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 <updated>2010-09-04T20:31:29Z</updated>
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 <entry>
   <title type="html">People, Performance, Pay and Cashflow</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=26" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/26</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2010-05-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[When is the last time you considered the link between your employees&#8217; performance and your company cash flow? If you are like most petroleum managers today, you have a keen concern with escalating payroll costs and with ever-tight cash flow.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[When is the last time you considered the link between your employees&rsquo; performance and your company cash flow?&nbsp;If you are like most petroleum managers today, you have a keen concern with escalating payroll costs and with ever-tight cash flo...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Credit Policy Manual A Business Requirement</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=1" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/1</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2010-01-22T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Does your company have a&#13;&#10;written credit policy?&#13;&#10;Your credit policy will be a&#13;&#10;unique reflection of your company and customer trends.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Click here for a pdf of the Credit Policy Manual]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Acquisition Cash Flow Management</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=6" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/6</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2010-01-22T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Marketer acquisitions and mergers are happening at an almost frantic pace these days.  If you are in the midst of buying another marketer, or contemplating a future purchase, it&#8217;s wise to consider the cash flow management after the acquisition.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Marketer acquisitions and mergers are happening at an almost frantic pace these days.&nbsp; If you are in the midst of buying another marketer, or contemplating a future purchase, it&rsquo;s wise to consider the cash flow management after the acquisi...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Employees That Build Great Companies</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=243" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/243</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2010-01-19T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[If you want to catapult your company to its next level of success, it will take more than your own two hands. Jack Stack, President and CEO of SRC Holdings and author of the popular business books The Great Game of Business and A Stake in the Outcome, ide]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[If you want to catapult your company to its next level of success, it will take more than your own two hands.&nbsp;Jack Stack, President and CEO of SRC Holdings and author of the popular business books The Great Game of Business and A Stake in the Ou...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Smart Balance Sheet Management</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=4" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/4</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2010-01-12T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Do you manage your company&#8217;s balance sheet as aggressively and meticulously as your income statement?  If not, you should!  Why?  Because balance sheet management is what keeps cash flowing]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Smart Balance Sheet Management  

&nbsp;Do you manage your company&rsquo;s balance sheet as aggressively and meticulously as your income statement?&nbsp; If not, you should!&nbsp; Why?&nbsp; Because balance sheet management is what keeps cash flowing...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Create an Efficient Organization</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=5" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/5</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2010-01-12T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[At a recent convention, a marketer remarked that his company had recently added a process improvement component to each employee&#8217;s job requirements and pay]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[
&nbsp;Create an Efficient Organization
At a recent convention, a marketer remarked that his company had recently added a process improvement component to each employee&rsquo;s job requirements and pay.&nbsp; He was amazed at the positive results.&nb...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Great Time for Cheap Money!</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=194" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/194</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2010-01-12T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[If you haven&#8217;t refinanced or renegotiated your financing lately, now is the time. Interest rates are at historical lows. Here is how to get the funds you need at the best possible rate.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[If you haven&rsquo;t refinanced or renegotiated your financing lately, now is the time. Interest rates are at historical lows. Here is how to get the funds you need at the best possible rate.
&nbsp;
Get prepared &ndash; Rates are set based upon risk ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">The Six Biggest Cash Robbing Mistakes Marketers Make</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=229" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/229</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2009-12-30T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Is it possible despite your success and profit, you are making one of the six common mistakes that rob petroleum companies of precious cash?  Read on to find out!]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Is it possible despite your success and profit, you are making one of the six common mistakes that rob petroleum companies of precious cash?&nbsp;Read on to find out!
Mistake #1)&nbsp;Assuming you&rsquo;re adequately executing the fundamentals.&nbsp;...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Success Starts With Successful Planning </title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=242" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/242</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2009-12-01T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Now is the time to put plans in place for the coming year and to apply the lessons learned from successes and failures to chart your course.  The industry as a whole weathered the year well, but not without a few casualties.  &#13;&#10;&#13;&#10;Take your team through th]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Now is the time to put plans in place for the coming year and to apply the lessons learned from successes and failures to chart your course.&nbsp;The industry as a whole weathered the year well, but not without a few casualties.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Take y...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">12 Questions To Ask About Potential Acquisitions</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=241" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/241</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2009-11-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Ask yourself honestly, did you actively target and seek out your last acquisition, or did you take what came along for sale? If you just sheepishly realized you&#8217;ve been more reactive in your past acquisitions than proactive, don&#8217;t be embarrassed because y]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Ask yourself honestly, did you actively target and seek out your last acquisition, or did you take what came along for sale? If you just sheepishly realized you&rsquo;ve been more reactive in your past acquisitions than proactive, don&rsquo;t be emba...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Metrics for Operational Excellence</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=240" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/240</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2009-09-30T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Most marketers are trying to achieve greater operational efficiency, but the only way they measure their company's progress is by financial statement trends - sales, costs and expenses. By confining their tracking and analysis to financial statement data,]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[
Most marketers are trying to achieve greater operational efficiency, but the only way they measure their company&rsquo;s progress is by financial statement trends &mdash; sales, costs and expenses.&nbsp;By confining their tracking and analysis to f...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Seven Hamster Wheel Productivity QuestionsEvery CEO Should Ask and Answer</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=237" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/237</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2009-06-23T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[When is the last time you could honestly say you had plenty of spare time for family and fun?  You finished your to-do list by 5 pm and then, over an early dinner with your spouse, you decide your company is running so smoothly you will take that long rel]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Seven Hamster Wheel Productivity Questions
&nbsp;Every CEO Should Ask and Answer
&nbsp;
When is the last time you could honestly say you had plenty of spare time for family and fun?&nbsp;You finished your to-do list by 5 pm and then, over an early...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Family Business &#8212; Love, Hate or Habit?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=236" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/236</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2009-06-01T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[There is nothing more fascinating to me than family company dynamics.  I&#8217;ve spent the past two decades smack in the middle of family issues within this industry saturated with 2nd, 3rd, 4th and even 5th generation owners.  I&#8217;ve experienced first-hand the ]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[
&nbsp;
There is nothing more fascinating to me than family company dynamics.&nbsp;I&rsquo;ve spent the past two decades smack in the middle of family issues within this industry saturated with 2nd, 3rd, 4th and even 5th generation owners.&nbsp;I&rsq...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Target Marketing</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=235" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/235</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2009-03-31T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Why should you be concerned with target marketing? The answer is one simple word - PROFIT! If you can accurately define a specific target market and then penetrate that market, you will make money. On the other hand, if you fail to define a target market ]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[&nbsp;
Why should you be concerned with target marketing?&nbsp;The answer is one simple word - PROFIT!&nbsp;If you can accurately define a specific target market and then penetrate that market, you will make money.&nbsp;On the other hand, if you fail...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Turbulent Times Dictate New Strategies</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=234" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/234</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2009-03-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Face the facts.  Record high fuel prices combined with the current rocky economic climate means the petro business is more dangerous, difficult and turbulent than ever before.  It doesn&#8217;t matter if you are a one county, two-truck rural marketer, a multi-r]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Face the facts.&nbsp; Record high fuel prices combined with the current rocky economic climate means the petro business is more dangerous, difficult and turbulent than ever before.&nbsp; It doesn&rsquo;t matter if you are a one county, two-truck rura...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Why Some Letters of Intent Kill Deals</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=233" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/233</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2008-11-06T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[You have a hot acquisition target.  You think everything is going great &#8212; the owner seems receptive, your preliminary talks are going great, you&#8217;ve even discussed a price range without a hiccup.  You tell them you&#8217;ll draw up a Letter of Intent (LOI)to for]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[You have a hot acquisition target.&nbsp; You think everything is going great &ndash; the owner seems receptive, your preliminary talks are going great, you&rsquo;ve even discussed a price range without a hiccup.&nbsp; You tell them you&rsquo;ll draw ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">How to Thrive Despite High Fuel Prices</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=232" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/232</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2008-10-02T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Accounts receivable at record high levels, fear of bad debts lurking, suppliers tightening credit terms, operations expenses escalating all the while retail volumes are dropping as the public cuts back on driving.  Add a nervous banker and you may already]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[




Accounts receivable at record high levels, fear of bad debts lurking, suppliers tightening credit terms, operations expenses escalating all the while retail volumes are dropping as the public cuts back on driving.&nbsp;Add a nervous banker and y...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">People, Performance, Pay and Cashflow</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=231" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/231</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2008-08-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[When is the last time you considered the link between your employees&#8217; performance and your company cash flow?&#160;If you are like most petroleum managers today, you have a keen concern with escalating payroll costs and with ever-tight cash flow.&#160;Wouldn&#8217;t it b]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[
.ivanC11829590429637{position:absolute;visibility:hidden;}
.style9 {
	font-family: Verdana;
	color: #0000FF;
}
.style14 {
	font-family: Verdana;
	font-weight: bold;
}
.style15 {
	font-family: Verdana;
	font-weight: bold;
	font-size: large;
	color: #...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">The 6 Top Reasons Buy-Sell Negotiations Break Down</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=230" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/230</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2008-08-04T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[You&#8217;ve just received or given a great Letter of Intent.  The hard part seems over -- you&#8217;ve passed the worst hurdle and actually agreed on that troublesome topic of price.  In your mind, compared to what you&#8217;ve just been through, it should be smooth saili]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[You&rsquo;ve just received or given a great Letter of Intent.&nbsp;The hard part seems over -- you&rsquo;ve passed the worst hurdle and actually agreed on that troublesome topic of price.&nbsp;In your mind, compared to what you&rsquo;ve just been thr...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Turbulent Times Dictate New Strategies</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=227" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/227</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2008-04-01T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Face the facts.  Record high fuel prices combined with the current rocky economic climate means the petro business is more dangerous, difficult and turbulent than ever before.  It doesn&#8217;t matter if you are a one county, two-truck rural marketer, a multi-r]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[

&nbsp;
Face the facts.&nbsp;Record high fuel prices combined with the current rocky economic climate means the petro business is more dangerous, difficult and turbulent than ever before.&nbsp;It doesn&rsquo;t matter if you are a one county, two-tru...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Cash In On Today's Banking Environment</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=196" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/196</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-02-22T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[There is a window of opportunity waiting for you at your bank! Even if you don&#8217;t need more money today, take strategic advantage of today&#8217;s favorable banking climate. Low interest rates together with excess cash at most banks means terrific opportunity. H]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Cash In On Today's Banking Environment
&nbsp;
There is a window of opportunity waiting for you at your bank! Even if you don&rsquo;t need more money today, take strategic advantage of today&rsquo;s favorable banking climate.&nbsp;Low interest rates t...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">White-Collar Crime</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=160" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/160</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Ask any business owner who has been a victim of white-collar crime, and they will tell you they couldn&#8217;t believe it happened to them. Why? Because an employee they trusted implicitly committed the crime. This means you will be tempted to skip this article]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Ask any business owner who has been a victim of white-collar crime, and they will tell you they couldn&rsquo;t believe it happened to them.&nbsp;Why?&nbsp;Because an employee they trusted implicitly committed the crime.&nbsp;This means you will be te...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Roll-Ups: Good or Bad Idea?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=161" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/161</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[There has been renewed activity in the petroleum marketplace lately by investment firm types promising fabulous exit strategies to petroleum company owners. These clever Wall Street guys promise to bring several petroleum companies together and then take]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[There has been renewed activity in the petroleum marketplace lately by investment firm types promising fabulous exit strategies to petroleum company owners.&nbsp;These clever Wall Street guys promise to bring several petroleum companies together and ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Customer Focused Employees</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=162" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/162</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Meridian strongly encourages financial benchmarking. One of the dangers, however, of too great an emphasis on financial benchmarking is the high probability that employees will lose site of your most important asset &#8212; your customers. While busily tracking]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Meridian strongly encourages financial benchmarking.&nbsp;One of the dangers, however, of too great an emphasis on financial benchmarking is the high probability that employees will lose site of your most important asset &ndash; your customers.&nbsp;...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Pump Up Cardlock Profits</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=163" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/163</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[In this day of shrinking margins, cardlocks are still one of the havens of respectable margins. The cardlock industry will continue to be profitable as long as marketers continue to position cardlocks as a cost-saving service, not simply a pump price. Che]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[In this day of shrinking margins, cardlocks are still one of the havens of respectable margins.&nbsp;The cardlock industry will continue to be profitable as long as marketers continue to position cardlocks as a cost-saving service, not simply a pump ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Proactive Insurance Cost Containment</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=164" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/164</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Are you staggered by the increases in your company&#8217;s insurance costs? If so, you are not alone. Take these proactive measures to contain further increases.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Are you staggered by the increases in your company&rsquo;s insurance costs?&nbsp;If so, you are not alone.&nbsp;Take these proactive measures to contain further increases.
&nbsp;
Effective Underwriter Communication &ndash; The single most important a...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Inventory Control</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=165" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/165</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Whether your company has lubricant or retail inventory, accurate control of that inventory is essential to maximizing profit. Try using these practical solutions to typical problems.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Whether your company has lubricant or retail inventory, accurate control of that inventory is essential to maximizing profit.&nbsp;Try using these practical solutions to typical problems.
&nbsp;
Purchase errors resulting in overstocking.
Solution &nd...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">What's Your Return on Capital?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=166" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/166</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Too many marketers tolerate poor return on invested capital. In fact, very few marketers know exactly how many dollars they have invested into each of their business sectors.   Would you know off the top of your head if you are receiving adequate return o]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Too many marketers tolerate poor return on invested capital.&nbsp;In fact, very few marketers know exactly how many dollars they have invested into each of their business sectors.&nbsp;&nbsp; Would you know off the top of your head if you are receivi...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Plan for Success!</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=167" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/167</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[From a study on successful company leadership, it was learned that at the nation&#8217;s top 5% U.S. companies, leaders spent over 60% of their actual work time on strategic planning. At the other 95%, company leaders spent an average of 7%.  Clearly, planning]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[From a study on successful company leadership, it was learned that at the nation&rsquo;s top 5% U.S. companies, leaders spent over 60% of their actual work time on strategic planning.&nbsp;At the other 95%, company leaders spent an average of 7%. &nb...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Paying Too Much Interest?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=168" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/168</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[With fuel prices on the rise, many marketers report being forced to borrow more than ever on working capital lines of credit. If your company is not managing (paying down) that line daily, however, it&#8217;s highly likely you're over-borrowing and paying exces]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[With fuel prices on the rise, many marketers report being forced to borrow more than ever on working capital lines of credit.&nbsp;If your company is not managing (paying down) that line daily, however, it&rsquo;s highly likely you're over-borrowing ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Store Decisions &#8212; Where Do You Go From Here?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=169" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/169</id>
   <author>
     <name>Steve Montgomery</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[The following article was written by retail operations expert Steve Montgomery of b2b Solutions. Not all locations are equal. If you operate more than one store, it is certain that some will out perform others.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[The following article was written by retail operations expert Steve Montgomery of b2b Solutions. Steve presented at Focus on Finance 2001 and can be reached at 847-295-2418.
&nbsp;
Not all locations are equal.&nbsp;If you operate more than one store,...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Hypermarket Pricing Strategy</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=170" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/170</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[When a low-cost, or worse yet, below-cost big box competitor comes to town, how should you or your dealer price so as not to lose current volume? How about a grocer that initiates new fuel service? Marketers nationwide are struggling with this question, a]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[When a low-cost, or worse yet, below-cost big box competitor comes to town, how should you or your dealer price so as not to lose current volume?&nbsp;How about a grocer that initiates new fuel service?&nbsp;Marketers nationwide are struggling with t...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">CPA Compilations &#8212; Wasted Money</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=171" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/171</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[For year-end financial statements, you have the choice of three levels of service from your CPA: compilation, review or audit. Here&#8217;s what happens with each level of service.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[For year-end financial statements, you have the choice of three levels of service from your CPA:&nbsp;compilation, review or audit.&nbsp;Here&rsquo;s what happens with each level of service.
&nbsp;
Audit &ndash; The CPA firm does a complete reconcili...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Inventory Insight Plus Automated Dispatching</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=172" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/172</id>
   <author>
     <name>Doug Haugh</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Managing on-site fuel inventories and the fuel replenishment schedule is a constant struggle for most petroleum marketers today.   An even bigger challenge can be managing tank compliance for UST&#8217;s.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[We always push readers to get efficient through automation.&nbsp;Meridian&rsquo;s friend, Doug Haugh of FuelQUEST.com wrote the following article.
&nbsp;
Managing on-site fuel inventories and the fuel replenishment schedule is a constant struggle for...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Fuel Supply Strategy</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=173" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/173</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[When margins get squeezed, every fraction of a cent counts. The hard truth in petroleum marketing is that most big marketers make fuel price deals with their suppliers. For high volume marketers without any success yet in negotiated pricing or small marke]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[When margins get squeezed, every fraction of a cent counts.&nbsp;The hard truth in petroleum marketing is that most big marketers make fuel price deals with their suppliers.&nbsp;For high volume marketers without any success yet in negotiated pricing...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Centralization - Is it Efficient?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=174" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/174</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[The centralization question naturally arises for companies experiencing strong growth through acquisition. Now that the company is larger with more locations, will centralization of certain key business functions provide efficiency and therefore cost redu]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[The centralization question naturally arises for companies experiencing strong growth through acquisition.&nbsp;Now that the company is larger with more locations, will centralization of certain key business functions provide efficiency and therefore...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Super Speedy Collections Via 100% EFT</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=175" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/175</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Every single customer on EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer). Does this sound like a marketer's pipe dream? It&#8217;s not.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Every single customer on EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer).&nbsp;Does this sound like a marketer's pipe dream?&nbsp;It&rsquo;s not.&nbsp;Some Meridian clients have been able to convert all existing customers to EFT and most have instituted mandatory EF...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Optimize Vendor Specials and Rebates</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=176" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/176</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Today&#8217;s typical marketer needs to take full advantage of vendor specials and rebates to maximize profits. Due to the sheer volume and complex paperwork required for these rebates and specials, however, many companies lose track of them. Here&#8217;s a game plan]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Today&rsquo;s typical marketer needs to take full advantage of vendor specials and rebates to maximize profits.&nbsp;Due to the sheer volume and complex paperwork required for these rebates and specials, however, many companies lose track of them.&nb...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Little Known Store Profit Driver</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=177" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/177</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[What is the one common denominator for stores with bottom-line results over $150,000 per store? The answer may surprise you. It&#8217;s not square footage, fuel volume, number of islands, number of dispensers, or any other normal measure you might think of. Ins]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[What is the one common denominator for stores with bottom-line results over $150,000 per store?&nbsp;The answer may surprise you.&nbsp;It&rsquo;s not square footage, fuel volume, number of islands, number of dispensers, or any other normal measure yo...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">What Constitutes Great Service?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=178" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/178</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Go to any large gathering of petroleum company CEO&#8217;s and ask each person in that group to anonymously write down on a piece of paper what differentiates their company from their competitors. The result? Over 90% of them will note it&#8217;s their superior custo]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Go to any large gathering of petroleum company CEO&rsquo;s and ask each person in that group to anonymously write down on a piece of paper what differentiates their company from their competitors.&nbsp;The result?&nbsp;Over 90% of them will note it&r...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">New Profit Sources</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=179" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/179</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[As fuel margins shrink, your company is likely searching for new ways (maybe any way) to create new sources of profit. Here are some proven ideas to create profit segregated according to market segment:]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[As fuel margins shrink, your company is likely searching for new ways (maybe any way) to create new sources of profit.&nbsp;Here are some proven ideas to create profit segregated according to market segment:
&nbsp;
Wholesale Fuel Increased Freight Ch...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Financing Strategies During Hypermarket Stress</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=180" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/180</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Although the lure of refinancing and generating additional cash through a new loan during this time of super-low interest rates may be very enticing, getting your company too highly leveraged could be a very dangerous thing. To keep your company safely op]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Although the lure of refinancing and generating additional cash through a new loan during this time of super-low interest rates may be very enticing, getting your company too highly leveraged could be a very dangerous thing as we enter 2003.&nbsp;&nb...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Store Inventory Reduction for Higher Profits</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=181" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/181</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[If you are a long-time reader of MFA, or have attended Meridian seminars or workshops, you may already know your store product inventory should never exceed 1.5 times your supplier frequency. For most stores on a weekly supplier delivery schedule, it mean]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[If you are a long-time reader of MFA, or have attended Meridian seminars or workshops, you may already know your store product inventory should never exceed 1.5 times your supplier frequency.&nbsp;For most stores on a weekly supplier delivery schedul...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">It Isn't What You Show; It's What You Know</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=182" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/182</id>
   <author>
     <name>Steve Schiffman</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[I meet many salespeople who are distracted by their own selling tools. They get so excited about the chance to show off their fancy proposal that they don&#8217;t ask themselves a basic question: What do I really know about this person and this organization I&#8217;m]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[The following article was written by Steve Schiffman, President of DEI Management, one of the largest sales training companies actively working with our industry.&nbsp;DEI can be reached at 800-224-2140.
&nbsp;
I meet many salespeople who are distrac...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Helping Your Dealer Accounts</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=183" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/183</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[For many marketers, dealer accounts are a mainstay of their fuel business.   Entire divisions have been created to serve contractually bound branded dealers. Other marketers have specialized in the challenge of non-contract, non-branded &#8216;open&#8217; dealer acco]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[For many marketers, dealer accounts are a mainstay of their fuel business.&nbsp;&nbsp; Entire divisions have been created to serve contractually bound branded dealers.&nbsp;Other marketers have specialized in the challenge of non-contract, non-brande...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Unexpected Barrier to Success</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=184" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/184</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[For most marketer companies, it&#8217;s not cash flow, lack of financing, or even competitive pressure that stands in the way of success. The biggest barrier to greater success is ineffective, inefficient internal personal communication.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[For most marketer companies, it&rsquo;s not cash flow, lack of financing, or even competitive pressure that stands in the way of success.&nbsp;The biggest barrier to greater success is ineffective, inefficient internal personal communication.&nbsp;&n...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Shift Change Efficiency</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=185" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/185</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[How much money does your company lose in unnecessary payroll dollars due to inefficient shift changes? Whether you are in the retail sector making store shift changes, or the wholesale sector making driver changes, the shorter this window of duplicate emp]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[How much money does your company lose in unnecessary payroll dollars due to inefficient shift changes?&nbsp;Whether you are in the retail sector making store shift changes, or the wholesale sector making driver changes, the shorter this window of dup...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Free Money! Managing Supplier BDF</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=186" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/186</id>
   <author>
     <name>Dave Rose</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[In today&#8217;s market, major oil companies are willing to invest thousands of dollars to help you do all the things you&#8217;ve always wanted to do. Whether you&#8217;ve been thinking about upgrading your lube tank farm, painting that oxidized truck, advertising on the]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Meridian&rsquo;s partner Dave Rose wrote the following article.&nbsp;Dave will be speaking on operational efficiency at Focus on Finance 2002.&nbsp;For further information on creative ways to manage your valuable BDF opportunity, contact Dave Rose at...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Success Formula for Turbulent Times</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=187" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/187</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[At Meridian, we interact daily with petroleum buyers, sellers, plus the many owners who are on the fence - seriously questioning not if, but how long, they should stay in business. What&#8217;s evident to those owners is that the petroleum marketing business mo]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[At Meridian, we interact daily with petroleum buyers, sellers, plus the many owners who are on the fence - seriously questioning not if, but how long, they should stay in business.&nbsp;What&rsquo;s evident to those owners is that the petroleum marke...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Predatory Pricing -- Let's Get Real!</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=188" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/188</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Whether we like it or not, price continues to be the driving factor in gasoline marketing. What has changed, however, is the rampant use of predatory, below-cost pricing techniques.   But what exactly is predatory pricing?]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[The following information was summarized from a position paper on Predatory Pricing developed by a diligent mid-western marketer.&nbsp;Meridian thanks him for his input and insight.
&nbsp;
Whether we like it or not, price continues to be the driving ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">The Changing Nature of Brand Value</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=190" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/190</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Today&#8217;s marketer must make brand decisions, either forced by supplier consolidation or simply brought to the forefront by low-cost unbranded competition.   Should a marketer stay major-branded in today&#8217;s marketplace?]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Today&rsquo;s marketer must make brand decisions, either forced by supplier consolidation or simply brought to the forefront by low-cost unbranded competition.&nbsp;&nbsp; Should a marketer stay major-branded in today&rsquo;s marketplace?&nbsp;If yes...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Profit Maximizing Decisions Through Demographics</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=191" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/191</id>
   <author>
     <name>IMST Corp</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[A major concern for gasoline marketers is maximizing volume. New volume can be achieved through existing direct and dealer networks or through site acquisition.   Pricing strategy, store sales performance versus sales potential (optimization), and acquisi]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[The following article was provided by Meridian's partner, IMST Corp., an excellent resource for profit-enhancing demographic data at reasonable prices. You can reach IMST at 800-231-4678.
&nbsp;
A major concern for gasoline marketers is maximizing vo...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Operations Cooperatives - Do They Work?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=192" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/192</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Have you ever considered joining together for operational functions with your competitors?]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Have you ever considered joining together for operational functions with your competitors?&nbsp;
&nbsp;
At first blush, a co-op makes sense.&nbsp;For instance, in an area presently populated with four competitors, why have four accounting departments...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">The Art of Pricing</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=193" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/193</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Are your products always priced correctly? How do you know whether you are at the &#8216;right&#8217; price? Should you always price as high as you can?]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Are your products always priced correctly?&nbsp;How do you know whether you are at the &ldquo;right&rdquo; price?&nbsp;Should you always price as high as you can? 
&nbsp;
To discuss the art of pricing, we need to talk &ldquo;value.&rdquo;&nbsp;And in...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">CFO Embezzlement -- A True Story</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=195" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/195</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-05T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[This month we wanted to share with you a petroleum owner&#8217;s unfortunate experience with embezzlement. By providing you with the details of this loss, we hope we&#8217;ll help you avoid a similar situation. The only redeeming aspect of this story is the crook is]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[This month we wanted to share with you a petroleum owner&rsquo;s unfortunate experience with embezzlement.&nbsp;By providing you with the details of this loss, we hope we&rsquo;ll help you avoid a similar situation.&nbsp;The only redeeming aspect of ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Risk Rating Accounts Receivable</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=105" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/105</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Are you using risk-ratings in your credit process? If not, you should. Risk rating is a key, critical component to avoiding bad debts plus streamlining credit processes. Risk-rating your accounts helps you spend less time and less work on low-risk account]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Are you using risk-ratings in your credit process?&nbsp;If not, you should.&nbsp;Risk rating is a key, critical component to avoiding bad debts plus streamlining credit processes.&nbsp;Risk-rating your accounts helps you spend less time and less work...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Maximum ROI Store Security Measures</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=106" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/106</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[What&#8217;s happening at your stores? Are you wasting money on expensive security measures that don&#8217;t really work? We challenged a group of retail clients to develop a list of the most practical, high return on investment security initiatives. They came up wit]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[What&rsquo;s happening at your stores?&nbsp;Are you wasting money on expensive security measures that don&rsquo;t really work?&nbsp;We challenged a group of retail clients to develop a list of the most practical, high return on investment security in...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Acquisition Targeting</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=107" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/107</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Ask yourself honestly, did you actively target and seek out your last acquisition, or did you take what came along for sale? If you just sheepishly realized you&#8217;ve been completely reactive in your past acquisitions, don&#8217;t be embarrassed because you are in]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Ask yourself honestly, did you actively target and seek out your last acquisition, or did you take what came along for sale?&nbsp;If you just sheepishly realized you&rsquo;ve been completely reactive in your past acquisitions, don&rsquo;t be embarras...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Margin Protection and Enhancement Works!</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=108" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/108</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[What would it be like to enter a season, or even a year of fuel buying knowing your margins were securely protected?]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[What would it be like to enter a season, or even a year of fuel buying knowing your margins were securely protected?&nbsp;That is exactly what many marketers in the nation are doing, and it&rsquo;s exactly why Meridian has asked Darren Dohme of Power...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Think Like Your Customer</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=109" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/109</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Could you be completely missing the mark in what your retail customers want?]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Could you be completely missing the mark in what your retail customers want?&nbsp;This is what Avis discovered.&nbsp;In 1995, after ranking a dismal third in the rental business, Avis management decided to experiment with applied experience technique...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Smart Gifting of Company Stock</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=110" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/110</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Many marketers are receiving terrific tax benefits from gifting company stock to children at the urging of their tax-savvy attorneys and CPAs. A well-planned giving program over even a few years can work wonders for your estate.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Smart Gifting of Company Stock
&nbsp;
Many marketers are receiving terrific tax benefits from gifting company stock to children at the urging of their tax-savvy attorneys and CPAs.&nbsp;A well-planned giving program over even a few years can work won...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Could Office Employees Rob You Blind?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=112" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/112</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[The petroleum business is a high dollar game. It doesn&#8217;t take much volume for millions of dollars to be trading hands. Although we like to think we hire honest people, the best way to avoid a problem is to eliminate temptation.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[The petroleum business is a high dollar game.&nbsp;It doesn&rsquo;t take much volume for millions of dollars to be trading hands.&nbsp;Although we like to think we hire honest people, the best way to avoid a problem is to eliminate temptation.&nbsp;T...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Change With Less Pain!</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=113" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/113</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Know you need to speed up change in your organization to survive and thrive? Are you yourself or some of your employees change resistant? Whether you believe change resistance is learned behavior or an innate characteristic, startling research has proven]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Know you need to speed up change in your organization to survive and thrive?&nbsp;Are you yourself or some of your employees change resistant?&nbsp;Whether you believe change resistance is learned behavior or an innate characteristic, startling resea...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Avoid Lurking Dangers in Next Acquisition</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=114" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/114</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Ever hear &#8216;I sure wish I had known ___&#8217; from a fellow marketer shortly after his last acquisition? Because acquisitions are an emotionally charged activity, with the excitement of increased volume often overpowering good sense, be especially alert for red]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Ever hear &ldquo;I sure wish I had known&nbsp;___&rdquo; from a fellow marketer shortly after his last acquisition?&nbsp;Because acquisitions are an emotionally charged activity, with the excitement of increased volume often overpowering good sense, ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Silence Isn't Golden!</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=115" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/115</id>
   <author>
     <name>Rees Evans</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[When you push the hold button on your business phone system, you&#8217;re taking a risk. At the least, you risk angering your caller. At worst, you may have just lost a valued customer to a competitor. To reduce that risk and turn a negative experience into a p]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[The following article was written by Meridian friend Rees Evans.&nbsp;For the past 20 years, Rees and his company have been providing sales-boosting on hold messaging to companies nationwide.&nbsp;Rees may be reached directly at 909-784-2875 or www.C...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Inventory - Do You Have It Right Yet?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=116" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/116</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Not all inventory choices are as simple as hamburgers versus hotdogs, but one of the keys to retail success is to offer only what your customers want to buy. Determining what exactly that is can seem like a daunting task, until you engage in a low-cost de]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Prior to Meridian&rsquo;s spring Focus on Finance event, we invited one of our long-time, loyal attendees to be the recipient of a free store analysis with the caveat that the results would be presented at the next Focus on Finance in a breakout sess...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Employees That Build Great Companies</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=117" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/117</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[If you want to catapult your company to its next level of success, it will take more than your own two hands.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[If you want to catapult your company to its next level of success, it will take more than your own two hands.&nbsp;Jack Stack, President and CEO of SRC Holdings and author of the popular business books The Great Game of Business and A Stake in the Ou...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Thank the EPA: They Could Double Your Profits!</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=118" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/118</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Can you make money off seemingly onerous proposed EPA regs? While some marketers sit griping and grumbling about proposed rules requiring spill plans on 1320+ gallon tanks, other marketers are heralding this news as a way to make seriously more money.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Can you make money off seemingly onerous proposed EPA regs?&nbsp;While some marketers sit griping and grumbling about proposed rules requiring spill plans on 1320+ gallon tanks, other marketers are heralding this news as a way to make seriously more ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Only Six Steps to an Extra $100,000 in Savings</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=119" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/119</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Would you like to reduce just one expense by $100,000 in the next 12 months?  Here are the steps one of our clients, the owner of a 170 employee combined retail and wholesale operation, took to achieve exactly that savings in his workman&#8217;s comp premiums:]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Would you like to reduce just one expense by $100,000 in the next 12 months? &nbsp;Here are the steps one of our clients, the owner of a 170 employee combined retail and wholesale operation, took to achieve exactly that savings in his workman&rsquo;s...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Minimize Fallout From Legal Inspections</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=120" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/120</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[When it comes to on-site inspections, there are two types: administrative and criminal. Neither is much fun. Sooner or later, though, someone will likely show up at your bulk plant or stores for an inspection]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[When it comes to on-site inspections, there are two types: administrative and criminal.&nbsp;Neither is much fun.&nbsp;Sooner or later, though, someone will likely show up at your bulk plant or stores for an inspection.&nbsp;Normally, it&rsquo;s just...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Trade Credit Insurance and Rising Fuel Prices</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=121" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/121</id>
   <author>
     <name>Jay Tenney</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[The fuel distribution industry has long subscribed to the policy that a customer&#8217;s word is his bond. It is common practice to arrange physical deliveries on open credit, relying on nothing more than the customer&#8217;s promise to pay. With the recent increase]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[This article was provided by Jay Tenney of the Texas office of Trade Risk Group.&nbsp;Jay is an insurance professional who specializes in petroleum sector credit insurance, working with a national client base.&nbsp;For questions or comments, you may ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Risk Rating Accounts Receivable - Part 2</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=122" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/122</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Last month we provided an overview to accounts receivable risk-rating systems. This month, let&#8217;s get into the details of credit requirements, due diligence and collateral requirements for each of the ratings.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Last month we provided an overview to accounts receivable risk-rating systems.&nbsp;This month, let&rsquo;s get into the details of credit requirements, due diligence and collateral requirements for each of the ratings.&nbsp;To review, we are using a...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Customer Promises - A Lurking Liability</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=123" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/123</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Do you ever offer customers a product or service, but don't actually incur the expense until much later?   If so, you may have hidden lurking unrecorded liabilities just waiting to nip at your bottom-line in some future accounting period.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Do you ever offer customers a product or service, but don't actually incur the expense until much later?&nbsp;&nbsp; If so, you may have hidden lurking unrecorded liabilities just waiting to nip at your bottom-line in some future accounting period.&n...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Fuel Suppliers</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=124" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/124</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[For most petroleum companies, fuel supply is paramount to your economic well-being. You need ample, competitively priced fuel. Often, however, this is easier said than done. Here&#8217;s a few tips to help:&#13;&#10;]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; For most petroleum companies, fuel supply is paramount to your economic well-being.&nbsp;You need ample, competitively priced fuel.&nbsp;Often, however, this is easier said than done.&nbsp;Here&rsquo;s a few tips to help:
&nbsp;&nb...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Excise Taxes</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=125" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/125</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[If your CPA is not from the petroleum industry, he or she may think that excise taxes should not be included in your sales revenue. That opinion comes from traditional accounting procedures that say that sales taxes are a pass-through and therefore not re]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If your CPA is not from the petroleum industry, he or she may think that excise taxes should not be included in your sales revenue.&nbsp;That opinion comes from traditional accounting procedures that say that sales taxes are ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">The Best Approach to Faster Receivables</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=127" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/127</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[For most wholesale marketers, receivables are the largest asset on the balance sheet. If your collection time is &#8216;average,&#8217; you have about 16 days of sales tied up in your receivables.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[For most wholesale marketers, receivables are the largest asset on the balance sheet.&nbsp;If your collection time is &ldquo;average,&rdquo;&nbsp;you have about 16 days of sales tied up in your receivables.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
To put this in perspective, a ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">How to Negotiate the Most Favorable Financing Deal</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=128" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/128</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Owners often think they should personally negotiate all financing for their company. Even if an owner is a master negotiator, this tactic may leave the company with less than the absolute best deal.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Part of the fun of working at Meridian Associates is seeing the wide variety of financing terms jobbers across the country are able to obtain.&nbsp;Although there are regional differences in interest rates due to the degree of bank competition, often...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Four Keys to C-Store Success</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=129" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/129</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[What key critical factors determine a c-store&#8217;s degree of success?   If you want to expand your store operations in the near future, use these four criteria to predict a site&#8217;s future success. If you happen to be struggling with an unprofitable location,]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[What key critical factors determine a c-store&rsquo;s degree of success?&nbsp;&nbsp; If you want to expand your store operations in the near future, use these four criteria to predict a site&rsquo;s future success.&nbsp;If you happen to be struggling...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Interest Rate Swaps</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=130" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/130</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[If you like the idea of taking advantage of today&#8217;s low variable interest rates, but like the security of a fixed rate, an interest rate swap may suit your needs.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[If you like the idea of taking advantage of today&rsquo;s low variable interest rates, but like the security of a fixed rate, an interest rate swap may suit your needs.
&nbsp;
Technically, an interest rate swap is an agreement between your company an...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Fuel and Lubes Sales Compensation</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=131" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/131</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[In the results of the 1998 PMAA financial survey we conducted, there was a clear trend away from volume-based sales commissions to those based on gross margin. Marketers are becoming well-aware that volume may be good for refiners, but what they need is p]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[In the results of the 1998 PMAA financial survey we conducted, there was a clear trend away from volume-based sales commissions to those based on gross margin.&nbsp;Marketers are becoming well-aware that volume may be good for refiners, but what they...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Appropriate Customer Credit Limits</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=132" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/132</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[The combined effect of slow-pay and no-pay customers can be devastating on your company&#8217;s cash flow. Right now, resolve to reduce this cash drain on your company by setting appropriate dollarcredit limits on all your customers.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[The combined effect of&nbsp;slow-pay and no-pay customers can be devastating on your company&rsquo;s cash flow.&nbsp;Right now, resolve to reduce this cash drain on your company by setting appropriate dollarcredit limits on all your customers.&nbsp;
...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Where&#8217;s the Money Going?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=133" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/133</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[As a petroleum company owner, have you ever looked at your P&L operating expenses and wondered, &#8216;Where is all that money going?&#8217; If so, vow that this is the month you&#8217;ll really find out!]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Editor&rsquo;s Note:&nbsp;The following article is written specifically for company owners.&nbsp;If you are a controller or other non-owner professional, please be sure your owner reads this article!
&nbsp;
As a petroleum company owner, have you ever...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Pay for Performance</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=134" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/134</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Hourly wage rates are unfair to productive workers. Why? The faster they accomplish a specific task, the less they get paid for that task.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Hourly wage rates are unfair to productive workers.&nbsp;Why?&nbsp;The faster they accomplish a specific task, the less they get paid for that task.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Assume you pay a clerk $6.00 per hour and that clerk&rsquo;s assignment is to sweep a ce...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Off-Balance Sheet Financing</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=135" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/135</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Providers of off-balance sheet financing promote their product as the best thing since sliced bread. But is it?&#13;&#10;&#13;&#10;]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Providers of off-balance sheet financing promote their product as the best thing since sliced bread.&nbsp;But is it?
&nbsp;
First, off-balance sheet financing is just a fancy, albeit cooler sounding name for an operating lease.&nbsp;You get the use o...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Using Cash Wisely</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=136" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/136</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[The only thing more precious to your business than customers is cash. Why is it, then, that cash rarely gets the attention it deserves at most companies?]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[The only thing more precious to your business than customers is cash.&nbsp;Why is it, then, that cash rarely gets the attention it deserves at most companies?
&nbsp;
It could be that some owners think of cash as simply a result of their business proc...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Sale/Leaseback of Assets</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=137" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/137</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[As alternative lenders proliferate in the marketplace, and get more aggressive with how they lend money, you may be asked to entertain a sale and leaseback of certain properties. &#13;&#10;&#13;&#10;]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[
As alternative lenders proliferate in the marketplace, and get more aggressive with how they lend money, you may be asked to entertain a sale and leaseback of certain properties.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
A sale leaseback occurs when you sell your property to an...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Loan Pricing Benchmarks</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=138" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/138</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[When it comes to loan pricing, there are two facts every owner should know:&#13;&#10;&#13;&#10; &#13;&#10;&#13;&#10;1) Not all loans should be tied to Prime.&#13;&#10;&#13;&#10; &#13;&#10;&#13;&#10;2) When using prime benchmarks, banks may have different prime rates!&#13;&#10;]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[When it comes to loan pricing, there are two facts every owner should know:
&nbsp;
1)&nbsp;Not all loans should be tied to Prime.
&nbsp;
2) When using prime benchmarks, banks may have different prime rates!
&nbsp;
Let&rsquo;s deal first with the issu...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Slash Non-fuel Supply Costs</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=139" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/139</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[It&#8217;s easy to lose track of just how much money your company spends with individual non-fuel vendors each year. To discover how much you pay to who, run an Accounts Payable Report by vendor which shows the total year-to-date dollars paid. This report will]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[It&rsquo;s easy to lose track of just how much money your company spends with individual non-fuel vendors each year.&nbsp;To discover how much you pay to who, run an Accounts Payable Report by vendor which shows the total year-to-date dollars paid.&n...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Fast Financial Review</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=140" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/140</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[In today&#8217;s fast-paced and ever-accelerating world, we are often burdened with more work than we think we can ever accomplish. Because of the time crunch we feel, we don&#8217;t give our financial statements the attention they deserve.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[In today&rsquo;s fast-paced and ever-accelerating world, we are often burdened with more work than we think we can ever accomplish.&nbsp;Because of the time crunch we feel, we don&rsquo;t give our financial statements the attention they deserve.&nbsp...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Breakeven Analysis for Retail Fuel Pricing</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=141" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/141</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[How do you price fuel at your stores? You likely have a strategy that is one of the following three options:&#13;&#10;&#13;&#10;]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[How do you price fuel at your stores?&nbsp;You likely have a strategy that is one of the following three options:
&nbsp;
&THORN;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lead the street.&nbsp;Due to brand recognition, a superior site, or exceptional service, yo...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Reduce Employee Turnover</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=142" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/142</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[What business owner or manager has not dreamed of having perfect employees? You know, the ones that come to work every day on time, perform their job competently and correctly, and stay with you for years.&#13;&#10;&#13;&#10;]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[What business owner or manager has not dreamed of having perfect employees?&nbsp;You know, the ones that come to work every day on time, perform their job competently and correctly, and stay with you for years.
&nbsp;
Particularly if you are in the c...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Eliminate Customers to Boost Profits!</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=143" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/143</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Have you ever kept delivering to a marginally profitable account? Here&#8217;s some big news &#8213; when you sell product, you are supposed to make a profit!]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Have you ever kept delivering to a marginally profitable account?&nbsp;Here&rsquo;s some big news &mdash; when you sell product, you are supposed to make a profit!
&nbsp;
Somewhere in the petroleum industry, gallons/volume became the driving factor.&...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Collect Bad Checks</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=144" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/144</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[When you deal with the public and take personal checks, it&#8217;s difficult to totally avoid bad checks. Thanks to continually improved technology, however, you can limit your loss experience by using specialized vendors.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[When you deal with the public and take personal checks, it&rsquo;s difficult to totally avoid bad checks.&nbsp;Thanks to continually improved technology, however, you can limit your loss experience by using specialized vendors.
&nbsp;
The cheapest an...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Trade Discounts</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=145" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/145</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Should you give customers prompt-pay discounts? When suppliers offer discounts to you, should you take them even if you must borrow? This month, we show you how to do some quick math with your own real numbers to get the answers.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Should you give customers prompt-pay discounts?&nbsp;When suppliers offer discounts to you, should you take them even if you must borrow?&nbsp;This month, we show you how to do some quick math with your own real numbers to get the answers.
&nbsp;
Cus...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Leverage Trends in the Industry</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=146" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/146</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[The latest joke in the industry is that by the end of next year, there will be more lenders than marketers. While obviously an exaggeration, there has definitely been a proliferation of lenders competing to fund your next project.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[The latest joke in the industry is that by the end of next year, there will be more lenders than marketers.&nbsp;While obviously an exaggeration, there has definitely been a proliferation of lenders competing to fund your next project.
&nbsp;
Unlike ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Business Plans</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=147" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/147</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Lately we&#8217;ve been asked for information on business plans. Lenders often request business plans. Rather than view their request as a necessary chore and nuisance, consider the creation of a business plan an opportunity.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Lately we&rsquo;ve been asked for information on business plans. Lenders often request business plans.&nbsp;Rather than view their request as a necessary chore and nuisance, consider the creation of a business plan an opportunity.&nbsp;The process of...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Methods to Quickly Increase Cash</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=149" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/149</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[This month, let&#8217;s talk about how to quickly produce more cash when you need it as well as more long-range strategies to improve your cash position on a more permanent basis.&#13;&#10;]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Last month we featured the banker&rsquo;s cash flow report in this column, the same report produced by&nbsp;CashTracker&reg;.&nbsp;This month, let&rsquo;s talk about how to quickly produce more cash when you need it as well as more long-range strateg...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Bank Services - Everything is Negotiable!</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=150" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/150</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[If you live in a small, rural community, you may have the distinct honor of never paying any bank service fees. If you are not that fortunate, however, read on.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[If you live in a small, rural community, you may have the distinct honor of never paying any bank service fees.&nbsp;If you are not that fortunate, however, read on. 
&nbsp;
If you are paying bank service charges, and have never negotiated those char...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Strategic Planning</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=151" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/151</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Nothing is more vital to your company than a sound strategic plan. It communicates a unifying vision to all in the organization while optimizing resource allocation.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Nothing is more vital to your company than a sound strategic plan.&nbsp;It communicates a unifying vision to all in the organization while optimizing resource allocation.
&nbsp;
Why, then, do most petroleum marketing companies not have a strategic pl...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Slash Purchase Costs</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=152" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/152</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[With end-of-year approaching quickly, now is a great time to review your purchasing procedures.   Particularly in multi-site operations, you may be very surprised to find out just how much money you are spending with certain vendors and/or on everyday pro]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[With end-of-year approaching quickly, now is a great time to review your purchasing procedures.&nbsp;&nbsp; Particularly in multi-site operations, you may be very surprised to find out just how much money you are spending with certain vendors and/or ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Track What Counts</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=153" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/153</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[One of the new buzzwords in leading-edge management circles is &#8216;Critical Number.&#8217;   For every business, there are a handful of measurable predictors of business success. By focusing on just these few key numbers, a business can achieve tremendous gains.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[One of the new buzzwords in leading-edge management circles is &ldquo;Critical Number.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp; For every business, there are a handful of measurable predictors of business success.&nbsp;By focusing on just these few key numbers, a business...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">The Cash Target Game</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=154" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/154</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Do your strategic goals include cash targets? Companies often set profit targets but forget that it&#8217;s cash that pays the bills!]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Do your strategic goals include cash targets?&nbsp;Companies often set profit targets but forget that it&rsquo;s cash that pays the bills!
&nbsp;
There are many reasons why cash targets are over-looked in strategic plans.&nbsp;Often, the persons invo...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Return on Investment</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=155" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/155</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Affectionately known as ROI, return on investment is one measure of the financial reward a company receives by investing in any asset.   The asset could be as large as another business or as small as a fuel tank.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Affectionately known as ROI,&nbsp;return on investment is one measure of the financial reward a company receives by investing in any asset.&nbsp;&nbsp; The asset could be as large as another business or as small as a fuel tank. 
&nbsp;
In this month&...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Alternative Lenders</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=156" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/156</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Ten or fifteen years ago, who would have dreamed that there would be lenders knocking at your door, wanting to lend you money for a petroleum-related project? My how the times have changed!]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Ten or fifteen years ago, who would have dreamed that there would be lenders knocking at your door, wanting to lend you money for a petroleum-related project?&nbsp;My how the times have changed!
&nbsp;
What caused this proliferation of lenders was &l...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Office Equipment Cost Reduction</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=157" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/157</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Most of us are well-aware of falling prices in office equipment. From copiers to faxes to postage meters, the cost of increasingly complex and multifunctional technology is plummeting.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Most of us are well-aware of falling prices in office equipment.&nbsp;From copiers to faxes to postage meters, the cost of increasingly complex and multifunctional technology is plummeting.
&nbsp;
To keep your office equipment costs down, use these s...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html"> New Ideas for Inventory Management</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=158" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/158</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Excess inventory can serve as a source of frustration for even the best-managed companies. For every $100,000 invested in inventory, the bank gets about $8,500 per year in interest (calculated at the current prime rate).&#13;&#10;&#13;&#10;&#13;&#10; &#13;&#10;]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Excess inventory can serve as a source of frustration for even the best-managed companies.&nbsp;For every $100,000 invested in inventory, the bank gets about $8,500 per year in interest (calculated at the current prime rate).&nbsp;This amount reduces...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Customer Loyalty</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=159" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/159</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2006-01-03T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[&#8216;Companies are not successful by accident. There is a cause and effect relationship between businesses practices, employee satisfaction, customer loyalty, and profitability.&#8217;]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[&ldquo;Companies are not successful by accident.&nbsp;There is a cause and effect relationship between businesses practices, employee satisfaction, customer loyalty, and profitability.&rdquo; &nbsp;This bit of wisdom is from Tom Olivo of Success Prof...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Your Employees: Cash Flow Killers or Makers?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=72" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/72</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Each and every employee in your company has either a positive or negative influence every single day on your company&#8217;s cash flow.   They either kill your cash or make it flow. &#13;&#10;]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[News Flash !&nbsp;Your employees control your company&rsquo;s cash flow!&nbsp;&nbsp; Yes, each and every employee in your company has either a positive or negative influence every single day on your company&rsquo;s cash flow.&nbsp;&nbsp; They either ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Working Capital Line Management Mistakes</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=73" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/73</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Even companies in the fortunate position of rarely needing to borrow, know it is prudent to have a working line ready and at their disposal in the event of that unexpected cash crunch. With today&#8217;s competitive margins and fuel price volatility, however, m]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Even companies in the fortunate position of rarely needing to borrow, know it is prudent to have a working line ready and at their disposal in the event of that unexpected cash crunch.&nbsp;With&nbsp;today&rsquo;s competitive margins and fuel price v...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Benchmark for Success</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=74" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/74</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Top-performing companies benchmark. It&#8217;s one of the secrets to achieving top performance! Comparing your company to others in the industry allows you to push your company to peak efficiencies.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Top-performing companies benchmark.&nbsp;It&rsquo;s one of the secrets to achieving top performance!&nbsp;Comparing your company to others in the industry allows you to push your company to peak efficiencies.&nbsp;In our industry, there are many sour...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">New Financing Options</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=75" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/75</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[There have been a few new twists in the financing scene that could work to your advantage if your company needs funding:]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[There have been a few new twists in the financing scene that could work to your advantage if your company needs&nbsp;funding:
&nbsp;
Alliances - Many of your suppliers have been busy lately forming alliances with specific financing vendors.&nbsp;&nbs...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Find and Keep Good Employees</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=76" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/76</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Turnover is an enormous cash flow drain. Unfortunately, too many companies think of turnover as a necessary evil you must live with. Nothing could be further from the truth.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Turnover is an enormous cash flow drain.&nbsp;Unfortunately, too many companies think of turnover as a necessary evil you must live with.&nbsp;Nothing could be further from the truth.&nbsp;You can reduce turnover with an immediate positive impact to ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Effective Internal Communication</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=77" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/77</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Your bottom-line depends upon smoothly flowing communication within your company. In an efficient organization, seamless flow of accurate data in and between departments is vital for creating a pleasant customer experience.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Your bottom-line depends upon smoothly flowing communication within your company.&nbsp;In an efficient organization, seamless flow of accurate data in and between departments is vital for creating a&nbsp;pleasant customer experience.&nbsp;With ineffi...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Make Money Spending Money</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=78" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/78</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[What is your company&#8217;s target rate of return on any capital invested?  If you don&#8217;t know the answer, you may be spending money willy-nilly without any true guidelines about acceptable rates of returns.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[What is your company&rsquo;s target rate of return on any capital invested?&nbsp; If you don&rsquo;t know the answer, you may be spending money willy-nilly without any true guidelines about acceptable rates of returns.&nbsp; On the other hand, if you...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Fraud Avoidance</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=80" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/80</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[How insulated is your company from potential fraud? Here are just a few true stories to make you begin to question your companies policies.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[How insulated is your company from potential fraud?&nbsp;Here are just a few true stories to make you begin to question your companies policies.&nbsp;No names will be used to protect our client&rsquo;s confidentiality.
&nbsp;
Fraud Situation #1 - A s...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Predict and Control Cash Flow</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=81" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/81</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Particularly in the wholesale sector of the petroleum industry, predicting and controlling cash flow is paramount to business success. Yet often, very little time is spent performing these vital functions.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Particularly in the wholesale sector of the petroleum industry, predicting and controlling cash flow is paramount to business success.&nbsp;Yet often, very little time is spent performing these vital functions.&nbsp;If you want to get off the cash fl...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Better Banking Tips</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=82" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/82</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Most petroleum companies are in the driver&#8217;s seat when it comes to banking. In fact, you may not even realize the clout you really have!]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Most petroleum companies are in the driver&rsquo;s seat when it comes to banking.&nbsp;In fact, you may not even realize the clout you really have!&nbsp;Try flexing a little muscle through these strategic moves that will lower your cost of business:
...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Acquisition Pitfalls</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=83" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/83</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Watching all the recent supplier and bank mergers, you may decide to grow your business through acquisitions. Before your leap into your next deal, however, check out these pitfalls that could make your next acquisition a nightmare!]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Watching all the recent supplier and bank mergers, you may decide to grow your business through acquisitions. Before your leap into your next deal, however, check out these pitfalls that could make your next acquisition a nightmare!&nbsp;You may thin...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Great CPA Statements</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=84" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/84</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[If you have a December 31 fiscal year-end, there is still time to insure your CPA-prepared financial statement presents your company in the most advantageous light possible. Follow these guidelines:]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[If you have a December 31 fiscal year-end, there is still time to insure your CPA-prepared financial statement presents your company in the most advantageous light possible.&nbsp;Follow these guidelines:
&nbsp;
Number of Periods on Statement - &nbsp;...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Financing for Acquisitions</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=85" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/85</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[So, you just successfully negotiated your final price to buy out a competitor. You&#8217;ll be getting a small chain of stores, a reasonably-sized wholesale fuels and lubricants business plus a little heating fuel and propane. You&#8217;re feeling elated until the re]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[So, you just successfully negotiated your final price to buy out a competitor.&nbsp;You&rsquo;ll be getting a small chain of stores,&nbsp;a reasonably-sized wholesale fuels and lubricants business plus a little heating fuel and propane.&nbsp;You&rsqu...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Centralize Key Functions</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=86" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/86</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Many jobbers today are increasing cash flow and profits by centralization of key functions together with profit-center based accounting.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Many jobbers today are increasing&nbsp;cash flow and profits by centralization of key functions together with profit-center based accounting.&nbsp;At first, these two concepts may seem contradictory.&nbsp;In practice, however, they work smoothly toge...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">How Does Your Strategic Plan Impact Your Cash Flow?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=87" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/87</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[In this month&#8217;s column we&#8217;ll lead you through the preliminary process to analyze your company&#8217;s cash position, its trend in cash flows, and alert you to how certain strategic decisions may impact that cash flow.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[One vital discovery next month&rsquo;s Focus on Strategy attendees will make is how their strategic plan for the future will impact their company&rsquo;s cash flow.&nbsp;In essence, they will know in advance what will happen to their cash if they imp...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Effective Purchase Order Systems</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=88" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/88</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[If you review operating expenses each month and feel there are times when spending at your comopany goes through the roof, you are likely overdue for a purchase order system.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[If you review operating expenses each month and feel there are times when spending at your comopany goes through the roof, you are likely overdue for a purchase order system.&nbsp;A well-designed and enforced purchase order system can significantly&n...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Control Transportation Costs</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=89" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/89</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Do you know exactly how much it costs you to deliver product to each customer? If not, how do you know if you are making any money at the bottom-line on each trip?]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Do you know exactly how much it costs you to deliver product to each customer?&nbsp;If not, how do you know if you are making any money at the bottom-line on each trip?&nbsp;
&nbsp;
If you want to get your arms around transportation costs once and fo...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">When to Switch CPA Firms</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=90" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/90</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[This month, let&#8217;s look at what you should be getting from your CPA firm, and when you should consider a change in firms.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Last month we dealt with changing banks.&nbsp;This month, let&rsquo;s look at what you should be getting from your CPA firm, and when you should consider a change in firms.
&nbsp;
Here are three basic services you should be getting from your CPA:
&nb...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Target Marketing</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=91" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/91</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Why should you be concerned with target marketing? The answer is one simple word - PROFIT! If you can accurately define a specific target market and then penetrate that market, you will make money.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Why should you be concerned with target marketing?&nbsp;The answer is one simple word - PROFIT!&nbsp;If you can accurately define a specific target market and then penetrate that market, you will make money.&nbsp;On the other hand, if you fail to def...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Project Feasibility Using Discounted Cash Flow</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=92" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/92</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[If you use a traditional return on investment to make project decisions, you are missing a critical factor for your decision - the time value of money.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[If you use a traditional return on investment to make project decisions, you are missing a critical factor for your decision - the time value of money.
&nbsp;
Traditional return on investment models simply average the annual net profit expected on th...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Overhead Allocation</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=93" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/93</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Have you ever noticed that the simple words &#8216;overhead allocation&#8217; can strike fear in the hearts of owners and financial managers?]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Have you ever noticed that the simple words &ldquo;overhead allocation&rdquo; can strike fear in the hearts of owners and financial managers?
&nbsp;
In the petroleum industry, overhead allocation is often viewed as:

    
    terribly complex, or
   ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Lease Interest Rates</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=94" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/94</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Just how much interest is included in a lease payment? It can be frustrating to be faced with a financing decision without this important piece of information.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Just how much interest is included in a lease payment?&nbsp;It can be frustrating&nbsp;to be faced with a financing decision without this important piece of information.&nbsp;With a financial calculator, however, you can determine lease interest rate...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Customer Satisfaction and Cash Flow</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=95" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/95</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Do you run your business assuming that increasing customer satisfaction ultimately increases cash flow? If so, you could put yourself right into bankruptcy.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Do you run your business assuming that increasing customer satisfaction ultimately increases cash flow?&nbsp;If so, you could put yourself right into bankruptcy.&nbsp;Let&rsquo;s face it, if you had all the money in the world, you could bring custome...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">When to Switch Banks</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=96" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/96</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Face it &#8213; it&#8217;s not fun to change banks, and often your bank knows that and takes advantage of that little fact!]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Face it &mdash; it&rsquo;s not fun to change banks, and often your bank knows that and takes advantage of that little fact!&nbsp;There are times, however, when you should seriously consider moving your business to another bank.&nbsp;Answer the follow...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Inventory Management &#8213; Get Specific</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=97" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/97</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Checking inventory management via CashTracker&#174;&#8217;s monthly ratios report is smart, but that report alone will not provide enough information to conduct systematic, effective inventory reduction.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Checking inventory management via CashTracker&reg;&rsquo;s monthly ratios report is smart, but that report alone will not provide enough information to conduct systematic, effective inventory reduction.
&nbsp;
Why should you be reducing inventory?&nb...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Cut Costs through Process Re-engineering</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=98" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/98</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Most companies today want to cut costs. As competition heats up and gross margins get squeezed, it&#8217;s natural to turn to cost-cutting to maintain a healthy bottom line.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Most companies today want to cut costs.&nbsp;As competition heats up and gross margins get squeezed, it&rsquo;s natural to turn to cost-cutting to maintain a healthy bottom line.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
&nbsp;
The typical approach used to cut costs is the P&amp...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Structuring Your Deal</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=99" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/99</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[At the time you go to out to bid for financing on your next project, you should know the exact financing structure that will best meet your company&#8217;s needs. Additionally, thinking &#8216;out of the box&#8217; with your own wish list will reap rewards.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[At the time you go to out to bid for financing on your next project, you should know the exact financing structure that will best meet your company&rsquo;s needs.&nbsp;Additionally, thinking &ldquo;out of the box&rdquo; with your own wish list will r...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Is It Time to Diversify?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=100" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/100</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[ In our experience, there comes a critical point in a mature company&#8217;s growth cycle where management realizes that cash flow has stabilized, but will not enjoy another significant increase wouout diversification. &#13;&#10;]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Meridian is fortunate to work with some of the most highly successful petroleum companies in the nation.&nbsp;In our experience, there comes a critical point in a mature company&rsquo;s growth cycle where management&nbsp;realizes that cash flow has s...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Budgets That Work</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=101" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/101</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Do you ever feel your company is like a big ship out on the ocean being tossed and turned with every market trend wave? If so, you may consider budgeting as a means to gain a bit more control.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Do you ever feel your company is like a big ship out on the ocean being tossed and turned with every market trend wave?&nbsp;If so, you may consider budgeting as a means to gain a bit more control.&nbsp;But caution &mdash; there is nothing worse than...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Small Business Investment Companies</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=102" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/102</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[A little-known, yet highly advantageous source of financing may be lurking right in your own town! Known as Small Business Investment Companies (SBIC), these unique organizations are expressly designed to help the small business owner secure capital at an]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[A little-known, yet highly advantageous source of financing may be lurking right in your own town!&nbsp;Known as Small Business Investment Companies (SBIC), these unique organizations are expressly designed to help the small business owner secure cap...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Highly Effective Receivables Management</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=103" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/103</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[If you are in the wholesale sector of the industry, there is nothing more critical to your cash flow than your receivables management.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[If you are in the wholesale sector of the industry, there is nothing more critical to your cash flow than your receivables management.&nbsp;Every $100,000 in outstanding receivables is costing you approximately $10,000 per year in interest costs.&nbs...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Employees Who Crave Ownership</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=104" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/104</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-29T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[In this enlightened age, why is it so many petroleum companies do not embrace employee ownership when employees are openly craving it?]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[In this enlightened age, why is it so many petroleum companies do not embrace employee ownership when employees are openly craving it?&nbsp;Research tells us it is a combination of tradition, fear, and sometimes ignorance.&nbsp;However, research also...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Analysis Paralysis</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=7" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/7</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[The volume of available information for management decision-making is increasing at an exponential rate virtually daily.  If you feel like you are buried in reports, you probably are!]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[The volume of available information for management decision-making is increasing at an exponential rate virtually daily.&nbsp; If you feel like you are buried in reports, you probably are!&nbsp; All this data can serve as a useful tool to help you ma...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Personal Guarantee Demystified</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=8" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/8</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Should you guarantee your company&#8217;s debts?  Should you require your delivery customers to personally guarantee their trade credit?  Why do lenders want guarantees?  What should it be worth to get rid of a guarantee?]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Should you guarantee your company&rsquo;s debts?&nbsp; Should you require your delivery customers to personally guarantee their trade credit?&nbsp; Why do lenders want guarantees?&nbsp; What should it be worth to get rid of a guarantee?
These are all...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Help for Tapped Out Bank Credit Lines!</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=9" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/9</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[If you have yourself in a tight money bind, here&#8217;s what to do plus how to prevent that situation from happening again in the future.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[At 

Meridian , we are getting a record number of phone calls from folks who have maxed out theircredit lines yet still need more working capital.&nbsp; If you have yourself in a tight money bind, here&rsquo;s what to do plus how to prevent that situ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Beat the Fuel Price Increase Cash Crunch</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=11" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/11</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Feeling the cash pinch from higher fuel prices?  You&#8217;re not alone! Unfortunately, this squeeze is due to the difference between receivables and payables timing.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Feeling the cash pinch from higher fuel prices?&nbsp; You&rsquo;re not alone!&nbsp; Our phones at Meridian have been ringing off the hook with wholesale marketers caught in a recent cash squeeze.&nbsp; Unfortunately, this squeeze is due to the differ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Credit and Debit Card Processing</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=12" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/12</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Looked at your credit card fee statement lately?  Have any idea what those fees are costing your company?  Get ready for a little shock.  Upon close examination of your processing statement, you may find you are paying fees you didn't even know existed!]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Looked at your credit card fee statement lately?&nbsp; Have any idea what those fees are costing your company?&nbsp; Get ready for a little shock.&nbsp; Upon close examination of your processing statement, you may find you are paying fees you didn't ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Open Book Management and Company Performance</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=13" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/13</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Open-book management has been called the most important management trend in the United States.  The practice revolves around sharing a company&#8217;s financial books with its non-management employees, training them to understand the information they receive, a]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[If you are a long-time MFA reader or have attended our Focus on Finance seminar, you already know we strongly promote open book management (OBM).&nbsp; For those unfamiliar with the concept, let&rsquo;s start with some background, some of which is ex...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">A Cost Savings Story</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=14" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/14</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[So it&#8217;s the new year and you say you have way more on your plate than you can handle? So what&#8217;s new? Maybe, just maybe, you need a little help with company cost savings.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[



So it&rsquo;s the new year and you say you have way more on your plate than you can handle?&nbsp;So what&rsquo;s new?&nbsp;Maybe, just maybe, you need a little help with company cost savings.&nbsp;Remember that old adage about two heads being bet...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Volume Talks in Fuel Supply Price</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=15" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/15</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[It&#8217;s time for many marketers to face the hard, cold reality that to thrive in the next decade, they will need to be able to buy fuel at the &#8216;right&#8217; price. To get this &#8216;right&#8217; price, it&#8217;s going to take volume.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[It&rsquo;s time for many marketers to face the hard, cold reality that to thrive in the next decade, they will need to be able to buy fuel at the &ldquo;right&rdquo; price.&nbsp;To get this &ldquo;right&rdquo; price, it&rsquo;s going to take volume.&...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Prohibitive Loan Covenants</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=16" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/16</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Prohibitive covenants are often located in the very fine print of a loan agreement. Since they look like standard boilerplate, they are often overlooked and not negotiated. These covenants, though, can unknowingly cause major problems and even default. He]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Loan agreements usually contain two kinds of covenants:&nbsp;performance and prohibitive.&nbsp;Performance covenants seem to get the most attention.&nbsp;These include current ratios, debt to worth, profitability measures, etc.
&nbsp;
Prohibitive cov...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Salesmanship 101 - A Business Requirement</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=17" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/17</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[How much profit does your company miss out on daily because your staff, including your sales department, was never formally trained in sales or selling? Can you honestly say that each and every employee with regular customer contact is fully trained in pr]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[How much profit does your company miss out on daily because your staff, including your sales department, was never formally trained in sales or selling?&nbsp;Can you honestly say that each and every employee with regular customer contact is fully tra...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">What&#8217;s Not Selling?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=18" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/18</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Mismanaged inventory costs the petroleum industry millions of dollars each year. How much is it costing your company?]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Mismanaged inventory costs the petroleum industry millions of dollars each year.&nbsp;How much is it costing your company?
&nbsp;
Start with the fact that every $100,000 a company has invested in inventory has an annual holding cost of no less than $...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Credit Policy Manual - A Business Requirement</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=19" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/19</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Does your company have a written credit policy? Despite the fact that most marketers extend six-figure credit lines, many do not have a policy manual. If your company has been operating without a credit policy manual, it&#8217;s time to formalize your credit pr]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Does your company have a written credit policy?&nbsp;Despite the fact that most marketers extend six-figure credit lines, many do not have a policy manual.&nbsp;If your company has been operating without a credit policy manual, it&rsquo;s time to for...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Small Marketer Success Tactics</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=21" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/21</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Why are some small marketers thriving in today&#8217;s competitive marketplace while others struggle? The answer is relatively simple &#8213; sound strategic planning.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Why are some small marketers thriving in today&rsquo;s competitive marketplace while others struggle?&nbsp;The answer is relatively simple &mdash; sound strategic planning.&nbsp;At the heart of every strategic plan is thorough analysis of company str...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Educate Your Bank Loan Officer</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=22" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/22</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Both wholesale and retail petroleum industries are unique. Because most bankers do not specialize in petroleum, the burden falls on you to educate your banker. Here are the key points to cover:]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Both wholesale and retail petroleum industries are unique.&nbsp;Because most bankers do not specialize in petroleum, the burden falls on you to educate your banker.&nbsp;Here are the key points to cover:
&nbsp;
1)&nbsp;Per-gallon profit and expense a...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Tankwagon</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=23" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/23</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[&#13;&#10;Are your fuel and lube tankwagon operations as efficient as they should or could be? Part of the answer to that question can be found in this month&#8217;s extremely simple, yet revealing test.&#13;&#10;]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Are your fuel and lube tankwagon operations as efficient as they should or could be?&nbsp;Part of the answer to that question can be found in this month&rsquo;s extremely simple, yet revealing test.
&nbsp;
The Tankwagon Efficiency Test
&nbsp;
Step On...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Where&#8217;s the Cash Going?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=24" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/24</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[If you suspect your cash flow problem runs deeper than a simple receivables/payables timing problem, it&#8217;s time to put your CashTracker&#174; software to work.&#13;&#10;]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Last month we covered strategies to beat the fuel price increase cash crunch.&nbsp;Now prices have stabilized (at least as of this writing!) yet we&rsquo;re still getting calls about cash flow problems.&nbsp;If you suspect your cash flow problem runs...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Internet E-Commerce - A Business Requirement</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=25" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/25</id>
   <author>
     <name>Ken Gunn</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[There are 60 million internet users in the US and another 60 million in the rest of the world today for a total of 120 million. By 2004, that number is expected to exceed 500 million.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[There are 60 million internet users in the US and another 60 million in the rest of the world today for a total of 120 million. By 2004, that number is expected to exceed 500 million. Business transactions over the internet by 2004 are expected to ex...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Reduce New Loan Costs</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=27" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/27</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[New loan money is cheap today. At least the interest rates are cheap. Where your company may get nipped, however, is not in the rate. It&#8217;s in all the &#8216;extras&#8217; you pay up front at or shortly after closing. Here&#8217;s the low down on all those extra costs and h]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[New loan money is cheap today.&nbsp;At least the interest rates are cheap.&nbsp;Where your company may get nipped, however, is not in the rate.&nbsp;It&rsquo;s in all the &ldquo;extras&rdquo; you pay up front at or shortly after closing.&nbsp;Here&rs...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Adhering to Credit Policy - A Business Requirement</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=28" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/28</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[More and more petroleum companies have written credit policies. That&#8217;s the good news. The bad news is that most do not have compliance with those policies.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[More and more petroleum companies have written credit policies.&nbsp;That&rsquo;s the good news.&nbsp;The bad news is that most do not have compliance with those policies.&nbsp;This month, let&rsquo;s evaluate where the disconnects occur in following...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Are You Overstaffed?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=29" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/29</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Ask most marketers their biggest concern and challenge, and they&#8217;ll tell you first margins, followed by labor costs. This month, let&#8217;s focus on labor. The first question you need to address is, &#8216;Are you overstaffed?&#8217;]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Ask most marketers their biggest concern and challenge, and they&rsquo;ll tell you first margins, followed by labor costs.&nbsp;This month, let&rsquo;s focus on labor.&nbsp;The first question you need to address is,&nbsp;&ldquo;Are you overstaffed?&r...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Reduce Insurance Costs</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=30" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/30</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Marketers complain about rising insurance costs. A few marketers, however, are taking very proactive approaches to insurance cost reduction. Here are a few ideas implemented by savvy companies:]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Marketers complain about rising insurance costs.&nbsp;A few marketers, however, are taking very proactive approaches to insurance cost reduction.&nbsp;Here are a few ideas implemented by savvy companies:
&nbsp;
Self Insurance&mdash;Some companies hav...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Reduce Your Products</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=31" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/31</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[With end of year fast approaching, now is a great time to take a hard look at your inventory and reduce the number of items you are carrying. We are talking a permanent reduction in your products, not just trading a hot seller for a slow one.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[With end of year fast approaching, now is a great time to take a hard look at your inventory and reduce the number of items you are carrying.&nbsp;We are talking a permanent reduction in your products, not just trading a hot seller for a slow one.
&n...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Software That Pushes Management</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=32" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/32</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[One of the most exciting developments in petroleum software to happen in years is the new &#8216;push&#8217; type technology that facilitates timely management decisions.   This software allows you to set certain parameters for critical components of your business, a]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[One of the most exciting developments in petroleum software to happen in years is the new &ldquo;push&rdquo; type technology that facilitates timely management decisions.&nbsp;&nbsp; This software allows you to set certain parameters for critical com...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Where Are You Making Your Money?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=33" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/33</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[The answer to this question lies in setting up logical profit centers or divisions within your company, and then good accounting procedures including overhead allocation. Let&#8217;s start with profit centers.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[

&nbsp;The answer to this question lies in setting up logical profit centers or divisions within your company, and then good accounting procedures including overhead allocation.&nbsp;Let&rsquo;s start with profit centers.
&nbsp;
For each type of bus...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Automated Inventory Control</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=34" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/34</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[How much time and money does your company waste because you aren&#8217;t taking advantage of automated inventory control. If you are an average marketer, either wholesale or retail, the answer is plenty!]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[How much time and money does your company waste because you aren&rsquo;t taking advantage of automated inventory control.&nbsp;If you are an average marketer, either wholesale or retail, the answer is plenty!
&nbsp;
The good news is that a recent enh...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">New Hire Training - A Business Requirement</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=35" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/35</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[ Company profitability can be predicted by training program quality. The more formalized the training process and the more committed the company to continuous improvement of its people via training, the more profitable the company.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[&nbsp;Company profitability can be predicted by training program quality.&nbsp;The more formalized the training process and the more committed the company to continuous improvement of its people via training, the more profitable the company.
&nbsp;
I...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Selecting a Mortgage Lender</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=36" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/36</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Are you considering a non-bank mortgage lender for your next project, but not sure about how to select one? If so, you are not alone. Here&#8217;s a sampling of questions we commonly field at Meridian about mortgage lenders:]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Are you considering a non-bank mortgage lender for your next project, but not sure about how to select one?&nbsp;If so, you are not alone.&nbsp;Here&rsquo;s a sampling of questions we commonly field at Meridian about mortgage lenders:
&nbsp;
&Oslash;...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Involve Your Banker in Acquisition Negotiations</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=37" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/37</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Marketers in the midst of acquisitions often make the fatal error of not informing their banker until the deal is finalized. By waiting this long, you are unknowingly setting yourself up for risk that you don&#8217;t need, plus missing out on a negotiation adva]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Marketers in the midst of acquisitions often make the fatal error of not informing their banker until the deal is finalized.&nbsp;By waiting this long, you are unknowingly setting yourself up for risk that you don&rsquo;t need, plus missing out on a ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">New Technology Boosts Store Sales</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=38" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/38</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[With margins squeezed at the pump in many areas of the nation, c-store owners/operators must get a lot smarter about making money inside if they want to win the marketing war. That means they need sales maximization, a fancy term for getting the most gros]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[With margins squeezed at the pump in many areas of the nation, c-store owners/operators must get a lot smarter about making money inside if they want to win the marketing war.&nbsp;That means they need sales maximization, a fancy term for getting the...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">What&#8217;s the Best Compensation Program for You?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=39" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/39</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Incentive compensation is today&#8217;s hottest topic for many marketers.   Owners and managers want to find the quick fix bonus program that will insure that their company will soar to new levels of revenue, profits and efficiency. The trouble is, the cookie-c]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Incentive compensation is today&rsquo;s hottest topic for many marketers.&nbsp;&nbsp; Owners and managers want to find the quick fix bonus program that will insure that their company will soar to new levels of revenue, profits and efficiency.&nbsp;Th...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Bigger Bang for Idle Bucks</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=40" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/40</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Most marketers are savvy enough to have idle cash invested nightly in interest-bearing accounts through sweep investment accounts. But, did you know you might be able to earn a higher rate of interest with more specific money management?]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Most marketers are savvy enough to have idle cash invested nightly in interest-bearing accounts through sweep investment accounts.&nbsp;But, did you know you might be able to earn a higher rate of interest with more specific money management?
&nbsp;
...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Receivables Cash Flow</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=41" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/41</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Today&#8217;s wholesale marketers still continue to struggle with receivables timing and terms. With regard to balance sheet dollars, receivables are usually the highest dollar item on a marketer&#8217;s balance sheet.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Today&rsquo;s wholesale marketers still continue to struggle with receivables timing and terms.&nbsp;With regard to balance sheet dollars, receivables are usually the highest dollar item on a marketer&rsquo;s balance sheet.&nbsp;Couple that with the ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Stand Out from the Crowd</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=42" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/42</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[One of the most critical questions any petroleum company executive should be able to answer is &#8216;What makes your company different and better than your competitors?&#8217;]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[One of the most critical questions any petroleum company executive should be able to answer is &ldquo;What makes your company different and better than your competitors?&rdquo;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Unfortunately, many marketers see themselves in the commodit...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Store Manager Bonus Programs</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=43" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/43</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[For a manager bonus program to be effective, it has to dovetail with the objectives and challenges of your organization. A bonus program must be a constant work in progress.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Not a month goes by at Meridian that a reader doesn&rsquo;t call to ask advice about a store manager bonus program.&nbsp;The caller usually begins by saying that their bonus program doesn&rsquo;t work anymore, or never did the way they had hoped, and...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Ready for Grocery Store Fuel Competitors?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=44" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/44</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[First we had fuel at hypermarkets, now it&#8217;s fuel at supermarkets. Does your company have a firm strategy in place to compete, or better yet profit, from this newest player in the retail fuel market?]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[First we had fuel at hypermarkets, now it&rsquo;s fuel at supermarkets.&nbsp;Does your company have a firm strategy in place to compete, or better yet profit, from this newest player in the retail fuel market?
&nbsp;
When Big Box hypermarket competit...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Modern Billing Techniques</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=45" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/45</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[If you have not changed your wholesale fuel, lubes or propane billing practices in years, it&#8217;s time. Your goal should be complete system automation that begins with automated order, automated dispatch, automated bill of lading matching, followed by automa]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[If you have not changed your wholesale fuel, lubes or propane billing practices in years, it&rsquo;s time.&nbsp;Your goal should be complete system automation that begins with automated order, automated dispatch, automated bill of lading matching, fo...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Survivng Thin Margins</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=46" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/46</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[In short, go back to basics and do them well. When margins were fat, marketers could get away with being a little sloppy. Those days are likely gone forever. Only marketers who do the basics very well are going to survive the next decade.&#13;&#10;]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[In our December issue, we shared creative ways marketers are thriving in this squeezed margin environment.&nbsp;Several marketers called, however, and asked us for more articles on just plain old survival in today&rsquo;s thin-margin market.&nbsp;
&n...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Propane Tips</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=47" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/47</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[To boost cash flow and profit at your propane business, start with pricing. About 90% of the propane marketers we deal with could earn a few more pennies in gross margin without losing any customers.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[If you&rsquo;re in the propane business, you may feel a little left out at times in our newsletter.&nbsp;We don&rsquo;t mean to ignore you!&nbsp;Even though we don&rsquo;t specifically mention propane at times, much of our advice applies to you.&nbsp...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Not enough hours in the day?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=48" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/48</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[A funny thing happens when we visit clients to conduct a strategic planning session. Almost every time we hear folks say, &#8216;We&#8217;re so glad we did this. We&#8217;re always so busy with the day-to-day stuff that we never have time to do any serious planning!&#8217;]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[A funny thing happens when we visit clients to conduct a strategic planning session.&nbsp;Almost every time we hear folks say, &ldquo;We&rsquo;re so glad we did this.&nbsp;We&rsquo;re always so busy with the day-to-day stuff that we never have time t...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Rent &#8212; What&#8217;s the Right Number?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=49" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/49</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Setting a rent amount is particularly difficult in a related party situation. There are taxation, valuation and cost issues to think through prior to settling in on a number. Before we delve into these issues, let&#8217;s deal with leases between outside, unrel]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[We often get calls at Meridian inquiring about appropriate rent amounts.&nbsp;Setting a rent amount is particularly difficult in a related party situation.&nbsp;There are taxation, valuation and cost issues to think through prior to settling in on a ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Remove Physical Barriers to Efficiency</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=50" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/50</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Are there any physical barriers right now in your daily work processes that are creating &#13;&#10;&#13;&#10;inefficiency? Is your office physically designed to streamline workflows and minimize walking around time? Is your warehouse storage designed to minimize footstep]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Are there any physical barriers right now in your daily work processes that are creating 
inefficiency?&nbsp;Is your office physically designed to streamline workflows and minimize walking around time?&nbsp;Is your warehouse storage designed to minim...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Containing Operating Costs During Growth</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=51" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/51</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Once you&#8217;ve made the decision to seriously grow your company, whether that&#8217;s through acquisition or other means, your largest challenge could be containing operating expenses.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Once you&rsquo;ve made the decision to seriously grow your company, whether that&rsquo;s through acquisition or other means, your largest challenge could be containing operating expenses.&nbsp;Even companies with formerly lean operating expenses find...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Vendor Involvement &#8212; Are You Brainwashed?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=52" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/52</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[The key to above-average profits will be knowing your customer intimately enough to have and merchandise properly at least one thing your customers will pay extra for, and will love you for allowing them to do just that!]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Recently a marketer commented that after going to meetings about category management, he started with his beer offering, buddying up with his major beer vendor.&nbsp;The vendor, with their vast resources and consumer research data, helped him optimiz...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Free Cash!</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=53" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/53</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Whenever supplier terms are longer than customer terms, a petroleum company gains free cash flow. Only a few savvy marketers, however, are taking full advantage of this concept.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Whenever supplier terms are longer than customer terms, a petroleum company gains free cash flow.&nbsp;Only a few savvy marketers, however, are taking full advantage of this concept.&nbsp;&nbsp; To see what is possible let&rsquo;s look at an example....]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Employee Apathy</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=54" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/54</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[&#8216;If I could just get my employees more motivated we could really improve our bottom line!&#8217;   Very few owners, however, take a hard look internally at their own company&#8217;s systems - to analyze exactly what it is about those existing systems that created emp]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Hardly a day goes by at Meridian that we don&rsquo;t hear, &ldquo;If I could just get my employees more motivated we could really improve our bottom line!&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp; Very few owners, however, take a hard look internally at their own company&r...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Real Estate Transaction Pitfalls</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=55" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/55</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[If you have bought, or are about to buy real property, several seemingly innocuous details are easily overlooked that later can cause you big problems. Here are the most frequently overlooked pitfalls so that you can avoid them:]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[If you have bought, or are about to buy real property, several seemingly innocuous details are easily overlooked that later can cause you big problems.&nbsp;Here are the most frequently overlooked pitfalls so that you can avoid them:
&nbsp;
Deed Rest...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Effective Negotiation Guidelines</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=56" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/56</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Your company&#8217;s success may rest on your negotiating ability. Marketers must negotiate with vendors and suppliers, employees, other owners in mergers and acquisitions, and sometimes even customers]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Your company&rsquo;s success may rest on your negotiating ability.&nbsp;Marketers must negotiate with vendors and suppliers, employees, other owners in mergers and acquisitions, and sometimes even customers.&nbsp;While the lucky few may have a natura...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Smart Product Management</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=57" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/57</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Product is your lifeline. What you earn on the bottom-line is a direct reflection of your company&#8217;s product management efficiency.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Product is your lifeline.&nbsp;What you earn on the bottom-line is a direct reflection of your company&rsquo;s product management efficiency.&nbsp;Unfortunately, most marketers are very poor product managers.&nbsp;But any company wanting to survive t...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">How to Keep Profitable Customers (and Dump the Rest!)</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=58" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/58</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Here&#8217;s a hard statistical fact &#8213; 20% of customers account for 80% of any company&#8217;s profit. The trick to a successful, profitable business is knowing which is which and then capitalizing on that knowledge.&#13;&#10;]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Here&rsquo;s a hard statistical fact &mdash; 20% of customers account for 80% of any company&rsquo;s profit.&nbsp;Whether you are in the wholesale, retail, c-store or propane sector of the industry, 20% of your customers are really great, 60% are pre...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Happiness is a Happy Banker!</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=59" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/59</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[With alternative lenders now looking more like revolving doors than viable financing options, it&#8217;s a good time to keep your bankers happy.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[With alternative lenders now looking more like revolving doors than viable financing options, it&rsquo;s a good time to keep your bankers happy.&nbsp;Commercial banks continue to be the mainstay of lending to our industry, despite the intermittent sp...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Competing Successfully Against Hypermarkets</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=60" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/60</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[You&#8217;ve just learned that a brand spanking new fuel facility is to be built at your town&#8217;s __________ (fill in the blank with your big discounter, grocery store, etc.). Is it time to roll over and die, put on the boxing gloves, or stick your head in the sa]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[You&rsquo;ve just learned that a brand spanking new fuel facility is to be built at your town&rsquo;s __________ (fill in the blank with your big discounter, grocery store, etc.).&nbsp;Is it time to roll over and die, put on the boxing gloves, or sti...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Profiting With Thin Margins</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=62" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/62</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Are thin margins and good monthly bottom-line profits mutually exclusive events? They don&#8217;t have to be! When competitive pressures and pricing swings wreak havoc on your margins, here&#8217;s how to cope:]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Are thin margins and good monthly bottom-line profits mutually exclusive events?&nbsp;They don&rsquo;t have to be!&nbsp;When competitive pressures and pricing swings wreak havoc on your margins, here&rsquo;s how to cope:
&nbsp;
Manage your company wi...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Store Employee Retention Bonus Programs</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=63" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/63</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[If your store chain is plagued with turnover as many in our industry are, then employee retention should be an integral part of your store manager bonus compensation. One lost cashier is estimated to cost a company a minimum $2,500.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[If your store chain is plagued with turnover as many in our industry are, then employee retention should be an integral part of your store manager bonus compensation.&nbsp;One lost cashier is estimated to cost a company a minimum $2,500.&nbsp;That fi...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Customer Intimacy</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=65" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/65</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Somewhere in the last decade, new companies emerged that didn&#8217;t care about brands. They cared about customers, had far fewer customers than the mass-marketers and became hugely profitable.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[In years past, the most successful companies were mass-marketers.&nbsp;A few names probably come to mind right now.&nbsp;These companies spent veritable fortunes creating and promoting brands, with the coveted prize being market share.&nbsp;Just the ...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Vendor Discount Terms</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=66" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/66</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[A lubes vendor recently announced they will be changing their terms from 30/60/90 to net 60, but will still offer a 1% discount for payment in ten days. If you were their marketer, how would you pay? How do you calculate the best deal?]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[A lubes vendor recently announced they will be changing their terms from 30/60/90 to net 60, but will still offer a 1% discount for payment in ten days.&nbsp;If you were their marketer, how would you pay?&nbsp;How do you calculate the best deal?
&nbs...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Expense Control from Fine-Tuned P&Ls</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=67" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/67</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[With enormous fluctuations in fuel prices lately, cents-per-gallon data is critical management information.]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Meridian&rsquo;s long-time readers already realize the value of analyzing sales, cost of goods sold and expenses on a cents-per-gallon basis in both wholesale and retail operations from prior MFA articles or Meridian seminars.&nbsp;With enormous fluc...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Maximize Company Value at Exit</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=68" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/68</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[If and when you sell your company, the difference between getting a great price and getting just a fair price may well be timing and preparation. &#13;&#10;]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[At some point in time, every marketer needs an exit strategy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; For some, the family business will be gifted or sold to future generations.&nbsp;For others, however, they are counting on a fair price from an outside party for their ye...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Thrive Through Economic Downturn</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=69" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/69</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Your company does not have to suffer during an economic downturn. To thrive during challenging economic periods, however, you need up-to-date strategies. Follow this path to steer your company safely through what may be coming economic rough waters:]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Your company does not have to suffer during an economic downturn.&nbsp;To thrive during challenging economic periods, however, you need up-to-date strategies.&nbsp;Follow this path to steer your company safely through what may be coming economic roug...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">REITS: Are they for you?</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=70" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/70</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[As a successful petroleum marketer or c-store owner, recently you may have been solicited by real estate investment trust (REIT) with the promise of a nice big pile of cash. Let&#8217;s talk about what REITs are, how they work, and the circumstances where they]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[As a successful petroleum marketer or c-store owner, recently you may have been solicited by real estate investment trust (REIT) with the promise of a nice big pile of cash.&nbsp;Although these market-driven financial instruments have been around for...]]></content>
 </entry>
 <entry>
   <title type="html">Metrics for Operational Excellence</title>
   <link type="text/html" href="http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=71" rel="alternate" />
   <id>http://www.meridianadvantagemember.com/viewarticle.php/71</id>
   <author>
     <name>Betsi Bixby</name>
   </author>
   <updated>2005-12-28T12:00:00Z</updated>
   <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Most marketers are trying to achieve greater operational efficiency, but the only way they measure their company&#8217;s progress is by financial statement trends &#8213; sales, costs and expenses. By confining their tracking and analysis to financial statement data,]]></summary>
   <content type="html"><![CDATA[Most marketers are trying to achieve greater operational efficiency, but the only way they measure their company&rsquo;s progress is by financial statement trends &mdash; sales, costs and expenses.&nbsp;By confining their tracking and analysis to fin...]]></content>
 </entry>
</feed>