16 Safety Tips for Retail Therapy – Online, Bricks & Mortar
Nov. 23, 2011 If you want to be safe and avoid the holiday-shopping madness, have fun but beware. For starters beware that most small businesses make you vulnerable to credit card fraud, ID theft. For business owners, that’s why I’ve asked the question about cyber security: Is your business prepared with precautions and response [...]
[Read more...]The 22 Dos and Don’ts for Successful Negotiations
Whether you face haggling with customers, salespeople or employees, there are easy strategies for negotiating anything you want. But you must first remember it’s important to reach a fair compromise – with win-win negotiating skills. You’ll want both parties to feel positive after the negotiation is complete. In other words, emotional needs for both [...]
[Read more...]Why the Sales Tax Debate Erupts in Washington State
Nov. 22, 2011 The buzz in Seattle and other Washington locales is over another attempt to raise taxes. Yes, Gov. Chris Gregoire wants to raise $500 million via a temporary half-cent increase in the state portion of the sales tax to offset continued budget deficits to prevent more state government cuts in spending. Either [...]
[Read more...]Why Accounting, Finance Can be Ideal Careers for Women
Women searching for a career or looking to make a change might be well-served if they consider accounting or finance. Why? Such a career affords a better balance between a career and personal life. That’s one of the conclusions from a 2011 study by a recruiting firm, Mergis. “It is encouraging to the profession to note [...]
[Read more...]12 Tips for Profits to Keep Your Business Dreams Alive
Most businesspeople agree the economy continues to be challenging. Signs of a lingering downturn are everywhere. Business activity is slow. Governments at all levels report low tax revenue and are restructuring, and not spending. Customers want you to cut prices. With a high level of oversupply in many industries, high unemployment and reduced customer [...]
[Read more...]Tax Tips for Your 2011 Year-End Tax Planning
November 9, 2011 If you haven’t completed your year-end tax planning, you might want to consider it now. Just in time, come 12 pointers from Grant Thornton’s Washington national tax office. “It’s not too late to change what goes on your tax return when tax season rolls around,” says Justin Ransome, a Grant Thornton [...]
[Read more...]Profit Drivers – How and Why to Partner with Your Employees
If you want maximum profit, consider partnering with your employees. “Key employees – in fact, all employees – will be more valuable to a company if they understand what drives profit and improves cash flow for the business,” says leading financial consultant Roni Fischer. Ms. Fischer explains typical obstacles to profit: A furniture retailer [...]
[Read more...]Beware: Small Businesses Lose $2.9 trillion to Worker Fraud
Fraud is reaching epidemic proportions at small companies, which are fleeced by an aggregate $2.9 trillion. That’s the estimate in a 2011 study from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). ACFE reports the median loss is $150,000, or 5 percent of the annual revenue. Some 30 percent of the companies have 100 or [...]
[Read more...]Budgeting Basics for a Micro Business
For entrepreneurs, often the most difficult part of launching a business is preparing financial projections. It may not be the most enjoyable task, but budgeting is imperative for maximizing performance. “Eight out of 10 companies fail in the first two years due to insufficient cash,” warns esteemed financial consultant Roni Fischer. In addition, you’ll [...]
[Read more...]Do You Know What Drives Your Profit?
Who have the toughest jobs? Well, in my experience, single moms who work outside the home, have the toughest job of all. Entrepreneurs have the second-toughest job. For profits, entrepreneurs must learn how to manage their financials and performance, which are difficult tasks. Savvy business owners know who their ideal clients or customers are. [...]
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