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Home>Business Resource Center

Archive of Susan's Articles

• Facebook Helping Local Businesses Succeed Learn how Facebook can help your local business.... more

• Three Tips to Turn Google+ Hangouts into a Powerful Resource for... These few tips can help you navigate your way through understanding how Hangouts works, and whether or not it would be an asset for your small business.... more

• Collaboration Builds Small Business Success Collaborations can help you to grow your small business.... more

• One Simple Question is All You Need to Be a Master... Networking is all about building relationships, and with one simple question you can become a master networker.... more

• Employers Beware of Cyber-Bullies in the Workplace The misuse of social media by employees is infiltrating the workplace creating negative consequences for employers.... more

• Employee Engagement May be the Best Medicine many entrepreneurs are looking for ways in which to keep their teams healthy. Here are five tips to help you create an engaged, healthy team.... more

• Are Old Habits Limiting Your Small Business Success? Take a close look at your small business and think about bad habits you could resolve to change.... more

• Seven Tips for Turning Your Hobby Into a Small Biz Success... THere are some tips on how to turn your hobby into a small business success story.... more

• Your Brand May Not Be What You Think it Is! Make sure your marketing makes the right impression with your target market.... more

• Five Great Ways to Say Thanks to Your Customers This Holiday To help you make a positive impression, here are some great ways to say thanks this holiday season to your customers.... more

• Need Start-up Capital: What About Family and Friends? Successful entrepreneurs realize there are many ways to bootstrap yourself to success.... more

• Leverage Technology for a Competitive Advantage Leveraging technology in your small business will help you keep pace with today’s rapidly changing market and give you a competitive advantage.... more

• Market to Your Sweet Spot for Small Biz Success No business can succeed without a marketing strategy, but a lot of money is often spent on the wrong kind of advertising and marketing tactics.... more

• 6 Business Mastery Fundamentals Every Business Owner Needs to Know Here are the six business mastery fundamentals you need to know to unleash your business success.... more

• Nothing Happens Until You Sell Something: Three Tips for Sales Success No matter what type of business you’re in, you’re in the business of selling. Learn three tips that will improve your sales.... more

• 5 Ways to Build Your Business After Work What you do after work could be as important as what you do doing your workday.... more

• Five Tips to Make Your Next Trade Show or Conference Participation... Trade shows/conferences offer an incredible opportunity to meet many customers and potential customers all in one place.... more

• Could Direct Sales be Your Ticket to Small Biz Success? Five... Assess any business opportunity carefully. There’s no such thing as an overnight success.... more

• Got a Great Idea? Beware of Invention Scams An experienced attorney can research the patentability of your product and advise you on the likelihood of success.... more

• Want to Know What Your Customers Really Think? Ask Them! Five to seven minutes is all it takes to discover valuable information to improve your sales, service, delivery and product development.... more

• Protect Your Business From the Risk of Workplace Violence In order to protect your business, your employees and your customers, you need to talk about the risk and create a plan and prevention policy.... more

• Entrepreneurs Wheeling Their Way to Success professional service providers believe putting their businesses on wheels is the key to success.... more

• Social Media Really Works -- Ask My Dog Groomer Make sure your messaging is consistent and that you demonstrate your market value.... more

• Five Tips to Avoid Meaningless Meetings Because meetings are an essential part of business today, make sure they are meaningful and productive.... more

• 5 Tips for Taking a Vacation While Starting a Small Business Vacation could enhance your business success. Working non-stop increases your risk of serious illnesses and diminishes your productivity and creativity.... more

• How to Successfully Hire the Right Attorney for Your Small Biz Finding the right attorney for your business is critical. Your business requires an attorney who specializes in business law for small to midsize businesses.... more

• 5 Tips for Succeeding in a Family-Owned Small Business This article gives tips for those thinking to start a family business so you can protect your personal relationship and the business.... more

• Three Rules to Keep Your Advertising Legal As you start and grow your business, you need to build trust in the market. So it?s important to understand what you can and can?t say in your marketing materials.... more

• Putting the Right People in the Right Seats Builds Small Business... It takes a team to build a successful, sustainable company.... more

• Professional Advice: An Ace in the Hole for Small Business Early mistakes can be costly, but even worse, may cause your business to fail.... more

• Should You Ask for Your Employee’s Social Media Password? For most businesses today, social media is an integral part of the marketing mix.... more

• Is Piniterest Right For Your Small Business Marketing? While marketing experts are buzzing about Piniterest as a great way to promote your business, is it really the right marketing tool for your small business?... more

• Open Spaces: Is It Time to Make a Move? Could now be a good time for you to move from your home-office to a commercial office or retail location?... more

• A Cool Technology for Better Business Management If you sell products or services away from your office, you absolutely need to leverage this new technology to help you manage your business better and smarter.... more

• Presidential Politics Doesn’t Belong in Your Business There is a time and a place for everything, and it is best to check both politics and religion at the door when you come to work.... more

• Smokers Need Not Apply at This Small Business Because of rising health care costs, some small businesses are refusing to hire smokers in order to save money.... more

• Are Entrepreneurs Born or Made? Does it Matter? There are some personality characteristics that cause many to naturally gravitate toward business ownership.... more

• Could That Tweet Be Copyrighted? the Internet has created a significant threat to copyright protection.... more

• Do not Let the Flu Make Your Small Business Sick Here are a few tips to help you and your business stay healthy during this year’s cold and flu season.... more

• Old Fashioned Networking Remains a Business Standard There is no better asset – personally or professionally – than a strong network.... more

• Small Business Mentors Build Success: 5 Tips to Find and Work... Mentors play important roles in our lives at various stages.... more

• Where to Spend Marketing Dollars in Tough Times? Entrepreneurs understand the importance of marketing their businesses, but they really don’t know where to start.... more

• Enhance Your Success This Year -- Seven Tips to Get Healthy... There are simple activities you can do throughout your work day to help alleviate stress, get fit, improve your overall health and enhance your business success.... more

• Smart Steps Build Successful Businesses Your business success depends on analyzing the opportunity to determine whether your business can be viable.... more

• Seven Tips to Avoid Aging Accounts Receivables Some pre-planning can minimize this unsavory business reality.... more

• Build Your Business Brand: 5 Tools to Create Your Celebrity Status With the advent of technology and social media almost anyone can become a recognized expert.... more

• Consistency is Critical to for Successful Marketing Campaigns A successful marketing plan is built on consistent messages.... more

• Holiday Networking Dos and Don’ts! Whether it’s a social or business holiday event, look for opportunities to build your business.... more

• Ready to Move Out of Your Home-Office? Maybe! Although working in a home-office has a lot of advantages, you have fewer opportunities to interact with other business people.... more

• 6 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Technology Investments for Your... The right technology can increase a small businesses profitability and productivity.... more

• Billing Fraud Could be Hurting Your Small Business Working with independent contractors is an excellent way to manage your operational needs. However, as they say: It’s better to be safe than sorry.... more

• New Social Media Connected Crime Hits Small Businesses Learn how to protect your company from flash robs.... more

• Energy Efficient Ideas for Your Small Business While saving energy is certainly good for the environment, it’s also smart business and will help your company save money in the long run.... more

• What Does Your Business Card Say About Your Small Business? Business cards are very important in making a first impression on a potential customer.... more

• What Your Small Business Can Learn From Netflix’s Marketing Snafus When you are growing your business, it's easy to occasionally stumble with your marketing strategies. A great idea turns out to be a complete disaster.... more

• New Small Business Initiative Focuses on Worker Classification Issues In order to fill staffing needs in this economy, small firms are turning to temporary or contract employees, which provide greater flexibility and less risk.... more

• E-Commerce: A Bright Spot for Small Business So many small business owners are struggling right now. Well, there is a bright spot e-commerce. Retail online sales are increasing.... more

• Slips and Falls Scams Target Businesses: Tips on Protecting Your Small... Learn to protect your business from the growing number of fraudulent insurance claims.... more

• People Can and Do Judge a Book By Its Cover! people make assumptions about you and your abilities based on your appearance.... more

• Stay Focused For Your Small Business Success Inspiration in the gloomiest times can be a powerful success tool.... more

• Savvy Advice to Bring Your New Product Idea to Market Great ideas and innovations don't have to change the world.... more

• My Best Business Advice for Building a Success Business Success depends on practicing the fundamentals daily, keeping your eye on the goal, being willing to be coached, and maintaining a strong, committed work ethic... more

• Build Better Relationships with Customers: Cut Out the Business Jargon So before you make your next presentation, write a proposal or add content to your website, stop and remember the impact of your word choices.... more

• Is All Publicity, Good? How to Manage Negative Social Media Comments Instead of avoiding the use of social media tools, create a proactive strategy to manage negative comments when they occur... more

• Breakthrough Business Ideas Bring Booming Success Wherever there is a gap between what customers want and what is being delivered to them, there is a major opportunity for your business.... more

• Five Legal Documents Every Business Owner Should Have There are five legal documents every business owner should have to protect their personal and professional well-being.... more

• Thinking About the Cloud? Cloud computing essentially gives users access to their files and applications remotely though the Internet.... more

• Need More Hours in The Day? Try Mobile Applications Using mobile applications can help small business owners to free up more time during their day.... more

• Make a Brand that Sizzles It is important that your brand has something unique and special that reaches out to your customers and stands out in competition.... more

• Hiring Your Children This Summer is Smart Business Putting your kids to work over the summer can keep them from getting bored while gaining valuable experience, but it can also be a smart business decision too.... more

• Six Elements Every Partnership Agreement Needs Before going into business with a partner, you should take time to go over some key elements, which your agreement should include.... more

• Small Businesses Beware. New Changes in ADA Regulations May Cost You... The Americans with Disabilities Act is expanding and placing more burden on small businesses beginning May 24, 2011.... more

• Is Your Hobby a Business Opportunity? Many people today are finding joy in turning their hobbies into a full-time business.... more

• Workplace Conflict Could Be Costing Your Small Business in Big Ways While is it pretty obvious, conflict in the workplace affects your productivity, the actual dollar amount might not be so easily quantified.... more

• How Loyal is Your Team? To raise a small business, it takes a strong, loyal team.... more

• Blogging As a Business Building Tool for Small Businesses For some entrepreneurs blogging can be a low-cost, high-return option.... more

• Mobile Technology Can Helper Business Sustainability Initiatives Take advantage of mobile applications that help you go green, including ride sharing options and guides for choosing greener paper products.... more

• To Give or Not to Give While it is admirable to donate to charity, make sure to evaluate whether the donation is a good fit for your business.... more

• The Customer is Always Right? Even though the customer may not be right, maintaining your professionalism is key to solving problems with difficult customers.... more

• Improve Your Bottom Line: Take a Break! Taking small breaks throughout your work day helps you refresh your body and brain, elevate your mood, and increase your creativity and productivity.... more

• Wellness Programs Can Enhance Your Bottom Line By keeping your employees healthy, you will also be keeping your business healthy... more

• Transitioning from Employee to Entrepreneur: The Risk and Reward Making the leap from employee to entrepreneur is a big one, but worth it if you can make your idea a success.... more

• Cyber Criminals Find Small Businesses Easy Targets Small businesses are at risk for identity theft, too. Take proper precautions such as strong passwords and limited access to thwart hackers.... more

• Mixing Love and Small Business: Six Tips for Success Going into business with a loved one can be a challenge. Here are some tips to balance your work with your life.... more

• Email Mistakes Can Impact Your Bottom Line Here are some common email mistakes busy entrepreneurs make and how you can avoid them.... more

• Want to Know Why Most Small Businesses Fail? Look in the... Sometimes a business' owner can be the cause of its demise.... more

• Social Media and Employees May Equal Disaster Social media can be an excellent marketing tool, but its use by employees must be clearly defined.... more

• Hand-Held Virtual Office Answer to Work/Life Balance? The smart phone can be viewed as a hand held virtual office.... more

• Fill the New Year with Creative Strategies for Your Small Biz. Tapping into your creativity and that of your team can help you start the new year with revved up energy.... more

• Beat the Odds: How to Make Successful Small Business Resolutions Creating clear, realistic New Year's resolutions for your business can help you succeed in keeping them.... more

• Take the Stress Out of the Holidays: Tips for Women Business... Finding a balance between work and life is important to minimizing your stress during the busy holiday season.... more