9 Tips for Starting with (or Taking On) a Partner
Most of us want to share important things in our lives with someone. If we’re passionate about business, this desire certainly can extend to our entrepreneurial ventures … And in the case of startups, two heads really may succeed better than one. There can be many practical considerations for starting with – or taking on – a partner, including the complementary skills, additional capital and entirely separate network that someone else may bring into the business.
Read the full article at StartupNation…
Ready or not, you’ll need an exit strategy
Forget succession plans. Small businesses today need concrete exit strategies, even when their businesses are taking off … Entrepreneurs need to be open-minded about selling, folding or passing on their companies to new generations, experts say, especially the wave of post-World War II business owners who are handing over the company reins.
Read the full article at the Chicago Tribune …
Starting Your Own Home Business!
Ok, so you have researched the facts, weighed the pros and cons and have finally decided that a home business is right for you. But now you need to figure out what type of business you want and how to proceed with starting this business.
Read the full article at WorkZ…
Channeling Your Energy into Sales Strategy
E-tailers don’t have to wait until CyberMonday for the official onslaught of holiday shopping, according to the latest survey on gift-buying habits, because it’s starting this weekend.
Read the full article at ecommerce-guide.com …
How to keep your customers satisfied
Of all the areas where a small business can compete with the big boys, customer service is the one where it should really shine … It is all too easy to get bogged down in one part or another of a start-up or small business. There are so many items to focus on, in addition to whatever it is that your company does. What’s more, according to Business Link, 20% of businesses are likely to fold within their first year, and 50% within the first three years.
Read the full article at bytestart.co.uk …
10 Marketing Trends to Watch in 2007
Throughout 2006, I’ve been watching and interpreting the marketing stats and studies that impact small businesses to give you tips on staying one step ahead. Now, with 2007 fast approaching, let’s look at a roundup of the hottest trends, from changes taking place among consumer audiences through what to watch for in traditional and online marketing. Here’s the info you need on the most important trends and how to make the most of them to increase sales and grow your business in the New Year.
Read the full article at Entrepreneur.com …
Learn From Your Past Business Planning
I am a big proponent of business planning because I believe it is our business plans that allow us to create bridges that cross giant chasms and help us reach opportunity on the other side. Planning helps us anticipate options, improve our opportunities, reduce our challenges, and be ready to function profitably in any business scenario.
A Comprehensive Look at Microsoft Office 2007
Microsoft Office 2007 is certainly bigger than any previous version of the best-selling productivity suite. Whether it is better is a subject of some controversy … With this version, Microsoft has completely revamped the familiar Office interface. Gone are the toolbars, the drop-down menus, and the side-of-the-window Task Panes. In their place, Office users who upgrade will see the now-famous (or infamous) Ribbon. Stretching across the top of several of the new applications (a few, such as Publisher, still offer the older interface), the Ribbon divides features into categories which, Microsoft hopes, will make it easier for users to find some of the tools that were previously hidden inside the menus.
Read the full article at Small Biz resource …
The Big Guide To VOIP For Small Business
At the moment, small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have perhaps the most to gain from the explosion of new VOIP services. In one move, businesses can outsource their communications, doing away with clunky, on-site PBX equipment and reduce their monthly phone bills. Some of the new VOIP services for smaller companies also offer new tools like “unified messaging” (converged voicemail and e-mail) that can actually improve productivity.
Read the full article at Forbes.com …
What Are Content Rich Sites?
If you are like many of those who started out with intentions of making millions online and are struggling to capture the attentions of the large search engines, you are in good company. Times have changed, and due to the low cost of entry, the online world is becoming very competitive for businesses starting out. Unless a website has a regional appeal or caters to a very niche product or service, it is rare that a webmaster can create a website that is only focused on selling.