America's Best Companies

140 Characters and 15 Minutes: Tips, Tricks and Advice

kim@gowithabc.com (Kim Fenolio) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:00:48 GMT

You know, a 140 character limit really isn't a lot to share something significant in. Neither is 15 minutes though, especially not between three people trying to convey the effects of social media on an industry. Fortunately, a collection of some of the best minds in small business were able to do just that at the 140 Characters Conference in LA this past October. I was lucky enough to have been one of the 140 people asked to speak and represent the state of now.

I wasn't alone in this. This conference was Jeff Pulver's baby. Jeff is a globally renowned thought leader, author and entrepreneur. He contacted Becky McCray of Small Biz Survival and asked her to put together a panel of people who could effectively speak on behalf of small business. She did just that. I was joined on a panel by small business owners Scott Townsed of United Linen and Neal Rohrbach of iDea Anglers.

Having never met prior to the conference, the three of us worked together to form a panel that would bring attention to a number of things in small business. Each of the guys shared what worked for them in their small business while I spoke to bring out how to go about it and, of course, giving tips, tricks and advice.

Give the panel a watch (or listen) and see what the big deal is. Video run-time is 15 minutes with some killer content. Leave you thoughts about the panel in the comments!

Small Biz Tip: Start Up Concerns: Business Name

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:23:05 GMT

Tips from November 6, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss naming a start up business.

Think of a creative and recognizable name for your business. Be memorable, quirky, and unique, yet professional for business purposes.
Before settling on a business name check your phone books, online domains & with the county clerk's office for availability.
Consider a business name that's obvious to your business purpose and works in your favor for SEO as well. It often helps the customer if a name is self-explanatory. A name like Kim's Social Media Services tells me right away that this is a social media servicing company by Kim.
Register the business name as a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. You get legal protection for the business's name. Find out more at http://www.uspto.gov.

Daily Overview: When naming your business be creative, be obvious, make sure it's available and register it so it's legally yours.

Small Biz Tip: Start Up Concerns: Legal Issues

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:44:09 GMT

Tips from November 4, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss legal concerns for start up businesses.

Sole proprietors should incorporate their home-based businesses with tax benefits and protect personal assets from business liabilities.
You can use your own name as your business name in most states without having to register it. Everything else needs some type of registration.
Minimize disputes with clients by having thorough contracts, detailed wording with no room for excuses, multiple signatures, and clarity from both parties.
General rule of thumb: a business that sells goods, needs a business license; a business that offers professional services (regulated by the state) needs a business certificate.

Daily Overview: All business legal concerns should be taken to a lawyer who knows the laws in your state, specific to your situation.

Small Biz Tip: Start Up Concerns: Personal Life

kim@gowithabc.com (Kim Fenolio) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:47:47 GMT

Tips from November 4, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss how to keep your business from taking over your life.

Understand that it's okay to say no. Each time you say yes to something, you're saying no to something else.
Set specific rules for yourself and the time you dedicate to working. Build in a grace period for the "I have to get this done" stuff. Then stick to it!
Build in you time. Make time to recharge the batteries, watch a movie, go out with friends. A personal release will help you focus again when it's time to get back to business.
Let your clients know that you have specific business hours for calls AND for when you perform your work. Make sure you're the one setting the expectations.

Daily Overview: Tell your clients when you're working. Tell yourself when you're not. Keeping to your schedule helps you keep your sanity.

Small Biz Tip: Start Up Concerns: Marketing Budget

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:58:08 GMT

Tips from November 3, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss a marketing budget for start up businesses.

Plan for travel expenses, phone bills, commission to reps, and other hidden costs that comes with marketing.
Determine how much you need to sell in order to make sales projections. Give yourself a cushion, allocate extra money towards marketing.
Inventive and unique product lines generate free word of mouth marketing, saving marketing money. Allocate that money towards the actual product.
Determine your target audience and market to them. Direct promotion helps you stand out and use your money more efficiently.

Daily Overview: Allocate a portion of your budget to marketing. Keep sale projections, product lines and techniques in mind. Don't throw your money into the wind without a good idea of where it's going to land.

Small Biz Tip: Start Up Concerns: Money

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:32:36 GMT

Tips from November 2, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss money concerns for start up businesses.

Create a plan. Map out what you have in order to fund your business to start a savings plan. Predict your cash flow.
You could consider using personal savings, remortgaging property, credit cards or personal property as an initial financial resource.
An established credit history and collateral make it easier to receive a small business loan. Plan, know your finances and apply.
Keep track of each penny. Balance your checkbook and be conscious of spending. Saving a few cents will add up yearly.

Daily Overview: Funding a start up business is no easy process. You're best off to plan, have a history of being responsible and don't forget.. PLAN.

Do You Have What It Takes To Network?

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:30:54 GMT

Networking is important to small businesses in that it helps them to stay in business, grow their business, and connect to other business owners. The general way to network is usually by having your information on a neat business card and give your information to others. To create a big name for yourself when networking, you need to step out of your comfort zone and create a buzz. Here are few ideas.

Professional Business Cards
Yes, business cards are important for networking so they can have your contact information. No, they should not be the only thing that you do. For starters, make sure your business cards are professional. Have an edgy design on quality paper with all your contact information. Business cards should be kept in a safe place to avoid tearing and ripping. You might also want to consider adding your Twitter ID and Facebook profile to your card as a way for people to keep up with you in more of the real-time business world.

Q & A's
Be prepared to answer questions about yourself and your business. This is a given for any professional at any time, but even more important for networking. You can explain your business, your goals, and your purpose for going into business. If you've hit any rough spots, share them with others willing to network with you. We've all had our ups and downs. Talk about how you overcame your problems, ask them about theirs and share advice. There's strength in collaboration.

Additionally, be ready with questions to ask others who want to network with you. Regardless of what questions they ask you, make sure you ask meaningful questions to foster a relationship. Ask them about what they want most out of networking with other businesses. Find out their goals, ambitions, and business history.

Know Your Story
Your the story of how your business came to exist. Many people who are looking to network with you are interested in how your business started, your goals, and motivation. This is not your thirty second elevator pitch, but rather a heartfelt, honest story about your business. Briefly discuss the journey your business took from start to where you are today.

Don't Be Afraid of the Big Shots
Reaching for the stars to network is something that many small business owners are hesitant to try. You never know where you'll end up without first trying. If you're on Twitter first reach out to some small business professionals, subscribe to their blog, or follow their work. Send a personal message to these business professionals describing how they inspire and motivate you and your business. See if you receive a response, keep the contact to receive advice or guidance in the future. Build the relationship, don't market it.

Remember, the goal of networking is not to be a salesperson for yourself and your business. That's just plain annoying, and many will toss your information in the garbage. People who want to create real relationships via networking will know if you are being genuine and not just wanting to use them as a stepping stone. Be the balance on the stones and you'll be the one that people turn to in the future. That's the real point to business networking: be the one who's out there helping and you'll be the one they come back to again and again.

Small Biz Tip: Networking: Social Media

kim@gowithabc.com (Kim Fenolio) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:32:51 GMT

Tips originally posted on October 30, 2009

The Small Business tips take a little of the shared wisdom from the 140 Characters Conference and will show you how to network with social media.

Social media requires you to be social. Be human and relatable. Talk to me like I'm your sister. It's like an instant state of relaxation.
Try not to over complicate things. Just use common sense in your networking approach. One step back can take you two steps forward in the medium.
You should do dinner and a movie before you ask for a kiss. Basically that means to establish the relationship before you ask them to do something.
Everything isn't always about you. Your network probably has more to offer you than you do to them. Letting them feel that way will help you in the end.

Daily Overview: Social media networking should be common sense: often not about you, social, simple and sweet equaling success!

Small Biz Tip: Networking: Setting Up An Event

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:46:10 GMT

Tips from October 29, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss how to set up a small business event to network in your community.

Market your event via flyers, Chambers of Commerce, radio advertisements, mailers, on your website, as well as word of mouth.
Create a Facebook invite and notify your friends, family, group members, as well as fans. Send them a reminder message a day before the event.
Offer small, free gifts for people at your event, such as pens, magnets, or pads of paper. Have all of your contact information easily readable on it.
At the event, collect business cards & give yours out. At the conclusion of the event, send a thank you letter & save their contact information.

Daily Overview: Events allow your business to connect with other people and businesses to create relationships and build support.

Small Biz Tip: Networking: Chamber of Commerce

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:50:48 GMT

Tips from October 28, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss how your local Chamber of Commerce is a great way to network.

Join local businesses in promoting your town's economy by shopping locally to keep money in your community.
Network with your neighbors to coordinate discounts and promotions to encourage consumers to buy locally.
Meet a few times every month. Discuss your community's economy, goals for the future, & new programs or events coming up.
Plan an event with your Chamber. Invite all small businesses to host the event & open it to the community. More tomorrow!

Daily Overview: Use your Chamber of Commerce membership to its full potential by networking with other local businesses.

Small Biz Tip: Networking: Different Styles

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:51:03 GMT

Tips from October 27, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss different styles of networking.

Family will give you more personal and honest recommendations than others. Ask them to recommend and talk you up whenever they can.
Your friends may be the first to say "hey I know someone who does that.." Share with them what you do, offer discounts through them.
B2B: Networking is reciprocal. Each biz needs the connection and each will work to build a professional relationship.
Have a social media presence that's honest, transparent and active. Communicate and share yourself openly.

Daily Overview: You need to network with different people in different ways. Be sure to tailor your approach to your audience at the time.

Small Biz Tip: Networking: Why?

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:48:34 GMT

Tips from October 26, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss why it is important for small businesses to network.

Create and develop relationships with others who share your same passions for business. Gain contacts and resources.
Battles are best fought with a companion. Networking gives businesses a support system for when times are rough.
Expand your clientele. Networking with others allows for new customers to hear about your business and check it out.
Build your community and local economy by networking in your area. Support other small businesses; they will support you!

Daily Overview: Networking gives your business contacts, builds the buzz, and opportunities to grow.

140 Characters and We Have One

kim@gowithabc.com (Kim Fenolio) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:08:43 GMT

This week I am leading the small business panel at the 140 Characters Conference in Los Angeles, California. This is pretty significant for our company, and for each of you, in that I will be sharing how small business is being effected by the real-time internet. Basically, I’m going to talk about how Facebook and Twitter (social media) are helping your business in the current state of the world, even in this economy.

This panel and conference isn’t all about me. I’ll be sharing the stage with some fantastic co-panelists: Scott Townsend of United Linen and Neal Rohrbach of Idea Anglers. Together we hope to give you a rounded view of how small business works with these medias from beginning to end. We’re calling our panel Small as a Tweet. We’re taking a few questions up front. If there’s anything specific that you’d like any of us to answer, you can ask at our website or on our Twitter account.

The entire conference will be broadcast live on the internet via the conference website. If you’d like to tune in live for my panel, you can visit http://lax.140conf.com/ on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 1:55pm PST. Once the video is gathered afterwards, I’ll share it here on the ABC site as well. There are many other layers to the conference and a lot of big names going to appear and speak. I encourage you to check out the other panels and see if there are specific speakers that would pertain to your niche.

Catch me, Kim Fenolio, on Twitter, send me a DM or @message me! I’d love to talk with you.

Small Biz Tip: Training: Hands On

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:21:21 GMT

Tips from October 23, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss hands-on training and its benefits.

Role Play: employees mimic real decision making in business situations. Very effective: try upper management & employee roles.
Internship: get a feel for employment before becoming an employee. Get on-the-job and classroom training to learn about the business.
Apprenticeships: over a long period of time, employees develop many skills while supervised by a senior employee. Usually for a trade.
Job Rotation: employees learn a little about every department to learn different tasks and skills associated with each job.

Daily Overview: Hands-on training allows for a different learning process to take place and can even be most memorable.

Small Biz Tip: Various Approaches to Training Employees

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:39:44 GMT

Tips from October 22, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss different approaches to training employees.

Orientation: for new employees to understand their new place of employment. Include the goals, purpose and role of employee.
Lecture: use for a large amount of material to communicate with a group of people. Cost-effective, but possibly unproductive.
Audiovisual: TV, films, and video clips show real world situations in action with a constant, perfect presentation to all employees.
Programmed Learning: computer-aided instruction. Employees learn at their own pace and a supervisor is not necessarily needed.

Daily Overview: Various methods cater to different businesses. The right approach depends on your business and your employees.

Small Biz Tip: Training: Skill-Based Training

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:48:39 GMT

Tips from October 21, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss the benefits of skill-based training.

Increase productivity: teach advanced techniques to help employees conquer tasks more efficiently & take on more responsibility.
Aid in hiring process: teach the perfect candidate lacking the skill new tricks, or enhance the ones who mastered the skill.
Improve job satisfaction: time & money invested in employees skills gets them more involved with their field & up to date with the industry.
Reduce need for supervision: skill-based training encourages independence & shows how to do their job better & faster.

Daily Overview: Keep employees on their career path by providing skill-based training to improve in their field.

Small Biz Tip: Training: Employee Manual

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:26:46 GMT

Tips from October 20, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss creating an informative employee manual.

Welcome Statement: include the mission and goals of your business, letter from the CEO so employees know what to perform towards.
Compensation: describe in detail the payroll schedule, hours expected to work, and vacation/holiday/sick days off.
Policies: outline the dress code, attendance, confidentiality agreement, competition agreement, and general culture rules.
Discipline: describe actions taken if problems arise, including warnings, formal complaints, and grounds for termination.

Daily Overview: Creating an informative manual gives employee a glimpse into the business and establishes their role.

Small Biz Tip: Training: Planning

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:25:23 GMT

Tips from October 19, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss what to plan for when training new employees.

Instructors: Have someone who's qualified and engaging do your training; they'll give good information and if they're engaging they'll hopefully be a memorable speaker.
Materials: Have books, tools, pens and paper ready in advance. Make it so that trainees only have to worry about subject matter!
Space: Choose a space that is quiet, comfortable, and promotes learning. Try a conference room or extra office.
Timing: Outline who is talking when about what materials. Include breaks and time for a Q&A session.

Daily Overview: The success of training new employees really revolves around how prepared you are. Plan ahead!

Small Biz Tip: Customer Service: Employee Training

kim@gowithabc.com (Kim Fenolio) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:11:06 GMT

Tips from October 16, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss training your employees to provide exceptional customer service.

Every employee is a representative of your business. Give them reasons to respect your brand, business, & customers.
Go over situations that could arise; get feedback from experienced employees. Show your customers you're ready for anything.
Employees that know all situations can help customers immediately instead of asking management. Be knowledgeable.
After an unusual situation occurs, talk to employees about how to handle the situation in case it happens again.

Daily Overview: Proper employee training will give your business an edge on providing exceptional customer service.

Small Biz Tip: Customer Service: Going the Extra Mile

kim@gowithabc.com (Kim Fenolio) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:14:05 GMT

Tips from October 15, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss how to go the extra mile.

Be helpful even if you get nothing out of it. Assist, give advice & (gasp) talk about other businesses.
Follow through with a customer. Guide them, ask if they have questions, & do all that you can to help.
Offer something extra. Future coupons, freebies, small samples, or discounts help provide that extra service.
Make exceptions for the customer if they have problems; offer a discount or rebate offer for future services.

Daily Overview: Doing more than expected gives your business benefits and provides extra customer service.

Small Biz Tip: Customer Service: Turning to Social Media

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:44:07 GMT

Tips from October 14, 2009

The Small Business tips today will talk about how turning to social media will improve customer service.

Twitter allows for up to the minute updates for openings, new products, sales, and limited time offers.
Customers talk about experiences on Twitter: provide exceptional service and personalize to get great buzz.
Use Twitter to build up your small businesses by retweeting testimonials & customer satisfaction stories.
Build a community of customers with a Facebook Fan page. Ask for feedback & give new Fans coupons.

Daily Overview: Social media is an excellent way to keep up in real time and positivity about your biz.

Customer Service and the Internet

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:09:07 GMT

Great customer service has become much more important to businesses with the popularity and increased influence that the internet now has. The internet provides an instant outlet for customers to rant or rave about a specific product, service, or business. Though not just for consumers, the internet has made providing customer service a lot easier for a business. So, what do you need to be aware of when coupling the internet with your customer service? What kind of options should you be looking for? How exactly can you provide customer service? Let's take a look.

Accessibility 24/7/365 - At the very least you should have a website that has your business name and information on it. What you must keep in mind is that this then puts your business out there for consumers to access any time and any day of the year. Make sure you have a phone number, address, and hours of operation on your homepage in a place that all visitors can see. This way they'll know when and how they can reach you.
Contact Form - A contact form on your website is a simple way to collect information from curious visitors. This allows for your business to gain information about your potential customer and cater to the needs that they're specifying. Make sure the person who will provide the best customer service to their inquiry responds in a timely fashion.
Online FAQ - Have a Frequently Asked Questions page on your website. Look at your business objectively (consider having someone else help you with this) and see what questions they could have. Then, answer them in the easiest terms that you can. Doing this will save you and your customers time. There's nothing like finding a quick answer to a question!
Social Media - Services like Twitter and Facebook make publishing thoughts about a business utterly instantaneous. Make sure that you monitor these outlets for mentions of your brand, products and services. Social media is all about transparency, so be sure to address issues quickly and in the medium that they were initially voiced.
Google Alerts - Set up a Google Alert for your business. Each time your business is mentioned on the Internet, you will be notified via email. Keep track of what the online world is saying, and address any issues that may arise.

Your business can't hide on the internet. Once your name is out there, it is nearly impossible to take down. Positive remarks about your business could lead to new customers, increased sales, and more online buzz about your business. On the other hand, negative remarks on the Internet could prove deadly. Address negative remarks about your business immediately, offer to fix the issue and provide an incentive for continued business.

What's the best way to avoid negative remarks on the internet about your business? Provide excellent customer service from the start.

Small Biz Tip: Customer Service: Building Customer Loyalty

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:44:53 GMT

Tips from October 12, 2009

The Small Business tips today are about building customer loyalty.

Communicate with your customers to see what they need/want. Exceed their expectations to make them come back.
Offer coupons and incentives for customers on their next purchase to ensure they return to your business.
Create a customer loyalty program. After so many purchases, offer a freebie. Offer rewards for referrals to your business.
Personalize! Get to know your customers. It will bring them back to your biz because you know them.

Daily Overview: Creating a loyal customer brings people back to your store, constantly increasing your business.

Small Biz Tip: Customer Service: Know Your Customers

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:35:39 GMT

Tips from October 13, 2009

The Small Business tips today cover knowing your customers.

Get the name, email address, and phone number of purchasing customers. Send them personalized coupons
Ask customers for their birthday (month and day) Send them a discount, coupon, or freebie on their day.
Learn your customers' names. As they return, address them personally. Cater to their buying trends.
Communicate with customers. Find out feedback by calling or mailing them a survey.

Daily Overview: Getting to know your customers can create a huge return for your business. Show you care and they'll come back.

Small Biz Tip: Management: Providing Leadership

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 09:47:35 GMT

Tips from October 9, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss providing leadership.

Be in touch with reality and optimism. Know which situations you can/cannot control & how to lead in hard times.
Inspire your employees. Go over your company's motivation and mission. Encompass your vision for all employees.
Stay informed on current situations to plan ahead. Thinking ahead shows you are concerned about the future.
Be honest. Tell the truth, even in tough situations when it is hard to accept. Take control and face the problem head on.

Daily Overview: Be a great leader with honesty, integrity, respect, and knowledge.

"Vacation, All I Ever Wanted..." Or Is It?

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:21:12 GMT

Harris Interactive conducted a study with employees at various businesses and found some interesting results regarding vacations. 44% of employees dread the craziness of preparing for vacation at work the day before they leave. Additionally, 77% of employees believe the day they return from vacation is worse. How can you avoid the work related stress when it comes to a vacation? Here are a few tips to have a worry free vacation.

Before You Leave

To-Do List: Before leaving for vacation, create a list of what you need to do when you get back home. Take a look at your schedule and see what projects, deadlines, meetings, and other events you'll have. Know what you have to do when you get back so you have no surprises.
Vacation Alert: Create an automatic vacation response for your email address. This allows customers, employees, and clients who email you to know you are out of town, and when you will be returning. This way, no one will be expecting your usual prompt response or action.
Prepare Employees: Discuss expectations with employees. Make sure they have understanding on how to run the business without you there. Review any tasks before you leave, and if necessary, write out a how-to on certain tasks. Also, have an employee brief you on what you missed while you were gone in an email, and have them send it to you the day before you return. That way, you can find out upon your arrival to the office what you missed while you were gone.

On Vacation

Don't Stay Connected: Try to not check your email or phone frequently if you are worried about your business. If you must, limit checking your email or phone to once a day, preferably in the afternoon.
You're Not On the Clock: Limit business work to less than an hour each day, if you even have to do business-related work at all. Spend the time on vacation enjoying your time to yourself, your hard work, and life.
Relax! It's a vacation. Don't worry too much about your business. Enjoy your time away. This is the time to enjoy, relax, and recharge.

When You Return

Before The Office: When you get home from vacation, try to check your work email before going into work. Read the status update from employees regarding the business while you were on vacation (Prep Employees under Before You Leave). Read the urgent emails first, such as important clients, employees, or others and handle those quickly. Organize the rest by how urgent the email is, what it entails, and how soon you must respond.
Welcome Back: Try to arrive at the office early to avoid distractions from customers, employees, or just other work in general. Spend a short amount of time talking about your trip with employees, but then get back to work. Take care of the mail, shipments, finances, or anything else you may have missed while gone to catch up and get back to the regular work schedule.
Keep the Memories Alive: Miss the vacation feeling? Reminisce in a subtle way. Put a picture on your desk to remind you of your vacation. If you have a computer, make it your background.

When taking a vacation from regular life and work, these tips are some pretty healthy guidelines, and not just for the business owner. They'll work just as well for anyone who takes afew days off for a vacation. Next time you have a vacation and are worried about work, reference these tips, put them to use, and have fun!

Small Biz Tip: Management: Boosting Morale

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:53:24 GMT

Tips from October 8, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss how to boost morale.

Do something good for your business and for a good cause! Run a charity race as a company; donate time and money. Help out!
Provide incentives for good work. They could be something simple as dressing casual to extravagant as trips, days off, or a raise.
Boost morale through team building strategies. Try a role reversal: switch employee and management roles for the day.
Company outings will get employee minds off work & encourage fun outside the office. http://bit.ly/Cxmal.

Daily Overview: Be helpful, encouraging, and creative to give morale the boost it needs.

Keeping Emotions in Control

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:16:47 GMT

Being a small business owner comes with a ton of responsibility. One of the most important things small business owners need to remember is the effect that emotions have on the business, and most importantly, your employees. As a small business owner, you are the role model, spokesperson, and face behind your business. You assume a leadership role as your employees and customers look up to you. As a leader, it is important to be emotionally stable and in control to manage your business and employees. Let's take a closer look.

Positivity
As the leader and one in control, it is essential for small business owners to be positive. It communicates that you are ready to take on any challenge optimistically. Positivity also comes in the form of being inspirational. Tell your story and how you got to where you are today to motivate others to think positively as well. It is important to remember that employees' moods are just as important as the owners'. Employee positivity keeps employees happy, confident in their job situation, and improve their job performance. This employee positivity is supported by upper management. Employees seek the approval of their manager and do so by doing great work.

Without the positivity of upper management, employees are more likely to not take their work seriously, be timid rather than aggressive at pursuing various opportunities, and fear losing their job. To avoid this, and encourage positivity throughout the office, managers need to show that they appreciate the work that their employees are doing. Remind them on a constant basis. Try an "Employee of the Week" spotlight or provide incentives. To boost morale and encourage positivity, provide surprise bonus rewards to jump-start productivity.

Negativity
A negative emotion coming from the owner of a small business is contagious. A negative owner for a small business means there is no optimism for the future, nor for the present moment. This negativity transfers right to the energy of all the upper management and the rest of the employees. It affects job performance by the employees, and one little problem could cause for trouble. A majority of the time, negativity stems from a problem with how the business is doing. Any time there is a financial mishap, a slowdown in sales, or problem in the office, negativity arises.

It is important to stay in control with these emotions, especially during troubling times, to not give your employees a reason to become negative. During a difficult time in your business, be honest with your employees, but keep your emotions in check. State the obvious, but leave the anger, frustration, sadness, and fear out of it. Honesty is important so the employees know which direction the business is going in. Keep the emotions in check by being honest, yet optimistic and hopeful for the future. It establishes leadership, keeps the business on track, and keeps employees happy. Take control and never forget the effects of your positive and negative attitude.

How To Keep Yourself in Check

Know your business-related fears. Once you know what you are most afraid of at work, such as financial troubles or a slow in sales, you can take on your fear and handle it professionally. Have a plan of action ready.
Know yourself. Think back to how you have reacted in the past to certain situations, how you handled them, and what others thought. Think about how these reactions would affect your business setting and employees.
Take a break. Before letting your emotions get the best of you, stop and think. Break from the usual habits of reacting right away and think your reactions through.
Emotions can't be helped. They are bound to happen, especially in a business setting. As a small business owner, learn to control these emotions by thinking ahead, preparing for every situation, and keeping a level head.

Being a small business owner means being professional and controlling your emotions. Know yourself, when you need to take a break, and think about the consequences of your actions to ensure respect and a productive workplace.

Small Biz Tip: Management: Effective Coaching

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:35:17 GMT

Tips from October 7, 2009

The Small Business tips today will discuss how to effectively coach your employees.

Present yourself as a leader. Mentor your employees and guide them on the right career path.
Communicate your expectations. Explicitly say what you want employees to do, outline the steps, and provide guidance.
Give employees time to prepare questions or concerns they have about your expectations. Get them involved in the process.
Ask for feedback. Find out what you're doing right, wrong, and how you can change to be a better coach.

Daily Overview: Coach as a leader, and encourage employees to form a team bond.

Small Biz Tip: Management: Producing Happiness

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:25:26 GMT

Tips from October 6, 2009

The Small Business tips today cover working towards a happy workplace.

Engage your employees. Reiterate your goals and have them working hard to get involved and participate.
Encourage productivity and offer rewards by giving hard workers breaks: they deserve it!
Ask for feedback. What keeps employees motivated? Engaged? Energized? Incorporate their suggestions
Make sure employees Say, Stay, Strive. Say good things; intend to Stay at your biz; Strive to give 100%.

Daily Overview: A good environment leads to happiness, which in turn will lead to productivity & satisfaction.

Small Biz Tip: Management: Employee Development

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:51:39 GMT

Tips from October 5, 2009

The Small Business tips today are about focusing on employee development.

Learn employee long term goals. Find their motivation and inspiration to help them learn and develop their biz skills.
Create a fun and productive environment to help employees reach their goals to develop. Encourage getting involved.
Set a good example. Show employees what you have accomplished and what it took to get there.
Set standards and goals. Present a schedule/timeline as a guide. Offer assistance and make yourself available for help.

Daily Overview: Help your employees develop their careers by providing motivating guidance.

Small Biz Tip: Technology: Phones

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:16:53 GMT

Tips from October 2, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss the technological advances with phones for business.

Smart Phones (Blackberry & iPhone) have email & Internet sent to their phone. Very helpful for small businesses on the go.
iPhones have apps for the small biz owner to track finances, purchases, & more on the go. http://bit.ly/4xOo2l
The Google phone even has a barcode scanner that allows you to compare your prices to that of your competition.
Keep the landline: it's the only guaranteed way to track where 911 calls originate in case of an emergency.

Daily Overview: Explore your needs when considering mobile phones. Find something to complement your business and goals.

The Big Debate: Mac vs. PC

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:15:01 GMT

We've all seen the commercials. "I'm a Mac," "I'm a PC." The Apple sponsored commercials show the differences between the Mac and the PC in a humorous way, giving the Mac the edge. But, what don't the commercials show you? What do PC's have that's better? Are Mac's really the best choice all around, or is there a better option for small business owners? Let's explore.

Back to the Basics
Performance is one of the most important factors when deciding on which computer to buy for your small business. In general, the performance of any computer depends on the random access memory (RAM) which comes with your computer. The RAM is commonly referred to as the memory of your computer. More memory means a faster boot up and a more efficient experience. Based on information from various websites and my own personal experience with my PC and my college roommates' Mac, the two are very different. I have had one PC with Windows XP and one with Vista. Although Vista is the newer of the two Microsoft platforms, I have had more success, less meltdowns, and less confusion with XP . That being said, while my PC was being fixed during college (see more below), I used my roommate's Mac for a few weeks. The Mac had the Windows system installed, and it worked just as well as my PC, if not better. I was very impressed with the quick start-up with the Mac compared to my PC. I have no real long-term Mac OS experience to share.

"Ware" and Tear
Windows can now run on both the PC and the Mac, which is beneficial to small businesses as most Americans are accustomed to using the Windows platform. Additionally, both PCs and Macs have software that are essential to small businesses, such as accounting software. In regards to additional software, the PC has an unlimited amount of software that can be installed, from media to games and more. Unfortunately, the Mac is limited on what software they can install on their computers. Unique businesses who need special programs and software will most likely have better luck with a PC as there is a better chance that the software will be compatible. The hardware of the Mac and PC are completely different. Mac has a sleek and modern look on all types of computers while PCs are catching up to their signature look. For a small business, a computer is a computer, and the looks aren't necessarily what owners are concerned with anyways.

Media Frenzy
Both Mac and PC have the capabilities for media, including music, pictures, and videos. The Mac has a great program, iLife, which makes organizing pictures, constructing a video, and playing music via a remote easy for even the novice user. The Mac is a great bet for those small businesses who are heavily involved with design, art, and media. On the other hand, PCs can use Windows Media Center which allows for integrated sharing on different services. This allows your computer to connect to XBox, PlayStation, other computers, or TVs.

User Friendly
One of the most important questions when it comes to deciding between a PC and a Mac is how user friendly the computer is. PCs are Windows based, which is what the majority of people are used to. Vista has new upgrades to ensure that each move you make regarding system operations is the one you want to make. In other words, they try to make sure users are sure of what they're doing by having them click "continue" for each step. On the other hand, Macs have easy to follow tutorials so any user can learn how to use their computer. Additionally, Mac programs have the same feel and routine regardless of what program you are using, making it easier for those who are just learning. Also, Macs have the ability for Windows on their system, making it easier for Microsoft users to convert to Macs.

Show Me The Money
The upfront cost of owning a computer shows that the PC fares better than that Mac. Some PCs can cost about $500, while the Mac is usually around $1,000. Initially, if your small business is looking for a price efficient computer, the PC is the computer for you. Although, keep in mind the various costs that come with purchasing a PC than a Mac. For example, Macs have a stellar virus protection program, mostly because hackers are more interested in PCs due to the number of users. That being said, the price of the Mac comes with an exceptional anti-virus system. The cost of PCs go up when taking into consideration the upkeep with updates, downloads, and, most importantly, virus protection. Adding in those components, the Mac fares better in price. PCs are more vulnerable to viruses, which I found out the hard way by spending additional money to repair my computer and for advanced antivirus software. My roommate with a Mac never had a problem, nor has spent any additional money on issues with her computer.

The Bottom Line
So, PC or Mac? Small businesses are concerned, for the most part, with performance, ease of use, and cost. Since Microsoft can be used on either platform, and the RAM depends on the speed of the computer, there is no clear winner there. For the ease of use, Mac wins this one with its easy tutorials and the lack of confusion that comes with Vista. The cost issue is the kicker. Paying the amount up front for a Mac will definitely leave your bank account feeling a bit drained. Buying a PC will be cheap at first, but adding on the additional antivirus protection, software, and updates will add to your expenses. So, which should you purchase?

If you're looking for a computer that is easy to use, go with a Mac, but you will be paying more money for it.
If you're looking for max compatibility, go with a PC, where you will spend less money.

Every small business has different computer needs. Choose the one that is right for you and your business.

Small Biz Tip: Technology: Social Media

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:48:39 GMT

Tips from October 1, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss how to leverage a bit of social media for your business.

Create a LinkedIn profile & page for your small business. Join entrepreneur/small business groups. Get your business networked.
Use Twitter and it's searchable database to find your target audience. Begin networking, talking, being social and offer out some special deals.
Facebook Fan Pages for business: tell your story, get members, upload pictures/videos. If your business has a blog, import your RSS feed using one of the Facebook applications for that purpose.
Can't afford commercials? Create viral videos for YouTube. Create a channel for your business, post to Facebook Fan pages and share on all the other social networks you're a part of.

Daily Overview: Find the areas of social media that are going to be able to do the most for your business. Network, get social and connect with both customers and other businesses.

Small Biz Tip: Technology: Website

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:54:43 GMT

Tips from September 30, 2009

The Small Business tips today will quickly cover websites for your small business.

Keep it simple! The more clutter, the more distracting. Keep important information at the center/center of your page and ads to a minimum.
Make sure your website is functional on different browsers: Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, etc. so all can see it.
Take advantage of technology! Use pictures, videos and other links to customize your website to fit your personality and business.
Avoid flashy colors and banners as they are distracting from the important information. Make sure it is professional, yet quirky.

Daily Overview: Use the world wide web for consumers to get an inside view of your business!

Small Biz Tip: Technology: Accounting Software

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:53:49 GMT

Tips from September 29, 2009

The Small Business tips today will be about accounting software for your business.

Quickbooks is a fast, easy, popular payroll & accounting support. Versions for both Windows & Mac formats.
Quicken is more for small business intertwined with personal finances. It separates them & regulates each.
Use the program which you feel more comfortable with. Talk to other biz owners. See what they use & why.
Look for updates for your accounting software. Make sure you have the most recent edition for efficiency.

Daily Overview: Accounting software is meant to help & not leave you confused. Research, test, & evaluate.

Small Biz Tip: Managing Your Finances: Factoring

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:54:26 GMT

Tips from September 25, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss managing your finances by factoring.

Understand factoring. It's the selling of accounts receivable to an investor rather than wait to collect the money from customers.
Acknowledge the fees associated with factoring. This is the cost of the funds, making the collections, & discount rates.
Talk to your bank. They will be a reliable source to help you decide if factoring will be worth your time or a waste of money.
Weigh negatives vs. positives. Biggest Negative: expensive over time. Positive: allow for growth & improve cash flow.

Daily Overview: Factoring is a helps finance your business quickly & avoid messy loans.

Small Biz Tip: Technology: Computers

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:51:13 GMT

Tips from September 28, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss deciding on a computer for your small business.

Laptops, although more expensive, are versatile, portable, take up less space, & good idea for traveling entrepreneurs.
Desktops are good for small businesses looking to conserve money, have one computer set up, & have the room.
PC's are the staple computer with Windows & share the same file type as most businesses; standard computer for biz.
Apple's Mac is popular for the younger crowd. It's best suited for art & graphic design businesses.

Daily Overview: Laptop vs. desktop; PC vs. Mac; determine your needs! (stay tuned this week)

Small Biz Tip: Managing Your Finances: Finding Funding

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:46:10 GMT

Tips from September 24, 2009

The Small Business tips today discuss managing your finances and finding funding.

Research your area's development departments, including state, county, and local. They may offer a funding program.
Community banks are a good source to contact for funding. They are usually willing to help small businesses, like themselves, out.
Ask your bank if there are any revolving loan funds (RLF) you can qualify for. RLFs allot funding for periods when you cannot pay.
Visit the US Small Business Administration. Research their funding programs & see if you can qualify for one.

Daily Overview: Finding funding is no easy task. Do your research & don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Small Businesses' Top 5 Financial Mistakes

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:36:20 GMT

Small businesses have a lot on their plate when it comes to finances as it determines the state of their business. Many small businesses have trouble managing their finances, and encounter problems without knowing it. Ironically, many of these small businesses having trouble are making the same mistakes. Learn from these top five financial mistakes small businesses make and keep your business in business.

1. Your Business Has No Financial Policies Established

Since there are fewer employees who wear many different hats, policies are important for small businesses to establish rules, regulations, and procedures. It is the same for finance matters. Financial policies provide assurance that everything regarding finances is carried out in the same manner. Policies also encourage efficiency, as each employee learns the policies they are more accustomed to how to handle them. The important policies to have for your small business include handling petty cash, an employee reimbursement program, filing systems, and receipt saving.

2. You Don’t Use Help Available to You

Small businesses have a plethora of help available to them via the Internet. Additionally, there is help for accounting, payroll, and taxes using Quicken or Quickbooks. Each of these programs help small businesses manage their finances with an easy and affordable program. Additionally, many small businesses are using outside resources for help to ensure their finances are up to par. These resources include bookkeepers, tax advisers, and accountants. While these people are great to help you, be sure you take the time to research and find out which are qualified, reliable, and affordable.

3. You Don’t Backup Your Electronic Finance System

If something were to happen to your electronic filing system, it would be disastrous to your business. Your records and hard work would be eliminated without any backup. It is important to make sure you have a back up system to preserve your records. You can easily do this by burning the information on a CD, using an external hard drive, using a backup service, or print hard copies.

4. You Spend Money You Don’t Have, or Before You Should

Small businesses, especially start ups, don’t have much cash to spend that they actually have. It’s important to realize what you do have to spend, that you have the means available, and that you absolutely need the purchase you want to make. You can’t take a big leap before you know you can afford it without threatening the status of your business. Take into account your future plans and be sure you have enough to accommodate for them.

5. You Don’t Have A Business Plan, or Don’t Use the One You Have

Making a business plan takes hard work and time. It is important to have one to manage your money while trying to attain your goals. In your plan, you need to have the correct and current financial information to be able to forecast the future. Also, a plan allows you to budget your money more precisely. If possible, try to have an emergency fund just in case you need some extra money for a project, or if you are at your wits end and need to keep your doors open.

It takes an extraordinary amount of work to fix a mistake rather than to prevent one. The next time you are managing your finances, remember these mistakes and try to avoid them at all costs.