One of the most difficult jobs for managers is to pass on the responsibility of a task they have been doing themselves. There may be an emotional bond with the task, or a sense of identity clouding the process and its outcomes.

Before you find yourself or your business in a place similar to Warren Zevon's character in the song, "Lawyers, Guns and Money," it might be a good time to work proactively with your attorney and other advisors.

The CFO of one of our clients recently opened my eyes to a significant question about the banking industry. He commented, "We are no different than any other bank, but how could we be otherwise?"