My 10 Favorite Quotes on Small Business Leadership
A lot of people like to share inspiring quotes. And there are many about leadership that have inspired me. But why are they inspirational? Here are my reasons.
5 Key Questions to Ask Yourself Before Hiring Someone
For most small business owners, the decision to hire their first employee is not a small or easy one. Many small business owners are hesitant about adding a new hire to their team, according to the 2014 Small Business Success Study. It’s understandable. It’s a big decision and there are a lot of things to consider. We thought we’d help with the process by offering up five key questions to ask yourself before deciding to add a new member to your small business family.
7 Ways to Keep Yourself Motivated
When you work for yourself, and have to juggle all of the demands that come with running your own business, it can sometimes be hard to stay motivated. You might get tired, lose momentum, or even feel discouraged by everything you have to do. Staying motivated can be one of the toughest challenges that a sole proprietor faces, because there’s no one else around to give you a pep talk. It’s just you. You have to become your own cheerleader and drill instructor, capable of inspiring and pushing yourself to keep going. Here are seven simple ways you can keep yourself motivated, even on the toughest days.
Is Your Small Business Prepared For a Lawsuit?
Business owners must be keenly aware of their financial risks—and the threat of being sued could be larger than you realize. The financial hits of litigation can be far more damaging to small businesses than to large ones, which often staff in-house legal counsel and devote a portion of their budget to legal defense. According to a Small Business Association Office of Advocacy report,the cost of litigation for small firms can range anywhere from $3,000 to $150,000. And it’s not uncommon, in fact, a 2013 poll found 43 percent of small-business owners reported having been threatened with or involved in a civil lawsuit.
Why Irritating Employees are Good for Business
They grate on your nerves and set your teeth on edge, but certain types of employees can benefit your small business. If you want to boost business and grow your company, you’ll have to learn how to deal with “annoying” employees. Here is a list of the five most irritating employees and how they can be some of your company’s best assets.
5 of the Worst Company Party Incidents
Everyone loves a good party. But holiday gatherings, company picnics and other employee social gatherings aren’t always fun and games. In fact, they can be uncomfortable, socially awkward gatherings used to judge your ability to maintain professionalism in a social setting. When office parties get out of hand, it can lead to some professionally disastrous situations—even lawsuits. How can you make sure you’re not ruining your professional image or risking your job when attending a work social event? Here’s a look at some of the worst missteps people make at company parties, and how to avoid them:
Top No-Nos When Running a Business From Home
Starting and running a business out of your house has many rewards: no commute, less time-sucking small talk, no missed time with your family. But before you settle into the bliss of this heaven on Earth, remember that, in the end, you are still running a business. Working from home has all kinds of pitfalls that need to be avoided if you are to succeed. Here are five no-nos to avoid when running a business from the comforts of your abode:
Small Business Owner? 6 Reasons Why You Should Hire Your Child
Are you paying your kid to work for your business? You’re not? You should. No, I’m not saying you should put your four-year-old behind the receptionist desk to take calls. Or ask your middle-schooler to assist you in surgery. But if you have a teenager, you should strongly consider putting him or her to work. The benefits are enormous. Here are six.
Unexpected Ways to Lose Business Data
Even simple mistakes can put your business at risk. When business data breaches hit the front page, they are usually massive and often involve technical hack attacks. But data can also be lost through less spectacular means, ranging from laptops forgotten in taxis and smartphones donated to charities to logins jotted on paper and tossed into the trash.
The Dumbest Advice About Technology I’ve Ever Received at My Small Business
Lou and his brother Larry (real guys, different names) are two of the greatest penny-pinching business owners I know – and I’ve known them for going on twenty years. They run a small, 30-person company in Pennsylvania that manufactures custom industrial equipment for the food industry. The business was started by their grandfather after World War II and continues to be profitable today.