How to learn from failure in business

Ask any successful entrepreneur about their path to greatness and you’ll get the same answer: failure is an inevitable part of the journey. It took Thomas Edison 1,000 failed attempts before he finally invented the light bulb. Tim Ferris received 25 rejections before his bestselling book, “The 4 Hour Workweek” was finally published and sold millions of copies. It’s a fact that 20% of businesses fail in their first year…  Read more

The three most important financial reports

While many small business owners prefer brainstorming new ideas to pouring over financial reports, getting a handle on financial analysis can be remarkably empowering. Taking the time to regularly review financial statements can help you assess and improve current performance, avoid risk and make scalable plans for future growth. Protect your company’s financial health by learning your way around these three financial reports. Cash flow statement The cash flow statement…  Read more

The top 10 cities for business start-ups

Whether you are thinking of launching a small, local business or a global enterprise, finding a city that is friendly toward entrepreneurs is important. You want a city that is culturally supportive of business owners, in a region or country that makes things easy for you from a financial perspective. You also want to be in a place where it is easy to attract and retain good talent, and where…  Read more

Improving your business with better time management

When things are hectic, most small business owners wish they could find a way to get more than 24 hours into a day. Often, your ‘to-do’ list can get so long that you feel you never get to put as much attention into every task as you would like. It can also mean more time in the office or dealing with work issues after-hours – cutting into your free time…  Read more

5 Tips to Improve the Conversion Rate on Your Site

If you want to increase sales on your e-commerce site, you should not only focus on traffic but also on your conversion rate. The higher your conversion rate, the more money you can make with the same number of visitors. Here are five tactics to help you increase your conversion rate. Test Testing is an important part of improving your conversion rate. Split testing can help you determine what aspects…  Read more

How to get professional business stationery on a tight budget

If you’re like most budget-conscious companies, any opportunity to grow your business while saving a few dollars is a win. These tips will help you create professional business stationery that builds trust in your brand, promotes your company, and helps market your services without breaking the bank. Explore cost saving DIY options As you consider your business stationery options, if you’ve already got your brand’s visual identity down, you’re halfway…  Read more

Tips for writing effective performance reviews

Without knowing your break-even point, you can’t make informed business decisions. The performance review has become a rite of passage in the business world, yet many managers and employees fail to make the most of the opportunities these important discussions can provide. When used properly, the annual review process can provide managers with real insight into everything from employee perception of the company to ways to make the firm better…  Read more

How to write for an online audience

Most business owners appreciate that online marketing is increasingly important for sales and growth, but drafting effective web copy can be an intimidating prospect. The good news is you don’t need a background in marketing to master the basics of effective web writing. You just need to know a few guidelines that can make your copy more engaging to an online audience. Here’s how. 1.Think like your customer Knowing your…  Read more

Workable New Year resolutions

New Year resolutions – we’ve all made them, and broken them − often before the end of January. There’s something about New Year celebrations that makes us yearn for a fresh start, but is there a way to make that desire for change more permanent? Here’s a twist that can make your resolutions more durable, more beneficial and less prone to that embarrassing quick fade. Align goals to your business…  Read more

8 Ways to Manage People Better

Good people management comes through experience. Courses will teach you the theories, but there is no substitute for day-to-day practice managing staff and their issues. Giving yourself a head start with a common-sense approach and a healthy respect for everyone you come into contact with can help to develop a happy and productive workforce. Don’t micro-manage. Your employees were hired because they could do the job, so let them do…  Read more

How Not To Recruit

Eighty percent of staff turnover is caused by bad hiring decisions, according to the Harvard Business Review. But few organizations question whether problems within their own recruiting processes turn away potential talent. If your recruiting strategy exhibits any of the following obstacles, it’s time for a rethink. Self-Centered Job Advertisements Most job advertisements speak extensively about the talent, skills and qualifications a candidate must have, but do nothing to sell…  Read more

Enjoying a stress-free holiday

As a business owner it’s important to take time away from work. But worrying about whether staff are meeting deadlines and suppliers are happy translates to more stress and less time enjoying your holiday. With a little staff communication and planning beforehand, you needn’t worry that your business won’t be able to cope in your absence. If you really can’t switch off from work mode or something urgent pops up,…  Read more

Planning the year ahead

The turn of the year usually prompts most people to think about some business planning for the year ahead. Here are some tips to make the planning more productive. Get your team involved Business planning works best when it’s a team effort. Involve your key staff and your advisors, such as your accountant, your mentor (if you have one), and others who can contribute meaningfully to the planning, such as…  Read more

7 Common Health and Safety Risks in the Office and How to Mitigate Them

Offices are often thought of as relatively benign places, compared to more manual environments, such as factory floors or construction sites. But they hold many risks of their own to employees’ health and safety. Be sure of keeping your most valuable asset safe and well by ensuring you don’t overlook these seven common office-based risks. Lone working Lone working is not just about manual operatives working in remote or isolated…  Read more

Becoming a Better Leader by Developing Courage

Fear is a natural, emotional response to distress. The evolution of humanity was dependent upon feeling and responding to fear. Unfortunately for some of us, fear is a stumbling block to unlocking our full potential and becoming great leaders. The good news is, courage is like a muscle and when you exercise courage often it becomes stronger and more natural. Here are a handful of ways to overcome fear, find…  Read more

Surprisingly Destructive Habits You Should Avoid as an Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs want to have their hands on every aspect of their start-up. This is understandable, as many entrepreneurs come into their respective industries from a place of passion. Their passion will drive them to spend long nights at the office, working hard every hour of every day. Unknown to them, this kind of attitude can actually lead to some destructive outcomes. You must avoid these habits, despite the allure of…  Read more

6 Proven Ways to Improve Your Content Writing

When it comes to writing for blogs, not all content is created equal. Many articles are rushed, poorly written, and lack the research to back them up, all of which can drive away traffic and leave visitors with a negative first impression. The good news is that with the right know-how and a bit of effort, virtually anyone can dramatically improve their writing skills. Below are some of the most…  Read more

10 Daily Habits of the Rich and Powerful

It’s the little things that make up the big things. Here’s a list of ten traits of some of the movers and shakers in the world today (and from the past). 1. They Stay Healthy Health is make-or-break. If you have it, your life will take on meaning like you couldn’t otherwise know; but if you don’t have it, you will only accomplish a comparatively small percentage of what you…  Read more

What are the warning signs of employee fraud?

Billing schemes. Skimming. Check tampering. Employee fraud is a real risk for entrepreneurs of fewer than 100 employees. In fact, according to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners 30% of fraud cases take place in small businesses. This article will help you identify the most common signs of fraudulent activity before an unscrupulous employee destroys your business. Identifying high risk employees When an employee has something to hide, their conduct…  Read more

Which home loan is right for you?

Considering home ownership? Congratulations! Buying a home is an exciting milestone and for most people, one of the biggest investments they’ll ever make. Among the many decisions to be made along the way, you’ll need to choose the best mortgage option for your circumstances. In this blog we’ll weigh the pros and cons of fixed, variable, and revolving credit home loans to help you make the right choice. Why choose…  Read more

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