Biz tip of the week: Here are some flags to help you plan for future

One of the hardest things for small-business owners to do is to extricate themselves from the daily grind and plan for the future. There always seems to be something that requires immediate attention. Unfortunately, it is not until the month-end or quarterly statements are generated that an …

'Reactor' bosses need to evaluate their behavior

Are you a reactor? Reactors respond to emergencies and mundane events the same way: They overreact.

Biz tip of the week: Preserve cash flow with cost strategies

Most SCORE clients have a good idea of their intended product or service, have performed an elementary competitive analysis and have thought about finances.

Expand your home business wisely

Nearly every large business started as a small business, frequently in the owner's basement or garage.

Biz tip of the week: To stay afloat in hard times, carefully pick sale, supplier strategies

The stock market may be reaching new highs, but as one network analyst observed, "The stock market is not the economy."

Biz tip of the week: Repeat clients key to revenue

As the economy slowly emerges from the recession, many businesses realize that cost-cutting is not enough to improve profits. In the end, the top line (revenue) has to grow.

Biz tip of the week: Profit-sharing plan can be a plus

Many prior columns have addressed the problems and challenges of starting or running a small business - strategic choices, finding customers, cash flow, managing personnel, etc.

Business agreement is vital to owners

Business startup lore is filled with stories of two college friends who share an idea and decide to start a business.

Cross-train workers to prepare for absences

"Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans."

Biz tip of the week: To buy or to build? That is the question

A person who wants to run their own business has two options - start from scratch or purchase an existing business.

Biz tip of the week: Communication Rule No. 1: It's the responsibility of the sender

How many times have you heard someone say in an exasperated tone, "I told him to do that"? This is a typical reaction when something is not done on time or improperly.

Biz tip of the week: Learn at start about managing cash flow

The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that 50 percent of all new businesses fail in their first year. Before starting a business, it makes sense to understand why so many fail.

Biz tip of the week: Creating employee handbook is vital, and there's software to help

Starting a new business involves dozens of tasks - some more important than others. First, there's the research necessary to develop a viable business plan.

Biz tip of the week: Basic understanding of accounting and finance is vital to a small firm

Most SCORE clients come to us with little understanding of accounting and finance.

Biz tip of the week: Don't give up on marketing in slow times

In a slow economy, marketing budgets are typically one of the first expenses that are cut. Startups and small businesses face a similar situation of limited funds. How can a business continue to generate leads and maintain its market visibility if its traditional ad budgets are cut?