Q.E. Now – A Real Solution

Business consulting solutions

Written by: Brian Smith

Quantitative Easing and the government bailout of equity, banking, and insurance firms have cost our country trillions of dollars, shored up the institutions receiving the funding, and created a long-term liability of possible hyperinflation on our economy. While the practice has created a treasure trove of short-term opportunities for a very select segment of our economy, the trickle-down effect has been primarily negative at the family level for most American families.

One must wonder why Q.E. was not set up in a way that involved the issues identified by Q.E. and resolved them at the source where the economy is really being driven; The American Family. While the following solution only offers immediate advantage to home owners, the long-term advantages to the economy would benefit all Americans.

What if the US Government had given every American citizen with a primary home mortgage a one-time payment on that mortgage equal to 50% of the mortgage? That would have cost the government a one-time expense of about five trillion dollars. That money could have been paid to the banks immediately or over a period of one to three years, providing them with liquidity similar to what Q.E. is doing. Add to this an automatic refinance of all remaining mortgages to a standardized 15 or 30-year term at let’s say 4%, providing a more affordable mortgage payment and freeing up ready cash flow to be spent in the economy. Finally, create a flat tax on the amount paid to the banks on behalf of the home owner for their mortgage in the amount of 25% of the amount paid, payable over ten years as a single line item on the annual tax return, giving the government back about $1.25 trillion of the original $5 trillion needed to implement this version of Quantitative Easing.

Reviewing this solution in detail and comparing it to the socio-economic makeup of the United States offers us the results. Organizations backing mortgages would have had an immediate influx of $5 trillion dollars. Consumers would have had an immediate reduction in debt and increase in take home pay. The excess take home pay would have been spent in the economies across the United States and beyond, shoring up the entire economic landscape, creating jobs, and increasing additional profits for companies. Increases in profits would increase taxes in a way that the money created to initiate this solution could be repaid to the Federal Reserve and reduce the overall liability of future inflation.

While I admit that this is a simplistic solution and requires further detailed financial analysis, it does not take an economics professor to understand that the money already spent on Q.E. 1-2-3 will total about $3.7 trillion dollars with zero reduction in consumer debt realized by the money being provided for the Q.E. programs. Further, getting that $3.7 trillion back appears to be unlikely, it will just inflate the amount of money in circulation and offers little in the way of retiring the funds. A real solution would have offered us the ability to shore up the American family which would have shored up the overall business climate, especially the small business climate and reduced the overall long-term liability the current program has.

One must question the thought process of QE when the government clearly had options that would have insured a more direct path of financial support to the entire landscape of business in America. Where are the supporters of the common American? I just do not understand how a few companies can receive trillions of dollars to bail them out of decisions made with eyes wide open, when every day Americans are laid off or downsized by the same companies getting the funds. Where were the economists during this bail out creation? And why did the American people stand idly by while the politicians allowed this to happen?

Q.E. Now allows for an immediate turnaround of our economy. With most of the trillions of dollars still sitting idle in the banks, simply move the funds from one ledger to another and implement Q.E. Now today, and watch how quickly Americans begin to spend and work us out of the economic hole we live in today.

© Individual Advantages, LLC 2018

The post Q.E. Now – A Real Solution appeared first on IA Business Advisors.

Looking for help with Organizational Improvement?

< Older Post

Newer Post >

A blue piggy bank is sitting on top of a stack of wooden blocks.

How to Mitigate Financial Risk Using the S.M.A.R.T. Management System

June 9, 2025

In an increasingly volatile economy, businesses cannot afford to be reactive when it comes to their finances. Whether you're a startup founder, a growing enterprise, or a seasoned business owner, the risk of financial instability is real—and growing. At IA Business Advisors, we help companies proactively navigate these risks using our comprehensive S.M.A.R.T. Management System . S.M.A.R.T. is more than just a goal-setting acronym. It is a decision-making and execution framework that brings clarity, structure, and alignment to every part of your business. From six-week action plans to one-year targets and long-term strategy, S.M.A.R.T. ensures your financial operations support healthy growth and resilience. Understanding Financial Risk in Today’s Business Climate Financial risk is multifaceted. It ranges from cash flow disruptions and market shifts to internal mismanagement and over-leveraged growth. As Brian Smith shared on a recent Daily Influence podcast episode, unchecked growth can drive a company into bankruptcy. Scaling without intention—chasing fast growth without aligning the internal team and financial resources—leads to diluted communication, quality issues, and operational chaos. Mitigating financial risk begins by understanding that more revenue doesn't always equal more stability. True sustainability comes from building systems that support intentional, well-paced growth. The S.M.A.R.T. Framework in Action: Reducing Financial Risk Our S.M.A.R.T. Management System guides businesses in creating resilient, financially stable operations through: 1. Specific: Build with Intentionality Clarity is power. One of our podcast guests, Mike Heatwole (CEO of The Dala Group), emphasized the importance of sitting down to define what matters most—whether that’s paying down debt, investing in growth, or launching a new venture. When your financial goals are specific, your strategy becomes targeted and less prone to reactive decision-making. “If we don’t know what the goal is, how do we get there?” — Mike Heatwole, CEO of The Dala Group 2. Measurable: Track What Matters Many companies are blindsided not by invisible risks, but by unmonitored ones. We help clients implement tools to track cash flow, margin fluctuations, and budget variances in real time. Visibility into your financial health gives you the power to respond early and course correct as needed. 3. Achievable: Assign Financial Stewardship Risk is reduced when financial responsibility is distributed. Through teamwide financial literacy and clear accountability, we empower organizations to make stronger daily decisions. No individual person should carry the entire burden—and no key area should go unmonitored. 4. Relevant: Make Risk Management a Habit Quarterly or biannual financial health check-ins create a sustainable rhythm. These don’t have to be complicated—they just need to be consistent. Regular reviews embed risk awareness into your company culture and decision-making process. 5. Timely: Foster Honest Dialogue Financial silence is a hidden threat. As Brian noted on the podcast, emotions like fear or shame can prevent businesses from facing financial realities. We encourage honest, blame-free communication around financial performance, creating space for solutions and collective action. Case in Point: Short-Term Action, Long-Term Impact One of our clients, a family-run distribution company, had strong revenue but was bleeding cash due to aging receivables. Together, we built a six-week S.M.A.R.T. Plan focused on accounts receivable recovery. We implemented weekly check-ins, assigned ownership, and used real-time tracking. Within 90 days, their outstanding A/R dropped by 22%, freeing up capital and restoring operational confidence. It’s Never Too Late to Get Financially Intentional Many leaders in their 40s, 50s, or 60s worry they’ve waited too long. But as Mike Heatwole wisely shared: “It’s never too late. Just get started. Do something.” Progress—not perfection—is the goal. Start small. Build momentum. Take the next best step. This mirrors a concept we love from The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan: measure progress based on how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. Final Thoughts: Make Financial Stability a Strategy Mitigating financial risk isn’t about a dramatic overhaul. It’s about consistent action, visibility, and intentional decision-making. With the S.M.A.R.T. Management System, IA Business Advisors helps businesses turn risk into clarity, fear into focus, and instability into opportunity. If you’re ready to start, we’re ready to help. Let’s have a conversation about what matters most to you—and build from there.

Enhancing Interpersonal Relationships for Toxic Workplace Recovery

May 29, 2025

Hello, team! Mary here, continuing our journey through the I in Team series, where we challenge and empower you to Find , Be , and Build Your Influence. One of the most common things we’re asked to help our clients with is toxic workplace recovery. This directly connects to the culture of the team, and while rebuilding that culture takes time and intention, it is absolutely possible. In fact, with the guidance of our I in Team approach and S.M.A.R.T. Management system, we’ve successfully helped more than 19,000 teams evolve into high-performing, values-based cultures. If you’re ready to take the lead and breathe life back into your team, we’re here and ready to support you. Practice Emotional Intelligence One of the most impactful steps you can take on your toxic workplace recovery journey is to practice emotional intelligence (the ability to recognize, understand, and manage both your own emotions and the emotions of those around you). Toxic environments are often the result of emotional disconnection, poor communication, unnecessary competition, and a culture that avoids constructive feedback. Begin by shifting your perspective: respond with empathy, ask thoughtful questions, and use “I” statements. These habits model two traits, emotional regulation and empathy, that influence how your team interacts and solves problems. Start small. For example, set a personal goal to give one piece of sincere praise or recognition per day. This is a S.M.A.R.T. goal, and it starts to reinforce positive emotional exchanges. Over time, this contributes to a psychologically safe environment where people feel seen and supported. Foster Open Communication Once emotional intelligence begins to take root, toxic workplace recovery is just around the corner. Open communication becomes more natural because when team members are aware of their own and others’ emotions, communication becomes seamless. The number one rule? Listen. Really listen. Without listening, communication is incomplete. Try implementing monthly influence partnerships—team pairings that rotate so members can get to know each other beyond surface-level roles. This creates connection and, when done with consistency (Timely), fosters trust across your team. Another way to build open communication is by creating a structured feedback loop. Clarify how and when feedback should be given—perhaps during weekly one-on-ones or monthly review meetings—and make sure all team members understand the difference between criticism and constructive feedback. S.M.A.R.T. feedback is Specific and Relevant, and when delivered with respect, it encourages team members to grow without fear. Lead by Example As we say throughout the I in Team series, everyone is a leader regardless of title. Whether you’re in the C-suite or just starting your first job, how you show up directly shapes the culture of your team. To begin, set some respectful boundaries rooted in your values. Let others know what you need to succeed and what behaviors support or disrupt your work. When disagreements arise, demonstrate what respectful disagreement looks like—calm, focused on solutions, and free from personal attacks. If your workplace has leaned into competition, shift the focus to collaboration. Collaborate on micro-goals, like shared tasks or cross-functional projects. Make the results Measurable and celebrate wins together (publicly, if possible). Consider S.M.A.R.T.-based team-building events (like problem-solving challenges or goal-setting workshops) to reinforce collaboration in a meaningful way. Final Thoughts Toxic workplace recovery starts with you. Every interaction, every word, every moment of listening is a chance to model what’s possible. Show up the way you want others to show up. If your team is struggling to rebuild or you need expert guidance, reach out . We’re here to help. Let’s keep influencing responsibly and positively together.