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: 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.

What to consider before expanding a home business

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: How to fix negative perceptions

Perception vs. reality. This observation is used to explain all types of irrational and inconsistent behavior.

Biz tip of the week: Reversing negative perceptions

Perception vs. reality. This observation is used to explain all types of irrational and inconsistent behavior.

Biz tip of the week: Don't get distracted by Washington; focus on what you can control

Year-end is a natural time for reflection. With the recent election and the "fiscal cliff" constantly in the news, it's easy to get distracted. It helps to establish some guidelines about what is still important and what can be delayed until broader fiscal issues are resolved.

Biz tip: While politicians dither, focus on what you can control

Year-end is a natural time for reflection. With the recent election and the “fiscal cliff” constantly in the news, it’s easy to get distracted. It helps to establish some guidelines about what is still important and what can be delayed until broader fiscal issues are resolved.

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: Shop around for lowest card fees

In today's business environment, most retail transactions involve credit or debit cards.

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?

Biz tip of the week: Low cost marketing tactics

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?

Biz tip of the week: Address legal, accounting aspects early

Nearly every SCORE counseling client asks when they should arrange for help in the legal and accounting aspects of establishing their business.

Biz Tip of Week: When to hire lawyers, accountants

Nearly every SCORE counseling client asks when they should arrange for help in the legal and accounting aspects of establishing their business.

Biz tip of the week: Salespeople's top priority is clients' needs

Most leads never result in a sale. The challenge is to improve your success rate.

Biz tip of the week: Business entertainment can be valuable part of marketing effort

Firms that rely on repeat business know the importance of building strong relationships with their customers.

Biz tip of the week: Long supply chains make service chancy

International supply chains enable American consumers to select from an astonishing range of products and services at attractive prices.

Biz tip of the week: Dealing with extended supply chains

International supply chains enable American consumers to select from an astonishing range of products and services at attractive prices.

Biz tip of the week: Businesses need to register with state, IRS before getting started

Last week, this column reviewed the most common options for small business incorporation.

Biz tip of the week: Getting started: The ABCs of incorporation

Most SCORE clients have a solid idea of their product or service but they are stymied by the legal procedure to incorporate. Here are the most common incorporation options:

The ABCs of incorporation for small businesses

Biz tip of the week:

Employee manual a must-have

One of the last things that new businesses consider is an employee manual.

Biz tip of the week: To set right price, understand your product, customer

Pricing decisions are among the riskiest tasks for any business.

Biz tip of the week: Startups face risks, unyielding demands

A number of SCORE startup clients come from large companies who retired or were downsized out of their jobs.

Advice for start-up business owners

A number of SCORE start-up clients come from large companies who retired or were downsized out of their jobs.

Biz tip of the week: Overcome fear of financial planning

Unless they have had prior experience in financial work, many small-business owners are uncomfortable with preparing financial plans.

Biz tip of the week: Preparing financial plans

Unless they have had prior experience in financial work, many small business owners are uncomfortable with preparing financial plans.

Biz tip of the week: Business plan is a must, but it needn't be perfect - just focused, logical

For those who have never developed a business plan, it can be an intimidating process.

Biz tip of the week: Small businesses, startups can apply for US innovation grants

The recession may officially be over, but its effects are still felt by startups and small businesses seeking funding.

Biz tip of the week: Information is available to help firms with their business plans

Many SCORE clients struggle with their business plans due to a lack of information. Two areas in particular are most challenging - accurate competitive information and financial benchmarks. They need a source of objective data to use as a sanity check on their plans. Fortunately, those resou…

Biz tip of the week: Tracking competitors can help some businesses keep customers

Markets change constantly, and businesses have to adapt to survive. What is the best measure to monitor if you are being left behind?

Biz tip of the week: To survive tough economy, it's time to rethink cash flow

The economy may be improving but it is a weak and spotty recovery. Many businesses are still struggling, especially those in sectors that depend on discretionary spending. Since it appears that the current economic level is the new normal for the foreseeable future, it's time to consider mor…