tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41974907277142805852024-02-21T02:49:30.559-08:00Small Business FindsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06243412529259005814noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197490727714280585.post-3891120313583665892018-01-16T15:32:00.000-08:002018-01-16T15:32:08.260-08:00Getting Rid of Inventory When Closing a Small Business<div style="margin-bottom: 0.2in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Not
all business ventures have a happy, successful ending. When the best
thing to do is to just close up shop, what do you do with all of your
business' physical assets? Getting rid of inventory after a business
closure- things like left over products, equipment, and materials-
should to be dealt with thoughtfully.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.2in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Cleaning
House</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.2in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Closing
a business is a lot like moving: you don't realize how much stuff you
own until you have to pack it all up. As you go through the process
of winding down your operations and closing any loose ends, you
should take stock of any valuable business assets that will need to
be liquidated. Some commom items include: </span>
</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0.1in; margin-top: 0.1in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Products
for sale </span>
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0.1in; margin-top: 0.1in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Raw
goods used for product production or the delivery of a service </span>
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0.1in; margin-top: 0.1in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Tools,
equipment, and appliances </span>
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0.1in; margin-top: 0.1in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Office
furniture </span>
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0.1in; margin-top: 0.1in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Office
supplies </span>
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0.1in; margin-top: 0.1in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Computers
and other electronic devices </span>
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0.1in; margin-top: 0.1in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Company
Vehicles</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>How
to Get Rid of Unused Inventory When a Small Business Closes</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">You
have several options when it comes to liquidating your company's
physical assets:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Hold
a “Going Out of Business” sale.</b>
Also called a “liquidation sale,” this is one of the most
commonly used methods among retail operations for getting rid of
unsold products. Typically, these sales are advertised several days
in advance and heavy discounts are placed on all remaining items.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Hire
a Liquidation Company. </b>These
companies, called “inventory liquidators,” will buy up unused
inventory for resale. This method promises quick access to capital
should it be needed. But, expect that your products will be purchased
well below the sale price. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Sell
the Items Online</b>. If you want
to auction off your inventory and equipment online, you can either do
it yourself via sites such as <a href="http://ebay.com/">Ebay</a> or
any of its <a href="http://growingyourbiz.co/alternatives-to-eBay">alternatives</a>,
or you can use the services of an inventory auctioning company. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Return
Unused Inventory to Vendors</b>.
You may also in some cases be able to return unused inventory to the
vender who supplied it to your business. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Sell
Inventory to the New Owner.</b> If
you are not really closing down the business, but are instead selling
it to another individual, company, or organization, then you should
consider including excess inventory and assets as part of the sale.
Of course, make sure to check in with a qualified professional, such
as a lawyer or accountant for advice on how to do this properly.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Give
Inventory to Charity.</b> Your last
option may not help you to recover some of your losses, but it could
leave you with a warm feeling in your heart. Some or all of your
assets could be donated to a charity to either distribute among those
in need, or to resell for money. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Which
ever option you choose, with a little forethought those unwanted
items can give you some much wanted value. </span>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06243412529259005814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197490727714280585.post-17652099426759511072016-05-10T15:14:00.002-07:002016-05-10T15:14:42.826-07:00Using Your Accounting Software for Effective In-house Debt Collection<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Delinquent customer accounts can bring
your small business' cash flow to a grinding halt. But before you
hand over your bad debt to a collection agency you may want to revamp
your own attempts to secure those overdue payments. Establishing a
clear-cut system of debt collection that effectively uses all the
tools at your disposal will greatly improve your chances of receiving
your money.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;">As
you begin to put together a system for recovering outstanding debt,
you should first look at your accounting software. Several of the
major accounting software vendors, such as Freshbooks, Wave, and
Quickbooks Online offer a range of features that will help make your
debt collection run more smoothly. Among other things, these
applications can clearly organize and display all the information you
may need regarding your customers and their outstanding invoices.</span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>What
to look for in Your Accounting Software...</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There are four basic functions that
will be the most helpful to your business when dealing with overdue
accounts. Not all software packages offer these features so be sure
to do some research as you work with your current program or switch
to a new one:
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><b>1. The
A/R account is easy to manage.</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US">
Your accounts receivables, A/R, account holds all your information
regarding the payment activities of your customers. Each time you
extend credit to a customer it will be recorded in your A/R. It is
thus very important that you review your A/R regularly so that you
will be able to see at a glance who has paid and who hasn't and when
the outstanding payments are due. Accounting software that makes it
easy to create, review and manage your A/R will help you to stay in
touch with your </span></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><u><a href="http://www.fastupfront.com/"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US">cash
flow</span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US">
and give you the confidence to make decisions on overdue accounts.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><b><br /></b></span></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><b>2.
Reporting the customer transaction history. </b></span></span></span>The
most powerful tool that your small business can have when it comes to
debt collection is an accurate and detailed record of your customer's
transaction history. Many <a href="http://growingyourbiz.co/accounting-software">accounting
software packages</a> will allow you to view the <span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US">all
the necessary information associated with an outstanding invoice,
including customer's name and phone number, making it easier for you
contact the customer and follow up on the outstanding payment.</span></span></span><br />
<strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><br /></span></span></span></strong>
<strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US">3.
Invoice tracking and management. </span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">With
invoice tracking you will clearly see which of your invoices are paid
in full, partially paid, past due or unpaid so you can clearly see
who owes you money and when the payment is due. </span></span></span></span></strong>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.2in;">
<strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><br /></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.2in;">
<strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US">4.
Help with collection letters. </span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">A
few software packages will help you compose</span></span></span></span></strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US">
professional-looking collection letters that can be sent out as
payment reminders to your customers. The program can generate these
letters with all the necessary details, such as the amount of
outstanding debt and the date on which the amount was payable.</span></span></span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0.2in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06243412529259005814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197490727714280585.post-83841870251004493832014-06-23T14:02:00.002-07:002014-06-23T14:04:14.227-07:00Tools to Help You Write an Effective Job Description for Your Small Business<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Arial, serif; font-size: 16.799999237060547px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">
As your small business begins to grow and develop, you’ll inevitably reach a point where taking on employees will be an essential next step to bring your operations to the next level. But hiring employees- whether on a full time, part time, or contractual basis- is a learning process. Your employees are often one of your business' most important assets. If you want your employment efforts to be successful, then it starts with having well-written job description.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Arial, serif; font-size: 16.799999237060547px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">
To get you started in the right direction, Growing Your Biz is offering a collection of free job description samples for some common positions among small and home-based businesses. All of these sample job descriptions have been thoroughly researched for accuracy and relevance. The files are also in MS Word so you can customize them however you want.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Arial, serif; font-size: 16.799999237060547px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">
Here is the link:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.363636016845703px;"><a href="http://growingyourbiz.co/job-descriptions-samples/">http://growingyourbiz.co/job-descriptions-samples/</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Arial, serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-jBxrG3WTEkbJ1h3a4CzQjstnT_5XH9wirYuSAbccZnaMpbOM2U_pImBgM0rAi7uJ0A4NYclRT2mNa1nnw6eJIMvGTF2uQTCb_tXvjyPBWX9vK015YWlSM7LvTespmhBoN1BxX42SC1d/s1600/Job+Description+Thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-jBxrG3WTEkbJ1h3a4CzQjstnT_5XH9wirYuSAbccZnaMpbOM2U_pImBgM0rAi7uJ0A4NYclRT2mNa1nnw6eJIMvGTF2uQTCb_tXvjyPBWX9vK015YWlSM7LvTespmhBoN1BxX42SC1d/s1600/Job+Description+Thumb.jpg" height="320" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free Sample Job Descriptions from Growing Your Biz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Arial, serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06243412529259005814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197490727714280585.post-57183719158615770202013-08-21T01:32:00.004-07:002013-08-21T01:32:41.490-07:00Wordpress SEO is Definitely the King of SEO Plugins!If you have been using an SEO plugin for your Wordpress site, or you are looking for a new option, you should consider <a href="http://yoast.com/wordpress/seo/">Wordpress SEO</a> from Yoast.<br />
<br />
I just stumbled on this gem of a plugin after using the popular All in One SEO Pack for years. Wordpress SEO blows this plugin out of the park. It's literally packed to the gills with up-to-date SEO features and customization capabilities. To get a sense of what this plugin can accomplish for you, check out the <a href="http://yoast.com/articles/wordpress-seo/">The Definitive Guide To Higher Rankings For WordPress Sites</a>. Even if you don't make the switch, the article is worth a read as it goes over the current SEO best practices.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06243412529259005814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197490727714280585.post-87743342495939406612013-07-20T20:57:00.000-07:002013-07-20T20:57:04.844-07:00How to Write a Good Press Release<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sending out a press release is an
excellent way to generate free publicity for your small business.
Small businesses can send information to reporters and media people,
who then write or report about the business.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
How can you ensure that your press
release is eye-catching enough for a reporter to open it, read it,
and report about it?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
1. Do your research. Before sending a
press release, invest some time in
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
reviewing various writers' or
producers' work. Find those who cover topics relevant to your
business. That way, you can narrow down your audience to people who
are interested in your line of business, thus increasing the
likelihood of free P.R.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
2. Choose the right style. Your
research can also help you choose a writing style. Try to mirror the
writer's typical style of presenting content (e.g., top ten lists,
question and answers, or research-oriented). The writer will find
your article more pertinent to his/her own work if it feels familiar.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
3. Spice up your writing. Use action
verbs, particularly in the headline, to attract more attention. The
words you use should conjure up images of excitement and motion.
Some examples: trigger, navigate, urge. Use your computer's
thesaurus setting to inspire your writing.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
4. Find an angle. Think of an
interesting way to present your story. Instead of simply stating
your business's focus, highlight something new. You can write about
how people use your business, or how you've changed the way certain
business is done.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
5. Incorporate the five W's. Be clear
about why your business is newsworthy. Answer the five basic
questions: who, what, when, where, and why. This will tie in with
your angle (see item #4).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
6. Include important details. Write
the date, and the city in which your business is located. Briefly
describe your business, and add in your contact information.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
7. Exclude blather. Keep your press
release short. Don't use industry-specific jargon. Use short words
and concise sentences. Above all, make it readable.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The media is always looking for new
stories. Sending a good release can alert them to your business's
story and give you the exposure you want. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06243412529259005814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197490727714280585.post-39540086974460502962013-07-13T20:52:00.000-07:002013-07-20T20:55:15.274-07:00The Influence of Social Media on Business<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
According to a new <span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/power-pull-smartly-things-motion/dp/0465019358">book</a></u></span>,
"The Power of Pull: How Small Moves, Smartly Made, Can Set Big
Things in Motion," the old methods of doing business are no
longer effective.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The book's authors emphasize how the
"power of pull" is improved by social networking. They
define that power as, "The ability to draw out people and
resources as needed to address opportunities and challenges."
With the improved access to people and resources afforded by social
media, it's easier for workers to succeed.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
How do social media affect business
dealings?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
- Change occurs quickly, so top-down
planning is not as efficient. Managers have to be aware of
information coming from all different sources, including competitors
who work in the same field. They have to adjust strategy in
accordance with the newly-acquired information.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
- The internet allows people to create
connections that were never before possible. People living on
different continents can now collaborate on ventures even if they
have never met in person.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
- Meeting new people can provide
workers with new information about their lines of business.
Knowledge that used to come from stable sources, such as newspapers,
now streams in via Twitter and other social sites. Business people
can use social networking to acquire information that helps them to
achieve.
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06243412529259005814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197490727714280585.post-84900026167410922242013-07-06T20:46:00.000-07:002013-07-20T20:55:44.960-07:005 Amazing Free Small Biz Resources on The Web Any experienced business owner will tell you that successfully running a business takes not only a lot of time, skill, and effort, but a lot of resources as well.<br />
<br />
Do a quick search online, and you'll typically find a ton of resources specifically for smaller businesses, and many of them are for free. But, as you go about growing and developing your business, you may not have the time to sift out the good resources for the bad ones. This site will help you get there.<br />
<br />
To start you off, here is a collection of great, free resources for small and home-based business owners:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed">The IRS Small Business Tax Center</a>- an assortment of guides and tutorials to teach you all you need to know about business taxes</li>
<li><a href="http://growingyourbiz.co/free-business-forms/">Free Forms for Micro Business Owners</a>- a collection of free business templates for self-employed professionals</li>
<li><a href="http://score.org/">SCORE</a>- Get a <u>free</u> business consultant</li>
<li><a href="http://www.myownbusiness.org/">My Own Business</a>- a 16-part free online course on starting and growing a new business.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.sba.gov/sba-learning-center/search/training">SBA Learning Center</a>- A collection of free online courses and training for small business owners</li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06243412529259005814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197490727714280585.post-23814008076424604172013-06-29T20:54:00.000-07:002013-07-20T20:56:07.333-07:00Top Business Laws to Know About<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Opening a small business requires all
sorts of preparations such as raising capital, writing a business
plan, finding a suitable premises, hiring staff and myriad other
tasks. No less important is an awareness of the top business laws
connected to the opening of a new business. Approach the legal aspect
of opening a business systematically. What are the laws pertaining to
launching a business? Are you required to get a business license? If
you are you planning to hire employees, what laws apply? What kind of
taxes will you have to pay? Look into each area and do not hesitate
to consult with experts when you are unsure.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Company Law. </b>Your new company constitutes a
separate legal entity. In the event that you are a director of a
company, the Companies Act 2006 states your legal responsibilities,
including your obligation to act in good faith in the best interest
of the company.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Tax Laws. </b>Familiarize yourself with the
various tax laws including regulations pertaining to the filing of
tax returns. If you are selling merchandise, look into the issue of
sales tax. There are additional taxes such as withholding taxes,
corporate taxes, pass through taxes and both state and local taxes.
Consulting with a CPA will help you to understand the complex issue
of taxes and your own obligations.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Employment Laws.</b> If you are planning on hiring
employees, there is a wide range of laws with which you must become
acquainted. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (enforced by the
Health and Safety Executive) defines your duty as an employer to
ensure the safety and wellbeing of your employees. It is illegal to
discriminate against people because of their gender, race, belief,
sexuality, disability or age when hiring, employing or firing them.
Relevant laws in this area are: Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and
Equal Pay Act 1970; Race Relations Act 1976; Employment Equality
(Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003; Employment Equality (Sexual
Orientation) Regulations 2003; Disability Discrimination Act 1995;
Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006. You may be obligated to
pay your employees Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if they become ill for a
period of between four and 28 days. If the duration of their illness
exceeds this period, they may become eligible for an Incapacity
Benefit.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Environmental Laws.</b> Businesses are obligated to
protect the environment according to the Environmental Protection
Act 1990. The law stipulates the sensitive management of waste
products and enacts controls regarding emissions into the
environment (including noise). This act applies only to direct
pollution. The current law does not obligate businesses to behave in
an environmentally friendly way.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Zoning Laws.</b> Zoning laws are usually local
ordinances that regulate the type of business that is allowed to be
conducted in a specific area, how the land surrounding the business
is used, parking, advertising and other details. When in doubt, turn
to the local Chamber of Commerce for assistance.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
These are only a few of the many
federal and local laws that may apply to your new business. As
ignorance does not exempt you from adhering to the various laws, seek
the advice of tax and legal professionals who can inform you of the
particular laws affecting your specific business. </div>
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