Decision-Making 101: How to Choose Between Two Job Opportunities

Decision-Making 101: How to Choose Between Two Job Opportunities: "A woman recently emailed me and asked the following question, ?I have two job opportunities but I?m at a loss as to which one to choose.  Do you have any suggestions that will help me decide what I should do?? "

Marketing: Investment or Expense?

Marketing: Investment or Expense?: "Every business lives or dies by its brand. Few owners, however, invest the time and money it takes to support their own with a thoughtful marketing strategy"

5 Ways for Small Businesses to Reboot Revenues for the New Economy

5 Ways for Small Businesses to Reboot Revenues for the New Economy: "It?s no secret that all businesses have been rocked over the past few years by the economic asteroid that hit us. And like when an asteroid hits Earth, our environment has changed for a long time to come."

Why Giving without Expecting a Return is your Best Business Strategy

Why Giving without Expecting a Return is your Best Business Strategy: "When we speak of purpose, we first think of ourselves. This is natural, and it?s not wrong. Perhaps one might say we are survivors by nature and thrivers by nurture. Yet the individual?s -- or company?s -- primary purpose for existence cannot begin and end with oneself, for no true purpose is exclusive to self.  A true purpose must include others. Every great purpose grows beyond the individual ? and the organization."

To Be A Great Innovator, Start By Changing Your Perspective

To Be A Great Innovator, Start By Changing Your Perspective: "Look at this image: These people are all working on the same physical plane. But for one it?s flat, for another uphill and for another downhill. It depends where they?re standing. They all have different viewpoints."

5 Success Tips With Difficult Aging Parents

5 Success Tips With Difficult Aging Parents: "Are your aging parents driving you a little nuts? If so, you're not alone."

Billionaire Sam Zell's Advice To Entrepreneurs

Billionaire Sam Zell's Advice To Entrepreneurs: "A couple of weeks ago I sat down with real estate mogul Sam Zell at his Chicago-based office to talk real estate (see the resulting story on Zell's foray into the emerging markets here)."

Employee Motivation You Can't Buy

Employee Motivation You Can't Buy: "A few weeks ago I wrote a piece saying that there?s nothing worse for your organization than a traitor. My brother Mark agreed with me (more or less), but we found ourselves dissecting just what it means to be a traitor to an organization."

Six New Tools That Every Entrepreneur Should Know About

Six New Tools That Every Entrepreneur Should Know About: "As entrepreneurs, we have an ever increasing number of fantastic tools at our fingertips that allow us to run our business from anywhere, at any time. How great is that?!"

A 4-Step Plan To Balance Immediate Needs With Long-Term Goals

A 4-Step Plan To Balance Immediate Needs With Long-Term Goals: "You have a demanding job already, but you want to explore elsewhere (different role, different company, different career). You run your own business and need to serve current clients but also sell more work. You have requests coming at you now, but you know there are critical projects due in the next few weeks."

The Big Picture: Three Steps To Keep It In Focus

The Big Picture: Three Steps To Keep It In Focus: "Why is it so frustratingly easy to lose sight of the big picture? Our vision of what we want, who it is that we want to grow into and where we?re going professionally isn't just blurry. For many of us it's all a big question mark."

Five Rules to Help, Not Hurt, Your Career With Social Media

Five Rules to Help, Not Hurt, Your Career With Social Media: "It is estimated that over half of all hiring is based to some extent on social media research. That means your social media behaviors might very well be reviewed the next time you apply for a job."

The Best Months to Get Promoted

The Best Months to Get Promoted: "This may seem like a strange time to write about getting promoted, with the unemployment rate stuck close to 10%, and the real jobless rate double that (government stats only count those who are actively looking for full-time work)."

A New Model For Personal Branding: Variety

A New Model For Personal Branding: Variety: "There has been a lot of buzz about personal branding, and a lot of the focus is on consistency. Apple is about design. Walmart is about low prices. Fedex is about dependable delivery."

The Essence of Business

The Essence of Business: "Every now and then, situations arise among people in business that make me feel they?ve forgotten what they?re there for:"

Twelve Sites That Will Put You to Work Now

Twelve Sites That Will Put You to Work Now: "Make anywhere from a few bucks to a few hundred dollars per hour"

7 ways to be more productive at work, according to Investopedia

7 ways to be more productive at work, according to Investopedia: "Feeling low on the job? Investopedia recently compiled seven ways to improve your productivity at work. Take a look to see if they can help you improve your work day."

5 Ways for Small Businesses to Reboot Revenues for the New Economy

5 Ways for Small Businesses to Reboot Revenues for the New Economy: "It?s no secret that all businesses have been rocked over the past few years by the economic asteroid that hit us. And like when an asteroid hits Earth, our environment has changed for a long time to come."

3 Keys to Competing

3 Keys to Competing: "When we consider ?the competition? as other companies offering similar products we are only partially right. There are three levels to competition and our direct competitors are only the first and most obvious."

Motivation ~ Creative Approaches

Motivation ~ Creative Approaches: "Last February I promised myself that I would implement a creative motivating approach to ensure this January would not suck. In an accountant?s world, no matter how planned and prepared you are, the multiple January 31st bureaucratic deadlines wreak a bit of havoc on your business. This year was going to be different!"

Time To Fire The Talent?

Time To Fire The Talent?: "Here are two types of talent you can do without, and one you can't."

Free Software For Suits

Free Software For Suits: "In the current issue of Forbes Magazine we zoom in on Aaron Levie, the energetic and so young (at 27) co-founder and chief executive of Box.net."

PR for Startups: What Works And What Doesn't

PR for Startups: What Works And What Doesn't: "There simply can't be too many smart articles that aim to help entrepreneurs allocate their precious capital. This post, from Mark Suster, an entrepreneur cum venture capitalist,  clearly addresses one fundamental issue that Forbes has tackled before, and will keep tackling (see columns by our own Robert Wynne)."

Making Flexible Work Policies Work For You

Making Flexible Work Policies Work For You: "A couple of weeks ago I wrote about a New York Times article heralding the accounting profession's lead with regard to flexible workplace policies. As interesting as the story itself were the reader's comments. Many wrote it was a 'puff piece' that had no basis in reality at all. For example, there was this:
'This article has to have been planted by the AICPA's PR folks - it sounds like a campus recruiting blurb. CLM = Career Limiting Move = calling attention to yourself by doing anything so short sighted as letting people in the firm think you have a personal life or family.'
'The individuals cited in this article constitute an extremely small sample. Pay no mind to the conclusions put forth.'"

10 Things To Ask Your Boss For Instead Of A Raise

10 Things To Ask Your Boss For Instead Of A Raise: "The economy may be thawing, but companies are still reticent to offer promotions or significant raises this year. ?There isn?t much mobility in companies right now,? says Kathy Kane, SVP of talent management for staffing firm Adecco. ?The raises we are seeing are typical annual merit increases of around 3%.?"

Is Office Clutter Costing You A Promotion?

Is Office Clutter Costing You A Promotion?: "Are you an office hoarder? The piles of paperwork, boxes of files and discarded coffee cups that you?ve been meaning to tackle may literally cost you a promotion."

How To Start Building Your Nest Egg

How To Start Building Your Nest Egg: "It's never too early to start planning your retirement--or to learn from your parents' mistakes."

How Charm Can Bring Happiness, Prosperity, and a New Job

How Charm Can Bring Happiness, Prosperity, and a New Job: "Has anyone ever called you charming? If not, you should work on it."

Expanding management: The delicate art of sharing control

Expanding management: The delicate art of sharing control: "While the thought of sharing control of your company can be nerve-wracking, those who have been through the transition swear by having a second set of hands. As long as they're the right hands."

A Marketer Coaches Online Daters on Personal Branding

A Marketer Coaches Online Daters on Personal Branding: "A marketing expert turns her skills to the dating scene with a website that advises love-seekers on how to impress."

How To Select Your First Financial Advisor

How To Select Your First Financial Advisor: "A few pointers on choosing someone to help plan your financial future."

How To Do Your Taxes On The Cheap

How To Do Your Taxes On The Cheap: "Software and Internet services cut the cost of completing your 1040. Free human help is available if you're broke."

Own a business? 6 new tax breaks

Own a business? 6 new tax breaks: "Doing your taxes stinks, right? No fun at all. But take note as you brace for your 2010 return: A handful of changes in the tax code could translate into a fatter refund check."

Three Big Questions For Anyone Running A Business In 2011

Three Big Questions For Anyone Running A Business In 2011: "This year you'll have to pay especially close attention to your company's global footprint, labor force and financial structures."

5 business myths to ditch now

5 business myths to ditch now: "Feeling a little disillusioned lately? That's not a bad thing if you're an entrepreneur. There's nothing like humbling economic times to force chief executives to let go of the sacred-cow ideas and grandiose illusions they've been harboring and start building on reality. Some of the smartest business owners I know have fallen for these five myths. Ditch them. It will make your business that much stronger."

Family businesses and succession

Family businesses and succession: "Handing over the reigns can be a tricky prospect."

Four Trends Startups Need to Know Now

Four Trends Startups Need to Know Now: "How to embrace the global, financial and social changes affecting your business this year."

Is It Time To Finally Quit Your Job?

Is It Time To Finally Quit Your Job?: "Whether you want time to look for other work or to take a much-needed sabbatical, how do you know when it's OK to leave?"

The Top Franchises For The Money

The Top Franchises For The Money: "These operators give you the best shot at success for your investment dollar."

How Mobile Communications Costs Can Cripple Your Company

How Mobile Communications Costs Can Cripple Your Company: "And three steps to take to prevent it."

The Most Outrageous Job Interview Mistakes

The Most Outrageous Job Interview Mistakes: "Hug the interviewer? Show off an obviously fake diploma? People have done it."

Tech-Gear Company Makes Traditional Trendy

Tech-Gear Company Makes Traditional Trendy: "How DODOcase leveraged social media, and the skill of a master bookbinder, to catapult its iPad cases onto the market."

Every Entrepreneur Needs to Start With a Prototype

Prototypes in the age of the Internet. Creating a prototype for your product has probably never been simpler with a host of manufacturers, distributors etc. available online. The Internet also makes it easier than ever before to get your product or prototype in front of decision makers or potential customers. But first, be sure you understand what your prototype should do as far as validating your business idea. For more on this, read Martin Zwilling’s full post.

Are You Hiding From Your Customers on Social Media?

Promoting your online adventures in the real world. Making the jump to social media and other online marketing is great, but remember to promote these endeavors as well in the real world. Take every opportunity to let your customers know where they can find you online and don’t expect them to find you. It’s true your online marketing efforts should bring in customers you might not have had otherwise but don’t forget the reverse is also true.

10 iPhone Apps That Small Business Owners Need

iPhone apps for small business. Want to talk about increasing productivity. What about being able to run your company from you smartphone. Want to do everything from sending documents to managing your payroll while on the go? These apps, some free but all modestly priced, will further the movement toward mobile entrepreneurship and have you ready to work even while on the road.

Five Rules of Raising Capital

Tips for raising small business capital. Raising money to start your business may be among your most important steps in the process of getting your small business up and running and make no mistake, it isn’t easy. But with five easy steps you make the prospecting process much easier by establishing a business model, a product and an easily understandable picture of the value your company represents.

Top 10 Cloud Applications for Small Business

10 cloud applications your business could be using now. From communications to business applications to managing customer relations, hooking your business to the resources of the cloud enhances your tech muscle with little or no heavy duty tech investment. Many applications include free plans perfect for tight budgets and shoestring startups so what are you waiting for?

Market research at the click of a mouse

Market research at the click of a mouse. No more is market research solely in the domain of giant corporations with the deep pockets to pay for vast customer and market studies. Meet GutCheck, a startup that is billing itself as a simple alternative to big marketing studies via the Internet at a price even a small business can afford.

Looking for a secret weapon to drive social media sales?

Looking for a secret weapon to drive social media sales? Would you believe the Facebook “Like” button. This brief story tells of one retailers experience using the rather simple and popular FB feature to drive not only individual sales but also overall engagement with online customers. How are you using social media to drive your company’s sales?

How to Pick the Perfect Brand Name

By any other name. Yes, that new product, business or service name certainly can be important. Think of how much is riding on your choice! No, maybe it’s a better idea that you don’t go overboard fretting about this particular choice. Instead, get educated about the best way to identify a new business or revitalize an old one. Fast Company

Get Better Now With The One Hour Rule

Become a better entrepreneur spending one hour a day. Zack Shapiro has a method for acquiring new skills that could be a missing chapter from Tim Ferriss’s 4-Hour Work Week.(Hey, Zack! When is the book coming out?) Learning is a big part of what the small business owner/entrepreneur has got to do to get ahead and stay there. Consider this day one of a class stretching on for the rest of your life.

6 Errors To Avoid When Starting An Online Business

Six mistakes to avoid in online business. Online businesses may be amongst the lowest in overhead cost. But be aware that starting an online business, like beginning any other venture, requires a clear plan of action and a plan that can realistically lead to success.

3 Ways To Keep Your Community Engaged

Staying engaged with your customer base. Whether they’re the people that read your blog, follow you on Twitter and Facebook, buy your products and services or refer others to you, your network is a community that must be nurtured. If you’re just starting a business, this could involve building a network in the first place. If you have a business it means keeping that network energized.

5 Tips for Hiring Legal Counsel in Your Small Business

How to hire legal counsel. Anita Campbell, founder and editor of Small Business Trendsputs her legal know-how as a former corporate attorney to work in this great post on how to hire and then manage the costs of an outside law firm. Whether you’re a big corporation or the smallest of startups, this primer will give you important tips about how to handle your legal representation in a variety of situations.

2011 Top 10 Small Business Ideas

What are your small business ideas? Entrepreneur and blogger Ivan Widjaya has a few of his own to share. The business ideas in this list aren’t exactly specific but explore some brand new trends out there that could stand a second look. It’s a great idea to look at some new possibilities when considering starting a new business or branching into a new product or service. Here are some ideas to get the creative juices flowing.

Cutting down on legal papers

Pair of entrepreneurs seek to cut down on endless legal documents. Keeping necessary paperwork can be a challenge for legal firms and small businesses alike. One company has turned the solution for this problem into a business model. Now their only task is to demonstrate to the rest of the world that automated legal documents are the path to the future.

Top 5 Changes for Small Business in 2011

5 big changes that could affect your small business.Small businesses face change everyday, changes in technology, the appearance of new competition in the marketplace and rising costs are only some of these. But five new legal requirements may spell difficulty for many small business owners depending upon their business model.

10 Legal Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Small Business And How To Avoid Them

10 huge small business mistakes and how to avoid them. These errors, while simple to make for the inexperienced, than severely damage or destroy your small business if not carefully considered. You may wish to consult an attorney on some of these issues to be sure you haven’t crossed the line into behavior that could bring about litigation.

Using social media for small business branding

Using social media for small business branding. Using social media (Twitter, Facebook etc.) is, as suggested earlier, amongst the easiest ways to create a small business brand on a par with larger competitors. Branding consultant Silvia Pencak shares some broader tips you may want to consider when using these tools to distinguish your business, organization, product or service.

How to Raise Start-up Capital in 2011

Raising capital: a how-to guide. Even though finding the money for your next small business startup has always been challenging, there’s no need to throw up your hands or throw in the towel. The fact is that small business are still starting and that entrepreneurs are still finding the funding to fuel these startups. But raising money requires evaluating your options and adapting to the environment. Even with venture capital less approachable than perhaps they once were, there are options open. This article looks at a few.

Technologies That Could Change Small Business In 2011

Why the Internet may make legal costs cheaper.A recent post on how technology is changing and lowering the cost of doing small business pointed to free online legal templates and Websites with legal ads. If this information is going to be free or significantly less expensive online. It means less cost on what used to be a huge expense for small business startup.

5 Reasons to Invest In Small Business Branding

It’s time to invest in your brand. Investing in your business is always a good idea whether it’s with time, money or energy, but here Kristen Marie Schuerlein is talking about something more. Investing in your brand, as explained above, involves figuring out who you are and what makes you different when attracting customers or clients. Kristen has five good reasons to invest in your brand today. We think you’ll find it worth the effort.

What’s your fundraising plan?

What’s your fundraising plan? Just like your small business idea, your approach to fundraising requires a plan, and it starts with asking a number of very clear questions about your business, your market prospects and your team. Just as your business will need to compete in the market for the attention of busy consumers, your business must compete among a huge number of other entrepreneurs all seeking funding as well. What’s your plan for winning out in the end?

Building Your Brand with Social Media

Sending your small business brand global. One of the greatest potentials for using social media tools to brand your company is the possibility of sending your small business global. Before the Internet and social media, it took a big marketing or advertising budget and representatives around the world to gain global reach for your products and services. Here’s how to use the new media to gain a whole new kind of advantage.

Sweet smell of soapy success

How product reflects your brand. Toronto-based Ella’s Botanicals reflects its values and commitment to locally produced, hand-made products with every bar of soap or bottle of lotion the company produces. Your brand cannot simply be a clever marketing campaign super imposed on a product that doesn’t match it’s image.

Tips on Motivating People Without Spending Money

The art of motivation without the cash. Starting a business often means building a team and often with less money than might be ideal. In today’s market, lack of adequate financing for startups forces entrepreneurs to seek creative ways of getting the best talent and getting them properly motivated to move your company forward. Here are some alternative suggestions when it comes to motivation when increasing monetary compensation is not an option.

New Year’s resolutions for small business branding

New Year’s resolutions for small business branding. Forget about loosing a few pounds or getting into shape! While the new year is still young, make a commitment to loose those aspects of your brand that are not advancing your business and getting your small business brand and the message it sends to your customers in shape. Make a resolution to improve your brand with some simple tips.

How to Select a Valuable and Protectable Trademark

The importance of trademark for your small business branding. One of the best ways to protect your business’s position in the market, is through a business trademark. A trademark is not the same as a brand and has clear legal implications. Here Jeffrey Fabian explains a bit more about the process, what to look for and why a trademark may be right for you.

7 Qualities You Should Seek in a Business Partner

Looking for business partners? Like marriage or any other really important relationship in life, business partnership is not something to be entered lightly. It’s very important to know somethings about your future partner before formally deciding to work with them. Blogger Joseph Gustav makes the following suggestions when seeking a small business soul mate.

Branding misteps for companies large and small

Branding misteps for companies large and small. Just as both large and small businesses now can take advantage of the power of branding, so both large and small businesses can be hurt by the simplest mistakes where their brand is concerned. A Starbucks re-branding this week showed how even the largest and most powerful of companies can suffer from branding missteps. What values are your brands communicating to your customers. Financial Post

Does integrity boost your branding

Does integrity boost your branding? Here are three pieces of advice for building your brand all tied to an integrity-based approach telling others more about who you are and what you represent. Elinor Strutz’s approach pushes it to the limit and demands some soul searching. But when you[re through you should have an honest brand representing your own values and built to boost the kind of business you most want to attract.

Social media is all about making great first impressions

Social media is all about making great first impressions. Making a great first impression with your new business on Facebook can be critically important especially at a time when FB may be the most heavily trafficked and influential social media available. A new tool makes social media branding on the planet’s most popular social media platform a breeze with a great welcome page that should set your business apart.

Making your blog known

Making your blog known. Getting your blog quickly indexed by search engines like Google is one critically important way of marketing your blog to readers. Regardless of what SEO gurus may tell you, getting listed on a search engine is not as complicated as you might at first believe. Be aware, however, that getting listed a climbing to the top of the search engines in your particular niche are two very different things.

Are you building small business momentum?

Are you building small business momentum? It may not be something you’re terribly worried about when starting your small business, but little by little inertia will take over in your business no matter how enthusiastic you may have been in the beginning. This is the opposite of the momentum you will need to develop in order to keep your business growing and innovating. Inertia, by contrast, can kill your business. Here’s how to prevent it.

Have You Tested Your Strategy Lately?

Have You Tested Your Strategy Lately?: "Ten timeless tests can help you kick the tires on your strategy, and kick up the level of strategic dialogue throughout your company."

Basic branding with Twitter

Basic branding with Twitter. One of the easiest tools to establish personal or business branding today is Twitter. The microblogging platform allows great flexibility with its 140 character posts. What you accomplish depends upon your strategy and approach. This Twitter Q and A tells you more.

Small Business Investment Companies Explained

Small Business Investment Companies Explained: "Driven by stimulus money, SBICs provided record funding to small companies in 2010"

From Digging Ditches to Advising Young Entrepreneurs

From Digging Ditches to Advising Young Entrepreneurs: "The 24-year-old founder of Under30CEO.com on creating an online resource for budding business owners."

Our Son Needs A Prenup

Our Son Needs A Prenup: "Worried parents ask: Should we tell him?"

Ten Data Points: Information And Analytics At Work

Ten Data Points: Information And Analytics At Work: "Early returns are in from the first annual New Intelligent Enterprise Survey. Here are major highlights of what executives and managers said about how they are--or are not--capitalizing on information."

When Severance is Your Seed Money

When Severance is Your Seed Money: "How to best use that sudden stash of cash to become your own boss."

How To Influence When You Don't Have Authority

How To Influence When You Don't Have Authority: "Today more than ever you need to rely on persuasion."

A New Microlending Fund for Women Entrepreneurs

A New Microlending Fund for Women Entrepreneurs: "Kiva and skin-care company Dermalogica launch a campaign to promote microloans for women in the U.S. and overseas"

What I Learned at Entrepreneur Boot Camp

What I Learned at Entrepreneur Boot Camp: "An aspiring business owner gets a crash course in the essentials for running a company."

4 Key Lessons in Entrepreneurial Finance

4 Key Lessons in Entrepreneurial Finance: "

As part of my entrepreneurship classes, I teach my students to raise capital. When people find this out, they often ask one question: What’s the most important thing I need to know about raising money?  For entrepreneurs, four lessons are especially important.

4 Key Lessons in Entrepreneurial Finance

4 Key Lessons in Entrepreneurial Finance: "

As part of my entrepreneurship classes, I teach my students to raise capital. When people find this out, they often ask one question: What’s the most important thing I need to know about raising money?  For entrepreneurs, four lessons are especially important.

Shy, quiet and a born leader

Shy, quiet and a born leader: "Strong, silent types can make great leaders, too"

Lessons From A Master Marketer

Lessons From A Master Marketer: "Brandon Hidalgo peddles $110 million of educational DVDs in the free-information age. His edge: pinpoint direct marketing."

The Rise Of The Networked Enterprise: Web 2.0 Finds Its Payday

The Rise Of The Networked Enterprise: Web 2.0 Finds Its Payday: "McKinsey's new survey research finds that companies using the Web intensively gain greater market share and higher margins."

To Boost Growing Small Businesses, Start Mentoring

To Boost Growing Small Businesses, Start Mentoring: "Connecting entrepreneurs with successful CEOs will help existing companies revitalize and expand our economy, says Eric Hippeau"

How 24 Local Food Businesses Compete

How 24 Local Food Businesses Compete:

Designing The Soft Side Of Customer Service

Designing The Soft Side Of Customer Service: "In service environments, customers have complex needs. Even in the most mundane encounters, emotions are lurking under the surface. Your job is to make those feelings positive."

Married Couple's Guide To The New Estate Tax Law

Married Couple's Guide To The New Estate Tax Law: "Questions and answers on the new $10 million per couple federal estate tax break."

Small Businesses Should Focus on Exports

Small Businesses Should Focus on Exports: "Although exporting is traditionally considered the domain of multinationals, Kathleen Brush says small and midsized companies have plenty to gain from selling overseas"

Where To Find Capital Now?

Where To Find Capital Now?: "Five alternative sources of capital."

Rewrite Your Will

Rewrite Your Will: "With couples now able to pass on $10 million untaxed, it's time to redo your estate plan."

Direct Sales: Golden Opportunity or Hype?

Direct Sales: Golden Opportunity or Hype?: "Selling door-to-door can be big business. We explore the pros and cons."

Why Everybody Trusted Madoff

Why Everybody Trusted Madoff: "And how you can benefit from understanding the kind of trust they displayed."

Three Titans' Tips For Business Success

Three Titans' Tips For Business Success: "Advice that has unfailingly helped me."

How a Gen-Y'er Launched a Personal Branding Firm

How a Gen-Y'er Launched a Personal Branding Firm: "The 27-year-old founder of Millennial Branding talks about managing a growing stable of products and services."