Although the term “cloud” is seeing increasing use, it’s necessary to clarify what portion of “the cloud” is of interest to a particular audience. For small and medium businesses (SMBs), there are generally two areas of relevance in the evolution of IT services to the cloud. The first is the application layer, commonly referred [...]
By Gail Seymour
Are you selling products or services from your Web site and concerned about offering a money-back guarantee? Maybe you think offering a guarantee will lead to more refunds and adversely affect your profitability? In reality, the reverse is usually the case. continue »
By CC Pearce
Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) is a recent communication technology that allows individuals to make “phone calls” over the Internet using a broadband connection in place of a phone line or cellular signal. VOIP services are now reliable and transmit clear signals and have several advantages over traditional phone services. The costs for VOIP phones are usually much less than other phone services, and they allow conferencing and international calls at rates that are often included in the monthly fees. continue »
By John McAlister
You are a small business owner— and every day it seems you get besieged with an endless array of seminars, how-to books, training programs, sales lecturers, experts and assorted gurus who will gladly take your hard-earned money and teach you, they claim, how to be a business dynamo. But once you have mastered the technicalities of your business and day-to-day operations, done the foundation building and groundwork, being successful in your business all boils down to one essential ingredient. continue »
By Brad Egeland
Any successful small business can quickly be confronted with this question. You’re moving along well, making money, growing both your business and your dedicated customer base. Now you likely have some decisions to make. continue »
By Patricia Schaefer
The latest statistics from the Small Business Administration (SBA) show that “two-thirds of new employer establishments survive at least two years, and 44 percent survive at least four years.” This is a far cry from the previous long-held belief that 50 percent of businesses fail in the first year and 95 percent fail within five years.
Brian Head, Economist with the SBA Office of Advocacy, noted that the latest statistics are a much more accurate assessment of new business success rates, and that “as a general rule of thumb, new employer businesses have a 50/50 chance of surviving for five years or more.” continue »
By Winmark Business Solutions
What is an elevator pitch?
One of the most important things you can do as a businessperson is to learn how to effectively tell others about your business. You should be able to sum up the most unique and compelling aspects of your service or product in a way that catches a person’s attention and piques their interest. An elevator pitch will help you articulate your message, close deals, find new prospects and help your audience understand what you are talking about and why they should care. And as the name says, you should be able to do this in the amount of time it takes to ride the elevator – about 15 to 30 seconds! continue »
By Patricia Schaefer
The U.S. Census Bureau shows the number of people working from home from 1980 to 2000 (the year of the last Census) approximately doubling in number. The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported in 2005 that about 20.7 million people did some work at home at least once per week in 2004. More recent surveys find this number to be even higher.
By Winmark Business Solutions
If your business has been a success, you’ve probably had to pour most of your time, energy, and money into it for what may seem like forever. You may see your company as an extension of yourself, and it may be hard to even imagine life without it. In some cases your entire family may have depended on the business, discussed it endlessly around the dinner table, used it as an education and a proving ground for the children and practically made it into another family member! continue »
By Janet Attard
According to the results of a recent Performics study, consumers are looking forward to 2010 to get back on track financially. The findings come from the ninth month of consumer behavior findings in their “2009 Online Buyer Economic Trend Study.” continue »
By Winmark Business Solutions
“The richer your friends, the more they will cost you.” — Elisabeth Marbury.
After considering their personal resources, the next place most entrepreneurs look for additional financing is to “insiders” like family, friends or business associates. Borrowing from insiders is attractive because it’s private, often informal, usually unsecured and often includes favorable terms, and because legal default proceedings are seldom invoked. In addition, this kind of financing can often be incorporated into a family’s estate plan to assist in minimizing estate and income tax liabilities. continue »
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