Features
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Make the Transition From Employee to Entrepreneur
October 25, 2011
People write a lot about how to grow your business, but what about those of you who either want to start a business, or who have started one but are still working your “other” 9 to 5? Here’s why you should dive head first (assuming you’re ready financially) into starting your small business.
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The Long-Term Impact of Networking
October 24, 2011
Diane Helbig shares they keys to being successful at networking, and its impact for you and your business.
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7 Ways to Keep the Sales Rolling in Your Small Business
October 24, 2011
Don’t get so busy with the day-to-day hustle in your business that you forget to focus your marketing activities on keeping your pipeline filled. To help you reach your monthly sales goals, Melinda Emerson shares a list of 7 marketing techniques you should revisit in the fourth quarter of each year. They are designed to ensure that you focus on revenue-generating activities in your small business.
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Customer Service Mistakes That Can Cost You Your Business
October 20, 2011
There are certain behaviors, attitudes and actions that customers find really upsetting. Perceived slights on the part of a customer service representative can sometimes have significant repercussions for your business. So what is good customer service? Here are four mistakes that should raise a red flag and be dealt with immediately.
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Don't Be The Boss—Be The Leader
October 19, 2011
Some people seem to think that their role as head honcho requires them to be autocratic—to be, in a word, “bossy.” While formal authority that comes with a position or title can be useful, it’s a limited tool. Instead of being a boss, be a leader.
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10 Ways To Get More Business With Social Media
October 18, 2011
Do you think social media is overrated? Well, I hate to break the news to you, but social media isn’t going anywhere…and it’s where your customers are hanging out. I don’t care if Facebook makes your skin crawl or Twitter annoys you, your customers are using those social media tools. Here are some of the ways I leverage it.
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What We Can Learn From Steve Jobs
October 17, 2011
"Keep looking, and don't settle." These wise words were spoken by the late, great, modern technology entrepreneur, Steve Jobs, of Apple and Pixar fame. Here, we compiled five tips on how not to conduct your business self, based on Jobs' five simple words.
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Unemployment Report Shows Economic Erosion; Recovery Indicators Contract
October 14, 2011
Last week’s unemployment report had something for everyone, pessimists and optimists alike. On the whole, it was more disappointing than as reported in the business press headlines. Dr. Joe Webb shares his insight on the jobs report and how the economy is still in efficiency, and not expansion mode.
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4 Ways To Protect Your Small Business’ Reputation Online
October 13, 2011
By now, most small business owners understand the important role the Internet can play in helping to raise and drive interest and demand for their products and services. Before you worry about launching a Twitter channel or pitching a post idea to a local blogger, you need to take a step back and consider how online conversations might impact the reputation of your small business.
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Boost Your Holiday Business By Thinking Local
October 12, 2011
How can your company benefit from customers’ desires to help their community? By being involved in your local community, of course. And there’s no better time than the holidays—when people’s thoughts naturally turn to sharing, donating and giving back—to get involved with a local charity of your choice.
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A Revolution In Mobile Payments Is Underway—Are You Ready?
October 11, 2011
The ability to pay for things with nothing more than your mobile device sounds very attractive. Initial attempts over the past several years to bring this technology to market have seen mixed results. But now, a slew of companies focusing on payments innovation have finally brought user-friendly, cost effective mobile payment technology to the market. Small businesses need to be prepared.
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Entrepreneurs vs. Managers: Which Are You?
October 10, 2011
Many believe the classic small business maxim that "Successful entrepreneurs know their weaknesses as well as their strengths." Self-aware people are well-positioned for success, and when it comes to being self-aware there are two distinct types of business owners: entrepreneurs and managers.
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10 Creative Ways To Get Your Business Funded
October 06, 2011
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The 11 Step Business Action Plan
October 05, 2011
Many people don’t like planning. But in business, your action plan is the key to focusing on the right information in the right order—much like the combination to a safe—and it helps measure progress toward your goals. Here's how you should use an action plan to accelerate growth and increase your revenues and income.
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Three New Reasons For Your Business to Care About Facebook
October 05, 2011
John Foley, CEO of Grow Socially, talks about why your business should start paying attention to Facebook as way to grow your business.
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6 Ways Cloud Computing Helps Businesses Save Time and Money
October 04, 2011
Cloud computing has created a technology revolution for small businesses, offering access to a range of capabilities that typically only larger companies can afford. Your business can join the “Cloud” to access everything from data backup to customer relationship management systems.
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Tips On How To Lead in Uncertain Times
October 03, 2011
Today’s business owners and CEOs are constantly being tested. Faced with volatile markets, shifting customer demands and economic uncertainty, the only thing most business leaders are certain of is that there’s more change ahead. So how do you continue driving your business forward?
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4 Quick Tips For Improving Customer Feedback
September 29, 2011
Are you asking your customers how well they are enjoying their experience with your company? Waiting for them to post a review on Yelp, Amazon.com, eBay, Trip Advisor, etc., is like rolling the dice on your online reputation and hoping for two sixes. So, here are some ideas for creating a feedback loop so you can grab any praise, or fix any issues, before your customer gets to their web browser.
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What Small Businesses Can Learn From Cooperatives
September 28, 2011
In most ways, co-ops are like any other business—they exist to generate revenue and serve consumers. But in a few important ways, co-ops are different. Most importantly, co-ops exist entirely to benefit their member-owners. Even if your business operates under a for-profit model, it could apply a few lessons from the co-op school of thought.
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How To Hitch Your Business To A Cause
September 27, 2011
Initiatives may be called social responsibility programs or cause marketing, but the idea is the same: to do well by doing good. Helping a charity can encourage customers to purchase and to feel a greater emotional connection to your business.
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5 Tips For Becoming A Better Leader
September 26, 2011
Once their companies start to grow, many business owners suddenly realize that they’re no longer just entrepreneurs—they’re also leaders.
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5 Ways To Get More From Your Employees
September 22, 2011
We all know the drill. Get up, go to work, go home, repeat. Most of us go through those motions five days a week, every week. But time spent at work doesn't have to be just the filler between leaving home and coming home. And yet, for so many workers, it is.
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Get Ready To Hire Generation Z
September 21, 2011
Just as companies have adjusted to the demands of generation Y, a new generation is set to graduate from college: generation Z.
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Pride And Productivity: A Win Win Combination
September 20, 2011
Success in these tough economic times depends on a lot of different factors: market situations, pricing, competition, the economy, financing and much more. Two of the most important ones don’t really depend on the kind of economic times. They depend on how productive and how engaged people are, whatever the enterprise.
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Recognize And Manage The 5 Stages Of Small Business Growth
September 19, 2011
Understanding the stages of small business growth and inherent problems can help you assess where you are in the growth pattern, and help you anticipate what’s going to be required to succeed. Owners, for example, will have to spend an extraordinary amount of time during the initial start-up period, and then have to learn to begin delegating work and authority as the company grows.