http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/bg-p/GovernmentResources Small Business Matters Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:53:44 GMT GovernmentResources 2009-11-21T09:53:44Z http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Getting-your-Customers-to-Pay-Up-Part-2-Tips-for-Collecting-from/ba-p/10088 At some or several points in every business owners life, you can expect to deal with a non-paying or slow-paying customer. In my earlier post - Getting your Customers to Pay-Up: Tips for Protecting Yourself from Non-Paying Clients - I outlined some measured approaches that your small business can put in place to protect it from the potential scenario of having to deal with a non-paying client. But what if, despite these measures, you are confronted with a client that simply won't pay-up on time or at all? Here are some options your small business might consider for collecting or pursuing client debt. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:47:43 GMT http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Getting-your-Customers-to-Pay-Up-Part-2-Tips-for-Collecting-from/ba-p/10088 CaronBeesley 2009-11-19T12:47:43Z http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Getting-your-Customers-to-Pay-Up-Part-1-Tips-for-Protecting/ba-p/9940 As sure as eggs are eggs every business owner can expect to deal with a non-paying or slow-paying customer at least once in their business lives. The trouble is that many of us, eager for new business and income, overlook the fact that it invariably will happen to us. And without the advantage of a professional in-house collections department, the cash flow implications and task of collecting debt falls squarely on the shoulders of the business owner. So if you are starting a business or have been in business for a while and have had enough of dealing with late- and non-paying clients, here are some tips for preventing and handling this troublesome issue. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:14:37 GMT http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Getting-your-Customers-to-Pay-Up-Part-1-Tips-for-Protecting/ba-p/9940 CaronBeesley 2009-11-17T13:14:37Z http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Selling-Imported-Goods-within-the-U-S-Get-Started-with-this/ba-p/9688 Selling imported goods within the U.S. can be a lucrative business opportunity. High demand imported products such as artisan crafts, furniture and even food and beverage products such as olive oils, wine, etc. represent a significant market opportunity for savvy business owners. Margins of up to 700% can be lucrative indeed. If you are interested in importing and selling overseas goods into the U.S. market you will need to do your research regarding both the country of export and the country of import (the U.S.). Here are some business and regulatory tips to guide you through the process of selling imported goods in the U.S. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:07:09 GMT http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Selling-Imported-Goods-within-the-U-S-Get-Started-with-this/ba-p/9688 CaronBeesley 2009-11-12T13:07:09Z http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Going-Beyond-the-Shot-Gun-Approach-5-Tips-for-Optimizing-Your/ba-p/9561 Raising funds to support the philanthropic mission of any non-profit organization can be a time consuming chore often fraught with trial and error. While splashy one-off fundraisers can generate a large chunk of charitable change they can also consume much needed resources for months on end. At the other end of the spectrum, "ongoing" fundraising tactics, while easier to execute, oftentimes don't generate the required financial rewards. Consider these five tips and tactics for optimizing your non-profit's fundraising activities. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:52:02 GMT http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Going-Beyond-the-Shot-Gun-Approach-5-Tips-for-Optimizing-Your/ba-p/9561 CaronBeesley 2009-11-10T12:52:02Z http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Five-Holiday-Marketing-Tips-to-Help-your-Small-Business-Stay/ba-p/9329 Whether your business depends on the fall/winter holiday season for a substantial part of your annual revenues or you find it to be a slow time of year - remaining engaged and connected with your prospect and customer base is never more critical than now. And that means embracing the holiday season as part of your marketing strategy. Here are some marketing options to consider as part of your small business holiday toolkit. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:26:54 GMT http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Five-Holiday-Marketing-Tips-to-Help-your-Small-Business-Stay/ba-p/9329 CaronBeesley 2009-11-05T12:26:54Z http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Thinking-of-Starting-a-Blog-Tips-to-Help-You-Start-Maintain-amp/ba-p/9193 The online social media revolution that has bought us Facebook and Twitter actually started back in the late 90’s when the term “blog”, short for “weblog”, entered the lexicon. Blogs provide business owners with unprecedented ways of reaching and engaging with large audiences in a way that the traditional one-way information push of a company Web site could never do. Of course, if you are thinking of starting a blog you need to have an underlying strategy in place to ensure it is a success. Here are four things to consider before you enter the blogosphere. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:57:37 GMT http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Thinking-of-Starting-a-Blog-Tips-to-Help-You-Start-Maintain-amp/ba-p/9193 CaronBeesley 2009-11-03T12:57:37Z http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Why-Your-Business-Needs-an-Elevator-Pitch-and-Tips-on-How-to/ba-p/8915 Whether you are on a trade show floor, making a sales pitch, or seeking investment, perfecting your elevator pitch can be one of the most important things your business can do. From the moment you start-up, having a well rehearsed and compelling elevator pitch can help buyers, clients and potential investors get to know you quickly. To help prepare your elevator pitch (whether to secure investment for your business or to communicate your sales proposition) you need to take a three-step approach and address these key elements of your business. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:57:23 GMT http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Why-Your-Business-Needs-an-Elevator-Pitch-and-Tips-on-How-to/ba-p/8915 CaronBeesley 2009-10-29T11:57:23Z http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Need-Help-Starting-a-Business-Get-the-Right-Kind-of-Advice-amp/ba-p/8839 "I need help starting my business!" - is a common cry from many budding small business owners. And it's no wonder. Starting a business is a huge step for any entrepreneur to undertake, and requires careful planning as well as business smarts and the right advice. In addition to the wealth of online resources that can help entrepreneurs with start-up planning, preparation and management you should also consider seeking out specialist advice and help for three key business functions - tax and accounting, marketing, and business administration. Here are some pointers to help you source the right kind of help. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:11:13 GMT http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Need-Help-Starting-a-Business-Get-the-Right-Kind-of-Advice-amp/ba-p/8839 CaronBeesley 2009-10-27T12:11:13Z http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Surviving-the-Recession-and-Planning-for-a-Rebound-How-Small/ba-p/8697 No doubt about it, the current economic recession has hurt small businesses as well as the people they employ. Yet small business survival stories are appearing in the media and bringing with them hope and optimism. From customer service to marketing; from creative uses of technology to tighter financial controls - small businesses are fighting back with a toolbox of resources that challenges conventional business models, introduces greater efficiencies, and opens doors to new opportunities. Here are just some insights and tips on how small business is doing it: Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:56:48 GMT http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Surviving-the-Recession-and-Planning-for-a-Rebound-How-Small/ba-p/8697 CaronBeesley 2009-10-22T11:56:48Z http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Developing-a-Marketing-Budget-for-your-Small-Business-Going/ba-p/8639 Starting and growing a business presents many strategic planning challenges, not least of which is knowing how much to spend on marketing. Determining your marketing budget has a lot more to do with what you are trying to achieve as a small business than what your revenue numbers tell you. This means having a plan. Here are some tips for developing a marketing budget that works for your small business. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:55:46 GMT http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Developing-a-Marketing-Budget-for-your-Small-Business-Going/ba-p/8639 CaronBeesley 2009-10-20T11:55:46Z http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Taking-the-Plunge-Tips-for-Getting-over-the-Fear-of-Starting-a/ba-p/8392 Starting your own business may be one of the biggest risks you will take in your life - and the statistics confirm it. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), two-thirds of new businesses survive for a minimum of two years, with only 44 percent surviving at least four years. But given the right preparedness, planning, and financing, many entrepreneurs do take the plunge and succeed. Here are some tips for making these three factors work for you as you consider starting your own business: Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:11:04 GMT http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Taking-the-Plunge-Tips-for-Getting-over-the-Fear-of-Starting-a/ba-p/8392 CaronBeesley 2009-10-15T12:11:04Z http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Changing-Business-Direction-Four-Steps-to-Consider-as-you-Chart/ba-p/8290 Changing the direction of your business - including altering your product or service offering, selling to a new market, or opting for new distribution channels - is no mean feat and requires significant planning and organizational buy in. If you have reached the point where diversification has not worked, or your business model simply isn't working for you anymore, how do you start going about a change of business direction? Here are some steps to consider as you redirect your business acumen and investments into a new venture. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:07:39 GMT http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Changing-Business-Direction-Four-Steps-to-Consider-as-you-Chart/ba-p/8290 CaronBeesley 2009-10-13T12:07:39Z http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/How-to-Start-a-Retail-Business-A-Step-by-Step-Guide/ba-p/8113 "Main Street" has now become a generic term synonymous with U.S. small business in general. But for many entrepreneurs, the prospect of joining Main Street in its more literal meaning - i.e. the primary retail street of a village or town - still holds an enormous amount of appeal as a business venture. But how do you go about starting a retail business? Here are some steps that you will need to follow (from a business planning, structure, and legal perspective) to open and operate a successful retail operation. Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:43:51 GMT http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/How-to-Start-a-Retail-Business-A-Step-by-Step-Guide/ba-p/8113 CaronBeesley 2009-10-08T11:43:51Z http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/How-to-Start-a-Non-Profit-Organization/ba-p/8058 If your passion is to inspire, make a difference and give back to the world, then starting a non-profit is an exciting entrepreneurial proposition. But before you start there are a few things to consider. Starting a non-profit organization (NPO) is similar to starting any kind of business - together with commitment you need a clear objective, a niche (i.e. an original, unclaimed idea) and a communicable business plan to present to your donors. You’ll also need to understand how to structure your non-profit, what tax exemptions you may qualify for, as well as how you can obtain government grants. Here is a basic checklist for how to start a non-profit organization. Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:17:55 GMT http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/How-to-Start-a-Non-Profit-Organization/ba-p/8058 CaronBeesley 2009-10-07T12:17:55Z http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Selling-to-the-Government-Five-Tips-for-Becoming-a-Subcontractor/ba-p/7984 Whatever your product or service, and whatever the market – whether it be federal, state or local government – winning a share of government business can be a complex and time-consuming process. And no matter how lucrative government contracting can be, for many small business owners the prospect of contracting directly (called “prime contracting”) with a government agency is simply not within their capacity or scope. This is where government subcontracting comes into play. Here are some tips to help you understand the process of government subcontracting and where to find the opportunities. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:09:06 GMT http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Selling-to-the-Government-Five-Tips-for-Becoming-a-Subcontractor/ba-p/7984 CaronBeesley 2009-10-06T12:09:06Z http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Moving-to-a-New-State-A-Small-Business-Relocation-Checklist/ba-p/7842 Re-locating a business to a new state is no easy feat. In some ways, can generate almost as much stress as starting out did in the first place - there is a location to be selected, a new local market to understand, business plans to be written, and regulatory mazes to be navigated, not to mention the actual business of moving. Here is a small business checklist that should shed some light on the regulatory side of relocating your business to a new state. From corporate structure issues to tax ramifications to business registration and licensing, these tips should keep your business compliant as you venture into new pastures. Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:13:59 GMT http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Moving-to-a-New-State-A-Small-Business-Relocation-Checklist/ba-p/7842 CaronBeesley 2009-10-01T12:13:59Z http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/For-Women-Business-Owners-Five-Essential-Resources-to-Help-you/ba-p/7745 There is no doubt about it – women are a rising force in American entrepreneurship. However, starting and growing a business, woman-owned or not, brings its own unique challenges. The good news for women business owners is that there are a host of free resources available to help them overcome many of these challenges and succeed in business. Whether you are a home-based freelancer, a fledgling microbusiness, or an established business force, here are five essential government and non-profit resources that are all about supporting the empowerment and growth of women in business: Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:14:56 GMT http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/For-Women-Business-Owners-Five-Essential-Resources-to-Help-you/ba-p/7745 CaronBeesley 2009-09-29T12:14:56Z http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Producing-and-Selling-Organic-Food-Products-A-Five-Step/ba-p/7607 Take a walk down any supermarket aisle and you’ll notice that more and more organic food products have found their rightful place alongside “conventionally” produced foods – testament to the fact that organic food production is now the fastest growing and most profitable segment of American agriculture. Of course, by its very nature, organic food production is a heavily regulated industry. Whether you are new to organic farm production or wish to scale your existing operation, below is a primer of some of the key federally mandated standards for the production, handling and retailing of certified organic food products. Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:11:14 GMT http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Producing-and-Selling-Organic-Food-Products-A-Five-Step/ba-p/7607 CaronBeesley 2009-09-24T11:11:14Z http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Selling-Up-and-Moving-On-Preparation-Tips-for-Making-Your/ba-p/7497 Whether you've reached the end of the road as a business owner and are looking to move on, or have reached the point where you can "cash-out" and reap significant rewards from a business sale, the process of selling a business can be almost as tricky to navigate as starting your dream business was in the first place. Here are some tips and resources to help you understand some of the key aspects of getting your business ready for sale. Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:22:44 GMT http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Selling-Up-and-Moving-On-Preparation-Tips-for-Making-Your/ba-p/7497 CaronBeesley 2009-09-22T12:22:44Z http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Starting-and-Growing-a-Home-Based-Business-Uncle-Sam-has-some/ba-p/7356 Home-based businesses have grown to represent 52% of all small businesses and 10 percent of the total receipts of the economy (approximately $314 billion), according to the SBA. The good news is that the amount of resources available to help home-based business owners get started and scale their operations and profits is growing at almost the same pace as the at-home businesses themselves. The U.S. government is at the forefront of much of this growth and here are some of the best resources, offered by the government, that help home-based business owners learn more about working out of their homes and managing their business within the law. Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:26:43 GMT http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/Starting-and-Growing-a-Home-Based-Business-Uncle-Sam-has-some/ba-p/7356 CaronBeesley 2009-09-17T12:26:43Z