Guides

Determining If a Cash Advance Is Right for Your Business

While a quick source of capital, cash advances can be a gamble. Ask yourself these four questions before tapping into this source.

7 Ways to Make a Mini-Marketing Campaign

Go big or go home? Forget that. These strategies for increasing your brand influence take hardly any time, and very little money.

Growing Your Company With Fewer Customers

A new study finds evidence to support the idea of 'less is more'. Here's why scaling your company with fewer clients may just contribute to your company's long-term health.

Etiquette for the Boss

From the office Christmas party to friending employees on social media, here are nine new and old etiquette rules you need to commit to memory.

Blogging to Attract Investors

Venture capitalists and angel investors weigh in on what they're looking for in your company blog.

How to Prepare to Launch Your Start-up

By Matthew DeLuca | Aug 29, 2011

Preparing to launch your start-up means more than simply making sure you have a viable product and potential customers. Here are five tips on how to prepare ... Read more

What to Do When Your Franchiser Declares Bankruptcy

By Darren Dahl | Aug 22, 2011

If your franchiser declares bankruptcy, it might not be the end of the line for your business. Here are some tips to give you some ideas about what to do next. Read more

4 Tips on Choosing the Right Logo Design Services

By Abram Brown | Aug 19, 2011

Designers, experts, and small business owners suggest these four tips for finding the right firm. Plus: a list of three design shops worth trying Read more

The Best Back Office Software for Running Your Business

By Christina DesMarais | Aug 17, 2011

Last month we told you the best options for front office software. This month we asked the experts to weigh in on back office software to improve your busine... Read more

The New Rules of Getting Press for Your Start-up

By Darren Dahl | Aug 15, 2011

Think Facebook and Twitter are all you need to get the word out about your new business? Here are eight more ways to get some media attention. Read more

6 Steps to Franchising Your Business

By Matthew DeLuca | Jul 27, 2011

Franchising your small business may be a good way to grow fast. Figuring out whether or not franchising will work for you is a matter of knowing your busines... Read more

More guides on Start-up

Running a Business

5 Tips for Trimming Your Fuel Costs

By Elizabeth Sile | Sep 2, 2011

Whether you have a few company cars or a fleet of several dozen trucks, you can save money on fuel by making minor changes to your operations and driving. Read more

How to Set Up Sales Territories

By Tim Donnelly | Sep 2, 2011

Deciding how to divide sales territories create the most efficient environment for your sales team is more difficult than just drawing lines on a map. Read more

When to Open a Second Location

By Dave Smith | Aug 31, 2011

If you build it, will they come? Here are the criteria you should meet if you're considering opening a second location. Read more

6 Tips for Getting the Growth You Want

By Eric Markowitz | Aug 22, 2011

Feel like your company needs a boost? Here are a few strategies to jumpstart your companyâ€™s growth, increase revenues and reach new customers. Read more

How to Assess Your Leadership Skills

By Tatiana Serafin | Aug 15, 2011

Are you as effective a CEO as you can be? These seven steps will help you hone your style. Read more

How to Write an Operational Plan for Your Business

By Darren Dahl | Jul 27, 2011

In 2010, Sean Bandawat acquired Jacob Bromwell, a specialty housewares company that's been in existence since 1819. Here, he shares his operational plan, foc... Read more

More guides on Running a Business

Money and Finance

Is Your Budget Ready for Worst Case Scenario?

By KC Ifeanyi | Oct 3, 2011

Thanks to credit crunches and slow sales, experts say the key to budgeting for 2012 is being prepared for the worst. Here are the simple steps to building a ... Read more

Can Your Business Survive a Flood?

By KC Ifeanyi | Sep 14, 2011

Donâ€™t let a natural disaster spell ruin for your business. Learn from the experts how to protect against and recoup financial losses. Read more

How to Share Company Financials With Your Employees

By Alexandra Galkin | Aug 1, 2011

How transparent should small business owners be with company finances? Learn what to share and, most importantly, what not to share. Read more

How to Attract a Peer Lender

By KC Ifeanyi | Jul 22, 2011

Peer-to-peer lending has found its niche among small business owners in need of quick cash. Find out if itâ€™s right for you, and learn some expert tips on a... Read more

How to Make Great Brand Merchandise

By Tim Donnelly | Jul 13, 2011

Creating brand merchandise can strengthen customer loyalty and enlist fans to spread your nameâ€”"but you don't want to make just another oversized T-shirt. Read more

New Rules of Getting a Small Business Loan

By KC Ifeanyi | Jun 29, 2011

The worst of the economic plummet appears to be over. Use this upswing to your advantage with these tips on getting the money your business needs. Read more

More guides on Money and Finance

Leadership and Managing

How to Tap Employee Ideas

By Tim Donnelly | Aug 26, 2011

Encouraging your employees' creativity can not only create an engaging work environment, but create new business. Seven experts share their tips on getting e... Read more

It's August. Time for Employee Reviews?

By Elizabeth Sile | Aug 19, 2011

Improve your company's performance appraisal process by reviewing employees earlier and more often. Here's five tips to get you started now. Read more

10 Tips on Hiring for Creativity

By Tim Donnelly | Jul 29, 2011

Creativity is the root of innovation. But how can you find the right kind of inspired individual to bring into your office? We asked some of the country's be... Read more

9 Steps to Effective Problem Solving

By Martin Zwilling | Jul 26, 2011

Problem solving is a skill that start-up founders need to learn quickly. Use these steps to guide you. Read more

How to Take Advantage of New Federal Contracting Rules for Women-Owned Businesses

By Tatiana Serafin | Jul 26, 2011

A decade in the making, the Small Business Administration finally put in place rules for its women-owned small business federal contract program. Here's how ... Read more

A Better Way of Conducting Layoffs

By Darren Dahl | Jul 19, 2011

No company owner ever wants to conduct a layoff. But, if you do, here are some suggestions about how to do it the right way. Read more

More guides on Leadership and Managing

Sales and Marketing

Navigating the New Free-Ad Ecosystem

By Tim Donnelly | Oct 11, 2011

What's a small business to make of Facebook, Google, and HopStop offering up ad space free of charge? Read more

How to Sell Your Products in the U.K.

By Courtney Rubin | Sep 1, 2011

U.S. products almost certainly have a market across the pond. Experts share their tips and advice for shipping inexpensively, hiring help abroad, and dealing... Read more

How to Negotiate a Land Deal

By Jasmine J. Parker | Aug 30, 2011

A successful negotiation takes place when both the buyer and seller believe they have received a good price. Read more

How to Qualify a Sales Lead

By Tim Donnelly | Aug 19, 2011

Learning how to properly qualify a sales lead can be the difference between landing a juicy new business deal or wasting lots of energy barking up the wrong ... Read more

How to Choose an Advertising Agency

By Drew Gannon | Aug 11, 2011

With thousands of ad firms wanting your business, how can you choose? Experts explain how to set your goals, put it in an RFP, and snag the best creative team. Read more

How to Combine Foursquare and Your Loyalty Program

By Lou Dubois | Jul 21, 2011

Tying a traditional loyalty program to social and location-based check-ins can be an easy way for businesses to attract customers and make money. Hereâ€™s ho... Read more

More guides on Sales and Marketing

Managing Technology

4 Things to Consider in Your Mobile Strategy

By Lou Dubois | Sep 29, 2011

Deciding whether to build a tablet or smartphone specific site requires an evaluation process, but it could be worth the payoff. Read more

How to Choose the Right Vehicle for Your Business

By John Brandon | Aug 4, 2011

If you are considering buying company cars or expanding your current fleet, here's a look at three cars worth the investment. Read more

Deciding Whether Your Business Needs a Mobile App

By Lou Dubois | Jul 25, 2011

Mobile applications can be one of the best ways to keep your consumers engaged with your brand as they are on the move. But first you have to decide whether ... Read more

7 Tools for a Supercharged Documents Suite

By Lauren Hockenson | Jul 22, 2011

Document embedding and web form building can be a necessity when sharing information, and it's hard to find a reliable service that offers premium business s... Read more

The Best Front Office Software for Running Your Business

By Christina DesMarais | Jul 20, 2011

With so many options it can be hard to decide what software will meet your businesses needs. Here are our top picks for front-office software. Read more

How to Choose a Live Chat Service for Your E-commerce Site

By Matthew DeLuca | Jul 19, 2011

Adding a live chat service to your e-commerce site can simplify communication with your customers. Here's how to integrate this alternative to e-mail and cus... Read more

More guides on Managing Technology

More guides on Innovation

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