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Every Small Business Owner Should Have At Least One
A business owner with 1-4 employees or is a single-person business owner should have at least one Virtual Assistant (VA).

Who and What is a Virtual Assistant?
As an entrepreneur and small business owner, you’ve probably heard the term “Virtual Assistant (VA),” but you are still not quite sure exactly what a Virtual Assistant is or what they do or don’t do. Think of a Virtual Assistant as your online administrative assistant.

Recession Proof your Business The Smart Way
How and Why you as a small business owner should be looking to add another income stream.The article gives you a rundown on the why and then tells you how best to go about adding a secondary income stream.Reccession proof your business the smart way.

How Do I Pay My Bills?

This is a question many business owners are asking themselves these days. While the trials and tribulations of many of the bigger companies have been well documented these past couple of months, chances are the government is not going to be writing any checks into your business to provide liquidity in the near future. So what's a small business owner to do? The short answer is to focus on the future. Can you see a future where you are making enough money to pay all of your bills?

How Do I Stay Calm When I Feel Out Of Control?
Do you feel like you're in control right now? I don't know anyone who does. So take a deep breath, and as a small business owner, take confidence in the fact that you're one of the most adjustable people on the planet. The ones who have it tough are those folks who have a job. That's all they really have confidence in, that they can do their job. Not that they can adapt and change with the times.

What Leaders, Facilitators and Coaches Have In Common
A facilitative or coaching leadership style is handy for the small business owner as well as a team leader. This article discusses facilitative leadership and how it serves both the leader and the organization.

6 ways to Generate Leads for Free (which techniques work and which ones don’t)
If you are a small business owner your main objective should be building the list of prospects you market to. The more people who are interested and in the know about your product, the more sales you are likely to make. Ideally you would like thousands of visitors to your website weekly.

Breakthrough Strategies For Small Business
As a small business owner, you have many responsibilities. So many that there are critical areas that you may not get to. Here are three easy to implement steps you can take to help lead you to managing ALL of your priorities.

Get Your Business To Where You Want It
As a small business owner, you need to understand where your business is heading and why and how your efforts are important. Here is some thinking which will force you to take a fresh, hard look at your business. Then you will be in a better position to get your business to where you want it.

How to Generate Leads for Free or Low Cost
If you are a small business owner then it is in your best interest to build the list of prospects you market to. The more people know about your product or service, talk about your product or service and generate interest in your product or service, the more sales you are likely to make. Wouldnt it be great to bring thousands of visitors to your website weekly? Heres how to do it.

Use Joint Ventures to Expand the Power and Scope of Your Small Business Beyond Your Wildest Dreams

You’re sitting there in your home or small business office and wondering-how do you compete with the big guys? You know-the ones that are your most successful competitors. How do you dramatically increase your sales when it’s just little old you? Technology helps the small business owner play bigger. But if you want to play really big without hiring a salaried sales team, then your secret weapon is joint ventures.

Protect Yourself by Knowing Your Customers' Credit
Sad to say, I spend a fair amount of time these days trying to help clients get paid. (Of course, my strongest tool is a solid relationship with a smart collection lawyer!) There is nothing more frustrating to a small business owner who provides superior services than having to pursue the deadbeat customer who refuses to pay when the bill comes due.

How to Model a Fortune 100 Company and Get the Same Result

Most people have the mindset of seeing their company as being just local and small. The Fortune 100 companies I have worked with see their companies as being international. If a small business owner wants to reap the same rewards as a larger, more successful company, then he must model success. The idea is to learn to think and behave like a Fortune 100 company. You can do it by following these suggestions:

HIRE TOO FAST and / or FIRE TOO SLOW ©

Like A Bach Piano Contest? One small business owner shared this experience: “When I hired Sharon, my wife asked me, ‘how well do you know her?’ Two years later, I spent $150,000.00 in legal fees and a month in court. I will never forget my wife’s question.” There are fundamentally 25 different ‘Behavioral Characteristics’ that once known will precisely prognosticate how a person will perform on the job. The results have nothing to do with intelligence, knowledge, experience, personality or education.

3 Easy Steps to Reviving Your Business Vision!
Are you a small business owner, solopreneur or entrepreneur with an unfulfilled vision? Have you set the same New Year resolutions for the past few years but failed to achieve your desired result? Do you have a burning business goal which you have not been able to accomplish? Contrary to the beliefs of some, your past does not have to represent your potential!

Where do your brilliant business ideas come from?
As a small business owner, once you ‘shut up shop’ for the day do you also shut off thinking about your business? I find my best ideas come when I’m not doing anything connected with work… I went to Riverfire and the Brisbane Writers Festival on the weekend – a few hours chilling out and five new and amazing business ideas landed in my ideas notebook!

Beware Of Hidden Costs In Your Small Business
Obvious costs are usually planned for. However, hidden costs will drain your money and time without your knowledge. These costs in fact are not hidden, but get overlooked when you factor in the major expenses. If you are aware of the hidden costs, you can avoid unpleasant surprises. Besides, small business costs can be reduced to a certain extent by managing the hidden costs.

5 More Reasons Why a Small Business Should Hire a Photographer

Many small business owners don't realize the importance and value of having photography that best represents their company brand. Images, in the form of still shots or made into videos or slide shows, can be extremely effective in showcasing a company, particularly in these days of social media and online marketing. This is the second of two articles in this series so please check out the first article for continuing tips, whether you're a franchise owner, a manufacturer's dealer or a stand-alone small business. In the meantime, make your own list of reasons why your company should have an image bank. You'll be surprised at all the benefits and how having available photography that represents your brand can help your business gain visibility and grow substantially.

Personal Branding: Why is it so important?

Whether you're working for an employer, in career transition or a small business owner, personal branding and reputation management is an important aspect of marketing yourself or your business. Perhaps it is the first step and the most important, to really learn who you are (apart from being associated with your company or business). Often, those in career transition and even small business owners realize the importance of having a solid reputation and large network and what that can do for them in terms of leads and opportunities. But many people have really thought about it nor have they invested the time into figuring out their personal brand. As much as we often hide behind them, we're not defined by our companies. We're defined by who we are and how we show up each and every day.

Top 10 best ways to get social traction for your blog
Writing an effective blog post, especially when blogging for your business, takes time. But using a simple check list like this can help you build a great foundation so that you gain effectiveness -- yes, traction -- each time you write. Review these best tips, use them and then you'll quickly build effective blogging habits.

FOOD CONCESSION BUSINESS OFFERS JOB SEEKERS FINANCIAL RELIEF AND CAREER OPPORTUNITY
During tough economic times many discouraged and frightened job seekers give up looking for a job to become self-employed. However, finding a bona fide business opportunity can sometimes seem impossible. For many, starting a food concession business is, not only a viable solution to their unemployment problems, but, is also an opportunity to become a successful small business owner.

Tips To Eliminate Stress Relating To Your New Business

A small business owner or freelancer is the single most important entity for the business he or she is running. Stress should not be treated as a business success barometer. Although having stress at times, helps achieving goals within stipulated time limits, it will affect your life and future performance. Having regular checks and meetings to make sure deadlines are met, delegation of tasks, and team work help in business growth in a stress free environment.

Free Online Advertising Every Small Business Owner Should Use

Most small business owners find it difficult to carve out a budget for advertising, and instead believe that a sign on the door and word-of-mouth will be enough to create a successful business. Many small business owners know a lot about the business they own, but little about how to advertise it, so they miss some easy opportunities to advertise. These are steps every business owner can take if they are willing to spend the time entering information about their company and learning how to use some online software.

To Pay or Not To Pay... That is the Question
It must sometimes seem as though government bureaucracy and regulation exist simply to torture the hard-working small business owner. Many of my clients find themselves with an interest in bringing on a summer intern or two, paid or unpaid, and are faced with even more "dos and don'ts" from the state and Federal government! What's a struggling small business to do?

The Less I Do, the More I Make
The trap of the small business owner is, that in many cases, to grow a business to some level of success means putting your head down and working real hard doing the making it, fixing it, shipping it of the business.

What Gets Measured, Gets Converted, Gets Results
I'll attribute the title of this post to the legendary Peter Drucker, although, that's not exactly what he said - it does capture the spirit though.

Introduction to Accounting

As a small business owner I have very little extra money available for extras. For me this includes a highly qualified accountant. Fortunately, for most small businesses hiring an accountant is not necessary. All small business owners should know the basics of accounting so that they can keep accurate records. When every penny counts then every penny should be counted. In essence this the definition of accounting. So, what does every small business owner need to know about accounting?

7 Key Components of an Instantly Successful Small Business
If you are looking to start a small business, or you are interested in growing a business that you currently own, then you need to keep reading. There are 7 factors that every small business owner needs to obtain in order to position their business to have the best possible chance of success. Read on to find out more...

7 Best Practices for Facebook Pages for Franchise or Small Business Owners

Whether you're a small business owner or you've bought in to a franchise, setting up a Facebook Page for your business can seem easy yet daunting. Many business owners just don't know how best to get started, how to navigate their Page, how to set up a vanity URL and how to market it. In this article, Sally Witzky offers 7 best practices for your Facebook Page to help the small business owner avoid some pitfalls that others have made as well as to ensure awareness of Facebook insights and analytics, which are available to the Page Administrator. With these tips, the small business owner is sure to get on the right road in getting started in creating and promoting their Facebook Page.

Dive In Head First - A True Small Business

Immediately, upon choosing to start any new venture, you are faced with an overwhelming amount of choices. These choices will range from choosing your CPA to choosing different types of insurance. Each and every one of these choices you are faced with will impact how successful your business is at building strong business credit and obtaining financing. With the right mentors on your side, the business will be able to grow, profit, and operate independently.

Attitude Necessary for Success in Business
Attitude is crucial to thriving and surviving as a small business owner. This article will give you some excellent information regarding proper attitude development.

Marketing – Big resolution Small Budget
An article to stimulate the small business owner to give a thought to ‘smart marketing’ on a low budget. Do not let your budget limit your imagination or keep you from stretching it to bring in profits.

Getting Started with Video Marketing

Video marketing is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways for a small business owner to advertise his or her products or services online. YouTube is one of the most visited sites on the web and in July of 2010 it was the 3rd most visited website on the planet with over 100 million unique visitors for the month. With more people going online every day looking for information on how to do things, clearly video marketing on the internet is here to stay.

Improving a Business Through Masterminding
Masterminding is a powerful way for a female entrepreneur to improve her business as she gains perspective and resources, gets and gives support, and becomes accountable to her mastermind partners.

7 Surefire Signs of a *Virtual Violation and 5 Ways to Avoid It
Not everything is always what it seems. By having the right information and knowing what to look for you can avoid being a victim of unethical practices online.

Keeping up with the Social Media Revolution
Social media marketing has totally transformed the landscape of the business world today. Companies need to understand it, embrace it and utilize it in the most beneficial manner for their specific industry niche and business situation.

6 Reasons Your Small Business Needs a Public Relations Campaign
Discover six important reasons your small business needs to engage in a public relations campaign.

A COURTROOM WITH A VIEW
“Oh, no! Just my luck,” I fumed. I was just selected as a juror in a criminal case downtown Los Angeles. Like the jurors described in the LA Times article a few months ago, I was not happy thinking about how this was going to interfere with my work as a small business owner.

Controlling Chaos During Expansion

Chaos, confusion and catastrophe are what Michael Gerber of Entrepreneur Magazine calls “The Three C’s of Business Failure.” It is not uncommon for a small business to be plagued with chaos. The best advice is to take control before chaos becomes habit. “Most small businesses are a hopeless mess,” Gerber says. Disorganization and confusion are irritating, but worst of all, they cost your business money. Chaos eats away at productivity and, ultimately, profits. How can you steer your business clear of chaos?

Don't be a Scrooge. Charitable giving is critical to your community and business

For the business owner, charitable giving can be a challenging subject in business planning. How much to give? Who to give to? Can we give each year even if our company isn't doing as well as before due to the recessionary economic environment? Many questions have to be resolved. But making a commitment to annual charitable donations and involvement and standing by it -- for your community and your employees -- can be immensely rewarding.

For Things to Change, You Must Change
Mary is a typical small business owner, she keeps herself busy doing the ‘hands on’ work. In her case it is doing beauty treatments and she told me she keeps doing this because she really enjoys it.

Social Networking to Turn Social Networking Into a Million Dollar Game Plan
The sheer number of contacts you can generate via online networking today should have you researching social networking marketing ideas and implementing them as soon as possible. Whether you are an individual entrepreneur, a small business owner or a business owner with a multi national determines how important it should be for you to check out social networking marketing ideas.

GIVE CUSTOMERS WHAT THEY WANT

Finding out what customers want, and then setting out to meet their needs, provided it can be done at a profit, is what helps prevail in the marketplace. Demonstrating to customers how a product or service can satisfy their wants and desires will strengthen the holding glue between the customer and your business. The wise business owner is always aware of customer wants. Many businesses make the mistake of assuming that a customer’s number one priority is low price. But before price even becomes a factor, the customer wants other things. The customer is looking for ways to improve their quality of life, their productivity, to become more profitable, or to increase their competitive advantage. Meeting one or all of these fundamental wants will add value and move the customer forward.

Tips For Creating an Internet Marketing Business for Entrepreneurs
The Internet marketing business is surrounded with lot of myths, especially for people who have very little idea about what it comprises. They usually assume that it is too complicated or too expensive. Both these notions are wrong and your internet marketing business can be a success story only if you do things the right way.

Funding for Small Businesses
While big banks refuse to loosen their grip on credit, one business consulting firm wants small businesses to know the news is not all bad. In fact, by working with smaller business banks, may provide funding for new and established small businesses in spite of the deepening recession.

Home Business Tax Advantages

Nothing beats having a home based business to call your own that you can rely on to pay all the bills and let you have the freedom to say goodbye to the nine to five grind. What many do not consider however is that because you will be working for yourself you will be responsible for paying your own taxes as there will be none withheld unless you set up to do so with a payroll company. Either way you do go however, there are some tax advantages that a home based business can offer a small business owner.

CUSTOMER SERVICE CAN EITHER MAKE OR BREAK YOU BUSINESS.

When it comes to understanding the importance of good customer service, there are many small business owners who wonder why it is so important; why such a large focus should be placed on it. In all honesty, without trying to come across too harsh, if you don’t already know the importance of customer services, especially when it comes to running a small business, maybe you should re-think and have a diffuse understanding on your decision to be a small business owner. Yes, it is really that simple. As a business owner, you need to remember that your customers are what keep your business doors open; they are the reason why you have food to put on your table each week, and the reason why you receive a paycheck, they are the the life blood of your sales When you think about it like that, there is lots you are owning your customers.

End of Year Website Check
Another year is close to an end and every small business owner should make at least one resolution - fix up your web site and pay attention to things you might have ignored for too long. I know you’re busy so chances are that you’ve missed a few minor issues that are making your web site look old or outdated. A regular checkup will keep your web site running in peak condition.

Why Won't My Site Show Up in Google?
We often get inquiries from prospective clients who would like us to build them a new website. They believe that their current website must be “bad” because it's not listed in the search engines. They're convinced that a new website will automatically ensure a top ten Google rank.

How A NICHE Market Strategy Approach Increases Sales
Much is written about having a niche to improve your selling success. A niche is a narrow target market where there are few competitors and allows you to be the Red Jacket in a Sea of Gray Suits. Use this acronym to help you strengthen your niche in your marketplace.

Recession-Busting Small Business ((inexpensive) Marketing Tips
A struggling economy offers those that move forward a greater opportunity to reach their market, precisely because their competitors are hiding their heads in the sand. Studies have shown that those that do market in a recession are those that prosper and position their businesses to thrive during the eventual turn-around.

Advertising - is it for you?
Advertising is one of those things that just about every small business owner considers at some point. After all, that’s how big companies promote their businesses, right? So, shouldn’t you be doing it as well?

The Power of Letting Go
By moving through and letting go of our fears, we can envision and create the life that we truly want for ourselves. By contrast, when we let our preconceived notions about ourselves and our fears take control, we can be paralyzed by them

Find the Real Tools and Reduce Your High Tech Costs

Find the Real Tools and Reduce Your High Tech Costs - Like most business owners, you're probably overwhelmed by marketing messages telling you to buy the latest business device or cutting edge electronic toy, perhaps because it is supposed to be invaluable to your business. In this article, you'll read about three types of technology that you'll encounter and you'll discover some questions to ask yourself to determine whether you really need it or not.

5 Principles of Successful Leadership in Small Business

When we think about leadership,especially in regard to building and growing a successful small business, it's easy to envision the traditional top-down leadership that so often goes along with the term. We often think about leadership along the lines of being a major political leader or being the chief executive of a major Wall Street company. And while this certainly is a respectable vision of leadership, when it comes to small business, we've got to see beyond this traditional view. Following are the top 5 principles of successful leadership that I've found make THE difference in whether your business flies or flops.

Time Off: Do Small Business Owners Get Any?

Time Off: Do Small Business Owners Get Any? - People might become business owners because they want to get ahead. However, once you're living the life of a small business owner, you quickly discover that you have a much shorter-term goal: Trying to take a vacation. Business ownership is busy and a vacation may feel like it will cause serious business disruption. But there is a way that you can enjoy a vacation. In this article, you'll learn how some businesses are breaking out of the entrepreneur time trap to allow the owners to enjoy some renewing downtime.

Trying To Go it Alone: Why It Is Less Productive To Work Alone

Trying To Go it Alone: Why It Is Less Productive To Work Alone - When you start your business, it might work out just fine to operate by yourself – doing your administration, your marketing, your selling, your fulfillment, and your customer service. But if you're successful, it won't last for long: You'll need to grow (but you'll realize that you only have 24 hours in the day). In this article, you'll read about two reasons why it is better to bring someone else on-board to work with you. An on-site employee might not be right for you, but there is another possibility!

Understanding Diversity in the Workplace
As a business owner, consultant, and entrepreneur I have been told by many small business owners that "diversity" is really only applicable to larger businesses. When asked what diversity means to them (the small business owner), many respond it is about differences in race or gender. It is not about making the workplace a better place in which to work, but more about following the law.

SMEs - African confusion with entrepreneurship
Africa, but not necessarily only Africa, has blurred the lines between SME and entrepreneurship. Let us investigate the consequences thereof.

Design on a Shoestring
As a marketing professional you will be not surprised to read that I am, well at least partially, obsessed with design. Yes, I like to have things looking right and in place. However, does ‘looking good’ make a real difference to bottom line results? When I started the Next Marketing business I was convinced first hand.

How to Clean out the Clutter and Pump Up Your Profits
Have you ever felt totally overwhelmed because you were surrounded by clutter? When you work in a cluttered environment it crowds your thinking and easily distracts you. Not only that clutter wastes your time and your money.

What To Do When You Outgrow Your Business
If you have ever hit a wall in your success, felt stuck or gotten confused about how to grow beyond your current level, you may have outgrown your current business model. Here are some tips on how to recognize this phase and what to do if you are ready to grow beyond your current business model.

Uniform Commercial Code - UCC

The Uniform Commercial Code, or UCC, is an excellent tool for business owners to protect themselves with small business laws as both creditors and as debtors. Using UCC filings to your advantage can stretch your credit with both lenders and vendors. Likewise, as a creditor, if you keep active UCC filings on your biggest customers, you can protect your business against a client's nonpayment. For example, if you have a nonpaying customer and bring a lawsuit against them, you may wait months for a judgment; and you might not be adequately compensated even if the lawsuit rules in your favor. As a small business owner, you could have a UCC filing from the beginning and prove the debt.

Advantages of Leasing Equipment, Cars and Machinery
Leasing equipment can become very advantageous to a small business owner. The company which finances the equipment retains ownership, while the business owner has the right to use it in exchange for monthly payments. Each lease will have specific terms, but in general, your small business can trade the equipment if it fails, or even switch it for a better model.

How to write a captivating press release
Does the thought of writing a press release make you cringe? Every small business owner will be required to write a press release at some point. Self-promotion plays a big part in the success of any business

Are There Any New Small Business Ideas? No. And Yes.

Not much changes these days in terms of new small businesses. ‘Sell a product, make money, or you don’t have much of a business. What I’m about to reveal to you is an entirely new small business model. It eliminates all of the obstacles of small businesses, home businesses, and network marketing and dramatically reduces the learning curves, eliminates the guesswork, and increases the results for anyone using it. It has a call center in place to follow up on the applications submitted. The call center handles all the marketing, recruiting, phone interactions, and communication aspects of the business, home-based rookies and veterans alike are achieving unprecedented success at unmatched levels

Increasing Services Sales in Your Business in a Recession – 12 Techniques
Now is the BEST time to be in business for ourselves! Many people are getting laid off and those that aren't are concerned they might be. Here are some ideas for increasing your services sales during this recession.

Should your Small Business go Viral?
Whether your business is large or small, viral marketing should be an integral part of your marketing strategy in order to compete, and succeed, in today's fast paced market.

Credit Card Advance Financing
For many businesses owners, borrowing money during tough times can be difficult. There is a new alternative to conventional lending practices that is becoming extremely popular. Credit card advance loans are often called many different names, but essentially all do the same thing: provide loans based on the business’s average monthly credit card generated sales.

Sales – Are You Up for the Challenge?
Selling is not easy. The last thing sales professionals should do is to make it any harder. The question is "Are you up for the challenge."

5 Simple Ways to Get Back on Track and Have a Life!

Mary is a typical small business owner, she keeps herself busy doing the 'hands on' work. In her case it is doing beauty treatments and she told me she keeps doing this because she really enjoys it. Her clients constantly told her how great she was, which made her feel appreciated. However it trapped her into staying 'on the tools'. Mary had 5 people on her team, and she struggled with letting them handle her clients.

The True Cost of Free Marketing, and How to Choose the Right Marketing Tactics for Your Business

No matter what anyone tells you, there is no such thing as “free advertising”, and even cheap advertising usually isn’t. At the very least you have to count your own time costs to create your promotion. Plus you may need to hire a graphic designer, copywriter or even a marketing consultant to get the results you need. So don’t base your marketing and advertising decisions solely on initial cost. Instead you want to consider your goals, the true costs and the potential gains or ROI.

Effective Business Communication Connects Brevity and Clarity, and Media Training That Works

Just because you're practicing business communication doesn't mean you have to lean on cliches and hackneyed phrases. Effective communication training that stresses the link between brevity and clarity leads to business writing skills that honor your readers. A key element of media training is to learn the importance of "bridging" -- the technique of nudging aggressive reporters back to your message. That sort of effective communication is standard practice for successful politicians, and with media training you can learn to do it as well.

Harness the Power of ‘Free’ Marketing
No doubt the title of my article caught your attention! The question is - are you gaining enough attention from your customers/clients? And, do you want to maintain their attention?

How to Build a Compelling Marketing Communications Folder
What do you give your prospects after they’ve expressed an interest in your products or services? Most small business owners simply pass out a single sales brochure. It’s much more effective to present a complete folder of information that works to further build trust and confidence. This article discusses the inserts I recommend you include in your marketing folder.

Brotherhood of Entrepreneuers
There have always been small business enterprises to hold families and communities together. Timeless, enduring and even biblical, our brotherhood will prevail and sustain our forward progress.

There's a new breed out there
Is it just me, or does there seem to be a new breed of people out there – I’m noticing them when I’m driving around. Several times over the last few months, I’ve had people crossing the road when my car is coming quickly towards them.

Trade Declining Sales for a Competitive Advantage
Utilizing your suppliers declining sales to leverage your own sales.

Internet Marketing For Small Businesses
When one raises the topic of internet marketing there are usually a couple of responses. From the technically gifted, they immediately go off onto an elaborate discussion about the nuances and subtleties of the newest software or services. For small businesses, there is usually a completely different reaction.

Anti-Attraction
They say marketing has a bad name. But I maintain that NOT marketing has a much worse name. If you're an entrepreneur or small business owner interested in attracting new clients, are you still committing any of the 10 deadly sins listed below?

Testing Your Way to Website Profits
Testing your landing pages is the number one way to increase your website conversion rate. This article discusses the two main types of tests and gives a free resource for setting them up on your website.

When Customers Lie – Don’t be Lead Astray
It's a sad truth, some customers don't tell the truth. They want time to decide, they are not sure about you, or they just don't want to put you on the defensive. Either way, don't get angry, get educated so you can adjust the way you talk to people.

Powerful Strategies for Successful Article Marketing
A good article submission strategy will not only help position you as an expert in your field, but will also provide you with important inbound links that will work to increase your web traffic. So what's the best way to jumpstart your article submission program? Just follow the strategies in this article.

Three Vital Direct Mail Tips for the Small Business Owner
Direct mail can be a very profitable marketing channel for the small business owner. This article outlines three tips for ensuring your direct mail success.

No Shortcuts
Understanding that there are no shortcuts is the first step to starting and running a successful company.

Entrepreneur vs. Small Business Owner—Why You Should Care
If you run your company (or career) from a place that is what you think you “should” or are “supposed to” do, not from what is right for you, it may be a very bumpy ride. Knowing the key differences between being an entrepreneur and small business owner should help guide you down the right path:

Free Or Nearly Free Public Relations Tools
From story ideas to media tracking, many of the tools used by public relations pros each day are free. Here's an overview of some of the must-haves.

THE CONFESSION OF A FAILED BLOGGER

The other day, one of my new referrals wrote to me and asked me if we could meet and discuss. I was out of the country then and I told him that I would not be coming within the next 3 months. He replied and I could feel the tone of the email as he narrated his woes. He told me that he did not want a book from me because he had read so many books on online money making ways and he had paid a lot of money buying money making formulas

7 Key Tactics For The Small Business Owner
For most folks, owning your own business is a dream come true. The freedom of being your own boss and succeeding to the best of your ability are facts of life for the small business owner.

How Being a Professional In Sales Will Directly Increase Sales
Is it just me or are a lot of sales professionals missing opportunities to increase sales because of their lack of professionalism? This thought occurred to me during a recent presentation at a business networking event and small business trade show exposition.

A Checklist for Small Business SEO
Checklist of common sense steps for search engineoptimization of your small business website.

In Marketing - one size does not fit all
One of the great things about travelling overseas is that it makes you look at things from a new perspective. I have just returned from a trip to Japan and was fascinated by the number of international brands operating there and how they prosper in what are very different trading conditions from their home countries and Australia.

Simple Steps To Finding Small Business Grants
Generally speaking, the hardest part of starting a small business is finding the money. Getting a loan can be tough if you don't have good credit or collateral and finding a group of investors can severely diminish your profits, but there is another option: a small business grant. Here's some tips to help you find out if you qualify for a grant and steps to walk you through applying.

Five Effective Link Building Strategies
If you’re a small business owner with a website, the best way to increase your organic traffic is to write interesting and compelling content that is focused towards your target market. This article outlines five simple strategies you can follow to increase your inbound links.

Sex, Drugs, and Alcohol
Think about it….Dating websites are packed. Professional matchmakers are showing profits greater than landowners. Michael Phelps is getting more publicity with paraphernalia around his neck than 8 gold metals. Local corner liquor stores are packed every night. The economy may be struggling, but these industries continue to flourish.

Even More Commonly Missed Deductions!
VETERAN FINANCIAL PLANNER GIVES YOU TIPS ON PREPARING YOUR TAXES AND GOING OVER MORE COMMON MISSED TAX DEDUCTIONS.

The Power of Recency and Frequency in Growing Your Small Business
The most powerful predictor of future behavior is past behavior. This article explains the predictive power of Recency and Frequency when marketing to your customers.

How To Apply For A Small Business Loan
Starting a small business without private investors or a loan is next to impossible for most entrepreneurs, so if a loan is in your small business future, check out the best way to go about acquiring one.

Nine Tips for a More Successful Business

Nine Tips for a More Successful Business - Not all small business owners are fully qualified to run every aspect of their business. They might be good at one or two things, but rarely is someone good at everything. So, here are nine tips, compiled over the years of running successful businesses, that you will find can help you in your business if applied. Take the time to apply these tips right away and you will see stronger, more competitive, and more profitable results!

Small Businesses Get BIG Results With Business Gifts
Owning a small business means wearing a lot of different “hats” – and often serving as your own marketing department as well. That’s where business gifts can have such a big impact.

Good Bookkeeping To Secure Business Capital
How does good bookkeeping help you to secure Business Capital? Well, many observers agree that the global economy will create far more challenging situations than first anticipated. So when the going gets tough in the market place, it is even more imperative for you to have a handle on the financial position of your business

Thousands are getting fired What are people doing in tough times
Thousands are getting fired; What are people doing in tough times? The nation is being hit with unemployment. We all know someone who has been affected. What are those people doing about it? What is everyone really searching for right now?

How to Stop Suffering From I Hate to Sell But I Need to Pay My Bills
As a sales professional, small business owner or service professional have you ever suffered from either or both of theses thoughts? I hate to sell, but I need to pay my bills. Boy, if I could only do what I love to do. A recent survey of 135 business consultants, executive coaches ad professional facilitators revealed these exact thoughts. Read on to learn the answer to this dilemma.

Short Marketing Plan Helps Entrepreneurs Take Action
Business owners who feel intimidated by the thought of compiling a traditional “inch thick” marketing plan will finally be able to take action by following intrepid entrepreneur, Staging Diva’s, easy process for creating a one page marketing plan.

How White Papers Free Reports can Turbocharge your Marketing Efforts
If you are like most business owners, you are often afraid of giving away too much information. But in fact, you needn’t be afraid. The more valuable the information you give away, the more your prospects and customers will see you as an expert and trusted advisor.

Budget Salvation! 10 Ways for Small Business Owners to Save Money

You may have noticed that the economy is on shaky ground pretty much everywhere. It's been in all the papers. While everyone from the consumer to the corporation is on edge, the small business owner is probably the most nervous. They share the concerns of everyone, while also worrying about their budget in relation to the future of their business and their employees. The real challenge for small business owners is how to make their budget dollar go further - expenses can't be slashed any further because they're already running lean, and they don't want to stifle potential business growth out of economic fear. So, how does the small business owner balance the budget to ensure the prospects of future success?

Green Certification for Small Businesses
Alternatives to the costly ISO 14001 programs, put small businesses on a level playing field. The benefits of "Green Certification" are vast and they are growing every day. A simple environmental management program can help drive customers and protect you from rapidly changing regulations.

Surviving a Down Economy: Failure is Not an Option
Every company must take a serious look at their operations and decide if they need to make serious and deeply painful cuts or if their best strategy is to make minor adjustments and simply push forward. Either way, every company owner or president must move forward and lead with a certain conviction and strength of will. That conviction must be felt by every manager and employee in the company.

Small Business Success Partners Attitudes with Knowledge
Do you as a small business owner ever ask yourself "Why your business is not as successful as you desire?" or "Why your employees (provided that you have employees) are not delivering the results that you require?"

In Sales, Decision Making Has Implications
How do you make sales decisions? Did you ever think of the implication of those decisions? This article explores the potential implications of those critical to not so critical decisions you make as you continue on your goal to increase sales.

Online Marketers Making a Beeline for Package Promotional Services

When the Internet first began to be perceived as a channel of marketing and business, entrepreneurs started choosing various methods of promoting their products. However, most of the methods that prevailed in the 1990s were single point agendas. People who marketed through emails focused only on email marketing and people who marketed through articles focused only on article marketing. Rarely would an entrepreneur go ahead and make a mix of various Internet marketing methods. The reason for this was the difficulty involved in focusing on various operations at the same time. This would eat into the prospects of the business website, but implementing a whole range of marketing services meant a lot of expenses.

How Much Does A Small Business Owner Make?

How Much Does A Small Business Owner Really Make? In this article, Heather Villa looks at the question "How much does a small business owner really make?" and shows how the question has misled entrepreneurs. She first describes how owners all too often over-estimate their personal income simply because their finances are not in order. Then, she points out three must-do financial activities that entrepreneurs need to regularly practice in order to create a successful business. Once these are in order, she points out, that business owners will be able to earn a higher wage and build a more valuable business for the short and long term.

How To Survive Tax Season
How To Survive Tax Season - The very words "tax season" can send shivers down the spine of every small business owner. While tax season might never be fun, it can be far more manageable than it is with a few simple best practices. In this article, you'll read how you can prepare for tax season in order to lessen its time-consuming, work-time-stealing burden. It IS possible!

Loans For Women Business Owners
There are many places on the Internet where you can find loans for women small business. Search for "loans women business" and you will get results in the tens of millions.

5 Ways to Energize Your Business for 2009
Here are 5 ideas that will allow you to leave 2008 in a great space and focus into 2009 ready to get your small business or venture going with full power!

Winning the Ohio Lottery or Obtaining a Business Loan What is harder
According to Google Trends the top 20 most searched words in December include: Michigan Lottery Mega Millions Winning Numbers Ohio Lottery Georgia Lottery Megamillions.com Russian Roulette (currently 32, but is this a bad sign?)

What does it take to lead?
Successful business owners have some key characteristics that set them apart from the crowd.

Get your finances in order for 2009
Over the past 30 days our economy went on a series of “oohs” and “awhhs”. The media is to blame for this massive panic. Everyone is encouraged to turn off the TV and focus on their small business finances for the next quarter – Q1 of 2009 is rapidly approaching, are you going to have the finances to get into the groove?

Sales Training – Salespeople Get Uplifted With Jukebox Music!
Salespeople can find comfort in music. Actually, studies prove that listening to music has positive effects from reducing stress to making you smarter. Sellers, put some money in the Jukebox!

CHOOSING AMONG FINANCING OPTIONS

You have a million dollar idea for a small business, enough motivation and drive to launch an effective marketing and advertising campaign, and logistic channels established to get your product or service to the masses. Now the only thing missing is the funding to get your new company up and running through new business financing. If unsuccessful attempts to acquire a traditional bank loan have left you stranded, where do you go? How do you get the funding for your new venture?

A True Business Credit Card
true business credit card is a line of credit that is taken in the name of the business, under the business' credit. Activity, whether good or bad, is reflected on your business' credit report through D&B and other financial institutions, and the liability for any debts incurred and bills owed is with the business.

Which Company Structure is Right for You?

Which company structure is right for you? - For brand new entrepreneurs who are looking to start a business, the question of company structure will come up at some point. The names are well known – sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, corporation – but the differences between these four types are not always common knowledge. In this article, you'll read about the four types of structures. You'll learn briefly what characterizes each one, how income flows through to the owners, and what kind of legal implications there are. This article can be a starting point for you as you decide what structure your business will take.

Enhancing productivity and profitability by outsourcing

You're a busy business owner trying to juggle it all. It can get overwhelming sometimes. Wouldn't it be nice if you could make a fundamental change in your business to improve productivity and profitability? You can! In this article, I'll show you how business owners are leveraging their time and working with virtual assistants to take their companies to the next level. You'll read about five qualities you'll want to look for in a virtual assistant that will add real value to your business; and by the end of the article, you'll be ready to start looking for someone who can help you achieve the success you desire for your business

The One Entrepreneurial Risk You Should Never Assume-Insurance Requirements of the Self Employed

Could your business survive an extended, forced shut down? If you don't have a plan that ensures your rent, utilities, payroll, suppliers and your own income can be payed even while your business is shut down for months the answer is no and your small business is at risk. Business Interruption or Loss of Income insurance bridges the gap between the businesses normal income and its income due to a forced closing. It also can assure certain business critical expenses will be paid.

Tips For Recession-Proofing Your Small Business Franchise
If the recession is weighing you down and figuring out what to do to keep your franchise afloat is bearing no recognizable success, here are some fresh ideas to act on, both to give yourself a concrete course of action to take and to see a quicker recovery for your business.

Increase Sales By Discovering the Facts, Just the Facts
The ongoing quest of "How to increase sales" is never ending since mankind first began peddling his or her products or services. To realize this goal to increase sales must include the sales skill of fact finding or in simpler terms – research.

The Lack of Professional Courtesy Is the New Business Behavior
Are you a small business owner, sales professional, C-Level executive or front line worker? What are your top major complaints as you travel the roads to greater business be it locally or globally?

What Fork Will You Take to Increase Sales?
Successfully increasing sales whether you are a small business owner including a real estate agent to a mid size firm requires you to continually make decisions. The consequences of those decisions will ultimately determine your success or failure as you strive toward your goal to increase sales.

7 Top Tips Before A Business Writes an Executable Strategic Plan
Strategic business action planning is a very expensive process not only from the hiring of an executive coach or business consultant, but from an organizational perspective as well. Before you being this necessary process, these 7 top tips should help to ensure that your business action plan is truly executable and delivers the desired results allowing you to catapult ahead of your competitors.

Does my small business have employees or independent contractors
Make sure you are doing business right when working with other people.Do you have employees or contractors. Do YOU really know the difference?

Lose the Staples and Increase Sales
Have you ever considered that a single staple may be keeping you from your goal to increase sales? If you are curious and truly want to reap the rewards of all your hard efforts, then read on.

Why Use A Certified Bookkeeper Instead Of Doing Your Own Bookkeeping?
As a member of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers I am often asked why a small business owner needs to use an outside bookkeeping expert, rather than doing the bookkeeping themselves to save money. This is an easy question to answer because it is a “no-brainer”. There are times in your life when only a qualified expert will do. For example, if you are about to undergo brain surgery...

Discover How “New Marketing” is Required to Survive and Thrive in Today’s Economy
Have you found yourself thinking "Whay is this marketing I'm doing not working like it used to?" What more and more people are realizing is that what used to work in the Old Marketing Age no longer is effective.

The Accounting Model: Accounting's Rosetta Stone
A brief but clear explanation of how debits and credits work.

Follow The Outsourcing Trend With A Service Small Business

Outsourcing is one of those ugly words in today's economy, especially with the current state of things, but outsourcing doesn't always mean sending jobs to other countries, in fact, sometimes outsourcing means sending business to small business franchises right here in America. Many jobs including human resources and payroll make good business sense to be outsourced. Here's a look at some of the best franchises specializing in outsourced business services.

Many Little Pigs: The Pork in our Bailout
I’m a little tired of people talking about “government” money spent on these bailouts. That’s my money, and it’s your money. We the people contribute to the general funds that support national, state and local government. We the people are getting hosed.

Where's The Money?
There are numerous loan programs and lending institutions servicing small business owner’s nationwide. The problem is not getting the money, it’s how and where to find it. If more business owners knew how and where to secure capital, there would be a larger number of businesses growing and succeeding than those that are dissolving-today.

Pay It Forward
Hurricane Katrina survivors thank volunteers by keeping circle of kindness going.

Who is Considered an Independent Contractor
An independent contractor is not legally considered an employee of a small business however; because of this classification, the rights and responsibilities that the small business owner has toward the independent contractor are different for those responsibilities he or she has for individuals classified as full or part time employees of the business.

Hottest Small Business Service Franchise Opportunities

When venturing out to start your own small business, it may be easy to overlook the businesses that provide essential services to nearly all businesses, big and small. Business-to-Business services can provide a steady stream of income due to the repeat business generated through the corporate clientele, and B2B franchises take all of the benefits of a B2B business and streamline the process with a successful franchise name.

Small Biz Marketing Essentials

The long and the short of it, is marketing does take money and it is the cornerstone of your businesses success however, all is not lost there are some low cost and no cost creative ways to get the word out about your products and services. While these ideas will not break your budget however; they will require you to trade your time for marketing your business. The following marketing strategies are fantastic, cost effective and essential for the small business just starting out.

Benefits of Franchising
Careful thought must be undertaken with any major financial decision you make.

Email Marketing: 5 Reasons You Must Start Doing It Today
Email marketing is one of the most powerful marketing tools available to your small business. You can achieve outstanding results, while investing only fractions of a penny per email message to your customers and prospects. Combine that with the potential to target messages more precisely than direct mailings, email marketing is a real win for the small business owner.

The 80-20 Rule and Client Drama

The 80-20 Rule, AKA the Pareto Principle, states that “for many events, 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.” This can be observed in any volunteer organization, for example, a church, where 20% of the people do 80% of the work. In our eight-plus years of doing web development at Pelago, we have concluded that the inverse of this rule applies to client drama. That is, 80% of your negative experiences will be caused by 20% of your clients (and maybe even a smaller number like 5%). As a small business owner, how do you navigate this effect? You get tough.

7 Things You Need To Know About Selecting a Retail Location
It's very tempting to jump at a location you fall in love with - but just like in residential real estate, "head over heart" is the best approach when it comes to picking a retail location.

Learn To Focus On Whats Important and Farm Out The Rest
Outsourcing your mundane tasks to focus only on the essential tasks is the best way to organize your business. The results are great not just for you but also for your business.

For Entrepreneurs A SIMPLE Plan May Be Best
Let me give you a quick overview of a few of the retirement plans available to small businesses so you at least have an idea of what’s out there before you start your search for a good financial advisor.

Word of Mouth
Word of mouth (WOM) is an elusive form of marketing that has the ability to either build or erode your small business brand. What are some of the characteristics of WOM as a communication medium that make it such a powerful marketing tool? What can you do to try to develop positive word of mouth for your small business?

Why Are Strategic Alliances Important to Your Small Business

Global Edge defines a strategic alliance as a “collaborative agreement between two companies designed to achieve some strategic goal.” Traditionally, strategic alliances take place between larger companies and encompass formal arrangements such as “international licensing agreements, management contracts, and joint ventures” - but more and more small businesses are banding together in less formal ways to form strategic partnerships of their own. What are some of the benefits of forming small business strategic alliances? As a small business owner, how can you reach out to start conversations with potential allies and what should you look for in a strategic partner?

The Steps to Brand Greatnessor Purgatory
The process of developing your small business brand is made up of a series of steps - interdependent and progressively connected. Each step requires cultivation over time; represents an important brand building opportunity; and needs to be achieved in the eyes of your customers before you can proceed "up the ladder".

The Science of Differentiation

There is enough evidence in the annals of branding to convince even the most skeptical small business owner that differentiation is a critical component of building a successful brand – yet there are very few that embrace the concept. For those of you that are not convinced, there is another way to look at differentiation - through brain science. The human brain, in its mysterious glory, thrives on differentiation.

The Fear of Differentiation

Building a unique small business brand requires some courage. Why are unique brands so scarce while middle of the road products, services, retail stores, etc dominate the business landscape? My theory is that it has something to do with an innate fear (we all have) of being different. In a branding context, this poses a problem because differentiation is one of the key elements in the development of a great brand. So how do small business owners face the fear of differentiation?

Small Business Interview Series Employee Benefits
Employee benefits are an important topic for many small business owners and managers. In the first installment of an ongoing series, I speak with benefits specialist Rachel von Sturmer, Principal at True Benefits Financial, about employee benefits best practices, trends and challenges.

Small Business Change Management
Change is an ever-present component of small business ownership. The ability for small business owners to effectively manage change lays the groundwork for growth and helps build the foundation for the development of a positive corporate culture. What can small business owners do to make themselves better change leaders? What are the most important factors to consider when managing change?

Tough Times Call for Decisive Action
In challenging economic times, it's necessary for small business owners to take a proactive position on growth. Here, Jim Donovan, the Turnaround Mentor, shares a simple six step process to move toward greater success.

5 Things Business Owners Must Consider During Growth or Survival Periods
Growing a business in today’s market is all about survival of the fittest. Surviving through the uphill battles of being an entrepreneur is critical. Surviving through the growth stages of the business is just as vital as when your business is in a negative cash flow period or downhill mode.

Why Micro Loans Could Be The Answer to Many Small Business Owners Financing Needs

Small business owners, if you have never considered accessing a Micro Loan, you might want to take a look at this viable financing option. Some of you might think that these types of loans are used only in Third World countries. Perhaps you have heard of lending sites such as Kiva.org, which primarily finances individuals living in countries other than the United States who are starting their own businesses.

Growing Your Small Business with Non-Traditional Financing
Small business owners are always seeking ways to grow their business. Whether you are going after business-to-business (B2B) clients, business-to-government (B2G) contracting opportunities, or business-to-consumer customers (B2C), growing your business is the foremost thing on your mind.

Where's the Problem with Increasing Sales?
As a small business owner or sales producer, you understand what it takes to succeed in sales. Yet, when your sales aren’t where you want and need them to be it usually comes down to a fundamental.

Branding Your Business
It's not enough to just have a name and logo for your business-you need to create a brand that incorporates your whole identity. Our experts share how to establish your business as a successful, brand-name company.

Why you should have a hobby when you run your own business
Now if you’re a small business owner and you’re reading the title thinking “she’s having a laugh…I’ve got no time to do all the things I want to do, let alone have a hobby”, let me tell you that I was in exactly the same position as you about a year ago.

What do Barbara Streisand and Tiger Woods have in common?
In addition to being at the top of their respective fields, Streisand in music and Woods in golf, they both work with a coach. Why would someone at the top of their chosen profession need a coach?

Get Involved in a Charity
Your community is the foundation of your small business. Giving back to it can be rewarding for both your spirit and your bottom line.

Small Budget Big Results
You don't have to break the bank to make your business stand out from the competition.

How to franchise your business

If you are ready to take the step to start selling your own business as a franchise, you’ll need to do a lot to make it viable. Your business is a success. You have a cadre of loyal customers, strong earnings and a steadily expanding base. At this point, many business owners look to franchising their business as the next step. Though this is a good alternative, and potentially very lucrative, selling a franchise is a vastly different enterprise than running it. You’ll need to master new skills if you want to be a success in the highly-competitive world of franchising. Here is a brief list of what you need to be aware of:

Hot Selling Products on eBay: Earn Money Online Selling

eBay has been the choice for many who want to earn money online selling. It's relatively easy to start up; all you need is a product. It seems that one can find virtually anything on eBay. But as a small business owner you don't want to sell just anything to earn money online, you want products that are going bring in the greatest amount of profits. Below are two examples of hot selling products on ebay.

Book Review: Waiting For Your Cat To Bark?
The subtitle of this book (”Persuading Customers When They Ignore Marketing”) gives a hint about its purpose: how to appeal to your prospective customers. While the book can be enjoyed by any small business owner, the information is a bit more sophisticated than the usual “here’s some simple ways to improve your business’ marketing”.

A Virtual Female Entrepreneur In A Brick And Mortar World
How I started out in the early days of the Internet as one of the first female entrepreneurs in what was essentially a man's world...and what I learned along the way.

How To Choose The Best Marketing Strategies For You
Instead of making your marketing decision based on price, convenience, or familiarity, you need to look at your goals, the results you are likely to get, the true costs and the potential gains.

Negative Relationships: Yes or No?
Are you putting up with negative relationships? Do you realize how much they may be costing you? Maybe it's time to mend or end those that are taking their toll on your time and your business.

Networking Works!

Eek. The dreadful Jury Duty Summons arrives in the mail again. I’m all for the jury system, mind you, but those of us who aren’t on corporate payrolls don’t get a paycheck during the time we serve. Oh, well, “one day or one trial” isn’t so bad. I am ready to do my civic duty. I believe in our government and the trial-by-jury-of-our-peers system. If a case of mine were being tried, wouldn’t I want me to be on the jury? My mood improved, I call in on the appointed day and receive instructions to show up Monday..

Keyword Research Will Get You Inside Your Customer's Head
If someone told you that in a few hours time you could learn exactly what people in your niche or industry are willing to buy from you, and exactly what will send them enthusiastically to your website, would you be interested in knowing what they're talking about?

Clearing the Path 4 Ways Fear Wreaks Havoc on Your Dream and What to Do About It
Please take a moment before you read any further and answer these three simple questions: 1. Are you making daily progress towards accomplishing your business vision? 2. Do you find that despite a strong desire to make your vision happen, obstacles always seems to pop up and slow you down? 3. Do you find that doubt is chipping away at your vision, keeping it from ever becoming a reality?

To Delegate or Not?
In every business, there comes that critical time when a leader must decide whether or not to delegate some projects to other people. This decision can make or break a company; not making this decision can also make or break a company. Find out how to use this powerful sill of delegation to grow your team and business.

Why You Should Ignore Your Cell Phone and Laptop: Six Keys to a Great Vacation
You work hard, long for a vacation and when the time comes, you drag along your laptop, cell phone,iPod, portable DVD player and other tech gadgets so you can play 'catch up' while you're 'enjoying' your vacation. But wait, isn't a holiday supposed to 'free you' from these obsessions. Discover the six key secrets to having a vacation worth taking.

Book Review: Endless Referrals
As a small business owner, I’m always searching for ways to build my list of referrals. Two previous books I’ve reviewed (Brag! and Networking Magic) also described strategies for building referrals, but this book is my new favorite.

What are the 3 biggest challenges faced by supply chain/purchasing professionals today? (Survey Result 21)
There are many factors both internally as well as externally that are affecting supply chain/ procurement practices today. From the growing talent vacuum to the continuing lack of collaboration between Finance, IT and Purchasing relative to corporate initiatives. What in your own experiences and opionions are the top 3 issues that procurement professionals face?

Technology and the Small Business

The technology available to the small business owner is comparable to that available to large corporations. This is a remarkable fact, one that will allow small business owners to create and build sophisticated operations. To explore this further I knew I would have to have a conversation with Leslie Babel, President of DigitalFire Inc, an IT Support and Technology company. Leslie’s passion is technology and how he can apply it to make small businesses more effective, more competitive and more fun!

What Can Small Business Coaching Do for You?

Do you ever get the funny feeling that you are talking only to yourself? When you try to think about strategy for your company, do you stare at a blank wall? Are the voices in your head louder than the radio? If this is true for you, then you might have small business owner syndrome. This is most easily remedied by talking to someone else. Your best bet? A business coach. This article will help you understand what a business coach can do for you.

Exit Planning…All Good Things Come to an End

A wise sage once said, "All good things must come to an end". This is especially true for the small business owner, who’d like to exit their business gracefully. But, saying it and taking action are two entirely different propositions when it comes to making that a reality. Most small business owners are constantly consumed with the day-to-day running of their business and have precious little time for the luxuries of planning, unlike their larger corporate cousins, this activity tends to be put off till last minute or generally not done at all.

Simplify Your Business With Virtual Technologies

Do you spend endless time and resources on tasks like data back-up, managing client records, collaborating different communication channels, and so on? Small businesses and start-ups can manage their business processes more efficiently by intelligently using virtual technologies. Online subscription-based services help in streamlining many critical business activities. Here are some of the virtual technology services that every small business owner should consider.

With Technology Everything Has Become Possible

Why Most Ads, Sale Letters, and Websites Don’t Turn A Profit?

Most ads don’t work because they are like the enlarged version of the company’s business card. If you want to make money with your advertising, you got to structure your ad exactly how you would conduct a sale presentation face to face with a potential buyer. Remember that those who buy a four inch drill are really buying four inch holes. People aren’t interested in what you have for sale; they are mainly interested in solving a problem. Before starting your sale pitch in print, you got to be successful at “selling” the problem first. Think it this way…what is one reason most of your customers are buying from you?

Will You Survive the NEW Competition Four Ways to Win Customers Every Time

There I said it — the dreaded “C” word. Most people fall into one of three reactions when they think about facing competition: 10% of them go weak in the knees and would rather pretend it didn’t exist, 10% relish competition like it was an ice cream sundae, take a spoon and run with it, and the remaining 80% well… they’re in the middle unsure which way to go. They wait for something to happen —something outside of themselves to cause them to stand up and win or lie down and let the prize pass them by. Where do you fall when it comes to competition?

Clearing the Path 4 Ways Fear Wreaks Havoc on Your Dream and What to Do About It
1. Are you making daily progress towards accomplishing your business vision? 2. Do you find that despite a strong desire to make your vision happen, obstacles always seems to pop up and slow you down? 3. Do you find that doubt is chipping away at your vision, keeping it from ever becoming a reality? Thank you. N*ow let's do something about it.

Strategic Exit Planning and Strategic Tax Planning to Save Income Taxes

Your partner, Uncle Sam, through the federal income tax and his State and Local Tax buddies (lovingly called your “Tax Partners”) are excited about getting their share of your business profits (and salary income) right about now. If you are like most business owners you are focused on legally reducing your contribution through strategic tax planning and strategic planning to your Tax Partners this year. If you are like the exceptional few business owners, you are doing your best to look at how you will reduce your payments to your Tax Partners over your life and the life of your business through strategic exit planning and strategic tax planning.

How to Avoid Your Personal Life By Keeping Busy
Do you spend most of your week working and wish you could have more time off? It may well be that you deliberately keep yourself busy to avoid having time for yourself... and do you know why? In most instances you either don't know what to do with that time or you're avoiding your personal issues. Check out the featured article this week...it may stir up some hidden truths.

Greening Small Business
The "greening" of Australia is not just the latest trend; it's a cultural revolution. What does this phenomenon mean for the small business sector? Even if you're not yet sold on the science of climate change, it's hard to ignore the changing tide of public perception, let alone the real opportunity to reap rewards by adopting sustainable practices.

5 Things That New Entrepreneurs Must Do For Consistent Business Growth

As a proud small business owner, are you able to do the balancing act of working IN your business while working ON it? Small businesses usually start when people who are specialist in some field decide to start on their own. Slowly they get so involved in the day-to-day business operations that the business cannot survive without them. This article will help you rise above the non-core business activities and concentrate on what you do best.

Relief for Small Business Owners
What can a VA do for your business?

How to Find The Right Small Business Franchise Opportunity For You!

Making the decision to go into business for yourself is a complex decision that most likely took a lot of thought and consideration. Now the only decision left to make is which business franchise is the right opportunity for you. Maybe the choice seems obvious, or maybe you think it won’t matter what kind of business you run as long as you get to be the boss. But, a small business franchise can be a tricky thing, and which small business opportunity you choose may end up being the deciding factor in whether your career as a small business owner is a success or a failure.

Setting up a marketing system
Did you know that there is a taboo word in business? That word begins with “M” and it’s a word that every small business owner knows they should do, but so many don’t. That’s right, you’ve guessed it, the word is “Marketing”.

Should Franchises be Incorporated?

Purchasing a franchise can be one of the most exhilarating ventures a small business owner can experience. There are an infinite number of issues that franchisees must consider - what kind of franchise to purchase, where to locate, where to find financing, how to build the space, to name just a few. One of the last questions that a franchisee often thinks of is - what legal form should a franchise operate as? This article will review the considerations regarding the selection of business legal form with the franchise in mind and whether franchisors should consider requiring all franchisees to incorporate.

Strategic Planning: Key Reasons Why Strategic Planning Is A Must
You're a busy entrepreneur and small business owner. You have heard a lot about strategic planning, but figure it's for big business. Besides you just don't have the time and/or resources to spend on planning. You have a business to run and right now things are going okay. So why must you have a strategic plan?

Consistency Saves You Time and Makes You More Profitable

Most business owners and entrepreneurs always complain "I don't have the time" or "I'm too busy''. Unfortunately they are chewing up their time with unproductive tasks and need to 'let go' of activities which fill their day and provide minimal results. By getting organised and planning your time wisely to incorporate important activities like staying in contact with your database consistently, you'll be more profitable without working any harder.

Shared Web Hosting
Are you new to the online hosting scene and wondering what shared web hosting is all about? This article is here to help you understand the basics of a virtual hosting service in the hopes that by the end, you will be able to make a more informed decision about what is right for you and your online needs.

Internet Web Hosting

If you’re a small business owner and you don’t have a website yet, then I have one question for you: What are you waiting for? These days, anyone who doesn’t have a website pretty much doesn’t exist. More and more customers are turning to the Internet to not only find the information they’re looking for, but also to buy products and services directly. As entrepreneurs, we need to get in on the action. But chances are, if you’ve come to this website, then Internet web hosting is something you’ve already begun to think about. So, kudos! And let’s begin.

Frequent Flyers: How To Maximize Your Air Time
Have you ever found yourself sitting on a plane for a one or two-hour flight, wishing you had something to do? While frequent flyers or road warriors often have gear like Blackberries or laptops so they can work while en-route, there are other ways to use that air time that may in fact result in more productivity and less stress in the long run.

Time Management Must Be Connected to Your Goals
Have you taken a time management training course? Did you need to take another? Maybe it is because of the lack of this strategy.

Build Your P&L to Increase Sales
Are you a small business owner to a Level C executive who looks to your P&L (Profit and Loss) statement each month? Are you happy with your business results? Then maybe it is time to think of your P&L a little differently?

Focus Your Marketing On What You Do Well To Increase Sales While Avoiding the 500 Failure
Do you change your marketing activities in an effort to increase sales without realizing the impact of those changes? Read on to learn why you need to understand what you do well to avoid the 500 Failure.

Do You Know the Top 7 Question to Ask When Hiring a Business Coach?
Hiring a business coach is your most recent decision. What questions should be part of that interview process?

Take Your Business to Where It Has Never Gone Before By Using a Business Coach or Executive Coach
To do you want sustainable business growth? Maybe you need to learn the value that business coaches bring to the table.

Business Succession Planning - Three Fundamental Reasons You Need It Now
Succession planning is a simple enough process for managers and business owners to have the people they need, when they need them, all the time. And this brings them significant benefits. If that's what you want right now, here's three great benefits...

Want Vacation Time Learn to delegate
Either you did a lousy job hiring, or you have a good staff: Use them. In the world of the small-business owner, life can be very challenging and rewarding. Don't get caught by your business and loose your freedom. If you have beaten the odds and created a successful small-business, now is the time for you to leverage that success into bigger and better things.

Business Web Hosting

If you’re looking at creating a website to meet your business needs, then you’ll have more specific needs than someone with a personal website. You’ll want to look into finding a provider that is more accustomed to dealing with entrepreneurs and offers a wide array of business web hosting services. From multiple email addresses to database, your needs will be unique. Read on to learn how to determine what your needs and find a provider that will be able to meet them.

Canadian Web Hosting
As a Canadian small business owner, do I need a Canadian web hosting provider? I’ve been asked this question more times than I can count. As much as I like answering questions in length, I’m sorry to say that this question has one very simple answer: it’s up to you. Yes, that’s right.

Ecommerce Web Hosting

Nowhere is the increasing popularity of the Internet more evident than when it comes to the rapid growth of ecommerce. Of course, right along with that is the booming ecommerce web hosting industry. More and more, people are becoming comfortable with the idea of buying things along. Especially as rewards and special offers, such as free shipping, become more common, people go online to find what they’re looking for. So why not get in on the action?

CHOOSING PROFESSIONAL COUNSEL
Finding an attorney for your small business is easy; figure out an area of law you need protection with and set a budget. The lawyer/business owner relationship is a vital one. Spend the necessary time in finding the right attorney for your company. Making the decision to hire a lawyer is a proactive choice as opposed to needing a lawyer when you're in a legal bind.

Is Your knowledge an Obstacle to Selling More?
Examine whether or not your knowledge blurs the clarity and effect of your marketing.

Are You Using a Chess or Checkers Small Business Marketing Strategy
Until the day I learned to play chess I loved playing checkers. Both games require a strategy that maximizes a player’s ability to capture his opponents pieces without first losing his own. Checkers was fun. But the complexities of chess lead to more satisfying victories and defeats.

On-line Reputation Management For Your Small Business
Harmful anonymous on-line comments can influence customers to stay away from your small business based on nothing but hearsay. Once the damage is done, it is extremely hard to reverse. On-line reputation management has become the most important aspect of on-line marketing.

Busy, frantically busy or unbelievably busy?
Learning the art of the impossible – how to be a relaxed PR person with time for the big things that do count

Small Business Consulting
a discussion of the problems facing small business owners with regard to the difficulty they face in realizing the need for professional management consulting assistance.

Grateful Thoughts on Business

We are nearing the end of a year that has been obviously challenging for most of us, including even the most ambitious small business owners and entrepreneurs. Eleven months ago I was brimming with hope that my business would sprout new wings and land on higher plateaus. The year turned out to be less than sparkling in many ways as some of the dream balloons turned out to be heavier than air! But the holiday season beginning with Thanksgiving is my favorite time to absorb the past year’s lessons and top up the hope reservoir for the year ahead. We should all devote significant time to listing the things we are grateful for, from the most basic to the most fanciful.

WHY AREN'T YOU EARNING MORE?
Nearly 50% of independent professionals don't earn enough to meet their expenses. If you are one of these struggling professionals, are you ready to break out of under earning? You may need to do more, learn more, or charge more, and it may not be easy.

Advertising Agencies

These days it can often seem like there are more advertising agencies out there than actual ads. At least to the small business owner who is looking to get some professional help with their promotions, it can seem like an extremely cumbersome task trying to find the best firm to hire. After all, not just any company will be a good fit for your company. But, don’t worry. This article will outline for you some of the steps you should take before you hand over your baby to anyone else.

Why paying attention to where you are in the business lifecycle will help you - part 3

In parts 1 and 2, I discussed the first 4 phases of a typical business lifecycle; from its very first days to reaching maturity. In this article, the last of the series, I’ll discuss typical characteristics of a business that has developed to a stage where its owners are expanding. I’ll also discuss how to identify a business that has reached its peak and is now declining and the merits of reviewing exit strategies for its owners.

Marketing Secrets for Small Business Owners
Do you own a small business or are you looking for more out of your marketing budget. Marketing secrets for small business owners is all about increasing your marketing results.

Marketing Secrets for Small Business Owners
Do you own a small business or are you looking for more out of your marketing budget. Marketing secrets for small business owners is all about increasing your marketing results.

Strategic Thinking For Business Owners For Successful Retirement, According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

Small business owners know that running a small business requires constant attention. They tend to work “in their business” rather than work “on their business.” So, it should be no surprise that too many entrepreneurs and small business owners put their own financial planning squarely at the bottom of their “TO DO” lists. A survey conducted by Harris Interactive for ShareBuilder indicated that 47% of small business owners are not confident that they are prepared for retirement. The survey also shows that 60% of the business owners surveyed have NO PLANS to sell their business to help fund their retirement – but for other owners, such a sale can be a crucial part of a successful retirement plan. Here a list of actions to consider when developing your strategic retirement plan as a business owner.

Whose Number is It
Cellphones are a valuable tool for businesses. Do you consider the cellphone number an asset. Perhaps you should. This article gives a reason why you should consider it as such.

Sales and Marketing
Two of the most important words for any small business owner – sales and marketing. Without them, no business would ever survive. But, what exactly do they mean to each other? And how can you effectively use your marketing to boost your sales? This article takes a look at some of the top tips for those of you looking to change your marketing strategy in an effort to up your bottom line.

Sales and Marketing
Two of the most important words for any small business owner – sales and marketing. Without them, no business would ever survive. But, what exactly do they mean to each other? And how can you effectively use your marketing to boost your sales? This article takes a look at some of the top tips for those of you looking to change your marketing strategy in an effort to up your bottom line.

What It Takes To Be A Successful Small Business Owner, According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

Did you ever wonder why some small business owners are so successful and are always steadily growing their business, as compared to others who constantly struggle to manage and grow their business? In my research and in reflecting on my own business coaching experiences I have found that there are several key characteristics of successful small business owners. Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach offers the following list of ten (10) key characteristics that describe the successful small business owner.

Human Resources Development

Human resources development is a tricky thing for any business. Making sure that you thoroughly understand the job market in which you are in, as well as the employee needs that your business requires in terms of things like skill levels, technical abilities, and flexibility, is a challenging task for any small business owner. Before you can carry out an in depth job analysis and better understand the labour environment in which you are working, there are some things you need to keep in mind.

Where to Get Funding for Your Small Business
Entrepreneurs need to start from somewhere. Where can you get money to fund your business? The following article explores your options.

What is your responsibility to the customer?
In both of these cases, no one at either agency wanted to take responsibility for the problem let alone solve it. Both agencies actually tried to get me to investigate into their agencies incompetence.

5 Time Saving Systems Must Haves for the Small Business Owner

If you’re looking to grow you can’t do it all on your own. You just can’t. Your foundation must be laid so that you can be freed up to do your thing. You know, your thing? The thing that makes you money. A smart and successful small biz owner has back up, and I’d love to share my back up tricks honed from trial and error throughout the years that have saved me countless hours of unproductive work.

Will Your Small Business have a Happy Ending
There is no question that as a small business owner you have persevered and worked hard, dedicating your life to the success of your company. If you are the owner of a small business it is time for you to stop thinking of only what is happening now, and start focusing on what could happen in the future.

7 Steps to Creating a Successful Small Business Marketing Plan
Small business marketing is all about determining the needs of your target market and building relationships. There are 7 steps to building a successful small business marketing plan for entrepreneurs starting a small business and for those who want to grow their businesses.

SEP-IRA vs SEP-401k: Which Retirement Plan To Choose
How to choose the right retirement plan for the self employed.

The Five Best Ways You Can Use Publicity To Get Free Advertising For Your Small Business
There are several different ways to be creative in how a small business owner markets and advertises, with the goal of finding new local customers and better ways to increase local sales.With a little work and steadfastness on your part, you will find a way to turn local small business publicity into a profitable venture for you and your family.

The truth about PR: A Q&A with a senior PR consultant

As a consultancy that offers services to small-medium businesses, we are continually exposed to business owners’ opinions and perceptions regarding public relations (PR). It still amazes us that many small businesses don’t fully understand what PR is and how they can use a PR strategy to their advantage – so we’ve made it our mission to get to the bottom of some of the most common misconceptions when it comes to small business PR.

Do You See Through Your Client's Eyes?
It’s a big shock to realize that no one really cares about your business, at least in the beginning of the process. What people do care about, and want to know, is what your business can do for them.

Getting Maximum Results from Small Business Employees

A small business owner from the UK recently e-mailed me with this question: " I currently have a small business staff of 8 and expected that when I arrived at this point I would have more time for strategic planning and my personal life. Instead, I constantly have to oversee everything. Do you have any suggestions as to how can I get better results from my employees so I can trust that things will run smoothly when I’m not there?"

Connecting Business - The Growth of Networking
More and more people are leaving corporate life to set up in business on their own. With the growing number of small businesses setting up, networking is becoming more and more vital. Are you grasping the opportunity with both hands?

Why Getting Published Can Help You Network

Recently, an associate of mine who’s read my books and attended some of my training sessions, called me up and said, “I really love your material, but [oh, I always worry when there’s a “but”] why don’t you emphasize your ideas about creating your identity as a brand and how it affects your networking efforts more?” He went on to say, “That idea has made a huge impact on my business, and I don’t hear you talking about it very often.” Well, he was right. I haven’t talked a lot about it in my material, though I should. (You’ll learn why I haven’t up to this point at the end of the article.)

Top 7 Tips in Selecting an Executive Coach, Corporate Coach or Business Coach
How does one select an executive coach, corporate coach or business coach in this rapidly expanding industry? These 7 tips may help simplify this up and coming business strategy.

Not Hiring a Business Coach, Executive Coach or Corporate Coach is Costing You Thousands of Dollars
Hundreds of business owners to executives have hired coaches. What do they know that you do not know?

Top 7 Mistakes Made By Small Business Owners When Joining a Business Networking Referral Group
Referral networking is the best way to get new business. Ask any successful networker. However, many business owners make some fatal mistakes when joining these groups.

The 3E Model for Success of Small Business or Enterprise

Profitability and growth is the life blood of any business, particularly small businesses or enterprises. The need to constantly review the best methods to adopt in achieving that goal is heightened when it comes to owner operated businesses. By learning and applying the 3-E model for success, any small business or owner-operator can significantly enhance his or her profit performance through the use of consulting firms that specialise in the operations and performance improvement of small to medium enterprises.

How to Prevent Accusations of Spam
Accusations of spam can have serious consequences for your small business, and it is crucial to keep your web address free from suspicion of bad activity.

Improving the Health and Safety of Your Small Business
Despite workplace fatalities and injuries now at an all-time low, health and safety experts contend that the majority of small businesses still face significant problems in these areas.

Finding the Right Accountant for Your Small Business
Getting referrals has become part of life, so much so that most people won’t visit a professional—whether it’s a doctor, dentist, lawyer or even an auto mechanic—without a ringing endorsement from a friend, relative or co-worker. So why should this process be any different when it comes to a small business owner selecting the right accountant?

Small Business Myths That Can Stop A Franchise Before It Starts
Starting a new small business can be a bit discouraging, because despite what you may hear from some people, staring your own small business is hard work. To help you get a better perspective on some of the potential problems with a small business, here's a look at some of the myths that can discourage a prospective small business owner, and how to avoid them.

Small Business Owners: Where Is the Source for Your Success?
Success for the small business owner in many cases comes from outside resources. Read about how one small business owner has transformed himself through 11 simple words.

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