Small business ownership can be a daunting endeavor no matter how you cut it, but throw in health benefits and the new Affordable Care Act and you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed. Though small business-provided health insurance is not required by the new law, it is a highly sought after benefit that draws a greater labor pool and should be seriously considered. To simplify things a bit, let’s take a look at how you can approach offering these benefits.

Why should you kill employee motivation using unethical words and a bad attitude, when you can encourage your people to work by giving advice and constructive criticism? There are some phrases business owners and CEOs use at the workplace that can crush a person’s ego. The morale of your employee can be either consolidated or torn down, depending on your behavior. As a leader, you should always remember that you are the main factor that influences the attitude and positivity of your employees. In fact, a leader’s impact on the self-esteem of his employees is immeasurable.

Your employees are human, and they may fail to meet your expectations from time to time.

While it is important to be an understanding and patient boss, you need to take corrective action if one of your employees' poor behavior or performance is having a negative impact on other employees, or undermining the productivity of your company.

In spite of all of the technology and the loudly vocalized support for virtual spaces and telecommuting, a CBS News Poll reports that only 24% of the workforce telecommutes regularly. This means, basically, that lots of people think the idea is great but very few have found a way to make it a full time gig.

Whether it’s a holiday party or team-building retreat, there are specific reasons why company functions should and should not be mandatory.

Walking the fine line between work and play isn’t always optional, but there’s the consideration of workplace unity working wonders for your company’s camaraderie in terms of the office environment.

A referral system is an effective marketing tactic that can have a very high success rate. It can bring in new sales leads from unexpected areas. Building a referral system involves much more than encouraging existing customers to talk about the products or services offered. It involves looking closely at the market and developing long-term strategies. Building a laser-targeted referral system involves several important steps.

A small business is something that requires financing to get off the ground, and this means that one might have to look at a variety of options. A bank loan is the most traditional way to fund a small business, but there are other options to consider. Don't make a final decision before considering all these options.

Looking for ways to get that business budget under control and trim some of the excess?

While some small businesses spend too much in areas, there are those that are frugal and still can't make ends meet.

Technology makes it easier for your company to increase productivity, lower costs and increase profits. Tools such as a smartphone or videoconferencing software are two examples of technological advancements that make it easier for your business to thrive. What are some ways that you can accelerate your company's technology processes?

CNBC’s new show, The Profit, starring businessman Marcus Lemonis, should be required, must-see-TV for any small business owner. The show is a unique hybrid between Shark Tank and Bar Rescue. Mr. Lemonis, the uber-successful CEO of Camping World and Good Sam Enterprises, evaluates struggling, small businesses and by the conclusion of each episode decides whether or not to financially invest in the business.