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Four Traps to Avoid When an Acquirer Comes Calling
If you are keen to sell your business and are hoping to entice buyers to offer up maximum value for your company – there are a few tips to know and traps to avoid before getting started. Once word gets out, you’ll need to be prepared and ready to impress. Recently, Ed Reilly, Managing Partner and co-founder of Freelandt Caldwell Reilly LLP published a column where he taps into his years of experience in transactions and acquisitions to offer up some sage advice to anyone who may be considering selling their business. Please see the attached article and give it a read. To contact Ed directly, simply click on his icon to arrange an appointment regarding this topic. Source:
Liberals' best hope for a new swing vote is... John Roberts?
As Brett Kavanaugh, 53, readies himself for a series of heated Senate Judiciary Committee hearings, many have questioned who will take up his mentor’s mantle on the Supreme Court. For three decades Justice Anthony Kennedy was arguably the most powerful figure in Washington, D.C. Famed for his ability to vote across party lines. Kennedy, who announced his retirement in June, helped shape some of the biggest landmark decisions of the past decade—most notably on the issue of same-sex marriage and LGBTQ rights. As a replacement, Kavanaugh is unlikely to be as magnanimous with his votes. But will that alter the Court’s direction? Only a little, said Dr. Martha Ginn Ginn, assistant dean of the Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and associate professor of political science, said Kennedy’s most likely “successor” is already a fixture of the Court: Chief Justice, and occasional swing voter, John Roberts. “Roberts will likely become the Court’s ‘swing vote’ now that Kennedy’s out,” Ginn said. “While Roberts may move a little more to the center as result, the overall shift will be more conservative.” A scholar of constitutional law and the Supreme Court, Ginn said the Court’s rightward movement won’t be quite as monumental as pundits have proposed. After all, Kennedy’s votes weren’t always left-leaning. In his last term, he sided with his liberal colleagues not once. “I think one point that is getting lost is that Kennedy was, for the most part, a conservative and voted accordingly,” she said. “There were certain issues where he was more likely to join the liberal wing, most prominently LGBTQ rights, but he voted with the conservative justices the majority of the time.” Kennedy’s retirement will certainly shift the Court toward the right, Ginn added, but “not to the same degree as if Ruth Bader Ginsburg retired or died in office.” Meanwhile, as the non-chaos of a Kavanaugh confirmation plays out, Roberts stands to gain as the Court’s new wildcard. Ginn said Roberts’ latest ruling, that law enforcement agencies must obtain warrants to use cell tower data, is a good indication of how he’ll vote as part of a post-Kennedy Court. “I think the role of Chief Justice Roberts becomes even more significant in a Kennedy-less Court and that hasn’t been given much attention,” she said. “I think both sides are forgetting that Roberts is a bit of wild card too when it comes to voting on very consequential cases. The one that comes to mind most Source:
Today, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met at the presidential palace in Helsinki to discuss the relationship between their respective countries. Prior to the meeting, Trump cited national security concerns and trade as agenda items. Since the start of the meeting, the two presidents have also discussed the tension between the two countries and accused election meddling. At Augusta University, our experts have been following the historic meeting, and made the following observations: • Trump is correct in asserting the importance of having Russia as an ally. • The US is currently facing Russian cyberaggression, so how Trump addresses this issue has immediate concerns. • US posture in Syria is at stake. • It is important to keep this meeting in the context of “America First.” Trump will push messages at the summit that fall in line with his national security interests. What are the implications of this summit for every-day Americans? Will this meeting improve the relationship between the United States and Russia? How will this meeting effect the United States’ relationship with other European allies? There are a lot of questions to answer – and that’s where our experts can help. Dr. Craig Albert is an expert on American politics and political philosophy. He was recently appointed director of Augusta University’s new Masters of Arts in Intelligence and Security Studies. Dr. Albert has experience with all forms of national and local news organizations and is available to speak to media regarding the Helsinki Summit. Simply click on his icon to arrange an interview. Source:
Who is protecting the children?
As a health care provider and patient advocate, I know that one of the worst things you can do is to radically separate children from their parents and from the rest of their family. The immigration ordeal is beyond tragic. Worse yet, now there is a chance that children may never be united due to faulty record keeping and a rush to keep a deadline. Parents may be forced to leave the country without their children. In my opinion, the detained children are being treated like criminals. Who is consenting for these DNA samples on behalf of the children? It seems to me that collecting DNA from minors without due cause or having legal consent from parents on file would be illegal and violating basic constitutional rights. Collecting DNA to compensate for a faulty record keeping system is not a valid reason to violate the rights of others. Violating policies and protocols in an attempt to rush to meet a deadline is beyond reprehensible. It is obvious that this decision was not well thought out. It is tragic that parents were separated from their children. It is unconscionable that the government would be taking advantage of the vulnerabilities of children and their parents – all for the sake of a political agenda. There exists the possibility that many of these children will grow up never seeing their parents or other family members ever again. Source:
With the shine coming back on nickel – what will it mean for Ontario’s local and wider economies.
It’s boom or bust in the nickel business. From cycles, to slumps to super-cycles and even the most recent decade-long crash, it appears the time for nickel to rebound is near. The last big boom at the turn of the 21st Century saw nickel soar above 20 dollars per pound. It led to multi-billion dollar takeovers of smaller mining companies by industry giants and saw local economies flourish as bonuses skyrocketed, overtime was uncapped and investments in service, supply, innovation and industry support were elevated almost exponentially. Today, with analysts projecting the price of nickel to at least double over the next four years, what can local and provincial economies expect? After a 10-year slump can we expect the same rush to invest and spend? Will companies be more cautious and what will it mean for investors, the markets and businesses. There are a lot of questions and speculation out there about just how big of a splash there will be if nickel finally makes its comeback. And that’s where the experts from Freelandt Caldwell Reilly LLP can help. Ian Fitzpatrick is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Chartered Business Valuator. He is an expert in advising business owners and entrepreneurs on all aspects of corporate sales, mergers, acquisitions, litigation, succession and ownership issues. To contact Ian directly, simply click on his icon to arrange an appointment regarding this topic. Source:
Disaster Psychologist Available to Discuss Thai Boys' Recovery from Trauma
The world watched with relief as 12 soccer players and their coach were rescued from a flooded cave in northern Thailand after an 18-day ordeal. Amid the relief at the players' safe rescue, Dr. Jamie Aten, a Wheaton College psychologist, says it’s important that they receive care for mental health needs in addition to the physical care they are receiving. Aten, the founder and Executive Director of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College, is an internationally known expert who helps others navigate mass, humanitarian, and personal disasters with scientific and spiritual insights. Aten recommends the boys’ mental health be monitored closely following their rescue. “They may show extremes in behaviors ... they [may] sleep too much, or have difficulty sleeping,” he says. “They may develop triggers that weren’t there previously.” “Some may withdraw, while others need more attention. Over time these symptoms may lessen, but for some it could be a lifelong struggle.” To request an interview with Dr. Aten, contact Wheaton College Director of Media Relations LaTonya Taylor, latonya.taylor@wheaton.edu. Source:
This is not honoring military service -- it is disgracing it.
“The dismissal of service members from the Armed Forces because of their immigration status is an insult to everyone who has worn the uniform. Those who have worn the uniform know the sacrifices that serving in the military involves. To callously dismiss those very few who have chosen to serve is an act of moral cowardice. Every veteran and service member should be outraged. This is not honoring service, it is disgracing it.” Source:
6 Facts We Learned Working with Migrants and Refugees Around the World - Facts 3 and 4 Working with migrants and refugees is our business at Catholic Relief Services. CRS was founded in 1943 to assist refugees during World War II. Seventy-five years later, we are still coming to the aid of people escaping conflict, violence and natural disasters. While CRS doesn’t resettle refugees in the United States (these programs are run by the Catholic Church’s Migration and Refugee Service and Catholic Charities), our rich history has taught us valuable lessons on how to best help families fleeing crisis. 3. Support the Family. The family unit provides the primary support for children during the traumatic refugee experience -- whether it is witnessing violence or crossing a desert on foot. CRS focuses on keeping families together. This means housing a family together and using any services provided – from trauma counseling to income generation – to boost family cohesion. Shannon Senefeld is a global development expert at CRS. She has published and presented extensively on international children’s issues and the importance of strengthened family care for children’s development. See her contact information at the bottom. 4. Kids Need School and Play. CRS is dedicated to keeping up children’s education, to provide stability and normality and give them hope for the future so they can be productive citizens wherever they end up. Kids need to be kids, too. Whether they are in a camp or any sort of migrant or refugee holding center they need a space to play. Caroline Brennan is the Emergency Communications Director for Catholic Relief Services. In her role, she travels to and/or works in areas facing natural or man-made emergencies. See her contact information at the bottom. The experts at Catholic Relief Services are available to help with any media coverage or insight that is required regarding this ongoing news story and issue that is continuing in America. Simply click on any of their icons to arrange a time for an interview. Source:
6 Facts We Learned Working with Migrants and Refugees Around the World: Facts 1 and 2 Working with migrants and refugees is our business at Catholic Relief Services. CRS was founded in 1943 to assist refugees during World War II. Seventy-five years later, we are still coming to the aid of people escaping conflict, violence and natural disasters. While CRS doesn’t resettle refugees in the United States (these programs are run by the Catholic Church’s Migration and Refugee Service and Catholic Charities), our rich history has taught us valuable lessons on how to best help families fleeing crisis. 1. People Do Not Want to Leave Their Homes. An astonishing 1 in 110 people have been forced to flee their home (UNHCR). They only do that when they feel they have no other choice. Most people the world over give the same reason for starting their perilous journey across borders -- violence. That’s true for millions fleeing conflict in South Sudan and for tens of thousands fleeing gang violence in Central America. Most often, people flee to other parts within their country first. Only when they see no other option do people leave their country. Rick Jones is the agency's Youth and Migration Advisor in Latin America and the Caribbean. He also specializes in issues affecting Central American migration, including gang violence, poverty, and internal displacement. See his contact information at the bottom. 2. Don’t Separate Families. Based on extensive experience with refugees and migrants, CRS agrees with the criticism of the former U.S. policy of separating children from their parents. Decades of research shows that this is so traumatic for children it can lead to long-term psychological, and even physical damage. Shannon Senefeld is a global development expert at CRS. She has published and presented extensively on international children’s issues and the importance of strengthened family care for children’s development. See her contact information at the bottom. The experts at Catholic Relief Services are available to help with any media coverage or insight that is required regarding this ongoing news story and issue that is continuing in America. Simply click on any of their icons to arrange a time for an interview. Source:
Independence Day: Baylor’s Benjamin Franklin Scholars Bring Light to Complex Figure
Founding Father Benjamin Franklin was a complex man. Among his many roles, he was a businessman, entrepreneur, inventor, journalist, author, printer, editor, politician, postmaster, statesman, ambassador and signer of the Declaration of Independence. And even with a treasure trove of accomplishments, sometimes the Franklin legends are bigger than Franklin the man – and it’s taken an army of historians and scholars throughout the centuries to sort it out. As July 4 Independence Day approaches, Baylor University's two Franklin scholars share different perspectives of Franklin, his faith and his business acumen: • Thomas Kidd, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of History and associate director of Baylor’s Institute for Studies of Religion • Blaine McCormick, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the management department in Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business Both have penned Franklin books and both have been featured nationally for their research on the Founding Father. Kidd’s 2017 book, “Benjamin Franklin: The Religious Life of a Founding Father,” has received high marks for its analysis of Franklin’s beliefs. From his Puritan upbringing to deism, skepticism and more, the book explores the influences and evolution of faith throughout Franklin’s life. “In today’s polarized political and religious environment, some pundits seek to remake the Founding Fathers in their own image. Benjamin Franklin’s example reveals that the historical truth is often more complicated,” Kidd wrote in a column for The Wall Street Journal. McCormick, who wrote “Ben Franklin: America’s Original Entrepreneur,” discovered a passion to study the Founding Father after listening to an audiobook of Franklin’s autobiography. “Franklin could do things as a statesman, and understand things, and achieve things as a statesman, because he had achieved things in the marketplace first,” he said. “I’ve yet to find a better book for businesspeople to learn about how to run a business in the American Experiment. He wrote the autobiography to help train people in the life of business. Many of the principles are still very robust.” And the way he shared those principles (many of which have been misquoted and made into memes through the decades) is important, McCormick said. “Franklin used sentences no longer than a Tweet to train generations of colonial businesspeople,” he said. “They were short. They were memorable. They were high-impact.” Source:
