It's rare to find a businessperson who doesn't know how to use PowerPoint software. Using it well can be a different story. While a blank slide may seemingly offer a...
Business news is saturated with talk of the power of the brand. But what does that really mean for a small business? Consider for a moment that your brand is...
Malicious insiders account for nearly 50 percent of all data breaches and pose a significant threat to sensitive enterprise information. This data ranges from proprietary research information, corporate best practices,...
Eventually, all small business owners are faced with a customer who's ready for conversational battle. Sometimes there is good reason for these combative conversations; sometimes there isn't. Either way, when...
Whether you're selling products, services, or ideas, every small business owner wants to sell more. The three most effective ways to do this are to connect emotionally, establish credibility, and...
You could have a high intellect and prestigious education. Without emotional intelligence, however, your business will fail. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to recognize, process, and communicate your own...
Small businesses were among the hardest-hit by the economic free fall and many are still reeling from the effects. Each time the economy takes a dive, even the most steadfast...
I once conducted my own unofficial survey of colleagues, associates, and clients to find out what they value in a boss that would inspire, motivate, and make them more likely...
Social networking is often overlooked by small businesses for one of two reasons: Either owners don't understand social media and what it can do for them or they have more...
Trying to reach local customers is the marketing category in which it is most important to create a personal look and feel in your messaging materials. Personalization reminds consumers that...
TARP has researched customer complaint behavior for over 30 years. More than half the time, your customers will not tell you when you have alienated them but will simply go...
Great service assures you keep customers and allows you to charge a premium for your product. But when trying to achieve consistently good service, most business owners make three mistakes:...
Your startup has headquarters in the U.S. and a small office in India that uses the country's engineering talent. How do you make both your U.S. and India offices feel...
Now is a great time to buy, renovate, or refinance the real estate you need to expand your businesses. There is a surplus of well-priced commercial real estate on the...
Small business owners who've made it through the Great Recession have already proved their worth to lenders. That real-world success is very attractive. While credit is still tight, the recently...
With the holiday season upon us, there are many sales and marketing strategies that small business owners can leverage to expand revenue base and improve business. Here are a few...
The Small Business Jobs Bill signed by President Obama in September offers good news for small business owners seeking Small Business Administration financing. The new law extends the SBA loan...
Many small businesses count on professional services from companies and individual consultants to supplement their in-house expertise and capabilities. Some of these relationships contribute enormously to business success while others...
Today it is commonplace to find large companies such as Reebok's GoRunEasy.com and MarthaStewart.com using white-labeled online communities to engage consumers and draw them into brand-specific conversations. Why can't your...
Small businesses are being inundated with news about recent tax deductions, incentives, pending and adopted legislation, and whether or not the Bush tax cuts could expire. With such an extensive...
Almost anyone who is trying to sell has been taught that a faster pitch means a faster close. In fact, the reverse is true. No matter what it is you're...
A counterparty is any entity with which you sign a contract. Many small businesses contract with other business providers with no knowledge of their financials, credit worthiness, or whether they...
The line that sums up our philosophy on business and technology is: Keep things simple, particularly when it comes to IT. The majority of small and midsize businesses have minimal...
Want to improve the way you run your business? Entrepreneurs, academics, and consultants from diverse industries offer practical advice on a variety of topics each business day.
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