Here at Vertical IQ, we are passionate about helping our customers understand industry-specific cash flow and cash management issues. Cash flow is a concern for nearly every small to medium-sized business (SMB). Evening out payables and receivables, ensuring you have enough cash on hand, but not TOO much liquidity — it’s a balancing act...

Today, it is more critical than ever to have access to Industry Intelligence so that you can advise clients and add value. Why?

Barlow Research Associates is probably the most well-known, and certainly the most accomplished, banking research company, especially with regard to gathering insights on how businesses view their banks.

As a small business development center (SBDC) counselor, you see a wide range of entrepreneurs looking to you for guidance on how to make their dream of starting a business come true. But having in-depth knowledge on a multitude of industries can be time-consuming.

Of course every business services firm that calls on small- to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) says they are a trusted advisor to their clients, but reality doesn’t always support that claim. I read a great article this week about how most firms that call on SMBs instead tend to provide “Random Acts of Consulting.” 

A value-added advisor is someone whose ideas and advice you respect enough to invest time and money into having them around. The business relationship is about more than just the product purchase itself. 

“Are we keeping up with the Joneses?” Owners of small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are always interested in how their competition is doing…and how they compare to them financially. Yes, it may be about ego to some degree, but it also tells a business owner how their company is faring financially. Are they middling, above average,...

When it comes to gaining trust with small to mid-sized business (SMB) owners, absence definitely does not make the heart grow fonder. In fact, it’s much more likely that if you’re out of sight, you’re also out of mind. Not a good situation if you want business owners to come to you when they have a need for your services.

“Trigger events” are major changes that affect a business. They can be milestones achieved through the normal course of a business’ life such as buying new equipment or moving locations. Or, they can be through environmental happenings outside of the business’ control such as new laws. For a business owner, they can be joyful, such as a...