The Internet has enabled the fastest and smoothest flow of information in the history of humankind. We can find out whatever we would like to know about any event or person from any part of the world or the past. Now that everything is at a click of a computer mouse, it would be logical that such a system is based on equal chances and desires to share knowledge and information. However, while we really can access hundreds of relevant sites on any topic, the truth is that the whole mechanism of the Internet is based on competition and business race of unprecedented value. And advertising has a great role in all these processes.

Let's face it; almost everyone dreams of being their own boss, having financial freedom, and working with something that they are not only passionate about but something that they created from the ground up. All of these things are very appealing but, do you truly have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? I would like to point out five traits that I have found to be common amongst all successful entrepreneurs.

The holiday shopping season signals a busy time for merchants and it’s important that businesses know how to prepare for the biggest holiday shopping season. Read on to see how to attain sales goals, develop pricing strategies and launching a successful marketing campaign.  

Starting any type of small business is a difficult task. The idea can be especially daunting when your dreams rest upon a specialty-food establishment. Given that nearly half of all restaurants fail in the first couple of years after opening, hopeful chefs must take advantage of every resource that is available to them. The following advice from the experts will allow you to start off on the best possible foot.

Let’s face it, intellectual property is not a mouthwatering topic when compared to white hot discussions about profit margins, ROI and the financial benefits of near-sourcing. Yet, neglecting to protect your intellectual property can lead your company straight into the rocks. For entrepreneurs, who usually lack the resources for protracted legal battles, protecting IP proves even more important. So what can you do to protect your valuable intellectual property?

Freelancing has risen in popularity over the past few years, with more and more people opting to manage their own skills, and earn a living independently. What a lot of freelancers don’t realise, however, is that they could be vulnerable to many of the same risks as a more traditional business is – and that these risks can be protected against by having the proper business insurance in place. Some of the more common polices that a freelancer may consider are listed below, but remember, this is in no way an exhaustive list, and each freelancer should seek their own advice from an insurance professional before purchasing policies.

Businesses need technology to thrive, but many business owners aren't sure what types of technology to invest in. If your goal is to have a much more efficient office where you can communicate with business executives, staff, and customers through a single platform, it is important to consider the advantages of unified communications systems.

Health insurance can take a sizable chunk out of your budget, and is a major concern for many business owners, especially going into 2015.

As a business owner, cutting down your insurance costs is risky.

For every business the most important of the goals is that they reduce costs and increase profit. However, it is easier said than done, and it will require quite a strategy to reduce expenses to a minimum. There are a few steps every business should take in order to cut back on expenditures so that employees and management will be happy in the end.

If you’re a small business owner, you’ve likely heard recent buzz about Apple Pay. In fact, over 35,000 stores have already integrated Apple Pay capabilities into their POS systems, according to the Smart Card Alliance.

Thus, you may be feeling pressure to follow suit of bigger corporations and offer the new payment option in your store. Here’s what you need to know about integrating to Apple Pay into a small business: