I recently learned that they can fill up their cars for less than $3.00 US.  This is possible because it is largely government subsidized.

Fred Rozell, director of Retail Pricing at the Oil Price Information Service(OPIS), explains that "Some countries want to try to encourage conservation and alternative fuels, so they might tax it. Others [like Venezuela] might want to subsidize it so that their people get cheaper fuel." Also, he notes, "In Europe they tend to tax a lot. That's why a lot of people don't have vehicles, and they have better mass transit." 

Until next time,

Remember leap year only occurs once every four years so use this day to your advantage!!

 

2012 Begins

It's been a busy beginning to 2012 finalizing everything and moving forward with the 2012 budgeted plans.  So much so that this month is at its close and a new month is right behind it.  Usually it's February that seems to be over in a blink of an eye!

Corporate profitability and fundamentals are healthy.  As long as growth prevails, margins should be maintained and overall earnings can continue to rise, however the road back to normal will continue to be long and slow.

Take control of your business's future with the new budget and your goal setting strategy.  See where you may have opportuinites to budget and manage your spending, freeing up some cash to keep on track. 

  There are years that ask questions and years that answer.

Until next time,

Brief Overviw of 2011

As 2011 draws to a close we reflect on the many changes and challenges that presented themselves throughout the year: Leadership changes in ALL 3 levels of our government (a Federal majority, a Provincial minority and a new mayor for Toronto), Leadership changes throughout the Middle East and Africa, and the European Financial Crisis, just to name a few.

We review our successes and shortfalls to provide an understanding of the business cycle and review our 2012 budgets to ensure we have incorporated the learning.  We should have most if not all of the pieces in place so that we are ready to begin 2012 with focus and energy. 

I would like to wish you and your families a healthy, happy, safe holiday season and a prosperous 2012! 

  And now let us welcome the New Year full of things that have never been 

 Until next time,       

SUPPORTING GROWTH

Many times a business is looking for ways to support/fund a renovation that would lead to future growth and new product possibilities, or perhaps have new government regulations to adhere to that would require revamping their current production processes.

Keep in mind that there are government resources that may be available in the form of funding, loans with delayed pay back periods or non-interest bearing loans.  Of course there is the detailed account of the current viability of the business and an expected outcome that needs to be presented and documented.  This takes time and an in-depth knowledge of your business.  It allows for forward thinking of five years and beyond.

Given the current market conditions, many businesses are only looking at short term results without considering long term viability and have no plans beyond the annual budget numbers.  Sometimes we need to take a moment to look at the number of different possibilities and plan to make use of resources available to create a future for our business that are viable five years and beyond.

It's good to have a goal to work towards, but it is the journey that really matters

 Until next time,

Where is your business headed this season?

Just in time for the change in seasons, the online home of Haystead Consulting is officially complete! Welcome to the brand new web site and my blog "Cynthia Speaks".

As fall settles in and the days grow shorter, one can feel the crispness in the air. It’s the time of year we start to prepare our budget planning for the next year (if your company has a calendar fiscal). We are also taking a look at our current actual results and comparing them to planned year to date numbers, discussing the variances and perhaps reforecasting for the remainder of 2011. 

This is a busy time of year when businesses are looking at their successes and failures,
making decisions that will enable them to end the year successfully and move
into the New Year with confidence and growth year over year.

As your consultant, I look forward to working with you during this period of reforecasting and profit planning, helping you to understand the changes, as well as identifying weaknesses and areas for growth. I will also continue to provide support with your monthly reporting providing insights that can realize cost savings for your businesses.

I would like to leave you with a thought for today:

Our aspirations are our possibilities.

Until next time,