Defining Your Purpose If you don’t know what is is, your customers won’t either. Also, you won’t be able to tell your customers why they should choose you over your competitors. Surely when you decided to start your business you were inspired. Was it to provide a service or product better, faster or cheaper than what was currently available? Was it … Read More
Check-Up On Your Business’s Health
A body requires routine checks and examinations for its health. So does a business. No matter what stage your business is in, to keep it going you must check its systems, pay attention to any ailments and prevent early death. For the newborn business, the goals and system checks are pretty simple. Merely staying alive and maintaining your sanity is … Read More
Having a Home-Based Business
More than 52 percent of businesses today are home-based. Garages, basements, and attics are being transformed into the corporate headquarters of the newest entrepreneurs–home-based businesspeople. And, with technological advances in smartphones, tablets, and iPads as well as rising demand for “service-oriented” businesses, the opportunities seem to be endless. Is a Home-Based Business Right for You? Choosing a home business is … Read More
Where to Get Small Business Advice
When you own a small business, everyone wants to give you advice. It can come from all kinds of sources: friends, family members, neighbors, social media connections, people you meet walking your dog. A lot of times such advice is not very helpful. If you’re looking for worthwhile advice, there are many people who have worthwhile insights and experience that … Read More
Four Small Business Mistakes
It is only to be expected that business owners make financial mistakes which can jeopardize their dreams. Here are four of the most common small business mistakes and how business owners can avoid them. Failing to plan Few small businesses have a working budget and cash flow forecast which is rolled over on (at least) a quarterly basis. As a … Read More
Small Business Promotion for Free
Sometimes, having a great idea or product is not enough to get customers in the door. But small business promotion doesn’t have to be a costly endeavor. There are a number of effective and free ways to get people excited about what you have to offer. Here are five great ways to attract attention and get traffic to your brand: … Read More
Drafting a Strong Business Plan
Running a business without a strong business plan is like rock climbing blindfolded. Your chances of making it successfully to the top are slim. And the climb up will definitely be risky. Contrary to popular belief and practice, a business plan is not only a means to securing financing. Instead it is more of a step-by-step guide to running your … Read More
A Promotions Plan That Works
You may have the greatest product ever, but if you don’t tell the world about it with a well-crafted promotions plan, it will sit on the shelves collecting dust until the day comes when you finally have to close down your business. Remember: you know what is great about your business because that belief in its greatness drove you to create … Read More
Overcoming Small Business Challenges
Entrepreneurs and small business owners who follow the 3 tips below often enjoy success regardless of what business challenges are thrown at them. Those business owners who embrace these principles thrive during major economic downturns. And although these 3 tips may seem counter-intuitive at first sight, try them out and see how your results change: 1) Focus vs. Diversification … Read More
Spring Small Business Tips
Besides being a time for reassessing personal finances, after tax season is a good time for small businesses to de-clutter business expenses and polish up business plans. Here are some tips for small businesses to perform a little “spring cleaning” of their own: 1. De-cluttering expenses: Now it’s smart to think about next tax year and changes you can make … Read More