Writing a business plan can often seem like a daunting task, and many entrepreneurs and small business owners avoid doing so. However, the world has changed dramatically since business planning was formalized decades ago. Things move at such a fast pace that business...

Winning customers today is directly related to being personable, relatable, and authentic. For small businesses in particular, conveying authenticity plays a significant role in building the kind of meaningful customer relationships that lead to steady growth. Small...

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, more than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs each year. National Small Business Week (May 5-11) is dedicated to recognizing the...

Whether you are launching a new enterprise or have been running your small business for years, you need solid financial data to make sound decisions today and down the road. Entrepreneurs often focus on basic financials such as how much to charge for their products or...

Every small business owner understands the importance of employee engagement and customer satisfaction. What they may not realize is that there is a direct correlation between the two. A recent Gallup study found that when engaged employees served engaged customers,...

When it comes to marketing your small business, word of mouth – or WOM – is the oldest trick in the book. Businesses have an overflowing menu of promotion options, from direct mail campaigns and social media to dedicated email blasts and branded swag. However, as...

Effective communication and effective leadership are closely intertwined. Small business leaders need to be skilled communicators in countless situations and relationships, both inside and outside of their organizations. This is more challenging than ever in a...

Have you been running your small business for a long time and lack the enthusiasm you once had? Do you miss waking up in the morning and feeling excited about heading to the office?  Whether your revenue is up or down, it can be hard to sustain your initial zeal when...

Cyber attacks were up 32 percent in the first quarter of 2018 and 47 percent from April to June compared to the same periods in 2017, according to USA Today. Although there was no single data breach of the magnitude of the 2017 Equifax breach, which put an estimated...

Having knowledgeable, well-trained employees has a positive impact on productivity, customer service, and revenue for businesses of all sizes. However, many small business owners consider employee development to be an option, rather than essential, to their business...