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Start-Up Blunders You Can Learn From

SMB Authors — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:36:59 PDT

Like anything else in life, if you’re thinking of starting a business, you should look to those who have gone before you. While you should take the time to learn from the successes of others, you should also spend time researching their mistakes.

It’s reported that only 10 percent of new businesses will still be operating after five years. If you hope to be among that coveted 10 percent, here are common blunders that you should learn from:

1. Failure to Specialize

What do you want to do? What do you want your business to be? You’ve got to know the answer to these two questions before you open your doors.… Continue reading »

Understanding Employee Rights and Employment Discrimination

SMB Authors — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:14:06 PDT

Have you ever been laid off or denied a job, promotion, or equal job treatment for a reason other than your qualifications or performance?

Sometimes it’s unclear whether you’ve been discriminated against, but suspicion of unequal workplace treatment means you may be a victim of employment discrimination. Your employment rights are protected by the law, and the first step toward combating employment discrimination is understanding which types of workplace discrimination are illegal.

What is employment discrimination?

When two equally-qualified employees or job applicants receive different treatment based on law-protected factors (such as civil rights), employment discrimination has happened. Illegal discrimination may take place during the hiring and termination processes, and it can also affect compensation, promotion, discipline, and job assignment.… Continue reading »

Why Small Businesses Need to Stay on Top of The Law

SMB Authors — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:11:56 PDT

The UK economy has been rocked by a number of large-scale problems in the past few years and the aftershock has rippled through many an industry, business and home. The jobs market has been unavoidably affected by the country’s economic woes, with the recession driving more people away from the labour market and into entrepreneurial territory.

Research from the University of Strathclyde recently revealed that the jump in total early-stage entrepreneurial activity (TEA) in Scotland means the country now matches the average for 20 innovation-driven economies.

Small businesses: considerations to make

Starting a small business is becoming a popular option in a labour market that is increasingly difficult to break into and record numbers of new companies are being born countrywide.… Continue reading »

Looking for a New Career or Want to Start a Business?

SMB Authors — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:17:07 PDT

If you have been thinking about making a big career move like changing roles, companies, or industries, then you have probably experienced a fair amount of stress concerning this life-altering choice. This stress is most likely stemming from your fear of the unknown, but fear not, there are many different ways to help you assuage that fear.

In an article written by Sean Ogle and published on TheDailyMuse.com* he outlines his three-step process for making a major career change and how to overcome your fear of change. … Continue reading »

1. Phase one: Fear of uncertainty Being afraid of change is a natural human emotion and that fear can cripple the person trying to make the change.

Five Tips For Successful Mergers and Acquisitions

SMB Authors — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:10:13 PDT

When the merger of Britvic and A.G. Barr was announced late last year it looked set to create one of the biggest drinks companies in Europe. However the deal seems to have run into some difficulties and has been referred to the anti-trust watchdog due to concerns over competition laws.

In the meantime Britvic has revealed the merger of their own British and Irish arms, which will result in a major reshuffling, loss of jobs and a projected saving of £30 million by 2016. Such a move has cast some doubt on the merger between Britvic and Barr. Great news for both parties, as their merger has provisionally cleared about a week ago.… Continue reading »

Tips for Business Travelers

SMB Authors — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 01:08:44 PDT

Every so often, business people travel for work and in most cases traveling for a few days. If you’re of that rare breed in between who aren’t expats but are staying for an extended period of time (anywhere between weeks to a few months), it’s time to plan the logistics of an extended stay. Here are a few tips to keep your sanity and make your next trip on the company’s dime a success.

Research

Become comfortable with the area you’ll be located in. If you’re able to, find yourself an extended stay hotel or better yet, a premier executive suite.… Continue reading »

Mobile Marketing Spend Set to Double by 2015

SMB Authors — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 20:44:21 PDT

What are the main trends in web development and marketing in 2013? Write yourself a list, and then think about how many of them relate to mobile in some way, shape, or form. We would wager that almost all of them will relate to mobile devices in some manner.

Spending on mobile marketing initiatives has been on the increase ever since smartphones and tablets became dominant in the marketplace. That said there has been a marked increase in mobile marketing expenditure since 2010.

The figures above, from the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA), represent the amount of money spent in total, by businesses in the United States alone, on mobile advertising in 2010.… Continue reading »

How to Choose the Right Merchant Cash Advance for Your Business

SMB Authors — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 03:07:25 PDT

Main Street business owners often confused about alternative financing offerings. With so many options its often dizzying. Most important is that the business owner understands his/her situation and needs of the business.

A recent report found that an alarming 82% of business owners rely on personal savings and family/friends to fund their businesses at first. For those who try bank loans, more than 40% are rejected. For established business owners, capital is often a necessary part of growing and evens sometimes surviving.

One viable alternative finance option for many small businesses are merchant cash advances (MCAs). An MCA is a quick and flexible financing option that can provide solid businesses with necessary capital in days (usually in less than a week), not months like traditional lenders.… Continue reading »

How to Get the Most Out of Intuit’s QuickBooks Online (Sponsored)

SMB Authors — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:58:05 PDT

CPAs know how time consuming it can be for themselves and their clients when they have to request additional information to prepare their clients’ taxes. In this informative video, Bryce Forney, CPA, explains how using Intuit’s cloud-based QuickBooks Online Accountant helps him to meet customers’ needs anytime, anywhere. By storing all the important information in the cloud, Bryce can call up the data he needs, whether it’s the middle of tax season or a client has a tax-related question in the middle of the summer.

The next video features another CPA, Stacy Kildal, who gives her number one tip for acquiring new clients using QuickBooks Online: Certification.… Continue reading »

Video Marketing Trends Your Video Production Team Should Follow

SMB Authors — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:04:12 PDT

Online video success has been overwhelmingly increasing day by day, and small businesses are surely jumping on the bandwagon. As a small business owner you are aware of all the marketing tools, including social media that boosts the awareness of your company. What you may not know yet is the enormous amount of success associated with online video marketing – if you know how to it properly. Get ready to jump into the lucrative world of video marketing success with great video production.

Although social media is an incredible way to promote your business and will surely bring in positive revenue and statistics, it is not the only opportunity out there.… Continue reading »