The Basics of Writing a Business Plan for Your New Business
If you’re in the process of starting a new business — or just thinking about it — a thoughtful business plan is an essential tool. This document will provide a road map for getting your business up and running, sharpen your focus on the many details involved, and can serve as a document to secure loans or persuade investors to believe in your vision.
Attention Women-Owned Businesses: Your Guide to the Best Loans
Favorable economic conditions make it easier than ever for individuals to secure loans with low interest rates. Also, mainstream financial institutions often look at only the past three years of credit history to approve a small business loan, making it viable for emerging entrepreneurs to tap into the funds they need to create a thriving company.
3 Strategies for Millennial Business Owners to Be More Financially Savvy
We’ve outlined three strategies to help millennial business owners become savvier about finances. These tips will help your company beat the odds and thrive for years to come.
Starting a Business? Do These 4 Things First
An astonishing 20 percent of small businesses shutter after their first year, while approximately 50 percent fail in their fifth year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. If you’re starting a business, consider these four things…
How to grow a business
Across the country, many small business owners might be thinking about the ways in which they can help their companies grow, and increase the foothold and recognition they have in their local markets.
Small businesses continue to see value in Facebook ads
Nationwide, millions of small businesses have joined Facebook as a means of connecting with a potentially massive amount of potential and past customers in their areas.
Small businesses face cybersecurity risks from hackers
Many small business owners across the country may have seen the hacking attacks in the last few years that exposed payment data and other sensitive information that was supposed to be protected by major organizations.
Entrepreneurs make personal sacrifice to grow their small businesses
Every small business owner likely knows full well that it takes a significant amount of sacrifice to make their companies succeed, but many are so eager to help encourage that growth that they’re willing to make significant personal sacrifices to do so.
Small businesses boosted hiring in January
In recent months, many small business owners might have seen some of the difficulties being experienced in the broader economy and wondered what that meant for them.
Small businesses borrowed less last year
The economic recovery that followed the Great Recession has been ongoing for quite a while now, but toward the end of 2015 it started slowing down a little bit.
Small business owners more willing to go digital in 2016?
Since the recession came to an end and recovery has been slow but steady, optimism for the new year has become pretty common among small business owners nationwide.
Most owners expecting positive moves in 2016
When the new year begins, many polls come out asking small business owners what they think of their prospects for the next 12 months.
More health insurance changes for small businesses in 2016
The health insurance situation for individuals and small businesses alike has changed dramatically in the last several years, and may have led to some disquietude among entrepreneurs as a result.
Small businesses expecting muted growth for 2016
Over the past several years, the U.S. economy has improved slowly but steadily, and many small businesses have been able to reap the benefit of that.
New York set for major small business tax cuts
Many polls over the last several years have shown that when it comes to the overarching success of their small businesses, many entrepreneurs are concerned about the effects that the local, state, and even federal government has on their bottom lines.
Can small businesses adopt their own resolutions for 2016?
When a new year rolls around, many Americans take on resolutions about getting in shape, saving more money, or doing other things that can improve their lives considerably.
Michigan survey highlights likelihood of small business optimism
Over the last few years, the economy has taken some significant steps forward, albeit a little slowly.
How can small businesses prevent data breaches?
Many small business owners across the country may think that a data breach can be safely filed under “Things that will never happen to my company.”
Small business owners often targeted for scams
Many small business owners across the country are often diligent about many aspects of their companies, but one area where even the most observant can run into a little bit of trouble is when people are looking to rip them off.
Difficult third quarter wipes out growing small business optimism
Over the last several years, the improving economy has brought the small business community back to a strong standing.
Nation’s small business owners stuck waiting for Congress
It seems to happen every year at this point: Critical tax deductions on which millions of small businesses across the country rely every year end up being debated in Congress until extremely late in the calendar year.
Small businesses passing more health care costs onto employees
Businesses large and small have been struggling to make their health care costs work for them in the last several years, in part – but not entirely – due to the rules put in place by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Small businesses growing increasingly confident
The economic recovery of the last several years has been good news for small businesses in particular, allowing them to re-expand hiring after difficult times during and following the recession.
Small businesses still worried about health care costs
The cost of health care and insurance has been rising steadily for many years at this point, and a large number of small business owners are now really starting to feel the pinch.
Are small business owners prepared for retirement?
Across the country, millions of small business owners may be working hard to keep their companies improving steadily, but some polls show that, when they do so, they may not actually be putting themselves in the best positions, long-term.
Simple things can make small businesses successful
When running a small business, many owners may find it difficult to do even the simplest day-to-day things, because there are just so many demands on their time and attention.
How can small business marketing be improved at low cost?
Good marketing is vital to just about any business, large or small, but it’s not always available at low cost.
How Can Small Businesses Improve Their Productivity?
One of the biggest issues that many small business owners are likely to face over the course of the year is that it’s difficult to keep going as hard as possible every day for months on end.
Small businesses should invest in new credit card technology
Over the past several years, a lot more emphasis has been placed on figuring out the best ways to stamp out instances of credit card fraud, and what both card issuers and individual businesses can potentially do about it.
What simple marketing steps can small businesses take?
One of the biggest issues that many small business owners face these days relates to how they can expand their visibility in their local communities.
Creating content that drives traffic
Creating a website isn’t going to drive traffic to your page. You’ll need to create content that search engines will love and people will want to read or view
The business guide to workers’ compensation
By incorporating the extra payments into your financial plan, you’ll be able to take care of your employees while injured and protect your company from potential legal trouble.
5 reasons to go green in business
By implementing green practices, such as energy-saving appliances and waste management programs, businesses will see a plethora of benefits.
Why lean accounting will benefit your company
With new processes being implemented throughout the supply chain, you may need to update the way your manage your cash flow.
Does flexibility lead to increased productivity?
Is one work schedule better than another? Recent studies have shown that the answer to that is yes, but which one that is differs from person to person.
How does employee turnover hurt your company?
Employee turnover can be detrimental to your business banking account, which means you should try your best to keep employees happy.
How will ICD-10 affect health care’s revenue cycle?
The upcoming switch ICD-10 will require hospitals to revise their financial plans.
3 ways to become an expert in your field
Becoming knowledgeable in your field will lend a hand to your credibility and expertise.
How to prepare for business conferences
With various seminars, workshops and conventions coming up this month, you’ll need to ensure you’re prepared before you take off.
How to interview like the boss you are
Interviews can be stressful for both you and job applicants. You’ll need to ask the right questions and listen to determine who will fit in best with your company.
Changes to Fair Labor Standards act may affect small businesses
With his proposed changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act, President Barack Obama hopes to ensure citizens are paid for the work they do.
How to manage your business debt
If you borrow money, you’re going to have to pay it all back eventually. Learning how to manage your finances from the start will ensure you don’t fall further into debt.
5 things you need to start a business
So you’ve decided to start a business. Now what?
Should You Keep Separate Personal and Business Accounts?
You’ll contribute your own finances to start, but once you’ve set up shop, it’s crucial to keep your personal and business banking accounts separate.
How to produce content to boost business
To establish yourself in your field and convince people to trust what you’re telling them, you need to produce content that will appeal to your audience.
5 ways to increase employee retention
As a small business owner, you need to work on employee retention to ensure your key players remain part of the team.
How can you market your business for free?
There are plenty of opportunities both online and in the community that will allow you to market your business at little to no cost. You just need to know where to look.
Why you should work mobile pay into your payment system
Approximately 79 percent of people have their phones on them at all times, so wouldn’t it make sense to have a mobile pay platform for them?
How much should you pay yourself?
No matter who works for you or where you’re located, you’re going to have to pay your staff and that includes yourself. However, how much do you make?
How To Price Your Products
To counteract all the payments you’ll have, you’ll need to set price points that are low enough to not drive potential customers away but high enough to turn a profit.