Insights

Small-business owners want to strive for the best possible return on investment (ROI) on their marketing dollars, and advertising and publicity are two separate but very important components of a well-rounded marketing communications plan. Advertising refers to paid-for promotions; publicity typically means low- or no-cost news coverage and word-of-mouth promotion of your business. Within each of these two broad categories, you might consider many different tactics to achieve your goals.

Whether you're a current business owner or a budding entrepreneur burning with the next great idea, one of the most important steps you can take on your road to success is creating a business plan. Why? A well-thought-out and well-written business plan captures your vision, illustrates it for others (including potential lenders and investors), and creates the roadmap you and your management team need to guide you through the growth of your business.

Life insurance is a fundamental risk management tool for a secure financial lifestyle. Primarily, it functions as an income replacement insurance product during an individual’s working years. In many cases, life insurance is set up to provide financial security for family members or to pay off liabilities in the event of an untimely and premature death.

Investing in the market without taking losses — is it too good to be true? Not according to the University of Michigan’s head coach Jim Harbaugh. In August, University of Michigan helped Harbaugh become the top-paid college football coach in the nation, according to USA Today figures, by creating a deferred compensation package utilizing cash value life insurance called Indexed Universal Life Insurance (IUL).

If you're like most people, it's not that you don't appreciate the value of life insurance. In fact, many people believe they need more coverage. You probably wouldn't mind owning additional life insurance. It's just that you don't want to buy it.

Nearly 10,000 Americans turn 65 each day, eligible to retire and start what should be a new, exciting phase in life. Yet their retirement may be more precarious than ever. A recent survey by the Alliance for Lifetime Income found that 80% of Americans say they fear running out of money in retirement.