Look to the Past What first inspired you to start a business? Consider these reasons when planning for the future. Are there unexplored areas you meant to cover but haven’t yet? Expanding or building on current business services may be just the thing to inspire you. In many cases, business owners become bored or dissatisfied […]
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Are you a Good Listener?
Schedule Specific Meeting Times – Scheduling meetings allows you to block off specific pockets of time to focus solely on the needs of clients and employees. Regardless of whether you meet in person or via teleconference, turn off your cell phone and shut your door so you can dedicate all of your attention during that […]
3 Important Financial Steps for New Small Business Owners
Create a Savings Buffer Having a few months’ worth of income in your savings account can really help reduce financial stress when first starting out. Because your income may drop in the beginning (not to mention the security of having an employer provide both work and steady paychecks), try to save at least six months’ […]
Ways to Use Business Down Time to Your Advantage
Reorganize, Update, and Refresh Go through piles of papers, files, magazines, books, and other clutter traps in your office and discard or file to create a better work environment. Go through financial records, books, and other documents and update accordingly. Paint your office a new color or buy some new office storage and decorative items […]
Small Business Financials – Are You Paying Attention
The Importance of Reviewing Your Books Set aside an hour or so each week to review your books. Learn how money flows in and out of your business. This data can help you make important decisions concerning expansion and help you determine ways to cut back. Compare past financial statements year-to-year, or quarter-to-quarter to see […]
3 Small Business Habits You Need to Form Now
Prioritize Work Issues Issues, issues, and more issues. Instead of tackling all issues at once, solve the most pressing or demanding ones immediately. The longer you procrastinate, the more entangled these issues become. Throughout the day, work on less demanding issues or delegate some of this work to employees. Set some time aside to develop […]
Network Give and Take
Share Your Knowledge of Other Businesses Networking events, though great places to meet potential clients, customers, or new business partners, can be nerve racking, especially if you’re not a social butterfly or are new to promoting your business. Instead of focusing all your energy on promoting your own business, listen to what the other business […]
Customers/Clients are People Too
Be Personal At the end of the day, you’re dealing with people – it doesn’t matter whether you own a clothing store or provide financial services, it’s the people who need to learn and benefit from your expertise. Maintaining a personal relationship with clients and customers shows you care about them and want to help […]
3 Tips for Hiring Your First Employee
Unfortunately, there’s no “best” time to hire an employee – it depends mostly on how much help you need, the type of help you need, and how much you can afford to pay someone. Before placing an online or newspaper ad, or contacting a job placement/temp service, take a look at current business operations to […]