Setting a Value For Your Biz

It’s something that every small business should stop and ask themselves, at least every once in a while:  How much is my business worth?  Most small businesses probably don’t even have a solid grasp, or a truly accurate assessment.  While you can always hire an outside consultant to take a look at your assets and determine what your business might get on the “open market” the truth is you can get a good idea of what you’re worth by following some simple steps. Continue Reading…

Keep Them Informed via Twitter

In the past we’ve discussed the benefits of using Twitter as a business tool (here, here & here), and it is becoming a necessity for every business in today’s social media driven landscape. In these stories, we offered some insight into what Vistaprint and other large companies have done as examples to learn from.  However after reading Sarah Neeleman’s column in the Wall Street Journal, it’s clear there are things that everyone can learn from small business owners who have averted a crisis and PR headaches via Twitter. Continue Reading…

Best Customer Service is Personal

Recently we discussed the benefits of using and monitoring online review sites like Yelp to help support your customer service efforts. I wanted to share a story about how my family business recently used an online review site to connect with a customer and help defuse a negative situation. Continue Reading…

Optimizing the Power of Your Brand

This guest post is part of our ongoing Small Business Perspective series, and is written by Caprice de Lorm, owner of de Lorm Designs in Orange County, CA.

Branding. We’ve all heard about it. We all want to do it well, brand our companies in a way that resonates within our company, evokes recognition and positive thoughts from current and potential clients, and attracts the “right” audience for our services and products. Continue Reading…

Internet Offers Platform for SBA

There is no question that our current President and his administration have embraced the Web like never before.  Speeches, pending legislation, and information on all kinds of government programs are now outlined online, including ways to get in touch and communicate directly with the government. The highest offices’ use of social media has had a trickledown effect across the Capitol, with everyone from aides to Senators and even the Pentagon getting on the Internet/social media bandwagon. The one group that seemed to be slow to embrace these tools and methods was the government’s Small Business Administration. That was until recently; the SBA now has a presence on YouTube. Continue Reading…