Ask SCORE

SCORE, "Counselors to America's Small Business," is a nonprofit organization of more than 13,000 volunteer business counselors who provide free, confidential business counseling and training workshops to small business owners. Call 610.327.2673 for the Pottstown SCORE chapter, or find a counselor online at www.pottstownscore.org

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Don't Let Office Clutter Clog Up Your Efficiency

For many small business owners, a cluttered desk or office is a sign of success. Things are good, so there’s more that has to be done. But it doesn’t take much for office clutter to go from a source of pride to a serious, potentially overwhelming problem.

Motivation Matters in Getting the Best from Your Employees

One of the first and most important lessons an entrepreneur learns is that employees really are a small business’s most important resource. In fact, the business literally cannot succeed with out them. Their talent, skills, and effort truly add value to your products or services, allowing you to focus on the planning and creative issues that will move your business forward.

Point, Click, Read: The Power of Good Web Copy

Good writing is the fundamental element of all your small business marketing strategy. A thoughtful, well-crafted message that connects with your customers will do more to connect with your customers than any other element.

This is particularly true for websites. Although the web is a visual-driven medium, with sites using flashy graphics, sounds, and other fancy features, success still comes down to what you say and how you say it.

Ethics: Don't Do Business Without Them

Operating an honest, ethical business may seem like a no-brainer. But in today’s highly competitive business environment, the temptation to bend the rules looms large. And don’t think that it’s OK to do something “just this once.” Not only is a wrong choice always wrong, but one-time ethics breaches often become habits. And, once the reputation of you and your business are compromised, it may be impossible to repair the damage.

Equipment Leasing Equals Lasting Value

Ready to invest in some new equipment for your small business, but concerned about the added burden of a loan? Consider leasing. 

Not only does leasing help you conserve your cash, it also ensures that you don’t wind up paying for equipment that quickly becomes obsolete or unsuited for your needs. And if you need the equipment only for a short time or special project, leasing saves you the hassle of having to be both buyer and seller.

Maximize Your Web Site's Visibility and Value

“You do your best business on Main Street,” so the old saying goes. But for 21st Century small businesses, “Main Street” is the so-called Information Highway of the Internet.

While a Web site is now considered a must for most any kind of small businesses— whether it’s just a “billboard” or a full e-commerce site— just having an Internet presence is not enough. You must continually monitor and reevaluate its looks, function, and utility to make sure its meeting the needs of your business and— more importantly— hose of your customers.

Borrowing from Friends or Family Requires Wise Management

Friends and family are an invaluable source of support for the aspiring small business owner. And often, they’re an invaluable source of financial assistance as well.

In fact, more small businesses rely on loans from friends and family than any other funding source. Familiarity with the person and his/her business goals, the investment opportunity, and the ability to monitor the venture’s progress are among the major reasons why friends and family members willingly contribute to a start-up or expansion.

Build a Better Business by Listening to Your Customers

Do you ever wonder what your customers think of your business? Are you meeting their expectations? Are there area’s that need improvement? Will they like that product or service enhancement you’ve been thinking about?

All those answers and more are there for the asking. All you have to do is listen.

Franchising is Fun and Rewarding — If You Do Your Homework

Franchising has been characterized as a way to be in business for yourself, without being by yourself. Rather than having to “reinvent the wheel,” a franchise owner can take advantage of tested concepts and proven operational and marketing strategies, as well as the franchisor’s institutional knowledge and guidance. 

When It Comes to Collections, Never Assume

Business relationships are usually straightforward. You provide a product or service, and the customer pays you for it in a timely manner. But every small business owner will likely have to deal with tardy or missed payments. Don’t ignore them or assume the customer will eventually follow through. Money owed to your business—known as receivables—cuts into your profits and complicates your cash flow.

A good collections strategy can help prevent slow payments before they become a problem, and ensure that income from aged invoices isn’t lost forever.

Protecting Your Intellectual Properties is a Smart Move

“TM,” “SM,” “PAT PEND,” “©,” “®.” These small symbols and abbreviations carry a lot of legal weight when it comes to safeguarding a company’s proprietary names, designs, products, and services. As an entrepreneur, you should consider making sure the valuable intellectual properties of your small business are protected as well. But which one(s) do you need?

Trademarks are not the same as patents and copyrights, even though the differences are not widely understood. While there are similarities, they serve different purposes.

Make Employee Retention a Top Priority

The expression, “good help is hard to find,” has never been more accurate. Competition for talented workers is intense in most locations and specialties, and the “best of the best” know it. If they’re unsatisfied with their current job, they have no qualms about looking for something else.

"Green" Business: The Shade of Things to Come

Being environmentally conscious is not just good for the earth; it’s good for your business as well. Studies show that consumers are increasingly attracted to businesses that promote their proactive efforts to protect the environment. Many high-profile companies are limiting the product and service contracts to vendors with good “green” track records. Plus, many practices and products that help reduce pollution and conserve natural resources can also help reduce business costs over the long term. 

A Makeover Can Freshen Up a Stale Business

Have those good ideas stopping coming? Do your employees appear to be doing little more than going through the motions? Are your competitors making splashes in the media that you can’t answer?

If so, a makeover could be just the thing to re-energize your business. It need not be a major overhaul; some minor tweaks may be enough. What’s important is that you recognize the need for action, and learn all you can to make informed decisions.

Money Matters When Starting a New Business

Starting a small business requires extensive planning and research. But just because things are up and running doesn’t mean your days as a strategist are done. In fact, they are just beginning.

Planning is an ongoing necessity because the environment in which your small business operates continually changes. New opportunities and challenges will arise that are different than those assessed during the start-up stage. Your initial financial projections may be literally and figuratively on the money— or trending in a different and unexpected direction.

Need a Hand With Hiring? Consider a PEO

Nothing good comes easy, and that includes hiring and managing good employees for your small business. That’s why many entrepreneurs are turning to professional employer organizations (PEOs) to handle the complex, time-consuming administrative burdens of human resource management.

Being Environmentally Friendly is Both Easy and Cost Effective

With climate change and diminishing resources dominating the news these days, small business owners are looking for ways to make their operations more environmentally friendly. Simple steps such as recycling soda cans and turning off lights are a good place to start, but there are many other ways you can make a big difference without a lot of effort and expense.  What’s more, these measures will benefit both the environment and your bottom line.

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