From printing costs, to sky-rocketing ad rates, small business owners are facing the crunch when it comes to reaching out to new and existing customers. Whether you own a service based business like a salon or cleaning service, or a retail business such as a restaurant or card shop, using online coupons to advertise and promote your business is a great way to add to your existing marketing efforts. By engaging your increasingly...more
While it's clear that the economy is showing signs of life around the world, it's equally as clear that businesses everywhere are still going to have to show plenty of grit and determination to succeed. In essence though, this is the same in any economic situation.However, survival and success are aspects of life which are critical in everything we do and there is basically one personal, psychological trait which is going to play a huge part in...more
The United States government is one of the largest purchasers of goods and services in the world. Therefore, it can be very beneficial to get the government as one of your customers, especially if you can get government contracts for recurring purchases.There is a process that you need to go through though if you are interested in supplying the government with the items that they need. The good news is that the government has set targets that at least a certain percentage of their purchases should come from small businesses.Any business that bids on government contracts has to go through a certain process. This includes properly classifying their company by the size and type of industry or business they are in. These standards are dictated by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and the SBA size standard.The government agencies behind the contracts will use this information when they award a contract. Also, because many contracts are awarded to certain types of businesses, such as veteran-owned businesses, woman-owned business, service-disabled business, or HUBZone business, so it is important that you note this as well.The next step, if you want to get a...more
Call it planned obsolesce or whatever you'd like, most laptop computers, notebook computers, desk top computers last perhaps three to four years at the most before needing expensive repairs. When that point in time comes most people decide to buy a brand new, state of the art computer instead of sinking money into old technology.In the past people...more
Small business owners, more than any other credit card users, are in the best position to profit from their use of credit cards. Profit from credit cards? The idea may seem foreign, if not preposterous. However, the truth of the matter is simple: if you use your business credit card wisely and open a high yield savings account, your credit card can...more
Ahh... this may be harder to answer once you think about it for a minute. I tried to "Google" it and there was no clear or direct explanation or definition. So, I am taking it upon myself to figure it out and tell you.After some quick investigating it seems that jewelry watches come in many forms. The first and most obvious explanation is that any luxury watch that features diamonds or other precious stones anywhere on it (the face, bezel or strap) makes it a jewelry watch. Now, if the watch is manufactured in gold, then that also places it in the "jewelry watch" category.Since jewelry watches are special and more often than not will be sparkling with diamonds, they make great gifts - anniversary or graduation gift or even a "push present" - which is what a woman gets after delivering a baby from her adoring husband. A luxury watch is also a great gift because it is something that can be passed down from generation to generation and will last a lifetime.Certain brands specialize in making what we now refer to as a jewelry watch, especially if we think about the ones that are seriously bejeweled. Whether it's a coincidence or not, these specific brands also happen to reign supreme...more
Many times the coaches with the stronger benches are more successful. And with more and more talk about the need for the leaders of organizations to also be great coaches, it is interesting to consider the sports analogy of building a bench with...more
Creative has always had an identity issue. Most of it isn't ... creative. Advertising messages bombard people everywhere. Depending on the research, the average number of daily exposures per person ranges from 600 to 3000*. Even if the number is only...more
Recently the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) unveiled a new set of occupations that gives credence to the idea that the green economy is transforming the world of careers.This centralized collection of green occupations is a tremendous step...more
The key to a successful real estate business is to be able to spread yourself out and make yourself known and build yourself a good reputation. Of course, not everyone starts out known and with a good reputation, so there is a point for all real...more
Business Investment Opportunity – What is your most precious commodity? This is a question that I get quite often in the internet marketing business world? I’m sure that you have been researching a business investment opportunity....more
Affiliate programs are meant to be a win for everyone involved:* a win for the client who is given exposure to something she may not have known about otherwise* a win for the affiliate who gets to share a great product or program with her readers...more