Business Expert

101 Secrets to Running a Successful Home-Based Business

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:10:36 +0100

It's a well-known fact that America's small business owners are movers and shakers. They come up with innovative products and services; they employ about 50 percent of all private sector workers; and they persist even during tough economic times. But what might not be such a well-known fact is that most of them do all of this without even leaving their homes.

The Pros and Cons of Owning a Part-Time Franchise

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:21:57 +0100

Franchise ownership is a goal shared by many; however, successfully transitioning from working a full-time job to running a full-time franchise may seem dauntingly difficult. The bills still need to get paid, the children still need to eat, the risk might be too great. However, there is another option that makes franchise ownership more attainable: going part time

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What’s Holding You Back from Selling?

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 15:58:22 +0100

There are lots of reasons why sales don’t close. Some salespeople blame the economy. Some blame their bad sales territory. Some salespeople think it’s their customers. Instead of looking elsewhere, why not look at yourself?

5 Selling Systems to Increase Your Cash Flow

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:48:19 +0100

Today is going to be a content rich blog post that goes into 5 specific selling systems you can use to increase your business's cash flow. I'll also share several actual case studies of clients in our consulting program who have used various ideas to grow their sales.

Take 60 Minutes and Update Your Company's Listings In Online Directories

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 15:14:56 +0100

What you publish online is controlled by you - and hopefully it's accurate. However what others publish about you in online directories might not be accurate.

5 Small Businesses You Can Start for Under $20,000

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:49:09 +0100

How many of you want to launch your own small business, but are stymied because you don't have tens of thousands of dollars to invest? But the truth is there are a number of in-demand businesses you can start that won't break the bank.Here are five small businesses that will cost less than $20,000 to get off the ground:

Government Website Invites Innovative Business Solutions

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:39:35 +0100

When Frederic and Marta DeWulf learned earlier this year that the U.S. Department of Agriculture had an open challenge to develop software and games that promote healthful eating, they knew they had to move quickly.

Within months the couple created a game,

How to Safely Steal a Business Idea

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:30:55 +0100

The real-life world of business doesn’t inspire many hit movies. The Social Network is an exception, not just because Facebook produced the youngest billionaire ever, but also because -- according to one version of events -Mark Zuckerberg stole the idea for the online community from its actual creators. That’s the kind of money-fueled conflict that fills theater seats.

Should Holiday Hiring Include a Credit Check?

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:19:46 +0100

With some glimmers of hope on the economic horizon businesses are considering adding an employee or two to meet anticipated holiday shopping demand. It's an employer's market with plenty of qualified candidates ready and willing to jump into a spot, temporary or full-time.

Google Buys BlindType To Make Mobile Typing Easier

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:28:53 +0100

BlindType has been acquired by Google, and its technology is likely to make typing easier on Android-powered touchscreens. Google may have purchased BlindType to keep the technology from Apple -- or it could be to improve Android's weak keyboard. An analyst said better BlindType typing would make it easier to conduct mobile searches.

The Top Nine Time Management Strategies to Take Charge of Your Day

Sat, 08 May 2010 15:46:45 +0100

Do you struggle to maintain control of your day -- and wish you could feel in charge of your career, and your life?

Integrate these time management tips into your self-management strategy to keep the chaos at bay, help you stay true to your priorities, get your work done, and still have time to enjoy your life.

Using Merchant Services to Grow Your Business

Sat, 08 May 2010 15:36:01 +0100

At her New York City dog-walking business, Jill Richardson can’t imagine how she would survive if she didn’t accept credit and debit cards. After all, only about one-quarter of her customers pay by check and almost none by cash. Like many merchants, Richardson realized that accepting credit and debit cards from customers is essential, not only to survive in today’s near cashless marketplace but to profitably grow her business.

The Best Ways to Prevent Overdue Accounts

Sat, 08 May 2010 15:26:13 +0100

The best way to prevent overdue accounts is to avoid doing business with customers who have bad credit histories.

"If it were only that simple," you say. If you limited yourself to doing business with companies with a spotless credit record, your pool of potential customers would be quite small.

When Your Payroll Is Completely Out of Whack

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:03:16 +0100

Your payroll expenses are too high. It's a common problem for many small retailers, and the issue usually stems from two areas:

•You're scheduling too many people to work a shift
•You're paying too much
Or both. Luckily, the fix is easy.

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Restaurant Food Waste is Like Tossing Profits into the Dumpster

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 14:48:56 +0100

With more than 6 million tons of food being dumped annually it's time to seriously analyze your purchasing procedures and your perishable food policy.

Whether you know it or not you significantly contribute to the wasted tonnage while tossing away profits and charitable deductions.

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How to Access the Internet in a Rural Area

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 14:37:45 +0100

The small business world of today doesn't always mean lofts in old inner-city warehouses or factories, nor does it necessarily mean an office park in the 'burbs. Many small- to mid-size businesses are now located in areas that are far from large cities. There are also more small businesses and home office workers cropping up in rural places.

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Tax Tips: A Tip for Small-Business Owners

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:30:45 +0100

ATTENTION SMALL-BUSINESS owners: As you prepare your business tax forms and schedules, don't forget to take advantage of the ultra-generous first-year depreciation write-off for assets bought and put to use during 2009. Here's how it works:...

Michael Dell: Green IT Key to Achieving a Low-Carbon Economy.

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:09:36 +0100

Mr. Dell spoke at the magazine's first-ever event dedicated to 'green' topics and trends, part of the 39th annual Earth Day festivities taking place around the world. At the event, Mr. Dell previewed the company's smallest and most environmentally-responsible consumer desktop PC. A recent study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) found that information technology is already providing the U.S. economy energy savings. According to the study, for every one kilowatt-...

A Little Viral Campaign Gets a Big Response

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:23:49 +0100

What good could possibly come of revealing to the world the color of your undergarments? Apparently, quite a lot. Just 24 hours after a viral campaign tied to breast cancer awareness exploded on Facebook two weeks ago, more than 2,000 new fans -- 10 times the usual number in that time period ...

5 Small Business Mistakes to Avoid

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:10:11 +0100

The past couple of years have been a real trial for most business owners as they’ve struggled to maintain sales and profitability during one of the worst economic downturns in our nation’s history. It’s no surprise then that many of them have been happy to say goodbye to 2009 and hello to a new decade....