By J.L. on September 29, 2008
There are two professionals every business will need early on: an accountant and a lawyer. The reasons for hiring an accountant are pretty obvious, you need someone to help you set up your “chart of accounts,” review your numbers periodically, and prepare all of your necessary federal, state and local tax returns.
The reason for hiring a business attorney may not, however, be so apparent. A good business attorney will [...]
Posted in Start-Ups | Tagged capital, financing, law firm, small business, small business legal help, tax, venture capital
By J.L. on September 22, 2008
Setting up an e-commerce site couldn’t be simpler. Simply pick one of the following that’s right for you, log on and get started.
Many experts and entrepreneurs believe that building your own website is a no-brainer, thanks to the inexpensive, easy-to-use and sophisticated e-commerce services available. “If you’re a one to two-person firm, [you have] someone on your staff [who] can design a website and you only sell a few products, there’s no reason not [...]
Posted in Internet | Tagged e-commerce, promote, small business, tax
By J.L. on September 8, 2008
Want to spend your day getting things done instead of putting out fires? Here are some ways to do just that.
Technology
Streamlining your business technology can make life less of a headache for everyone. Entrepreneurs often “don’t realize they can make things easier,” says Kevin McElligott, founder of iTech Developers, a Nevada City, California, technology consulting firm [...]
Posted in Management | Tagged small business, strategy, tax
By J.L. on August 18, 2008
When you only have a few employees and a few customers, it’s easy to stay on top of things. As you add more customers and and employees, it gets quite a bit harder. You actually create the potential for growth at the same time you’re creating the potential for disaster.
Creating a customer service policy and sticking to it can make it easier on you. Take these steps to help you [...]
Posted in Sales | Tagged customer service, customer service policy, internet business, internet sales, marketing strategy, online business, online sales, small business, strategy, target market
By J.L. on July 21, 2008
An estimated 45 percent of all e-mail is defined as spam, costing business worldwide $20 billion a year in lost productivity and technology expenses, according to the Radicati Group, a market research firm in Palo Alto, California. The need to eliminate spam and fraud is critical: Spam and viruses rank as the top two security breaches for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs)-according to [...]
Posted in Tech | Tagged computer security, email, security, small business
By J.L. on July 7, 2008
Too often, overnight success can quickly become a company’s worst nightmare. A small business that lacks the capital, staff or infrastructure to handle a big order or nationwide publicity can promptly get crushed when …
Posted in Management | Tagged capital, inventory, small business, strategy, tax
By J.L. on April 21, 2008
Money management is tricky business. In addition to customers, cash flow and managing your accounts properly is what keeps your business humming along. Consequently, getting paid in full and on time, as well as understanding …
Posted in Start-Ups | Tagged business license, capital, customer service, e-commerce, internet sales, inventory, small business, tax
By J.L. on April 7, 2008
How many times have you tried so hard to match the skills of a candidate to the demands of the open position that the most important characteristics of a person have been relegated to lesser importance or forgotten entirely?
Posted in Start-Ups | Tagged competition, customer service, government, internet business, sales success, small business, strategy
By J.L. on February 12, 2008
Not all ads are created equal. Just because a certain pitch worked for one business, doesn’t mean it’ll work for yours. How to choose?
Posted in Advertising | Tagged marketing strategy, sales success, small business, strategy