http://www.smartbiz.com/blog?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=newsfeed SmartBiz Blog en http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2508/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2508 We at SmartBiz have made up our minds about President Obama's economic stimulus package that appears to be valued at almost $820B by latest estimates. However, we won't bore you with our opinions! What's your opinion? Is there any relief for your business? How will this affect your business? Would you be happy only with tax cuts, or do you want to see a piece of the pie? Mon, 9 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2502/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2502 Today's article, "How Do You Know What Insurance Is Right for Your Business?" focuses on wading through the insurance quagmire as a small business owner. Do you have a dynamite insurance agent you'd like to recommend? Feel free to include contact information below and tell us what's so great about your agent. Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2497/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2497 According to an AP report today, the number of newly laid off people signing up for state unemployment insurance last week rose to 540,000. Times are tough. We here at SmartBiz understand the decision to lay off workers is the toughest decision you might have as a business owner or decisionmaker. There are some resources you can use to make sure your company is protected. See our "General Release for Employment Termination" and "Termination Checklist and Form" documents. We hope you have no occ Wed, 7 Jan 2009 22:57:17 GMT http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2495/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2495 Have you ever caught one of your employees tapping the ALT and TAB keys quickly as you walk up to them to hide what they were doing on their computer? As an employee, have you ever done this? The answer is probably yes because we all have! Our report, gives you some necessary tips to create email and Internet usage policies for your company. Sun, 28 Dec 2008 21:35:31 GMT http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2493/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2493 Well, there are literally only days left before the ever-popular "Christmas-Cutoff," the day before which orders must be placed in order to receive items in time for Christmas. With day approaching (depending on where you are in the country), here are some final tips ... Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:23:06 GMT http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2488/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2488 This week, we covered "Top 5 SEM Tips to Get More Online Sales This Holiday Season." In the article, we stated that online advertising spending is strong this year. What do you think? Are you spending more on Internet advertising? Or are you spending less? Why? Feel free to promote your website here so we can see what steps you've taken to capitalize on the holiday rush. Tue, 2 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2486/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2486 Last week, we focused on "Improving the Cash Flow in Your Small Business." Having enough money to get through daily transactions is a pressing concern for most small business owners. Do you have any more tips for business owners? Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2484/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2484 How many suits does it take to screw up an industry? I think in the case of the American automakers, at least eight. One lawmaker to allow foreign car companies such as Toyota to get away with paying minimum taxes while GM and Ford pay through the nose for employee health care. Then one executive from each of the Big 3 (Ford, GM and Chrysler) as well as one PR person from each of the Big 3 to think that it was OK for the triumvirate to arrive in DC via private jet while claiming abject poverty. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:45:17 GMT http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2480/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2480 Now that we have a new president-elect, is anyone thinking (like me) that there will be more government intrusion in the day-to-day affairs of small businesses? Sun, 9 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2472/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2472 "Joe the Plumber," also known as Samuel "Joe" Wurzelbacher, has ignited a nationwide debate about the merits of each presidential candidate's tax plan. It has also had a somewhat negative affect on Sen. Obama's polling numbers this week because of his "spread the wealth" comment. So, whose plan really is better for small businesses making under $500,000 a year? Sat, 18 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2470/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2470 As one of those people who takes big bites and depends on OPM for the majority of my risk-taking, I worry about being lumped together with those who bit off more than they can chew and can't deal with the consequences. Tue, 7 Oct 2008 22:11:10 GMT http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2466/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2466 It seems the people making loans made some bad decisions over the last 10 years. Now, we're in a very bad financial crisis. It's as bad as 1987-8. Maybe not as bad as 1929 yet. We need the government to bail out Wall Street. But the question is how badly will the current climate affect your ability to get loans to expand/improve your small business? Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:13:47 GMT http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2460/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2460 Now that all of the candidates are established, we each have a big decision to make in a few months. McCain/Palin or Obama/Biden. But which one will impact your small business most? Mon, 1 Sep 2008 13:09:17 GMT http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2451/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2451 For about 3 weeks, I have been trying to purchase an iPhone for my wife... Wed, 6 Aug 2008 22:05:18 GMT http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2446/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2446 A friend of mine runs a box-making company. His business has really taken off lately. As a result, he's had to grow his production department pretty rapidly. As such, there were bound to be some "bad eggs" in the lot... Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:59:41 GMT