Retirement Plans for the Small Business Owner: The SEP Plan

Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plans can provide a significant source of income at retirement by allowing employers to set aside money in retirement accounts for themselves and their employees. A SEP does not have the start-up and operating costs of a conventional retirement plan and allows for a contribution of up to 25 percent of each employee’s pay.
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How Much Money Can You Make as a Franchisee?

When investigating a franchise opportunity, one of the most difficult pieces of information to get from the franchisor is how much money you might make. This may be frustrating because you are not going to invest in a business until you have a good idea of what you can earn.
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Is social media important?

The importance or value of social media advertising and marketing varies by the business product or service, target audience, and other factors. Just like other types of advertising, it is often necessary for a business to test new advertising methods in order to obtain in-market results that indicate effectiveness.

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Sending Unsubscribed Email Hurts Your Brand

As if keeping up with emails isn’t challenging enough, I find my inbox filled with new promotional messages (SPAM) every day. And, no, I’m not talking about scams from overseas con artists. I’m talking about North American companies and start-ups that believe their products and services will be valuable to me as a blogger/marketer.
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5 Startup Legal Shortcuts That Can Be Expensive

Although every startup is unique, there are certain common avoidable mistakes that can lead to legal complications that jeopardize the long-term success of the business. I’m not suggesting that every startup needs a lawyer, but you should definitely pay attention, and not be afraid to consult legal counsel if any of these raise qualms for you.
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A Competitive Advantage: Be Nice

If you’ve been reading my customer service articles or watching my weekly videos on YouTube, then you know my definition of being amazing is about consistently being better than average. And above average means exactly that. You don’t have to be over-the-top amazing.
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Outsource Your Manufacturing with Alibaba

Alibaba is China’s largest global marketplace for online sourcing and shopping. With over 2 million supplier storefronts and an e-commerce platform similar to eBay and Amazon in the US, Alibaba offers safe and simple trade solutions and easy access to verified suppliers.
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