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How To Address Language Barriers In The Workplace

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Don't let your multilingual workplace be a burden. Address  language barriers and embrace its effects. In small companies across the United States, it’s not uncommon for two or even three languages to be spoken during the normal course of business among the employees. This reflects the larger demographic trends across the country: We are becoming more diverse and assimilation by new immigrants is taking longer than in previous generations. This trend is having a profound impact on how owners … [Read more...]

J.C. Penney Announces Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Deal

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The new deal has great potential to benefit both J.C. Penney and Martha Stewart, but was the decision a wise one for J.C. Penney? On Dec. 7, J.C. Penney, a leading department store chain, announced that it is acquiring a 16.6 percent stake in Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) in exchange for $38.5 million in cash, or $3.50 per share. J.C. Penney will receive one board seat as part of the deal, and MSLO will issue a special dividend of 25 cents per share. In addition to the investment, … [Read more...]

Scam Artists: Spot Financial Scammers Before They Suck You Dry

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The stories of three recent scam artists; how they pulled off a heist and how you can protect yourself Small-business owners work very hard for their money. When a business becomes successful, it’s either sold for a large profit or it produces significant amounts of cash that can be taken out of the business instead of reinvested. In either case, the owners must decide what to do with the money. Unfortunately, many wealthy entrepreneurs lack the skills to evaluate investment opportunities, … [Read more...]

Beware Of Common Frauds And Scams

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A closer look at three typical fraudulent schemes, Beware Of Common Frauds And Scams and how to avoid them Scam artists and fraudsters understand human nature very well. They manipulate our fear and our greed to take our money. As someone who has been the victim of a scam, I know firsthand how these people can read our weaknesses and adapt their pitch to get what they want. In hindsight, and with more information, it’s easy to see why a particular opportunity that turned out to be a fake had … [Read more...]

Should You Invest In Google Analytics Premium?

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Google is rolling out a new premium version of Google Analytics that comes with a hefty price tag. Is it worth the cost? Google, Inc. recently announced the launch of a new premium version of Google Analytics. Unlike the standard version, it carries a hefty annual fee. Web-based transactions represent a larger portion of a company’s lead generation, revenues and profits, so having more robust tools to measure the performance of websites is critical for business success. But does your … [Read more...]

Resist The Pressure To Lower Your Standards

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Here's the damage you could do to your business if you compromise quality. Why You Should Resist The Pressure To Lower Your Standards The ability to maintain your business’s standards is one of the best indicators of long-term success. Business owners can be under pressure to lower their standards for two main reasons: when conditions are abnormally bad or when they're abnormally good. If revenues and profits are down, some business owners can’t resist the temptation to lower their standards. … [Read more...]

How To Safely Manage The Crowds On Black Friday Deals

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The large crowds that Black Friday deals attract can create unsafe conditions. Store owners should be prepared. Black Friday is only a day away and the anticipation among retailers and consumers is building to a fever pitch. During last year’s Black Friday weekend over 138 million consumers ventured out in search of deals, discounts and door busters. According to the National Retail Federation, 152 million consumers plan to shop this year’s Black Friday weekend, a significant increase of 10 … [Read more...]

3 Ways To Deal With Threats To Your Cash Cow

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Dealing with competition is natural, but if a company is after your biggest client, then you need to play smart. Here are 3 Ways To Deal With Threats To Your Cash Cow Many small businesses have a cash cow customer, that is, a buyer who generates a significant portion of the company’s revenues. Oftentimes, these customers renew contracts without much effort, generating a stream of reliable cash flow—until, of course, a competitor zeroes in on the client with the intent of taking the business … [Read more...]

Should You Go Down Market In This Economy?

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A new study finds that 16 percent of the population lives in poverty. What does this mean for your business? Should You Go Down Market In This Economy? The U.S. Census Bureau recently published a shocking study about the financial condition of consumers, which could have a significant impact on the future of small business. The study calculated the number of Americans that are living in poverty, which the Census classifies as a family of four living in the continental U.S., having a total … [Read more...]

How The SIPC Protects Your Brokerage Accounts

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The SIPC was instituted in 1970 to protect client assets when a brokerage firm goes bankrupt. Here's what it can do now. MF Global, a leading derivatives broker with over $40 billion in assets, filed for bankruptcy on October 31. Headed by former Goldman Sachs CEO/Senator/Governor Jon Corzine, the company made risky investment decisions, which failed and wiped out the company’s capital. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Securities and Exchange Commission are investigating to determine … [Read more...]