Growth Tips for Businesses

Why an FDD Should Be Your Guiding Beacon

By Jania Bailey | May 29, 2013

With over 3,000 choices of franchise concepts in the marketplace today, your options for owning your own business are limitless. But not all franchises are created equally. So, how will you be able to gain the necessary piece of mind that the opportunity you intend to pursue is legitimate?

5 Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Franchise Business

By Jania Bailey | May 29, 2013

When entrepreneurs begin talking with franchise systems, they tend to ask pretty standard questions. But the higher you go in the building, the more pointed and detailed the questions get, and they’re critical for a franchisee candidate to ask before signing the franchise agreement.

In Marketing the Constant Is Change

By Drew McLellan | May 29, 2013

There are lots of ways to stay current but it all starts with the attitude of recognizing that it’s a part of your job and it’s one of the ways you keep your company relevant and profitable.

An Overview of Traditional Financing

By Biz2Credit.com | May 29, 2013

When you’re looking to raise funds to start or grow your small business, the usual place to start is the bank. Bank financing is a tried and true source of capital for many small businesses. Traditional financing will generally provide the most affordable, if not the easiest, access to the funding your business needs.

An Overview of Alternative Financing

By Biz2Credit.com | May 29, 2013

With credit tight and traditional bank loans difficult to obtain, many small business owners are turning to the alternative financing industry to get the funding their business needs. “Alternative” financing can include a wide variety of options, some better suited to certain businesses than others. You should investigate each option to determine which is best for your business.

Price Increases and Strategy?

By Bill Wortman | May 29, 2013

You are correct that competitive prices can be critical in an economic recession in order to maintain customers and market share; however, you still need to maintain adequate profit margins and profitability. We do not know how long it may have been since you increased your prices; however, businesses must continually monitor their profit margins and operating costs…

Hiring Sales Staff?

By Angela Cordle | May 29, 2013

As you have experienced, it is very difficult for startup and other small businesses without predictable sales and/or with limited capital resources to attract and retain skilled sales staff on a 100% commission pay structure. While you may be able to recruit sales staff in this high unemployment environment, you will have difficulty retaining 100% commissioned employees unless they can quickly generate sales and commission income.

How do I bill my clients for my consulting services?

By Bill Wortman | May 29, 2013

We do not know the type of consulting services you plan to offer. However, business consultants and other service businesses have standard billing rates by staff position. Also, these billing rates are often adjusted based on the total hours of the project, competing consultant fees, and other factors.

What is Workers Compensation Insurance?

By Bill Wortman | May 29, 2013

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system designed to provide benefits to employees injured as a result of their employment activities and to limit the liability of employers. Because it is a no-fault system, the employee does not need to prove negligence on the part of the employer to establish liability.

How do I file a sole proprietorship under the same name?

By Bill Wortman | May 29, 2013

Sole proprietor formation: You can review the other basic steps to forming a sole proprietorship in your state through the following government and business resources, which include these considerations…