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Small Business Matters
There are many reasons why businesses fall on hard times; and i-s not always the fault of the broader economy. Poor management, a bad location, over-expansion, insufficient capital, or a lack of planning- many of these factors, if not avoided, can certainly weigh down a business or even sink it. If your business is experiencing financial difficulty and is struggling to survive, here are some steps you can take to keep the creditors and the IRS from your door, as well as some potential lifelines and'refres' business strategies that can help...
Note: The ARRA (Recovery Act) initiatives and/or programs referenced in this article will expire on September 30, 2010. Any statements about qualifying time periods, or extensions of these dates, as they pertain to the availability of ARRA programs are over-ridden by the expiration of the Act on September 30, 2010. Watched by approximately 48 million people on TV and another 1.3 million via the White House's online feed, President Obama's first State of the Union address stressed the importance of collective responsibility. In the...
A new year brings with it new opportunities - not least of which occurs in the franchise industry. In fact, for every eight minutes of every business day a new franchise business opens (*source) - quite a statistic. And it's easy to see why - franchisors and franchise associations are very good at persuading would-be franchisees that franchising is generally a lower business risk, than independent business ownership. But is it? Ask any franchising expert or experienced franchisee and you might hear a different story. Going Beyond the Hype...
Note: The ARRA (Recovery Act) initiatives and/or programs referenced in this article will expire on September 30, 2010. Any statements about qualifying time periods, or extensions of these dates, as they pertain to the availability of ARRA programs are over-ridden by the expiration of the Act on September 30, 2010. My last post included information about new tax laws that impact your 2009 business tax return, but the 2010 tax year also brings with it several changes to business tax law. Tax laws often define and support your...
Note: The ARRA (Recovery Act) initiatives and/or programs referenced in this article will expire on September 30, 2010. Any statements about qualifying time periods, or extensions of these dates, as they pertain to the availability of ARRA programs are over-ridden by the expiration of the Act on September 30, 2010. As you prepare to file your small business tax return, you'll need to be aware of several new tax laws that went into effect in 2009. Summarized below are the major changes as they pertain to small business interests, if you...
If your passion is to inspire, make a difference and give back to the world, then starting a non-profit is an exciting entrepreneurial proposition. But before you start there are a few things to consider. Starting a non-profit organization (NPO) is similar to starting any kind of business - together with commitment you need a clear objective, a niche (i.e. an original, unclaimed idea) and a communicable business plan to present to your donors. You'll also need to understand how to structure your non-profit, what tax exemptions you may...
According to research conducted by the Direct Marketing Association, commercial e-mail returned a staggering $43.62 for every dollar spent on it in 2009, outperforming all other direct marketing channels examined, such as print catalogs and direct mail (Source: DirectMag.com*). And while the rumor that email marketing is about to be replaced by social media continues to float around, all evidence points to the contrary. As Gail Goodman points out in this excellent article 'Email Marketing Still Works*', email marketing isn't...
Who hasn't dreamed of being their own boss? Who hasn't dreamed of being their own boss? Answerable to no one and free to choose how and when you work, freelancing is an appealing career choice that continues to gain popularity largely because freelancers and independent contractors offer businesses a flexible way of managing their labor needs and employing specialized workers at a low cost. In fact, as this Good luck! Additional Resources When Something's Got to Give - Outsourcing Options for your...
With 2009 behind us, it's pleasing to see some indicators that the government-backed small business loan market may be trending in the right direction. In early January 2010, *CNN Money reported that the Small Business Administration's flagship lending program - the Basic 7(a) Loan Program - backed 37% more loans in its latest quarter than it did during the same period in the year prior. That's $3.8 billion spread across 12,393 loans. If you have struggled to get financing in the past, or are thinking of venturing into...
The concept of 'business networking' has developed quite a reputation over the years. In the past, the term often has conjured up images of schmoozing and self-serving businessmen at a private club. Today, however, most business owners will all agree that networking is an essential part of business strategy. Why Business Networking Matters For small business owners in particular, whose business is oftentimes their world, networking can get you out of the day-to-day silo of business ownership and help you work on your...
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by Caron_Beesley, Community Moderator on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 - 08:35