Archive for January, 2010

Finding the Right Help

By | January 29, 2010 | Micro Business Issues, Perspectives | 3 Comments

This guest post is part of our ongoing Small Business Perspective series, and is written by Monique Wakefield, owner of Paws-n-Tails in Dallas, TX.

Last month I wrote about how sole proprietorship means no back up. This month’s article is based on when you do seek help. I recently found myself in a situation where I was unable to do a job for one of my best clients, so I had to hire someone to do it for me. I knew someone who was in the same field as me, and thought they would be perfect. I checked their qualifications, and they were highly recommended  by a number of sources. The client later called to inform me of some mistakes that had been made, some of which actually caused damage to her house. Read more…

Women Driving Small Business Growth

By | January 28, 2010 | Micro Business Issues, Perspectives | 5 Comments

This guest post is part of our ongoing Small Business Perspective series, and is written by Theresa Gould, owner of RobnT Business Solutions in Chicago, IL.

Of the 23 million non-farm businesses in 2002, women owned 6.5 million businesses, generating $940.8 million in revenue, employing 7.1 million workers, and paying $173.7 billion in payroll, according to the Small Business Administration. And I am sure that number has risen in the past few years as I found another study that states women business owners generate $3 trillion in annual economic impact and provide 23 million jobs.  This one is from the Center for Women’s Business Research. Read more…

Don’t Bail on Direct Marketing

By | January 27, 2010 | Micro Business Issues, Offline Marketing, Online Marketing | 7 Comments
Don’t Bail on Direct Marketing

Did your small business once use direct mail marketing, but had to cut back due to current economic conditions? Did you see a decrease in sales as a result? There could be a good reason for that.

In a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, Reporter Teri Evans highlights small businesses that were forced to move away from direct mail and over to email marketing and social media initiatives due to their tightening spending budgets. Read more…

Testing, Testing, Testing….Your Email

By | January 25, 2010 | Online Marketing | 1 Comment

This guest post is part of our ongoing Small Business Perspectives series, and is written by Cathlyn Driscoll, co-founder of Best Business Mastery in New Jersey.

During the holidays, my email gets bombarded with a significant number of emails, newsletters and promotions. What I did not expect this year was the number of “false starts” or “testing” emails from what I considered ‘professional companies.’ Read more…

Customer Needs Means Altering Services

By | January 22, 2010 | Perspectives, Retaining Customers | No comments

This guest post is part of our ongoing Small Business Perspective series, and is written by Katharine Napoli, owner of Computerized Office Services in New Jersey.

The celebrations have passed and we’re looking towards 2010 with high expectations.  At Computerized Office Services, we’re coming into a year that we hope will be filled with continued growth derived from our customer service and willingness to listen to what our clients need. Read more…

Income Tax Returns: Be Preparing Now

By | January 21, 2010 | Micro Business Issues | 1 Comment

During the final weeks of 2009, many blogs posted lists and projections of Top 10 Trends for 2010. Three weeks into January this trend is alive and well. Many of these posts rehash similar information, but BizCentral USA’s What Your Business Should Be Doing! list offered one piece of advice that every business owner should follow:

Start Preparing for Tax Season – Do you have a bookkeeper? With tax season right around the corner, now is the time to get a professional CPA or Bookkeeper to avoid errors in your tax return, heavy fines, a possible audit and set-back to your goals. Read more…

Get Rid of the Lone Ranger Syndrome

By | January 20, 2010 | Micro Business Issues, Perspectives | 3 Comments

This guest post is part of our ongoing Small Business Perspectives series, and is written by Karen Hodges, principle at Synthesis Coaching in Rhode Island.

One day you have an idea. A dream. You know you are top of your game and can make a difference in other people’s lives or businesses by starting your own business. So, you make the leap to become a business owner. Excitement and adrenaline take over your life for the next couple of months, or even years. You love doing everything! Read more…

Discovering the Best Web 2.0 Strategy for You

By | January 18, 2010 | Micro Business Issues | No comments

The following guest post is brought to us by the Internet Marketing Center, www.internetmarketing.com

Online social networking is becoming a necessity for business owners — but where should you start? If you figure out how much time you have to devote to it, where your strengths lie, and which social media you enjoy using the most — you can build the presence of your online business and have a little fun in the process.

Which of the following options fits you best? Read more…

Toothaches Online = Headaches in Reality

By | January 15, 2010 | Micro Business Issues, Online Marketing, Perspectives | No comments

This guest post is part of our ongoing Small Business Perspectives series, and is written by Erin Herold, owner of Hark Herold.com.

“Never invite a customer in, only to disappoint them.”

- Leonard Rydell

Eighty years ago (or even twenty) inviting customers into a business was primarily advertising-driven; businesses were local and customers knew their shopkeepers.  Businesses advertised in local newspapers, fliers, interesting signage (think the famous Burma-Shave promotions), and in-store posters.  Word of mouth played a part, but an individual’s sphere of influence was limited both in size and in geographic scope. Read more…

Hit the Ground Running in 2010

By | January 14, 2010 | Micro Business Issues, Perspectives | 6 Comments

This is the first of a two-part article focused on ways in which you can assess opportunities in 2010 and beyond, and is written by Caprice de Lorm, owner of de Lorm Designs in Orange County, CA.

Here we are. Another decade beginning and another year upon us. We are living in uncertain yet also very exciting times.

The beginning of each year provides an opportunity for businesses to assess their goals for the upcoming year and beyond. Taking the time to address key aspects of your business will provide strategic direction and uncover opportunities to diversify, expand, or continue to build on current methods and practices. Read more…

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