How important are first impressions? Everyone from your mom to your professors in business school told you that they’ll make or break you. If you’re getting ready to open the doors of your brand new business and introduce yourself to the public, you should be thinking about the first impression you’ll make. It’s difficult […]
Best Practices
7 Reasons To Hire an Intern & 3 Reasons Not To
Every spring, hordes of college juniors and seniors pound the pavement, looking for an internship that will help them gain experience and make them more employable after graduation. Your business may benefit from having an intern around this summer, but before you post an ad on Craig’s List, do your homework and make sure […]
3 Ways to Anticipate Customer Needs
Like many people, I’ve changed my shopping habits over the last few years as the economy faltered. I tightened up spending and began to budget and plan for shopping trips more carefully. I try to avoid impulse spending and am aware of stores’ marketing gimmicks to get me to buy stuff I don’t need. But […]
11 Business Tips for Summer
If your business is strictly seasonal, you’re probably already planning to post job ads, interview and hire staff in anticipation of opening day. But even if your operation is year-round, you still need think about the impact of summer on your business. Here are some great business tips to help during the warm summer […]
Customer Service: The Good, The Bad, The Fake
Ah . . . customer service. Is there anything that enrages the general consumer population, frustrates executives or keeps account managers up at night more than the topic of customer service? The purpose of this article is not to debate the validity of customer service. In fact, I’ll go on record to say I am […]
7 Money Saving Tips for Small Businesses
Though all sources seem to reporting an upswing for the economy, some small businesses are still feeling the pinch. Not to worry – here are some cost-cutting tips to help you lower expenses and increase profits. Go Green Remember when you were growing up and your dad was constantly harping on you to turn off […]
Why Join a Chamber of Commerce?
As a new business owner, you might feel a bit overwhelmed with everything that needs to be accomplished during the day. You need to apply for permits, contact vendors, negotiate a lease, hire and train employees, stock shelves, order signage and plan your marketing strategy. The last thing you have time for is a […]
Cash or Credit? How Payment Methods Affect Buyers
Imagine you have two customers, both of whom are looking for the same product. One customer plans to pay for his purchase with a credit card; one with cash. Should your sales pitch vary for different payment methods? The answer is yes.
