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5 Factors for Choosing a Business Broker when Selling a Business
written on October 13, 2010 by Kipp Krukowski
Buying and Selling a Business

When selling a business, it is important to do your homework and select the right business broker to represent you and your company.  There are 5 key factors that you should consider as a business owner:

 

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Engaging Your Team Members
written on October 13, 2010 by Jeff Nischwitz
Employee Development

Mad Men, one of my favorite shows, follows the internal workings and relationships of an early 1960’s advertising agency in New York City.  In the most recent episode, Don Draper (one of the lead characters) is engaged in a heated discussion with a frustrated and unappreciated employee (Peggy Olson) who is venting that Don never gives her credit for her ideas.

 

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Energy Efficiency Becoming a Must-Have for Professional Offices
written on October 08, 2010 by Nicole Stika
Greening Your Business

As the Pew Center on Global Climate Change points out, buildings account for 39% of total energy use and 38% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States, more than either industry or transportation.  Commercial buildings account for 46% of energy use by buildings, or 18% of the total energy consumed in America.

 

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Podcast of Integrating Social Media into Your Brand and Your Business
written on October 06, 2010 by Administrator One
Member Education Series

This is the podcast from the Sept 30, 2010 COSE educational series event: Now that you have integrated social media into your business, learn how to effectively manage social media within your business to ensure beneficial results.

 

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Podcast of the September SME U Event: "Price, Price, Price"
written on October 06, 2010 by SME Cleveland
SME Cleveland

This session of SME-U was entitled "Price, Price, Price" and was presented by Skip Murray of Murray and Associates.  Please contact Skip or the Sales and Marketing Excitives of Cleveland with further questions.

 

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Businesses Should Use Caution before Using Unpaid Interns
written on October 05, 2010 by Scott Lawson
Liabilities Within the WorkForce

Depending upon your type of business, student interns can be a big benefit.  They can often provide needed help with research or with developing and implementing new programs, products or services.

 

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10 Entrepreneurial Traits You Need to Grow a Business
written on October 05, 2010 by Dennis Sommer
Growth Strategies

Entrepreneurial spirit is a key leadership characteristic needed to improve business growth in today’s challenging economy.  Improving business growth is not easy.  Having more entrepreneurial spirit in your organization can help you achieve your goals.

 

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Boost Productivity Select the Right Communication Tool
written on October 05, 2010 by Joe Mayer
Professional Advancement

For many readers there is only one answer to the question how to best communicate.  It’s sending an e-mail, and, on the surface, you’d expect e-mail to be one of the biggest productivity-boosters to ever be invented.

 

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Performing Due Diligence When Buying a Business
written on October 01, 2010 by Kipp Krukowski
Buying and Selling a Business

Due diligence is a very important of the buying a business process. As a buyer, you want to verify the information that the seller has provided that relates to the business operations, its financials, and legal status.  The process of due diligence verification of information occurs after the letter of intent is signed by both parties in the transaction.

 

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Useful Computer Shortcut Tips
written on October 01, 2010 by Ryan Shorts
Business Software and Applications

There are a variety of shortcuts available that provide a quick way to perform an action.  Did you know that you can quickly jump to the address bar in Internet Explorer and Firefox with the F6 key?

 

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Recycling and Zero Waste Initiatives at Cleveland Area Restaurants
written on October 01, 2010 by Beau Daane
Waste Reduction, Recycling and Composting

Long known as a cool Ohio City restaurant, the Great Lakes Brewery is also a leader in waste reduction and recycling.  Check out this list of just some of the sustainability initiatives at GLBC:

 

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Energy Efficiency Helps Hotels Cut Costs and Increase Revenue
written on October 01, 2010 by Nicole Stika
Greening Your Business

The hospitality and tourism industry has grown to become the largest employer in the world and continues to grow rapidly each year.  Not surprisingly, the industry also consumes a large amount of energy and has a high energy intensity level.

 

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Best Practices for Collections
written on September 24, 2010 by John Doucette
Receivables Management

Cash flow is the lifeblood of every business and slow paying customers can seriously affect it.  This article will address some best practices that a business can use to improve the effectiveness of its internal credit and collection processes.

 

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R-E-S-P-E-C-T; Tell Me What it Means to You
written on September 24, 2010 by Tameka Taylor
Diversity Awareness and Education

Respect is one of those words that we all use quite a bit and we usually think that we are using it the same way.  From a technical stance we usually define the word respect basically the same.  Respect means to feel or show honor or esteem for; hold in high regard; and to consider or treat with deference or dutiful regard.

 

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Why Even Small Businesses Should Have an Attorney on Retainer
written on September 24, 2010 by Scott Lawson
Building and Maintaining Your Legal Infrastructure

In an effort to avoid legal costs, it is not uncommon for business owners to enter into a business transaction, or long-term business agreement, without consulting an attorney.  Unfortunately, many of those same business owners later experience unpleasant legal surprises.

 

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Tips for More Effective Communication
written on September 21, 2010 by Ingeborg Hrabowy
Conflict Resolution

Communication killers:
1) Assuming.
2) Avoidance/not dealing with the problem.
3) Failure to clarify.

 

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There is A Customer Service Desk In Your Social Media Account
written on September 21, 2010 by Karen Malone Wright
Social Media

Social networking.  Social computing.  Social media.  Look up the definition of "social."  Whether you use www.Dictionary.com or a hardbound book, you won't find a listing that says "monologue."

 

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Are Your Teams Performing?
written on September 21, 2010 by Joe Mayer
Employee Development

Teams, teamwork, high performance teams seem to be some of the most used words when reading about what makes successful companies tick.  And most business owners will confirm that this is the case in their companies, too.

 

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Franchise Systems
written on September 17, 2010 by Marlene Herman
Owning a Franchise

It’s time to do something different.  Maybe your job was eliminated, or you touched the glass ceiling or maybe you feel you can run a business better than your current boss.

 

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Going Green Can Help Restaurants Make Green
written on September 17, 2010 by Nicole Stika
Greening Your Business

In the last post, I looked at the potential benefits that a supermarket or large retail store can experience by investing in energy efficiency.  Restaurants, like large retailers, are extremely energy-intensive businesses.

 

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Podcast September 2 2010 Sales and Marketing Using Web Analytics to Reach Target Audiences
written on September 15, 2010 by Administrator One
Member Education Series

Once you have developed effective e-marketing campaigns that have allowed you to spread your message to the masses virally, how do you ensure you are truly reaching your target audience and addressing their needs?

 

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Podcast of August 19, 2010 Money Track: Decoding Your Financial Documents
written on September 15, 2010 by Administrator One
Member Education Series

Once you find the money, where do you put it?  Managing small business finances can seem daunting.  Learn what to focus on when deciphering your financial documents and when you need to involve an accountant.

 

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Podcast August 26 2010 Using Social Media to Market Your Business
written on September 15, 2010 by Administrator One
Member Education Series

You have all your social media pages set up and now you can determine how to use them for the benefit of your business.  Learn how to use Social Networking to develop new sales and marketing tactics for your business.

 

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Beware of Web Conferencing Charges
written on September 14, 2010 by Ryan Shorts
Telecommunications

Beware! New charges are now sometimes being levied on participants of Audio and Web conferences.  If your conference invitation gives you the option to listen to the audio portion through your computer speakers, you might be charged if you use your telephone to dial in to listen.

 

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How Lube Stop Greens Their Business
written on September 14, 2010 by Beau Daane
Greening Your Business

Lube Stop, with 37 locations in the Cleveland and Akron-Canton areas, is Ohio's largest independently owned quick oil change company and has recently earned awards for its environmental stewardship.  Every year this company recycles more than 400,000 gallons of motor oil, more than 30,000 gallons of antifreeze, and voluntarily recycles hundreds of thousands of oil filters.

 

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