CT Expert Insights

Quintessence Group President Melinda Emerson explains how ramping up your online presence is now critical to your business surviving and possibly thriving. Emerson details how to proceed, whether you have no website or whether you need to improve your website and get serious about social media. She says there will be winners and losers after this recession and how we approach our online efforts ca...

Small business expert Barry Moltz explains how businesses need to pivot for the next year or longer since many customers will be reluctant to do business in person until the coronavirus threat is behind us. Moltz tells us what changes to expect in customer behavior, how to adapt to them, and how your online engagement will be critical to convincing people that their safety is your highest priority...

Small business owner and author Gene Marks explains the many benefits of the government's Paycheck Protection Program, what to be aware of before you apply for the money, and how to make the process work as smoothly as possible. He also details several other federal programs available to assist business owners. Finally, Marks offers advice on what to do when you open your doors again and outlines...

Congress appears close to replenishing funds for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to give many more small businesses assistance in meeting payroll and other obligations until they are able to reopen. But what can you expect when applying for these forgivable loans? Lisa Ellen Downs owns Ellen's Bridal and Dress Boutique in Wabash, Indiana. She explains some of the challenges in getting financ...

Emergencies like COVID-19, a fire, or a tornado could force businesses to shut down for long stretches of time. But just because the doors are closed doesn't mean the compliance obligations stop. CT Corporation Publications Attorney Sandra Feldman explains how to respond if your LLC or corporation has to close for a while and details the responsibilities you still have under the law. She also prov...

Description: When the Coronavirus threat got clearer in early March, businesses around the nation suddenly found themselves preparing for massive changes. CT Corporation immediately swung into action, coordinating and collaborating with all 50 states and the District of Columbia to present business owners with the latest critical information. CT Corporation Senior Manager for Government Relations...

Small business owners are facing unprecedented uncertainty right now but there are some best practices for making sure your business survives. Big Ideas for Small Business Inc. President Barbara Weltman walks us through some of the many loan programs available and points out that some of those loans don't even need to be paid back! She also offers examples of how businesses are already adapting to...

As millions of Americans suddenly find themselves working from home, what are the best ways for business owners to keep both productivity and morale high at an uncertain time? Matuson Consulting President Roberta Matuson explains how leaders can make their colleagues and employees feel valued from a distance, why flexibility is critical, and how this sudden shift to telework can look different bet...

Once you decide to establish a statutory business entity there are five critical questions you need to answer. CT Corporation Publications Attorney Sandra Feldman walks us through decisions like which entity is best for you, where to set it up, what to name your business and more. Feldman also explains the different considerations when answering each of these critical questions.

Working on clients’ international deals can bring a host of unexpected challenges. Plan for success by anticipating the differences and building them into your deal timeline and workflow. Global Services Expert Bianca Erb discusses the importance of careful planning, respecting cultural differences, and working with an experienced team (on the ground) in multiple countries. A corporate service pro...

Change is always coming to your business, but the right leadership approach can embrace that change to build strong teams and foster continued success. Deke Copenhaver, author of "The Changemaker," walks us through the critical attributes of a business leader who embraces change and inspires those around them to give their very best.

Roughly half of startups fail within the first five years, but why does that staggering statistic persist? In their new book, "The Titanic Effect," Indiana University Professors Kim and Todd Saxton explain it's because hidden debts and other issues lurking below the surface often combine to ruin businesses. They also explain how being on the lookout for these icebergs greatly improves your chances...

CT Corporation Publications Attorney Sandra Feldman explains what business owners need to know before expanding operations to another state. Feldman walks us through the entity, tax, and licensing issues that must be addressed and also details the penalties for noncompliance.

Printful CEO Davis Siksnans shares how his printing business quickly grew from a small operation to an international success. Siksnans explains how to gauge whether your side gig has the potential to be a success, how to know when it's time to go even bigger, and why aspiring business owners should never do work for free.

Accountability expert Sam Silverstein shares what accountability is and what it isn't and explains how to evaluate the commitment of your team members to your stated values. Silverstein also details how to hire people to build a thriving culture of accountability and why focusing on accountability first often leads to even greater profits.

CT Corporation Publications Attorney Sandra Feldman explains the three most critical elements of a limited liability company, or LLC, and how those apply to a business. Feldman also lays out the consequences for failing to abide by the LLC and details why every business owner in an LLC needs a good operating agreement.

In today's business world, governance needs to be more responsive and nimble than ever, but it helps to know what issues you're likely to face. Attorney Michael Peregrine of McDermott, Will, and Emery walks us through the smart ways for board members to address outside economic and political volatility, innovations within your industry, compliance challenges, and even who ought to be serving on th...

Small business expert Gene Marks explains why he believes this will be an "easy" year for businesses thanks to a strong economy. He also offers accounting tips to improve the cash flow for your business, highlights innovations that could be a big help to you, and discusses the biggest mistake small business owners keeps making.

As business owners enter a new decade, it is critical to use all the marketing tools we have for our advantage. GrowBiz Media CEO and President Rieva Lesonsky shares her eight marketing resolutions for 2020. Lesonsky explains how to weave your marketing efforts together more effectively, how to use videos and personalized emails to your advantage, and even how to make micro-influencers work for yo...

Shawn Kastle, principal product manager at CT Corporation, introduces us to IntelliChart, a cutting-edge tool that is already revolutionizing work for law firms around the country. Kastle explains why IntelliChart drastically improves efficiency and reduces of tedious data input and how it puts critical information in front of all key personnel with just a keystroke.

Business expert and novelist Diana Kander discusses her new book, "The Curiosity Muscle," and examines the four questions business owners should constantly be asking themselves. Kander also draws on her expertise to offer helpful tips for launching new products - and which tactics to stay away from.

CT Corporation Publications Attorney Sandra Feldman joins us to explain why it is vital for every business to establish a formal entity, the reasons why a business owner would consider changing that entity, and how to go about implementing that change correctly.

It's not easy for business owners to trust other people with the day-to-day oversight of different parts of the business, but for the sake of the business and the business owner, it must be one of your goals. But what does successful scaling look like? Duct Tape Marketing founder John Jantsch shares the ingredients to building a business that can thrive without you.

Do you believe you need to cast the widest possible net for customers or that satisfied customers will naturally recommend your business to their friends? Duct Tape Marketing Founder John Jantsch joins us to explain why narrowing your focus on customers and how you target them is actually a much better strategy. He also shares how to proactively turn happy customers into active ambassadors for you...

Administrative work and other cumbersome duties gobble up a lot of time and hamper the innovation and productivity of employees. That work still needs to be done, but "Simplify Work" author Jesse Newton reveals how to approach it differently to unleash the full potential of your business.