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Be Kind

Happy Valentine's Day! With thoughts on romance it's also a chance to spread some kindness. According to The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, a small business can follow a few suggestions including:
Donate a percentage of revenue for the day to a group in need. Buy a big box of donuts and give them to the business next door. Take up a collection to buy needed items for a non-profit.
Act of kindness don't have to be a one time a year event. Your small business has a chance to become involved in a worthy cause. Add some meaning and mission to your business life. Explore how to "Show Your Business Heart With Cause-Related Marketing."
Be Kind originally appeared on About.com Small Business Information on Sunday, February 14th, 2010 at 17:06:21.
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International Networking Week

Success in business is tied to your ability to create and build relationships. With limited marketing budgets, networking is a must-have business builder for small companies, freelancers and consultants.

This week celebrate the key role that networking plays in the development and success of businesses across the world with International Networking Week. BNI, a large business referral networking company runs the event every year. With all types of global events around the world, you have the chance to connect with others in the business community.
International Networking Week originally appeared on About.com Small Business Information on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 08:59:47.
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Organize Your Business

Poor work processes can have a bad effect on efficiency, productivity and profits. As a business owner, you have a daily, overflowing arrival of information from e-mails to an ever-building pile of paperwork. Can organization aid your business? According to a National Association of Professional Organizers survey, over 28% of workers feel organization of their work space could save up to an hour a day.

The biggest time saver can be taking control of your email. Don't fall into the trap of reading emails and thinking I'll respond later. Later never arrives and soon your inbox is full of important and unimportant mail. Scott Allen, Co-Author of "The Virtual Handshake" recommends "Most people configure their email reader to interrupt them every time an email comes in. This means you are interrupted throughout the day. Instead, we suggest keep your email reader closed most of the day. Only check email once a day."
Organize Your Business originally appeared on About.com Small Business Information on Sunday, January 24th, 2010 at 22:22:05.
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Flaming Homer

Last night aired the 20th anniversary of The Simpsons, a mile stone in the show's existence. Besides the entertainment value of the show, Homer and friends offer valuable business insight. My favorite "business" episode is the Flaming Homer. In this show, Homer reveals his cocktail recipe to Moe. Moe steals the idea calling it the Flaming Moe and business booms.

Every good business has a Flaming Homer. A special product or method of achieving great results, a Coca-Cola-like formula. To succeed in business; sharing ideas, and getting feedback is necessary. But don't reveal your secrets to a competitor. When disclosing sensitive information, use a non-compete agreement.

The Simpsons provides many business lessons for any entrepreneur. Here are 5 good and bad business lessons for your enjoyment and education. Woo-Hoo! 5 Business Lessons From The Simpsons
Flaming Homer originally appeared on About.com Small Business Information on Monday, January 11th, 2010 at 16:39:35.
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A New Plan for a New Year

With the end of a crazy year for millions of economic "refugees", it makes sense to start the year fresh and re-visit your assumptions, goals and business plans. A business plan is useful if it's updated and not a forgotten document but a living document. Your business plan will help you look at what worked in the past year, what is outdated, and areas for improvement. Take a look from outside your business with a fresh perspective. What would you do differently if you were to start your business over again? Use the SMART process of business goal setting to make 2010 a memorable year.
A New Plan for a New Year originally appeared on About.com Small Business Information on Monday, December 28th, 2009 at 14:26:33.
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Customer Gifts For Tough Times

In prosperous times, gifting your customers during the holidays doesn't require a second thought. This year more companies are being conscious of spending money on customer gifts. According to American Express Open Small Business Holiday Monitor, almost 70% of business owners don't believe the worst of the recession is over and nearly six in ten entrepreneurs (57%) say the economic downturn has changed their holiday gift giving behavior. Yet, 10% of those surveyed planned to increase customer gift spending this year.

With less holiday edibles and gifts for staff, sending corporate gifts can be an inexpensive means to stand out from the competition in tough times and show your clients you really value their business.
Customer Gifts For Tough Times originally appeared on About.com Small Business Information on Monday, December 14th, 2009 at 08:12:41.
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Partner Up to Grow Your Business

Resources such as time and money are in tight supply for most start ups and existing small businesses. These constraints often mean the difference between expanding into new markets or struggling to survive. However, it doesn't have to be that way. Small business is a community of like minded business owners. One of the best means to expand your business is to partner up with similar or complementary businesses.

Business partnerships and joint ventures offer a means for businesses to pool resources and grow business. Additional benefits include:
exposure to larger shared customer base decreased marketing costs utilize the talents of others
Partner Up to Grow Your Business originally appeared on About.com Small Business Information on Monday, November 30th, 2009 at 09:28:52.
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What Your Small Business Can Learn From Vampires

Vampires have become a pop culture phenomena spanning TV, books, movies and even Vampires on Facebook. The spark for this current craze can be traced to the best selling vampire book Twilight by Stephanie Myers. The author redefined the genre with vampires who could love and created a cultural trend.

The vampire craze provides an interesting glimpse into what drives a hot trend for a valuable lesson to small business. Getting in early on any trend wave requires keeping in tune with pop culture. Best selling books are often the catalyst for movies and the precursor to a large trend. Looking at best selling book lists can provide a glimpse of what is popular in the public conscious. Other media such as magazines can tell you what is up and coming. Many leading visionaries often read all types of media from fashion news to nano technology to see the broader trends in society.

One of my favorite ways to test for trend development is Google Insights. This nifty tool will allow you to enter in search terms and see the trends over time whether consumer search volumes are increasing, decreasing or flat. Tracking trends can provide your business with the opportunity to see the road ahead and possibly capitalize on the trend.
What Your Small Business Can Learn From Vampires originally appeared on About.com Small Business Information on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 08:27:11.
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Finding Venture Capital or Angel Investors

It's no surprise that the capital markets have been running low for entrepreneurs wishing to take their business to the next level with a fresh infusion of cash. According to the University of New Hampshire Center for Venture Research, angel investments in the first half of 2009 were over $9 billion, a drop of 27 percent from the first half of 2008. Venture capital fared no better with only $5 billion in the third quarter, a 6% decrease from the second quarter of the year. The upside is while the total value of angel investing has dropped the number of deals has increased.

The news is less promising for start ups. In the first half of 2009, angel investors have decreased their start up investing, with 27 percent of angel investments in the seed and start-up stage, a decrease of 19 percent over the same period in 2008. This simply boils down to risk.

Investors are less likely to put money into a business early when the risks are greatest. Early stage companies are best to look for funds from family and friends or there is always the "reality VC" route by attempting to get on venture reality shows such as Shark Tank or Dragon's Den.
Finding Venture Capital or Angel Investors originally appeared on About.com Small Business Information on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 10:46:32.
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Home Business Comes of Age

The scruffy haired, unshaven, pajama-clad home business worker is an iconic symbol of the past. Over a decade ago, with the Internet still in its infancy, home businesses based on scams and lowing paying data entry companies; not too many people took home business seriously. Small business magazines and experts featured tips on how you could be more professional by keeping the kids out and the marketplace even had audio recording of office chatter to play while you're on the phone to hide the fact you were at home.

Home business has come of age. According to findings by Emergent Research, Homepreneurs: A Vital Economic Force:
There are about 6.6 million home businesses that generate at least 50% of the owner's household income Homepreneur businesses employ over 13 million people 35% of home businesses generate more than $125,000 in revenue; 8% more than $500,000
The small business landscape has changed dramatically with a host of low cost technologies (gMail, Skype, BaseCamp, etc.) and a wider acceptance of home business. The timing couldn't be more perfect for many recession strapped individuals looking for low cost ways to start and run a business.

Home Business Comes of Age originally appeared on About.com Small Business Information on Sunday, October 25th, 2009 at 19:14:05.
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Business Know-How Newsletter. Ideas to market and manage small businesses.

Connect to Your Customers on Their Terms
What is it that your customers value? Is it a live person answering their call? Being able to get information from your web site or in email? Find out why focusing on your customer's preferences is the surest path to a thriving business.
10 Tips to Take Your Customer Service from Drab to Fab
You can spend thousands of dollars on an ad campaign, only to have it all go to waste if your customers are put off by the service they receive when they actually enter your business. If you think your customers are less than impressed by your employees then give your customer service a makeover with these 10 tips.
Building and Managing Your Reputation on Facebook
Having a Facebook page for your business can help you connect with customers and others in your industry. Here are some ways you can make the most of your Facebook reputation.
Bullet-Proofing Your Business in Today's Economy
Businesses are facing difficult times right now, and the sad fact is that not all of them can survive. But there are some things you can do to position your business to handle the difficult days that still lie ahead and increases the chances that it will survive to see sunnier days.
How to Spot Fraudulent Census Takers
The Census Bureau is about to begin its once-a-decade count of the population, and crooks and scam artists are already attempting to take advantage of trusting individuals and businesses. The best way to protect yourself is to know how to recognize both real and fake census workers.
7 Steps to More Customer Referrals
One of the best ways to increase revenue and profits in a tough economy is to get more new customers who are already sold on your product, service or brand. Here are seven things you can do to get more referrals in your business.

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