Archives: December 2009

What To Consider When Assessing Debt

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 31

It's no big secret, but the economy is struggling, and so are a lot of businesses. I work with a number of companies on a daily basis, and without exception...

Determine When To Start Your Own Business

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 30

As the economy has gotten progressively worse, more people are unsure of their future employment. One trend I've seen is an increased willingness to take personal risks and open one's...

A Critical Component of Collections

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 29

In tough economic times it becomes more important than ever to make sure companies that owe you money are paying in a timely fashion. In a down economy, normally reliable...

Don't Overlook Federal and State Data Regulations

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 28

Tracking new regulations and compliance rulings from federal and state government can be dizzying—they include FRCP, HIPAA, GLB, and more. But now more than ever, the government expects all businesses...

Achieve Security, Not Just Compliance

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 25

Under the weight of data security compliance pressures, a lot of companies—especially smaller ones that are short on specialized human resources—make the mistake of focusing on satisfying the compliance auditor...

Handle Credit-Card Compliance Cheaply and Efficiently

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 24

For many small businesses, the PCI security requirements that have been mandated from the major credit-card brands (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and others) are overwhelming and confusing. The requirements...

Compliance Advice for Merchants Who Accept Credit Cards

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 23

Compliance with the Payment Card Industry data security standards applies to every merchant, no matter how small, who accepts credit cards or debit cards branded by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American...

Why Product Demonstrations Matter

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 22

A key element in selling your product or service is demonstrating its capabilities. Potential customers expect company representatives to understand and know how to use the product and be able...

Improve Internal Communications

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 21

I believe that one of the most overlooked details in business is an organization's ability to communicate internally and make sure everyone is aligned and on the same page. In...

A New Employee's First 90 Days

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 18

You've found the needle in the haystack and gone through onboarding and orientation. Now what? The first 90 days of employment are critical for both employers and their new employees....

Put an Information Management Policy in Place

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 17

Effectively using technology to implement an information management and archiving strategy is imperative to the efficiency and overall well-being of your small business. Not only can such solutions dramatically reduce...

Dealing with Information Overload

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 16

In today's business environment, one of the biggest challenges an organization faces is information overload—especially where e-mail is concerned. Companies are finding that too much money and resources are being...

Security Evaluation of Remote Users

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 15

Laptops are now the norm—making your risk of data loss significant even with the best of security intentions. Therefore, it makes sense to periodically review your security measures for remote...

Telecommuting for Business Continuity

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 14

The growing menace of the swine flu is forcing many small business owners to consider telecommuting policies in the interest of business continuity. While supporting the idea of telecommuting is...

Establish a Telecommuting Policy

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 11

More than 25% of small businesses use telecommuting. And while there are clear benefits to telecommuting, it's not necessarily right for every business. If you are thinking of establishing a...

Credit-Card Security: External Resources

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 10

As we get into the busy holiday season, it is important to remember the resources available to help you mitigate the increased risk of credit-card fraud. If you have questions...

Credit-Card Security: Monitoring

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 09

Many businesses are familiar with the PCI Security Standards Council's requirements, yet many card fraud incidents go undiscovered for long periods of time. In fact, according to Verizon's 2009 Data...

Credit-Card Security: Equipment Location

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 08

A recent report released by Retail Decisions indicated that, in 2008, financial fraud attempts increased by 40% on the Friday following Thanksgiving (Black Friday) from the year before. At this...

Credit-Card Security: Employee Training

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 07

According to a recent survey from the National Retail Federation, more than 28% of shoppers are expected to use credit cards to purchase gifts this holiday season. Unfortunately with this...

Go Global to Increase Sales

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 04

Companies are looking overseas to tap into global trade for a number of reasons. Among these are avoiding the risks associated with focusing on a single market, capitalizing on new...

How to Repel Customers from Your Web Site

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 03

Having an online presence is imperative for small businesses to both attract and retain customers. But if you don't pay close attention to the design and upkeep of your site,...

How to Value Your Business

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 02

Determining the value of a business can be a tricky process. But given the ongoing economic downturn, many small business owners across the nation are realizing the critical importance of...

Tips for Tax Time

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on December 01

In this economic climate, many companies are concerned about their cash tax rates. These planning considerations may reduce your corporate tax bill: 1. Review new expensing rules for capital expenditures....