Starting a business is hard work. It can be even harder if you’re wearing rose-colored glasses that blind you to some of the big challenges ahead — especially if you’re already struggling to make ends meet when it comes to your personal finances. The good news is, many early business problems are common and possible […]
How to Promote Your Company with Awareness Campaigns and Celebrations
Many companies use national awareness campaigns or celebrations as marketing opportunities, whether it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, National Women’s History Month in March or a dedication to financial literacy in April. Suddenly, the shopping app Rakuten links with Pride-themed merchandise in June and the classic shape of Cheerios turns to hearts for American […]
Is an Education Reimbursement Program a Good Move for My Business?
Some of the largest employers in the world are now reimbursing their employees’ education expenses. Companies like Target, Disney and the world’s largest employer, Walmart, all reimburse 100% of tuition and books for employees who qualify. Over a five-year period, Disney and Walmart plan to invest $150 million and $1 billion, respectively, in employee education. […]
How to Start a Loyalty Program Without Losing Money
One way to potentially increase your customer base — especially when encouraging repeat business — is to implement a loyalty program. In fact, more than half of U.S. consumers are interested in using loyalty programs from local businesses, according to a June 2021 report released by payments industry analyst PYMNTS.com. While a good loyalty program […]
More Than 1/2 of Senior Managers Plan to Add Positions in Q4 of 2021
It appears that job seekers will continue to enjoy a wealth of work opportunities in the remaining half of 2021 — even as employers in various sectors have trouble finding workers. According to a new survey of more than 2,800 senior managers from global human resource consulting firm Robert Half, 51% expect they’ll add new […]
50% of Microbusiness Owners Still Reeling from Coronavirus Pandemic
Half of microbusinesses — those with five or fewer employees — are still being negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new survey from Yahoo Small Business. Among these struggling microbusinesses, 66% have considered shuttering. Here’s what Yahoo found during its deep look at the current state of businesses: Technology remains a key driver […]
10 Ways a Social Media Presence Could Impact Your Business
Social media is a hot marketing ticket these days, and one that has become increasingly more beneficial to a company’s bottom line. A June 2021 poll done on behalf of Sprout Social found that 78% of consumers are more willing to buy from a brand after a positive interaction with that brand on social media. […]
7 Ways to Start an Effective Internship Program
Internship programs can be a practical way to introduce new talent to your business, boost productivity and help sharpen your employees’ leadership and mentorship skills. Here are some key components of successful internships, and how you can create an effective program that benefits your company’s bottom line. Set goals Get clear about what you’re hoping […]
Should You Restart Business Travel?
We all know the story too well by now: when the world shut down more than a year ago, we had to get creative when it came to day-to-day business operations. Given the spread of the coronavirus via aerosol droplets, face-to-face meetings were one of the first activities halted — even though more than three-quarters […]
PPP Funding Important or Critical for Nearly All Businesses
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It may not have been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners. Small businesses continue to struggle financially, relying on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to stay afloat, according to an early 2021 survey from […]