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March, 2016

“Wellth” is the New Wealth

Submitted by Nick Goode on Thu, 03/17/2016 - 14:40

Wealth has historically been viewed as financial success in business that translates to success in life. Money, real estate, investments, and “stuff” like cars and expensive vacations - if you’ve got these things, you’re doing well for yourself…right?

Perhaps it’s time we recognized that the wealth game is changing. While money does matter, it’s no longer the foremost defining attribute of personal or professional achievement. Instead, a new focus on happiness and purpose is driving the common consciousness. This shift is due in part to the influence of millennials, whose priorities about work and life are reshaping everything from world economies to the business landscape as a whole.

Tips for Tackling Taxes as a Small Business Owner

Submitted by Elena on Thu, 03/17/2016 - 15:27

Kevin Kerridge, EVP, Direct and Partnership Division at Hiscox discusses how small business owners should prepare to make this year’s tax season as stress-free as possible.

Idea Café: Kevin, what are the biggest challenges small business owners face when it comes to tax preparation?

Kerridge: The biggest challenge is somewhat simple: time. Small business owners are extremely busy and are never really “off the clock.” Oftentimes, there just isn’t enough time in the day for all that running a business entails, including completing your taxes. The thought of completing your own personal taxes can be daunting and adding in your business’s taxes makes the whole process that much more stressful. Luckily, there are ways to be prepared.

5 Ways a Good Marketing Strategy can Change your Business for the Better

Submitted by Lizzie Weakley on Fri, 03/18/2016 - 10:16

When thinking about a marketing strategy, most entrepreneurs and business owners only scratch the surface. They fail to focus their efforts and resources into strategies that can impose big changes for their brand and not just short-term upside volatility to impress investors. Here's 5 ways how a good marketing campaign can affect your business for the better.

Planning Mistakes to Avoid for Your Next Company Event

Submitted by Brooke Chaplan on Mon, 03/21/2016 - 11:04

There's a reason event planning has become its own market segment, and it isn't because the economy couldn't provide its 200,000 working professionals with enough to do. They sit at the center of a five billion dollar industry with nothing but growth ahead. So if you find yourself wondering if you're doing everything right when you plan your next event, take comfort in the fact you are far from alone.

The 5 Biggest Teamwork Ills

Submitted by Mario Moussa on Mon, 03/21/2016 - 12:11

Twisting your features into a mask of pain, you dig your heels into the soft grass. A rope tears into your palms. A clear, tiny voice speaks to you amid the many confused thoughts swirling in your head: “So-o-o-o … what am I learning from this experience?”
 
Well, if you’re like many who have done this exercise at a corporate retreat, you should be learning about teamwork. As others join you, the collective rope-pulling effort seems to demonstrate the point. Little by little, the boulder starts moving until it nudges over the 30-foot mark. Cheers erupt. But you notice something. With each additional person who contributes to the effort, the boulder moves faster, but not as fast as you would have imagined. By the time the tenth person steps up, you feel the group is barely pulling harder than when it was only six, even though everyone seems to be working hard.

Six Areas You Don't Want To Make Mistakes In As A Business Owner

Submitted by Anita Ginsburg on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 09:44

Every business owner makes mistakes, but some mistakes are harder and more expensive to bounce back from. In particular, there are six areas you don't want to make mistakes in as a business owner.

Hiring The Wrong People for Key Roles

A common mistake for business owners is hiring the wrong person. It leads to lower company morale and higher employee churn. And can also slow down your growth. If you're looking to hire someone critical, then use an HR consultant or a staffing firm.

Preliminary Voting Results Unveiled. The Numbers Suggest the Winner

Submitted by Jordan on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 12:54

Well, the clock is always ticking in our biz/lives. This time I'd love to draw your attention to an important countdown. You have only 6 days until Wednesday (March 29) to vote for the ultimate winner of the 20th Anniversary Small Business Grant, if you haven't already done so. This is your last chance to support your favorite business idea and help them win the Grant.

Since this round was open, the finalists have received significant support from their devotees. They have demonstrated willingness to reach new highs. They are the most proactive business owners who do not leave winning the grant to chance. During the competition, they've shown us an inventive business approach which will certainly inspire others who come to IdeaCafe seeking advice on starting and running a business.

Take Pride in a Better Business Website

Submitted by Dave Thomas on Wed, 03/23/2016 - 16:54

When you stop and think about it, how proud are you of your business website?

For many business owners, their websites are the bread and butter of their operations.

With a solid website, one can build a business that has unlimited potential. With a so-so website, missed opportunities (including an enhanced revenue stream) are oftentimes part of the picture.

Big Data's Impact On Web Design

Submitted by Tuan Nguyen on Thu, 03/24/2016 - 10:03

Big data is a hot buzzword these days! But many laymen and framework designers often have a difficult time conceptualizing what it means. To get the definition and concept out of the way, big data is an amount of data and information which is so massive in scope that it cannot be processed by traditional means. Most 'big data' will take up a minimum of 1 exabyte, which is well over 1 million terabytes of information.

SaaS - The New Vision Of How Modern Businesses Use The Technology

Submitted by Alexandra on Fri, 03/25/2016 - 09:32

SaaS is a new vision of how modern business uses the technology. Now an application is not to be bought up front. Then installed and managed on your own as software as a service concept allows user just subscribe, log in and use it wherever they are and whatever they do. The only one condition is having an Internet access.