Small Business Toolbox

A library of business management info


Features from MyBusiness Magazine
  • Turning Points
    08/01/2008
    Seventeen years ago, Karla Krueger made a risky decision and invested more than $20,000 in new computers for her graphic design business. At the time, Krueger didn’t know anything about computers--or anyone who used them. But she felt that if she didn’t make the switch, her business would slowly suffer.
  • Rule of Law: How Trademarks Can Protect Your Products
    08/01/2008
    Everyone has had the experience: The dark lightbulb above your head suddenly flashes brilliantly, and you’ve come up with the perfect phrase, artistic design or made-up word to distinguish your company’s product. Now you need to protect that idea.
  • 2008 Small Business Champions
    08/01/2008
    NFIB works tirelessly to represent small business in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals, but the bulk of its strength comes from small business activists in the trenches who fight the everyday battles that keep entrepreneurship thriving in their communities. That’s why Solveras and NFIB came together this year to present the Solveras/NFIB Small Business Champion awards. In its fifth year, the Small Business Champion award program recognizes small business activists at the state and national levels. Read on to learn more about this year’s national winners--business owners who have not only given their time and resources to promote small business, but also demonstrate a spirit of service to their communities and a commitment to advancing the cause of free enterprise. For complete profiles of these winners, visit the "Web Extras" section of www.NFIB.com/toolsandtips.
  • 2008 NFIB Young Entrepreneur Award Winners
    08/01/2008
    For the more than 400 winners of this year’s NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards, high school is about more than chemistry tests and prom dates. These impressive young people launched businesses, developed products and services, and found innovative ways to market themselves--all while maintaining good grades.
  • Keeping Up With Technology
    07/31/2008
    How does technology leap from trendy to mainstream? For small business owners, the answer can have a bottom-line impact: Adopt something too early, and you may discover where the term bleeding edge came from; latch on too late and an obvious opportunity may pass you by. The good news is that truly revolutionary technology rarely displaces the status quo overnight--even in the Internet age.
  • The Big Three
    06/03/2008
    These key issues will require your help in the coming months. Read on to learn how you can work with NFIB to defeat these threats.
  • Crisis Averted
    06/03/2008
    How to stay in control when the unthinkable happens
  • The Power of Small Business
    06/03/2008
    The voice of every NFIB member is crucial. Be inspired by members who have taken action and learn how you can get involved with NFIB to defeat anti-small business legislation expected to surface this year.
  • So You've Been Sued--What Now?
    06/03/2008
    It's every business owner's nightmare: Someone walks into your business and hands you a stack of papers explaining that you're being sued. It might be a customer, an employee or another business, but whatever the source, it's going to cost you time and money to defend. But don't panic. Instead, follow these steps to help increase your chances of a favorable judgment.
  • Star Search
    04/02/2008
    Simple rules for recruiting top talent to your small business
  • NFIB's 10 Principles of Healthcare Reform
    04/02/2008
    Our current system of health insurance and healthcare is financially unsustainable and threatens the health and financial security of the American people. Small business owners and their employees are especially vulnerable to the weaknesses of our current system.
    NFIB supports policy reforms to balance the competing goals of access to quality care,
    affordability, predictability and consumer choice.
  • The Small Business Vote: NFIB Research Shows Its Significance
    04/02/2008
    You, as small business owners, are a major source of jobs in America today. As such, you represent a voting bloc that has been overlooked by the pundits. And you had a huge presence at the polls on that now-famous “Tsunami (aka Super) Tuesday,” Feb. 5.
  • Solutions Start Here
    04/02/2008
    When healthcare is fixed for small business it's fixed for America
  • Rule of Law: Test Your Form I-9 Knowledge
    04/02/2008
    What you need to know about verifying an employee's work authorization
  • Life's Work
    02/11/2008
    Finding fulfillment through your small business
  • Surviving the Slump
    02/11/2008
    How to come out on top when it feels like you've hit bottom
  • Rule of Law: Back to Tax Basics
    02/11/2008
    Education and organization are key to reaping tax saving
  • Like a Good Neighbor
    11/30/2007
    Observers may marvel that full-time business owners like Joplin, Mo.'s Nancy Good can find the time to dedicate to their community, but to her, giving back is just another part of business as usual.
  • The Power of Trust
    11/30/2007
    In the business world, research reports and benchmarks play a major role in most decisions. Having a hunch might work for detectives but most businesspeople still prefer black-and-white numbers. Yet recent research reveals that decisions based on instincts might be just as--if not more--reliable than those we deliberate for hours, days or even months. If you like to look more than leap, discover why trusting your gut is good for your small business.
  • Rule of Law: Do I Really Need a Lawyer?
    11/30/2007
    How to know when to hire legal help
  • Health Insurance 101
    10/30/2007
    Health-care literacy doesn't stop at the doctor's office. You also need to understand your policy. Understanding the terminology most often used by insurers increases your and your employees' knowledge, which makes all of us more educated consumers of our health-care dollars. You can learn more about the terms most often used by medical providers and insurers from the National Association of Underwriters. In the meantime, review these simple definitions of common terms:
  • In the Know
    10/30/2007
    Experts find connection between widespread lack of health-care literacy and higher costs for the U.S. health-care system
  • Don't Take No for an Answer
    10/30/2007
    As if navigating the rough waters of health-insurance coverage weren't daunting enough, employers and employees can be completely overwhelmed when a health-insurance claim is denied. Here are a few tips to consider if you face a denial of coverage.
  • Debunking Small-Business Myths
    09/26/2007
    When Conventional Wisdom is Wrong
  • Taking the Plunge
    09/26/2007
    Uncovering what motivates the independent-business owner
  • Rule of Law: Satisfaction Guaranteed
    09/26/2007
    How to make difficult customers happy--without risking a lawsuit
  • Expansion Plans
    07/25/2007
    How to know when to grow
  • In the Green
    07/25/2007
    How your small business can help save the environment--and reap the rewards
  • Rule of Law: The Flexible Workplace
    07/25/2007
    How to set a family-leave policy that won't leave your business in a bind
  • Adventures in Entrepreneurship
    07/25/2007
    Congratulations to the 422 winners of the 2007 NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards. Sponsored by the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation, the scholarship program, which drew a record number of applicants this year, puts future small-business owners on the path to entrepreneurship. The winners each receive $1,000 in tuition assistance to use at the university, college, community college or vocational/technical institution of their choice. Since its debut in 2003, the award program has grown each year thanks to support from NFIB members and national corporate sponsors such as Visa USA, Wells Fargo and Salesgenie.com.
  • Handle the Headaches
    05/30/2007
    Confronting five big burdens of business ownership
  • A Day in the Life of a Small-Business Owner
    05/30/2007
    You wouldn't believe the day I've had
  • Rule of Law: What Not to Wear
    05/30/2007
    Picture this: It's your new receptionist's first day on the job. She dressed very professionally at her interview, but today she's wearing a tank top and a miniskirt. Not exactly the professional image you want greeting your clients, to say nothing of the distraction it will cause other employees. But other than applying to get your employee on one of those reality TV fashion makeover shows, is there anything you can do to improve both her image and your company's? The answer is yes--establish a dress code. While creating a dress code for the workplace can be tricky, the benefits of a consistently enforced policy outweigh the downsides.
  • Silver Linings
    04/02/2007

    What will your business look like in 2012? If yours is like most, you will probably see lots of gray heads. Whether the gray belongs to you, your employees,your customers or your clients, it will forever change the way you manage, market and grow your business.

  • Labor Issues Dominate Legislative Agendas
    04/02/2007
    NFIB battles union-backed proposals at federal and state levels.
  • Inspiring Minds
    04/02/2007
    Cultivate an atmosphere of innovation among employees
  • Beat Burnout
    02/02/2007
    Renew the spark that made you love your business in the first place
  • Growth Gone Wild
    02/02/2007
    Five Ways to Keep Unprecedented Growth From Killing Your Business
  • A Brand New Show
    12/01/2006
    The list of names in Sew What? Inc.'s portfolio reads like a major concert lineup: Dave Matthews Band, Sting, Neil Young, The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Their work has even graced the cover of Rolling Stone magazine and has helped a family find comfort in a new home on ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
  • The Entrepreneurial Gene
    11/21/2006
    Uncovering the childhood experiences that shape successful small-business owners
  • Hidden Strengths
    11/21/2006
    Learning how to dig deep and find success despite overwhelming obstacles
  • The Century Club
    09/20/2006
    How to survive 100 years in business
  • The Big Idea
    09/20/2006
    Turning an inspiration into lasting success
  • The Activist at Work: Five Simple Ways to Speak up for Your Small Business
    08/15/2006
    Every day, lawmakers debate legislation that affects your bottom line. With mid-term elections a few months away, we present five easy ways you can be politically active without sacrificing much time away from your business.
  • The Next Small Thing: Why Bigger Isn't Always Better
    07/25/2006
    "I don't have anything against big business," Jason Fried says. "It's just not for me."
  • Lessons in Success: the NFIB/Visa USA Young Entrepreneur Award
    07/25/2006

    Congratulations to the more than 400 winners of the 2006 NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards. Sponsored by the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation, the scholarship program is designed to set teen small-business owners on the path to entrepreneurship. The winners each receive $1,000 in tuition assistance to use at the university, college, community college or vocational/technical institution of their choice.

  • The Fruits of Failure
    06/13/2006
    Failure is an option at PlumpJack Group, a San Francisco-based company that consists of several wineries, bars, restaurants and hotels. In fact, the best flops are rewarded with the company's "failure of the month" award.
  • Condemnation
    05/25/2006
    A 2005 Supreme Court ruling on eminent domain puts small businesses across the country in jeopardy
  • The Lure of Small
    05/25/2006
    Ever feel second best when you're looking to hire a new employee? Compared to small businesses, large corporations have more money, name recognition and benefits to attract the best and brightest employees. But bigger doesn't always mean better.
  • Fail to Succeed
    03/30/2006
    Lisa Johnson sobbed. It was Christmas Eve 2001, and Johnson and her husband were within $5 of bankruptcy. Six months pregnant, she'd been hospitalized eight times already. Her health was suffering-and so was her business. She was broke, exhausted and anxious about her unborn child, but even at that low point, Johnson never considered herself a failure.
  • Condition Critical
    03/29/2006
    Small-business owners across the country are living their own health-insurance horror stories-wrought with out-of-control premium increases, time-consuming hunts for cheaper benefits and the constant struggle to make ends meet.
  • Think Big, Grow Rich: Five ways small businesses can act bigger than they are
    01/23/2006
    Perception is reality—sort of. As technology becomes more pervasive in our world, it's simple for a small business to look and function more like a big corporation and less like a mom-and-pop. Today, there's nothing stopping small businesses from enjoying the privileges of big companies without ever becoming big themselves.
  • My Town: How one small-business owner rescued the town he loved
    01/20/2006
    Despite its rich past and quaint appeal, Tuscumbia faced a fate five years ago shared by many small towns: It was dying. The railroad had left years before, and strip malls and big-box stores on highway bypasses lured shoppers away from downtown businesses. Main Street was empty night and day. Historic buildings that once housed booming dry goods stores and specialty shops rotted as merchants gradually abandoned them. With little sales tax revenue coming in, the town struggled to keep up its infrastructure. Tuscumbia was wasting away, and no one was willing to fight for it anymore--until entrepreneur Harvey Robbins came to town.
  • Changing Lanes
    11/21/2005
    You can control a lot when it comes to your small business. But many obstacles on the horizon threaten your future—a changing economy, corporate competition or encroaching technology.
  • Five Things Katrina Taught Small Business
    11/21/2005
    As Hurricane Katrina gained strength off the Gulf Coast on Aug. 28, Philip Shirley gathered senior members of his team from the Godwin Group at his Jackson, Miss., headquarters. Within 24 hours the massive storm would slam ashore. News reports predicted devastation not seen in coastal Mississippi in more than 30 years, and Godwin Group’s Biloxi, Miss., office stood directly in the storm's path.
  • Time Thieves: The 11 Biggest Time-wasters Revealed
    09/27/2005
    Dr. Donald E. Wetmore from Productivity Institute reveals the 11 biggest time-wasters.
  • Avoiding Turf Battles
    09/27/2005
    According to Robert Herbold, former COO of Micrsoft and author of "The Fiefdom Syndrome," turf battles can happen in companies of any size--but especially when your company starts to grow.
  • A Stress-Free Guide to Time Management
    09/27/2005
    In a world where e-mails, faxes, phone calls and other information abound, time management seems unmanageable. But with a few changes to your daily routine, life quickly becomes a lot easier.
  • When Small Business Gets Big
    09/27/2005
    5 Big-Business Traps to Avoid
  • The Power of Two
    07/26/2005
    Finding a mentor or a more experienced business person who is interested in your success and is willing to share time and advice can be a lifesaver for your business—and your sanity.
  • Decisions, Decisions
    07/26/2005
    Decisionmaking can mean the difference between success and failure in a small business.
  • The Business Side of Fame
    06/01/2005
    Many small-business owners have become unexpected celebrities when a movie star mentions their product on TV or their storefront is featured in a blockbuster movie. Is 15 minutes of fame all it’s cracked up to be? Does it translate into a boon for business? Often yes … but sometimes no. Several small businesspeople told us about their stints in the spotlight, and the good and bad the attention brought.
  • The Good Life
    06/01/2005
    Make a profit—and a difference
  • How the Internet has Changed Small Business Forever
    04/01/2005
    Ten years ago, the Internet as we know it hit screens. It was 1995 when Explorer and Netscape emerged as the leading browsers for Internet users. Of course, a lot has changed since the days when it took several minutes to load one Web page. Today, URLs are as common as phone numbers for most businesses.
  • A Piece of the Pie
    04/01/2005
    In the 13 years that Ambreco has been in business, owner Robert Dominguez has called many commercial businesses his clients. But ask this general contractor today to name his favorite client, and he’ll likely tell you that it’s Uncle Sam.
  • The Perfect Leader
    02/01/2005
    How to inspire greatness among your staff
  • It's a Small-Business World After All
    02/01/2005
    The challenges of navigating a foreign terrain are large, but the potential rewards make it worth it
  • When Wal-Mart is Gone
    11/19/2004
    What happens to the small businesses left behind?
  • Pinch Hitters
    11/19/2004
    You may be the highest-paid player on the team, but if you're taken out of the game, who could take your place? The small-business owners in this story lived through extended--and unexpected--absences. They learned why backups are not optional.
  • On Thin Ice
    10/01/2004
    Give the government an inch, and you could wind up in jail. Who would guess that small-business owners can be sent to prison for not following arcane regulations they didn’t even know existed? If you think you’ve faced some scary moments in your small business, read this story. Your perspective might change.
  • Double Duty
    10/01/2004
    Small-business owners that serve the community
  • Without the Race
    10/01/2004
    You don't have to run for office to serve
  • Superstar Students
    08/17/2004
    Congratulations to the 221 recipients of the second annual NFIB Free Enterprise Scholars Awards, a scholarship program sponsored by the NFIB Education Foundation to set future small-business owners on the path to entrepreneurship. The graduating high-school seniors will receive $1,000 in tuition assistance. Thanks to major sponsors like Visa USA, NFIB was able to more than double the number of awards it gave last year.
  • Time to Cut the Ties?
    08/01/2004
    You are in control of every interaction with your customers.
  • All I Ever Needed to Know About Business ... I learned in my childhood.
    08/01/2004
    Remember your first lesson in capitalism? For most of us, it was the lemonade stand. But for overachievers like those in this story, peddling juice was for kids. These young Warren Buffets saw bigger needs and better ways to fill them.
  • How to Buy a Digital Camera
    08/01/2004
    The days of wasted film are over. No longer do you have to develop an entire roll just to get a few good ones. Digital cameras have grown in popularity over recent years, thanks to affordable prices and technology that makes them easy for anyone to use.
  • Dell/NFIB Small Business Excellence Award Winners 2004
    08/01/2004
    Donald A. Gardner Architects Honored at NFIB National Small Business Summit
  • Well Connected
    05/28/2004
    Networking is all about building relationships and spreading the word about your business. So will new online networking sites allow deals to go down over the Internet as easily as on the golf course? Skeptics wonder, while enthusiasts cyberschmooze.
  • Is There a Cure?
    05/28/2004
    Sick of the high cost of health insurance? Then stand up for yourself.
  • Healthy Habits
    05/28/2004
    Wellness programs aren't just for employees of large corporations. Small businesses can save big money on their health insurance costs by encouraging employees to live the good life.
  • Tax-Wise Guide to Retirement Plans
    05/03/2004
    Besides tax purposes, you should keep records for insurance purposes, for getting a loan, and to keep track of how your business is doing.
  • 7 Questions to Ask Before You Hire an Accountant
    05/03/2004
    In today's complex business climate, a good accountant can make a big difference on your bottom line.
  • Left Unsaid
    04/01/2004
    How ignoring internal conflict can kill your small business.
  • The Secret Life of a Tightwad
    04/01/2004
    Striding through his Atlanta office on his way home at night, Sean Murphy does a quick check to see if employees have shut down their computers.
  • Sister Act
    01/29/2004
    What does it take to run a business with your siblings?
  • Sink or Swim
    01/29/2004
    Imagine if you had never heard of the Internet. "Google" would still mean a really big number and "crawl" would be how babies get around.
  • Positive Peer Pressure
    11/26/2003
    Being the No. 1 decision maker at your business can be gratifying. But who do you talk to when your job gets stressful?
  • Success
    11/26/2003
    What's your definition?
  • Back to School
    10/17/2003
    The low-cost ways small business owners are training their employees and themselves.
  • The Juggling Act
    09/29/2003
    Owning more than one business is easier than you think.
  • Planning Your Exit Strategy
    09/29/2003
    Passing it on to your children, selling to strangers, merging with competitors -- theyÆre all options. To stroll the happiest of trails when you leave, start mapping the journey today.
  • A Special MyBusiness Guide to the 2003 Tax Relief Act
    07/30/2003
    You've heard a lot of talk about the $350 billion tax relief package -- experts discussing raised expensing limits, accelerated tax-rate reductions, and so on -- but what does all of that mean for your bottom line?
  • Blue Sky Thinking
    07/30/2003
    New ideas for creating the perfect workplace.
  • Make More, Work Less and Win the Game
    07/29/2003
    I strive to be inefficient. I like working 80-hour weeks. I do not care about making money. WHAT? No one thinks that way, but lots of small business owners act like they do. Are you one of them?
  • Reach Out
    07/29/2003
    These seven small business owners snagged new markets and discovered hidden profits.
  • Worst-Case Scenarios
    05/29/2003
    How to handle the unexpected in your small business.
  • 10 Rules for Bouncing Back
    04/14/2003
    Together these books contain dozens of lists of steps, habits, guidelines and principles for reaching business and personal goals.
  • Dream Team or Nightmare Relationship
    04/09/2003
    The ups and downs of business partnerships.
  • The Great Comeback
    03/31/2003
    Turn failure into success.
  • Married With Business
    02/13/2003
    Running a small business is stressful enough, without adding the deep emotions involved in a marriage.
  • When the Boss Is Also Mom
    02/13/2003
    If you were to mold the perfect business partner, what characteristics would you choose?
  • Fast Pay
    02/03/2003
    E-filing your small business's 2002 income tax return can be an efficient, accurate way to streamline filing.
  • The ABCs of ESOPs
    02/03/2003
    Have You Already Hired Your Company's Next Owner?
  • Avoid Audits
    02/03/2003
    Take precautions to prevent a visit from the IRS.
  • What's Your Fiscal Year?
    02/03/2003
    When it comes to choosing a fiscal year for your business, it's best to keep it simple.
  • Big Mistake
    02/03/2003
    How to avoid common tax mistakes.
  • Why Image Matters
    01/08/2003
    If you're like most small business owners, you don't have an in-house staff of marketing specialists. But image may be more important to your bottom line than you think.
  • Let Go
    01/06/2003
    Small business owners who don't delegate find their energies drained, business growth stymied. Those who do reap rewards.
  • Yours, Mine, Ours
    10/24/2002
    Sharing an office space divides the rent. Does it double the benefits?
  • Hand Off
    10/23/2002
    Have you carefully considered how you will pass your family-owned business to your kids?
  • Family Firms Face the Future
    10/01/2002
    On top of all the difficulties of running a small business, these entrepreneurs have layered the unique issues that come from working with your relatives.
  • Get Help Hitting the Mark
    10/01/2002
    To accompany our feature article "Hit the Mark: 7 Small Business Trends to Position Your Company for Success," here are some tips and resources to help you get started.
  • Seven Travel Deduction Tips
    09/10/2002
    You can save your company a substantial amount of money by being aware of the following rules governing tax-deductible travel expenses.
  • Summit Report
    08/26/2002
    Main Street took its message to the nation's capital June 12-15, when hundreds of small business owners met at the 2002 NFIB National Small Business Summit.
  • Mobilize!
    08/22/2002
    These businesses get moving.
  • Hit the Mark
    08/20/2002
    Seven small business trends to position your company for success.
  • Make No Mistake
    06/24/2002
    How to avoid the five mistakes that could sink your family business.
  • Simple Steps To Start Integrating Now
    06/20/2002
    You donÆt need to go on a week-long retreat or take a year off to get your life back in order. Here are five steps you can take now that will start integrating your work and life.
  • Red Flags To Watch For
    06/19/2002
    DonÆt wait for a physical or mental breakdown to work on integrating your work and life.
  • Get Back Your Life
    06/19/2002
    Three ways to improve your business by getting a life.
  • When You Don't Have to Travel
    05/06/2002
    Here are some alternatives to traveling that might save you money and time.
  • Score Big Points
    05/02/2002
    Make the most of frequent travel programs.
  • On the Go!
    04/30/2002
    Winning travel tips for small business owners.
  • The Roots of the Business
    04/29/2002
    Drawing on one's ethnicity leads to a passionate niche.
  • Why Privacy Matters
    04/11/2002
    Although it's being propelled by the Internet, proposed privacy legislation could affect all small business owners, whether online or not
  • Rivals in Harmony
    04/02/2002
    How striking the right chord with your competitors can boost your small business.
  • Smooth Selling
    04/02/2002
    Selling a business does not always end the headaches of owning a business.
  • Silver Entrepreneurs
    04/01/2002
    Starting over or just starting up isn't only for the young, as these sterling silver-haired entrepreurs show.
  • Superheroes of Innovation
    03/29/2002
    Ever think of yourself as a superhero? When it comes to creativity, you should.
  • Managerial Makeovers
    03/29/2002
    An introspective operations review can help you spot numerous problems that rob your company's profitability, lower employee morale and "take the enjoyment out of being a small business owner.
  • Small Business, Take a Bow
    03/29/2002
    Whether it's the Academy Awards or the Super Bowl, you'll find small business has a major impact behind the scenes of virtually every event we read about in the headlines.
  • Celebrity Entrepreneurs
    03/29/2002
    It takes more than a well-known name to make it as a business owner.
  • Simplicity
    03/29/2002
    5 ways to get back to the basics in your business and life.
  • Five Strategies to Grow in Any Economy
    03/29/2002
    Small businesses have a weapon to fight the sluggish economy that their bigger competitors don't: their size.
  • Small Business on the Big Screen
    03/29/2002
    The top 10 movies about small business.
  • Tax Deposit Rule Simplified
    03/28/2002
    About 1 million small businesses can now make tax deposits every quarter, instead of monthly, under new IRS rules that went into affect at the beginning of the year.
  • At Last, Good News from the IRS: Some Companies Save Money Under Cash Accounting System
    03/28/2002
    A relatively new IRS procedure provides a safe harbor for small businesses (those with sales of $1-million or less) to use a simplified cash-accounting method rather than the potentially punishing accrual system.
  • Deducting for Work at Home Can Backfire When You Sell
    03/28/2002
    Last year was the first full year where more taxpayers could qualify for home-office deductions. You may do your work elsewhere, such as catering or consulting, and still get all the deductions involved in having a home office where you do your administra
  • Sweating the Energy Crunch
    03/28/2002
    What small businesses are doing to battle rising energy prices and unreliable supply.
  • Small Business Owners Give Back
    03/27/2002
    The shocking events of recent months have awakened the charitable inclinations of many Americans.