Small Business

Small Biz Resource Tip: YourBuzz

Getting your customers to review your business on social and review sites like Facebook and Yelp! is a feat in and of itself, but finding the time to monitor what customers are saying about you and your competition is just as important. YourBuzz is a new tool that can help small businesses manage their online image by viewing, claiming and editing their business listings. The service also provides an overview of customer reviews and comments.

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Thursday, July 14th, 2011 Small Business No Comments

Is Small Business Ownership the Great Equalizer?

I recently posted on a study we did comparing the demographic and motivational differences between traditional small business owners and high growth-entrepreneurs.

Another part of that study looked at the competitiveness and success differences between different types of small business.

Our focus was to better understand how women and minority owned small businesses compared with small businesses owned by white men. We also looked at how education correlated with small business success.

The analysis was based on data from the Small Business Success Index(SBSI) produced bythe University of Maryland and Network Solutions.

The SBSI data comes from a survey of existing small businesses with relatively long operating histories.

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Tags: Business, Small Business

Thursday, July 14th, 2011 Small Business No Comments

As I Was Saying About Google Incentivizing Reviews…

Following up on last week’s article … if you live in San Diego and write at least five reviews in Google Places, Google will give you free tacos or free frozen yogurt, and one person also gets a $25 gift certificate.

Google is doing this every week in San Diego. #justsayin

 

Tags: Google, Google Incentivizing

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011 Small Business No Comments

Coworking Labs Blog is Back

After a 5 month break, our coworking project blog – Coworking Labs- is back.We started actively posting on the site againlast week.

Our research focus for the next year is on the future of work, with an emphasis on the growing role independent workers and micro-businesses are playing inthe economy.

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Tags: Back, Coworking Labs

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011 Small Business No Comments

The reaction to the Chancellor’s 2010 Budget

The Forum of Private Business (FPB)

While the Forum of Private Business was critical over the Chancellor’s lack of long-term planning for small businesses, it believes there are some measures that are sure to benefit these firms directly.

The Forum’s Chief Executive, Phil Orford explains why the FPB is reserving judgement on the potential impact the Budget will have on small firms.

‘While we’re sceptical of the motives behind some of the measures announced in the Budget, coming so soon before a general election, there are some reasons to celebrate.

‘We had asked the Chancellor to clarify and extend the Time to Pay scheme as it can be a lifeline for many small firms struggling with cash flow difficulties, so its extension for another four or five years will be welcomed,’ he said.

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Wednesday, July 13th, 2011 Small Business No Comments

10 Step Process For Starting Up A New Business

If you are thinking of starting up a new business, here are ten crucial steps that should be taken in this order to assure a successful launch,

1. Determine your Target Market and its size
2. Run the numbers to test financial viability
3. Get a name and register the domain name
4. Register the business entity with the State
5. Write a business plan and cover all business issues
6. Select a site for the business negotiate a lease
7. Calculate start-up capital needed and go get a loan
9. Calculate revenue needed to be profitable
9. Shore up your skills with a board of advisers
10,Put a launch plan together and go for it

Tags: Business, New Business

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011 Small Business No Comments