RESOURCES

blog article

Jul 22, 2019

Getting funding for your business is a significant growth milestone. With so many options for lending, however, it can be challenging to know what choice is best. For many business owners, the unsecured route presents the least amount of risk. With no collateral to offer up, you can be assured that ...

blog article

Jul 22, 2019

A government scheme designed to encourage big businesses to pay suppliers on time is due to be overhauled in an attempt to give small companies better protection. The prompt payment code, under which large companies promise to pay 95 per cent of their invoices within 60 days, is expected to be taken...

blog article

Jul 21, 2019

Generating sales and growing revenue is a challenge that nearly all small businesses share. To get it right, you need access to plenty of good leads that you can hopefully convert into sales, but lead generation can be an expensive, hit-and-miss process. The good news is social media can be a powerf...

blog article

Jul 19, 2019

The essential thinginess of capitalism has been one of its most-criticized features. Materialism, and specifically consumerism, are almost always used as pejorative terms. Nostalgic conservatives, egalitarian progressives and environmentalists loudly agree on at least one thing: we are just buying t...

blog article

Jul 18, 2019

If you are a small enterprise owner, then you definitely likely realize how crucial the timely monetary assist to your business is and you are constantly searching out extra money. If you do now not have wealthy pals who are can finance your commercial enterprise, then most likely, as well as maximu...

blog article

Jul 18, 2019

New federal funding has been allocated for emergency food and shelter programs in 11 Missouri countiesNew federal funding has been allocated for emergency food and shelter programs in 11 Missouri counties.The area covers Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Ralls, Randolph, Shelb...

blog article

Jul 17, 2019

Earlier in the year, it got R100 million from the SA SME Fund to bolster its R600 million kitty.Spartan ringfenced half of the funding it got from the SA SME Fund Half for black African owned businesses.Discovery CEO Adrian Gore and former Bidvest Chairperson Brian Joffe founded SA SME Fund.Forty-ei...

blog article

Jul 17, 2019

Outsourcing may add to your balance sheet, but it's not a waste. Every penny you save as a small business owner is another you can spend elsewhere. Small businesses are big-time commitments. As entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk has said, you have to work your butt off to see a payoff and it's imp...

blog article

Jul 16, 2019

The House on July 15 approved two bills that aim to bolster Small Business Administration (SBA) cybersecurity, and help small businesses combat cyberattacks.The legislation  the SBA Cyber Awareness Act and Small Business Development Center Cyber Training Act  were sponsored by Reps. Jason ...

blog article

Jul 16, 2019

Negosentro.com | Starting a business comes with a plethora of responsibilities. Those entrepreneurs that successfully start and run businesses are the ones that have prepared for the long run. There are tons of people that have great ideas that never manifest into anything. People that are serious a...

blog article

Jul 16, 2019

It’s never-ending for business owners: if it’s not BAS time, it’s EOFY, then the cycle starts all over again. With the EOFY rush receding, July as the first month of the new financial year is a great time to take stock.Scottish Pacific Business Finance works with thousands of busin...

blog article

Jul 16, 2019

The number of naturalized citizens who became incorporated business owners increased by 70.5% between 2000 and 2017.The top industry for both U.S.-born and naturalized citizens' incorporated businesses was construction.Four of the top five metropolitan areas with the largest proportion of busine...

blog article

Jul 15, 2019

It s that time of year when special events abound - weddings, graduations, baby showers and bar mitzvahs. With those events comes a tedious but necessary obligation: thank you notes! Taryn Singer has created WithThanks, a business that lets busy people outsource the task of thank you notes following...

blog article

Jul 15, 2019

The Growth Hacking Book: Most Guarded Growth Marketing Secrets the Silicon Valley Giants dont want to Know’ was unveiled by the Chief Guest by Dr. Unnat Pandit, Director NITI Aayog . Present on this occasion were Deepak Jain, Director FII, Sanjiv Goyal, Financial Advisor of Supreme Court and o...

blog article

Jul 15, 2019

The buyer’s journey has changed in a way which leaves many sales and marketing teams struggling to find insight from within what we call the Dark Funnel. However, many technology companies are starting to build solutions to address the radical new way customers engage and buy today by collecti...

blog article

Jul 15, 2019

The role of a Business Development Rep can be a daunting one. Knowing where to prioritize when you have over 1,000 accounts and knowing what content to reach out to them and engage them with can be an impossible task. But if you have the right intent data that can show you where the account is in th...

blog article

Jul 14, 2019

If you re trying to get your small business off the ground, it can seem like one obstacle after another stands in your way - especially when you re dealing with getting the financial part of your business straightened out. Wondering how to raise money to start a business? One option you might turn t...

blog article

Jul 12, 2019

Business financing comes in many forms, but for some small business owners, government small business loans offer the most benefits. These loans are backed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and issued by approved lenders, like banks and credit unions.

blog article

Jul 12, 2019

Connecticut, like its sister Northeast corridor state New Jersey, is a major thoroughfare between the region s megalopolises. Whether you re trying to capture some of that traffic or are serving Connecticut’s own towns and cities, there are tons of ways to finance your small business.

blog article

Jul 11, 2019

Arkansas is a great place to start a business, with its low cost of living and even lower cost of doing business-in fact, Arkansas’ cost of doing business is the lowest in the United States. Whether you have an established business in Central Arkansas’ vibrant Little Rock metro area, or ...

blog article

Jul 11, 2019

You need extra capital for your business, and a small business loan seems like the logical next step. But how do you navigate the loan process when you want to avoid a credit check? Are there lenders out there willing to loan money to small businesses without pulling credit?

blog article

Jul 11, 2019

business ideas that you can start with as little as KES - 1000 in 2019? Or youre just looking for an easy way to quite your boring job; work on your own terms and become rich doing what you love!

blog article

Jul 11, 2019

The word on everyones lips in the UK is Brexit. Its meant uncertainty for business. But that hasnt dented Brits enthusiasm for small-business ideas. Little wonder – since over 80% of self-employed people believe life is better that way.
Have you been mulling over ditching the boss, impr...

blog article

Jul 09, 2019

Getting reviews is one of the top pieces of marketing advice for business owners. Whether you’re gathering them on review sites like Yelp or Clutch, through social media platforms like Facebook, or on your own business website, you need reviews to improve your business.

blog article

Jul 09, 2019

Getting the word out about your business doesn't have to be some huge production of photo shoots and scripted commercials. It can be as easy as signing up for Google Ads.When someone is looking for information on a business or a topic, where's the first place they go? It's usually Google...

blog article

Jul 09, 2019

Small-refinery interests continue to fight USDAs inclusion in an ongoing review of EPAs small-refinery exemptions practice in the Renewable Fuel Standard program.On Monday, a lawyer representing refining interests wrote a letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler expressing concern about the agency...

blog article

Jul 09, 2019

Zero waste products have become popular. Because businesses have grown increasingly conscious of the impact they can have on the environment. The products you choose to sell, the packaging you use and the vendors you work with make a major impact on your carbon footprint. But you can find ways to ru...

blog article

Jul 09, 2019

If you want your business to operate as efficiently as possible, you need to get organized. A simple filing system thats easy to keep up with can ensure that all of your important documents and items are easy to find at a moment’s notice.

blog article

Jul 09, 2019

Canvas Flyer Maker lets you create professional flyers in seconds. Its a web based tool giving small business owners graphic design capabilities. Small Business Trends contacted Liz McKenzie, Head of PR and Communications at the company, to learn more.

blog article

Jul 09, 2019

There are many legal self-help resources available to help you form a corporation, partnership or LLC and handle all the legal paperwork. (Rocket Lawyer, LegalZoom and Nolo are three popular resources to check out.) For most startups, choosing a business structure and forming company can be handled ...

blog article

Jul 08, 2019

In an age where people connect more and more via the internet and social media, many small businesses are trying to utilize new strategies to get their products and ideas out there. Doing so can generate more sales and draw in new customers. However, this can only happen if those tools are being use...

blog article

Jul 08, 2019

Its five times cheaper to retain an existing customer than it is to attract a new one - especially when email marketing makes it so easy and affordable. Indeed, 80% of SMBs found email marketing to be a key tactic in customer retention, compared with 44% who found social media to be helpful.

blog article

Jul 08, 2019

Three key trends are driving the need for sales leaders to digitally transform their organizations. First, b-to-b buyers are conducting more of their purchase journey in the digital arena and demanding the same kind of frictionless and seamless customer experience they enjoy as consumers. Second, th...

blog article

Jul 08, 2019

Subscription businesses that charge customers monthly for using their offerings are expanding rapidly in response to consumers’ and b-to-b buyers’ desire to try a product and walk away easily if they’re not achieving the expected value. However, the subscription-based business mode...

blog article

Jul 07, 2019

Joining several other Democrats targeting black voters this weekend with economic proposals, presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg released a policy on Sunday aimed at helping minorities start businesses. Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, announced the proposal at Essence Festival, a gather...

blog article

Jul 06, 2019

If you already own a small business, you probably have some processes in place that help you run as efficiently and effectively as possible. However, as your business grows, you may need to step up those processes to get even better results. There are tons of different areas to improve, from your ma...

blog article

Jul 05, 2019

The Competition and Markets Authority has censured Barclays after the bank admitted it had broken rules designed to make it easier for small and medium-sized companies to switch banks. The competition watchdog told Barclays that it must “improve its practices” after the bank said it had ...

blog article

Jul 05, 2019

The high street bank will go head-to-head with British digital lender MarketInvoice and US payments giant PayPal. NatWest has launched a digital working capital loans product aimed at small businesses that will compete against Britain’s MarketInvoice and PayPal in the US.The high street bank s...

blog article

Jul 03, 2019

As we approach the Fourth of July, there are two dozen contenders for the 2020 Democratic nomination for president, and currently none of them are focusing on small business as a major priority. In fact, small business and the economy seem to lag far behind immigration, climate change, gun control, ...

blog article

Jul 03, 2019

The high street bank's business customers will be able to arrange calls using a mobile device, tablet or PC.NatWest has launched a video calls service that will put small business customers in touch with the bank’s business advisors.The high street bank said the service allows busy busines...

blog article

Jul 02, 2019

The evolution of mobile phones from a communication device to a high potential business tool is eye-popping. In the digital era, technology is advancing rapidly and people are getting more addicted to mobile phones and other such smart devices. It is interesting to note how mobile devices changed th...

blog article

Jul 02, 2019

SucSEED venture partners expanding its investment horizon into automobile segment by investing into Sepal. Sepal was founded in 2017 by Vidhey Addepally and Sriram Kashyap. Sepal is aiming at making biking more enjoyable and comfortable by not letting climate dictate riders travel plan. The extended...

blog article

Jul 02, 2019

Nowadays, anyone can become an entrepreneur. You just need a good understanding of digital tools and adopt a mindset that’s anchored on success. Then again, only a small fraction of business startups are able to make a breakthrough. And it’s not just because of sheer luck. There has got ...

blog article

Jul 01, 2019

Listed lender Barclays Kenya  says it is working on loan products tailored to the needs of Kenya’s small businesses after a nationwide survey revealed that most small and medium enterprises (SMEs) lacked credit facilities that understood their business model. “We are engaging indivi...

blog article

Jul 01, 2019

If your new business has already passed the lag phase, a line of credit becomes more resourceful than most other small business loans.  A line of credit is like an entrepreneur’s running fuel, right after the vehicle might have had to be Jumpstarted with other funding means. The peculiari...

blog article

Jul 01, 2019

Power words are words used by smart marketers and copywriters to trigger a psychological or emotional response. Power words incite a feeling, action, or opinion. They make you desire a product, click ‘buy now’, or trigger a memory. A strong power word is a difference between a reader add...

blog article

Jul 01, 2019

While it can be tempting for business owners to sweep certain tasks under the rug over the financial year, like bookkeeping or organising tax receipts, scrambling to get everything sorted when June hits isn’t fun - it’s usually just extra stress! Luckily enough, the new financial year is...

blog article

Jul 01, 2019

Theres nothing like a new beginning to get people motivated. If youre someone who loves a fresh start, the new financial year is the perfect time to set business goals for the year ahead.
Of course the start of a new financial year isn’t the only time to set and begin working on goals; ...

blog article

Jun 30, 2019

The Wall Street Journal reported this week that Google Maps has about 11 million illegitimate local listings and that hundreds of thousands more are created every month. The result of these fake listings is that real businesses get pushed further down the local search results, which adversely affect...

blog article

Jun 30, 2019

Owensboro Municipal Utilities has offered fiber optic internet packages to both large industrial and commercial customers as well as residential since 2016, but they recently added small business rates to their array of services and have seen rapid success. “Based on the success seen in our fi...

blog article

Jun 30, 2019

Being a small business owner is supposed to be freeing and rewarding. You’re supposed to be able to set your own hours, take vacations when and where you want to, and spend more time with family and friends. But oftentimes, small business owners find that the exact opposite is true. Could auto...

blog article

Jun 28, 2019

Over the years, Google has built a range of tools to help businesses use the web to grow and thrive. In October 2017, Google launched an initiative to help people develop the skills they need to find work or grow their business. In 2018, Google Search and Advertising tools helped create $335 billion...

blog article

Jun 27, 2019

Congress must act to protect small businesses from predatory lenders who seize their assets without warning using a legal instrument called a confession of judgment, U.S. Representative Nydia Velazquez said Wednesday.“By ending confessions of judgment in commercial lending, we can stop some of...

blog article

Jun 27, 2019

Today is International Small Business Day, and to mark the occasion Google has created a new home on the web for SMB marketers. Many of the tools available as part of the ‘Google for Small Business’ initiative have been developed based on feedback received from small business owners. Kim...

blog article

Jun 27, 2019

There is no doubt that artificial intelligence (AI) has drastically changed the world we live in since its foundation in the 1950s. We now have access to technology that our ancestors couldn’t have even imagined, and many businesses have made it a priority to pick up on the trend. Among other ...

blog article

Jun 26, 2019

SMEs are the backbone of the Indian industry with 42 million enterprises contributing to 6.11 per cent of the GDP in manufacturing and 24.63 per cent of the GDP to the service sector. Despite being a significant contributor to the Indian economy, SMEs face greater vulnerability on account of the pay...

blog article

Jun 26, 2019

Office 365, Microsoft’s monthly subscription-based experience of apps and services, gives you access to everything you need to be successful as a small business. Be it with collaboration apps like Microsoft Teams, Planner, or the cloud storage power of OneDrive, there’s a lot you get wit...

blog article

Jun 26, 2019

One of the biggest challenges for businesses is to satisfy their customers. To grow a business, you need to focus on consistently meeting customer requirements, both internal and external. Whether it’s a product or a service, it should always cater to the needs of customers. Since technologies...

blog article

Jun 26, 2019

Small to medium-sized business owners know the importance of incentivising and retaining key employees using a share options scheme.They’re both tax efficient for the company and the employees who benefit.However, there are practical problems which mean that such schemes may not work. If this ...

blog article

Jun 25, 2019

Business travelers cite the language barrier as one of the biggest hindrances to conducting business abroad. But it need not be a problem. Use one of the highly advanced language translation devices and apps that are currently available.They vary in price according to functionality. But they come in...

blog article

Jun 25, 2019

First, though, I want to talk about opening a small business and the importance of finding the right place to begin. There’s nothing like opening that first day, but it is much more fun to open on Day 100, 1000, and 10,000. Toward that end, Gildshire looked at the cities that are hosting the m...

blog article

Jun 25, 2019

Opportunities for growth arise, equipment breaks, inventory goes on sale, business slows, and operational expenses grow. Sometimes, all of those things happen at once. Regardless of what circumstance matches your experience, chances are you’ll need working capital to make things happen. While ...

blog article

Jun 25, 2019

Social media is how we communicate, relax and work. Scrolling through any platform is second nature these days.So, it makes sense that small businesses are harnessing the power of social media to engage with consumers and to ultimately grow sales.Research shows that almost two thirds of consumers ar...

blog article

Jun 24, 2019

The vast majority of small business owners apparently aren’t paying attention to fears about a recession or the ongoing trade ware with China. Rather, a new survey finds that 74 percent of companies are planning to expand over the next year. And that’s a 12 percent increase over 2018 whe...

blog article

Jun 24, 2019

Staying connected is essential for the way people work. Whether it is through voice, video, or text, workers use different platforms to make these connections. And according to the 2019 State of the Digital Workplace Report from Igloo, coworkers are connecting on Facebook more frequently than on oth...

blog article

Jun 24, 2019

As an eCommerce business owner, you must make sure you are collecting the correct sales tax on all your transactions. But this can prove difficult considering all the different local tax obligations across America. To ease this burden, online businesses of all sizes can use eCommerce sales tax softw...

blog article

Jun 24, 2019

As the owner of a small business website, you may find it hard getting your site noticed online when it's up against the big guys, especially if you’re not an SEO master.While you may know that you need  more backlinks pointing back to your website, actually figuring out how to get th...

blog article

Jun 24, 2019

While we here at Hashed Out may not be the internet’s top resource for cyber security related information – though we strive to be and have more than two million readers – we still want to do the best job we can at providing you with the best and most useful information possible. T...

blog article

Jun 24, 2019

No matter who your customer is or what you’re selling, it’s more likely than not that your customer will have to go through several steps before choosing to buy your product or service. Think about your own shopping habits: you don’t just buy the first thing you see. The first thin...

blog article

Jun 24, 2019

It takes thoughtful work to scale an e-commerce store. I’m sure you’ve had a few growing pains of your own getting to the point where you are today. However, you’re reading this because you may not be content with where your conversions are at this precise moment. You may not even ...

blog article

Jun 24, 2019

We’ve all heard the term “less is more”. And we’ve been told this applies for landing pages too. I.e. your forms should be short and only ask for only the bare minimum of required information if you want to convert. As an example, one of the main questions someone typically h...

blog article

Jun 23, 2019

Want to grow a small business but can’t afford to invest in expensive advertising? Do you want to increase profits for your company, but know you can’t afford to hire a marketing guru or spend money on radio/television/newspaper ads? There are easy ways to promote your small business for...

blog article

Jun 23, 2019

Business owners are despondent as some have embarked on mass retrenchments or the worst-case scenario of liquidation. At the small town of Sheba Siding, located about 20km north-east of Barberton in Mpumalanga, a 111-year old talc mine that employs about 50 people has shut its operations since April...

blog article

Jun 23, 2019

This week, Facebook unveiled its new Libra cryptocurrency, which will let users make purchases or send money to people with virtually no fees either online or at local exchange points like grocery stores. Libra customers could spend the currency using interoperable third-party wallet apps or Faceboo...

blog article

Jun 21, 2019

Blogging is integral to any company’s website, but employing a few clever tricks can help you boost the value of your small business blog posts even further. It doesn’t have to be time-consuming, either – try out the tips below and watch your numbers grow.

blog article

Jun 21, 2019

It takes guts to start a business, particularly in the crowded and competitive world of retail. Besides courage, you’ll need a lot of determination and resilience. The process can take months and will likely involve a lot of sleepless nights, but when everything clicks, there is almost nothing...

blog article

Jun 20, 2019

Digital technology is disrupting almost everything, which includes education. According to the self employment statistics in FreshBooks 2019 Self-Employment in America Report, college education is becoming less of a prerequisite.

blog article

Jun 20, 2019

Social media marketing has become a valuable tool for small business owners. But the platforms they prioritize depends on their age. When it comes to Instagram, 43% of millennials say they plan to increase their investment on the platform. The number goes down to 25% for Gen Xers.

blog article

Jun 19, 2019

PPG has seen many changes over its 135-year history. Originally a glass manufacturer, PPG transitioned the core of its business to paints and specialty coatings that are used on everything from driverless cars to the posts on NHL goals. But the latest change may be the most drastic. PPG has undergon...

blog article

Jun 19, 2019

A number of small businesses still aren’t spending enough advertising cash to get good results although they know they should. One of the reasons is a limited budget, but did you know that there are some solid cheap advertising ideas out there that are more effective than you’d think?

blog article

Jun 19, 2019

There are many reasons why a business might struggle to make online sales. But when it is happening to your business, it can be difficult to look at things clearly and be objective about the situation. However, it’s a good idea to take a step back and think about what might be preventing your ...

blog article

Jun 18, 2019

Predictions suggest voice search will change the marketing strategy forever. Even now many searches happen by voice. But digital marketers are still at a loss: So if you read your search query and then hear your answers, where will the clicks be coming from?

blog article

Jun 18, 2019

Growing a small enterprise into a larger company requires takes a lot of work. Avoid wasting precious time. And actually turn the corner. But to do this business owners need drive, discipline, and a structured approach. All this points to having good project management.

blog article

Jun 17, 2019

As consumers become more and more savvy about traditional advertising - and how to avoid it - content marketing continues to grow. With this growth, small-business owners should learn how to best market themselves and their businesses. This is where content marketing and blogging come in; a company ...

blog article

Jun 16, 2019

Micro influencers are social media personalities with anywhere from 2,000-50,000 followers. The numbers vary depending on the source, but their importance is universal. They are a great cost efficient way to provide targeted advertising for small businesses with limited budgets.

blog article

Jun 13, 2019

Britain’s financial watchdog has defended its decision not to penalise lender RBS or its former executives for past mistreatment of small business customers.The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said it was sticking by its decision not to apply penalties for actions of RBS’s former turna...

blog article

Jun 13, 2019

Eigthy-two percent of small and medium-sized businesses fail because of cash flow problems. And while there are many factors that can impact cash flow, invoices or accounts receivable account for a fair share. Invoice, or more specifically, unpaid invoices, can be a big problem for small business ow...

blog article

Jun 13, 2019

In the biggest acquisition in the company history, Salesforce has bought Tableau Software for $15.7 billion. The deal is expected to fuel competition between Salesforce and Microsoft in the data analytics/visualization segments of the CRM industry. Small Business Trends contacted several industry ex...

blog article

Jun 13, 2019

Experiential marketing, also called engagement marketing, is a strategy using experiences to make an emotional connection to your prospects. Think ticketed events like concerts sponsored by your brand. Think online contests that showcase your message.Here’s why this experiential marketing is i...

blog article

Jun 13, 2019

When you think about growing trees for profit, you probably picture huge forests full of trees being harvested for lumber. But in fact, the USDA’s economic research has found that growing smaller, nursery trees is the fastest growing segment of the U.S. agriculture market. This is great news f...

blog article

Jun 13, 2019

In this age of information overload and uncertainties, even the slightest carelessness may lead you to go over budget. This makes it crucial to create a budget plan that can protect you from such setbacks and unexpected developments. Surprisingly, 61% of small businesses didn’t even have a bud...

blog article

Jun 12, 2019

Many types of businesses need equipment and machinery to run successfully. As a small business owner, you know just how crucial it can be to have the right equipment your company needs to operate on a daily basis. Yet depending upon your business’ equipment needs, you might not have the funds ...

blog article

Jun 12, 2019

Melissa Marchand’s day on Cape Cod started out like any other. She drove to her job at Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises in her mid-size sedan, picked up a latte with 1 percent milk at her local coffee shop and sat down at her desk to check her email. Then, Marchand got the call no website manager...

blog article

Jun 11, 2019

The federal government has announced it is bringing its online innovation portal, which matches small and medium-sized businesses with government programs and services, to mobile devices. Canada Business is a mobile business consultant, simplifying access to government services. Designed as an all-a...

blog article

Jun 11, 2019

The index of small-business optimism from the National Federation of Independent Business rose to 105.0 in May. Economists surveyed by Econoday had forecast a 102.0 reading. What Six of ten survey components increased, three were unchanged, and only one fell in May. Nearly two-thirds, or 62%, report...

blog article

Jun 10, 2019

Learning how to apply for a small business loan or other business financing can not only help you get the right loan for your business but can also assist in deciding whether it’s the right move in the first place. Many small business lenders will want to see a business plan that explains why ...

blog article

Jun 10, 2019

The government has launched One District One Product Scheme to promote MSMEs in India. MSME sector contributes considerably to the country’s economy. The central and state government has launched various MSME schemes previously to empower them. The government also offers business loans to aid ...

blog article

Jun 10, 2019

A record low number of small businesses are expecting to grow this year and their owners are in despair about Brexit and rising labour costs.Only 45 per cent of small businesses expect to expand over the next 12 months, according to the Federation of Small Businesses. Its quarterly confidence index ...

blog article

Jun 10, 2019

The term Five Nines is jargon cloud service providers use to label service uptime. The phrase refers to 99.999% availability. That translates into 26.3 seconds per month of downtime or 5.26 minutes a year.Small Business Trends contacted Mark Sher, Vice President of UC Product and Marketing at Interm...

blog article

Jun 10, 2019

Love for a Doordarshan serial called Tarang aired every Sunday in the 1990s was the initial spark. Manvi Dhawan watched the serial at her hometown in Gwalior, while Ratnesh Mishra was inspired by the same serial which he watched in his home town Raipur.The serial dealt with small science projects an...

blog article

Jun 10, 2019

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated on June 7 that H.R.1648, the Small Business Advanced Cybersecurity Enhancements Act of 2019, will cost about $2 million annually to implement, and $11 million in total between 2019 and 2024, if the bill is enacted.The legislation, which is sponsored by...

blog article

Jun 08, 2019

Whether it’s at a business dinner, a launch event or a sales meeting, being good at small talk comes with a number of advantages, including giving you the chance to meet new people and sell your products or services.At the same time, small talk overload can be off-putting and do you more harm ...

blog article

Jun 05, 2019

At Dreamforce 2018, the Salesforce small business team asked attendees to share their most essential advice for small business owners. Over the course of four days, we collected more than 1,000 pearls of wisdom.To celebrate National Small Business Week, we’ve distilled those 1,000+ suggestions...

blog article

Jun 05, 2019

Laptops continue to increase in popular for business use. And not only do they allow you and your team to get work done from anywhere. But many also provide all the power, storage and speed that you really need. And this allows you to perform your day-to-day functions. However, with the increasing p...

blog article

Jun 04, 2019

Summer is in full swing in Metro Atlanta, and while you prepare for vacations and try to gain refuge from the heat, many events are being held that can help you upgrade your business. Whether you need a new marketing plan or a reevaluation of your business strategy, there is a variety of low-cost an...

blog article

Jun 03, 2019

On a Thursday morning at 5:30 AM, Alex sipped her latte, her elbows atop the service counter. Each day at this time, the sunlight through the front window blanketed her coffee shop and she enjoyed a few moments of peace and quiet before the morning rush began. With 30 minutes to spare before she cor...

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Jun 03, 2019

Main street groups are sounding off on President Donald Trump’s latest round of tariff proposals — this time levied on goods imported from Mexico.Last week Trump threatened to put 5% tariffs on Mexican goods beginning on June 10, with gradual increases as high as 25% this year. The argum...

blog article

Jun 02, 2019

Digital technology has transformed the way people communicate, socialize, work, shop, play, travel and more. And this has increased their reliance on the technology, which makes it that much more frustrating when something goes wrong. According to a study by Asurion, 80% of Americans experience some...

blog article

Jun 01, 2019

When you really listen to your customers you build long-term relationships, receive feedback, gain more customers and you can even avoid crisis.The Applied Marketing Science (AMS) “Listening to the Voice of the Customer” workshop has been designed to help you do all that and more.From Oc...

blog article

Jun 01, 2019

Every business owner’s experience is different. So when you’re considering tips from the experts, it helps to turn to those who have similar qualities or experiences. If your a woman entrepreneur, a local business, or a business owner who’s focusing on SEO or online advertising, he...

blog article

May 30, 2019

Technology can help today’s startups do so many things, from communicating with team members around the world to delivering quality services to customers. But with more tech tools and platforms available today than ever before, making those decisions for a new startup can seem a bit overwhelmi...

blog article

May 29, 2019

One of the biggest challenges for any business owner is solving the puzzle of giving their employees the best tools and resources to succeed in their jobs — without creating a tremendous amount of overhead. And while that’s an objective at most companies, it’s small businesses that...

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May 28, 2019

Productivity and a good night’s sleep go hand in hand. Nearly half of Americans report insufficient or low-quality sleep. And this interferes with their daily lives at least once a week. You run a business. So you know the importance of getting a good night’s sleep. And you can stay on t...

blog article

May 28, 2019

Have you had it with your boss? Want to pursue your passion instead of building someone else’s dreams? You’re not alone. According to a recent Small Biz Trends survey, those two notions motivate nearly fifty percent of aspiring entrepreneurs. But are those reasons enough to take the leap...

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May 27, 2019

In her latest book, “Fintech, Small Business & the American Dream,” Karen G. Mills, senior fellow at Harvard Business School, shares one entrepreneur’s payday struggles. In chapter eight, Mills profiles a brewery owner who isn’t sure whether she can afford to pay both her...

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May 25, 2019

Running a business is full of trial and error. So you’re sure to make plenty of mistakes. But if you can avoid mistakes that other entrepreneurs have made before you, your business will have a better chance of success. Here are some of the mistakes and challenges that members of the online sma...

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May 23, 2019

Statistics show that cybersecurity is a legitimate threat to small businesses, but small businesses don't always act on that knowledge. According to the 2018 Hiscox Small Business Cybersecurity Report, 47% of small businesses experienced an attack in the past 12 months. Cybersecurity is a seriou...

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May 23, 2019

The Federal Trade Commission has opened an investigation into potentially unfair or deceptive practices in the merchant cash-advance industry, which offers unregulated, high-interest loans to small businesses and has exploded in size over the past decade. The inquiry, which also includes companies o...

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May 21, 2019

Our nation's aging, crumbling infrastructure has captured the spotlight in Washington. President Donald Trump met recently with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, with the three striking a commitment to move forward with a historic infrastructure bill. They are ...

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May 21, 2019

ADTRAN announced an extension of its SmartOS-enabled portfolio of broadband access solutions with the SmartRG 652ac (SR652ac) residential and small business gateway. The new carrier-grade, SmartOS-enabled residential and small business gateway provides the ability to deliver highly competitive broad...

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May 21, 2019

There’s good news for small businesses. The interest rates are holding steady and there’s good GDP numbers out. Small Business Trends talked with Mark Davis, national managing partner of Deloitte Private Enterprises for Deloitte & Touche LLP. He offered 8 suggestions on what small bu...

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May 21, 2019

If you’re a small business owner, chances are, you recently completed your tax filing. So, how to save money on taxes next year is probably top of mind. Here’s something you may not know: offering your employees an employer-sponsored 401(k), if you haven’t already offered one, coul...

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May 20, 2019

Washington D.C. – U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry today announced that the Department of Energy will award 231 grants totaling $46 million to 202 small businesses in 39 states and the District of Columbia.  Funded through DOE’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Bu...

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May 20, 2019

The trade ministry plans to initiate preliminary talks with the Treasury with a view to further easing the tax burden on micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) beyond income tax to free up cash to support growth and creation of new job opportunities. Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary...

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May 16, 2019

Expanding your small business can be exciting for any entrepreneur. However, adding multiple locations means you can no longer be physically present in every spot to control the daily operations. And that can be a difficult thing for hands-on business owners who have largely overseen those operation...

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May 16, 2019

Loan applications and bad credit are like oil and vinegar – they don’t mix together well. Whether you’re searching for a business loan or financing on the personal side, trying to find a lender who will let you borrow money with bad credit can be a frustrating process.If you have b...

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May 15, 2019

Managing pilotless aircraft and solar panels that could help humans live on the Moon and Mars are among the technologies NASA is looking to develop with small business awards totaling $106 million.In all, NASA has selected 142 proposals from 129 U.S. small businesses from 28 states and the District ...

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May 13, 2019

A Lake County manufacturer is mentioned prominently in this Wall Street Journal story about the squeeze being put on small businesses by the tight job market.Job growth at the smallest businesses has fallen to the lowest levels in nearly eight years as tiny companies struggle to attract and retain w...

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May 13, 2019

As the Public Relations Manager at Nav, I have the privilege of reviewing each of the applications that are submitted for our company’s Small Business Grant. In all honesty, it’s the best and worst part of my job all rolled into one. The week of reviewing applications is truly an emotion...

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May 13, 2019

The process can be tedious, expensive and time consuming, and the difficulty is often exacerbated when unemployment is low. A recent survey found that 60% of business owners are hiring or trying to hire, and of those employers, 90% reported finding few to no qualified applicants. The length of the h...

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May 12, 2019

Managing your business is an undertaking that requires you to pay attention to many different factors, and it’s not always easy to keep up with them. One of the areas that are critical to the survival of your company is security. Unfortunately, many small business owners are not aware of the m...

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May 11, 2019

First, a big thank you to all of you who read my saga of getting a business license in the City of Miami Beach. It quickly became RE:MiamiBeach’s most talked about article. Reaction was quick. Mayor Dan Gelber responded on Facebook, “Thanks for your story. I’m sorry you suffered th...

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May 11, 2019

U.S. hikes tariffs on $200B of Chinese goods; China vows to take "necessary countermeasures"; small business owners brace for new tariff hikes. China's negotiator says Trump must remove extra tariffs to reach deal.Trump just raised tariffs on thousands of Chinese goods.Trump tariff thr...

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May 10, 2019

Large corporations’ capital structures hold such weight in our global economy that they are covered in the news, but the stories of small business owners are often overlooked. Finding funding can be difficult for small business owners, even with countless options available. Business loans and ...

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May 09, 2019

Last November, we were elected to Congress as part of a freshman class full of “firsts.”One of us was one of the first Native American women elected to Congress. The other, one of the youngest women ever elected to Congress. We’re also both first-generation college students. And we...

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May 09, 2019

As a lawyer, I’ve represented many businesses but often found that small business owners make major mistakes thatl leave them legally vulnerable. If big guys like Hertz can fall victim to business schemes, think about how much more vulnerable your tech startup or fledgling new ecommerce fashio...

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May 08, 2019

Facebook announced a launch of an automated advertisement manager for small businesses this week. The announcement is quite opportune as it comes during the National Small Business Week in the country.The new program aims at small businesses with one or two people handling the entire affair. The aut...

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May 07, 2019

The first full week in May is National Small Business Week, which has prompted a series of lawmakers to tout the role of small business in Wisconsin.U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson — a longtime businessman himself — joined the chorus with a May 6, 2019 tweet:"99.4% of businesses in Wisconsin ...

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May 07, 2019

Houston small-business owners are less confident about the local economy, according to Bank of America, though still more upbeat that counterparts nationally.In a nationwide survey of 1,000 small-business owners, 66 percent of Houstonians surveyed believe the local economy will improve. That's d...

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May 07, 2019

Welcome to National Small Business Week, an entire week dedicated to celebrating the typically uncelebrated version of the American entrepreneur.Drive through the heart of any downtown in this country and you will pass small business after small business -- laundromats, restaurants, gas stations, cl...

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May 06, 2019

With Small Business Week 2019 upon us, now is as good a time as any to begin making that idea you can’t stop thinking about a reality. As of last year, there were 30.2 million small businesses in the United States -- and you could join their ranks.Don’t let a fear of failure hold you bac...

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May 06, 2019

Recruiting talent for any size business can be a challenge in today’s marketplace. Adding to the stress in many states and localities are new laws that prohibit companies from asking candidates for their salary history. This new wave of legislation has many small companies confused: why would ...

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May 05, 2019

The small business community feels their local and U.S. economy are strong. This according to the annual Small Business Pulse Survey from SunTrust. But only 49% of the respondents in the survey said they have a clearly stated plan for business growth.Considering the strong economic sentiment small b...

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May 02, 2019

Small businesses can often find themselves strapped for cash. When payroll is due, and accounts receivables are still high, cash is king. Even the most successful small business is susceptible to this type of crunch.As a four time venture-backed entrepreneur from the Silicon Valley, who has raised a...

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May 01, 2019

Do you struggle with scheduling for your small businesses? You have must make sure all your shifts are covered. But you also need to optimize the schedule to ensure as many sales as possible. So you need to take tons of things into consideration. Then create the perfect employee schedule. And keep l...

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Apr 29, 2019

Amazon has beaten analyst estimates by some margin after net income more than doubled during its first quarter.According to its first quarter results for the period ending March 31, the online retail giant saw net income grown from $1.6 billion (£1.24 billion) to $3.6 billion (£2.79 bill...

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Apr 29, 2019

Choom™ is pleased to announce that on Friday, April 26, 2019, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (“AGCO”) issued a Retail Operator Licence to Lisa Bigioni, and issued a Retail Store Authorization for her Choom-branded cannabis store in Niagara Falls, Ontario, which is exp...

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Apr 29, 2019

Buy online pickup in store or click-and-collect is now a key omnichannel initiative with retailers for driving in-store traffic by identifying potential customers online and luring them to buy other products once they arrive. YetBOPIS order fulfillment operations remain a key challenge for retailers...

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Apr 29, 2019

American Apparel has tabled plans to re enter retail via a Los Angeles store as it focuses on continuing the momentum within other areas of its business. The company continues to still have a leasehold on the Melrose Avenue location where it intended to open the store. “We’ve been really...

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Apr 27, 2019

After Epic released the v8.50 Fortnite update on Thursday, dataminers were quick to look through the new files and leak what they found. Leaks included new cosmetics, Discovery loading screens, leaked challenges and images of Tilted Towers and Retail Row being destroyed. Dataminer FiremonkeyFN recen...

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Apr 26, 2019

Matalan has announced it will open its first store in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, on May 11.The new 23,000sq ft store will be located at the Mander Shopping Centre, and will offer womenswear, menswear, kidswear and homesware.Just last month, the fashion value retailer opened a store in Leeds.Meanw...

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Apr 26, 2019

As the competition in the retail market is increasing, Walmart is experimenting with its physical stores. The company is digitizing its stores to manage it more efficiently and make the customer shopping experience more pleasant. The retail giant has rolled out its Intelligent Retail Lab officially ...

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Apr 26, 2019

Yumi Kim, a growing contemporary women's brand based out of Soho, is looking for seasoned Retail Stylists, Keyholders, and a Store Manager for our flagship Lower East Side boutique. This is an amazing opportunity for someone who is looking for a multi-faceted key role on a small and dynamic team...

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Apr 26, 2019

Almost half of BHS stores have remained empty since its collapse into administration in 2016.A total of 44 per cent of stores are still empty, according to the Local Data Company (LDC), after new research found that out of the 160 stores that closed, 70 units are still empty.Sir Philip Green sells B...

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Apr 26, 2019

The growth rate appeared to be driven by shoppers splurging on Lunar New Year celebrations as well as an increase in apparel sales during the month.February’s rise followed a 7.2 per cent improvement in January and government statisticians have predicted a rise of 8 per cent for March.

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Apr 25, 2019

You’ve heard of your competitors using partner programs. But is it right for your business? Regardless of the size of your business, finding workable strategies to encourage growth is essential to your long-term success. To this end, some businesses turn to partner programs as a way to bu...

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Apr 25, 2019

CVS Health announced this morning that the drug store chain will open “hundreds” of SmileDirectClub locations inside its stores this year, with plans to open more than 1,000 locations over the next two years. Called a SmileShop, customers can receive a 3D scan of their teeth that will be...

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Apr 25, 2019

Retailers today are faced with more competition than ever before, making it challenging to both attract and retain customers. Customer expectations are elevating too, driven by new technologies from point-of-sale engagement and artificial intelligence engines all aiming to enhance the shopping exper...

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Apr 25, 2019

Trello offers a popular tool for personal productivity and team collaboration. The platform gives users more than 25 million users worldwide. You can easily customize the platform based on your tasks and working preferences. And it delivers a powerful way for businesses to organize projects.&nb...

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Apr 25, 2019

Tax credits provided by the federal government are a great incentive for small and medium business to hire and retain talent. For businesses interested in helping workers who have faced challenges getting back on the payroll, there are a variety of tax credits and incentives available to help. The b...

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Apr 24, 2019

Online retail sales last month saw subdued growth due to a later Easter pushing back holiday spending and no repeat of last year’s Beast from the East snowstorms.According to the latest eRetail Sales Index from IMRG and Capgemini, the online retail industry only recorded sales growth of five p...

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Apr 24, 2019

The death of the physical store has been widely discussed for years, and many in the retail industry have predicted its demise. The retail industry, however, has survived disruption cycles in the past, including the “original” threat to Main Street’s brick-and-mortar stores the cat...

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Apr 24, 2019

You developed your business plan over the course of years. Since realizing your lifelong dream of becoming a business owner, your company has been profitable. However, due to cash flow problems, you’re barely keeping your head above water. If you can relate to this scenario, you’re not a...

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Apr 24, 2019

The new owners of Debenhams are reportedly days away from launching a CVA which could include plans to shut down 20 stores in early 2020.According to Sky News, Debenhams will launch a CVA in the latter half of this week and have appointed KPMG to oversee it.Should this eventuate, a handful of the de...

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Apr 22, 2019

I hope everyone had a good holiday if you were celebrating! My family was in town, so it was a good weekend. Detroit is abuzz because a local legend is coming back to be the general manager of the Red Wings. It’s early, but hope springs anew that Hockeytown might soon be restored to its former...

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Apr 22, 2019

Welcome to the Small Business Run Down. Every day, we bring you stories and trends that impact small business owners and their workforce. To start: the tight labor market and student loan assistance programs for employees, followed by the cooling small biz market. And for dessert: the Freakshak...

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Apr 19, 2019

Welcome to the Small Business Run Down. Each day we bring you stories and trends that impact small business owners and their workforce. It’s Friday and the jury–or at least one survey is in on the impact of the new tax code on small businesses. Also: cool and creative perks for empl...

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Apr 19, 2019

Imagine going live on video and educating your audience? Interacting with them, answering any doubts they may have? Sounds fun, right? This is why we think webinars for small businesses are a good idea. Over the last year, small businesses held over 1500 webinars collectively per day. Over 14 millio...

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Apr 18, 2019

Many ambitious young businesses aspire to become the next startup success story. While few businesses experience major growth overnight, learning to manage an organization that’s expanding at any measurable rate is no simple task. Many businesses simply fall short of aligning their operations ...

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Apr 18, 2019

Retail sales were up 1 percent in March seasonally adjusted from February and up 0.8 percent unadjusted year-over-year, the National Retail Federation said. The numbers exclude automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants.The Commerce Department said that sales increased a seasonally adjust...

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Apr 17, 2019

Malaysia-based venture capital and multi-family private investment firm RHL Ventures has launched a RM100 million ($24.2 million) fund to support the growth of local startups as well as small and medium enterprises (SMEs), it said in a statement on Wednesday. The fund is anchored by SME Corp. Malays...

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Apr 17, 2019

Extending credit to customers allows them to purchase goods and services on credit and pay for them later on. Offering credit is often a win-win for both merchants and buyers. Customers have more purchasing power, and tend to buy more if they are not limited to cash they have at the time of the sale...

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Apr 17, 2019

Over six million Brits have signed a petition to revoke Article 50 and remain in the European Union – one of the largest ever recorded on the Parliament website. It is clear that as deadlines loom, a nation remains confused about Brexit, what it means and how much of an impact it will have on ...

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Apr 16, 2019

It’s no secret that small businesses in South Dakota are making big strides. One of them, DeGeest Steel Works in Tea was recognized recently for its success. That earned a special visit Tuesday From Senator John Thune.DeGeest steel works is a third generation, family owned business. They produ...

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Apr 16, 2019

Filing personal bankruptcy can help you manage your debt situation, either through a restructured repayment plan or by wiping out most, if not all, of your debt entirely. But it can also harm your credit history, making it difficult to get approved for business financing. That doesn’t mean it&...

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Apr 16, 2019

With Earth Day on the horizon (April 22), many businesses will soon take a pause to reflect on ways they can reduce waste and recycle materials. Sara Swisher-Anderson, founder of jewelry company Lennon Harper Designs, is already on top of her game when it comes to reuse. She creates upcycled pieces ...

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Apr 16, 2019

If you have come up with a new business idea and want to turn it into reality, then you will be happy to know that the Internet can provide you with all the tools and information you need to succeed in that endeavor. In fact, the following are the top 12 tools that you can use for a smooth and succe...

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Apr 16, 2019

The Oregon Senate passed a bill Thursday that would ban restaurants from freely handing out plastic straws to customers. Customers dining inside must explicitly request a straw to get one. The rule does not apply to drive-through customers.“We use a straw for less than an hour, but it continue...

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Apr 16, 2019

The BDO research, based on an analysis of 730,000 directors on the boards of UK SMEs, reveals that 15% of business directors are aged over 66, with 10% aged over 70.And with many lifestyle and family-run businesses in the UK catering equipment sector, this statistic could be particularly pertinent t...

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Apr 15, 2019

In this article, Aaron Tanaka, director of the Center for Economic Democracy and cofounder of the Boston Ujima Project, envisions a new approach for economic development that is centered on the concept of a “social justice enterprise”—an enterprise that, beyond the social enterpris...

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Apr 15, 2019

A South Carolina agency meant to help businesses grow tried to pad its budget by reporting fraudulent data to the federal government, according to a lawsuit filed by a former employee.The S.C. Small Business Development Center, based at the University of South Carolina and overseen by the school, cl...

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Apr 15, 2019

Beijing’s efforts to boost the availability of capital to the country’s smallest businesses could generate as much as 2.8 trillion yuan (US$418 billion) in new loans if the nation’s banks meet the government’s target to increase business lending this year, according to S&...

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Apr 15, 2019

New research from Yorkshire Bank, part of CYBG plc, has revealed the sacrifices that British business owners make for the success of their company.The survey findings show that around one in five report experiencing detrimental effects on their health from giving up exercise (16%) or healthy eating ...

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Apr 15, 2019

U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry today announced that the Department of Energy will award 86 grants totaling $95 million to 74 small businesses in 21 states.  Funded through DOE’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, today&rsquo...

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Apr 15, 2019

Telecom operator Bharti Airtel Monday entered into a partnership with network gear maker Cisco to jointly offer networking and connectivity solutions to enterprise and small and medium business customers in India. "Digital India has opened up a huge residual opportunity to help businesses in th...

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Apr 15, 2019

These days, consumers can pick up their groceries without ever entering a supermarket and schedule repeat shipments of their pet's must-have treats and toys for a discounted price. Services like grocery pickup and auto-ship continue to attract consumers to big-box retailers, but it's what th...

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Apr 15, 2019

The Affordable Health Care for America Act (ACA) increased the number of options individuals and small business owners have when it comes to choosing the best health insurance policy for their needs. Prior to the ACA, the number of small business offering health insurance to their employees hovered ...

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Apr 14, 2019

Small business owners now have more productivity tools at their disposal than ever before. This has allowed owners to organize, streamline, and automate many of the processes of their daily operations.The problem is, navigating the seemingly endless sea of business applications has become a job in i...

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Apr 13, 2019

Many businesses see the process of finding the right a marketing agency as pleasant as a colonoscopy. And just as messy. Finding a marketing agency that checks all the boxes for your particular business needs can be a stressful and laborious experience. Whether you’ve appointed agencies in the...

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Apr 12, 2019

Did you know that WhatsApp marketing is an effective way to get your audience to not just buy, but talk about your brand? The world has come a long way from using Whatsapp just for texting. Small businesses are making the smart switch to messenger apps to sell their products. However, when it comes ...

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Apr 12, 2019

Whether you’re just starting out with your company or you’re looking to expand your business, a business loan can help you get the funding you need to take things to the next level. Before you start applying, though, you might be wondering how hard it is to get a business loan. The ...

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Apr 12, 2019

Employee benefits are key to a productive and satisfied workforce. Benefits take on many forms, from paid time off to flexible hours to free snacks and coffee. Companies are required by law to provide unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation insurance, but many employers go beyond the ...

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Apr 12, 2019

Latest technological innovations are the edge that really needs to grow and to boost the revenues ultimately. Using the latest business technology and innovations, small business owners and companies can leverage limited financial resources and capital in smart and most effective ways to get more sa...

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Apr 12, 2019

As a cash-strapped startup, you’re looking for ways to save money while staying ahead of the competition. How you structure your company and which tasks you chose to do in-house will have an impact on how productive and profitable it’s going to be; deciding to outsource is no easy choice...

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Apr 12, 2019

Bank of America – or “BOA” – is a well-known player in the small business credit card realm. Its products include the popular Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card, which has given companies flexible rewards for everyday business spe...

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Apr 12, 2019

Google announced several latest retail solutions, built in collaboration with our ecosystem of retail partners and created to resolve business difficulties that retailers face over all parts of the value chain. Google have invested in solutions for retailers and many take full benefit of Google Clou...

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Apr 12, 2019

An online presence is a must-have for any business, especially retail. But even after you’ve set up your online store, you should continually update and improve it to make the most of your online presence. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the simple changes you can make to optimize yo...

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Apr 11, 2019

Just when we thought retail was going extinct, it showed us it had a few more tricks up its sleeve. Before the advent of the internet, retail outlets defined themselves by their physical reach the bigger the better. When e-commerce busted onto the scene, it presented such an appealing alternative to...

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Apr 11, 2019

The Philippine fast-food giant is recruiting full-time and part-time staff for the stores via its Facebook page. Listed jobs include service, kitchen crew as well as managerial roles.Having opened its first store at Lucky Plaza in 2013, Jollibee Singapore now has six outlets: two at Lucky Plaza, and...

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Apr 11, 2019

Every year NRF and Forrester Research look at what’s driving retailers’ investments and strategies across their businesses. The latest results from the 2019 State of Retailing Online report are in, and the findings showcase how modern retailers think about meeting the demands of today&rs...

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Apr 11, 2019

ant to connect your business with the 1.3 billion+ uses on Facebook Messenger?Then power your site with MobileMonkey’s WP-Chatbot.It’s just like a traditional website chat where users can chat with a support team or get answers to questions, but with the added benefit of getting informat...

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Apr 11, 2019

Emirates Leisure Retail, a subsidiary of the Emirates Group which develops and operates hospitality outlets in Dubai, Singapore and Australia, is pushing further into the New Zealand market with the opening of a restaurant at Auckland Airport. New Zealand is the fourth market Emirates Leisure Retail...

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Apr 11, 2019

Today, 55-60 million micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) operate in India today, as per ‘Credit Disrupted’ a report by Omidyar Network and the Boston Consulting Group. The potential of this segment is growing rapidly, thanks to the start-up movement, strengthening digital i...

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Apr 11, 2019

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index increased to 101.8, 0.1 points above February’s reading. This is a historically strong level. 23 percent of business owners surveyed said the next three months was a good time to expand, one point higher than last month’s reading. “Small busin...

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Apr 11, 2019

Lending to small businesses is growing at a faster pace as financial institutions increasingly find means to tap the sector’s credit gap. Outstanding disbursements to the micro, small and medium enterprises segment grew at annualised rate of 19.3 percent over December 2013 to December 2018, ac...

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Apr 11, 2019

If you have a significant amount of debt, or are looking to borrow again sometime soon, you may be asking yourself this valuable question: when will prime rate finally go down again? Since it can have a big impact on your budget, it’s smart to know the factors that go into deciding the prime r...

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Apr 11, 2019

When you’re considering scaling your business, much of the information you’ll see is about strategy. However, successful growth is more about managing your numbers effectively and planning for a sustainable scale. Fortunately, this can be achieved by monitoring the right metrics and usin...

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Apr 10, 2019

You have a vision and you want to apply for a small business loan to bring it to pass. Congratulations! This is an exciting moment for any entrepreneur. Yet you may soon find out, if you haven’t already, that finding and qualifying for the right small business loan isn’t always easy. Bet...

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Apr 10, 2019

Dunelm has revealed positive third-quarter sales across its stores and online.The homewares retailer recorded a 6.1 per cent rise in group revenue year-on-year to £284.5 million in the 13 weeks to March 30. Like-for-like store sales increased by 9.8 per cent, while online sales increased 32.1 ...

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Apr 10, 2019

I attended the 2019 Home Delivery World conference in Philadelphia last week. Over the course of two days, the retail logistics conference featured speakers from brands such as QVC, Giant, and Etsy, presenting on topics ranging from grocery and e-commerce, to parcel and heavy goods, to last-mile del...

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Apr 10, 2019

Small businesses still need greater access to legal assistance to fight disputes with the banks and introducing a levy on financial institutions to provide assistance is a good idea, a Senate committee has found. The legal and constitutional affairs committee released its report on dispute resolutio...

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Apr 10, 2019

Most New Zealand fashion retailers are doing a good job of looking after the people who make their clothes, but some brands have work to do.Department store Farmers was among those who got a poor ranking in this year's Ethical Fashion report by relief and development groups Tearfund and Baptist ...

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Apr 10, 2019

Over half of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) surveyed by AIB in its sentiment survey are reviewing, postponing or cancelling investment plans.The bank’s Brexit sentiment index for the first quarter of 2019 shows that two-thirds of SMEs have begun formally planning for the implications of B...

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Apr 10, 2019

Personalization, which allows brands to cater to individual preferences and provide more relevant content and services based on customer behavior, has transformed the digital marketing world. In fact, consumers now expect personalized experiences in nearly every channel of marketing. But what are co...

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Apr 09, 2019

In 1999, Kevin Ashton coined the term Internet of Things after witnessing inventory, logistics, and supply chain management challenges in retail. Since then, millions of global enterprises have adopted IoT and are uncovering its tremendous economic impact. However, while most retailers see value in ...

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Apr 09, 2019

Chico's FAS Inc warned in January that it would shutter at least 250 stores across its namesake brand, along with its White House Black Market and Soma labels.But the U.S. women's clothing chain is expanding a different storefront - its Chico's-branded micro site on Amazon.com Inc.While ...

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Apr 09, 2019

Retail has been on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster so far this year, from some disappointing sales reports to an overall feeling of optimism and renewal as retailers and brands really start to crack the code of channel convergence and the new era of shopping. SmartBrief readers have been followi...

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Apr 09, 2019

Britain’s retailers have warned that Brexit uncertainty is holding consumers back from making bigger purchases, after a disappointing month for sales in March.The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the accountancy firm KPMG said sales growth dropped to 0.5% in the year to March, down from an ...

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Apr 09, 2019

When you step into Kaity Cimo and Katharine ReQua’s For Now store on Seaport Boulevard in the Seaport District of Boston, it’s hard to know where to look first.By the window, there’s a display of Sht That I Knit’s famously fluffy knit hats. Against the wall, there’s a r...

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Apr 09, 2019

CVS has decided its customers will no longer have to wait a couple of days to have their prescriptions delivered. The pharmacy chain is now offering same-day delivery nationwide, almost a year after introducing one- and two-day shipping, the company announced last week. CVS will partner with Shipt, ...

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Apr 09, 2019

If entrepreneurship runs in your blood, you may not want to wait until you’ve graduated from college to start a business. And why would you? Some of the most recognizable companies in the world, including Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and Dropbox, were founded by college students.But running a ...

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Apr 09, 2019

Tracking expenses can feel like a full-time job, especially if your business requires daily purchases or frequent travel expenditures. But failing to track or inaccurately tracking expenses can lead to a host of problemsWithout a clear view of costs, it becomes impossible to efficiently manage cash ...

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Apr 09, 2019

UK retail sales in March have once again been negatively impacted by the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Brexit. Sales decreased by 0.5 per cent last month, against an increase of 2.3 per cent in the same period last year, according to the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. UK retail sales decrea...

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Apr 09, 2019

LK Bennett’s US stores and online operation are at risk after the fashion retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the country last week.According to the Wall Street Journal, the US arm of the British fashion retailer is now seeking permission from the bankruptcy court to begin c...

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Apr 08, 2019

As Apple continues the push to expand its retail footprint with larger and more prominent stores, continued growing pains threaten the future of an upcoming flagship location destined for Vancouver’s Pacific Centre. At a recent meeting, the city’s Urban Design Panel expressed preliminary...

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Apr 08, 2019

Amid all the doom and gloom about physical retail, there are quite a few unsung stories of robust growth and solid profitability. At Home Group, the Plano, Texas-based chain of home decor superstores, is one of them. Despite the brand's relative success, reports emerged late last week that becau...

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Apr 08, 2019

If you’ve taken a stroll recently along Walnut Street in Shadyside, you might have noticed something missing. A couple of longtime retailers in the neighborhood opened the year by closing their doors. J.Crew announced in late February that it would close its shop at 5433 Walnut St. by spring. ...

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Apr 08, 2019

The National Basketball Association shoots, but has it scored in Beijing? If we're talking purely in terms of square meterage, their new store on the Chinese capital’s touristy Wangfujing strip is certainly a slam dunk. In fact, at 1,200sqm, it’s the world’s biggest NBA store o...

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Apr 08, 2019

Consumers aren’t just purchasing items anymore. They’re spending money on experiences and companies that reflect their personal lifestyles and values. They want relationships, they want authenticity — and they’re disrupting retail as we know it. Understanding who the customer...

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Apr 07, 2019

The end of tax year is quickly approaching, and it’s time for tax returns. Every shilling counts when you are running a small business. Minimising taxes may be the difference between profitable and loss-making business. Hundreds of business owners will turn to their advisers for tips and strat...

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Apr 07, 2019

Marketing has evolved immensely over the past decade. Think back to years ago. Tweaking your advertising efforts meant sifting through the behavior of your audience, sales data and click-throughs. However, big data has changed all that. Because big data alters the way businesses market to their cust...

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Apr 06, 2019

Trump’s national emergency declaration has the support of 50% of small business owners over 50 years of age. The data is from the latest BizBuySell survey about small business owner sentiment. According to the survey, business owner sentiment on this is issue is close to a statistical tie. An ...

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Apr 06, 2019

Instagram is one of many platforms that small businesses can use to actively communicate with customers. The platform offers many features that may be attractive to business users, for everything from marketing and sales to customer service. To help you make the most of your Instagram and overall co...

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Apr 05, 2019

A few months ago during Salesforce’s annual analyst summit, I got the opportunity to spend a few minutes with Meredith Schmidt. Meredith serves as Executive Vice President & GM of Salesforce Essentials & SMB.  Salesforce Essentials consist of the company’s products aimed at ...

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Apr 05, 2019

Gohlke Pools in Denton, Texas has been named one of the Top 10 Pool Retail Stores in the United States. The AQUA 100 is an exclusive honor bestowed to just 10 North American Pool and Spa Retailers each year. The AQUA 100, presented by Aqua Magazine, is an industry-leading competition designed to hon...

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Apr 05, 2019

A FEW days ago, when a friend mentioned she had bought a set of dinner plates from a restaurant, the concept seemed implausible. “Those were the plates we ate in, I liked them so much that I ordered a set of six,” she added. That is when we decided to visit what is being touted as &ldquo...

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Apr 05, 2019

Some of the UK’s biggest retailers could be misleading consumers with “inflated” customer reviews of poor quality products, new research has found.According to consumer lobby group Which?, 15 products it had rated as “Don’t Buys” were found to have scored four sta...

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Apr 04, 2019

It’s no secret that the e-commerce boom has transformed the way people shop and, in many cases, had a deleterious impact on in-store sales. Last year saw a 3.4 percent growth for brick-and-mortar sales and a notable 15 percent jump for e-commerce sales. With these numbers and news of retailers...

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Apr 04, 2019

There are a lot of challenges to being a small-business owner, including safely managing technology. Every risk can have an outsized effect on your ability to stay in business. And resources for protecting your business are often geared towards much larger organizations. The National Institute of St...

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Apr 04, 2019

Maybe you already filed your taxes and are wondering, “did I take advantage of every possible deduction?” Or, perhaps you’re running against the clock and hoping you’ve given yourself the best advantage possible. Either way, small business taxes, particularly deductions, can ...

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Apr 04, 2019

The retail industry has always experienced disruption in one way or the other, but now the industry is facing a permanent disruption in the way consumers are shopping. The change in consumer preferences and the evolution of eCommerce has impacted the retail industry and has stimulated major retail R...

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Apr 04, 2019

Let’s be real: the state of brick-and-mortar retail in 2019 is equally exciting and terrifying. Amid widespread closures, uncertainty and the ever-present behemoth that is Amazon.com, there's an amazing wave of innovation in mobility that has the potential to transform — and yes, sav...

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Apr 04, 2019

London’s Soho has this week seen the arrival of two well-known fashion brands while another relocated its UK flagship.Contemporary British fashion and lifestyle brand Folk has opened its latest store on Berwick Street, a locale that is becoming known for its independent labels.The new store ma...

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Apr 04, 2019

Target Corp will raise its U.S. minimum wage to $13 an hour in June, from $12 currently, increasing its payroll costs and putting new pressure on rival Walmart to attract retail workers in a tight labor market. Minneapolis-based Target employs over 300,000 workers and runs 1,845 stores in the United...

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Apr 04, 2019

The Neighborgoods will open the doors of its first retail store in the Atlantic Plumbing building in Washington DC’s Shaw neighborhood (2130 8th St NW) by the end of the month. The store will showcase the fun-loving, colorful brand’s locally made food-themed signature products such as di...

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Apr 04, 2019

Cyber attacks are a common threat to organizations today. Whether you are a small business or a major corporate entity, you need to have an IT network. The upside to a network is that it helps an organization become more productive, efficient and profitable.The downside is that a network hosts infor...

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Apr 04, 2019

Shopping for a child is often tedious, especially if it means carting your children from one shop to another. At the end of the shopping spree, nerves are frayed, and the entire family is left in a bad mood.Though ecommerce marketplaces and malls have brought about more convenience, there is nothing...

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Apr 04, 2019

Product displays are a thing of importance in groceries. Each product must be given enough shelf space in order to attract sales and maximise impact among buyers. If possible, you might want to arrange your products in a way so that the most popular ones are in the front or centre of the store. To m...

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Apr 04, 2019

Over the last few decades, we’ve seen technology change the way we do business in a fundamental way. Not only has the internet given us access to more information than we know what to do with, but it’s also given rise to new technologies like smartphones, cloud computing and e-commerce &...

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Apr 03, 2019

Small business owners can struggle with burnout when they try to do too much by themselves and for too many hours in a day. Those who have found themselves burned out have developed strategies aimed at preventing a recurrence. Set limits. When Victoria Bogner gets home after a day at the financial a...

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Apr 03, 2019

You need vehicles for business use. But you might consider buying or leasing one through your company rather than as an individual. Basically, this just means your business is officially named as the owner or lessee of the vehicle. Overall, the process of buying or leasing a vehicle through your bus...

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Apr 03, 2019

While small business owners (SBOs) aren't currently feeling the business impacts of the fluctuating economy, they aren't as confident in how their organizations could be affected in the future, according to a Capital One report released on Wednesday.The report surveyed 500 SBOs to gauge how ...

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Apr 03, 2019

Entrepreneurs find themselves challenges keeping your supply shelves or home office stocked with supplies. They already need to handle so many other important tasks. An office supply subscription box can help you stock up automatically. There are plenty of options out there. And they include everyth...

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Apr 03, 2019

People have a lot of opinions when it comes to debt and borrowing. At one extreme, some believe that all debt should be avoided and there’s no room for argument on the subject. Others perhaps borrow a little too freely, taking out new financing with little thought about whether doing so will b...

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Apr 03, 2019

Praveen Kumar Gorakavi, a city-based entrepreneur, has been selected for the prestigious Forbes Asia 30 under 30 list, 2019. This comes in recognition of his contributions to various fields of science and engineering.“It is a moment of pride for us. Finding a place in the Forbes Under 30 list ...

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Apr 03, 2019

Fortnum & Mason has unveiled plans to open its first international store in Hong Kong in September.The heritage retailer said the initiative arised due to international demand for its products, particularly from Hong Kong and China. Fortnum & Mason will set up a store and restaurant within V...

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Apr 03, 2019

In the past few years, we've seen brick and mortar retail in decline. With stores closing left and right, from big box retailers to small businesses, thousands of stores shuttered in 2018 and big chains, from Macy's to Target to Starbucks, have plans to close hundreds more this year. Those a...

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Apr 03, 2019

Retail can’t survive and thrive by ecommerce alone. Ecommerce is ceasing to be a stand-alone differentiator in retail success. Unified retail commerce meshes together the digital and physical worlds. Amazon generated US$141.92 billion in product sales in 2018, up 19.7 per cent  from US$11...

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Apr 02, 2019

Years before Tottenham Hotspur Stadium started rising like a spaceship in north London, planning on how to finance the structure was underway nearly 3,500 miles away. Years before Tottenham Hotspur Stadium started rising like a spaceship in north London, planning on how to finance the structure was ...

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Apr 02, 2019

You may have given little thought to your business’s healthcare interoperability. Exceptions might include small business operating as an active part of the healthcare system such as a technology startup. But achieving true healthcare interoperability profoundly impacts all businesses with one...

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Apr 02, 2019

When most people think of entrepreneurs, they imagine individuals toiling away on their product in a garage or dorm room, struggling to survive until they can secure enough funding to launch their business to the moon. But contrary to popular belief, not every successful entrepreneur fits the Hewlet...

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Apr 02, 2019

One of the biggest reasons that small business needs to look at SMS marketing is the effectiveness. According to information supplied from EZ Texting,  text messaging has a 98% percent open rate. The response rate is 45% compared to 6% for email.There are other good reasons why text messages ar...

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Apr 02, 2019

Six months into his tenure Downtown at Vagabond Coffee, owner Will Morgan is upbeat about prospects. But the specialty coffee shop’s hours show how tough the urban core market can be.Vagabond is open during business hours — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Compare that to the popular Murray Hi...

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Apr 01, 2019

Owning and operating a small business is challenging in today’s market. And common issues that small business leaders often must handle on their own are the countless HR tasks and responsibilities that take a significant amount of time and energy to properly manage.The frustration and stress i...

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Apr 01, 2019

If you are new to the restaurant industry, a restaurant management system (RMS) should be at the top of your list of necessities. An RMS can help you run your restaurant more efficiently by keeping track of your employees, inventory and your sales. An RMS typically comprises software as well as hard...

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Apr 01, 2019

Bed Bath & Beyond laid off about 150 of its 65,000 employees last week, CNBC reported. Anonymous sources familiar with the matter told CNBC that a little less than 50 workers, largely in the field-support team, which helps staff stores at namesake Bed Bath & Beyond stores, lost their jobs. I...

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Apr 01, 2019

We’re not here to tell you whether or not to indulge in April Fool’s Day shenanigans this holiday. If you really want to put your cubicle-mate’s stapler in gelatin, that’s up to you (and your HR team.) We would be missing a big opportunity, however, if we didn’t take th...

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Apr 01, 2019

Getting a small business loan is one of the many challenges you’ll face as you start your design business. While it may seem daunting, we’re here to help with a guide that outlines everything you’ll need to do as you learn how to get a small business loan. How do you apply? What ar...

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Apr 01, 2019

If you’re wondering how to start a small business, maybe you’ve just graduated from design school, or perhaps you’ve worked at other firms and learned what not to do to succeed in the design industry. Or you’ve already paid your dues in another, unrelated field, and are branc...

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Apr 01, 2019

Succeeding as a small business in the legal weed market is challenging. From government regulations to technological advancements, small businesses find themselves facing more competition and growing expenses. Here’s a look at some of the hurdles facing cannabis entrepreneurs in a growing but ...

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Apr 01, 2019

It’s hard to start a profitable business in a competitive landscape. No doubt, business starts with a primary goal of making profits. Getting these profits from the phase of no client to multiple clients is a period of learning, falling, getting through and finally managing to sustain. Busines...

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Apr 01, 2019

Starting your own business and running a family as well can be overwhelming to say the least. Finding that right balance between business and family life can be difficult but it is possible. Being a mother that has an entrepreneurial spirit is not only good for the family financially but it also set...

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Apr 01, 2019

Following positive growth in January, retail sales dropped .2% in February. The reversal marks a return to negative month-to-month sales totals. The industry was encouraged when sales increased .7% in January following a disastrous December that saw sales drop by 1.6%. The advance estimates released...

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Mar 31, 2019

The small business sector has come through the first quarter of 2019 in, for the most part, reasonably good condition. But conversations with observers who follow the sector and readings of various surveys indicate clouds on the horizon.Maybe. Cynics might say that asking half a dozen economists abo...

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Mar 30, 2019

Want your business featured on The Atlanta Small Business Show? Tell us your story! And if you would like to advertise with ASBN, give us a call at 678-332-9706 or email us at sales@myasbn.com On this week’s episode of the Atlanta Small Business Show, we caught up with serial entrepreneur and ...

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Mar 30, 2019

Small business owners wear so many hats. So it’s essential to use tools and resources to help you streamline and increase efficiency. And you’ll need marketing platforms to productivity tools to help. Make growing your small business toolkit an ongoing process. Check out these thoughts a...

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Mar 29, 2019

It seems that our love of celebration has yielded a “day” for everything under the sun. From National Squirrel Day to Chiffon Cake Day (today, if you’re wondering), it’s hard to keep track. However, at Nav, we’re happy to celebrate another group today – Mom and Po...

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Mar 28, 2019

Reducing taxes can certainly help a small business. But it’s becoming increasingly clear that a tax reduction is no silver bullet for our challenges. That’s what Republicans are learning this year and it will be a recurring issue as the country heads towards the 2020 elections. It seems ...

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Mar 28, 2019

The Senate Small Business Committee unanimously approved two bills that aim to bolster small business cybersecurity yesterday.Committee Chair Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., introduced the bills, the Small Business Administration (SBA) Cyber Awareness Act and the Small Business Cyber Training Act, earlier...

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Mar 28, 2019

Standing out from the competition is challenging, especially if you are just starting your business. Chances are, there are plenty of companies that have been doing what your company does for years, and they have already figured out how to earn and maintain a customer base. So how will you manage to...

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Mar 28, 2019

A poll of 300 small business owners across Colorado found a majority supported creating a paid family leave program, but they also were concerned about the state mandating participation. When asked about their support for a bill to give all Coloradans 12 weeks of partially paid leave that’s wo...

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Mar 28, 2019

Ascribe Bioscience, which applies the emerging field of metabolomics to the soil microbiome to develop new products for agriculture, has become the first company based on technology developed at the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) to receive a National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Res...

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Mar 28, 2019

If you’re interested in turning your love of crops and plants into a business, there’s no shortage of opportunities. Whether you have a large piece of land or a small, indoor garden, you can find a type of crop that you can sell to other companies or directly to consumers. Lavender can b...

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Mar 28, 2019

Spring means longer days and better weather, which often gives us the energy to tackle projects around the home we’ve been neglecting. Why not channel some of that positive energy into tackling business tasks you’ve been putting off—  including working on your business credit?...

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Mar 28, 2019

As data warehousing and analytics continue to move to new architectures, many firms are struggling to replace or extend legacy warehousing systems. This demands a re-evaluation of plans in place and future considerations. It can be particularly difficult for smaller IT departments and small business...

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Mar 28, 2019

The small business ombudsman has backed the banks' concerns about a tightening of credit describing the bottleneck as serious with significant implications for the economy.The corporate regulator rejected any notion of a credit squeeze on Wednesday calling the notion a "myth" as senior...

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Mar 28, 2019

Entrepreneur Mark Bouris has sparked a heated debate on social media after declaring the term ‘small business’ is “demeaning” and “blatantly inaccurate”.Bouris posted a photo of himself to Linkedin earlier this week wearing a “there’s no such fkn thing...

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Mar 28, 2019

Too busy to go to the market for groceries? Big Basket has you covered. Learning algebra is getting tougher in grade 9? Watch Byju’s for easy tricks to solve. Short on cash? Paytm is at your rescue. These new age businesses are the brainchild of 21st-century entrepreneurs who have managed to c...

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Mar 28, 2019

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in 5 American adults suffers from some form of mental illness every year. That’s a startling number, but for entrepreneurs, it’s not startling enough. That’s because, according to a recent study from the University of Califo...

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Mar 27, 2019

Tax season is here again. It's difficult enough doing your taxes, but running the gauntlet of preparing small business taxes can be enough to give you an ulcer without help. There's no getting around this yearly ritual, but you can make it simpler. For many small business owners and accounta...

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Mar 27, 2019

The government rescinded all awards made in the $15B Alliant 2 Small Business governmentwide acquisition contract for IT services procurement Tuesday.The move follows an order from the Court of Federal Claims that the General Services Administration must rescore every submission it received to addre...

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Mar 27, 2019

The leader in online lending to small business, today announced that Gotta Dance Studio and Company of Bend, Oregon is its Small Business of the Month for March 2019. Owned by Brandi Nichols and her husband Sean, the dance instructional studio is the first small business in Oregon to receive the OnD...

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Mar 27, 2019

Spring break is right around the corner – this is a time when more than half of all people ages 18 to 34 head to locations both near and far for some sunshine or breaks from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind. Small businesses may find this time of the year tough, but the reason behind t...

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Mar 27, 2019

Over the past two years or so, there has been a step-up in the focus on interventions targeting the informal economy, with a lot of rhetoric on solutions to challenges facing this sector. It is no secret that Micro Small and Medium sized Enterprises (MSMEs) are important drivers of growth across Sub...

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Mar 27, 2019

Many small business owners get some unpleasant surprises when they buy a company, whether the problems are with staffers, finances or the firm’s technology, equipment or premises.Expect the unexpected is the advice from small business consultants, including those who have bought and sold compa...

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Mar 27, 2019

In response to a reporter’s question during the 1993 federal election, former prime minister Kim Campbell famously said: “An election is no time to discuss serious issues.”Alberta’s entrepreneurs certainly hope that won’t hold true for the provincial election campaign n...

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Mar 27, 2019

As a small business owner, it likely feels as if the day’s work is never done. From accounting to marketing and everything in between, all tasks feel as if they are a priority. However, there is one aspect of your business that you have likely forgotten about: cybersecurity. Each day, you are ...

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Mar 27, 2019

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry once said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”This concept holds true, especially in business, and as a small B2B business owner, you need to be clear not only on your goals but also about the way you plan to achieve them. That means having a plan, and...

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Mar 27, 2019

On this week’s episode of the Atlanta Small Business Profile, our host, Ted Jenkin, sits down with Will Hall, CEO of HIPnation. HIPnation is a membership-based medical practice that was created by practicing physicians who want healthcare to actually focus on providing better care to patients ...

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Mar 27, 2019

Every business needs cash to run its daily operations. When cash is scarce, businesses apply for cash flow loans. There are several types of cash flow loans in the market. Each offer different rates, terms and application criteria, but you need to figure out which loan works best for your business. ...

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Mar 26, 2019

Based on an SBA study, small businesses pay an average tax rate of 19.8%. The actual tax rates that apply to small businesses vary significantly based on business entity, income, deductions, tax credits, and rates in effect for the year. Small C-corporations have the lowest average tax rate at 17.5%...

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Mar 26, 2019

Small business owners know digital marketing is no longer secondary to traditional print marketing and advertising and is a great way for them to get more bang for their marketing bucks. (In fact, 95% of small businesses plan to increase spending on digital marketing this year.) But to get the best ...

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Mar 26, 2019

Small businesses need a simple way to recruit marketers to help sell products. And small online marketers need a simple way to gain commission from the traffic they drive. Affiliate marketing solves both problems.Affiliate marketing involves marketing someone else’s goods and services for a co...

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Mar 26, 2019

With the digitization of customer communications, sales processes, and customer service, SMBs can now do more than catch up to the big guys — they can compete. To learn how technology can transform the way your SMB does business, join this VB Live event! “A lot of times SMBs feel left be...

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Mar 26, 2019

Are you a small business owner who often finds yourself staring blankly at your digital device wondering what the heck you should share with your social media followers? Do you sometimes feel like you’re spending countless hours on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, yet question whether your ef...

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Mar 26, 2019

Grant money is highly desirable for any female-owned business looking to grow, start a new product, or even get their first small business off the ground. Because grants are free money and don’t have to be paid back, there is a lot of competition to get them. Women have opportunities to apply ...

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Mar 26, 2019

Panelists representing small businesses advocated for Federal uniformity and preempt over state data privacy laws and against data protection regulations that would disproportionately burden smaller companies at a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Subcommittee on Manufacturing, ...

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Mar 26, 2019

The recipe for the Retail Center’s success is based on several key ingredients: offer tailor made programmes, organise workshops, study various store layouts and recreate them in a realistic model of a supermarket environment. The Rijk Zwaan Retail Center has three different shelf layouts: a D...

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Mar 25, 2019

Small businesses are the backbone of every economy. The young and the old engage in small businesses with the aim of making a handsome profit. Others engage in such a business with the aim of scaling the heights and becoming one of the largest multi-million dollar organizations in the world.For a bu...

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Mar 25, 2019

Small businesses have redefined the existing international business scenario and they need Big Data to unlock their full potential. Unfortunately, most small and medium-sized business owners are under the misconception that Big Data is out of their league. They fail to leverage the treasure trove of...

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Mar 25, 2019

It is very hard to earn nowadays with typical types of businesses. If you want to earn according to your hard work, then you must put your 100% efforts to it. If not, then you are going to lose your money as well as your time. Therefore, try to choose those businesses which require fewer efforts and...

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Mar 25, 2019

Silicon Valley has long been the epicenter of tech talent and investor cash, but startup founders who recently made the move to New York City say a Bay Area address isn’t necessary to start a successful tech firm. Worries about finding skilled workers and seed money in New York City have waned...

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Mar 25, 2019

Jesse Merrill spends a lot of time thinking about cottage cheese."Cottage cheese is so versatile," he said. "Cottage cheese adds a high quality, clean protein boost to any recipe that you're making. We make cottage cheese lasagna, cottage cheese smoothies, cottage cheese baked zit...

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Mar 25, 2019

Millennials have a lot of qualities that make them great entrepreneurs - a lot of self-confidence, a greater sense of purpose, and pretty much the resources of the world at their fingertips! Being most digitally savvy, they can easily use social media and internet to build products, market to a wide...

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Mar 25, 2019

SMEs represent 99% of businesses in Europe and contribute to 60% of European private sector employment, creating 85% of new jobs. Enabling them to benefit even more from the Single Market is a priority for the European Commission. And in this light, it has been already 10 years since the European Un...

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Mar 25, 2019

The lack of consistent income is one of the hardest parts of adjusting to entrepreneurship. When you work a nine-to-five, you're getting a reliable paycheck every week or bi-monthly. You know roughly what that check will be and can plan accordingly. You don’t get that as an entrepreneur. W...

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Mar 25, 2019

As an early stage startup, growing your loyal customer base will be at the forefront of your strategic goals. Competing with established businesses on a smaller budget is a challenge, but not impossible. That’s where growth hacking comes into play.Sean Ellis, Founder and CEO of GrowthHackers, ...

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Mar 25, 2019

Recently, the government relaxed several rules related to startups and levy of angel tax on funds raised by startups.According to the new rules, an entity will be considered a startup up to 10 years from the date of its incorporation and registration, up from the earlier duration of seven years. Sim...

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Mar 25, 2019

Onboarding is the process where new employees get introduced to all the necessary behaviors, skills and knowledge they’ll need. In a nutshell, it’s the process of integrating a new person into your small business’ culture and procedures. Small Business Trends contacted Tawni Reed,&...

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Mar 25, 2019

Soundwave technology is as cool as it sounds. A new form of digital payment technique for small business, this technology is slowly gaining popularity in the country to help make payments easier. According to a BCG report, India’s digital payments ecosystem is estimated to reach over 500 billi...

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Mar 24, 2019

There are three basic requirements you must have if you want your new business to grow and thrive: a great idea, an outstanding work ethic, and money. These necessities are legs beneath the table of your business. If one fails, your whole idea (and the effort and cash you put into it) can collapse. ...

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Mar 24, 2019

We all have little hobbies and interests that we like to spend quality time with, but many people don’t realize how much money there is to be made from these passions of ours. With a little research and investment, it really is possible to turn these 25 hobbies into lucrative businesses. If yo...

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Mar 24, 2019

Last week, Arti Kirloskar walked into Churchgate's concept store, Bungalow Eight (B8), looking to find something interesting from its multi-brand curation. She was there because she heard the 16-year-old clothing, accessories and décor pit stop was shuttering. Trustee of the Kirloskar Fou...

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Mar 23, 2019

To run a successful business in 2019, you need to incorporate both online and offline strategies. For everything from marketing to managing your team, it’s important to know the options and requirements to build a thriving business. Here are a wide array of tips from the online small business ...

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Mar 23, 2019

The Voice of the Customer (VOC) grows louder every day. Customers can now share a bad experience easily with the world. They can take to social media, a website, blog, review sites, or forums to voice their discontent. Handle the problem quickly. Otherwise your brand could take a big hit. Applied Ma...

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Mar 22, 2019

It’s finally spring, and for many of us, that means enjoying longer days and warmer temps. But if you run a small business that peaks in the summer months, then relaxing is likely the last thing on your mind. Instead, the dawn of spring signals the need for seasonal prep, allowing you to enter...

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Mar 21, 2019

The Greens yesterday launched a six- point plan the party says will assist small business in slashing power bills, improving energy efficiency and switching to clean energy.Unveiled by Greens climate change and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP, the plan consists of the following elements: The previ...

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Mar 21, 2019

All business ventures are started with the idea to grow, to be known in not just their locality, but far and beyond. Every company dreams of that day when the people would be able to identify the brand by merely looking at the logo. While these goals can be challenging, these are not impossible. Fur...

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Mar 21, 2019

As a small business owner, you’re probably looking for ways to save money on operating costs whenever possible. You might even have a bit of financial knowledge, so why not handle the books yourself? After all, you know the basics of bookkeeping and pay attention to details. But at what point ...

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Mar 21, 2019

The West Virginia Small Business Development Center joined the national recognition of #SBDCDay, Wednesday, March 20, during a proclamation ceremony at the Capitol.Gov. Jim Justice declared March 20 as Small Business Development Center Day. The governor issued a proclamation which states “the ...

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Mar 21, 2019

After Suelyn Farel got an email alert that someone had downloaded her entire customer database, she learned that two former employees had conspired to steal from her beauty products company. Farel had allowed the staffers to keep working after they each gave notice in late 2017; when they left the N...

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Mar 21, 2019

If you are reading this article, you have most likely thought of starting a small business of your own and become your own boss. However, just the desire to start a business will not suffice. Running a business takes a lot of dedication and passion, and above all an idea to begin with. One will also...

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Mar 21, 2019

If you're running a small business, you don't have the same resources that your larger competitors do, so you have to pick and choose where you make investments. Even so, there are certain areas in which it's important to be on a level playing field. If you don't offer these three th...

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Mar 21, 2019

According to Kim Malley, Senior Analyst at AHDB Potatoes in the UK, smaller retail categories such as crisps and chilled are increasing at the fastest rate as potato retail volumes grow. “This is reflected in the innovations we see in the category, with significant degrees of diversification i...

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Mar 21, 2019

The big-box apocalypse isn’t slowing down. Nationally, clothing brands and corporate retailers alike, have been filing bankruptcy, liquidating and closing stores. In February, Payless announced that it would be closing all 21,000 stores in the U.S., representing the largest retail liquidation ...

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Mar 20, 2019

E-commerce allows anyone access to almost any store at any time, with the convenience of their purchases being delivered right to their door.But it’s not just brick-and-mortar vs. e-commerce anymore. Mobile retail has exploded, enabling consumers to make purchases any time the mood or need str...

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Mar 20, 2019

About 80 percent of U.S. adults say they use screens at least two hours per day. And 59 percent have reported experiencing some form of digital eye strain.Digital eye strain can include a number of symptoms, including dry eyes, irritation, sensitivity to light, trouble focusing, and blurry vision. I...

blog article

Mar 20, 2019

When doing B2B marketing, many business owners and sales reps tend to fall back on the same old approaches. They focus on the same places and methods for doing networking and finding new prospective clients. These include: trade shows, industry associations, and formal networking events. All of thes...

blog article

Mar 20, 2019

Domain Authority makes up one of the ranking factors determining where your website winds up on search engine result pages (SERPs). SEO consulting firm Moz developed Domain Authority. And it works with Google’s algorithm called PageRank. Your small business website’s backlink portfolio m...

blog article

Mar 20, 2019

We live in a world where credit card fraud is the new normal. In 2018, the Federal Trade Commission received 167,000 reports from people who either experienced fraud on an existing credit card account or had an unauthorized credit card opened in their name. That’s just the number of people who...

blog article

Mar 20, 2019

Retail is the industry that never sleeps and in the past decade, many legacy retailers have fallen by the wayside in favor of stores with fresh retail concepts: Claire’s has been replaced by BaubleBar, Sears has given way to Amazon, Bon-Ton has given way to HauteLook, and so on. The reality of...

blog article

Mar 19, 2019

HP today announced new Envy laptops and convertibles for consumers and a new lineup of ProBooks and HP ProDesk PCs for small businesses. The announcements came during HP Reinvent, the firm’s annual partner conference, which is being held this week in Houston.“Consumers want devices that ...

blog article

Mar 19, 2019

South Texas entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their business can attend a Small Business Conference on Friday, March 29 in Edinburg, according to a news release from Gov. Greg Abbott.The event will take place at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance, located at 118 Paseo del Prado in Ed...

blog article

Mar 19, 2019

The Convenience Industry Council of Canada (CICC) recognizes the importance of investing in the middle class, but calls on the government to support those small businesses that serve all Canadians. Initiatives aimed at improving regulatory competitiveness, addressing interprovincial trade barriers a...

blog article

Mar 19, 2019

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is disappointed that the 2019 federal budget provides little relief for small businesses facing a barrage of new and higher taxes. Small firms are facing seven years of CPP premium hikes, higher taxes for many family businesses and those with pa...

blog article

Mar 19, 2019

Michigan’s comeback didn’t happen by accident. Businesses have succeeded and grown due to tax reform in 2011 that made our system simple, fair and efficient. These changes put an end to the double taxation that burdened small business owners under the last two tax codes and we have seen ...

blog article

Mar 19, 2019

Everyone knows Amazon is killing America’s small businesses right? Believe it or not, many small business leaders say just the opposite. When commercial insurer Insureon and business directory Manta studied the subject, they found that 81 percent of small businesses experienced “signific...

blog article

Mar 19, 2019

When Ariell Johnson needed funding to open Amalgam Comics and Coffeehouse, she turned to the Women’s Opportunities Resource Center (WORC) for assistance.She received a $15,000 loan from the microenterprise organization that focuses on promoting social and economic self-sufficiency.“As a ...

blog article

Mar 19, 2019

A new infographic from Expert Market has mapped out mobile wallet usage in 36 countries around the world. In the US, only 3% of retail sales were completed through a mobile wallet.The global penetration rate of this technology is still very low topping at 6%, except for one country. The one outlier ...

blog article

Mar 18, 2019

Main Street advocates have been cheering parts of the Trump tax reforms, but there's also a feeling that the law didn't go far enough.Tax breaks enacted to help small businesses aren't permanent, and that's made it difficult for business owners to make long-term decisions.Some say th...

blog article

Mar 18, 2019

When you’re serious about growing your small business it makes sense to get the best advice possible. You can do that even if money is tight by tapping the expertise of Small Business Development Center (SBDC) advisors and consultants. SBDCs are funded in part by the United States Congress thr...

blog article

Mar 18, 2019

Starting your business might just be the best thing that ever happened to you. Is what you thought. But for the most part you’ve been stagnant and no growth has occurred.You’re most likely doing many things wrong, but that doesn’t matter anymore. What matters now is actively doing ...

blog article

Mar 18, 2019

Food delivery apps have become a strong business model. These apps allow customers to order food online. New  apps enable consumers to order take-away food with more speed and efficiency than ever before. For restauranteurs and fast food chains, using food delivery apps brings a myriad of benef...

blog article

Mar 18, 2019

Running a business isn’t always easy, and there are various challenges that can halt or reverse growth however, few are as dangerous as those that directly impact your finances. Fortunately, you can mitigate financial risk by taking control of your spending and monitoring cash flow.  Here...

blog article

Mar 18, 2019

The third annual Small Business Boost Contest, sponsored by Cox Business, 3TV, BNC National Bank and Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA), is now accepting entries through March 24 at azfamily.com/goto/boost.Local small businesses can complete a free online entry form that includes a series of ...

blog article

Mar 18, 2019

When small business owners want to divine what consumer spending trends will be months from now, their methods can be as sophisticated as internet analytics or as basic as plain old intuition. At Moriarty's Gem Art, co-owner Jeff Moriarty tracks searches on the jewelry company's website and ...

blog article

Mar 18, 2019

Traditional challenges faced by small companies include the threat posed by competitors, managing cashflow, securing finance and enduring the ups and downs of economic conditions. What business owners have been rather less used to is counting the inability of the government of the day to get its act...

blog article

Mar 18, 2019

Unless you are a serial entrepreneur, you are bound to make mistakes when you start a business (and even they make a few.) Some mistakes are minor and become part of the trial-and-error new entrepreneur learning process. Other mistakes can cripple your new business. There is nothing worse for a star...

blog article

Mar 17, 2019

Being an efficient as well as an effective leader every day is time-consuming and energy-draining. Here are two leadership tips that may make those crazy busy days a little less crazy busy. No one likes to be told what to do. However people, your employees, still require direction and support. They ...

blog article

Mar 17, 2019

As a small business owner, I know firsthand that what is good for the goose is good for the gander. When times are good, my family-owned business is able to hire additional staff and offer more generous benefits. This has a positive ripple out into our local community beyond ourselves and those we e...

blog article

Mar 17, 2019

A terms of use page includes a text section designed to tell users how they can legally use your website and interact with your business. It can protect your business and ensure that you’re compliant with the law. So you want to create your own website terms of use or adjust your existing poli...

blog article

Mar 17, 2019

Sending a simple thank you letter goes a long way in strengthening strong and long-lasting business relationships. You might write to a hard-working employee that shows dedication and commitment to your business. Or you might write to a loyal customer who continuously repeats purchases with you. Who...

blog article

Mar 16, 2019

Serkan Borançılı, who took the stage at an event where Startups.Watch 2018 figures were announced, spoke of his investment decisions after his successful venture. Borançılı, who is part of the successful team that founded Gittigidiyor, one of the leading e-commerce sites in Turkey, and...

blog article

Mar 16, 2019

Smart companies aren’t just those that have intelligent leaders. They also have systems, tools and proper planning in place that allow every department or function to run together seamlessly. To become a smart company, you need to integrate smart ideas into every facet of your business. Here a...

blog article

Mar 16, 2019

For many small business owners, social media is a burden or afterthought. It’s a time-consuming hassle that often gets left on the shelf. The internet has 4.2 billion users, 3.4 billion of whom are actively using social media. Clearly, social media management for small businesses is necessary ...