Financial Poise

Intellectual Property Basics

Tags: Business Law, Business Strategy, Intellectual Property, Risk Management and Risk Analysis, Small Business,

For businesses, ideas, branding, and innovation frequently matter more than physical assets, which is why understanding the basics of IP is critical.

Understanding the Balance Sheet

Tags: Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, Business Finance, Business Management, Business Operations, Small Business,

The balance sheet provides basic insight into the health of a business and is used to evaluate risk and sustainability.

Earnout Burnout: Drafting Earnout Agreements to Minimize Disputes Following the Sale of Private Companies

Tags: Business Transition and Exit Planning, Litigation, M&A, Selling Your Business, Small Business,

The interpretation of earnout provisions can lead to post-closing litigation. Consider these tips to reduce the risk of post-closing conflicts.

How Smart Employment Policies Protect Your Business

Tags: Business Law, Business Operations, HR, Risk Management and Risk Analysis, Small Business,

Employers must ensure that their policies are tailored to their organization, clearly communicated, and consistently applied to be effective.

Determining Worth: Valuing a Business for Sale

Tags: Business Transition and Exit Planning, Selling Your Business, Small Business, Start-Ups & Entrepreneurship, Valuation,

In valuing your business for sale, the distinction between personal perception and market reality often determines whether a transaction succeeds or stalls.

Understanding EBITDA

February 19, 2026
/ Business Owners & Executives • Investors
/ By The Financial Poise Editors

Tags: Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, Business Management, Business Operations, Financial Literacy, Small Business,

Despite how often it is used, many treat EBITDA as shorthand for ‘cash flow’ without fully understanding what it actually does and doesn’t measure.

Common Issues and Strategies in Business Breakups

Tags: Business Planning, Business Transition and Exit Planning, Family Business, Small Business, Valuation,

How owners respond during a business breakup, and how well they prepared in advance, often determines whether value is preserved or destroyed.

Trade Secret Claims Require Describing the Secret, Not the Software

February 4, 2026
/ Business Owners & Executives
/ By Luke Bickel

Tags: Business Law, Business Strategy, Intellectual Property, Small Business, Technology,

The US Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit issued a decision clarifying the specificity required to claim trade secret protection for software.

Recruiting and Hiring Without Stepping on Legal Landmines

Tags: Business Law, Employment & Labor Dynamics, HR, Risk Management and Risk Analysis, Small Business,

The goal in any hiring process is not perfection, but smarter, more defensible hiring practices that protect the business while still attracting talent.

Several State AI Laws Set to Go into Effect in 2026, Despite Federal Government’s Push to Eliminate State-Level AI Regulations

Tags: Business Law, Employment & Labor Dynamics, HR, Small Business,

Illinois, Texas, and Colorado are each set to implement laws governing the use of AI in the workforce in 2026.

Articles tagged: Small Business