POST CATEGORY : Entrepreneurs

5 Things You Didn’t Know Your Small Business Needs

5 things you didn't know your business needed

You feel good about the business you’ve built. You’ve got the funding; you’ve got the business plan. You’ve got everything you need to run a successful company”¦or do you?   We’ve compiled a list of the top five things you didn’t know your company needed to help make sure you do.

A website

You would think in 2011 this would be common knowledge but 46 percent of small businesses don’t have a website, according to Entrprenuer.com, so it needs to be mentioned.   So, what are they waiting for? If you want to be successful, you need to be online.

An online presence

What good is your website if no one knows where it is?…

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Due Diligence for Mergers and Acquisitions – Why Include IT?

include IT in merger due diligenceAs we start to see mergers and acquisitions activity ramp up, we shift focus to the value of technology due diligence.

What do you review during due diligence? You probably look at financials, customer lists, markets and existing executives. You may even review operations, eyeing potential efficiencies, such as those gained by integrating departments like HR, accounting and IT.

Randy Myers, CFO Magazine, states “For CFO’s, valuing the synergies to be realized by eliminating overlapping or redundant systems and operations is a fundamental aspect of M&A due diligence.” But how often do you review the technology area itself?

Not planning ahead can be painful.…

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How To Pick The Right Office Furniture And Why It Really Matters

choosing the right office furnitureAs a small business CEO, there is a ton to think about – finances, hiring, marketing, social media, branding, partnerships. As someone who gives advice to small business owners and entrepreneurs, I know just how much advice is out there when it comes to best practices and business plans.

However, as someone who also works in an office 40 hours a week, I also know that there is one subject that is not quite as discussed, but just as important – office furniture.

Many new CEO’s find themselves hard-pressed for time just before the opening of a new business, so office furniture is put by the wayside.…

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Does Your Business Really Need To Go Wireless?

In-Stat recently released a study which predicts that wireless services would have exceeded wireline voice by 2012. This is not surprising as more businesses consider mobility as a business necessity rather than just a lark.

small businesses are going wireless

The importance of connectivity is emphasized now more than ever and it is particularly crucial since more businesses operate online and do not have a brick and mortar presence. According to the same study, small business spending would be spent more on wireless technology and the largest that the industry will be spending on is cloud computing.

It seems that working in a remote location is more than just a passing trend.  …

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3 Ways To Ensure Your Business Is Protected Online

Technology has undoubtedly been beneficial to businesses of all sizes. With the promise of convenience, convergence and collaboration, we have yet to see a promising business which has an aversion to using technological tools.

Although it is tempting to get the latest trends and tools for business improvement, there are still, in my opinion, two things that may make business owners become apprehensive about: lack of budget and security breach risks. While the budget can be worked out by allotting funds to strengthen the business, security breaches are often the most overlooked.

keeping your business secure online

Small businesses have as much to fear on online targeted attacks as corporation giants do, maybe even more.…

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Tips For Operating A Successful Remote Business

tips for operating a remote businessWith the advent of technology comes a convenient way of running your business. Who would have thought that social media, gadgets and various business tools can enable even the technologically-challenged entrepreneur to be connected even if they are away from the office?

Working remotely or out of the office is fast becoming more a necessity than just a mere trend as business owners try to juggle work and personal time. If you are one of those business owners who like to think outside the box and work that way, here are some tips to help you run your business even while you are away from the office.…

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Can Outsourcing Work For Your Business?

outsourcing benefits and risks

Business owners have different reasons for outsourcing some of their business processes. In some cases, it may not even be a want but rather, a need. It’s tough to run a business where you feel the need to do everything yourself. Sometimes it is wise to delegate tasks to a maven or an assistant for you to be able to concentrate on running the actual business at hand. While there are outsourcing risks that you need to be wary of, there are benefits to it as well. As with any major decisions, you have to think twice before outsourcing any task.…

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Expectations For Your Outsourcer to Reduce Your Risk

5 Expectations For Your Outsourcer

Did you sign up for outsourcing figuring you could forget about IT?

Ignore the management of IT at your own risk. One company outsourced its IT, negotiating excellent rates. Sadly, the outsourcer failed to purchase software, installing the same copy again and again. Horrendous customer service created productivity issues. The company paid a penalty to exit the contract and had to purchase the unlicensed software, taking a serious hit to profitability.

In another case, the organization picked an outsourcer based on a board member’s recommendation. Now the outsourcer is struggling with tasks many would consider standard, including simple tasks like monitoring backups.…

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Does Your Business Need An Emergency Contingency Plan?

having an emergency contingency plan for your businessDisasters can strike anywhere at any time. Whether it is man-made or natural, disasters can be crippling especially to small businesses. When you think about it, what small businesses should be investing in is a feasible emergency contingency plan. But the reality is, 62% of surveyed small businesses do not have an emergency plan in place.

An emergency contingency plan is a plan that is designed for preparation in case things go wrong. It is in effect, a preparation for anything that could happen. Having a contingency plan does not mean that you are dwelling on the negative, it means that you are giving extra protection for you business.…

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How To Combat And Learn From Negative Feedback

learning from negative feedback

Negative reviews and feedback for a small business can have a greater impact today than ever before due to the increased use and accessibility of the Internet. Unfortunately, one negative review can turn consumers away, but with the right proactive approach, negative reviews don’t need to have a huge impact on your business and can even be viewed in a positive light by incorporating the following into your reputation management campaign.

  • Confirm the legitimacy of the claim. Unfortunately, some do attempt to make other businesses look bad for personal gain, so first confirm the legitimacy of any negative feedback you receive.
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