RESOURCES

blog article

Oct 15, 2019

Most hosting plans can be used to run a professional website. If you need one for a small business, your choice likely depends on how much visitor traffic you expect your site will get, how much web storage that it needs, and your budget. Many of the major hosting companies in the U.S. offer plans t...

blog article

Oct 15, 2019

Are you popular on social media or have you been growing your business’ platform over time? While social media can provide great validation, it’s important to remember that you can pay yourself with likes, hearts, and retweets.Make Money with Social Media So what’s the point of get...

blog article

Oct 14, 2019

Although running a business can be challenging at times, but profits doesn't require drastic measures like upping your prices or laying off employees. Business owners who learn to experiment with different strategies to boost revenues become more profitable and even small changes in just a few a...

blog article

Oct 14, 2019

Want to encourage your customers to rave about your small business? Here are some tips on the best ways to ask for customer feedback and what to do with reviews once you get them.Positive customer reviews are a vital part of growing a small business. In a recent Vistaprint survey of 1,000 U.S. small...

blog article

Oct 10, 2019

Great Western Bank is committed to working with businesses of all sizes. We strive to help increase our business clients’ profits and improve their financial stability. The rise of digital marketing and social media has made it easier for small businesses to achieve actual results with a small...

blog article

Oct 10, 2019

Most small businesses have to send files at some point. Maybe you just need to make documents available to your team or you could have to send a big project over to a client. With small files, you can easily just attach them to an email and send them off. But larger files tend to be more complicated...

blog article

Oct 09, 2019

As a small business, knowing how to market and promote your brand successfully is crucial. With so many competitors on the market fighting for the same custom, doing all that you can to stand out from the crowd can be hard. When it comes to marketing strategies, having the right tools in place is im...

blog article

Oct 09, 2019

These days, safety is less about locking physical doors and more about protecting yourself online and ensuring our digital data is essentially locked away. Small businesses can be easy targets for digital thieves and those wanting to cause a nuisance for others. Data breaches can result in fines. Fu...

blog article

Oct 07, 2019

Every small business needs to keep on top of HR but overstretched owners may not have the time and resources to do so. Outsourcing HR can be a flexible and cost-effective solution  Like any other business, a small business – whether it’s a microbusiness with less than 10 employees o...

blog article

Oct 07, 2019

When small businesses put their first step in digital marketing, the first question they have is what is SEO, and how does it work. SEO is an abbreviation for search engine optimization. It is beneficial for both small and big businesses. Every company is now investing in SEO as they know it is the ...

blog article

Oct 04, 2019

The job of a top sales representative can be a daunting in task, but with an amazing CRM tool, today's sales force is faster, stronger and more capable than ever before. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) applications allow for a more streamlined approach to your sales initiatives.Today'...

blog article

Oct 04, 2019

As small businesses continue to look towards addressing growing customer needs, more small businesses are developing their own applications in-house. Whether mapping customer success stories, managing business processes or building databases, companies are looking for customized solutions.Commercial...

blog article

Oct 03, 2019

Waste has a negative impact on the natural environment. But that is not a secret. Everyone knows that environmental impacts are pervasive worldwide. The world’s top corporations by revenue are the ones that cause the biggest environmental damage. It seems that big businesses and the environmen...

blog article

Oct 03, 2019

Small businesses are the backbone of the economy, but they arrive at a disadvantage as compared to the big corporations. Namely, they don’t have massive amounts of capital bolstering their operations. Where a small business can make up the difference, however, is in its ability to leverage mod...

blog article

Oct 01, 2019

Hiring remote programmers might seem like a daunting task for entrepreneurs running small businesses. Whether it’s a early-stage tech startup, or a non-tech company venturing into the digital world, you have limited resources.There’s no HR team, usually a strict budget, and there’s...

blog article

Oct 01, 2019

The average internet user now spends more than 6.5 hours online each day, according to the Digital Report 2019. We can all say that clients are the most important part of any business. Without customers, there is no business. If your potential client is spending this amount of time on the internet, ...

blog article

Sep 30, 2019

How would he find the extra time? What if his employees said things he didn’t want to hear? What if they wanted things he couldn’t give them? Would it cost him financially – would he need to invest in costly technology or an extra HR person? The idea that there is a disparity betwe...

blog article

Sep 30, 2019

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning and Deep Learning have become mainstream buzzwords. They appear in media stories about self-driving cars, advanced medical diagnosis and military targeting. You’ll also come across stories about companies or organisations using Internet algorithms...

blog article

Sep 27, 2019

Do you host admissions-based events within the City of Columbus? Then your business might need to be paying the new Admissions Tax.The Admissions Tax quietly went into effect on July 1, 2019. Supporting Nationwide Arena and the Greater Columbus Arts Council, the Admissions Tax “levies a 5% tax...

blog article

Sep 27, 2019

If you have customers, you need to connect with them. Customers are the lifeblood of every small business, and you think about yours every day. But so do your competitors. To stay ahead, to retain your existing customers and attract new ones, marketing through social media requires a constant effort...

blog article

Sep 26, 2019

Social media is an excellent way to get people to find out about, talk about and become engaged with your small business.As soon as you get your business off the ground, or even in the early stages, be sure to set up social media accounts and tease your audience with things that are happening. For e...

blog article

Sep 25, 2019

If you never change your business marketing strategies, then they will go stale. You may find that your competitors find ways to market themselves better and if you’re not careful you may even find that you lose out on customers as a result. If you want to avoid all of that then here are a few...

blog article

Sep 25, 2019

If there’s one thing managers have to do better than anyone is schedule staff effectively and efficiently, otherwise, no work would ever get done. Creating a fair and proper employee schedule creates order and flow, plus it ensures a smooth-running business and helps minimizes employee complai...

blog article

Sep 25, 2019

Within the past decade, the importance of IT in day-to-day activities has increased considerably. Be it work or gaming or shopping or entertainment, the online world is now an integral part of our lives.Needless to say, many businesses have moved to the internet to capitalize on the ever-growing onl...

blog article

Sep 24, 2019

Your business doesn’t have thousands of employees or millions of dollars to spend on unnecessary extras. Don’t waste money on conferencing software that charges you for features you don’t need and users you don’t have.Instead, check out the best conference services for small ...

blog article

Sep 24, 2019

You can apply for a small business loan today from many different lenders, both traditional and alternative. These can help you expand your business, hire new employees, increase your sales or product research budget, and more. Here, we’ll explore 8 quick tips to help you create a better small...

blog article

Sep 23, 2019

As a small business owner, you have a lot on your plate. But, that doesn’t mean you should do everything yourself—consider outsourcing. By outsourcing some of your daily business tasks to another companies or individual, you can spend more of your time growing your business.
Outso...

blog article

Sep 23, 2019

In today’s highly competitive job market, many industries have more openings than there are qualified employees to fill them. Which means that many workers are finding that they have the luxury of being able to choose amongst a number of potential employers. And in an effort to recruit (and re...

blog article

Sep 20, 2019

There are no shortage of details to consider when you’re a small business owner. Getting the back-office basics of your small business accounting practices in order early on—tracking revenues, expenses, and profits—will keep you out of the weeds of paperwork and cash flow snafus, a...

blog article

Sep 20, 2019

All travel has associated risks, but international traveling is a whole other ballgame. For employees that travel internationally for work, there are many considerations that affect safety and health, and this is particularly relevant to smaller businesses. The National Institute for Occupational Sa...

blog article

Sep 19, 2019

The internet seems to be flooded with coupon codes these days. Whether it’s those giant pop-ups promising US$15 off on Memorial Day or promotional emails offering special birthday discounts– coupons are hard to escape.Hell! It’s hard to watch a YouTube video nowadays without being ...

blog article

Sep 19, 2019

As a small business owner, you want the very best for your company. You want satisfied customers, you want to provide the best value and you want to grow — with as few issues and as much profit as possible. Putting out fires and overcoming hurdles have been in your job description for as long ...

blog article

Sep 18, 2019

The age of the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) is over. Electric cars are the future. The transition has just begun, but the move from ICE vehicles to Electric will happen sooner and more quickly than most people suspect. What are the factors that lead me to say this with such confidence? However, ...

blog article

Sep 18, 2019

My role here at SAP is IoT Evangelist. It’s my job to go around and speak about how the Internet of Things is changing the way we live, work, and run our businesses. IoT Evangelist is a job title that didn’t exist 5 or 10 years ago – mainly because the Internet of Things wasn&rsquo...

blog article

Sep 17, 2019

Does your personal auto insurance cover work-related driving? Small business car insurance may not be top of mind, until you or an employee hit a patch of ice and crunch. Depending on your policy, you may need extra protection to cover such mishaps. Here’s how you can tell whether you need com...

blog article

Sep 17, 2019

A strategy is everything in a business.Different marketing strategies for a small business need to be learned, applied and implemented in order to keep your business thriving, handle competition and reach success.Huge businesses often discuss and improve on their marketing strategy on a regular basi...

blog article

Sep 17, 2019

According to a recent report from the Pew Research Center, more than two-thirds (69 percent) of U.S. adults are active Facebook users. That’s a lot of potential customers, and the number hasn’t gone unnoticed by businesses both big and small.That’s probably why, according to the co...

blog article

Sep 17, 2019

Holiday sales are expected to grow, so be prepared.If you’re planning to take a vacation or travel to see family at holiday time, it’s a good idea to book now. But even more important, if the holiday season is an important sales period for your business, now is the time to get started. I...

blog article

Sep 17, 2019

Any way you slice it, nurtures are a demand generation staple but are not often seen or shared. It's no wonder marketers say their nurtures aren't performing. Searching for examples of B2B lead nurturing programs is a frustrating and fruitless experience. So we did the heavy lifting for you ...

blog article

Sep 16, 2019

Everyone would love to have a little extra money saved over at the end of the month. Sometimes our poor choices and decisions can keep us from where we want to be.Saying “no” to bad spending habits and costly subscriptions in our lives is a great way to start. Here are 20 small ways you ...

blog article

Sep 16, 2019

What would happen if a disaster struck your business tomorrow? Would you know what to do? A Small Business Continuity Plan is a valuable reference document for the business owner(s) and their team to answer questions and provide information to aid in the business’s recovery.Did you know- that ...

blog article

Sep 15, 2019

When it comes to boosting email engagement, the majority of B2B marketers will likely analyze their email metrics to see where they can improve. Analytics is a cornerstone of B2B email marketing and a factor that cannot be replaced or ignored. However, did you know that you can leverage a different ...

blog article

Sep 13, 2019

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has become a popular tool for the success of businesses today. If your business is small, you may think that SEO is not your thing and it’s only meant for large scale enterprises as they have more products to offer and they can afford its cost. But the fact is,...

blog article

Sep 12, 2019

Self Lender, recently rebranded as Self, helps consumers and business owners alike to start building their personal credit from scratch or work on rebuilding their credit after some missteps.A survey by Nav found almost 40% of its small business customer base were considered “credit ghosts,&rd...

blog article

Sep 12, 2019

Good Jobs, Good Business is a free digital toolkit created to provide small businesses owners with tools, resources, and advice. The goal of the toolkit is for owners to be able to create jobs which improve retention, employee performance and productivity. At the same time owners can also achieve re...

blog article

Sep 12, 2019

AI driven HR management will look different in small businesses than in large companies and multinationals. There are different barriers that will have to be navigated, but also different priorities and opportunities that small businesses will have with AI.Smaller budgets create price barriers to im...

blog article

Sep 11, 2019

“Tapping into a consumers’ memories is one of the most effective ways to connect on an emotional level,” she writes. “But, it’s not just about the “feel-good” factor. Research shows consumers are actually willing to spend more when thinking about the past.&r...

blog article

Sep 11, 2019

If you are a startup, you probably are overwhelmed with work and information. Don’t worry. You aren’t alone. Every startup faces this issue at some point. Innovation has made life easier for so many startups by increasing the flow of information and accessibility. But at the same time, i...

blog article

Sep 10, 2019

However, with a regular commute time that consumes a couple of hours each day, I have shifted my focus to podcasts and audiobooks. One of my favorite podcasts is the Inside Sales Enablement series by Scott Santucci and Brian Lambert. In their last episode, they spent time reviewing their thoughts an...

blog article

Sep 10, 2019

The majority of the time I only had access to two TV channels, three on a good weather day, and I vividly remember when I first saw a color television. At this time, products and services were limited, and buyer choices were almost non-existent. Fast-forward to 2019. Not only do I have access to hun...

blog article

Sep 10, 2019

Hacks and data breaches are, unfortunately, part of doing business today. Ten years ago, it was the largest corporations that were most targeted by hackers, but that has changed. As large organizations have improved their cybersecurity, and more and more small businesses go online, hackers have shif...

blog article

Sep 10, 2019

Every business faces a set of challenges, and small businesses are no exception. In fact, the challenges are greater when you’re running a small company, and the most common and concerning problem can sometimes be the lack of leadership skills. Not having multiple hierarchy levels can work aga...

blog article

Sep 10, 2019

Let’s face it. You have thousands of contacts sitting in your database, some of whom are collecting dust. Why? Because without a plan to convert them into customers, they’re no more useful than a desk paperweight. So how do you begin to nurture them through the funnel? Workflows, of cour...

blog article

Sep 09, 2019

Australian small businesses that increase their investment in technology grow their revenue and create jobs faster than other businesses, according to data from Xero Small Business Insights.The new research shows technology investment is directly associated with business growth. However, according t...

blog article

Sep 09, 2019

For most South African small businesses, the difference between shooting the lights out and failing dismally lies in access to the right funding at the right time.We all know about the SME sector’s potential to reduce unemployment, raise South Africa’s GDP, and basically save the economy...

blog article

Sep 06, 2019

When asked whether SME businesses need to protect themselves from cyber attacks, the response is easy: 43% of cyber attacks are aimed at small businesses.If you are a small business and aren’t protecting yourself, you need to review this and put suitable protection in place. Mike Ianiri, Redsq...

blog article

Sep 06, 2019

Getting funding for your small business isn’t a matter of “if”; it’s usually a matter of “when.” That’s why, even if you’re not looking to take out a loan now, it’s smart to look ahead to what’s available. Do you know the differences betwee...

blog article

Sep 04, 2019

FreshBooks, originally created in 2003, is a cloud-based accounting program used by millions of small business owners world wide. Many business owners use FreshBooks accounting software to manage invoicing, recurring billing, accounting, and even payroll. The online service is a solid option if you&...

blog article

Sep 04, 2019

Cloud storage is increasingly popular among both users with limited physical hard drive space, and those who are concerned about keeping their files safely backed up. It’s a trend that’s just as valuable for small business owners as it is for personal use. It’s bad enough losing pe...

blog article

Sep 04, 2019

Small business owners are responsible for it all, from making the tea to filing tax returns. So it’s understandable if you’ve let your business’s online presence slip – but here’s why it’s worth bumping it up your priority list.These days, almost everyone will che...

blog article

Sep 04, 2019

For any economy, SMBs are the backbone. The intent to scale and grow faster generally makes business owners to invest money in areas where returns can be multiplied. Unfortunately, cyber security at the moment is not realized as an important element by SMBs. High cost of investment and the mindset &...

blog article

Sep 04, 2019

Small businesses often need to widen their reach on social media. They often get overlooked because ome bigger brands have better social media strategies. However, you can overcome this by using influencer marketing.Influencer marketing is a powerful tool that can be in your hands if you find the ri...

blog article

Sep 03, 2019

Funding a small business can be quite the undertaking, whether you’re starting a new venture for the first time or have decades of experience in your industry.Of course, securing capital is often necessary, but depending on what type of financing you apply to and qualify for, it can also be ex...

blog article

Sep 02, 2019

The potential for litigation is just a fact of operating an enterprise these days. Small business owners can find themselves facing lawsuits from customers, competitors, and even employees. In fact, a study released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Legal Reform found that 43 per...

blog article

Aug 30, 2019

Social media is our go-to space for recommendations, be it where to eat, how to dress, what to do, or which movie to watch next. In this digital era, it is critical for a customer-facing business to get its social media strategy in place to take on competition and make an indelible impression, keepi...

blog article

Aug 29, 2019

Think direct mail as a form of business marketing and communication is dead and buried? Well, think again.Research shows direct mail campaigns generate five times more purchases than email campaigns.As a result, small businesses, sending direct mail to customers and prospects get results. For exampl...

blog article

Aug 29, 2019

Ebay has called for the UK’s small and medium-sized businesses to have a bigger voice when it comes to future trade negotiations.The online marketplace revealed the initiative two months ahead of the UK’s exit from the EU, while also highlighting the contribution that SMEs have on UK exp...

blog article

Aug 28, 2019

When running a small business, one of the most important aspects is marketing. It’s crucial that you’re able to successfully promote your company’s products or services, which is why you should research the latest marketing trends for small business owners.

blog article

Aug 28, 2019

Consumers and small business owners have similar concerns with the security of mobile banking. The difference, however, is that a business’ bank data relies more on security because of their delicate connections and reputations to uphold.It’s no secret that small businesses are common ta...

blog article

Aug 27, 2019

Whether you’re in the very beginnings of your launch phase, or you’re an established small business that needs a little push to get to the next stage of growth, finding a trustworthy investor can be key to realizing your goals. There’s so much conflicting information out there, how...

blog article

Aug 27, 2019

You function as the event planner for your business. As a result, you probably know about all the event management software out there. And you know it can make your job much easier. But which software should you invest in? That turns out to be tricky at first. And the question gets harder to answer ...

blog article

Aug 26, 2019

In this article, attorney and Rocket Lawyer UK head of legal, Adam Ford, will take a deeper dive into the challenges facing small businesses in the age of GDPR  including providing access to information and transferring data — and the legal penalties that can result. He will then examine ...

blog article

Aug 26, 2019

Market Study Report, LLC, has added a detailed study on the Small Business Invoicing Software market which provides a brief summary of the growth trends influencing the market. The report also includes significant insights pertaining to the profitability graph, market share, regional proliferation a...

blog article

Aug 26, 2019

Content Syndication – Fortune 500 companies have been using this lesser known marketing / SEO tactic while small business owners like you struggle to get started. If you know the right strategy on how to increase the amount of traffic to your site – this strategy that the large corporati...

blog article

Aug 23, 2019

Small Business Insurance market report presents a comprehensive overview of the market, product size, market size, shares and growth opportunities by product type, applications, major manufacturers and key regions. Key drivers, barriers, inadequacies, prominent trends, forecasts and future projectio...

blog article

Aug 22, 2019

Nearly 9 percent of small businesses experience robberies each year. This leads to loss of money or valuable products and can also create trauma or other serious issues for the employees involved. But there are ways for small businesses to avoid some of these incidents before they begin.Physical sec...

blog article

Aug 22, 2019

Running a business is often about setting goals and putting in the long hours and hard work to achieve them. Regardless of what type of business you run, it’s likely that “selling more” has a frequent, if not long-term, place on your to-do list. It’s a goal that requires stay...

blog article

Aug 21, 2019

Cybercrime costs the small business community billions of pounds a year. Yet despite that alarming statistic, many still seem unaware of the risks, and are failing to take even basic precautions.10,000 cyber-attacks a day The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) published research which revealed the...

blog article

Aug 21, 2019

Small businesses are the engine of North Carolina’s economy, yet they all suffer from one problem: access to affordable health insurance. This message doesn’t change whether you’re in King or Charlotte. This message doesn’t change whether you’re in a coffee shop or a ba...

blog article

Aug 21, 2019

Today’s brands face numerous challenges. They need to create a customized, excellent experience for each and every customer worldwide. To do that, they need to create high-quality, on-target content. They need to create that content quickly, effectively, and for audiences who speak multiple la...

blog article

Aug 20, 2019

Lace-up your sneakers and step up to the starting line: you’re ready to reach countless customers in new markets.  You’ve secured your spot in the Global Marketplace (whether by default or design).  But before you sprint away, take a good look around you. You are not alone in t...

blog article

Aug 20, 2019

Small businesses contribute majorly to the economy of any nation and the United States of America is not an exception. However, small businesses are often faced with the challenge of accessing finance to fund their business. Thankfully, there are a number of ways of how to get your business funded, ...

blog article

Aug 20, 2019

Small businesses are often limited by resources and capital. However, just like there are various government and private grants to give a boost to a business, there are many powerful software and online services that can help you save both time and time. To help you get started, the following are 6 ...

blog article

Aug 14, 2019

What character appears in the most films and television programs? Dracula? God? Santa Claus?  All of those make the top ten list, but none is the correct answer. Satan (or The Devil) is a character is more than 840 projects – more than any other character. If you limit the list to mortals...

blog article

Aug 14, 2019

This is the third in a series of articles on creating, maintaining, and optimizing great customer experiences in the context of mounting concerns about privacy and increasingly strict regulations governing data processing. We address topics such as consent strategies, the role of trust, the elements...

blog article

Aug 13, 2019

More than four in ten small companies have been forced to raise prices because of higher rates of basic pay, an employers’ group has claimed. The Federation of Small Businesses warned that its members had reported cutting their profits and holding back on investing as they sought to “abs...

blog article

Aug 12, 2019

It can be confusing to navigate all the available loan products being offered by banks, lenders, and online financial companies these days. The best way to know which loan is best for your business situation, however, is to know about each of them in advance. From long-term financing to a quick cash...

blog article

Aug 12, 2019

Tim Vine offers four ways to protect your small business against late payments if you are affected by clients not paying on time.Poor payment practices continue to be a widespread issue. In 2018, Dun & Bradstreet found that small businesses were owed an average of £80,141, nearly a quarter...

blog article

Aug 08, 2019

Some of the most popular applications are free. Whether it is YouTube, Facebook or Google Maps, this model has made these companies billions of dollars. But a new study from McGuffin asks an interesting question. How much value do consumers assign to these apps, and how much would they be willing to...

blog article

Aug 07, 2019

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency is going to be doing significantly less small business contracts after the National Background Investigations Bureau moves from the Office of Personnel Management to DOD. DCSA  formerly the Defense Security Service plans to shrink it's sma...

blog article

Aug 06, 2019

The ' Ecommerce Tools for Small Businesses market' study Added by Market Study Report, LLC, provides an in-depth analysis pertaining to potential drivers fueling this industry. The study also encompasses valuable insights about profitability prospects, market size, growth dynamics, and reven...

blog article

Aug 05, 2019

We hope you’re enjoying a much needed summer break, to reduce the psychological toll the startup grind can bring in to your life. While you’re relaxing, which is a vital part of the creative process, you might also want to get some reading in to help you reflect, spark some ideas, and re...

blog article

Aug 05, 2019

Small businesses and ambitious enterprises are at the heart of every industry. Not only do they immensely contribute to the overall revenue of a country, but they also have a beneficial effect on the workers themselves. Employees who decide to make the switch and become independent employers feel mo...

blog article

Aug 04, 2019

Star Business Centre, which operates three business centers in Dubai, has launched a summer promotion for start-ups and small businesses, including Serviced Office for Dh9,999, Smart Office for Dh14,999 and Dedicated Office for Dh19,999 per annum that includes rent of office space, utility, telecom ...

blog article

Aug 01, 2019

Sourcing funding is one of the significant challenges cited by entrepreneurs starting or growing a business in South Africa. Many South African entrepreneurs assume that the only source of financing for a business is a loan from a commercial bank or a development agency. Many business ventures don&r...

blog article

Aug 01, 2019

It’s always important for small businesses to come up with new ideas, not only to set themselves ahead of the competition but also to keep up with market trends. In fact, capitalising on your existing business can be the start of your next big project. Back in 2010, we launched PharmaData, a s...

blog article

Aug 01, 2019

Small businesses have enough on their plate two-thirds of small businesses fail within their first ten years of existence when starting their operations. With everything that needs to be done to ensure a solid business plan, who has time to execute a seemingly trivial social media strategy? However,...

blog article

Jul 31, 2019

Amsterdam-born recruitment and HR platform Harver has raised $15 million in Series B financing led by Insight Partners. The recent investment, which brings the startup’s total funding to $35 million, will be used on digital automation of the volume candidate selection process for enterprise or...

blog article

Jul 30, 2019

Over the past few years, I’ve created and implemented a comprehensive health-care strategy with hundreds of clients. My strategy involves using a coordinated attack of maximizing your health-care benefits, reducing costs and getting tax benefits to boot. It consists of seven steps: Whether you...

blog article

Jul 29, 2019

Telstra has expanded it services to small businesses with the offer of account management support for small business customers of all sizes. On top of the "personalised" account management support Telstra also now offers one dedicated service number (132-000) with support seven days from 8...

blog article

Jul 29, 2019

The name that you choose for your business can make a major impact on your brand image. Selecting the perfect name sometimes requires finding a balance between the practical and creative elements. Then once you have the perfect name in mind, you need to make it official and protect your brand. If yo...

blog article

Jul 26, 2019

In a time when any good news is welcome, many are thrilled to know that the UK has a growing number of small businesses active in the current economy. As a matter of fact, the start of 2018 was a time when 99 percent of all private sector enterprises were small businesses. While this is great news, ...

blog article

Jul 23, 2019

The Unlocking Capital for Small Businesses Act of 2019 (H.R. 3768), introduced by Rep. Ted Budd, R-N.C., would provide a safe harbor for finders and a reasonable regulatory regime for more active private placement brokers. It would have a substantial positive impact on the ability of Main Street ent...

blog article

Jul 23, 2019

Every shopper wants to be treated as an individual. Whether that be in person or online, demonstrating a clear knowledge of preferences and past purchases goes a long way in crafting a best-in-class customer experience (CX). Historically, the ability to deliver such deeply personalized experiences h...

blog article

Jul 23, 2019

Many minorities are starting businesses, have been running one for a while, or are well-established in their industry. Despite their qualifications and eagerness to be part of a growing economy, however, there are some obstacles unique to them. The U.S. Census reveals that minorities, specifically H...

blog article

Jul 23, 2019

Instagram can help you connect with new customers and promote your products and services. In fact, more than 60 percent of people said they use Instagram to find things that they want to purchase or obtain in real life.In some cases, you can do this without even creating a single post. If you’...

blog article

Jul 23, 2019

From eCommerce stores and brick-and-mortar boutiques to finance consulting, art galleries, and craft breweries, small businesses are as varied as they are numerous. With around 534,000 new businesses started every month, it’s obvious that the market is highly competitive, and that living out t...

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 22, 2019

Large firms will craft a strategy and have a well laid out plan for their business for the next 3-5 years.However, it is different for small firms. Most do not even know they need one.The strategy can be developed slowly and become part of the business.It means starting small and documenting the mos...

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 21, 2019

For many small businesses, using artificial intelligence can seem like a far-off goal. According to recent findings by Salesforce, a mere eight percent of SMBs use AI today. That’s not for a lack of interest, though. Nearly 80 percent of SMB leaders have plans to implement it some time in the ...

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 18, 2019

American Express business cards have been a staple for savvy business owners for a while now. Their SimplyCash program offered flexible earning and spending perks along with the customer confidence that comes with carrying an Amex in your wallet. As of July 18th, 2019, there have been significant ch...

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

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 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 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

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 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 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

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 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 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

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 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 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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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 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...

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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...

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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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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.

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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&...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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...

blog article

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&...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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, ...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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. ...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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...

blog article

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 &...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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 ...

blog article

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...

blog article

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...

blog article

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 ...