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As a small business owner it’s hard to juggle your work and outside responsibilities. It’s important to run your business effectively and still have a life outside the office. You need a good balance between work and play for your health and well-being. Small business owners often fall into the trap of working too hard, ending up exhausted from the constant work demands associated with self-employment. Why You need Balance…  Read more

In today’s fast-paced world, everyone wants to be more productive. Fortunately, there is an ever-increasing number of tools, many of them available online and across multiple devices, that promise to help us achieve our goals. The challenge then becomes how to know not just which tools will live up to their promise but which tools are right for our business. Choosing the best productivity tools depends on a number of factors,…  Read more

Could you improve your closing rate with a mobile app? If you own a tablet or mobile phone but aren’t taking advantage of mobile sales tools, you’re missing out on the opportunity to shorten your sales cycle and boost your bottom line. From CRM apps to invoicing and payment technology, there’s a mobile solution for your small business that can make it easier to convert prospects to customers – and…  Read more

It can be a challenge for new business owners to find a bank that will approve them for even a small business loan. Most will see a young company as too high a risk to qualify for corporate lending. A credit card can serve as a short term solution for small scale financing, offering entrepreneurs a “foot in the door” with a lender. Think of it as a chance to…  Read more

Looking for a cost-effective means to create another income stream? Consider this: ambitious companies are always on the lookout for the next lucrative business idea. Licensing your intellectual property to another company can be a win-win when both parties see eye to see, and result in a worthwhile pay out for all concerned. Wondering how to get started licensing your bright business ideas? Read on. Intellectual Property 101 If you’re…  Read more

If growth is your primary goal, take note of these two essential sales strategies: cross-selling and upselling. Why? Because it’s much easier to sell to existing customers than to acquire new ones. According to Marketing Metrics, the probability of selling to an existing customer is 60 to 70 percent, while the likelihood you’ll sell to a new prospect is just 5 to 20 percent. Some entrepreneurs use the terms “upselling”…  Read more

Quick and efficient payment options benefit both small business owners and their customers. Consumers are used to flexibility – cash, check or charge? – when buying from large retailers. If you’re a cash-or-check only operation, consider how many sales you may be losing – and how your business would grow if your customers could pay with debit or credit cards. If one of your goals is to start selling online,…  Read more

Ever dreamed of starting a family business? Investing in a franchise opportunity with friends? Businesses owned and operated by families can have incredible staying power. Volkswagen, Samsung, and Nike – all family-owned companies – are among the world’s most successful, leading brands. It can be fun and rewarding to work with family and friends. But before you hire the people you care about most, it’s wise to consider the pros…  Read more

If you think accounting software is just for tracking expenses and generating financial reports, you’re losing out on an opportunity to improve your bottom line. By taking advantage of insights provided by your software solution, you’ll benefit from a more informed approach to marketing and customer service – and by making the most of all the ways your software can improve productivity you can take meaningful action to increase profits.…  Read more

It’s been said that a business partnership is a lot like a marriage, and the comparison holds true when things go awry: the end of a partnership is a lot like divorce. Lawyers will be involved and assets will need to be divided. However, a separation need not be overly dramatic or unnecessarily painful. These tips can help make separation easier – and more amicable – should your business partnership…  Read more

Many small business owners think they’re saving money by handling their financials themselves. While it’s a real asset to learn bookkeeping basics, cash flow management and your tax obligations, hiring an accountant to oversee your finances has many benefits. Leaving your books to a pro will free up time so you can focus on serving your clients and implementing plans for growth. Here are a few ways an accounting professional…  Read more

For business owners who want financial security now and freedom in retirement, having a financial planner on the team is a must. A financial planner will create a customized, strategic action plan to help you achieve your personal financial goals. Getting to know you and your business inside out is the first step a financial planner will take to understand where you are now, where you want to go, and…  Read more

Many small business owners assume that cyber attacks only happen to big companies, banks or governments. But the truth is, limited knowledge of digital security and lack of defences make small businesses particularly vulnerable to attack. Research shows that 71% of all cyber attacks happen to businesses with less than 100 employees – and yet many CEOs have yet to invest in a formal defense plan. With cyber attack insurance…  Read more

Very few business owners have the means to operate without borrowing at start up, or later on when it’s time to invest in growth. Borrowing, however, is only a temporary solution to a lack of funds. Without a repayment plan debt can grow into an unmanageable problem that costs much more than the initial loan. These strategies will help you re-pay your debt faster, so you can invest the cash…  Read more

So many business employees are now telecommuting, that companies around the world are restructuring their management practices to meet the challenges of remote collaboration. Because they tend to be more agile and open to change, small businesses are particularly well positioned to adapt to telecommuting. Increased productivity and happier employees who appreciate the added flexibility are just a few benefits winning over small business owners. But telecommuting also presents some…  Read more

Good people management comes through experience. Courses will teach you the theories, but there is no substitute for day-to-day practice managing staff and their issues. Giving yourself a head start with a common-sense approach and a healthy respect for everyone you come into contact with can help to develop a happy and productive workforce. Don’t micro-manage. Your employees were hired because they could do the job, so let them do…  Read more

Your balance sheet (now more correctly called a Statement of Financial Position) reveals a great deal about your business, including the total value of your assets – the things you own; how much you owe to others – your liabilities; and the level of your solvency. These three aspects will be studied carefully by lenders and investors − and by buyers if you intend to sell your business. But they…  Read more

As a small business owner, you may know the importance of recognizing your clients’ ongoing patronage—but you may not have a large budget to support high end gift giving. Your clients will love these four simple and unique gift ideas. The best part? They can be personalized to suit the recipient’s tastes, and customized to fit any budget. Subscription Memberships Designed to surprise and delight, box subscriptions are the gift…  Read more

According to Google, which offers employees a course on mindfulness meditation, and Lululemon, a company that keeps a Director of Mindfulness on staff, the answer is a resounding yes. Mindfulness, as American scientist Jon Kabat-Zinn defines it, is simply “paying attention in a sustained and particular way – on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally.” Research has shown that practicing mindful meditation can lead to reduced stress, lowered blood…  Read more

A Canadian bank recently surveyed over 500 small business owners about what they love and hate most about owning their own business. Unsurprisingly, flexibility and feeling in control ranked first in the “love” category. Meanwhile, almost 60% said bookkeeping was hands-down their most hated task. Most business owners understand that effective financial management is key to their success. But lack of knowledge, frustration, and even avoidance can add up to…  Read more