Archives: January 2007

Business Partners

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 31

Let's face it, no one individual, group, or department has all the necessary talent, skills, resources, or time to innovate and succeed on their own in the long run. So...

Domain Name Deals for Your Small Business

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 30

You would no sooner start a business without a domain name than you would without products or a business license. Owning a domain name is indispensable to doing business in...

Recognizing Employees

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 29

We all need to know that we are valued. One "Nice job!" or "Atta girl!" or "Way to go!" can make an employee's day…and how easy is that? Even so,...

Great Talent for Less Money

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 28

If you're trying to keep your payroll expenses down but are still in need of high-quality employees, here are some strategies to consider: • Offer internships and part-time challenges to...

Technology Planning

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 25

As with other important aspects of your business, you need to create a master plan for your technology purchases just as you would draw up a business plan, a budget,...

Moving a Discussion Forward

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 24

A preoccupation with the past or present is a constant danger for any small-business owner. It shuts down possibilities for creativity and effectiveness, and it traps employees into discussing things...

Who's Reading Your Mail?

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 23

How secure is your e-mail? If you're like most people, you probably think your communications aren't of interest to anyone else, much less worth the attention of an eavesdropper. But...

Mistakes in Delegation

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 22

Many mistakes in delegation can be tracked back to a small-business owner's own fears or desires. If, after delegating a task, you spend more time checking in and giving advice...

Start Budgeting Now

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 21

Think of a budget as a useful tool—a written financial plan that helps you set goals and measure progress To start budgeting, come up with a sales revenue target. Make...

How to Delegate Effectively

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 18

Many small-business owners believe they can save time by telling their employees both what to do and how to do it. After all, in most cases they initially had to...

Get User Feedback When Designing a Web Site

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 17

One of the more difficult parts of running a Web site is being able to gauge how a user will want to navigate your site. I've tackled this problem by...

HR Outsourcing Basics

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 16

For many businesses that don't have the time or the resources to manage HR functions, outsourcing is a cost-effective alternative to hiring an in-house human resources staff. Today's HR firms...

Answer Your Phone Calls

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 15

A key consumer turn-off is the business that doesn't answer its phones, even during normal business hours. People might be used to calling the major U.S. chains and being trapped...

Choosing the Right Corporate Structure for Your Home-Based Business

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 11

One of the first steps in establishing a home-based business idea is deciding which type of business entity you will set up. There are several different categories of business entities,...

When a Customer Calls

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 10

Many small-business owners are well aware of the importance of greeting customers as they walk in the front door of their business. The traditional pleasantries—"Good morning," "How are you today?"...

The Balance Sheet for Small Businesses

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 09

Along with the income statement, the balance sheet will provide you with the data necessary to make sound financial decisions. The balance sheet lists the assets and the liabilities of...

Written Customer Agreements

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 08

Generally, any sale should include a written statement to protect the interests of your business. In retail sales, even the wording on a sales receipt is important. In service-oriented businesses,...

Finding Capital

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 07

Understanding the basic types of capital is the first step in knowing where to look for startup or expansion money. The most common sources of commercial loans are banks, savings...

Barter Basics: An Old Idea Gets New Life

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 04

Barter has been around as long as humans have walked the earth. But that doesn't mean it doesn't have a place in a modern economy. In fact, over the past...

Buying an Existing Business

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 03

If you're considering purchasing an existing business, investigate it just as you would a business startup. Ask yourself: • Do I have experience in this type of business? • Will...

Breaking a Business Lease

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 02

Regardless of why you want to break your lease—you want to move to another location, you can't afford the rent, the people upstairs are too noisy—you'll want to refer to...

Solving Time Management Problems

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on January 01

Many sole proprietors say their primary challenge in maintaining and growing a small business is an inability to focus on generating new business. The tips below are just a few...