Archive for September, 2008
Wednesday, September 17th, 2008
Cutting Costs the Right Way
On Monday I highlighted three cost-cutting measures that should be avoided, especially during tough economic times. Then one reader inquired as to what actually WOULD constitute smart cost-cutting measures. Though much of cost cutting depends on the type of business you’re in, there are several general areas where you can analyze your costs, cut where […]
No Comments » - Posted in Small Business by Megan Dorn
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008
Focus Through Mission Statements
I read a great post the other day on The Entrepreneurial Mind about maintaining focus. Many small business owners, particularly newer ones, tend to be fickle and impulsive. They see a business opportunity and they’re compelled to pursue it, not really taking into account how it fits into the bigger picture of their businesses. In […]
No Comments » - Posted in Entrepreneurship, Small Business by Megan Dorn
Monday, September 15th, 2008
Cost-Cutting Mistakes
Right now small business owners throughout the country are introducing all sorts of cost-cutting measures, most of which are in response to the weakened economy. Cost-cutting itself is necessary and smart, but sometimes small business owners panic and go about it the wrong way. So here are three common cost-cutting measures that should be avoided.
Shying […]
1 Comment » - Posted in Small Business by Megan Dorn
Friday, September 12th, 2008
Storytelling as a Marketing Tool
Creating a bond with your customers is difficult, especially if your primary business is on the Internet. Gaining that rapport, however, is fundamental to marketing your business.
A few months ago I read a great story about how a bar near where I live once housed the spoils of a major railroad robbery in the late […]
No Comments » - Posted in Small Business by Megan Dorn
Thursday, September 11th, 2008
Creating Secure Passwords
Passwords protect all sorts of highly sensitive information like personal emails, your social security number or bank account information. Unfortunately, too few people put the effort into making them strong and secure. Most of us have been guilty of it at one time or another, myself included. I was always too lazy to come up with something […]
No Comments » - Posted in Technology by Megan Dorn
Wednesday, September 10th, 2008
CEO Pay as a Success Predictor
I’ve heard people talk many times about what they think is a good predictor for success, but it’s usually the same old thing. Ambition, intelligence, the list goes on. But this is one that I’ve never heard before. Investor Peter Thiel (PayPal, Facebook, Slide) looks at how much a startup CEO pays himself to help him […]
No Comments » - Posted in Entrepreneurship, Starting Up by Megan Dorn
Tuesday, September 9th, 2008
Telecommuting: Can It Work?
I love the idea of curling up on the couch in my pajamas, laptop in hand, and getting my work done from the comfort and convenience of my own home. I’d save myself a ton of money in gas. I’d avoid my biggest downer of the day, rush hour traffic. And the best part of […]
No Comments » - Posted in Small Business by Megan Dorn
Monday, September 8th, 2008
Small Business Job Growth Remains Strong
Throughout the month of August, companies with fewer than 50 employees added 20,000 jobs to the job market. At the same time large and midsize employers cut 53,000 jobs, according to Automatic Data Processing, Inc., a New Jersey employer services firm. Job growth in the small business sector grew at a slower pace last month […]
