Small Business Tools

1. Choose a franchise for yourself in which you have industry experience. Example: Early on in Sylvan Learning Center ’s growth, a large number of teachers invested in this franchise. Certainly made sense...familiar business, love of teaching, love of children etc. The...

There are well over 3,000 different choices in the world of franchise ownership. Where does one even begin??? A good place to start is learning about the 5 basic categories in franchising today. There are certainly subcategories galore, and some evolving franchise models, but this is a good...

Beware the Misuse of Goal Setting Why don't most people set and achieve personal goals, career goals and business goals? Goal setting is a positive, powerful practice when it ignites enthusiasm and provides clear direction. For more, please visit...

Most people want to live a fulfilling and rewarding life. That's why there's no shortage of self-help materials on how to set goals and design an ideal life. However, even with the plethora of information available on how to create the life of your dreams, many people still feel...

So you want to start a podcast series. You have taken the time to develop a podcasting strategy. And now you've decided to use audio messages to reach out to clients, prospects and the public. But where do you begin? Luckily, today we have a ton of choices for creating, distributing...

Barb Cagley of SCK threw down the gauntlet! She asked me to share some of my secrets for using podcasts to market and grow a business. While this topic doesn't necessarily fit neatly into a "startup tools" checklist, I thought you may find some of my tips helpful. And...

Every large corporation has clearly set and articulated goals to drive the company forward. Yet, in the world of small business, many businesses lack a focused goal. "Get more business" is a typical reply of small business owners when asked of future plans. Any self-respecting C.E.O....

No, that's not a typo in the title. Resolutions are easy; most of us make them at least once a year. A revolution, on the other hand, is something you may not have made since you started your small business. For more, go to http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/development/a/ucnewyr.htm?nl=1....

You're probably heading into the New Year revitalized and ready to take on each and every challenge on your list-more sales, enhanced customer service, and maybe just a day off here and there. But you know that it's as easy to break those resolutions as it is to make them. There's...

A variety of economic indicators say small business employers are having trouble filling open positions with qualified workers. In some cases the lack of qualified staff is putting a lid on productivity and throughput. In other words, some companies would be doing more business -- If...

We're all familiar with the concept of a business plan. And most of us would agree that a business plan is an essential element on your business checklist. But attitudes toward business plans have changed a lot over the years. Business plans used to be seen as mammoth efforts that...

Let's say you are starting a business, or you are ready to graduate from a self-employed solo owner to a company structure. You may be thinking about the decision to incorporate or file for an LLC (limited liability company). One question I get asked frequently is: "How do I...

ProLaureate © 2007 "Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I'll give you a man who will make history. Give me a man with no goals and I'll give you a stock clerk." J.C. Penney The Art of the Goal Goals - we all have them - or at least think about them. But do you...

"That's not my job." "Sorry...I can't help you. That's the marketing department's problem." "I don't know anything about that." These are just a few of the phrases that reign in organizations that lack accountability. Call it "the...

To help answer a question I get asked regularly (including several times during the recent COSE Small Business Conference) I put together a checklist of essential issues to consider when looking to start and/or growing your business. Today we are fortunate to have a variety of affordable small...

Melissa was a stellar agent in a small real estate agency. After years of being the top earner in her company, she moved from that small agency into one of the largest real estate firms in the country. Melissa felt like she was moving up in the world and had high expectations to achieve even...

The following article will not only help you personally, but professionally. Take these tips and put them into practice through a COSE MindShare group. Your group members will hold you accountable for your goals and help you get "unstuck". You know how it feels to be stuck in...

Excellence is an enduring pursuit; it requires an enduring approach. Is excellence important to you and your organization? Do you want it to be? Today, it's hard to pick up a business book or magazine and not find the latest advice for what it takes for business leaders to pursue...

Many successful business owners are turning to peer advisory groups. Here's why... September 30, 2006 By: Nancy A. Shenker "I don't really want my internal people to know everything about my business's pain points." "I'm great with financial issues, but...

Imagine having your own personal network of trusted peer advisors that you could turn to when you need business support - a team that could provide honest advice and a ‘reality check' on your most important business decisions. That's the strategy behind a MasterMind alliance, and...

What is a B2B Peer Group? A B2B peer group is sometimes also called a Mastermind Group. It is a small group of people, from the same field or business background; they meet regularly to exchange ideas and brainstorm. They also challenge each other to achieve new goals and give support in...

TIP: Think alike. Great minds think alike. So do great colleagues. When evaluating potential partners, seven gotta-have characteristics to look for are: integrity, reliability, skills, can-do attitude, complementary abilities, matching values, and articulateness.

Leaders Gain Valuable Insights Through Mastermind Groups by Christine W. Zust, M.A. Two heads are always better than one, but how about 6, 8, or 10 heads? Welcome to the world of mastermind groups, a growing business phenomenon that is being used by leaders around the world for...

Who has time to plan? When first approaching many family businesses about the importance of the strategic planning process, they typically respond with any one of a number of predictable comments such as : "We don't have time for strategic planning. We're in our busy...

Are you considering undertaking a formal planning process in your company for the first time? Perhaps you have gone through a planning process but didn't see much advantage or results from it? Maybe you have been told by a wise advisor that you need to do a strategic plan but you have...