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 <updated>2010-09-08T15:22:45Z</updated>
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 <entry>
   <title type="html">What Are You Worth to Your Bank?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=199" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/199</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2010-03-08T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Have you ever considered the value of your business to your bank? If not, you should. Knowing what profit you bring to your bank is paramount to negotiating better loan rates, fewer fees and smaller charges.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Have you ever considered the value of your business to your bank? If not, you should. Knowing what profit you bring to your bank is paramount to negotiating better loan rates, fewer fees and smaller charges.
&nbsp;
The net profit your financial ins...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Incremental Innovations</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=220" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/220</id>
   <author>
     <name>James B Fisher</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2007-07-12T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[BIG changes mean (by their very nature) major revolution.  In baseball, home runs (while powerful and defining) are infrequent.  They are not the greatest producers of total runs scored; those are achieved by the consistency of individual hits, i.e., sing]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[BIG changes mean (by their very nature) major revolution.&nbsp;In baseball, home runs (while powerful and defining) are infrequent.&nbsp;They are not the greatest producers of total runs scored; those are achieved by the consistency of individual hit...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Half Of A Lifetime Ago</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=221" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/221</id>
   <author>
     <name>James B Fisher</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2007-07-12T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[The action of removal and recycling of outdated, worn-out, old retail facilities is one of the primary goals that must be realized for this mature industry to continue to move forward and grow.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[While waiting on a hotel elevator in Groton, Ct. (home of our submarine fleet) a Navy Lieutenant joined me.&nbsp;As we waited we started a brief conversation that carried onto the elevator to our respective floors.&nbsp;He was on TDY (Temporary Duty)...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">A Successful &#8216;Best Use&#8217; Strategy</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=222" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/222</id>
   <author>
     <name>James B Fisher</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2007-07-12T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Real estate is purchased, a properly conceived development strategy is implemented, the required financing is secured, and a new modern 15,000 square feet structure is completed.  Upon gaining the knowledge that such a new structure is being developed, tw]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[






PetroAnswers, answers to your toughest questions








		
		
			
				
				
				Faster Receivables and Collections
				Credit Huddle
				
				Wednesday, 
				
				February 
				13, 2008
				Does your credit 
				staff have challenges?&nbsp; T...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">The Golden Rule of Collections: It&#8217;s Always Personal</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=216" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/216</id>
   <author>
     <name>D Park Smith</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2007-07-06T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Those of us who make collection calls on a daily basis have a fascinating window on human behavior.  Customers in trouble with their vendors will say and do things that our non-collector friends wouldn&#8217;t believe &#8212; some predictably negative, occasionally s]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[




NACMSW Newsletter 12/06










D. Park Smith is a
Texas-based lawyer representing business creditors worldwide in strategic debt
collections, generally with balances over $100,000. He conducts credit and
collection workshops for corporations...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Your Attitude About Collection Agencies Effects Your Recoveries</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=217" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/217</id>
   <author>
     <name>D Park Smith</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2007-07-06T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[In my twenty-plus years in the collection industry, I&#8217;ve observed that credit managers seem to have a bewildering range of expectations about collection agencies and other third-party collection resources (lawyers included).  Without necessarily judging w]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[







NACMSW Newsletter 06 07














D.
Park Smith is a Texas-based lawyer representing business creditors worldwide in
strategic debt collections, generally with balances over $100,000. He conducts credit and collection workshops
for corpo...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">&#8216;An Army of One:&#8217; The Wrong Stuff in Collections</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=218" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/218</id>
   <author>
     <name>D Park Smith</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2007-07-06T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[&#8216;An Army of One.&#8217;  I&#8217;m not sure exactly what our military leadership had in mind with that slogan.  If they meant to convey an image of smart and resourceful troops capable of handling just about anything &#8212; which today&#8217;s professional soldiers must &#8212; then ]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[







NACMSW Newsletter














&nbsp;

D.
Park Smith is a Texas-based lawyer representing business creditors worldwide in
strategic debt collections, generally with balances over $100,000. He conducts credit and collection workshops for
cor...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Is there a &#8216;Right&#8217; Time to Cash Out?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=214" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/214</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2007-04-30T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Should you sell your company today, sometime next year, maybe in five or ten years, or never?  Several large players are making tempting cash offers to marketers who previously wouldn&#8217;t have dreamed of selling.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Should you sell your company today, sometime next year, maybe in five or ten years, or never?&nbsp;Several large players are making tempting cash offers to marketers who previously wouldn&rsquo;t have dreamed of selling.&nbsp;Rarely a week goes by th...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Get Your Banker To Say Yes</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=212" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/212</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2007-02-09T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[With so many lenders exiting the market over recent years, and our own industry media splashing out news of bankruptcies, most marketers will need to get more aggressive when pursing new money.  Most traditional bank lenders have plenty of money to lend,]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[With so many lenders exiting the market over recent years, and our own industry media splashing out news of bankruptcies, most marketers will need to get more aggressive when pursing new money.&nbsp;Most traditional bank lenders have plenty of money ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Right People in Right Slots Equals Maximum Corporate Success</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=211" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/211</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2007-01-24T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Every smart business owner knows their degree of business success rests with the quality and skills of their employees...To stage your company for even greater profit this year, it is vital to scrutinize and optimize three critical success components:  yo]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Every smart business owner knows their degree of business success rests with the quality and skills of their employees.&nbsp;But unfortunately, in both my strategic planning facilitation with growing, highly successful companies, and my brokerage wor...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">6 Productivity Boosters</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=209" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/209</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-12-22T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[With 2007 about to kick off, you may be mulling over what you accomplished in 2006 and what&#8217;s&#13;&#10;still on your to-do list.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[
With 2007 about to kick off, you may be mulling over what you accomplished in 2006 and what&rsquo;s still on your to-do list. Early in 2006, I became frustrated because there were so many days I physically couldn&rsquo;t finish my to-do list. I knew...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Blueprint for Mega Growth Success</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=207" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/207</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-11-06T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[There is an insatiable thirst in our industry for size. For decades, small family companies dominated the petroleum industry providing outstanding service to local customers with a high degree of intimacy and relationship.  But now, industry media is fill]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[There is an insatiable thirst in our industry for size. For decades, small family companies dominated the petroleum industry providing outstanding service to local customers with a high degree of intimacy and relationship.&nbsp;But now, industry medi...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">BUSINESS VALUATION STRATEGIES FOR OIL JOBBERS&#8213;</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=205" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/205</id>
   <author>
     <name>Irving L. Blackman</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-08-24T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Sooner or later, all oil jobbers must value their business.  What you are about to read&#8213;depending on the size and fair market value (FMV) of your business&#8213;will save you thousands or millions of dollars.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[
There are basically two categories of reasons for having your business valued: (1) Voluntary&mdash;you want to sell your business, merge or transfer it (other than by sale) to your children; (2) Involuntary&mdash;divorce, bankruptcy or death.
&nbsp;...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Common Areas of Challenge</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=206" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/206</id>
   <author>
     <name>Dr. Paul White</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-08-24T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Many times families have decisions which they need to make together, but it is difficult to get everyone together, sit down and &#8216;talk through&#8217; the issues, and then come to a mutually agreeable decision for all involved.  This can occur at the senior gener]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Family Decisions
&nbsp;
Many times families have decisions which they need to make together, but it is difficult to get everyone together, sit down and &ldquo;talk through&rdquo; the issues, and then come to a mutually agreeable decision for all invo...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Fluctuating Fuel Prices Wreaking Havoc on Cash Flow</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=204" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/204</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-07-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[If fuel price volatility has your cash flow looking and feeling like Mr. Toad&#8217;s Wild Ride, you are not alone... If you want more control over your company&#8217;s cash flow, if you want to turn huge cash swings into just minor curves, then take these ten steps:]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[If fuel price volatility has your cash flow looking and feeling like Mr. Toad&rsquo;s Wild Ride, you are not alone.&nbsp;&nbsp; Your fellow marketers across this great country are equally concerned with wide swings in cash. In a single day, I&rsquo;v...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Time To Grow...Or Time To Go?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=197" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/197</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-02-22T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Most marketers think growth or sale is an economic decision. In most cases, that's not entirely true. The decision to stay in business and grow a company, or sell and move on to retirement or perhaps a different industry is a highly personal decision that]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Time To Grow...Or Time To Go?
&nbsp;
Most marketers think growth or sale is an economic decision.&nbsp;In most cases, that's not entirely true. The decision to stay in business and grow a company, or sell and move on to retirement or perhaps a differ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Still Doing Things The Hard Way?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=198" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/198</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-02-22T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Is increased efficiency within your grasp, but a stubborn tenacity to existing methods and systems keeping you from grabbing hold and making needed changes? If so, you are in good company. It&#8217;s been said that the greatest human fear is that of change, fol]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Still Doing Things The Hard Way?
&nbsp;
Is increased efficiency within your grasp, but a stubborn tenacity to existing methods and systems keeping you from grabbing hold and making needed changes?&nbsp;If so, you are in good company.&nbsp;It&rsquo;s ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Prepare for a Successful Merger</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=200" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/200</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-02-22T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Based on national research, 75% of mergers fail to meet their stated objectives. To be part of the elite successful 25% takes incredibly careful preparation. If you are serious about merger success, follow Meridian&#8217;s proven plan.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Prepare for a Successful Merger
&nbsp;
Based on national research, 75% of mergers fail to meet their stated objectives.&nbsp;To be part of the elite successful 25% takes incredibly careful preparation.&nbsp;If you are serious about merger success, fo...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Accountability for Future Profits</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=201" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/201</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-02-22T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[If a business consultant asked you today, &#8216;In the next three to five years, which of your current business segment(s) will provide your company with the greatest profit?&#8217; could you answer with reasonable certainty?]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[&nbsp;
If a business consultant asked you today, &ldquo;In the next three to five years, which of your current business segment(s) will provide your company with the greatest profit?&rdquo; could you answer with reasonable certainty?&nbsp;Assuming yo...]]></content>
 </entry>
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