The idea to improve your brand isn't new, but it can be a confusing concept for business owners. They think of branding as an “it.” They believe a thing (i.e., website, logo, catchphrase, … [Read more...] about Want More Sales? Improve your Brand
How to Be a Great Manager
I’ve been incredibly fortunate in my career to work for some truly great managers. And most of the managers that I have worked for would probably say the same about the managers that they've worked … [Read more...] about How to Be a Great Manager
What is a Business Plan Outline?
A business plan outline is an initial overview of what goes into the business plan. An outline is created as the first draft and is likely a result of a “napkin” discussion or some other non-formal … [Read more...] about What is a Business Plan Outline?
Marketing Terms for Business Planning
Not all small business owners/managers are familiar with marketing terms and how understanding their meanings will benefit them as they continue to grow in the global electronic community. We would … [Read more...] about Marketing Terms for Business Planning
What Do Your Employees Want from You Anyway?
There seems to be a shift happening in the consciousness of the employment world. Humankind has decided that they deserve to live their lives as opposed to life driving them; living a life where they … [Read more...] about What Do Your Employees Want from You Anyway?
Defining Teamwork in Small Business Environments
Teamwork is a much-mentioned practice in many organizations. Businesses post phrases such as “Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision,” “There is no I in Team,” and other … [Read more...] about Defining Teamwork in Small Business Environments
Small Trucking Companies Raising Rates
According to Road Scholar Transport, "Nearly 70 percent of the freight shipped throughout the United States travels by truck at some point in its journey." It's the middle of 2018, and it's time to … [Read more...] about Small Trucking Companies Raising Rates
WHAT IS A BUSINESS PLAN FORMAT?
A business plan format is a structured description of what goes into the business plan. The business plan should present what the business will focus on, who will be on the business team, business … [Read more...] about WHAT IS A BUSINESS PLAN FORMAT?
Regaining Business Vision
When first meeting my clients, I always work with them on visualizing the future they want to achieve. I’ve had some interesting responses ranging from being able to spend more time pursuing personal … [Read more...] about Regaining Business Vision
How to Calculate Cash Flow for a Small-Mid Sized Business
Understanding how to calculate cash flow is of high value to an SMB/E. Operating cash flow Formula for an SMB/E provides a measure of the amount of cash generated by a company's normal business … [Read more...] about How to Calculate Cash Flow for a Small-Mid Sized Business
How to Increase Profits Without Raising Prices
While it's undoubtedly true that one way to increase profits is to raise your prices, it's rarely the most reliable. It can be difficult to predict the effect price increases will have on your sales … [Read more...] about How to Increase Profits Without Raising Prices
2 Ways to Make Your Business More Successful
You know what is odd? Nobody expects successful experts - doctors, electricians, sports figures, lawyers, plumbers - to just wing it. We know they put a lot of time into learning about and training … [Read more...] about 2 Ways to Make Your Business More Successful
Are You and Your Employees Sick of Each Other?
"Yup, you better believe it! How'd you know?" A business goes through phases, just like personal relationships. When a business, or a couple, get through the "will we or won't we make it" startup … [Read more...] about Are You and Your Employees Sick of Each Other?
3 Steps to Effective Strategic Planning for Small Businesses
Having a definitive strategy in place is critical for small businesses. This will define the plans you, as a small business owner, have in mind for moving from where you are currently to where you … [Read more...] about 3 Steps to Effective Strategic Planning for Small Businesses
Some of the Most Prominent Small Business Financial Leaks are Energy Leaks
In our attempt to uncover financial leaks in small businesses that will help save them money, our research has found that U.S. small businesses spend, collectively, approximately 60 Billion dollars … [Read more...] about Some of the Most Prominent Small Business Financial Leaks are Energy Leaks
Ideas to Enhance Your Small Business Public Relations Efforts
As we continue our journey through 2018, we're keeping an eye on the host of trending public relations (PR) possibilities that will help small businesses continue to thrive. If we take the time to … [Read more...] about Ideas to Enhance Your Small Business Public Relations Efforts
Quality Content: Editorials and Your Company Image
Recently, a study made by the Association of Management Firms (AMCF) found that approximately 93% participants believed that companies providing high quality thought leadership are in fact, better … [Read more...] about Quality Content: Editorials and Your Company Image
Tax Minimization : a Comprehensive (Updated) List of Tax Deductions and Credits for 2019 Filing of 2018 Taxes
Previously we had provided an extensive list of tax deductions that you should be aware of as you prepare receipts and records for filing 2018 deductions in 2019. Tax minimization is always going to … [Read more...] about Tax Minimization : a Comprehensive (Updated) List of Tax Deductions and Credits for 2019 Filing of 2018 Taxes
Finding Great Talent: 10 Tips for Finding the Right People for Your Business
Businesses are finding it increasingly more difficult to locate, recruit and onboard talented new employees, particularly for high skill positions. Here are 10 recommendations we developed for … [Read more...] about Finding Great Talent: 10 Tips for Finding the Right People for Your Business
Make Risk Less Risky
It is imperative that business owners take risks. That is how owners reach their goals, grow companies and make money. But, not all risks are good risks. They are more likely to succeed if … [Read more...] about Make Risk Less Risky
Understand the Importance of Your Small Business in Your Local Community
The SBA defines a small business as one that employs 500 persons or less and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics; small businesses are representative of 99.7 percent of all employing firms and … [Read more...] about Understand the Importance of Your Small Business in Your Local Community
Positioning Your Business to Sell
Do you have a business to sell in the next few years? If so, then you are joining the ranks of a significant number of owners who also wish to sell. Baby boomer business owners (born from 1946 to … [Read more...] about Positioning Your Business to Sell
Millennials — What are They Doing Right?
Traditional small business owners often tend to give millennials far less credit than they deserve. Although old school thought leaders have a lot to bring to the table, to increase profit, it's time … [Read more...] about Millennials — What are They Doing Right?
Sales Don’t Always Equal Profit (The Simple 1,2,3’s of Profit Engineering)
"I just need to sell more, and I'll get out of this hole." "I just need to sell more, and I can retire in five years." "I just need to sell more, and I'll be able to grow." "I just need to … [Read more...] about Sales Don’t Always Equal Profit (The Simple 1,2,3’s of Profit Engineering)
3 Ways to Maintain Long-Term Business Success
Human nature is inescapable, and we all experience its challenges from time to time. We do not mind doing a task that has to be done when it is easy, when we are interested in it, or when it does not … [Read more...] about 3 Ways to Maintain Long-Term Business Success
How Much “Hidden Talent” is in your Company? Almost None
Talk to any business owner about their business, and it won't be long before the conversation turns to the problem of finding talent and keeping it. It's a key issue in the marketplace. Those who do … [Read more...] about How Much “Hidden Talent” is in your Company? Almost None
The IRS is Granting Automatic Filing, Payment Extension and Penalty Relief for Small Businesses in Disaster Zones – No Request Form Required
Although many small businesses have already either filed their tax returns or have filed their Form 4868 for the purpose of requesting an extension, there are many small businesses and individuals who … [Read more...] about The IRS is Granting Automatic Filing, Payment Extension and Penalty Relief for Small Businesses in Disaster Zones – No Request Form Required
Ideas That Will Help Grow Your Small Architecture Firm In 2018
Service-based businesses often find that they simply don't make enough profit no matter how many clients they have or how amazing their staff members are. Let's take small architecture firms as an … [Read more...] about Ideas That Will Help Grow Your Small Architecture Firm In 2018
Don’t Let Employee Theft Decide Your Success or Failure
A major part of the American Dream is building and owning a successful business. Every year millions of dollars, hours of sweat equity and unlimited hope are poured into starting and running them. … [Read more...] about Don’t Let Employee Theft Decide Your Success or Failure
Small Business Associations, a Comprehensive List
With absolute certainty, when it comes to running your small business, you know best. However, every small business owner is eventually faced with issues whereas connections to other like-minded … [Read more...] about Small Business Associations, a Comprehensive List
Is Your Small Business Vulnerable to Identity Theft? Protect Your Business Now!
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, more than 17 million individual American citizens are affected by identity theft. Since the larger data breaches have occurred over the past year, the … [Read more...] about Is Your Small Business Vulnerable to Identity Theft? Protect Your Business Now!
Education for Community Youth, the U.S. Manufacturer’s Most Critical Growth Strategy
Education and preparation will become critical to continued growth in the U.S. manufacturing industry during the remainder of 2018 and beyond. In order to produce continued growth, there will be a … [Read more...] about Education for Community Youth, the U.S. Manufacturer’s Most Critical Growth Strategy
Why Hire a Management Consultant?
As we previously discussed the various types of owners involved in a business, we concluded that eventually most would lose interest or lack the skills to run their company. Whether, it is the … [Read more...] about Why Hire a Management Consultant?
Procedural Systems: Get the freedom You’ve Always Wanted
Is there anything that gets a bigger yawn than talking about procedural systems? Maybe not, and it is too bad because a lot of business owners have the wrong idea about them. These are some of … [Read more...] about Procedural Systems: Get the freedom You’ve Always Wanted
Paperwork Can Make Your Life Easier – Really!
No, seriously - paperwork can make your life easier if it is the right kind. If it is the wrong kind it can make your life much more difficult (living hell comes to mind). Did you know there is a … [Read more...] about Paperwork Can Make Your Life Easier – Really!
SMBs: Begin Tech Prep Now for 2020 Competitive Edge
All right, so perhaps we're pushing it a bit by looking at how we can help small businesses prepare now for 2020. However, we're of the opinion that with the speed in which technology and business … [Read more...] about SMBs: Begin Tech Prep Now for 2020 Competitive Edge
Predictive Analytics: What it is and Why Small Businesses Should Explore it
Businesses of all sizes, for decades, have been seeking answers as to how they would have the ability to improve negative business functions vastly before disaster strikes. With this knowledge, … [Read more...] about Predictive Analytics: What it is and Why Small Businesses Should Explore it
Consider a * SMART * Objective to Grow your Small Business
Small business owners often fail to consider themselves large enough to set specific plans of action regarding the growth of their businesses. You, as a small business owner are larger than life in … [Read more...] about Consider a * SMART * Objective to Grow your Small Business
Your Business is Successful – CIRCLE THE WAGONS!
Congratulations on your accomplishment. You have built a successful business through hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. You have invested time, money and sweat, and it has finally paid off. It is … [Read more...] about Your Business is Successful – CIRCLE THE WAGONS!
Rewards: Unnecessary Pay, or Positive Reinforcement?
Most every small business owner desires dedicated, hardworking and loyal employees. The problem is how to do you cultivate and re-enforce those values? We pay people what we believe to be a fair and … [Read more...] about Rewards: Unnecessary Pay, or Positive Reinforcement?
Effective Management
Business colleges may take a semester or two to cover this topic. There are in-depth charts and analyses to sharpen one's skills. However, for those of us that no longer have the time to devote to a … [Read more...] about Effective Management
Remember U.S. National Small Business Week April 29,2018, through May 4, 2018
Remember U.S. National Small Business Week April 29, 2018, through May 4, 2018 Each year since 1963. the President of the United States makes the National Small Business Week proclamation. As of the … [Read more...] about Remember U.S. National Small Business Week April 29,2018, through May 4, 2018
Small Business Accountability
Small businesses have or should have financial statements that provide a health measurement of the business and whether they are profitable or not. Your business financial can include data on business … [Read more...] about Small Business Accountability
OWNERSHIP
Why does one go into business? Consider these four classifications of Owners; the inventor, the salesman, the entrepreneur and next generation. Where does your client fall? There is almost no one who … [Read more...] about OWNERSHIP
The Secret to Your Business Success Could Well Lie Within the Orbit of Your Stars
Small business owners often struggle with how they can attract top talent for positions within their company that will best grow their business. Every business started small and will have at some … [Read more...] about The Secret to Your Business Success Could Well Lie Within the Orbit of Your Stars
Fundamental Sales Planning
PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS One of the first considerations is the determination of the sales revenue required by the company to meet its payroll, expenses and desired profit. Are we expecting sales … [Read more...] about Fundamental Sales Planning
MANUFACTURERS! It’s Time to Start Taking 3-D Printing Seriously!
There is no doubt - 3D printers have a wow factor. Whether they are creating a plastic knee joint, one-of-a-kind metal turbine blades or a chocolate pyramid, they are a marvel. But, are they … [Read more...] about MANUFACTURERS! It’s Time to Start Taking 3-D Printing Seriously!
Experiental Marketing – Don’t Just Explore It, DO IT!
Many small business owners, whether they are just opening their doors or they've been in business for awhile, often find themselves lost in the digital noise, face in their hands, repeated sighs, … [Read more...] about Experiental Marketing – Don’t Just Explore It, DO IT!
Tired of Being a Babysitter? Try Organizational Engineering
Most business owners start their companies so they can be their own boss - they want to get away from others telling them what to do. However, they forget, ignore or do not understand there is another … [Read more...] about Tired of Being a Babysitter? Try Organizational Engineering
A Brief Calendar of Important Remaining Tax Deadlines for 2018
We cannot possibly stress the importance of investing time each month to calculate your small business taxes and making proper payments required by the IRS. Many small business owners are simply … [Read more...] about A Brief Calendar of Important Remaining Tax Deadlines for 2018
