06/01/2010
Why buy online? Why not buy online? Have you ever considered the pros and cons to shopping at a retail store vs shopping online? Lets take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing online...

Advantages Of Shopping Online...

1. Saves Time

If you already know what you are looking for, shopping online can save you a significant amount of time. With just a few clicks of the mouse, you can place your order and move on to other things.

Benefits of Shopping Online

05/31/2011
Total marketing spending by U.S. small businesses will expand in 2012, as an increased number of firms invests in advertising and promotional activities. According to New York-based Access Markets InternationalPartners, Inc., overall spending is expected to grow 4% rebounding from 2010 recessionary lows.

These findings from AMIs 2010 - 2011 U.S. Small Business Marketing Activity and Spending Study reveal that apart from social media marketing, which is estimated to grow a considerable 35%, most marketing categories are still slowly rebounding from the economic downturn.

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05/30/2011
Taxes always give small-business owners a big headache. Today, we hear there is more pain coming their way.

In Charge colleague Laura Saunders writes in an article that the Internal Revenue Service, which is moving aggressively to collect more taxes from small businesses, is now seeking small companies software files.

The IRS is telling some businesses already under audit that they must turn over records kept in popular software progams, such as Intuit Inc.s QuickBooks or Sage Groups Peachtree, according to the article.

Small-business groups are pushing back, saying the IRS should realize that they are not big firms with elaborate accounting systems or lots of tax professionals on staff Ȓ and that they ca n not easily turn over very specific files. Instead, to comply with the IRS requests, many small businesses must turn over complete electronic records Ȓ and there is no telling what the IRS might do with that, they complain.

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05/20/2011
Few people begin building a small business with full knowledge of the skills required for success.Even those with extensive business experience or education still need to bring themselves up to date on the effective use of new technology, employee management, business development and financing.

Fortunately, the range of small-business-oriented learning opportunities and training programs has never been broader for experienced and novice entrepreneurs. Seeking help is simply smart. No business owner can be adept at every aspect of operating successfully. Plus, conditions change rapidly, so keeping yourself informed is vital to long-term success.

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05/19/2011
Starting or running a small business is not an easy task.

Many times, as consumers we do not see the trials and tribulations that small business owners go through. We miss the sacrifices they make to their families in order to provide a living for themselves and their employees. This week is dedicated to them and their commitment to making their communities and companies better.

During the last couple of years, the business world has seen great turmoil.

Small Business Development Center

05/18/2011
The Office Depot Foundation, the nonprofit charitable giving arm of the office supplies giant Office Depot, announced Friday that it is offering a number of programs and services to help the families and small businesses affected by the recent tornadoes in the Southeast. The Foundation has teamed up with the National Disaster Help Desk for Business  to provide information and facilitate aid to businesses located in the tornado disaster areas.

Businesses needing assistance with relief and recovery efforts can call the Help Desk toll-free 24 hours a day, as well as email and reach out on Twitter.

Office Depot Helping Businesses in Disaster Area

05/17/2011
The midpoint of the year is a great time to take stock of your companys progress, though, and make plans for what you want to accomplish by the end of 2011. Taking summer classes at a local business school or college can help keep you on track with those goals -- or inspire you to set some new ones.

Taking Stock of Your Small Business

05/16/2011
If you have no employees other than your spouse or a partner, you can establish an owner-only 401k, also known as an individual 401k. This plan offers many of the same advantages of a traditional 401k: a range of investment options, tax-deductible contributions and the opportunity for tax-deferred earnings growth. You may even be able to choose a Roth option for your 401k, which allows you to make after-tax contributions that have the opportunity to grow tax free.

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05/15/2011
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is forming a small-business committee to review fundraising rules for small private firms that critics say hinder access to capital and are stunting economic growth.

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05/06/2011
This year, National Small Business Week, May 16 through 20, will again shine the spotlight on entrepreneurs and independent business owners.

05/05/2011
Wells Fargo, HSBC and U.S. Bank are the worst credit card companies for small business, according to a recent study by Card Hub. The study rated each of the top 10 credit card issuers in the U.S. in terms of both its transparency and the extent to which it has voluntarily extended the new credit card laws protections to its business credit cards. Bank of America, the study says, was the only major issuer to apply all of the major protections implemented by the law—the Credit CARD Act of 2009—and is therefore the best credit card company for small business owners.

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05/04/2011
Telestra says small business is dragging its feet on take-up of new technology, with thousands of firms still not using computers or mobile phones.

More than one in ten businesses with less than 20 employees operate without even a desktop PC, according to a study commissioned by Telstra.

Telstra says the survey of 500 business decision makers found nearly one-quarter did not use a standard mobile phone, while 45 per cent did not have smart phones.

Around half of the businesses surveyed did not have a website or use online transactions in their business, Telstra said.

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05/03/2011
he Small Business Authority with a portfolio of over 100,000 business accounts, announced recently the findings of its SB Authority Market Sentiment Survey, a monthly window into the concerns of independent business owners. Based on a poll of approximately 1,200 respondents, one of the key findings from Aprils survey was small business owners apparent lack of e-Commerce initiatives.

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05/02/2011
Mention starting a small business and conventional wisdom will tell you that you should write a business plan first. Generally every small business needs a plan, but there are a few steps that should be taken before you invest any time writing one. A small amount of time spent considering what it will be like to start and own a business can help you avoid major mistakes and pay big dividends later.

Know your personal goals. Decide what you want out of life and then build a business that supports those plans. Take time to think about the entrepreneurial lifestyle and how it fits in with your personal and family lifestyle. One definition of an entrepreneur is someone who is willing to assume the responsibility, risk and rewards of starting and operating a business. Does that describe you and does it fit with the kind of life you want to live?

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04/26/2011
Ten of the nations top 20 markets for small business are in the South, according to the report.

The rankings were derived from a formula that considered such factors as local concentrations of small business, population growth and employment gains or losses.

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