About.com Small Business Information

What Your Small Business Can Learn From Vampires

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:27:11 +0000

Vampires have become a pop culture phenomena spanning TV, books, movies and even Vampires on Facebook. The spark for this current craze can be traced to the best selling vampire book Twilight by Stephanie Myers. The author redefined the genre with vampires who could love and created a cultural trend.

The vampire craze provides an interesting glimpse into what drives a hot trend for a valuable lesson to small business. Getting in early on any trend wave requires keeping in tune with pop culture. Best selling books are often the catalyst for movies and the precursor to a large trend. Looking at best selling book lists can provide a glimpse of what is popular in the public conscious. Other media such as magazines can tell you what is up and coming. Many leading visionaries often read all types of media from fashion news to nano technology to see the broader trends in society.

One of my favorite ways to test for trend development is Google Insights. This nifty tool will allow you to enter in search terms and see the trends over time whether consumer search volumes are increasing, decreasing or flat. Tracking trends can provide your business with the opportunity to see the road ahead and possibly capitalize on the trend.

What Your Small Business Can Learn From Vampires originally appeared on About.com Small Business Information on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 08:27:11.

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Finding Venture Capital or Angel Investors

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:46:32 +0000

It's no surprise that the capital markets have been running low for entrepreneurs wishing to take their business to the next level with a fresh infusion of cash. According to the University of New Hampshire Center for Venture Research, angel investments in the first half of 2009 were over $9 billion, a drop of 27 percent from the first half of 2008. Venture capital fared no better with only $5 billion in the third quarter, a 6% decrease from the second quarter of the year. The upside is while the total value of angel investing has dropped the number of deals has increased.

The news is less promising for start ups. In the first half of 2009, angel investors have decreased their start up investing, with 27 percent of angel investments in the seed and start-up stage, a decrease of 19 percent over the same period in 2008. This simply boils down to risk.

Investors are less likely to put money into a business early when the risks are greatest. Early stage companies are best to look for funds from family and friends or there is always the "reality VC" route by attempting to get on venture reality shows such as Shark Tank or Dragon's Den.

Finding Venture Capital or Angel Investors originally appeared on About.com Small Business Information on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 10:46:32.

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Home Business Comes of Age

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:14:05 +0000

The scruffy haired, unshaven, pajama-clad home business worker is an iconic symbol of the past. Over a decade ago, with the Internet still in its infancy, home businesses based on scams and lowing paying data entry companies; not too many people took home business seriously. Small business magazines and experts featured tips on how you could be more professional by keeping the kids out and the marketplace even had audio recording of office chatter to play while you're on the phone to hide the fact you were at home.

Home business has come of age. According to findings by Emergent Research, Homepreneurs: A Vital Economic Force:

There are about 6.6 million home businesses that generate at least 50% of the owner's household income
Homepreneur businesses employ over 13 million people
35% of home businesses generate more than $125,000 in revenue; 8% more than $500,000

The small business landscape has changed dramatically with a host of low cost technologies (gMail, Skype, BaseCamp, etc.) and a wider acceptance of home business. The timing couldn't be more perfect for many recession strapped individuals looking for low cost ways to start and run a business.

Home Business Comes of Age originally appeared on About.com Small Business Information on Sunday, October 25th, 2009 at 19:14:05.

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Stevie Awards Finalists Announced

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 08:05:15 +0000

Finalists were announced today in the 6th Annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business, an international competition recognizing the accomplishments of outstanding women executives, business owners, and the organizations they run.

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business are produced by the creators of the prestigious American Business Awards. The Stevies are widely considered to be the world's premier business awards. This year I have the honor again to be on the Board of Distinguished Judges & Advisors.

The final results of the 6th annual competition will be announced at an awards dinner in New York City on Friday, November 13.� More than 1,100 nominations were submitted this year for consideration in 54 categories by organizations in Australia, Canada, China, Germany, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.A.

Applying for an award is often overlooked as a form of marketing. Yet, business awards marketing can help your business get PR exposure, recognize the efforts of your staff and generate more revenue.

Stevie Awards Finalists Announced originally appeared on About.com Small Business Information on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 08:05:15.

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Generating Business with Slides

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 09:39:20 +0000

Business presentations are a normal part of generating business. One useful social media site centered around presentations is SlideShare. This is site allows business or individuals the opportunity to upload presentations, share comments and more. With over 23 million monthly visitors, the company has grown a vibrant community.

Now the company has launched SlideShare Business offering new services called LeadShare and AdShare. For small business, these offers provide a low cost way to generate leads or to have ads appear in a sponsored content box next to related slides. This new service seems like another way small business can use the Web to connect with their target market especially those selling to the business market.

Generating Business with Slides originally appeared on About.com Small Business Information on Monday, October 12th, 2009 at 09:39:20.

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Think Small Innovations to Get Big

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:09:15 +0000

Innovation is the corner stone of the American entrepreneurial engine. From Google to G.E., big breakthrough ideas have reshaped industries and fattened share holder wallets. Yet, this view of the big "home run" ideas misses the mark when it comes to the innovation game. For small business, small innovations trumps the big ideas.

Research published by Suku Bhaskaran in the Journal of Small Business Management, revealed the advantages of incremental innovation in the food service industry. In an industry owned by two large companies who made the move into new niche markets, the smaller businesses who applied small innovations had better performance and competitive advantages. What was discovered is thinking small is essential for businesses competing in tough markets against big companies. Quite simply, think small to get big.

Think Small Innovations to Get Big originally appeared on About.com Small Business Information on Sunday, October 4th, 2009 at 22:09:15.

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The Small Business H1N1 Swine Flu Plan

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:53:16 +0000

This fall season has parents and schools on alert as they prepare for the arrival of flu season and the potential of the deadly H1N1 swine flu virus. For small business - the main driver of the economy - H1N1 preparedness is critical to survival. Image for a moment that 1/3 of your work force is absent.� How will you cope? How will you deal with customers and the day-to-day operations? These are just a few of the critical questions businesses need to ask.

The SBA has released a useful guide, Planning for 2009 H1N1 Influenza to help small business get ready for any impact on their business. Tips include:

Review leave, tele-work and employee compensation policies
Determine essential employees and business functions
Prepare a business continuity plan

Those business who plan now will be ready to adapt to whatever the outcome of the swine flu. Is your business H1N1 ready?

The Small Business H1N1 Swine Flu Plan originally appeared on About.com Small Business Information on Sunday, September 27th, 2009 at 20:53:16.

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Coupon Crazy Consumers

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:21:17 +0000

Shoppers in this current economic climate are looking for bargains. The recession is driving coupon usage by droves with over 1.6 billion coupons redeemed in the first half of 2009. According to Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer and Shopping Insights for Nielsen, "�More consumers are looking for value and lower prices as retailers and manufacturers are distributing more coupons and making it easier for consumers to leverage technology to access coupons they want with less effort.�

The use of online coupon distribution has created opportunities for coupon promotional marketing and even spun off growth of online coupon sites. Coupon Cabin of Hoffman Estates, IL provides online shoppers with the coupon codes for discounts and deals. With revenue in the millions and a recent rank as an Inc. 500 fast growth company, Coupon Cabin is riding the few waves of opportunity in this economy.

Coupon Crazy Consumers originally appeared on About.com Small Business Information on Monday, September 21st, 2009 at 22:21:17.

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Adding Power to PowerPoint Presentations

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:48:23 +0000

PowerPoint presentations have become a drab part of life in the business. The typical presentation is often unimaginative. Well, if you're short on ideas for a good presentation, visit Slide Share, a large community for sharing presentations. Here you'll find thousands of presentations by category, most downloaded and the latest - a source of inspiration for bringing your presentation to life.

Yet in the end, don't overdo the presentation design. One of the� rules of PowerPoint presentations is to remember the software isn't a word document tool. You are the presenter not the software.

Adding Power to PowerPoint Presentations originally appeared on About.com Small Business Information on Monday, September 14th, 2009 at 23:48:23.

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3 Powerful Ways to Get More Business

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:47:34 +0000

Getting more business these days is far from an easy method. However, the tried-and-true tactics of the past still apply in today's market. Here are 3 powerful means to boost your business:

Network, Network, Network: Whether you are networking face-to-face or through social media sites, your ability to form and build relationships is tantamount to your success. For the majority of small businesses, networking is a must-have in your arsenal of building business.

Use Low-Cost Marketing: Drive your business with low-cost marketing methods to reach your target market. Forget the glossy brochures and focus on strategic alliances, PR and other low cost forms of marketing.

Practice the Sales Fundamentals: In this current recession, you need to constantly re-visit your sales process and tactics. You can't afford to let your sales skills remain unchecked. Your business can overcome sales slumps by uncovering customer problems, building trust and closing the deal.

3 Powerful Ways to Get More Business originally appeared on About.com Small Business Information on Monday, September 7th, 2009 at 18:47:34.

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