Small Business Tips Archive
Credit and Accounts Receivable— Benchmark Your Business
9/6/2010 12:00:00 AM
You probably have a handle on cash flow, accounts receivables, and collections for your business. But do you know how you compare to other businesses in your industry or to other small businesses in general? If you’d like to find out, participate in this free Benchmarking survey.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Take Email BCC to the Next Level
8/30/2010 12:00:00 AM
You know that you can blind copy recipients on emails you send. But did you know that you can also type private notes to them in the same email? With this handy plug-in, you can.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Put Your Private Files in a Lockbox
8/23/2010 12:00:00 AM
Use this free program to password protect and hide private files on your computer.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Small Business Turnarounds
8/16/2010 12:00:00 AM
Watch this series of videos from small business owners who have overcome potentially business-ending obstacles.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
A Look Inside the IRS
8/9/2010 12:00:00 AM
This website acts as an IRS watchdog. Find out about IRS audit activity and criminal prosecutions. And, use its database to find a wealth of U.S. demographic information
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Quickly and Easily Clean Your Bookmarks File
8/2/2010 12:00:00 AM
This handy little utility helps clear-out the garbage from your bookmarks list. It finds duplicates, dead links and re-directed links and then lets you delete and update as desired.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Coupons, Deals and Bargains
7/26/2010 12:00:00 AM
This article provides a list of 21 sites that can help you find bargains, coupons and other deals for online purchases.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Is Your Great Idea a Good Business?
7/19/2010 12:00:00 AM
Not all great ideas—or even great business ideas—are great businesses. How do you tell if yours is not only a winning idea, but also a viable one for a profitable business? Check out this slide show.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Must Have Internet Explorer Add-On
7/12/2010 12:00:00 AM
This free add-on for Internet Explorer tracks the tabs you’ve opened, and clicking Alt + X opens the last tab you viewed-- Even if you shut down your browser. If you often close a window or tab by mistake, it can be a huge time-saver.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Business Continuity Planning
7/5/2010 12:00:00 AM
It’s never fun to contemplate disaster, but it is a business necessity. This website contains a wealth of information that can help you assess your business and put together your business continutiy plan.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Small Business Loan Report
6/28/2010 12:00:00 AM
We’ve all heard that the government is making it a priority to increase small business lending by providing incentives to banks to make small business loans. But, is it working? An April 2010 report issued by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta details the results of a small business lending survey suggests it may not be.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Windows Cleaner and Optimization Program
6/21/2010 12:00:00 AM
Windows provides a bunch of utilities that you can use to manage your programs and your disks, but often there are better choices. This free utility performs several basic Windows clean-up tasks very well.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Small Business Tax Update
6/14/2010 12:00:00 AM
Read these articles detailing recent developments related to small business taxes, and use these IRS resources to learn more.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
You Deserve A Break Today
6/7/2010 12:00:00 AM
Use this free software to program your computer to force you to take breaks. Easy to use and configure, the software will replace your work with soothing pictures on the schedule you set.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
New Study Finding: Investing in Bottom Rung Employees Can Significantly Improve the Bottom Line
5/24/2010 12:00:00 AM
New study finds that companies who invest in and listen to their lowest-level workers can significantly increase profits and productivity.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Possible Change to Debit and Credit Card Processing Rules and Fees
5/17/2010 12:00:00 AM
As part of the Wall Street Reform bill, the Senate approved an amendment that would change the fees imposed on debit card transactions and change the rules governing the conditions a merchant can place on card acceptance. Learn more with these resources.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Google Places: Help Promoting Your Small Business
5/10/2010 12:00:00 AM
A Google Place page is a way for you to claim your small business listing on Google Maps, and to communicate and market to your customers. Learn more about Google Places, and how you can take advantage of new features launched in April 2010.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Free SEO Software
5/3/2010 12:00:00 AM
If you’re ready to start a search engine marketing campaign for your business, or if you want to enhance and optimize your current campaigns, try this free SEO software. It contains 5 modules that when used together can help you create a cohesive campaign for both organic and PPC advertising.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Intuit Free Events for Small Business
3/1/2010 9:09:04 AM
Check out these webinars, designed to address all aspects of starting, running and growing a small business can be viewed live or accessed at your convenience from the archive.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Do Not Do This: Common Small Business Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
2/22/2010 7:07:55 AM
Everyone makes mistakes, and they are often a valuable learning tool. However, it's even better to learn from someone else's mistakes instead of your own. The following resources provide valuable insights from those who have been there.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
How Not To Get Sued
2/15/2010 8:08:43 AM
Five free online courses that go over legal principles, and help you learn how to operate your business in a way that limits the potential for litigation.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Add Your Business to Online Maps
2/8/2010 9:09:07 AM
Use the following links to include information about your business--such as your hours, your website, and a brief description of the products and services you offer--in the most popular online maps:
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Small Business Events, Conferences and Webinars this Quarter
2/1/2010 10:10:35 AM
View a list of conferences, events and webinars taking place this year. Whether you're thinking about starting a small business, or need help with marketing, managing or growing your established small business, you're sure to find something in this list that's worth your time to attend.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Have You Been Yelped?
1/25/2010 9:09:25 AM
Yelp is an online review site designed to work like a local yellow pages. It provides information and reviews about many business types in locations large and small. Find out if your business is included on Yelp and/or join the conversation.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Doing Business with the Department of Homeland Security
1/18/2010 8:08:36 AM
The Department of Homeland Security has a government mandated goal of awarding 33.5% of primary contracts, and 40% of sub-contracts to small businesses in 2010. Use these resources to find out how your small business can do business with them.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Emergency Help from the SBA
1/11/2010 9:09:12 AM
If your business having temporary trouble making ends meet, the ARC loan program, sponsored by the Small Business Administration is designed to help. The program provides immediate interest-free loans of up to $35,000 to eligible small businesses.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Small Business Tools from Inc.com
1/4/2010 9:09:27 AM
Inc.com provides a large suite of small business tools, templates, worksheets, and sample policies?over 100 of them?that you can access with free registration.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
12/28/2009 10:10:26 AM
For the last tip of 2009 it is tempting to look back and summarize the highlights of the past year, but it's far more productive to look forward. The following resources do just that.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Find the Office Equipment You Need?Good and Cheap
12/21/2009 8:08:44 AM
Use this website to find products that meet your needs, but do not contain costly but essentially useles frills. Read product category reviews that highlight must-have features, nice-to-have extras, and worthless add-ons.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Help with Event Planning
12/14/2009 9:09:03 AM
Get this free event planning template pack. It provides a wide variety of templates that can help you plan and organize your next party, conference or event.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Should You Offer Free Shipping?
12/7/2009 9:09:16 AM
Read this new ComScore study for an overview and analysis of consumer online spending patterns from early 2008 through the third quarter of 2009, and for an in-depth discussion of the role a free shipping offer plays in the buying process.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
What Is Your Small Business Psychographic Profile?
11/30/2009 9:09:57 AM
Psychographics attempts to profile a target audience based on attitudes, impressions, goals and lifestyles. Which one are you? How should you effectively market to each profile? How can you be more aware of the marketing tactics being used on you? Learn more from these B2C and B2B resources.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Free Small Business Forms, Contracts and Financial Templates
11/23/2009 8:08:51 AM
Use this site for a large selection of small business templates, available for immediate download when you complete a short, free registration.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Help Other Small Business Owners Learn from Your Mistakes
11/16/2009 9:09:56 AM
Participate in this Lessons Learned survey for small businesses. They're asking small business owners to submit one or two examples of their most memorable mistakes, how they overcame them, and what they learned. The results will be presented to students who want to learn more about starting their own small businesses.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Free 3-D Modeling Tool
11/9/2009 8:08:41 AM
Whether you want to model a new product concept, add dimension to your presentations and marketing materials, or simply create a plan to re-arrange your office, this free program will fit the bill.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
101 Small Business Tips from the Experts
11/2/2009 8:08:40 AM
The folks at American Express OPEN Forum asked 50 top small business bloggers to provide tips, insights and advice to small business owners. Read the resulting 101 tips on their blog.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Home Office Tax Deduction Calculator
10/26/2009 10:10:03 AM
Use this calculator to get a rough idea of how much you may be able to deduct for your home office based on your business earnings, the value of your home, and your yearly house-related expenses.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Create a Video for Your Website?Free!
10/19/2009 9:09:28 AM
Use this free tool to turn still pictures into a cool video. You upload your pictures, choose display order and pictures to emphasize, and then pick a music clip. The tool goes to work, stylizing your pictures for maximum effect, synchronizes them with the music, and creates a movie. You can link to it from your website, or share it on social networking sites such as Facebook.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Tool for Testing Pricing Scenarios
10/12/2009 8:08:57 AM
Try this easy to use calculator that enables you to enter a unit price for an item, and then creates a table that calculates selling price, profit margin, and actual profit for a range of mark-up percentages.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Expert IT Advice and Technology Decision Making Tools
10/5/2009 9:09:02 AM
Check out the recently launched Information Week Analytics site. It provides a wealth of information that can help you make IT and other technology decisions for your business.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Experts Thoughts on Business Ethics
9/28/2009 9:09:03 AM
This free website contains videotaped interviews with business leaders in a variety of industries, who share their own experiences and best practices with fostering ethical business behavior at their companies.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Find Out What People are Saying About You and Your Company on Social Media Sites
9/21/2009 9:09:27 AM
Use this free service to find out what people are saying about your and your company in the social media space. You can create "profiles" containing keywords that it will use to perform a comprehensive searchm and then have the results published to a report, that is continually updated as new results are found.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Save Some Ink on Everyday Draft Printing
9/14/2009 11:11:17 AM
Try Ecofont. It is specially designed with little holes in the letters, so that printing documents in Ecofont uses less ink (about 20% less according to the website). With small type fonts, between 9 and 12 point, you'll hardly notice the difference on the printed page. You can save ink, save money, and print greener.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Want to Kick-Start a Small Business Project?
9/7/2009 11:11:57 AM
If you have a small business project that needs market testing or funding, and traditional product testing and fundraising sources are beyond your reach, try Kickstarter-- a website dedicated to connecting people with great ideas to people with the money to fund them.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
How Is Your Buisness Etiquette?
8/31/2009 9:09:36 AM
How's your business etiquette? There are plenty of business gurus who want to help you figure out where you're strong and where you can improve. Take one (or more) of these quizzes.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Have You Surveyed Your Competitive Universe Lately?
8/24/2009 9:09:07 AM
Understand your competition-- do a Competitive Universe Analysis. This analysis is a quick visualization of where your business sits in the total consumer marketplace. It uses a bulls-eye diagram, with your company at the center, to identify your first, second, third and fourth level competitors. Use this easy template to get started.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Is the U.S. Really the Most Hospitable Economy for Small Business?
8/17/2009 8:08:51 AM
This August, 2009 report from The Center for Economic and Policy Research—An International Comparison of Small Business Employment— compares 21 "rich" democracies based on percentage of the workforce that is self-employed or employed in a small business.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Get the Latest Labor-Related Economic Statistics
8/3/2009 10:10:26 AM
Use this government website to find out about current and historical US employment and unemployment rates, or finding detailed labor information about your industry or your local or regional area.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Have You Calculated Your Net Promoter® Score?
7/27/2009 9:09:24 AM
Calculate your Net Promoter Score to measure customer satisfaction, loyalty, and the extent to which your customers promote your company and your sales efforts, or actually hinder them.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Is Your Website Cross-Browser Compatible?
7/20/2009 8:08:30 AM
Preview your website in a number of Operating System--Browser combinations to ensure that it appears correctly in all environments. Use the free one-day trial of this handy online service.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Do You Manage Your Money As Well As You Manage Your Business?
7/13/2009 8:08:38 AM
Read this Blog to get personal financial advice aimed specificaly at small business owners.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
A Helpful Guide to Risk Assessment & Management
7/6/2009 8:08:55 AM
Read this article to learn how to identify and manage risk for your small business.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Do Business with the U.S. Government
6/29/2009 9:09:15 AM
Use these resources to learn about doing business with the U.S. government, as a US-based small business.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
An Easy Way to Find Free Software that Meets Your Exact Needs
6/22/2009 8:08:57 AM
Try this great new site that provides free open-source and paid license alternatives to the most popular software packages.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Find Out How Optimistic Small Business Owners Are About the Future
6/15/2009 9:09:00 AM
The NFIB Research Foundation Small Business Optimism Index report utilizes 10 index components to generate a Small Business Optimism Index—which surprisingly, is actually trending higher. Read the May and June 2009 reports here.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Fun with Charts & Graphs
6/8/2009 9:09:02 AM
Try this free web-based tool for creating charts and graphs that can be easily published in your presentations, on your website, your blog, social networking sites, or even as an iGoogle widget.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Get the Small Business 411
6/1/2009 10:10:41 AM
Try this site to find data about how small businesses do business. The site compiles poll data on a variety of subjects,collected from 2001 through the present, into a single searchable database.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Best Free Software of 2009
5/25/2009 9:09:32 AM
Check out this list of the best free software of 2009 to find useful business applications to add to your library.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Get a Top Rated Anti-Virus Program—for Free!
5/18/2009 9:09:51 AM
Try this top rated, completely free anti-virus program to keep your computer protected.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Learn the Basics of Search Engine Keyword Marketing
5/11/2009 10:10:19 AM
Watch this video series for an introduction to keyword research, search engine optimization, and keyword marketing strategy.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
How Can the 2009 Economic Recovery Act Help Your Small Business?
5/4/2009 9:09:31 AM
The 2009 Economic Recovery Act can help small businesses by expanding the availability of capital. Find out about the SBA resources available to help explain the changes and help you get a loan or bond.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
National Small Business Week 2009
4/27/2009 10:10:43 AM
The National Small Business Week 2009 conference, held in Washington DC on May 17-19 will include issue forums, receptions, award ceremonies, and the chance to network with other small business owners from around the country. You can attend in person, or view live webcasts.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Have a Little Chat...Fast, Easy, Fleeting and Free
4/20/2009 9:09:27 AM
Use this free chat tool to create impromptu browser-based chat sessions without using usernames or profiles, and in rooms that disappear when you\'re done.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Track Time with This Free Tool
4/6/2009 8:08:47 AM
Try this free tool for managing and tracking time spent on freelance projects, or employee hours and rates.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Get the Demographic Skinny on Your Customer Base
3/30/2009 9:09:21 AM
Use this free tool to decipher Census data and make decisions on how to market your business, where to expand, or even where to close. Profile your customer base by zip code, and determine what your biggest customers have in common.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Free File Conversion Tool
3/23/2009 9:09:09 AM
Use this free service to convert a wide variety of document, image, music, video, compressed, and even CAD files to common formats such as .doc, .jpg, and mp3.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
The Best Business Books of 2008… according to F@stCompany
3/16/2009 9:09:10 AM
To find business books worth your time, chek out F@stCompany\'s top 10 list for 2008
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Calculate ROI for Marketing Campaigns
3/9/2009 8:08:35 AM
The next time you are contemplating a new campaign, use the Marketing ROI calculators on PaySimple's website, to determine how much you can affordably spend, what your break even point is, and where you begin making a profit.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Free Tools for Viewing, Editing, and Converting Image Files
3/2/2009 8:08:46 AM
Software programs for working with digital graphics are fast becoming an essential part of the basic small business tool box. While you can't expect to get the power of PhotoShop for free, you probably don't need all its functionality to create and edit basic graphics. Here are two free programs to try:
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Read the Wired Small Biz How-To Wiki
2/23/2009 8:08:46 AM
Read and contribute to the Wired Magazine Small Biz Wiki. It provides advice to small business from small business and covers multiple topics that help small businesses operate and grow.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Need a Small Business Template? Get it Here:
2/16/2009 9:09:03 AM
Whether you need a business plan, a cash flow statement, loan amortization schedules, or a competitive analysis, the SCORE template page may have just the resources for you.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
SWOT Yourself and Your Competitors
2/9/2009 9:09:25 AM
Idnetify your key competitive advantages and opportunities. Use PaySimple\'s SWOT template and instructions to perform a SWOT analysis on your company and on key competitors.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Find Out How Much You Can Spend to Acquire New Customers
2/2/2009 4:16:22 PM
Try the Customer Acquisition Calculators on PaySimple's website, to help you analyze your customer acquisition efforts, and determine your optimal spend per acquisition and payback time.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Buy Office Supplies on eBay
1/26/2009 9:09:33 AM
eBay may not be the first thing that comes to mind for office supplies, but it can provide significant savings on commodity type office equipment and supplies. See the tip for some recent examples of items you can buy on eBay for much less than you would pay in typical bricks-and-mortar stores.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Are You Missing Out on Customers or Are You in an Overcrowded Market?
1/19/2009 8:08:52 AM
Try this valuable tool to help understand different markets in the US. It utilizes Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Surveys and U.S. Census data to provide a breakdown of the customer base and business type in any US zip code.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Are you bursting at the seams or are you swimming in space?
1/12/2009 7:07:43 AM
How much office space do you really need and how much will it cost? Use this handy tool to figure it out.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Start the New Year with a Cash Flow Check Up
1/5/2009 8:08:49 AM
Try this cash flow calculator to take measure of your business health. If you don't like what you see, use the calculator tools to make adjustments to several variables that affect cash flow, and see how these small changes can make a real difference to your business
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Need to Share Files and with Customers, Colleagues, and Vendors?
12/29/2008 12:12:12 PM
Try this full-featured, free site that provides 100MB of free space, and multiple communication and collaboration tools
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Could Your Business Be Greener?
12/22/2008 9:09:29 AM
Find out how using paperless invoicing and automated recurring billing can make your business greener by saving gas and paper, and make it more profitable by cutting costs.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Still Shopping for that Perfect Customer Gift? These Guides Will Help You Pick a Winner!
12/15/2008 12:00:00 AM
If you're still looking for that perfect holiday gift for a special customer or employee, check out the holiday gift slideshows on this site-- you're sure to find a winner in every price range.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
You Need Customer Service… You Need to Speak with a Live Person… These Resources Get You Connected
12/8/2008 12:00:00 AM
We've all been there…stuck in automated phone system hell with no idea how to get to a person who can actually help. Fortunately, these two internet resources can help you circumvent the endless phone menus, and connect with a real live person.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Tax Trouble? Tax Questions? Free IRS Workshops Coming To a Town Near You.
12/1/2008 12:00:00 AM
Learn about the small business workshops run by the IRS in all 50 states. These workshops are designed to help you understand the Federal Tax system and how it applies to you and your business.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Listen to Business and Economics Lectures from the University of Oxford
11/24/2008 12:00:00 AM
This great free resource brings you the full audio from lectures given at the University of Oxford (in England). Highlighted lectures are of special interest to small business, but be sure to go to the podcast directory to see all that is available.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Have a Small Business Question--Try LinkedIn Answers
11/17/2008 12:00:00 AM
If you have a pressing business question, you just need an answer from a reputable source, and don't have the time or the inclination to sift through terabytes of search results to find it, try this small business community.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Take a Free Small Business Course
11/10/2008 12:00:00 AM
Learn about free courses you can take to help you manage, market and grow your small business.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
Find out what your customers are saying
11/3/2008 12:00:00 AM
Use these tools to find out what your customers are saying about your company online in blogs, forums, and chat rooms.
Read Entire Small Business Tip
