Personal Finance Center

How to Work with a Manufacturers' Rep

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:58:05 +0100

Are you a small business owner trying to figure out what type of sales staff to hire? A manufacturers' representative could be the perfect solution for you.

Manufacturers' representatives (or reps) are independent salespeople who work for a variety of client companies and typically sell business-to-business. Reps generally focus on a particular industry,

...

The 5 Worst Business Ideas (That Somehow Succeeded)

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:56:17 +0100

They Said It Couldn't Be Done

We present five business visionaries who refused to listen when people told them their ideas were lousy. Each had to endure noxious levels of naysaying as they nurtured their quirky ideas into thriving operations.

Get Quick Cash for Your Small Business from a Check-Cashing Store

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:05:54 +0100

You're a small business owner who needs money. What's the first place that comes to mind? Probably a place with a name like First National or Federal Trust. Probably not a place with a name like Speedy Cash or Pay-O-Matic.

Old Habits Die Hard. Let's Kill Them Anyway

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:51:37 +0100

Bill Clinton is a vegan. This mind-boggling conversion -- from a man who while president was infamous for his McDonald's binges -- shows that it is possible to change even the most entrenched behaviors.

The same trait is vital today, especially for entrepreneurs.

Why Small Businesses Need Cash Flow

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 05:20:13 +0100

There’s an old saying in business: “Profit is queen, but cash is king.”

Do you understand the difference? If you’re a business owner, it’s critical that you do -- especially now, with the economy still sputtering and banks reluctant to make loans. It could determine whether your business survives or dies.

How to Double Your Sales in Three Years

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:04:12 +0100

Growing a business from sales of $2 million to $106 million in just six years -- that's the stuff of entrepreneurial dreams. It's also exactly what Cameron Herold did from 2001 to 2007 during his tenure as COO of trash removal phenomenon 1-800-GOT-JUNK?. That may sound like a remarkable achievement (and it is), but Herold is convinced his straightforward,

...

How to Get Government Funding for Your Technology Project

Sat, 14 May 2011 15:41:59 +0100

There’s no doubt that small businesses drive technological innovation. Even the Microsofts and Qualcomms of the world started out as small businesses. To promote this innovation, the U.S. government, and specifically the Small Business Administration, offers opportunities for small businesses to get government research financing.

How to Use Your 'About Us' Page as a Marketing Tool

Mon, 09 May 2011 02:12:48 +0100

Glitzy or elegant graphics on the home page of your company website can make a great first impression. But one very crucial element of your site is often overlooked. It is the “About Us” section, which is among the first three pages consumers go to when they visit a site.

JJ Ramberg Turns Social Responsibility into Business Success

Sun, 10 Apr 2011 15:55:14 +0100

Some people are said to have ice water in their veins, while most of us just have the regular five to six quarts of blood coursing through our bodies. But JJ Ramberg said she and her big brother Ken have "entrepreneurship in their blood" as a way of explaining one of the motivating factors for starting their search company

Could a Phone Call Save You $8 Million? Ask Conde Nast

Sun, 10 Apr 2011 15:51:22 +0100

Hear that noise? Yeah? That's the sound of heads rolling in the accounting department at Conde Nast.

The publishing company behind titles including The New Yorker, GQ, Glamour, and Wired has been busy extricating itself from a scam that cost it something like $8 million

Should Your Store Participate In Easter?

Sun, 10 Apr 2011 15:41:28 +0100

Is it me, or does Easter seem to be bigger than ever this year?

Perhaps it’s the fact that the muddled start-of-spring / spring break / Easter message doesn’t exist, as all three events are occurring at different times for the first time in a long time (nearly 70 years in fact, Easter hasn’t been this late since 1943).

Real Leadership Means Getting Your Hands Dirty

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:28:06 +0100

It's fun to watch the boss get his hands dirty. Undercover Boss has turned the concept into a hit TV show that each week brings a leader face to face with a long list of tough tasks. These television episodes tend to focus the spotlight on the the dirtiest tasks.

Smooth Interactions Between Sales and Customer Service

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:52:31 +0100

If your business requires a dedicated customer service team of any size, it’s vital to keep the lines of communication open between customer service and the sales department.

Most managers already know to keep sales teams from promising results that the product teams can't provide, but poor

Will Congress Finally Listen to Small Businesses?

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:36:19 +0100

Like many small business owners, Bill Fienberg, president of Allied Kitchen and Bath, Inc., in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., was

blindsided by the recession. In 2007, business was so good he went into debt to fund a major expansion of his warehouse

and showroom.

Spouses Don't Have a Place at the Power-Broker Table

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:20:48 +0100

You may have heard that President Obama recently had dinner with technology executives in California. No, I wasn’t invited. I did see the photo in the Wall Street Journal. Seeing a room full of business celebrities at this power party was the mother lode for a fan like me. Just like place cards at a dinner party,

Improve Retail Operations with the Right Software Solution

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:19:04 +0100

Every industry has its own software, and retail is no exception. For retailers, the needs will vary depending on the nature of the inventory, the size of the business, and its projected revenue. However, the overall theme remains the same.

Managing and Growing Your Business Credit

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:35:30 +0100

One of the benefits of being a more established company with several years of experience under your belt is that it may be easier to obtain business financing, whether in the form of a line of credit, term loan, commercial mortgage, business credit card, or vendor trade terms.

2010 Second Worst Year for Home Construction

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:31:44 +0100

.S. homebuilders are coming off their two worst years in more than a half-century, and the outlook for this year is only slightly better.

Economists say it could take three more years before the industry begins building homes at a healthy rate. In the mean time, the

Recent Tax Changes for Businesses to Be Aware Of

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:26:23 +0100

There have been a number of tax changes for both individuals and businesses recently, which can leave you wondering if you're in compliance with the new tax laws. New laws involving tax deductions and credits were created or expanded in 2010

True Entrepreneurship Means Being a True Leader

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:14:20 +0100

There comes a time (or several) in every entrepreneur's life when self-doubt sets in. You question your every action. You doubt your gut; heck, you doubt your own thoughts and ideas.

When this happens, there are generally two actions we business owners take.