Archive for December, 2008

In times of economic challenge, it is always important to balance out cost and benefit. But investing a little now, could save you quite a lot later. Here are my recommendations for 5 business technology must haves for the new year.

a new laptop: regardless of what type it is, make sure it has wireless internet, [...]

The end of the year is the perfect time to reassess and set new business goals for 2009. By establishing a few guideposts, you will make smarter, more effective decisions and avoid drifting away from your company mission. Setting goals doesn’t have to be a complicated process.

Start by reviewing your previous year. What did you [...]

Though there can be a lot of stress and hassle around the holidays, I find that the days between Christmas and New Years can be really productive. Now is a great time to get things caught up and organized. Try these tips to get yourself ready for the coming year and make sure your business [...]

Entrepreneurs provide a huge base of support for our country’s economy. Out of 26 million US buisinesses, 20 million are self-employed…and 97% of those businesses employ under 20 people.
Dane Carlson recently published a post on his blog Business Opportunities Weblog entitled: “Can Entrepreneurs Fix the Job Loss Problem”. He talks about his concern that we [...]

Good business owners know that keeping your business expenses at a minimum is part of maximizing your profits. And in a year when our economy has been less than stellar, trimming unnecessary costs is smart.
Here are five ways to lower your business expenses:

Outsource work instead of hiring employees. This can save on employment taxes and [...]

With so many places to go online to network, how can you build connections and maximize your time invested? Leveraging your online profiles and contacts across platforms is an excellent way to network.
Each time you join a site, you create a profile and start building relationships. Some folks will be entirely new to you, but, [...]

Business cards are a a necessity, no doubt…but how can you maximize your use of this business standard and reap the biggest bang for your buck? Check out these networking and marketing ideas…
Here are 10 ways you can get more from your business card:

Use recycled materials and add a recycle symbol to your card. Let [...]

As we discussed in Develop Your Niche, Part I, having something that distinguishes you from other businesses that may provide a similar product or service is crucial. We talked about doing the research necessary to identify your competitors, explore market interest and nail down those characteristics that will make your business stand out in a [...]

In today’s economy it is more important than ever to distinguish yourself as an expert…but none of us can be experts at everything. Finding and building on your niche is a great way to distinguish yourself from other businesses that might provide a similar service. And though your first impulse might be to decide what [...]

First impressions only come around once, as the old adage says. Position yourself to leave a stellar impression when meeting and greeting…it could be the difference between making an acquaintance and gaining a client.
Networking in today’s world can lead to information overload. So many methods of connecting, so many people wanting to connect, particularly as [...]