Blog
Getting started with business systems and procedures
Standard operating procedures, systems, and processes are amazing because they keep everyone on the same page, keep client work consistent, reduce errors, and, honestly, take some of the thinking out of repetitive tasks and projects. Instead of setting up every...
Understand your cash flow better with a master recurring expense calendar
Recurring expenses are a major, major factor in small business cash flow. Things like rent, utilities, payroll, loans/leases, and software expenses are constantly drawing against your business revenue, profit, and emergency fund/war chest. Understanding, anticipating,...
Ask clients for feedback (instead of assuming)
After a few years in business (or in our chosen careers), we fall into this bad habit of assuming we know what our clients and potential new clients want. And, like all assumptions, that makes an ass of you and me. Bad assumptions lead to unhappy clients, weak...
Always have a Plan B
A major aspect of starting and running a successful small business is experimenting until you find what works for you then doubling down on it. You need to find the right processes, marketing channels, software, locations, employees, service providers, etc. And, once...
Reader question: “How do I respond to a bad review?”
Bad reviews are the worst. You're busy juggling client demands, admin tasks, and your personal life while genuinely trying to do a great job, then, out of nowhere, you get a bad review. It's the last thing you need and an absolute downer. But, more importantly, it's...
Credit card debt is like quicksand
Credit card debt is a funny thing. It's brutal and can quickly overwhelm your business with its 15%+ interest rates. But, it's frequently glamorized by entrepreneurs. Many entrepreneur influencers suggest funding your early-stage business with credit card debt or...
Review your Profit & Loss before you forward it to your accountant this tax season
It's no secret that I love accounting. Accurate accounting helps you make more educated business decisions, plan spending, and detect fraud. And, modern accounting software makes the entire process so much easier. It downloads transactions, suggests categorizations,...
Making a New Year’s resolution isn’t enough to transform your business. You need a plan.
Hey, I'm Michael Eckstein 👋, and this is 'Ordinary & Necessary', a weekly newsletter about the small business profitability, cash flow, strategy, and personal wealth that will help your business grow. You signed up on my website. If you'd like to...
Read your insurance benefits now, before you need to make a claim
Hey, I'm Michael Eckstein 👋, and this is 'Ordinary & Necessary', a weekly newsletter about the boring business topics that don't get enough traction on the web, but will help you manage and grow your business. You signed up on my website. If you'd like to...