Small Business Toolbox

A library of business management info


Telecommunications
  • 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.
  • Information Overload
    02/16/2007
    Every business has different IT service needs, but how do you know when you should handle such needs in-house or outsource them? The answer will differ for every small business, but the following tips can help you get an idea of how not to get in over your head--or how to get out if you're already there.
  • E-mail Use and Abuse
    11/17/2006
    Communication in the workplace has changed dramatically in the past 10 years. Electronic communications like e-mail now exceed traditional communication media, such as phones, memos and meetings. While electronic communication provides many benefits, it has brought many headaches to business owners and managers. But protections are available for companies.
  • Traveling With Technology and Its Glitches
    10/18/2006
    Airline rules continue to change regarding carry-on toiletries as well as carry-on laptop computers. Some airlines banned the batteries of some laptops because of the risk that they might explode mid-air. As of this writing, rules for each were easing. But other perils threaten those who travel with electronics.
  • Remote Control
    09/20/2006
    How to set up shop away from the office
  • Keeping Callers Waiting Without Irritating Them
    08/09/2006
    In your business, you will sometimes have to keep callers waiting while you figure out answers to their questions or find the right person to answer their questions. You could just leave the phone off the hook, perhaps, but callers' eavesdropping is only desirable to a point.
  • Phishing by Phone: Another E-mail Scam to Avoid
    08/01/2006
    You're a smart, savvy small-business owner, and you read up on the latest with regard to identity theft and e-scams. But the latest one making its way through cyberspace, one which experts predict will soon "explode," is a little trickier.
  • MyAdvice: Home Sweet Home
    05/25/2006
    How telecommuting can be an assett—and a success—for your small business.
  • Advanced Technology Now Within Small Businesses’ Reach
    04/06/2006
    Many small businesses, particularly those that lack an information technology (IT) staff, often find themselves at odds with the technology components they need, want and can afford. They crave the technological “bells and whistles” of large corporations, but settle for basic computer and network technology because they believe they cannot afford a robust infrastructure. Unfortunately, such rudimentary IT components often furnish sub-par solutions that give away a company’s status as a small business.
  • Revamping Your Telephone Technique
    03/10/2006
    How you answer telephone calls says a lot about your business. An employee answering the phone may express an affirmative, helpful attitude or convey an I-don’t-really-care one. Callers frequently mirror the treatment they receive; if you sound friendly, your callers will usually respond in kind.
  • Personal Cell Phones at Work: Creating a Policy
    09/06/2005
    Many human resource specialists and consultants are now urging businesses––big and small––to implement policies to address the use of personal cell phones. Just as many small businesses have policies or statements in their employee handbooks regarding the use of the business phone lines at work, so should they have a policy or statement regarding personal cell phones.
  • Internet Telephony Gaining in Popularity
    05/24/2005
    You may have given it little thought, perhaps no thought at all, but a number of the telephone calls you receive could be coming to you not through telephone lines strung from pole to pole but rather through the Internet. Rapidly advancing telecommunications technology is presenting new opportunities, and companies are moving rapidly to take advantage of them.
  • Business Ethics in a Global Marketplace
    05/16/2005
    When it comes to business, the world is shrinking – the global marketplace is becoming more accessible with each day and every transaction. Although business has brought people together, culture has kept us different.
  • Understanding Supply Chain Management
    04/07/2005
    Today the process of getting a product from manufacturer to consumer can require a number of complex interactions among a chain of suppliers. As the global market becomes smaller, companies work with an increasing number of suppliers around the world. These suppliers work together closely and form a chain that requires careful attention and solid management.
  • Using Information Technology to Learn About It
    11/08/2004
    One of the many magical things about information technology is how you can use it to learn more about it. Personal computers and the Internet can provide tools and information to help you learn about and become more comfortable with personal computers and the Internet.
  • Keeping Up With Voicemail
    05/04/2004
    Like any other technology, voicemail has its advantages and disadvantages, its benefits and drawbacks. As a user of business voicemail, keep in mind the following guidelines.
  • Be Sensible -- Mobile Phone Safety Tips for the Car
    04/01/2004
    There are enough dangers on the road without throwing in the distraction of an interesting business or personal phone conversation.
  • Voicemail: A Blessing or a Curse?
    07/10/2003
    Few people would argue the fact that voicemail can be a valuable tool if it is used properly. Unfortunately, it can sometimes pose just as many problems as it solves.
  • Getting the Most from Your Toll Free Number
    02/25/2003
    An 800 or 888 toll free number is a great way to boost sales for businesses that sell products or services outside of their geographical area.
  • Does Your Toll-Free Number Pay for Itself?
    01/23/2003
    Many small businesses install a toll-free number without questioning whether the added cost will pay for itself in added sales.
  • Making Your Automated Telephone System Customer Friendly
    10/31/2002
    Assure that your phone system is not only customer-friendly, but also inviting.
  • Centralize Your Remote Locations Through an IP Phone System
    09/04/2002
    Telephone systems are available today that allow small to mid-size companies with employees in remote locations to connect to the company as if they were in the main office.
  • Getting by With One Phone Line Requires a Smooth Operator
    04/15/2002
    When the budget won't allow a second telephone line for the home office, managing faxing, e-mailing, Internet and voice calling requires constant attention and planning.
  • Coverage Is as Important as Price in Wireless Service
    04/15/2002
    By following a few common-sense points, as discussed in today's Workshop, you can be assured of at least some degree of satisfaction in your wireless phone service.
  • Voicemail as a Sales Opportunity
    04/15/2002
    When you call a potential customer and reach voice mail, if you haven't planned your message ahead of time, you may be missing a great sales opportunity.
  • Want Your Voicemail Messages Returned? Make Sure People Can Understand Them
    04/15/2002
    Today's Workshop offers a few simple but frequently overlooked tips to consider when leaving a voicemail message.
  • Professional Phone Systems Impress Future Clients
    04/15/2002
    To avoid delays that may irritate customers, use the simple techniques explained in today's Workshop.
  • Voicemail System Horror Stories
    04/15/2002
    It seems that nearly everyone's pet peeve these days is voicemail systems that loop endlessly, making it difficult for callers to speak with a live person
  • What You Need in an Answering Machine
    04/15/2002
    Prices and features vary widely, but there are still only a few basic principles to consider when making a decision.
  • Should You Have a Toll-Free Number?
    04/15/2002
    Recently, nearly every telephone company has begun offering toll-free numbers with no set-up fee or monthly charge to the owner.
  • Avoiding the Voicemail Maze, Part I
    04/11/2002
    In the first of a two-part series, today's Workshop offers some suggestions for breaking through the voicemail maze and speaking with a live human being.
  • How to Handle Unwanted Solicitors' Phone Calls
    04/03/2002
    If you work at home, and if your phone doubles for home and business, the chances are very good these days that you receive frequent phone calls pitching anything from charge cards to charitable causes.
  • The Business Phone Call
    03/22/2002
    In today's business environment, a significant part of our working day is often spent on the telephone. To make this time most productive, specific telephone techniques can be applied daily.
  • Avoiding The Voicemail Maze, Part II
    03/14/2002
    Tips for staying out of phone directories and voicemail mazes and actually talking to live human beings -- even when you're making sales calls. Part 2 of 2.