Small Business Toolbox

A library of business management info


MyBusiness Manual
  • Accident-Prone
    06/03/2008
    When it comes to business liability coverage, it's common to have too little coverage--and possible to have too much. Here's how to get it just right.
  • Safeguard Your Computer Network
    06/03/2008
    When it comes to network security, small business owners often fall into one of two camps, says computer consultant Chris McLaurin. They either think that everyone is out to get them or that no one knows they exist. The good news is that the first statement is false. The bad news is that the second is not.
  • Plastic Please: Why Some Small Businesses Prefer Credit Cards Over Cash
    06/03/2008
    Cash is no longer king at Café 3456 in Bend, Ore. The restaurant, which caters to business travelers, instituted a no-cash policy last year. Now they accept only credit or debit cards.
  • How to Prepare for an OSHA Inspection
    06/03/2008
    You might consider an OSHA inspection the safety equivalent of a financial audit, which, as any small business owner knows, can be your worst nightmare come true. The U.S. government established the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to regulate health and safety conditions for all employers, and the OSHA inspection helps ensure that your company, your products and, above all, your employees maintain the highest safety standards.
  • Shield Your Assets: Insurance Every Small Business Needs
    06/03/2008
    It's tempting to save money by skimping on insurance coverage for your business, but every small business owner should be prepared to face the unexpected, says Leroy Van Brunt, an insurance agent with Farmington, Minn.-based Miller-Hartwig Insurance.


    You might think you've taken every precaution to keep your business around for the long haul, but running a company comes with risks you've never imagined. "Even if you can't afford a lot of coverage, some insurance is absolutely necessary—even if you think you won't use it," Van Brunt says.

  • Tricks of the Trade: How to Spot a Small Business Scam
    06/03/2008
    Best-selling author Gene Marks owns and operates the Bala Cynwyd, Pa.-based Marks Group PC, a 10-person firm that provides technology and consulting services to small- and medium-sized businesses. But even his grasp of technology didn't save him from being scammed.
  • Ask the Expert: Profit Partners
    04/02/2008
    I want to offer more perks to keep my employees in high spirits, but I don't have a lot of extra money to throw around. I'm considering a profit-sharing program. Is this a good idea?
  • Beyond Bonuses
    04/02/2008
    Keep your employees motivated with low-cost rewards
  • Breaking Tradition
    04/02/2008
    Creative (and affordable) perks to attract younger workers
  • Consider Your Options
    04/02/2008
    How nontraditional health plans can boost access to healthcare
  • Retirement Plans 101
    04/02/2008
    Create a retirement plan to attract and retain workers
  • Team in Training
    04/02/2008
    Experts reveal that education is the key to employee retention
  • Saving Green
    03/11/2008
    Going green can save more than the environment--for small-business owners operating on a tight budget, it can save their bottom lines, too. With tax breaks available to green businesses, it is now cheaper than ever to make your enterprise eco-friendly. Check out these green ways that will keep you in the black come tax time.
  • What's New for 2007
    02/11/2008
    Reduce your tax bill with several new or improved business-related tax breaks for 2007 returns.
  • When It Pays to Get Help
    02/11/2008
    Why one small-business owner refuses to tackle her taxes alone
  • 10 Tax Savings You Could Be Taking
    02/11/2008
    Nobody wants to pay more taxes than they owe. Yet each year small-business owners miss out on legitimate deductions and tax credits that could save them thousands of dollars. Cash in on these often overlooked deductions and credits to see your tax savings mount.
  • Ask the Expert
    02/11/2008
    With April 15 quickly approaching, I've been considering paying my tax bill via credit card. Is this a good idea?
  • Tax Troopers
    02/11/2008
    NFIB fights to lower your taxes
  • Tips From the IRS
    02/11/2008
    What to know before you file
  • Creative Health Care
    11/30/2007
    Don't wait for Congress to lower your health-care costs for you. Take matters into your own hands with these ideas that you can implement today.
  • The Root Cause
    11/30/2007
    Can't see the forest for the trees? Learn how to get to the bottom of any business problem.
  • Slow Down
    11/30/2007
    Why a precise approach to decisionmaking produces the best results
  • Speaker Sense
    11/30/2007
    Jump start creativity with an inspiring outside perspective
  • Teaming With Solutions
    11/30/2007
    How to encourage creative problem solving among your employees
  • Time Out
    11/30/2007
    Take a break to boost your business
  • When Clients Won't Pay
    09/26/2007
    Tips for collecting money you're owed
  • Fast Cash
    09/26/2007
    Five easy ways to save money in your business
  • Go With the Flow
    09/26/2007
    Discover the secrets of controlling your cash flow
  • Out in the Open
    09/26/2007
    Increase employee accountability with open-book management
  • Within Your Means
    09/26/2007
    How to build and follow a budget
  • Ask the Expert: Money Matters
    07/25/2007
    "I think I may be missing out on some great new hires because my competitors have the resources to offer higher salaries. Is there something else I can offer to make my company more attractive, or is pay the only thing that matters?"
  • Can This Employee Be Saved?
    07/25/2007
    Rehabilitating struggling employees is often easier--and cheaper--than starting over
  • The First 100 Days
    07/25/2007
    Why investing in new employees in the beginning will make them want to stay
  • Rave Reviews
    07/25/2007
    How to conduct the perfect employee review
  • Forecast Your Route
    05/30/2007
    Web site helps drivers steer clear of traffic jams
  • The Hotspot Heist
    05/30/2007
    Beware of unsecured wireless connections, which can open up your computers to hackers
  • Plugged In
    05/30/2007
    How to stay connected on the road
  • Traveling Right
    05/30/2007
    Top picks for small-business road warriors
  • Travel and Taxes
    05/30/2007
    How to walk the fine tax line between business and personal travel
  • Ask the Expert: Making Sense of Per-Diem Policies
    05/30/2007
    Making Sense of Per-Diem Policies
  • Blogging for Business
    04/02/2007
    Boost your business on the Web with a low-cost, low-hassle blog
  • Ruler of Your Domain
    04/02/2007
    How to find a URL when all the good ones are taken
  • Fully Furnished
    04/02/2007
    The latest ways to organize your high-tech workspace
  • Avoiding an Audit
    02/02/2007
    Five ways to escape IRS scrutiny
  • A Better Alternative
    02/02/2007
    While fighting the alternative minimum tax in Washington, D.C., NFIB explains what this unfair provision means to your bottom line
  • Deduct This
    02/02/2007
    Don't miss these new ways to save on your 2006 tax returns
  • A Family Affair
    02/02/2007
    Save tax dollars in your business by hiring your children
  • NFIB Fights to Lower Your Taxes
    02/02/2007
    While you work to grow your bottom line, NFIB works to protect it
  • (Re)Fund Your Retirement
    02/02/2007
    New law allows taxpayers to deposit refunds into retirement accounts
  • Send Money Now
    02/02/2007
    Pay federal taxes online in a few clicks
  • Help Wanted
    02/02/2007
    Until starting my business, I spent my entire career as an electrical engineer in the semiconductor industry. I never had any formal business training, but I always loved business. I even ran my father's landscaping business one summer in high school. But having the passion—and a few summer months of experience—wasn't enough to grow Wildcard Enterprises, which introduces innovative products into the marketplace.
  • Making the Connection
    11/21/2006
    How to connect instantly with anyone
  • Sending the Right Message
    11/21/2006
    Simple e-mail etiquette tips to keep your correspondence professional
  • Tough Talk
    11/21/2006
    Five ways to make difficult conversations easier
  • More Than Words
    11/21/2006
    Why your body language can make or break your business
  • Carry On
    09/20/2006
    Survive unexpecter setbacks with a continuity plan
  • Flu to Fear
    09/20/2006
    The media hype surrounding the bird flu has many skeptics wondering if it's a legitimate concern. Yet health officials strongly advise establishing a pandemic plan for your small business.
  • Remote Control
    09/20/2006
    How to set up shop away from the office
  • Stocking Supplies
    09/20/2006
    Thinking about an emergency is one thing--being prepared is another. Having adequate supplies on hand is the most important way to ensure the safety of your business and employees if faced with a worst-case scenario.
  • The High Cost of Low Prices: Discounted Prices Don't Always Guarantee Bigger Sales
    07/25/2006
    When Yvonne Shortt started Rego Park, N.Y.-based Waddevah five years ago, she knew how she was going to win sales: low prices. But slogging it out on the sticker price meant losing money in her wholesale and online retail accessories business.
  • Simply the Best: How to Find and Keep the Best Customers
    07/25/2006
    When Scott Kremp decided to close six branches of Kremp Florist, a business his father started 50 years ago in the Philadelphia suburbs, and devote more resources to his two main stores, he knew he risked losing customers. Instead, he gained more than ever before. "Another flower shop may offer a different selection or a lower price, but if we focus on what we are doing well, customers will realize that and come back to us," Kremp says.
  • Stop Selling: New Sales Technique Encourages Backing Off
    07/25/2006
    In his courses on effective sales techniques, Doug Harvey tells students that the best way to sell something is not to sell it at all. "Selling is not, 'Here's a great product or service with all these wonderful features, so buy it,'" says Harvey, who teaches sales classes for Aquascape Designs, a Batavia, Ill.-based pond manufacturer.
  • Under Cover: Protect Your Business Against Human Error
    07/18/2006
    Also known as professional liability or malpractice insurance, errors and omissions insurance covers you or your company in the event that a customer or client holds you responsible for a faulty service you provided (errors)—or failed to provide altogether (omissions).
  • Simply Irreplaceable
    07/11/2006
    A key-person insurance policy protects your business if you lose a vital employee.
  • Surviving Downtime
    05/25/2006
    Business interruption insurance saved a New Orleans deli after Hurricane Katrina hit.
  • Curb Your Costs
    05/25/2006
    Find ways to lower your health-insurance costs.
  • When Going Into Debt Makes Sense
    05/09/2006
    Borrowing money scares many business owners, but in the right circumstance, it can fuel growth.
  • Card Games
    05/02/2006
    Credit cards can be a quick-but risky-way to secure funding for your business
  • This Loan's for You
    03/30/2006
    Has your loan request hit a dead end with the bank? The Small Business Administration offers loans for start-ups and small businesses that may not be eligible for financing elsewhere. With a portfolio of 219,000 loans totaling $45 billion, the SBA is one of the biggest drivers of small-business growth in the country, according to a recent study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. If you're feeling cash-strapped, the SBA might be a good funding source.
  • It's All Relative
    03/30/2006
    How to avoid problems if you borrow money from family.
  • Your CPA’s Wish List: 3 things your accountant wants you to know
    02/14/2006
    If you are still in tax-prep mode for your 2005 return, there may still be time to help your CPA complete your return by April 15 (or March 15 if you have a C or S corporation).
  • 6 Red Flags: How to keep your tax return from flagging the attention of the IRS
    01/24/2006
    Want to avoid an audit? Watch out for these red flags that will likely draw scrutiny from the IRS.
  • Work it Out
    01/24/2006
    In a mess with the IRS? Tax negotiators can help you get back on track.
  • Your Assignment: Write Off Your MBA
    01/24/2006
    Think an MBA could help you make better decisions in your small business? A United States Tax Court ruling last August could make that advanced degree more affordable, saving small-business owners thousands on their taxes each year.
  • Pocket Protector: How NFIB is fighting to lower small-business taxes
    01/24/2006
    Just a few of the issues NFIB is working on to provide some relief to business owners—testifying on how tax relief helps business owners, representing small business on committees to discuss tax implications and reminding lawmakers of NFIB members’ views on tax issues.
  • A Dangerous Disguise: The penalties of masking employees as contractors are stiff
    01/24/2006
    Keeping straight on employees and contractors is tough but necessary—but the penalties of doing wrong are brutal.
  • Paperless Payments
    01/24/2006
    The U.S. Treasury’s Electronic Federal Tax Payment System is a free service that allows small-business owners and their tax preparers to pay all federal taxes electronically, including corporate, excise and employment taxes, and 1040 quarterly estimate tax payments.
  • Plans for the Future
    01/12/2006
    What you can do today to make your business appeal to buyers years from now.
  • How to Choose a Broker
    11/21/2005
    “Like a real estate agent in the sale of property, a business broker initiates the sale of a business and oversees negotiations so that everyone involved is treated equitably,” says William Reinis, who owns American Business Advisors in Orange, Calif.
  • Don’t Let Valuable Assets Walk
    11/21/2005
    How to calm employees’ fears when your business is for sale.
  • Curb Appeal Counts
    11/21/2005
    A little sprucing goes a long way with prospective buyers.
  • A Taxing Time
    11/21/2005
    Selling a small business can be tough emotionally - it can also be expensive.
  • The Price Is Right
    11/21/2005
    A typical small-business owner believes his business could sell for double what it is actually worth, says Russell Brown, publisher of BusinessBookPress.com.
  • The Emotional Side of Litigation
    09/27/2005
    How it feels to be sued.
  • Stay Out of Court
    09/27/2005
    There’s no denying that civil litigation costs individuals and small businesses billions of dollars each year. To protect your business, know what to look out for and how to prevent claims. These are the top three reasons small-business owners find themselves in court...
  • Protecting Your Know-How
    09/27/2005
    Small Businesses Often Fail To Protect Their Most Valuable Intellectual Capital

  • How E-mail Opens You up to Real Threats
    09/27/2005
    Establish Rules About E-mail Use--Before It's Too Late
  • Thinking Outside the (Big) Box
    07/26/2005
    When a big box threatened these independent construction distributors, they fought back.
  • What's In a Name?
    07/26/2005
    Lots of stores have them — private label store brands that reside on the shelves of the big players in the retail markets. Yet they're not just for big businesses with locations all over the country.
  • Take Back Your Hometown
    07/26/2005
    Keeping up with the big boxes when it comes to community service can seem like a daunting task.
  • Lessons Learned
    07/26/2005
    Three tips to take from a big box.
  • Cover Yourself
    06/01/2005
    Make it a habit to review insurance coverage annually and your business will be better off
  • Safeguard Your HR
    06/01/2005
    When Kim King’s business was hit with an employment practices lawsuit two years ago, she didn’t spend much time worrying about it. Not only was it a bogus claim, but thanks to her employment practices liability insurance policy, the owner of King Security Systems didn’t have to take care of any of the logistics.
  • Healthy Habits
    06/01/2005
    An apple a day could keep your health insurance costs down. Small-business owners are proactively fighting high premiums by offering wellness programs to employees.
  • Headache Healer
    06/01/2005
    HSAs can lower health insurance costs
  • Job Pains
    06/01/2005
    Five red flags of workers’ compensation fraud
  • Critical Care
    06/01/2005
    Tax advantages make long-term care insurance attractive to small businesses
  • Think Outside Your Business
    04/01/2005
    A lot can be gained by outsourcing work that bogs you down.
  • Should I Outsource or Not?
    04/01/2005
    It’s a vexing question for small-business owners, especially those accustomed to self-reliance. Even though you might think of it as an added expense, outsourcing can increase productivity, making the cost worth it.
  • Pack Your Bags
    04/01/2005
    Is outsourcing your travel planning worth it?
  • Hassle-Free HR
    04/01/2005
    When Brian Bell’s employees noticed the new name on their paychecks, they asked Bell if he had sold the company. As president of Capitol Marketing (http://www.capitol marketing.com) in St. Petersburg, Fla., Bell reassured his employees the company had not changed hands.
  • Technically Speaking
    04/01/2005
    Just hours before leaving on a trip overseas, Greg Young realized something was wrong with his business’ server, which had quit processing e-mail. The thought of being away from his capital management firm in Cupertino, Calif., for 10 days without access to e-mail sent his stress level soaring.
  • What’s New For 2004 Returns
    02/01/2005
    Sweeping tax law changes combined with cost-of-living adjustments to numerous tax items mean new write-off opportunities on 2004 returns. Here are some important changes to remember:
  • The Next Generation
    02/01/2005
    In 2001, Congress passed a 10-year phase out of the death tax. While the tax is fully repealed in 2010, it will return in 2011 at its full 55 percent. NFIB is fighting hard to make sure that doesn’t happen.
  • Delay of Game
    02/01/2005
    How to file for an extension without getting a penalty
  • Don't Miss This
    02/01/2005
    Nine easily overlooked tax deductions
  • Surviving the Storm
    02/01/2005
    Facing an IRS audit won’t be as harrowing as you might expect, if you follow these tips
  • Tax as You Go
    02/01/2005
    Carefully accounting for travel expenses makes business travel bearable
  • All in the Family
    02/01/2005
    Can hiring your kids help your taxes?
  • Confront the Clutter
    11/19/2004
    4 Tips to Reduce the Mess
  • Get Out of Here
    11/19/2004
    How one small-business owner learned to let go.
  • Grand Opening
    11/19/2004
    Creating a powerful Web presence requires hard work -- but it paid of for one Texas business owner.
  • Cash Control Freaks
    11/19/2004
    How to keep close tabs on what happens to your cash.
  • Is Bigger Always Better?
    10/01/2004
    Don’t ignore the warning signs of growth gone wild.
  • You're Fired
    10/01/2004
    Growth stalls when you hold lackluster employees.
  • Spin Class
    10/01/2004
    Lessons in successful spin-offs.
  • Check, Please
    10/01/2004
    Winning new clients is important for growth. But actually getting paid for your work is even more critical to your overall success. Learn how to keep accounts receivable at the top of your list.
  • Dialing for Dollars
    10/01/2004
    Calling a stranger to solicit business isn’t exactly something small-business owners look forward to. But sales consultant George Ludwig, says cold calling can be highly lucrative – if you know the correct way to handle the calls.
  • Business, Interrupted
    08/01/2004
    A small-business owner finds relief in an insurance option you hope you never need.
  • Hostile Environments
    08/01/2004
    Workplace violence can erupt anywhere. Recognize gthe signs before it happens at your small business.
  • Safe and Secure
    08/01/2004
    Customers trust your e-commerce site with their credit card numbers and personal information.
  • Risky Business
    08/01/2004
    Here is a sampling of the most common e-mail risks and details about how you can avoid them.
  • The Future of Protection
    08/01/2004
    These tools will help protect even the smallest business in coming years.
  • Danger Zones
    08/01/2004
    Protecting your employees is a difficult job. But monitoring some common hazards takes some of the stress out of it:
  • Hand in the Cookie Jar?
    08/01/2004
    How to prevent employee theft
  • Better Rivals
    05/28/2004
    If you think Wal-Mart is your biggest competitor, a new study might make you think again
  • A Rose by No Name
    05/28/2004
    Florist finds unusual marketing tactic that works
  • They've Got Mail -- From You
    05/28/2004
    Finding new business may be your top goal for 2004. But if youÆve heard it once, youÆve heard it a hundred times: Nurturing the relationships you already have is crucial to growing your business.
  • Start Your Engines
    05/28/2004
    How to be high on a search engine's list
  • A Job Well Done
    05/28/2004
    How one employer keeps everyone happy
  • Will Work for Nothing
    05/28/2004
    Giving back to the community takes time and can cost a little money.
  • The Low Down
    05/28/2004
    Pre-hire tests give employers insight that resumes canÆt
  • 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.
  • Protect Yourself From Lawsuits
    05/03/2004
    Many employers augment their severance packages with "no-suit" agreements, which offer employees increased severance benefits in exchange for an agreement not to sue their former employer.
  • Treasure Hunt
    04/01/2004
    Four souvenirs to search for on your next vacation.
  • All in a Day's Fun
    04/01/2004
    Take a break without leaving town.
  • Note to Staff
    04/01/2004
    Procedure manuals help employees function without you.
  • Phone Home
    04/01/2004
    Can you really get away from your small business?
  • No Long Good-byes
    04/01/2004
    Get your customers ready for your vacation without feeling guilty.
  • Two for One
    04/01/2004
    Mixing business travel and vacation time.
  • Go Now
    04/01/2004
    Why you've got to get away.
  • Don't Take It Personally
    01/29/2004
    Business vs. Personal: Deciding what's deductible and what's not is easier than you think.
  • All About Me
    01/29/2004
    The new 401(k) may be a tax-deferral dream for solo entrepreneurs.
  • Charity Pays
    01/29/2004
    The welfare-to-work tax credit can benefit more than just the bottom line.
  • A Road Less Taxed
    01/29/2004
    HereÆs a rundown of the most common business structures, and the ways in which taxes generally are calculated under each.
  • Benefits of Old
    01/29/2004
    Why the IRS wants small businesses to offer retirement benefits.
  • Paper Pusher
    01/29/2004
    How long should you hang on to paperwork?
  • 5 Steps to Audit-Free Returns
    01/29/2004
    After you file your 2003 return, the last thing you want to receive is a letter from the IRS saying you owe more taxes.
  • MyBusiness Manual: What to Keep and What to Toss
    01/28/2004
    The MyBusiness Manual in our Feb./March issue focused on taxes. Part of the burden of dealing with your taxes is the overwhelming amount of paper.
  • Moving Out
    11/26/2003
    When to outsource your server operations.
  • Wants vs. Needs
    11/26/2003
    How to shop wisely for technology.
  • Inbox 101
    11/26/2003
    How to manage the e-mail avalanche.
  • Five Tips to Make Your Web Site Work
    11/26/2003
    Earlier this year PlayNetwork took a good look at its Web site and decided that it no longer did its job.
  • Be Wi-Fi Wise
    11/26/2003
    Wireless Internet connectivity -- commonly called "Wi-Fi" -- is spreading like a Western wildfire.
  • Found It!
    11/26/2003
    You built it, but have they come? Your Web site may look pretty, but if it doesn't bring in customers, it's not doing its job.
  • Six Secrets of eBay Sales Success
    11/26/2003
    It's not just for collectibles. These small business owners are turning a profit on the auction Web site.
  • 5 Ergonomics Guidelines for Yourself
    10/17/2003
    While you're probably well aware of the ergonomics standards that relate to your employees, do you ever think about your own safety?
  • Almost Famous
    09/29/2003
    Market yourself as an expert.
  • Know Thy Customer
    09/29/2003
    How CRM software helps one company deliver.
  • Spread the News
    09/29/2003
    Improve communication with customers through company newsletters.
  • Dangle Carrots
    09/29/2003
    Learn how to keep your sales force hopping.
  • What Makes You Great?
    09/29/2003
    What are the real differences between you and your competition?
  • The Language of Sales
    09/29/2003
    Though it used to constitute a niche market, the Hispanic population is quickly becoming mainstream.
  • Get a Leg Up
    09/29/2003
    Bird is one of a growing number of small business owners using tools to analyze their Web sites.
  • Bottom Line Boot Camp
    07/30/2003
    When Eddie Cerda took over Atlas Radiator in 1990 after working at the company 11 years, he quickly discovered that radiators weren't all he needed to understand. He found that financial details, like a pinhole leak, could devastate his business.
  • Words to Live By
    07/30/2003
    Do you know the difference between accrual and cash accounting? Here are a few basic financial terms for small business owners.
  • Top Three Accounting Software Packages for Small Business
    07/30/2003
    MyBusiness informally reviewed three popular accounting programs designed specifically for small businesses to help you get started with your own accounting program.
  • Swipe Out
    07/30/2003
    Ben Benedict relies on a business credit card to buy office supplies for his tax preparation and bookkeeping company. Though he has kept his credit in check, some of Benedict's small business clients haven't managed their spending as well.
  • Plot for Success
    07/30/2003
    The recent recession pounded small business owners, especially those in the manufacturing industry. While recovery is under way, it's still a smart idea to examine your business finances closely.
  • Be Careful
    06/12/2003
    Shoplifters may not be a concern, but if youÆre selling online you need to be aware of losses from credit card fraud.
  • While You Were Out...
    05/28/2003
    The ultimate travel checklist.
  • Scoring Points
    05/28/2003
    Winning the affinity program game.
  • Help for Windshield Warriors
    05/28/2003
    If you're a time-pressed "windshield warrior" who spends hours in the car, you may soon be able to gas up, get online and go.
  • Don't Leave Your Exercise Routine at Home
    05/28/2003
    Just because you're on the road doesn't mean that you have to stop your exercise program. Here are a few tips that will help you make time for working out when you're traveling.
  • Shed Your Wings
    05/28/2003
    A recent survey from the National Business Travel Association (NBTA), found that 68 percent of companies will use more conference calls if safety components don't improve and if security processes continue to impede travelers.
  • Go for the Cheap Seats
    05/28/2003
    Ways to grow your business on a travel budget.
  • Family Business
    05/28/2003
    How to travel with tots.
  • Live Large for Little
    05/28/2003
    Get four-star services at budget prices.
  • Where Are You Going?
    04/08/2003
    It's not enough to simply say you want your business to grow 20 percent over three years.
  • Get Inspired!
    04/07/2003
    Keeping your creative and productive juices flowing is key to leadership in a small business.
  • Rave Reviews
    04/03/2003
    Reviews can be a valuable communication tool. So how do you get started without stepping on toes?
  • Peace Maker
    04/03/2003
    If you've got two or more employees, you're going to deal with occasional rifts among them.
  • Born Leaders?
    04/01/2003
    Learn to be the leader of your pack.
  • How Do You Measure Up?
    03/28/2003
    They're supposed to follow, but are you a leader?
  • Fast Pay
    02/03/2003
    E-filing your small business's 2002 income tax return can be an efficient, accurate way to streamline filing.
  • What's New for 2002 Returns?
    02/03/2003
    Some tax rules have changed--here's the rundown.
  • Paying for Your Mistakes
    02/03/2003
    Are you overlooking allowable deductions in your business?
  • Avoid Audits
    02/03/2003
    Take precautions to prevent a visit from the IRS.
  • Trust Me?
    02/03/2003
    Planning ahead keeps more money in the family.
  • 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.
  • Due Diligence
    01/02/2003
    Ensuring satisfaction up front earns these owners repeat customers.
  • Hook 'Em!
    12/30/2002
    Fun ways to gain new customers.
  • The First Line of Defense
    12/18/2002
    Educate employees on customer service.
  • Open Up
    12/17/2002
    Grow your business by targeting new customers.
  • Point Taken
    12/16/2002
    If you're starting a frequent buyer program, keep these tips in mind.
  • One Step Ahead
    12/12/2002
    Loyalty programs keep customers coming back.
  • Sweet Dreams
    11/13/2002
    We're all more productive after a good night's rest. And milk cows are no exception.
  • Get That SBA Loan
    10/29/2002
    Need a bank loan to expand your business? Take a lesson from Michael Grossman and do your homework before you sit down with your banker.
  • The Home Office Deduction
    10/22/2002
    Tax help for home-based businesses.
  • Home Alone
    10/21/2002
    Make an effort to fight loneliness.
  • No Brainer
    10/17/2002
    Simple ways to solve your own tech problems.
  • The Changing Attitudes Toward Home-Based Businesses
    10/16/2002
    Home-based businesses were once the Rodney Dangerfield of employment. No matter how hard you worked, you got no respect.
  • Kids at Work
    10/15/2002
    As you stretch to answer the phone with a fussy baby balanced on your hip, you may wonder why working from home sounded glorious at first.
  • Get in the Zone
    10/14/2002
    Checking local zoning ordinances first stops problems later.
  • Balancing Act
    10/10/2002
    Find time for yourself when you live at work.
  • A Little Bit Goes a Long Way
    10/01/2002
    If you don't have enough cash, collateral or experience to qualify for conventional bank loans, a microloan--ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars-- might be a good option.
  • TeamSpirit
    10/01/2002
    Even the smallest businesses tap technology to communicate and organize themselves—just like the big guys, only smaller.
  • A Good Manager Is Hard to Find
    08/19/2002
    Promoting from within is the best recipe for franchise hiring.
  • The Franchising Road Can Be Hard, Expensive
    08/15/2002
    Five years after franchising Pickles and Ice Cream maternity fashions, Kelly Fleming says she'd do it all again--but differently.
  • What Does it Mean?
    08/14/2002
    Understanding the franchising concept means getting a handle on a whole new vocabulary of terms.
  • In The Black
    08/13/2002
    For a small business owner dreaming of expansion, franchising is an enticing concept. But it's not an easy transition from single shingle to nationwide presence.
  • Oh So Good
    08/12/2002
    For a franchise to deliver success to its owner, the word to remember for Stuart Mathis is system.
  • Truly Small Business
    06/13/2002
    Evan and Elise Macmillan really are small business people. At age 16 and 13 respectively, they know about running and growing a successful business.
  • Go Fetch More Money!
    06/12/2002
    Learning the new trick of selling online was worth it for booksellers Larry and Charlene Woodward, who have saved thousands since launching their Web site.
  • Beyond Sales
    06/12/2002
    Other ways Web sites can help your bottom line.
  • Shoe-String Your Site
    06/12/2002
    When the Internet initially burst onto the scene, only large businesses featured their own Web sites. But today, owners of small businesses are finding itÆs affordable to stake out a home on the Internet.
  • Protect Your Home Office From Temporary Power Surges
    04/25/2002
    Temporary power spikes can damage sensitive microprocessors inside computers and cause computer programs to lock up and become corrupted.
  • Shed Some Light on Your Work
    04/23/2002
    The problems caused by improper lighting include eyestrain, headache, muscle strain, fatigue, stress and poor morale.
  • Now Showing: Hard At Work
    04/22/2002
    The 12 employees of The Propel Group work in front of a full-size movie screen, complete with a balcony and popcorn popper in the reception area.
  • Downsizing Smarts
    04/17/2002
    Bigger isn't always better. Renting more space than your business requires can be a costly mistake.
  • Tear Down Those Walls
    04/16/2002
    Should you rip out every cubicle wall? Maybe not. But it pays to consider how your space contributes to workflow.
  • Collecting Pesky Past Due Debts
    04/15/2002
    When customers are late paying, procrastinating can make things worse. Every day an account goes past due reduces your chances of ever collecting your money.
  • Open Your Books to Grow Your Business
    04/15/2002
    Victor Ornelas was frustrated that no one on his staff understood the overall picture at his Latino marketing firm in Dallas, Texas.
  • Focusing On a Niche Brought Online Success
    04/15/2002
    The two biggest mistakes small business owners make when entering e-commerce: thinking the Net requires a completely different business strategy, or assuming it's no different from traditional business operations.
  • Getting Started Online for Free
    04/15/2002
    You don't have to spend thousands to put up an e-commerce site.
  • Sweet Growth Plan
    04/15/2002
    A seller of chocolate-covered strawberries is leading the way in the next stage of e-commerce: online franchises.
  • Free Ecommerce
    04/15/2002
    The most popular free e-commerce services for small businesses
  • Using Discussion Groups to Build Site Loyalty
    04/15/2002
    How do I bring people to my site and get them to return?
  • Avoiding the Abandoned Shopping Cart Blues
    04/15/2002
    You can lead your customers to your Web site's shopping cart, but can you make them buy?
  • Top Engines
    04/15/2002
    Thousands of search engines exist, though only about 15 are critical to generating hits.
  • How to Come Out on Top
    04/15/2002
    Search engines are constantly changing their rankings and keeping up with them is a job in itself.
  • Bidding for Business
    04/15/2002
    Partners Michael O'Harro and Charles Shoup don't have a storefront, a Web site or even an advertising campaign. What they do have is a tremendously profitable small business called Champions Stuff.
  • Accepting Credit Cards Online
    04/15/2002
    Going online is probably easier than you think and it can do good things for your cash flow.
  • Affiliations Can Pay Off
    04/15/2002
    Affiliate programs on the Web let small businesses refer online customers to other Web sites selling complementary items.
  • Is Gingerbread Worth It?
    04/15/2002
    Web site builders offer numerous extras for business Web sites.
  • Playing the Dot Name Game
    04/15/2002
    Ready to be sovereign over your own Web domain?
  • When Is It Time?
    04/15/2002
    Here are five signs it is time to launch your business into cyberspace:
  • Alternative Capital Source
    04/11/2002
    If your banker has become tight-fisted in this slowing economy, check with a Small Business Investment Company, or SBIC for start-up capital or a timely shot in the arm for a growing business.
  • Finance With Plastic?
    04/11/2002
    The offers come in the mail daily, promising low introductory interest rates and sky-high credit limits.
  • Cybertools to Expedite Cash Flow
    04/11/2002
    For many small business owners, "stable cash flow" seems as oxymoronic as "government service." Not so to Kevin Carney. When Carney sends out an invoice, he typically receives payment within 24 hours.
  • Going Above and Beyond
    04/11/2002
    Perry Moy's customer service is guided by the bond he and his mother created with members of the McHenry, Ill., community in the 36 years since opening their Chinese restaurant Plum Garden.
  • More Managing Help
    04/09/2002
    GTF Systems Inc. offers a Web-based employee handbook with federal and state-mandated human resource policies.
  • 5 Ways To Avoid Failing Online
    04/01/2002
    5 steps to coming out on top
  • Hate Performance Appraisals?
    03/28/2002
    Here's a better way to evaluate employees.
  • Forget Cash--It's Recognition That Will Keep Employees Loyal
    03/28/2002
    Here's some good news on the employee retention front: small businesses are better positioned than large corporations to successfully hold on to their valuable employees.
  • Five Honeymoon Hints
    03/28/2002
    The first few weeks in a new position are critical to retaining an employee.
  • How Departing Staff Can Still Help You
    03/28/2002
    Just because an employee quits doesn't mean they are no longer valuable to you.
  • What to Pay
    03/28/2002
    Smaller firms tend to focus on their immediate needs when filling a position, often paying whatever it takes without realizing such an approach can cause internal equity problems.
  • What Online Activities Mean for Multistate Taxes
    03/28/2002
    If you use a Web site in your business, understand what, if any, impact it may have on your liability for income taxes, sales and use taxes, and even employment taxes in multiple states to avoid unnecessary costs (e.g., tax penalties; accounting fees for
  • Mapping Out an Auto Expensing Strategy
    03/28/2002
    To use the standard mileage deduction or to deduct actual car expenses? That question drives many small business owners directly to an accountant.
  • Giving to Your Advantage
    03/28/2002
    Charitable giving makes you feel good twice: when you donate to a worthy cause, then again when your business gets a tax write-off. But how you take the deductions and the amount of the deductions you can claim depend on your type of business
  • Drive a BIG Deduction
    03/28/2002
    Large sport-utility vehicles and minivans don't need to be depreciated if bought for business use, meaning you can deduct up to $20,000 in the year the SUV or minivan is bought. The remainder of the cost can be depreciated.
  • Late Fees Quickly Mount
    03/28/2002
    The IRS charges interest, compounded daily, on any unpaid tax from the due date of the tax return until the date of payment.
  • 3 Deductions You Don't Want to Miss
    03/28/2002
    There are all sorts of nitty gritty deductions and other tax avoidance measures businesses might be missing. Here are a few you may want to check out:
  • 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
  • Help From Afar
    03/28/2002
    Virtual assistants handle mundane tasks.
  • 9 Ways to Be More Frugal
    03/28/2002
    9 helpful hints on being thrifty and frugal.
  • Advertising Aid
    03/28/2002
    Business owners can either pay a monthly retainer fee for an advertising agency's services or they can choose to pay an agency on a per-project basis.
  • Getting Help Getting Paid
    03/28/2002
    You do the work. You expect to be paid. It seems like a simple formula. But for many small businesses, collecting past-due accounts is costly and time-consuming.
  • Over Their Shoulders
    03/28/2002
    Almost 80 percent of major U.S. companies monitor their employees' e-mail, Internet and telephone connections.
  • Support Staff Fundamental to Good Service
    03/28/2002
    Kip Morrison has run her own PR firm, Kip Morrison & Associates, in the Los Angeles area for 22 years. With only five employees, she stresses that customer service has to be your company's main goal at all times, no matter how busy it gets. Her advice:
  • More Tech Help
    03/28/2002
    Insight of the technology marketplace and advice from other small business owners
  • Keeping Your Balance
    03/28/2002
    Caught off-stride by work/life conflicts? Technology can help you keep your balance by loosening the constraints of time and geography. Here's how some small business owners manage.
  • Reaching Customers Directly
    03/28/2002
    The Internet brings together all the pieces of a direct mail campaign.
  • Managing a Plethora of Passwords
    03/28/2002
    Today's business owners are beset with a burgeoning number of passwords and personal information numbers (PINs). Managing them shouldn't require a Secret Spy Decoder Ring, just common sense.
  • Got Email?
    03/28/2002
    You need an e-policy.
  • A Power Shopper's Guide to Buying Office Equipment
    03/28/2002
    Be a power shopper. All you need is a computer connected to the Web and these tools of the trade:
  • Getting What You Need
    03/28/2002
    Buying technology can be confusing and costly, so heed the experts and plan.
  • It Doesn't Have to Be in Writing
    03/28/2002
    What e-sign legislation means to you
  • Backup Plans Light the Way
    03/28/2002
    Whether you've just put up a Web page or have long been doing e-commerce, you need backup plans.
  • Computer Confidence for Small Business Owners
    03/28/2002
    10 Steps to Coping with (the Inevitable) Crisis
  • When You're Suddenly the CTO
    03/28/2002
    Advice from expert CTOs on being a CTO
  • Tax Aid
    03/28/2002
    Helpful sources on filing taxes
  • 4 Ways to Avoid an Audit
    03/28/2002
    Small business owners are audited at four times the rate of other taxpayers.
  • What to Expect If You Are Audited
    03/28/2002
    What to expect from an audit
  • Want to File Online? Think Again
    03/28/2002
    Despite the federal government's heavy promotion of electronic tax filing, financial experts advise against it for most, if not all, small business owners.
  • Ecommerce Lingo
    03/28/2002
    Don't know the lingo? Now you will.
  • Get Tech Peace of Mind
    03/27/2002
    ASPs let you outsource computer headaches.
  • The Human Element
    03/11/2002
    Considered by most small business owners to be a minefield of liability and technicality, human resources is one of the most popular outsourcing options.