Management, Trends
Cloud-Based Computing: Jump on the Technology Train
Is your small business tech-savvy? According to a study of U.S. businesses by Zoomerang, most companies have in-house information technology services (IT). Just 22 percent of small businesses outsource their IT needs to vendors, which means the majority have embraced…
Trends
Is the SBA Failing Small Businesses?
Many small business owners say yes—the Small Business Administration is falling very short. First formed in 1953, the SBA’s stated mission is to “aid, counsel, assist and protect, insofar as is possible, the interest of small business concerns.” Today’s small…
Money, Trends
4 Myths About Startup Costs
Even a lemonade stand costs more than you’d expect. Sure, lemons are cheap, but then you’ve got ice, signage, cups, pitchers and the risk of a rainy day. Now take these unexpected costs and apply it to an adult-sized startup.…
Money
Funds at First Bite: Finding the Best Small Business Bank
Tired of fishing around for credit? You’re not alone. Many small business owners continue to report difficulty applying for credit. In a recent report by the Kauffman Survey, 20 percent of small businesses even said they didn’t even bother applying—with…
Money
101 Ways to Optimize Your Receivables Management
Think about this: 43% of small businesses have customers who are more than 90 days past due on payments. In fact, 1 in 4 of these small businesses have serious trouble collecting payments from their customers. Late paying customers are…
Management
3 Ways to Avoid Small Business Stress
What’s tougher: raising kids or running a small business? The answer may shock you. As it turns out, running a small business is three times more stressful than raising children, according to Bank of America’s very first Small Business Owner…
Management
3 Small Business Lessons From Third World Countries
Third world–also known as underdeveloped–countries are the kings of small business. They teach stellar small business lessons, as they make do with limited resources and still manage to become successful entrepreneurs. Kiva, a microlender that provides loans to entrepreneurs in…
Trends
Self-Employed: The Battles Fought Solely By the Independent Worker
There’s nothing quite like being an independent worker, as the unusual problems the self-employed must face are ones the traditionally employed would never encounter. Freelancers don’t have access to the protection that is usually found in other, larger, businesses. They…
Management, Trends
Forget Harvard: Your Small Business Syllabus
This June, Harvard Business School is introducing a crash course on managing a small business. For many small business owners, this four-day course is simply not worth $7500. Many small business owners learn the ropes the hard way. They plow through…
Management, Money, Trends
Overcoming Obstacles: The Biggest Challenges for Small Businesses Today
You can’t ignore the next generation. While we know that small businesses face unique problems, very limited research has been entirely dedicated to their needs. To close this gap, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation has released a prime study: the…
