Growth Tips for Businesses

Big or Small: Brands That Stand Out Drive Sales

By Ed Roach | Jun 12, 2013

In the public domain, discussions on branding are almost exclusively focused on multi-national brands, brands we see in our daily lives. Brands such as Apple, General Motors, Google and McDonald’s. In discussing these powerful brands it becomes hard for small and medium size enterprises to recognize the value of branding. To these entrepreneurs, branding is the domain of world companies. Not so.

Is it possible for me to do the branding and marketing myself? If so, where do I start?

By Matt Tarkenton | Jun 11, 2013

We do not know your marketing experience and your timeline for implementing a brand strategy and new marketing plans for your business; however, it is certainly possible for a small business owner to develop branding and marketing plans. Also, many businesses find it productive to utilize outside advertising agencies to help develop branding and marketing strategies.

7 Tips for Overcoming Perfectionism and Getting More Done

By Patti Johnson | Jun 11, 2013

A very busy schedule and perfectionism are a deadly combination. A “friend of mine” has this problem from time to time. There just isn’t enough time to do everything and do it perfectly.

Avoiding Charge-Backs

By Bluefin.com | Jun 11, 2013

A charge-back is a credit card processed sales transaction that occurs when your customer disputes the transaction or when you fail to follow proper credit card acceptance and authorization procedures. The result of a charge-back is a reversal of the transaction, the withdrawal of funds from your merchant account and a deposit of the funds back into your customer’s account.

Business Categorization, Industry, Location, and the Impact on Merchant Rates

By Bluefin.com | Jun 11, 2013

There are many factors that will determine what kind of fees you are charged by your processor. There are some factors that you can control, such as limiting charge-backs and fraud exposure, and others that you cannot, such as how you accept payments, your industry, and your physical business location.

Factors That Determine the Transaction Fee Effective Rate

By Bluefin.com | Jun 11, 2013

Transaction fees, also called effective rates or merchant fees, are fees that are charged to you by your payment processor on each transaction processed. The fee includes the bank interchange, the credit card association fees, and the processor fee. There are several factors that will determine your transaction fees:

Do Investors Back First-Time Entrepreneurs?

By Rick Gossett | Jun 11, 2013

Investors do indeed back first-time entrepreneurs, but it’s clearly their second choice. Most investors prefer to find an entrepreneur who has a proven track record—at least one successful venture—and then bet that the success can be repeated. Their mantra is: “We back the jockey, not the horse.”

Standing Out at a Trade Show

By Eric Blair | Jun 11, 2013

Trade shows are events that can help businesses gain new customers, connect with existing customers, and get the exposure that they need. In order to stand out from the crowd, there are many things you can do.

Google+ Best Practices for Franchises

By FranchiseSolutions.com | Jun 10, 2013

Google+ is becoming an increasingly significant component to the success of local franchise businesses trying to obtain more customers through Google. Here are ways to generate brand awareness and bring your local franchise businesses more potential customers.

8 Key Focus Elements Will Attract Startup Investors

By Marty Zwilling | Jun 10, 2013

One of the most common failures I see in startups is lack of focus. Unfocused entrepreneurs boast that their new technology will generate multiple disruptive products for consumers as well as enterprises around the world. Investors hear this as trying to do too many things with limited resources, meaning the startup will not shine at anything, and will not survive the competition.