Archives: March 2006

Tips for Hands-On Leadership

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 31

No matter what style of leadership you prefer, as a small-business owner it's essential that you adopt a hands-on approach. Here's how: 1. Be there. Entrepreneurs warn that a successful...

Finding the Right CPA

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 31

For even the smallest business, choosing the right CPA can be a major step toward minimizing taxes and maximizing profits. Here are five easy steps to make the process a...

Crafting a Privacy Policy for Your Web Site

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 29

If you require personal information from your users (such as e-mail addresses, home addresses, or credit-card information), you should let them know what you intend to do with the information....

Creating a Staffing Strategy

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 28

Unfortunately, many companies today aren't strategic in their acquisition of a costly and important asset: people. Instead, they're mostly reactive, waiting for someone to get hit by the proverbial bus...

What Leadership Style Fits Your Company?

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 27

Different leadership styles are appropriate for different stages of a company. Too often, first generation family business leaders seek clones of themselves without considering what the company needs going forward....

Online Marketing: Hiring vs. Outsourcing

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 24

If you've got the time and inclination, doing online marketing yourself will be more cost-effective than hiring a dedicated employee or outsourcing to an agency. In the beginning, however, there's...

Protecting Your Business Name

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 23

It starts with making sure the name isn't already being used by a business that will be in direct conflict with your use. It's important to remember that unless a...

Invest in a Better Web Site or Online Marketing?

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 22

The short answer is both. You need a Web site and you need to market it. A Web site without online marketing is a little like the proverbial tree falling...

Put Your "Intrapreneurs" to Work for the Better

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 21

"Intrapreneurs" are employees who think like entrepreneurs, biding their time and watching for opportunity while on the company payroll. This new generation of employees brings a change in the workplace...

Building a Senior Management Team

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 20

Building a senior management team can be daunting for new business owners. Here are some ideas to get you started: Start with part-timers. You may not be able to afford...

Putting the Brakes on High Turnover

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 17

Small businesses can be plagued with high employee turnover, with workers being lured away by other companies as soon as you finish training them. This is, of course, detrimental to...

Smaller Towns, Higher Quality of Life

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 16

Locating in a small town not only has business advantages, but personal benefits as well. Don't forget these quality of life issues when you're choosing your destination: Housing Advantage: There...

Measuring the Success of Your Internet Marketing Campaign

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 15

The success of an Internet marketing campaign can be measured by its conversion rate. Depending on your site and your type of business, your conversion rate may be based on...

Does Your Web Site Need a Privacy Statement?

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 14

That depends on what kind of Web site you have. If you require personal information from your users (such as e-mail addresses, home addresses, or credit-card information), you should let...

Is Open-Source Software Right for Your Business?

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 13

Open-source software is definitely an option for small businesses. In fact, most companies are using open-source software, but they may not even realize it. If your Web site is running...

The Two Little Words Your Customers Love to Hear

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 10

What are the two little words you can say to all of your customers that will immediately endear your business to them and guarantee they will be your customers for...

Achieving Internet Security

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 09

Entrepreneurs are uniquely driven when it comes to information-technology purchases. They are primarily motivated by cost savings vs. top-line benefits. This can also translate into "Let's do more with less...

Finding the Right Venture Capitalist

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 08

Before approaching a venture-capital firm, you should have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve. You are obviously looking for money to help expand your business, but what...

Are You Mentor Material?

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 07

Considering becoming a mentor? The mentor/mentee relationship is very much like that of a parent and child. The younger, less experienced child mentees will look to you, the older, more...

Automobile Expense Deductions

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 06

Automobile expenses are one of the major tax deductions for small businesses, and making the right choice about how to deduct them can save you hundreds of tax dollars. The...

Marketing on a Shoestring

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 03

For entrepreneurs, creative thinking can be an important and effective marketing tool. Always be on the lookout for innovative and inexpensive ways to promote your business. Use new combinations of...

Keeping Your Business on the Creative Edge

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 02

Fostering creativity isn't as difficult as you think, but as so with anything, you still have to work at it if you really want to excel. Here are some suggestions...

Sell, Sell, Sell

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on March 01

When starting a business, your No. 1 goal should be sales. Marketing and advertising are often too costly for most new businesses, so sales will have to be generated the...