Archives: August 2006

Entrepreneurial "Freedom" Equals "Enslavement"

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 31

People start their own businesses and become entrepreneurs because they dream of having the freedom and rewards that can come from being their own boss. However, after observing thousands of...

What Products Can't You Sell Online

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 30

Things you can't sell online fall into two categories: items that just don't sell very well over the Web, and items that are illegal to sell over the Web. Your...

Family Business Advice from NASCAR

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 29

We recently interviewed Brian France, CEO of NASCAR, on our radio program Family Business Doctor. He shared some of the reasons he thinks his family business has stood the test...

Avoiding the Downside of Rapid Growth

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 28

If a business has grown more quickly than anticipated, the first reaction may be exultation, followed by contentment to ride the wave and enjoy the fruits of its hard work....

Can You Buy a Business Without a Broker?

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 25

Buying a business without a broker is no problem if you know the business-owner or already have a good idea of the type of business you want to buy. If...

Make Sure Your Vendors and Subcontractors Work for You

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 24

Just as you provide solutions for your client, your vendors and subcontractors should provide solutions for you. If they provide you with problems instead, you will lose your clients and...

Hot New Ways to Become an "Ontrapreneur"

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 23

Not so long ago, starting an online business primarily meant creating a Web site and organizing it in a business-like manner. You would create a catalog, add a shopping cart...

Be Flexible

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 22

Small companies have a distinct advantage over their larger counterparts and that is the ability to be flexible when it comes to employee policies. Large companies often rigidly adhere to...

What Is Your Corporate Culture?

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 21

Even small organizations have a workplace culture. Is the office laid back? Is it a family-like atmosphere? Or perhaps it's got a survival-of-the-fittest feel. As the business owner, your personality...

Recruiting the Best and the Brightest

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 18

Having a good product and/or service and a solid business plan are two key elements to the success of any business. A third element, and perhaps the most important, is...

Terminating an Employee

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 17

An unfortunate reality of being a small-business owner is that it is sometimes necessary to terminate an employee. Many small operations do not have a human resources department or departmental...

10 Marketing Tools for Home-Based Businesses

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 16

Owners of home-based businesses sometimes view marketing as an unnecessary expense, but nothing could be further from the truth. Because a home-based business doesn't have a storefront for passers-by to...

Negotiating a Commercial Lease

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 15

If you're like most small-business owners, your business is located in leased space. When it comes to commercial leases, keep one thing in mind: Leases are binding contracts. Unlike residential...

When Cupid Comes to Work

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 14

Workplace romances are nothing new, but as people increasingly spend more time at work, offices have become the new singles bar. In a 2005 survey, 58% of respondents admitted to...

New Deferred Compensation Rules for 2006

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 11

When IRS Code Section 409A was initially enacted in October of 2004, it provided some short-term relief for employers, who could put off (for a few months) the task of...

Educating your Employees on Elections and Issues

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 10

As the 2006 election cycle heats up, small-business owners across the country are beginning to evaluate where candidates stand on the issues—such as health care, legal reform, regulatory reform, and...

What Is the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA)?

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 09

On Mar. 29, 1996, President Clinton signed into law the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Act, also known as SBREFA. This new law was a major coup for small businesses that...

Making a Small Business Move

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 08

Moving is never fun, but moving a small business—whether across town or across the country—can be downright disastrous if you don't prepare well. Here are some things to keep in...

Don't Shy Away from Hiring an Attorney

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 07

A little investment now will go a long way in reducing your problems later on. A good business attorney will bring to light a lot of the risks in your...

Business Laws That Small Businesses Should Worry About

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 04

Suffice it to say, it would take several volumes to include all of the laws that pertain to business, particularly if you start including state, city, and county laws. There...

Prepare for Problems Before They Arise

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 03

All businesses and contracts start out with the best intentions, but a significant percentage of them are bound to fall apart. Prepare for it! Be clear with your partners about...

Small Businesses Are Not Part-Time

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 02

Starting your own business is like having a child. It's a long-term commitment you cannot ignore or get away from for any length of time. It's not for everyone, and...

If a Family Business Seeks Improvement, Where Should It Start?

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on August 01

To work at peak levels, family businesses should focus on three distinct areas: accountability, behavioral ground rules, and planning. Accountability. Everyone in the organization—family member, longtime friend, or unrelated party—must...