Business & Economy Trends

Business & Economy Trends

Managing Through the Cycles: Profits

March 12, 2010

By Dr. David M. Kohl

Regardless of enterprise, tenure, size of business, and goals, every business person must manage through cycles. Yes, there are weather, economic, business, and many other cycles related to business and lifestyle. The key to managing cycles is to develop a game plan and process to manage through the opportunities and challenges that come with the territory.

Let's discuss some of the principles of managing business, economic, and financial cycles. First, is your business...

Read full article Print

Past Articles

  1. Financial Benchmarking: Part 3

    March 5, 2010

    By Dr. David M. Kohl

    The last two columns discussed the pros and cons of financial benchmarking. This management tool can be used as a proactive measure for building a case for borrowing money for next year's crops...

    Read full article

  2. Financial Benchmarking: Part 2

    February 26, 2010

    By Dr. David M. Kohl

    The last column explored the benefits of financial benchmarking and provided a key metric pertaining to profits. Let's discuss the drawbacks of this management tool and how to make benchmarking...

    Read full article

  3. Financial Benchmarking: Part 1

    February 19, 2010

    By Dr. David M. Kohl

    Benchmarking is not a new concept to business and agriculture. In fact, it has been around for a long time as producers compare yields, costs, and values with their neighbors down the road....

    Read full article

  4. The Price Taker Question

    February 5, 2010

    By Dr. David M. Kohl

    "Hey Doc: I am a price taker and have to take the price that is given for my wheat crop, much different than the value added dairy business you are involved in." This was a comment at a noon...

    Read full article

  5. Cry for Help: Part 2

    January 29, 2010

    By Dr. David M. Kohl

    My last column was a response to a young producer who, like many, is facing issues concerning a financial blow to his business acumen. This situation is being played out across the agricultural...

    Read full article

  6. Cry for Help: Part 1

    January 22, 2010

    By Dr. David M. Kohl

    I need your help. I am a new farmer who started my farm from scratch about five years ago. It has been an uphill battle buying equipment, getting land, and learning the trade. I also work off...

    Read full article

  7. Question Corner

    January 8, 2010

    By Dr. David M. Kohl

    Occasionally I receive questions from the readers of this column and other articles that I write. The focus of this article will be on two questions that I received from a reader recently. ...

    Read full article

  8. Lifelong Learners

    January 8, 2010

    By Dr. David M. Kohl

    Recently my Globe Trotter travels took me on a six-day road trip in the Pacific Northwest. This was in conjunction with Northwest Farm Credit Services' "Days with Dave" and the "Power Lending"...

    Read full article

  9. Last Talk of the Decade

    January 1, 2010

    By Dr. David M. Kohl

    The other day in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the finishing touches were in place for my final address of this decade. Before going on stage, my thoughts centered on all the factors impacting the...

    Read full article

  10. What is a Good Rate of GDP Growth?

    December 18, 2009

    By Dr. David M. Kohl

    A common question I am asked by agricultural groups is, "What is a good rate of GDP growth"? First, GDP represents Gross Domestic Product or output by our nation. The United States is the...

    Read full article

+ View Older Posts

Manage My Account

Free. Secure. Convenient.

Want an account?
Sign-up now!