Small Business Success

Cash or Accrual Basis of Accounting? Which Should You Select When Starting a Business?

AndreaM — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:05:41 GMT

One startup decision that seems to cause entrepreneurs unnecessary consternation is selecting the right accounting method — cash basis or accrual basis. Read on for some advice from one entrepreneur to another...

Small business = football

AndreaM — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:34:39 GMT

It’s Sunday and I’ve staked my claim to my favorite corner of the couch. As usual it’s a day of multi-tasking at its best…

Re: Time to Put Some Goats on the Roof!

Lisa — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:30:15 GMT

Great post! I went and checked out the web site and this business owner has truly found a unique way to generate interest in what could very well be just another country roadside store. And I have to give you kudos for keeping the small business owner in mind even while on vacation!

Re: Time to Put Some Goats on the Roof!

ShariW — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:11:23 GMT

Mike,

You didn't know it at the time, but this business owner is a particularly good friend of mine. He has done a great job differentiating his business.

Here's something else our readers could learns from him. He's sought out and partnered with local high-end craftspeople. In return for offering their products in his store, they advertise his business to their friends and customers. It's a good way for both parties to extend their reach (and support the local community).

Shari

It’s Amazing What a Random Act of Service Can Do…

WinniferC — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:34:56 GMT

Customer service is one of the most important ingredients of building and sustaining a successful business. Look for ways to surprise your customers with unexpected acts of service .Great customer service not only creates loyal customers, but loyal customers that will recommend your business to others and fuel your success.

Time to Put Some Goats on the Roof!

MikeS — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:03:46 GMT

Here's an example that got me thinking about the power of simple differentiation.

Re: When Silence Speaks Volumes

MikeS — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:07:20 GMT

This is a great idea. Another increasingly common method for checking references is to simply Google the candidate. Depending on the type of position being filled, employers can get a good idea of the candidate's professional accomplishments and associations by how/if they rank on Google, outside of personal blogs, etc. So one question job seekers need to consider is "how Google-able am I?" This is something we're going to talk a bit about in our social media session at Sage Summit in November.

When Silence Speaks Volumes

AndreaM — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:56:07 GMT

A clever way to check a candidate's references for employment

Re: Accessing the opportunities from the 2009 Recovery Act

AndreaM — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:51:08 GMT

StacyP forwarded this blog from BNET to me. So far there is only one comment that essentially says they haven't seen a positive change in their business yet. Too soon to tell?

Andrea

Re: Accessing the opportunities from the 2009 Recovery Act

StacyP — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:56:25 GMT

Great info, Debbie! Here's an interesting article from the Wall Street Journal about how small businesses are finding creative ways to get contracts for the stimulus projects: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124993075124220261.html?mod=dist_smartbrief

"Becker recently attended her first SBA-sponsored networking event, which brought together prime contractors with women and minority-owned vendors. "It was kind of like speed dating but with contractors," she says.

She didn't know anyone there, but set about going from table to table introducing herself and her business. Now she is following up on several leads, including one from Rolls Royce."

Re: Very cool services that will help you develop your brand

Ross Kimbarovsky — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:57:36 GMT

Hey Andrea - thanks so much for writing about crowdSPRING. Ourcommunity of 35,000 graphic designers has helped thousands of smallbusinesses around the world, and we invite your readers (and clients) to come take a look. One of the big plusses - set your own price andpick from among actual designs, not bids and proposals.

Best,

Ross Kimbarovsky

co-Founder

http://crowdspring.com

Back to School Edition

StacyP — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:52:35 GMT

Now that we're gearing up for the start of the new school year, it's a good time to dust off our own continuing education goals. Check out these links to FREE online courses that you can take according to your own schedule.

Business is slow. Should you cut your prices?

ShariW — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:47:37 GMT

This is a question that comes up every time there’s an economic slowdown, and the issue is always the same, “will it do more harm than good to cut prices?”

Re: “Hello, may I please speak with Oprah?”

AndreaM — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:06:34 GMT

A little more information that I came across this morning from eMarketer (TM)...

Seven in 10 users said they “completely” or “somewhat” trusted brand Websites and consumer opinions posted online—a higher rate than for editorial content, brand sponsorships, and TV, newspaper and magazine ads. The least trusted were new media channels, such as mobile advertising, display ads, video ads and paid search results.

There is also a good chart that shows tactics / media as a % of trustworthiness. What's #1? Click here: http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1007206

Andrea

“Hello, may I please speak with Oprah?”

AndreaM — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:24:02 GMT

Ever wonder what a celebrity endorsement might do to persuade customers that your business is better than the competition?

Technology Your Business Uses Can Say a Lot

MikeS — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:20:59 GMT

Technology in a small business, when properly and purposefully implemented, can yield not only cost savings, but also a more satisfied customer.

Accessing the opportunities from the 2009 Recovery Act

debbie_mason — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:25:31 GMT

I started this research project to see how easy it would be to find and take advantage of the opportunities of the 2009 Recovery Act. I visited the sites and will share my experience with you. I went to www.Recovery.org and this is what I found…

Christmas in July?

ShariW — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:21:07 GMT

You’re probably thinking more about your summer vacation than holiday Web sales, but now is a good time for an online store tune-up.

Very cool services that will help you develop your brand

AndreaM — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:43:21 GMT

How many of you have a graphic designer on staff? Probably next to none, unless you happen to have a graphic design company or you’re a creative type. So how many of you need a logo or a good website design? Well just about everybody, right? But if you’re like most of us (me included), the best creative design you can do is rock some WordArt or draw some really bad stick figures.

Re: A Simple Idea for Finding New Customers

MikeS — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:46:08 GMT

That's a good point, Shari. Sometimes flashy "toys" can have a greater psychological effect than the monetary equivalent.