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As a business owner, negotiating sales terms, purchases and service contracts is part of your day-to-day life. But when it comes to securing retail space, an office lease or industrial workshop, you may not feel as confident in your negotiating skills. Here are some guidelines to help you navigate negotiations: EDUCATE YOURSELF ON THE CURRENTRead more

The business plan process helps you think through all parts of your business, establish a solid foundation and puts you in a position for business growth. The parts of the business plan that you can’t do or are hard for you, are the areas where you need professional help. Here are some tips for creatingRead more

Being prepared is one of the best things you can do for your business. Statistics show that one in four businesses forced to close because of a disaster never reopen, but there are ways to prevent that. In developing a plan for how to stay open during a disaster, you insure a better rebuilding andRead more

There are many steps to becoming an entrepreneur. Before starting a business on your own there are several things you should consider. To begin with you should evaluate your business idea. Here are some tips to get you started.  TAKE A SURVEY: DO YOU HAVE THE SKILLS AND PERSONALITY TO SUCCEED? Successful entrepreneurs tend toRead more

As many business owners from California to the Caribbean found out the hard way in 2017, business interruption insurance can be as vital to your business’s survival as fire and other hazard insurance. When a business has to close down, whether the cause is a fire in the building or a wide-spread disaster, cash flowRead more

Virtually all businesses face the possibility of a burglary, a robbery or theft by an employee. Retail businesses also face the possibility of a major shoplifting loss. Law enforcement officials say that, most often, these are crimes of opportunity that happen because the criminal spots an easy chance and takes it. Here are some waysRead more

There are practical strategies every employer needs to know and best practices to use that will minimize their chances of being sued. Here are a few things you might want to avoid: MAKE EVERYBODY “EXEMPT” The simple fact is, not every employee can be classified “exempt.” State and federal laws provide that certain positions mayRead more

A disaster can prove devastating to an unprepared business owner. But there are things you can do to minimize the effects of whatever disaster may befall your business. Disasters come in all sizes, from the wildfires that swept across much of California during 2017 and the hurricanes that struck the Caribbean, Florida, Georgia and TexasRead more

Showcasing the features that make your product unique is what helps to set it apart from the competition. Features can communicate the capability of a product or service, but features are only valuable if the customer sees those particular features as providing a valuable benefit. Benefits are the reasons customers buy the product or service. Sometimes,Read more

January is a great time for small business owners to get organized financially. From reviewing business expenses, to managing cash flow and revising business plans, every business owner can benefit from a financial refresh. Here are three financial tips to help you ring in a fiscally-sound 2018: PLAN AHEAD FOR TAXES As a small businessRead more