During a recent strategic planning session that I facilitated with a client, the topic of Enterprise Zones came up. These are interesting animals which are best defined as State designated areas that are targeted for economic revitalization. Moving your business to, or increasing the employment in an Enterprise Zone holds the promise of a bevy of tax benefits. Interestingly, when we moved the headquarters of Leadership Simplified to downtown Bradenton we did not realize that our new location was smack in the middle of an Enterprise Zone. I guess that makes me an Enterprise Zone Strategic Planner. Anyway, think strategically about your business, as well as the location of your business. You never know, it just might lower your tax bill.

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Please do so, as long as you do not alter the content or embedded links. Also, please include the following information: Doug Van Dyke is a leadership and collaboration consultant, executive coach, and strategic planner. Doug’s book, Leadership Simplified, as well as CDs and DVDs are available at www.leadershipsimplified.com. To learn more about coaching and training services, contact Doug today at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). 

© 2012 Leadership Simplified. All rights reserved.

While many of you may be aficionados of an enormous stringed musical instrument called the harp, this narrative has nothing to do with music. Rather, this prose is dedicated to the Home Affordable Refinance Program (also known as HARP), which is designed to assist homeowners in refinancing their mortgages – even if they owe more than the current value of their home. HARP is a means for people who have paid their home loan on time, but are underwater from a loan-to-value standpoint, to be able to refinance and take advantage of today’s low interest rates. Please note: The program pertains ONLY to mortgages that are held by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, which is 50% of all the loans in the United States. What makes the timing of today’s leadership blog post interesting for some people, is that on March 19^th HARP is revising (i.e., increasing) their loan-to-value limits AND beginning to take applications for refinances of investment property, as well as primary residences. You can find out more or apply for the program by connecting with your favorite lending professional. If HARP resonates with you, my advice is to pursue this beauty sooner versus later. 

Do you want to use this blog post in print or online? 

Please do so, as long as you do not alter the content or embedded links. Also, please include the following information: Doug Van Dyke is a leadership and collaboration consultant, executive coach, and strategic planner. Doug’s book, Leadership Simplified, as well as CDs and DVDs are available at www.leadershipsimplified.com. To learn more about coaching and training services, contact Doug today at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). 

© 2012 Leadership Simplified. All rights reserved.