Are National Retailers Outpacing Locals on Customer Service?

The folks at at Software Advice—a free resource for customer service technology reviews—just concluded a six-month project called “The Great Retail Experience Race: Local vs. National.” The research was designed to compare the customer experience of five small retailers and five comparable national chain stores.
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Work vs. Life: How to Achieve a Better Balance

Work. Life. It’s the war of the worlds. At least, it seems like it. You work all day, and it never seems like you get a break—even when you kick your feet up on the coffee table at home. You’re stressed out, and you’re not getting good sleep.
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How soon can I start using a trademark?

Trademark registration. We do not know what you are attempting to trademark, but trademark protection is generally available for business names (entity, product, domain, etc), logos, slogans and some design elements; however, trademark protection is only granted when the names, logos, slogans and design elements identify the source of the goods or services and distinguish them from the competition.

SBA Loans vs. Non-SBA Loans

There are many options when it comes to small business loans. There are startup loans, equipment loans, business credit cards, business line of credit options, and loans to help recover from disasters. Is an SBA loan or a traditional loan right for you?
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How to be a Clear Communicator

To the extent that one shares meaning with another, the two parties communicated. Anyone familiar with the academic side of communication can tell you, it’s very difficult for any two people, much less groups, to accurately convey meaning to one another.
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How to Deal with Unpleasant Online Customers

The more you sell, the more likely you will have to deal with unpleasant customers along the way. Don’t cheat yourself of precious time by arguing with them; just handle it without emotion and as the awesome business owner that you are.
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