How to Know When to Go International?

Many companies will make the decision after a few years, that it is time to venture into international markets, whereas some dive in straight away after only a few weeks; but how can either of them know if they are ready to do so?

global market expansion

Many smaller companies do not build an export plan into their original strategy and so it when it does come up, the subject is more as an afterthought. It is really important that companies don’t make the leap into foreign territory without having done the research and preparation needed to be sure that they are completely ready to make the move.…

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Don’t Let Your IT System Become Your Business’ Downfall

Technology is now an integral part of all businesses, no matter what the industry.

Without the right technology, your business is likely to fail, which is why many small business owners are keen to invest in the latest IT systems and electronic devices. This, they assume, will help increase staff productivity, business efficiency and the overall quality of their customers’ experience.

IT system breach

Despite the necessity of having a comprehensive IT system in place, there are problems and issues which your business’ IT presents. There have been many horror stories over the last few years about large companies becoming the victims of hackers; their customers’ private information and business’s sensitive data being accessed by third-parties.…

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Telecommuting: The New Green Business

Telecommuting is becoming increasingly popular, with currently more than 29 million U.S. workers telecommuting at least one day per month. This is a growing trend too, as more companies see the positive impact telecommuting can have on the environment, while helping reduce operating costs and increase productivity for their businesses. This green strategy can also help to improve a company’s brand, and if done properly, can be a great sell to shareholders.

telecommuting

Going Green with Telecommuting

An important benefit to telecommuting is in how it reduces gas usage and helps disseminate rush hour traffic. According to a recent whitepaper compiled by Kate Lister and Tom Harnish, the 29 million workers who are currently telecommuting have been able to save more than 390 million gallons of gas throughout the year.…

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Accounting Tips for New Small Business Owners

In a world driven by information technology, social media, and smartphones, business accounting is a topic that rarely gets much love anymore. Perhaps we all figure there’s a software or an app that’ll do it all for us. While there are plenty of software accounting programs and mobile apps out there, that isn’t what this post is about.

accounting tips

This post is going to detail some really important things you need to know before you set out to start your small business. If you already have a business that’s making money, or you just got started in the last year or two, you can still benefit from the sage advice detailed on this page.…

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5 Brand Awareness Boosts for New Businesses

Brand awareness is an essential part of growing any business. From small local operations to digital brands and services, getting the word out about your brand requires planning and skill to provide maximum benefit. These five brand awareness boosts offer benefits to new businesses without requiring significant time or monetary investments.

raising brand awareness

1. Build a Web Presence

With the rise in popularity of mobile web browsing, social media and other online platforms, building a web presence for your business is a crucial part of brand awareness. The best platforms will vary depending on your industry or market.

Possible web presence options include:

  • Social Media
  • Brand Website
  • Blogs
  • Newsletters
  • Video Marketing
  • Forums and Discussion Groups

Each of these platforms offers distinct benefits and best practices.…

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Should Employees be Allowed to Use Social Media?

Since social media hit the front page almost a decade ago many employers have debated allowing employees’ full social media access. Nowadays many companies even have social media policies governing the ways that an employee can access social media in the work environment and whether they can at all.

facebooking at work

For a lot of businesses the idea of social media at work is about a line. Unlike telephone use, where the odd personal call is generally okay, social media use is a little more covert – that doesn’t mean it can’t be tracked. This means that there has to be a balance and respect between the employer and the employee.…

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Small Business Marketing Success Story: Dr. Farrah Gray

For those of who aren’t familiar with Dr. Farrah Gray, buckle your seatbelt and get ready to go for a trip down his path to being the youngest (non-celebrity) millionaire in the history of the entire planet!

Dr. Farrah Gray

He learned how to market himself at a very young age, living among violence, drug abuse, and mayhem in the south-side Chicago projects, coming out of it with an inspirational story that truly defies the expectations that many of you out there would have for an impoverished black kid from urban America.

The author of the best-selling book “Reallionaire” got his start collecting “nearly” empty bottles of lotion, combining them together and then selling them door-to-door – at the age of 6!…

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Are Social Media Websites The Next Collaboration Tools?

Today, meeting people does not only mean asking for their numbers. It becomes a necessity to ask for their Facebook pages and viewing their Twitter accounts. If it is a professional correspondence, you may have to find them on LinkedIn to check their professional life.

Are Social Media Websites The Next Collaboration Tools?

Social media has invaded modern life and anyone not on any of the big three platform is practically unknown. Although long overdue, businesses are finally embracing social media as the new platform to make them known.

However, businesses are now beginning to see social media in a new light. Are social media websites the next collaboration tools?…

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Digital Marketing Tips for New Websites

Setting up a new website is an exciting time but if you don’t optimize it or undertake digital marketing practices it will be difficult to get it in front of the right audience.

Digital Marketing Tips for New Websites

Here we’ll take a look at the basics to get your site ranking higher in the search results as well as increasing your exposure across the web.

Simplify things

A longwinded and confusing website will just frustrate the user. If you are a small business advertising a product then give the user what they want, which should be a simple journey to the product page.

Set up Social Channels

Integrating social platforms will increase your exposure and enable users to share your content with their friends and colleagues.…

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Useful Tips to Become A Better Networker

If you want to get anywhere in the business world, you have to know how to network. And more than just being familiar with the basics, you have to know how to network better.

For inventors, networking can be such a valuable asset. It can get them access to investors, prototype makers, media, and customers! This is why everyone can use tips to become a better networker.

Useful Tips to Become A Better Networker

While you may already know how to do some things, there are always improvements that can still be made. Follow these tips and watch yourself improve as a networker, and as a business person too!…

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