Small Business Finance Blog

Financial tips and hacks for small business owners

You are here: Home / Blog

Why You Should Take Advantage Of The New Free Trade Agreements

By

The US government recently enacted several new free trade agreements that had been stalled for years. Take advantage now. Small businesses need to take advantage of every opportunity to increase sales. In a rare display of bipartisanship, the President and the United States Congress worked together to enact several free trade agreements that had been stalled for years. These agreements will be implemented over the next few months and will give U.S. businesses direct access to markets—in South … [Read more...]

Want Exposure? Moderate A Panel Discussion

By

Don't just spend your time on professional members. If you want Want Exposure, Get out there and really spread your message--by moderating a panel. As a business owner, odds are you belong to one or more professional organizations. If you are like most business owners, you don't really have time to go to all of the events, webinars, workshops and conferences to which you are invited. Unless you stay active within the organization it’s likely that after a few years you won't renew your … [Read more...]

What You Can Learn From Borders’ Bankruptcy

By

A tragedy for one business can translate into an opportunity for another. What came out of the collapse of Borders' Bankruptcy? According to the Small Business Administration, over 50,000 companies across the country go out of business each month. Given current economic conditions, that number has probably been much higher in recent months. What is a tragedy for one business person translates into an opportunity for competitors that have cash and are interested in purchasing the assets of … [Read more...]

The Impending Death Of The Light Bulb And Why You Should Care

By

Don't wait for new energy regulations to require you to phase out the light bulb. Here's why you should do it now. For over a century, the standard, inefficient incandescent light bulb has been the main source of indoor light for buildings around the world. This invention revolutionized illumination—something as simple as having light in your home at night without risking a fire was now possible. But, like all inventions that were once considered revolutionary and are subsequently discarded, … [Read more...]

How Satellite Media Tours Can Boost Business

By

Satellite media tours can be a great way to reach millions of consumers in just a few hours. There are many tools available when it comes time to let the world know what you do.  Communication vehicles like websites, social media updates, press releases, whitepapers, press conferences and more, can be very effective—when used in combination—to win new business and raise your profile. In many cases they are far more effective than paying for advertising. Well, there is one more tool you should … [Read more...]

Apple’s Latest Product Launch: Why You Should Manage Expectations

By

Apple was a victim of its own success. Here's what their recent release can teach you. Oct. 4, 2011 was a date that the entire world anxiously awaited. That’s the day that Apple set to announce the launch of the next iPhone which is one of the fastest-selling and most-profitable products ever created. With over 30,000 daily activations, iPhones represent 28 percent of all mobile phones in the U.S. and account for 40 percent of Apple's $65 billion in annual revenues. When Apple announces the … [Read more...]

Most people pitching investors for capital today aren’t ready

By

3 Questions To Ask Yourself (Before You Meet With Investors) Most people pitching investors for capital today aren't ready. Here's how to tell if you are. For companies seeking investment capital in the current market, the margin of error is slim. Investor expectations have become moving targets. Angels sound more like venture capitalists; venture capitalists sound more like private equity companies; intermediaries like investment banks won't return your call unless you can absorb eight … [Read more...]

Here’s just another reason you need to be proactive about protecting your business’ money.

By

Why Your Bank Won't Protect You From Hackers Here's just another reason you need to be proactive about protecting your business' money. As consumers, we take for granted that fraudulent charges on our credit cards aren't our responsibility. Many financial institutions offer a $0 liability policy for fraudulent charges. Others expose you to a maximum liability of only $50. The protections afforded consumers were signed into law with the Electronic Funds Transfer Act in 1978. This protection … [Read more...]

Why Local Businesses Should Beef Up Their E-commerce Strategy

By

E-commerce Strategy: Don't get left behind. You can harness new technologies even if you're not selling to customers across the world. When experts discuss the power of technology for business growth, they usually talk about feats like selling to customers on the other side of the planet. This use of technology is very effective if your goal is to grow beyond your naturally-defined borders, but there are millions of successful businesses that operate locally and have no interest in selling … [Read more...]

Social Media Blunders To Learn From

By

These recent social media flubs could have been avoided with a little planning. Here are 3 Social Media Blunders To Learn From Many small businesses have jumped feet first into the social media sea without a complete understanding of how it works, how it will make money, or how to use it effectively. And as companies large and small experiment, many mistakes will be made. In the hopes that your company hasn't yet made these errors, let’s talk a look at some recent blunders that can easily be … [Read more...]