It's not all about price; quality, reliability, availability come first

Pricing is one of the most misunderstood elements in the business world, especially among small businesses.

Finding, keeping the right workers

Ask any business manager what is their biggest headache and the odds are they will say people - as in employees.

Firms must operate from customers' perspective

Many SCORE clients start their business planning with one type of potential customer in mind.

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 …

Some options for small-business owners who want to cash out

Most small-business owners are consumed by the daily challenges of running their business - satisfying customers, managing services and products, tracking finances and suppliers, and personnel scheduling.

'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.

Consider changing how you do business

The recession and slow recovery have hit small retail businesses hard, especially those that compete against big- box stores and those that offer discretionary retail items.

Feeling isolated? Get out, involved

One the many challenges a small-business owner faces is isolation.

Help your business make the most of lifestyle changes

The world is not a static place. Things are constantly changing: clothing styles, food preferences, popular sports and advanced technological devices.

Biz tip of the week: Website, sales goals need to fit with marke

By Ralph Hershberger

Sick leave grows as divisive issue for small firms

Activists called for immediate action on legislating mandating paid sick days in a demonstration at New York City Hall in January. The law remains stalled in the City Council.

Sick leave grows as divisive issue for small firms

Two months after a severe flu season forced millions of workers to stay home, paid sick time is becoming an issue for many small-business owners.

Biz tip of the week: Biz Tip: Success largely based on products that fit a well-researched market

Many startups err by trying to be all things to all people.

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.