If you're interested in business related articles and current business issues, here you will find a wide selection of tools and information.
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How to compete against a larger rival --November 2007
When Starbucks or Wal-Mart or Home Depot comes to town, how can a small business successfully compete...
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How to control costs in your small business --October 2007
For a small business, cost control is not a luxury. Expenses can spiral out of hand quickly, and many a vibrant company finds itself on the slippery slope to bankruptcy because...
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How to determine the fair market value of your business --September 2007
If you're thinking about selling your company, you'll want a good estimate of your firm's fair market value...
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How to create a professional image for your business --August 2007
Often the most important difference between a growing vibrant business and a company that struggles year after year is image...
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Small businesses need an exit strategy --July 2007
Many business owners spend years getting their firm off the ground, developing their customer base, and striving to increase the firm’s value in the marketplace...
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Tips for finding the best employees --June 2007
Turnover -- an often overlooked cost of doing business -- can sometimes run as high as 25% of salary...
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Tips to prevent embezzlement --May 2007
Employee embezzlement and other forms of theft often follow a predictable pattern. First, the employee is faced with significant external pressures such as...
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Tips for retaining your best employees --April 2007
Losing a key employee can damage your bottom line, sometimes for years. Say, for example, your company lands a great new construction project but your top engineer bolts to a competitor...
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Avoid Three Mistakes if You're Starting a Business --March 2007
According to the Small Business Administration, a third of small businesses fail within the first two years. Over half fail in the first five years. So if you’re thinking about...
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How to Claim an Extra Tax Refund --February 2007
Did you know that most businesses will qualify for an extra tax refund this year? The IRS recently issued new rules to make it easier for businesses to calculate and claim their refund...
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Boost employee moral with low-cost fringe benefits --January 2007
Fringe benefits are important to your employees. Wage levels usually don’t differ much between companies, so the fringes you offer can be an important factor in hiring and retaining workers...
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Give your business a year-end tune up --December 2006
Have you given your business a tax tune-up lately? Congress has passed a number of new tax and pension rules in recent months. A visit to your tax advisor could reassure you that you’re taking full advantage of the tax laws. And if you act quickly, you might still have time to reduce your tax bill for 2006...
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Do your employees appreciate their fringe benefits? --November 2006
At this time of year, you’re probably putting together your business budget for 2007. As you work on the payroll numbers, it's always surprising how much the cost of fringe benefits adds to base wages...
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Does your business have an over-reliance problem --October 2006
Many small business owners share one problem, especially in their early days. It’s being over-reliant on a single customer or supplier for much of their business. If you’re in that position, your business is operating with higher risk. Just as with investments, you don’t want all your eggs in one basket. Your goal should be a well-diversified portfolio of customers and suppliers...
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Keep Your Retirement Plan Simple --September 2006
Offering a retirement plan can be a powerful tool when you’re competing to attract the best employees. It also helps to motivate and retain your existing staff. You might even qualify for a tax credit for establishing a retirement plan for your business...
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Make Your Banker Work for You -- August 2006
Have you taken a look at your company’s banking relationship lately? Probably not. Chances are you opened an account at a local branch when you started the business and haven’t changed since. But your business and its banking needs have almost certainly changed...
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Don't Neglect Your Succession Planning -- July 2006
Succession planning can be one of the most difficult issues faced by a family-owned business. As a business owner nearing retirement, how do you transfer leadership (and perhaps ownership) and keep the business running smoothly...
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Consider Your Kids for a Summer Job -- June 2006
Summer’s almost here, and soon most children will be on their long vacation. If you own or manage a business, have you thought of hiring your children or your nieces or nephews for a summer job...
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Make Your Business Meetings Worth the Time -- May 2006
Are your organizational meetings dull, uninspiring, and inefficient? Do they drain morale, waste time, and focus on the past? Would you like them to be vibrant, engaging, productive, and future focused...
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Do You Have the Right Business Entity? -- April 2006
Have you reviewed your choice of business entity lately? That is the legal formation your business is operating under...
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Five problems to avoid on your business's Web site -- March 2006
Almost all businesses have Web sites, but not all Web sites work well. Here are five common problems to avoid...
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Does Your Business Have a Retirement Plan? -- February 2006
If you believe retirement plans are a luxury reserved for big business, think again. Small businesses and the self-employed can choose from a variety of plans specially designed to keep costs low and administration relatively simple...
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Could Your Business Survive a Flu Epidemic? -- January 2006
If you use your car for business, you may deduct related expenses using one of the two methods allowed by the IRS. You can choose between using the standard mileage method and the actual expenses method...
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Time Your Equipment Purchases to Cut Taxes -- December 2005
There’s an annual tax break that lets you take an immediate deduction for the cost of business equipment rather than spreading the deduction over several years. If you qualify, you might want to take full advantage of your 2005 tax break by shifting planned purchases into this year...
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Every Employee Works in Customer Service -- November 2005
Contented customers lead to repeat sales and referrals, which lead to higher revenues and profits. The result is a stronger, more secure business.....
