Business

  Carl Richards is a certified financial planner and a columnist for the New York Times. In his latest book, Richards shares the one question that should be at the heart of your personal finance strategy: “Why is money important to me?” 

As they have become increasingly involved with information technologies and initiatives over the last decade, accountants and other financial professionals have shifted from being background statisticians to corporate strategists and are relied upon more to provide big-picture thinking and business forecasting.

This interview originally ran on December 18, 2013

In his book, “The Business Romantic: Give Everything, Quantify Nothing, and Create Something Greater Than Yourself,”  author Tim Leberecht argues that we underestimate the importance of romance in our lives, and that we can find it in and through business by designing products, services, and experiences that connect us with something greater than ourselves. 

  Ohio sells more goods to Canada than to the state’s next ten largest foreign markets combined. In 2013, trade between Ohio and Canada exceeded $37 billion, and more than 300,000 Ohio jobs depended on trade and investment with our neighbor to the north.

  During the last decade Greater Cincinnati has become an increasingly-popular hub for entrepreneurs and startup companies. One local business accelerator, UpTech, is hosting a first-of-its-kind career fair at its headquarters in Covington this February. The goal of the event, called UpLink, is to connect talented local students with startups who are looking to make new hires, both full-time and part-time, as well as who have internship opportunities.

  The Super Bowl is this Sunday, and there is almost as much pre-game hype about what will take place off the field, the commercials.  This year companies will spend a record $4.5 million for 30 seconds of air time.

Many businesses today compete not just with companies in the same city, but with international firms as well. And it’'s not just our economy that has gone global. More and more, what happens in one country impacts events and policies in other countries. The Greater Cincinnati World Affairs Council’'s mission is to prepare our region to thrive in today’'s global environment by promoting international understanding, education, engagement, and cooperation. Joining us to discuss the work of the Greater Cincinnati World Affairs Council are Executive Director Michelle Harpenau, Director of Global Education Katie Krafka, and board member, John Pinney, an attorney with Graydon Head & Ritchey, LLP.

  Bad Girl Ventures supports female-owned small businesses throughout Ohio. Since its launch, BGV has been successful in educating over 520 female entrepreneurs and awarding $565,000 in loans throughout the state. Last month BGV graduated its ninth class of finalists in Cincinnati and announced the program’s winner and runner-up.

As the song says, “"It’'s the most wonderful time of the year,"” but amid the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it's worthwhile to remember this is also a great time of year to take stock of your investments, and see what options you have before January 1 to reduce the taxes you'’ll owe come April 15. Here to explore year-end tax strategies that could allow you to keep more of your money are David Foster, senior vice president at Foster and Motley, and local financial advisor Chris DeSimio. If you have questions about what you can do to reduce your taxes, please let us know.

  The Affordable Care Act has drastically changed the way businesses shop for, fund and provide health insurance to their employees. And both small and large businesses face challenges in meeting the measuring, monitoring and reporting requirements of the ACA.

  While all eyes in the fashion industry were recently focused on New York, London and Milan as each city held its Fashion Week, you don’'t have to look farther than Greater Cincinnati to see a vibrant and growing fashion industry. Over the last decade, local designers and clothing stylists have been finding success selling their lines both here and nationally.

  From companies selling out of storefronts, door-to-door, advertising by word of mouth, direct mail, newsprint, and now through social media and the internet, Cincinnati has a long and solid history as a city of marketers.