As you know, we are not lawyers and do not provide legal opinions. The comments that we offer on legal topics are not based on any legal qualifications and should not be considered as anything other than general feedback. Our ability to find information that is directly responsive to legal and regulatory questions is limited to referencing documents published by the government or other sources. If you are uncertain of your obligations under federal and state labor laws with respect to a particular employee termination or other employment matters, you should consult a local labor lawyer to ensure compliance.
Ask SmallBizClub
What blog topics would be beneficial to increase customer traffic?
A business blog has two basic purposes: promoting a business and networking to build and retain customer relationships. There are various ways to distribute or publish a blog to increase your blog viewer traffic with common website design and technical trend topics and other web design and industry articles and information that would be useful for your existing customers and other readers. As to increasing sales (buying customer traffic), you can use your blog to introduce new products or services, offer price discounts or other promotions, and include other call-to-action content that may be of interest to new or existing customers.
Price Increases and Strategy?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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…
Should I purchase my own work vehicle?
Personal vs. business vehicle: The business use of a vehicle is a tax deductible expense, whether the vehicle is owned or leased personally or by a business. Also, due to the potential personal income tax implications, vehicles are not typically owned by corporations or other business entities unless the business use (mileage) is substantial (80% or more, for example).
What is your opinion of “cloud based” storage of files?
Certainly online, or cloud-based, storage is a new technology, but we feel that it is reliable and can be cost effective. Having an external storage device is good; however, unless it is convenient to use, most people don’t back up on a timely basis. We would suggest you consider
Cold Calling Techniques?
Cold calling can involve phone calls to set appointments or cold call visits to prospects to have a sales meeting or set an appointment for a return visit. Also, in many industries it is common to send letters of introduction, brochures, catalogs, or other marketing materials before calling to set appointments or making direct sales calls.
