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January, 2014

Don't Overlook Security for Your Customers' Data

Submitted by John McMalcolm on Thu, 01/09/2014 - 13:24

When it comes to data security, companies have two main concerns, namely, hack attacks and insider threats.

According to the Data Breach Investigations Report released by Verizon in 2012, insider threats only make up about four percent of all data theft incidents.

Is Your Business Accounting Software Up to Speed?

Submitted by Tina Samuels on Fri, 01/10/2014 - 12:31

When you run your own small business, you are required to choose everything from the products you sell to the type of computer you use.

This also includes managing bookkeeping and accounting on your own, which requires really good business accounting software.

How to Reach Customers and Increase Sales

Submitted by Amanda Green on Fri, 01/10/2014 - 12:44

Your customer base is ready to explode, you just have to know how to reach them. Once you’ve got them, you need to build a flow that will lead them from the storefront to a conversion, optimizing every step they take along the way. That kind of planning takes research, and it leads to increased profits for all.

Pushing Buttons: Picking a Phone Number for Your Business

Submitted by David Waring on Mon, 01/13/2014 - 10:45

Many business owners should stop and consider their options when it comes to picking the right phone number. Turns out, it can make a big difference.

Local Business Phone Number

Many business owners have a phone number that was given out when they originally purchased phone service with a local carrier. The 3-digit area code at the beginning of the number links the business to a distinct geographic location. For instance, business owners in New York City (who have been around awhile) have a 212 area code.

Have Some Ideas on Hiring the Best Interns?

Submitted by Tina Samuels on Mon, 01/13/2014 - 10:57

Not every company has interns, but if you don't, you might be missing out on some great opportunities.

But before you jump into choosing one, it helps to step back and think of the reasons you want one.

How To Change an Ordinary Business Into a Great One

Submitted by Savannah Coulsen on Tue, 01/14/2014 - 09:47

In today's world, a growing number of people are using their skills to open up businesses. While tools such as the internet have made it possible for more people to attain the independence that self-employment has to offer, this means that competition has increased. There are ways for those with an ordinary business to turn it into a great one.

Rising Biz: Five Ways to Raise your Profit Margin

Submitted by Anica Oaks on Tue, 01/14/2014 - 10:05

Many entrepreneurs start a business without clearly understanding which metrics are the best ones to use in order to control the financial performance of their business. Perhaps the best metric available to help quickly and efficiently determine how your business is performing would be profit margin analysis. If you can establish a clear understanding of your profit margins, you will have a much easier time making adjustments in order to improve your financial situation. Here are five ways to improve your profit margin.

Your Small Business and Working Mothers

Submitted by Sarah Brooks on Thu, 01/16/2014 - 09:42

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 65% of mothers with kids under the age of 18 works. More than 70% of moms either work or are looking for a job. How can you, as a small business, accommodate working mothers and pregnant women?

A new bill was introduced in 2012, known as the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, but has yet to be passed. The bill wants "to eliminate discrimination and promote women's health and economic security by ensuring reasonable workplace accommodations for workers whose ability to perform the functions of a job are limited by pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition."

Five Tips on Finding the Perfect Tax Management Solution for Your Small Business

Submitted by Jonathan Barsade on Thu, 01/16/2014 - 09:58

When you’re running a small business, it’s important to keep your focus on satisfying customers and generating profits. Administrative tasks like tax management, while certainly a necessary part of doing business, are time consuming, especially when done manually. That is why it is important to automate and outsource as many of these administrative tasks as possible.  Twenty five years ago no HR person would outsource payroll; today few business owners would consider processing payroll and payroll taxes on their own.  They use outsource solutions such as ADP; Paychex, Intuit and others.  Outsourcing allows the business owner to streamline your workload and allows you to concentrate on what you do best – managing your business and focusing on sales.

Setting Up Shop: What Every New Business Owner Should Know

Submitted by Brooke Chaplan on Fri, 01/17/2014 - 09:28

There are many important things to understand when you start a new business, but certain things are fundamental and must be considered before a business begins operating. Here are some tips for new business owners and what they should think about as they start up their own business.