As many small business owners continue to debate whether or not to heed the clarion call for all-things-social media, the Internet landscape has only gotten more complex and confusing. As a time-strapped, cash-strapped small business owner, you may be wondering where do you even start? Try asking that question, and be prepared to get back […]
Author Archives: Gary Barzel
5 Ways a Tablet Computer Can Improve Productivity in Your Business
Now that the iPad has opened the floodgates on tablet computers, and the cost to own one of these devices is getting more reasonable (several models are selling for $200-$400), you may want to consider using them in your small business. Most of the research that has come out lately, such as this study by […]
7 Influential and Inspiring Women Bloggers to Follow if You Run a Small Business
The web is literally saturated with professional women bloggers, and plenty of these women have been recognized as some of the biggest movers and shakers in their respective industries. But more often than not, when I visit some of these “influential” blogs I get the feeling that no one’s home. Even where there are comments […]
4 Easy Business Networking Tips That Anyone Can Do
Unless you’re one of those uber confident people who just loves to work the crowd, business networking can be one of the more daunting aspects of running a business. If you are not a natural networker, there are nevertheless several things you can do to make the process more feasible. Finding an effective combination of […]
How to Succeed As an Entrepreneur in 2012
Earlier this week, I saw an interesting post by Scott Shane over at SmallBizTrends.com in which he highlights a trend that so far seems to have avoided media scrutiny: an apparent entrepreneurial exodus has been going on over the past five years. Though the number of people taking the entrepreneurial plunge seems to have increased […]
10 Tools to Bring Your Website to the Mobile Web
One of the biggest trends making waves in the coming year is the increase in the number of people who will use their smartphones, tablet computers, and other mobile devices to access the Internet. According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, 35% of American adults own a smartphone and 44% of them […]
10 Top Trends for Small Businesses in 2012
Now that 2011 has passed (and what a wild and crazy year it was!) and 2012 is well under way, it’s time to look at some trends that will shape the upcoming year for small business owners. Taken as a whole, in 2012 you can expect to see a lot of maturing and fine tuning […]
Beyond the Credit Bureau: Social Sourcing Your Creditworthiness?
Just when you thought it was hard enough to remain creditworthy as a small business owner or solopreneur, a new report published at American Banker highlights a potential banking trend that could change the way credit is built and maintained. According to the report that discusses nine trends affecting risk software in the banking industry, […]
5 Things You Must Do Before Hiring a Virtual Assistant
If your to-do list is fast becoming unsustainable, you do not have to wait till you are literally drowning in tasks you do not have the time, skills, nor expertise to accomplish. You could hire a virtual assistant (VA) to help you. As small business profit margins stay slim and trim while sales continue to […]
The Winners and Losers of the 2011 Retail Holiday Season- Infographic
As the year winds down and the dust begins to settle it’s getting pretty clear which businesses came out winning and which businesses won’t even be walking away with a consolation prize this holiday season. Front and center in the headlines: Amazon.com’s continuing dominance in online sales fueled by a series of incredibly strategic […]