Category Archives: Case Studies

CASE STUDY: Coffee Shop with a Kick Part 2–What They Can Do Better

  By E.T. Barton | May 31, 2011 - 10:15 am | Case Studies, Getting Customers, Small Business Advice, Spotlights
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[Ad#Adsense] In yesterday’s post, CASE STUDY: A Coffee Ship with a Kick Part 1–A Job Well Done, I talked about a great little coffee shop in Ventura California named Java Joe’s (www.MyJavaJoes.com).  In that post, I discussed all the things they are doing right to keep their customers coming back.  Today, I am going to discuss what they can do better to make even more money (since every business has room to improve).  After that, I discuss how some of these principles can be applied to any business, whether you’re a bookkeeper or something else.  What Java Joe’s Can Do … Continue reading →

Diary of a Bad, Bad Bookkeeper: Why the Accountant Did NOT Catch Me

  By E.T. Barton | April 19, 2011 - 1:21 pm | Bookkeeping, Case Studies, Diary of a Bad Bookkeeper, Fighting Fraud, Internal Controls
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Dear Diary, Let me just say – Whew!  What a relief.  Tax time is over and I got off scott-free. You see, I was very concerned that when I handed over the business books to the accountant this year, I would be busted – caught – nailed to the wall.  I was sure I’d be in Shawshank before long, and I was almost tempted to clean up my act – almost.  I was sure I was cooked when the accountant called me a couple days ago and asked for the bookkeeping program’s “Accountant backup.”  How could the accountant NOT see … Continue reading →

CASE STUDY: What’s Your Business’s Attraction?

  By E.T. Barton | February 3, 2011 - 1:13 am | Case Studies, Getting Customers, Money Making Tips, Money Saving Tips, Small Business Advice
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In all my studies of business, I have found that many businesses – especially small businesses – are the same. Business owners and managers all use similar models when it comes to making money, and often sell the exact same products. However, the success or failure of a business can often depend on how the business is managed and what is done to set the business apart. Do what everyone else is doing and the business can fail; do something unique and the business can thrive. One of the best tools for any business to use toward the desired result … Continue reading →

CASE STUDY: The Merchandise Mart

  By E.T. Barton | December 29, 2010 - 1:20 pm | Case Studies, Small Business Advice, Uncategorized
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For the first time in one of my case studies, I am going to name the business that I will be discussing and how they can make MORE money if they wanted to.  The reason I am naming them is because that this company is a fairly large company, and I am sure they make a decent income already.  However, having visited this company, I can honestly say that they are missing the potential of increasing their profits by  approximately $1 million a year, if not more. The company in question… TIVOLI WORLD in Benalmadena, Spain (near Malaga) A Quickie … Continue reading →

CASE STUDY: How to Bring Customers to a Remote Location

  By E.T. Barton | November 3, 2010 - 4:39 am | Case Studies, Getting Customers, Small Business Advice
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Recently, I was challenged by a reader to “prove” my knowledge and experience when it comes to business by using one of my actual clients as an example. While I cannot do that due to confidentiality issues, I realized that I can do something better. I can take Case Studies from my travels and show where these businesses are going wrong and what they can do to make that business better. While I don’t believe in actually being slanderous and naming those businesses, I have no problems showing pictures to give an idea of the business advice to which I’m … Continue reading →