Blog
Erase negativity from the workplace
Nothing hurts productivity more than a negative work environment. If your employees aren’t happy, you’ll know.
Business Owners Love Flexibility, Hate Finances
The vast majority of small business owners love the flexibility self-employment provides, but they also despise the bookkeeping work that comes with it.
Protesters in Oregon call for $15 per hour minimum wage
On the heels of the State of the Union address, a portion of which focused on raising the minimum wage, protesters in Oregon took to the picket lines to protest why the state has yet to raise the wage scale.
2015 is the Year of the Employee, business owners say
Small business owners know that their financial plan is highly contingent upon their employees, who many describe as the lifeblood of a company’s economic strength In other words, without them, the goals that entrepreneurs set out to achieve wouldn’t be possible.
5 tips for ensuring data security
Often times it can be difficult for small business owners to think about data security in the midst of everything else going on, but forgetting about it can be a big mistake.
How to handle the company fridge when the power goes out
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently released some helpful tips on the best course of action for refrigerated food before, during and after a power outage.
Many Employees Cavalier About Password Security
The Internet has opened up many opportunities for consumers and businesses large and small. At one time, the only way workers could “check in” at their workplace was by actually being on site. Thanks to the web, however, millions of employees are able to work from the comfort of home, freeing up their schedules and reducing overhead costs for employers.
Obama encourages Congress to increase minimum wage
A somewhat controversial subject matter for small business owners is the minimum wage and how it can be worked into their financial plan.
3 ways to brand better in 2015
This year it is easier than ever for people to market their services through a number of channels, so how do you tell a different story than everyone else selling a product in 2015?
Most willing to move for dream job, poll finds
More than half of job seekers – 55 percent – say they would move to a new country if doing so would enable them to find their dream job, based on a recent survey done by employment search engine Monster Worldwide.
Poll: Phony sick days not uncommon, employers say
In a poll of 2,200 company managers and 3,100 employees, 25 percent of employers said that they have dealt with a worker who faked their illness, CareerBuilder.com reported.
Creating a fun culture for small business owners
Monolithic organizations such as Google have proven that no matter what stage your business is at, a fun culture is still possible to maintain. Small business owners can learn from companies such as Google while attempting to foster their own unique offices.
Why you may want to replace your business’ roof
Among the costliest sources of damage in the winter is wet snow that can pile up on rooftops. According to the Insurance Information Institute, roof cave-ins contribute to winter weather being the third-largest cause of insured catastrophe losses, averaging $1.2 billion per year in the past two decades.
How to keep your employees healthy
Employee absences can prove pretty costly for employers, so how do small business owners make sure their employees aren’t taking too much time off?
Small business owners’ skeptical of government improving economy
Though the year may be young, the economy is doing pretty well compared to recent years. The private sector has seen 58 consecutive months of uninterrupted job growth, and the nation’s unemployment rate is at 5.6 percent, according to the Labor Department, a near seven-year low.
1 in 3 workers say they’d stay with employer after lottery win
t’s pretty difficult to fit winning the lottery into your financial plan, as hitting the jackpot is a one in a million shot. But based on a new poll, the vast majority of people employees would continue to work if they struck it rich, which is good news for small business owners who rely on their staff.
3 in 4 family-run businesses don’t have succession plan, poll finds
It’s estimated that 50 percent of gross domestic product in the U.S. is attributable to family-run businesses and generate 60 percent of the country’s employment. However, the structure of these companies may be at risk, as a majority of family businesses have not implemented a succession plan, based on the results of a recent study.
Workers going to office despite flu, poll finds
While health officials encourage workers to stay home if their sick, many are spurning this advice and reporting to work nonetheless, creating issues for business owners, a new poll suggests.
One-third of businesses to hire more this year, poll finds
It’s 2015, and a considerable number of business owners believe that hiring more workers this year is the best financial plan they can make, based on the results of a recent survey.
Smart contractor hiring for small business owners
Sometimes small business owners turn to independent contractors for projects, which can have its benefits. However, it is important to make sure you’re informed about hiring contractors before doing so.
3 tips for dealing with disgruntled employees
An employee could be upset for any number of reasons, and knowing how to handle a disgruntled worker properly is vital to being an effective business owner.
4 tips for small business owners to stay relevant on mobile devices
All signs indicate that mobile commerce is a rising force that small business owners should pay close attention to in 2015.
3 benefits of an unlimited vacation
Most countries vacation a lot more often than the U.S., so a lot of vacation time may seem a bit weird. However, ever since Richard Branson announced his company will be experimenting with unlimited vacation, the idea has caught on.
Tools small businesses need for success
A successful small business depends on many things, one being the tools that are utilized.
Hiring smart in 2015 for small business owners
Businesses are expected to step up hiring in 2015, and if you plan on being one of them then you should make sure that you are hiring smart.
5 problem-solving tips for small business owners
If you want to own a successful business, you will have to be able to solve problems effectively. Problem-solving skills will help you deal with customers, put out fires in the workplace and handle competitors effectively.
3 habits that will keep you productive
Starting your own business is hard work and it takes a lot of time. It isn’t everyone that can pull this off successfully, and those that do have often built a number of habits that allow them to be more productive than the average person.
5 technology trends to pay attention to in 2015
Technology is constantly advancing at an ever-quickening pace, and as 2015 fast approaches small business owners should be aware of the technological changes that will affect them.
4 books every small business owner should read
They say reading can take you anywhere, so how about a place and time where you’re a wildly successful business owner?
4 tips for building a small business people want to work for
One vital element of a small businesses survival is ensuring that it is a place that people want to work.
Smart hiring for small business owners
Hiring mistakes can end up costing your business a lot, so it is important to make sure that every employee you bring on is a smart hire.
5 things for business owners to think about when planning for next year
The year is coming to an end, and as a small business owner you should start planning for 2015.
4 trends small business owners can expect in 2015
Small business owners are excited for the coming year, and a number of trends will affect their work in those twelve months.
How Small Business Owners Can Benefit From Flextime
Letting employees choose when they work could prove beneficial for some small businesses.
How to properly onboard new hires
Onboarding is a necessary part of setting employees up for success, so how does a small business owner properly introduce new hires to job requirements and the company culture?
Common mistakes small business owners make
Running a small business can be pretty tough, and small business owners who trip up tend to make a few common mistakes.
4 rebranding tips for small business owners
Your brand is the identifying quality of your company. It is the culture of your small business and it will determine both your consumer base and your bottom line.
4 tips for coming up with the best name for your small business
Choosing the right name for your small business is about finding something that is easy to remember and simple to advertise.
4 steps to making your meetings more productive
Meetings can seem like they take forever – a long waste of too many people’s time – but there are ways to get the most out of them by ensuring they are run correctly.
4 Ways to Thank Your Customers
Small business owners should always keep one thing in mind if they want customers to keep coming back: remember to thank them, as often as possible.
An ownership structure guide for small business owners
There are a number of ownership structures for entrepreneurs to look at before starting their small businesses, each with unique advantages and disadvantages fit for different types of owners and industries.
5 things for small business owners to consider about the cloud
Cloud computing has grown in popularity in recent year and for good reason, but small business owners should consider a few things before investing.
How small businesses owners can define a target market
Here’s one of many great financial tips: identify a target customer base and sell to them and you will make money. No one can market to everyone, but small businesses can get by perfectly well with a targeted niche demographic.
Survey shows small business owners are confident about the future
Despite lingering concerns about health care costs as well as the functionality of government, most small business owners are optimistic about 2015.
How small businesses can build trust with customers
Trust is a fragile thing, small businesses must do everything they can to maintain it in their relationships with customers.
5 ways cloud computing can help small businesses
Small businesses have been embracing the cloud for a reason – it’s too advantageous to ignore.
5 Leadership skills every small business owner needs
Small business owners need leadership skills in order to foster the growth of their ideas and push employees to work their hardest. In order to be a great leader, you need more than an idea – you will need to work on certain skills and put in the time.
4 ways for small businesses to strengthen customer loyalty
There are a number of ways to ensure that customers keep coming back – essential for small businesses seeking long-term growth.
Minimum wage increases pass in multiple states
Minimum wage is a divisive issue among small business owners, and yesterday a number of state referendums approved raising it.
Hiring from within for small business owners
One great way for growing small businesses to find effective managers is to promote from within.