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Got a Bright Business Idea? Winery Introduces Grant Program
Do you have a great business idea that just needs a bit of funding? Finding the right person to whom you should pitch your idea can be tough (and getting on their calendar could be even tougher). But Mirassou Winery has an alternative to the traditional pitch process with their new Bright Ideas Grant Program. [...]
Team-Building is Out; Community-Building is IN
When you think of team-building, what comes to mind? For many of us, the mental picture is a cringe-worthy image of trust exercises, corporate retreats and “mandatory fun” (we all know there’s no such thing). You might even think of this funny-because-its-true commercial about team-building that American Airlines put out a few years ago: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olPmEddZjHY[/youtube] [...]
Small Business Glossary (Terms You Just Might Need to Know)
So you own a small business, or you’re thinking about starting one. You’ve got the know-how in your field and the passion for your craft, and you’ve got energy and confidence to spare. But are you savvy when it comes to business lingo? Just because you excel at what you do – whether it’s repairing [...]
Tips for Dealing with Workplace Conflict
Unless your company is an army of one (you), there’s a chance of workplace conflict. Any company with two or more people working together can become a place of disagreements, misunderstandings and outright arguments – no matter how well you usually get along. AOL Jobs notes, “Managers report spending 24 to 60 percent of their [...]
The Employee Handbook – A How-To
If you have employees, you need an employee handbook (or, as some companies call it, a “policies and procedures manual”). The Small Business Administration (SBA) notes that the handbook is one of the keys to communication between you and your staff, so it’s vital to have one that’s clear, understandable and comprehensive. If you haven’t [...]
Being Creative – Real Tips Backed By Scientific Support
Being creative isn’t the easiest thing for many people. Even the best writers face writer’s block sometimes. But when it comes to starting or running a small business, the ability to be creative is pretty crucial. Tapping into your creative nature can mean coming up with new solutions to problems, reaching higher levels of business [...]
Best Books for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners
To start and run a successful business requires a lot of knowledge, support and resources. Most of us don’t have all of those right out of the gate. Luckily, many who have gone before (and built successful businesses) have opened up about their experiences. Some great CEOs and entrepreneurs have put pen to paper to [...]
Starting a Business with a Partner
So you want to start a business, but you don’t want to go it alone. A partner might be a good way to split the work, risk and profits from a new venture, but working with others (even people you know and trust) can be a dicey proposition. Many a friendship has been destroyed over [...]
2011 New Year Resolutions for Small Businesses
We’re almost a week into the new year, and that means most of us are diving into our New Year’s Resolutions. There are more fitness, diet and stop-smoking commercials on TV than ever, gym memberships are up, and millions of us are trying to be healthier, smarter, calmer, fitter and just plain happier. But while [...]
Holiday Tipping for Small Businesses
Tis the season to thank those who have helped you throughout the year! Holiday tipping is common for families and individuals who want to acknowledge a babysitter, mailman, hairdresser or other service provider. But holiday tipping is something small businesses can do, too, to thank those who have made a difference to their business. So [...]
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