February, 2014

Seven Ways to Make sure Your Business Meets Local Safety Standards

For all businesses, safety should always a top priority, and not only for the obvious reasons! Local safety standards and ordinances may come with substantial fines for noncompliance. Even if it costs you money, it's best to ensure compliance early to avoid paying much more in fines, or worse, injury or property damage settlements. Here's seven ways to make sure your business meets local safety standards.

Recharge Your Creative Battery

You're staring at a blank screen. Or worse, you have been avoiding the computer entirely. Suddenly the laundry and the litter box have taken on a sudden new urgency. The deadline clock is ticking on that new project, but you are stumped for inspiration. What do you do on days like this, when you just can't seem to jump start your creative battery?

Everything You'll Need on Your Next Business Trip

Packing for a business trip calls for some careful consideration. After all, the last time you went somewhere, you probably remember forgetting that one important item, or the other time when you brought too much and had to carry it with you everywhere. This article will serve as a primer for everything you NEED for your next business trip.

Building Sales Relationships through a Focus on Customer Satisfaction

You've worked hard to build your business. You have been selling effectively and adding new customers but in all the euphoria you may have forgotten about the importance of post-sale follow up. Neglecting this vital step may mean that your business is so focused on sales numbers that you have not extended the sales efforts  towards repeat sales, customer  referrals or building brand recognition.

Great Management Tools Your Business Should be Using

As a manager, it can feel sometimes as though your job is not just to make sure a company moves forward efficiently but to keep abreast of the latest trends in your industry.

Is Your Home Business Open to Guests?

Owning a home business has its rewards as well as its drawbacks.

How nice to be able to work from home, your loyal dog by your side, the laundry going in the background and some soup for dinner simmering on the stove, all while you are in your yoga clothes from your early morning practice.

Are Your Workers Healthy on the Job?

As a small business owner, you have responsibilities beyond the basics.

You not only have to make sure your business runs successfully, but also that your workers are healthy and happy. Healthy and happy workers are more productive and take fewer days off for illness and doctor appointments.

6 Key Aspects Of Business That Owners Can't Overlook

When running a company, it is important to not skip over any important aspects. Otherwise, when doing so, it is easy to miss out on future gains. Not only that, but when making slight mistakes, a firm can end up losing customers and hurting its chances in the future with new clients. With this in mind, here are six key aspects of business that owners cannot overlook.

Five Differences between Marketing a Local Company vs. a National Chain

National chains do everything they can to overcome any competition, and small businesses may suffer because of it. However, small, local businesses have several advantages over big chains. Here are five differences between national and local marketing strategies.

5 Tips for Negotiating More Favorable B2B Contract Terms

Negotiating contracts with other businesses is a part of everyday business dealings. Naturally, both sides want to get the best deal possible. These types of negotiations can be a little intimidating unless you understand how to approach them. Strong negotiation skills are needed in order to avoid getting stuck in a bad deal. Here are 5 tips for negotiating a contract that will be favorable to your company.