Category Archives: General Business

Making the Most of Your Accounting Software

Handling Accounting transactions well is crucial to your business’ success. Whether you buy software to perform all tasks in-house, or rely on an outside web-based service, you will need to track: money coming in and going out; inventory levels; sales performance; and customer data. The more closely your
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Protecting Yourself Against Fraud

There's a lot to look out for when it comes to the protection of your business. And, the truth is that you can't necessarily protect yourself against every eventuality. There is a lot you can do to avoid falling victim to corrupt fraudsters. You just need to spend some time implementing processes that will sa
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Shipping for Success and Profit

Once the sale is made, customers expect to receive their purchases as quickly and smoothly as possible – the source of the #1 customer complaint. All major shippers offer good service, so shop around to select what works best for you and the types of products you are shipping. Use good packing materials a
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Hiring Smart in Today’s Challenging Economy

Bringing quality people into your organization can be tricky, and there are many issues to consider. By deciding what skills, abilities, and traits are important to you, you know who to look for and how to begin interviewing them. Good paperwork practices aid the process, whether it’s the employment appli
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Sourcing Your Start-Up Money

Sobering Statistics The statistics are sobering; half of all small businesses fail within their first four years.  The number one reason:  underestimating financial needs.  You are well aware of the need for cash to get your business launched, but you [...]
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Understanding the Basics of Customer Service

Your customers are your partners in business and taking their wants and needs into account is your primary concern. Use each contact as an opportunity to win your customer’s trust and loyalty. Make good on your mistakes, quickly and with a positive attitude. Be sure your smile is heard when handling inquiri
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Understanding Basic Business Legalities

There are many legal issues facing businesses, and though they may seem overwhelming at first, most business owners manage to navigate the sea of them and survive. Attorneys and accountants can prove invaluable, but there is also a multitude of information and assistance available online and through software
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Uncapping Your Creative Potential

Nothing changes until someone changes their own thinking, and then that of others. Since our minds prefer order and stability, we have to shake up their status quo if we want to produce a creative idea. We can do this by using some simple but effective methods that make our brains build new associations, an
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Writing an Effective Business Plan

Planning out your business on paper first gives you long-term benefits with potential investors, employees, vendors, and suppliers. The business plan becomes your roadmap to success, with pertinent data that shapes the course of your business start-up and lets you adjust your journey as contingencies arise. B
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