Taking a page from principles developed in Japan and used successfully by U.S. manufacturers, some cost-conscious leaders in the construction industry are advocating the use of lean production techniques.

Construction work, by its very nature, is a high-risk type of business. It usually isn't a matter of if a loss occurs, but when and how much. When a loss does occur, such as an electrical wiring fire, all the parties involved with the project generally point the finger at the other parties.

Internal fraud drains approximately $4 trillion annually from global businesses, according to an estimate by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).

Creating a formal debt management plan, rather than borrowing haphazardly, can save your firm thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars in interest.