02/09/2012
Small businesses have embraced the internet but 16 per cent do no use anti-virus software and 30 per cent do not use a protective firewall, a new study shows.

That leaves them at risk from an extensive and increasing number of internet threats, the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) says.

complete article

02/08/2012
In this day and age, starting a small business has arguably never been easier: ideas and a few thousand dollars is all you need.

A key innovation that made it possible is the proliferation of online freelancing networks.

complete article

02/07/2012
GROWING businesses can sometimes fall victim to their own success. Cash flow from the business may not be able to fund its own growth, and the business may not have organised finance to cover the gap.

This is the time when basic business systems start to fray at the edges.

Growing a Small Business

01/24/2012
According to Cassino, social- media marketing offers local businesses an easy way to sidestep expensive local-media advertising channels and deliver their offers directly to potential customers.

In the latest survey of more than 4,000 small firms conducted by Borrell, local business owners on average said they expected to devote about 14 percent of total online-ad spending this year to social media. That is more than double the 6.6 percent social-media allocation by local businesses in 2011.

Put that into dollar terms and it represents a spending increase from about $1.1 billion last year to projected spending on social media this year of over $2.2 billion by local businesses.

complete article

01/23/2012
While recent trends indicate that many of us are opting to use cloud-based and mobile software, businesses rely on software that can reside on a variety of platforms: cloud, mobile, and yes, on-premise.

We have picked 25 small business apps—some of which are clouds services, others for mobile devices and some are standard on-premise software installs. What they all have in common are ways to enhance your business and your business success.

complete article

01/17/2012
Form 1099s are information returns. They make the IRS aware that someone else has received income from you.

Generally speaking, if you paid any one person or entity $600 for services last year, tax law requires you to send them and the IRS a 1099-MISC. That MISC is for miscellaneous income.

Not everyone does that right now, accountants say. Consider the small building contractor who pays his painter, drywaller and other subcontractors in cash. He might not have filled out a 1099 for each. A self-employed consultant who pays a graphic artist $600 for marketing material must file one, too.

This year, for the first time, the IRS is reminding all these taxpayers of their legal obligation directly on tax forms

complete article

01/13/2012
50% Off Business Cards

Great business cards at a discount. Get 50% off of any business cards. Enter the coupon code BIZCARD4LESS at checkout and receive 50% off of business cards.  Checkout the Business Card Store

Offer is valid through January 31, 2012 at 11:59 PM PT.

01/05/2012
No country suffered more than Japan in 2011. Japan was rocked by an 8.9 earthquake, then a tsunami that was created from the quake hit the small island. The tsunami caused significant damage to one of Japans power plants making it impossible to properly cool or shutdown the nuclear reactor. The inability to cool the nuclear plant resulted in a nuclear melt down, and the escape of radiation. When the trifecta hit, the Japanese people earned the world's respect, they managed the tragedy with stoicism and grace. The consequences of this horrible tragedy, and implications of the radiation leaks, into the sea and atmosphere are still unknown. Japan will bear the scars from 2011, for generations to come.

2011 Reflections, 2012 Predictions

01/04/2012
The U.S. Small Business Administration - SBA is seeking nominations for awards honoring the critical economic role small businesses play in federally funded research and development through SBAs Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs.

01/03/2012
With our economic challenges sure to continue for a while, here are some resolutions to consider for 2012.

Business plan

This is the most fun-damental item needed by any business. You wouldn't drive to Florida without a map; you shouldn't try to start or run a business with a business plan.

Business Resolutions

01/02/2012
Creating a safety net for your social-media activities has never been more important.

When Twitter went down last year for several hours, tweeters believed that it was a service attack with all their personal and business information hacked and lost. Although Twitter denied falling victim to an attack, new hackers and technologies surface daily -- making protecting your social content and contacts all the more vital.

Social SafetyNet

01/01/2012
What is Hot and What is Not in Technology for 2012

Top Winners Predicted for 2012
What is Hot

1. Mushroom Cloud

The virtual cloud is now a mushroom cloud. More and more applications and data is available virtually. Customers are no longer tied to their desktops, data is accessible in the cloud. As long as you have an Internet connection, you have access, regardless of your hardware.

2. Smart Mobility

Mobile phones have become smart devices, they are more than just phones and alarm clocks. By the end of 2012, it will be hard to find a phone that does not run games, support Internet connections and have built in web browser.

3. Multi-Function Devices

I suspect that devices will begin merging, there is no longer a need for so many gadgets. The functionality of the devices from smart phones, kindles, ipads and computers are redundant and there is likely to be device consolidation as the overlap in functionality increases.

What is Hot and What is Not 2012

12/28/2011
In a recent study conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, small business owners stated their biggest challenges are:

1) Economic Uncertainty- 49%;

2) The National Debt- 47%;

3) HEALTH CARE- 39%;

4) Over Regulation- 36%;

5) Taxes- 28%.

Next to the state of the economy and the debt, the most specific fear for small business comprises the impending health care regulations which are proving to be difficult to decipher and threaten profitability.

12/27/2011
Tis the season for year-end wrap-ups and Top 10 lists. While condensing a years worth of events into a single Best Of list can be daunting, looking back can also give us a fresh perspective. In that spirit, we are highlighting some major themes that came up in our small-business coverage this year.

While it is impossible to make a single pronouncement about the overall state of American small business in 2011, a few general observations hold: The business climate is still fairly bleak, as is the mood of many owners. Few companies are planning hiring sprees for 2012, and the hurdles to growing a business weak customer demand, tougher credit requirements remain daunting.

That said, start-ups still started up this year and business owners still invested in new ideas and strategies. Here are some of the other small-business topics that resonated with us this year:

complete article

12/15/2011
Waiting to the last minute to buy holiday gifts is often rite of passage in December. But no doubt a holiday list is waiting in an iPhone, on a to-do list in the kitchen or rattling around in your head. But when thinking about what to get the loved ones in life, don't forget the small business owners in your life. Being a part of a community means frequenting local businesses that work tirelessly year round to provide the highest quality products and services. When you have a good relationship with a small business owner, sometimes even a small gesture can mean the difference between a good year and a great year for them.

But what do get a small business owner? Here are five suggestions on both the low and high end, depending on how generous you are feeling this year:

complete article

12/14/2011
Snail mail is about to trudge even slower, forcing companies dependent on the postal service, such as prescription-medication firm Express Scripts and thousands of small businesses, to revamp fundamental business models.

The U.S. Postal Services plan to save $2.1 billion a year and fend off possible bankruptcy threatens to end almost all overnight delivery of first-class letters and postcards next year.

complete article

12/13/2011
MerchantCircle, the largest social network of local business owners in the nation, today issued the results of its seventh Merchant Confidence Index, a survey of local business owners across the country sharing their confidence levels in the current economy, and their expectations of future revenue, marketing spend and hiring. The results of the 2011 Q4 survey of more than 2,500 local merchants indicate that business optimism has decreased over the past six months. The current MCI score is 59.4 out of 100, down 6 percent from the score of 63.2 in June 2011.

complete article

12/12/2011
As 2011 winds down to a close, many small business owners are scrutinizing year-end tax deadlines in a last-ditch effort to lighten their payment to Uncle Sam come April. One of the smartest moves they can make, including the self-employed is to start a 401(k) plan before December 31st.  It’s important to note that while a few solo 401k plan providers will allow purchases for a 2011 plan through December 31st, a traditional plan for a business with employees would need to be purchased a week or two earlier.

complete article

12/09/2011
In order to effectively target your customers, you need to know who and where they are. Customers come in all shapes and sizes, so how do you discern which customers are the best to target?

Tips to Identify Your Customers

12/07/2011
Three-quarters of small business owners say so many Americans are financially unprepared for retirement it's reached crisis levels, a survey says.

A survey of small business owners by Nationwide Financial indicates small businesses may add to the problem because only 19 percent of these businesses offer their employees a 401k or other employee self-funded retirement plan.

complete article

12/06/2011
A recent study distributed by the Employee Benefit Research Institute showed that Texans have the lowest financial literacy in the country. The survey revealed that Texans largely do not understand basic financial concepts like interest rates, mortgages, and investments. But this knowledge gap is not limited to Texas alone; it is issue throughout the United States.

complete article

12/05/2011
We know the holidays are always hectic, but it is an important time of year for your business. Not only is this the season when retailers make most of their income, it's also a good time to sit down and strategize, USA Today recommends.

complete article

11/29/2011
Although they are some of the busiest people in the country, small-business owners find time to get involved in the democratic process. Many of them feel they have no choice but to push back on a government that sings their praises while dipping its long arm into their coffers. Not to mention all the times they get nudged, pushed or slapped by its misguided policies.  

complete article

11/28/2011
Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.

How to Monetize Christmas some ideas!


Christmas Sneakers


Christmas iPhone Cases


Christmas Return Address Mailing Labels


Custom iPad Cases


Christmas Party Invitations



Christmas Web Design Elements



Christmas Greeting Cards


Christmas Logos

11/26/2011
While Black Friday may be known as the busiest shopping day of the year for large retailers, independently owned boutiques are hoping the next day, Small Business Saturday, will be their busiest day of the year.

Small Business Saturday is a day that is designated nationally to supporting local busineses.

11/25/2011
Technology product review sites can be a valuable resource for small businesses that need to make purchasing decisions. Sites offer expert and consumer opinions, as well as how-to information, competitive pricing locations, and the latest news on technology trends.

Here is a list of technology review sites.

11/24/2011
62 per cent of small business owners expect their revenue to increase in 2012 27 percent plan to create new jobs over next twelve months 65 percent say winning new business will be their priority over the next twelve months

Britains small businesses expect to grow their profits and employee headcount over the next 12 months despite the bleak economic climate, according to a survey of 374 small businesses by Simply Business, the UKs largest business insurance broker.

complete article

11/23/2011
Many small business owners will tell you that regulatory concerns hamper their plans to hire and expand. But according to a new survey, where they really run into difficulty is pinpointing exactly which regulations are responsible for their problems.

Echoing the results of several recent studies, four out of 10 small employers (between one and 25 employees) say regulatory and legal problems are impeding the growth of their businesses, according to the latest National Small Business Poll released Tuesday by the National Federation of Independent Business. More specifically, 82 percent of them said the obstacles stemmed from government regulations.

But here is the real kicker: Of those who said regulations were a major growth impediment, only 36 percent identified a specific regulation or set of regulations that was responsible for their problems.

11/16/2011
Any tips on how to survive in a highly seasonal small business?

Many retailers encounter a huge spike in business during the holidays. Seasonal businesses dedicate a large part of the year to preparing for those certain weeks or months when most of their revenue is generated.

Those boom times come at a price - a struggle for financial survival throughout the remainder of the year, when business slows to a trickle.

complete article

11/15/2011
TOP PROBLEMS OF FAST-GROWTH COMPANIES

•Hiring quality employees

•Controlling costs

•Motivating employees

•Training employees

•Wise use of capital

11/14/2011
Small Business Saturday is coming up in two weeks and it's not to early to prepare for it.

Experian Business Services recently listed 10 tips for preparing for the day, Nov. 26. Small Business Saturday started last year as way to encourage people to shop at local stores and to think about small businesses as an important part of their holiday shopping.

Prepare for Small Business Saturday

11/12/2011
U.S. small businesses, which are responsible for almost two-thirds of new hires annually, are facing rising barriers and an increasingly hostile relationship with Washington due to federal regulations.

11/11/2011
As a small business owner, it can be difficult to decide where your time is best spent, especially since your time really does equal money. Technology may make marketing and customer service easier, but it can also be more time consuming with existing, and potential, clients expecting a 24-7 social media presence, and business owners wanting to take advantage of every available opportunity to spread the word of their product or service.

complete article

11/08/2011
Here are 6 simple tactics that I have put together to help small business owners to build a BIG brand:

complete article

11/10/2011
This list of resources for small business leaders and entrepreneurs includes Small Business Trends and our sister site BizSugar and will supply plenty of ideas for use in your own business.

Top Notch Business Recources