If growth is your primary goal, take note of these two essential sales strategies: cross-selling and upselling. Why? Because it’s much easier to sell to existing customers than to acquire new ones. According to Marketing Metrics, the probability of selling to an existing customer is 60 to 70 percent, while the likelihood you’ll sell to a new prospect is just 5 to 20 percent. Some entrepreneurs use the terms “upselling”… Read more
For business owners who want financial security now and freedom in retirement, having a financial planner on the team is a must. A financial planner will create a customized, strategic action plan to help you achieve your personal financial goals. Getting to know you and your business inside out is the first step a financial planner will take to understand where you are now, where you want to go, and… Read more
Steady, reliable cash flow is crucial for the survival of any small business – so taking steps to ensure your customers pay promptly should be a key priority. When your clients consistently pay on time, you’ll avoid the dreaded “feast or famine” cycle. You’ll be able to pay your vendors, suppliers, and employees on time – and not least of all, yourself. Implement these ten tips now to start getting… Read more
They both work with financial data; they’re both essential for managing a successful business. Yet the roles and duties of a bookkeeper and accountant rarely overlap. If you’re like many business owners, you may not be exactly sure of the differences between a bookkeeper and accountant – and whether you should hire one, or both. An established, growth-focused company will employee the services of both an accountant and bookkeeper. The… Read more
No business owner looks forward to a letter from the taxman requesting a closer look at the books. If you’ve received an audit letter – an official request by the tax authority to review your accounts and confirm your taxes have been paid to date – don’t panic. Prepare. These four steps will help you get through the process with minimal stress and the best possible outcome. Respond promptly If… Read more
It’s been said that a business partnership is a lot like a marriage, and the comparison holds true when things go awry: the end of a partnership is a lot like divorce. Lawyers will be involved and assets will need to be divided. However, a separation need not be overly dramatic or unnecessarily painful. This is where succession planning comes in. It’s never too soon to start succession planning Succession planning… Read more
Very few business owners have the means to operate without borrowing at start up, or later on when it’s time to invest in growth. Borrowing, however, is only a temporary solution to a lack of funds. Without a repayment plan debt can grow into an unmanageable problem that costs much more than the initial loan. These strategies will help you re-pay your debt faster, so you can invest the cash… Read more
For small businesses, working with independent contractors can be a life saver. You can hand over tasks you don’t have time for – at a fraction of the cost of an employee. Unlike staff, you won’t owe a contractor payroll taxes, unemployment insurance, health insurance, or other employee benefits. Because contractors aren’t employees, however, they do need to be managed differently. They’re accustomed to being their own bosses, for one… Read more
It’s been said that a business partnership is a lot like a marriage, and the comparison holds true when things go awry: the end of a partnership is a lot like divorce. Lawyers will be involved and assets will need to be divided. However, a separation need not be overly dramatic or unnecessarily painful. These tips can help make separation easier – and more amicable – should your business partnership… Read more
Ever dreamed of starting a family business? Investing in a franchise opportunity with friends? Businesses owned and operated by families can have incredible staying power. Volkswagen, Samsung, and Nike – all family-owned companies – are among the world’s most successful, leading brands. It can be fun and rewarding to work with family and friends. But before you hire the people you care about most, it’s wise to consider the pros… Read more
A coordinated marketing plan enables you to increase your chances of success by strongly positioning your business in the marketplace. It helps you define your market, target customers and competition. Your plan should illustrate that you understand who your customers are, and what they want. It should also outline how you intend to boost awareness of your brand. It’s also important to outline what methods you’re going to use –… Read more
At some point in its lifetime, every small business suffers from cash flow problems. The trick is to think ahead and figure out when these problems are going to arise so you don’t have to unexpectedly postpone a purchase or hurriedly seek out additional finance. This is where cash flow forecasts come in. Download our FREE Cashflow Kit including Cashflow Forecast Calculator today! Name* Name Email* PhoneThis field is for… Read more
A coordinated marketing plan enables you to increase your chances of success by strongly positioning your business in the marketplace. It helps you define your market, target customers and competition. Your plan should illustrate that you understand who your customers are, and what they want. It should also outline how you intend to boost awareness of your brand. It’s also important to outline what methods you’re going to use –… Read more
The same advice for building a healthy investment portfolio applies to your business: diversifying will lower risk and increase growth. Adding a recurring revenue stream (or two, or three!) can provide a predictable, ongoing source of income which will improve the accuracy of your projections, increase profits, and provide a buffer for any unexpected sales dips. Here are four simple ways to start earning recurring revenue for your small business.… Read more
These days your personal data is everywhere, and that information is valuable to marketers, hackers and everyone in between. If you want to prevent the unauthorized use of your personal information, you need to take a proactive approach to protecting yourself and your identity. You can no longer afford to be blasé about your data security – if you are not taking proactive measures to prevent the use of your… Read more
In today’s fast-paced world, everyone wants to be more productive. Fortunately, there is an ever-increasing number of tools, many of them available online and across multiple devices, that promise to help us achieve our goals. The challenge then becomes how to know not just which tools will live up to their promise but which tools are right for our business. Choosing the best productivity tools depends on a number of factors,… Read more
A coordinated marketing plan enables you to increase your chances of success by strongly positioning your business in the marketplace. It helps you define your market, target customers and competition. Your plan should illustrate that you understand who your customers are, and what they want. It should also outline how you intend to boost awareness of your brand. It’s also important to outline what methods you’re going to use –… Read more
Whether you complete your business objectives in a year or 20 years from now, or you just feel like you need a change of scenery, leaving a company you built with your own two hands is never easy. You’ve got to consider your employees’ futures and commitments to financial partners – not to mention your own business legacy. Needless to say, you’ll also want to make sure you exit with… Read more
It can be a challenge for new business owners to find a bank that will approve them for even a small business loan. Most will see a young company as too high a risk to qualify for corporate lending. A credit card can serve as a short term solution for small scale financing, offering entrepreneurs a “foot in the door” with a lender. Think of it as a chance to… Read more
At some point in its lifetime, every small business suffers from cash flow problems. The trick is to think ahead and figure out when these problems are going to arise so you don’t have to unexpectedly postpone a purchase or hurriedly seek out additional finance. This is where cash flow forecasts come in. Download our FREE Cashflow Kit including Cashflow Forecast Calculator today! Name* Name Email* NameThis field is for… Read more