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Web.com Small Business Toolkit: NextSpace (Shared Workspace)

January 21st, 2013 ::

NextSpace

Working from home can get old fast, and being isolated can stifle productivity and creativity for a lot of entrepreneurs. However, office space can be costly and distracting. NextSpace hopes to change all that by providing cool workspaces with a professional infrastructure for freelancers and entrepreneurs looking for a creative community in which to grow their businesses. NextSpace locations have Internet and utilities, conference rooms, business services and, most importantly, other creative individuals you can bounce ideas off of and can network with for more business opportunities. Currently there are six NextSpace locations with another one in the works; you must be a member to take advantage of their locations.

 

 

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Posted in Entrepreneurs, Resources, Small Business, small business, Workforce | 1 Comment »

10 Ways to Stay Competitive in 2013

January 9th, 2013 ::

By Rieva Lesonsky

Is your small business doing all it can be to stay competitive in 2013 and beyond? The latest Citibank Small Business Pulse survey spotlighted 10 actions the most successful small business owners take to keep their companies competitive. Are you doing them?

1: Do your research and get educated. Some 88 percent of small businesses surveyed say they regularly work to stay up to date and knowledgeable about their industry and changes in the market.

2: Work hard and do what needs to get done. Successful small business owners are dedicated—so much so that more than half (53 percent) say they didn’t take a vacation last summer.

3: Update or upgrade technology. Nearly 70 percent of respondents say they recently updated or upgraded their computer systems, and 51 percent have made a major change to their business technology.

4: Know your clients. More than two-thirds (67 percent) say they are spending more “face time” with customers to keep their businesses ahead of the pack. Such client relationships also help entrepreneurs stay on top of industry and market trends.

5: Keep a close eye on cash and budgets. Many small businesses say they are keeping cash in reserves and spending cautiously. No wonder: Some 58 percent admit that cash flow issues have been a major challenge in the past few years. However, 73 percent feel they are doing a good job of managing their cash effectively.

6: Be involved. Small business owners are taking part in their business and local communities: 51 percent have built a network of suppliers and partner companies, and 47 percent say they have become more active in the community and local organizations.

7. Be prepared. If another economic downturn occurred, 80 percent of survey respondents say they could handle it. They’ve learned from the recent recession, in which many of them took steps such as running leaner, cutting operating costs and renegotiating contracts.

8: Plan ahead. Some 27 percent of small business owners say they can predict their cash situation four to six months ahead, which enables them to plan for the future.

9: Stick with your aspirations. Despite the challenges of entrepreneurship, nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of business owners polled say they are living their dream; three-fourths say they would do it all over again.

10: Market, market, market. More than half (53 percent) of small business owners say they’ve upped social media and online advertising in the last year, while 54 percent improved their websites and search engine presence.

Image by Flickr user Generationbass (Creative Commons)

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Posted in Accounting and Taxes, Business Development, Compliance, Entrepreneurs, Marketing, Networking, sales process, Search Marketing, Small Business, small business, Social Media, social media, Technology, Web Design | No Comments »

Use Your Down Time to Get Ready for 2013

December 20th, 2012 ::

By Maria Valdez Haubrich

As the year winds down, some small business owners find they’re busier than ever (I’m talking to you, retailers and e-tailers). However, for other small business owners, this time of year is a welcome break from the go-go-go of the rest of the year. If you find yourself with spare time on your hands as clients and employees take time off, how can you make the most of the down time to get your business ready for an even better 2013? Here are some ideas.

Get organized. Take this time to get your files (digital and paper) in order, update your time management system, get rid of unnecessary items and generally get a grip on anything that’s out of order in your business. You’ll feel ready to take on the world when you’re organized.

Make a plan. Whether you set aside a day for your entire staff to pow-wow, or just take a day off to yourself, spend some time thinking strategically about what you want your business to achieve in the New Year and how you’ll get there. Let yourself dream big—then create a plan to make it happen.

Learn something new. Maybe there’s a software program you never quite got the hang of or a skill you’d like to get more comfortable with, like public speaking. You may not have time to master it before your business gets busy again, but sign up for a class or take an online course so you’re committed to learning the skill. Your business will be better for it.

Update your technology. Year-end bargains are to be had for all kinds of technology right now. Whether you’ve been contemplating a new smartphone or tablets for your sales staff, now is the time to take advantage of the deals available. Make sure that what you purchase will integrate with your existing systems, and work with your IT person to update software as well.

Do what you’ve been putting off. Maybe that’s writing a disaster plan or succession plan for your business, updating your business insurance or some other task that sounds unpleasant and boring. Take a first step toward accomplishing that task (call the insurance agent, for example) and you’ll find it’s a lot easier to finish the rest of it.

Take a break. It may be hard to let go of your business, but sometimes you need time off to truly recharge. This time of year, it’s easier than most to find a day, a weekend or even a whole week when you can delegate to someone else and disconnect from your business. You’ll be surprised how it re-energizes you.

Image by Flickr user dscblogphotos (Creative Commons)

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Posted in Entrepreneurs, Small Business, small business | No Comments »

Web.com Small Business Toolkit: LeaveNow (Time Management Tool)

December 18th, 2012 ::

LeaveNow

Can’t seem to make it anywhere on time? Is traffic always getting the better of you? Check out this time management app to make sure you’re never late to an appointment again. This free app posts a reminder message on the home screen of your iOS device (iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad) and tells you exactly when it’s time to leave for your meeting in order to arrive on time. LeaveNow calculates traffic for different modes of transportation, including walking, biking, driving and public transportation, and then adjusts your departure times and sends reminders of when to put down what you’re doing and go. It also sends out a text telling the people you’re meeting that you’re on your way.

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Posted in Entrepreneurs, Resources, sales process, Small Business, small business | No Comments »

Start Your Own Small Business Support Group

November 13th, 2012 ::

By Karen Axelton

Do you think of other entrepreneurs as your competition? Well, some of them are, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn from them. In today’s economy, with big companies creating an ever-tougher environment for small business success, small businesses have to stick together—and sometimes, that might mean joining forces with people you typically consider your competition.

You probably already belong to one or more trade groups for your industry. But what if you created your own (smaller) small business support group? A smaller organization can meet more frequently, and gives you room for every member to be heard. Here are some ideas for starting your own group.

  • Figure out how big you want it to be. You want it big enough that even when everyone can’t come to a meeting, it will be worthwhile, but small enough that everyone gets to interact. Two dozen is a good general guideline.
  • Determine other parameters for membership. For instance, if your restaurant is in a popular downtown area, you might want to start a group only for downtown business owners. Or you might want to limit it only to restaurants.
  • Consider competition. Yes, it’s OK to have people within the same industry (two retail store owners) but if they are directly competitive (two children’s clothing store owners), they’re not going to feel comfortable sharing ideas and information with each other.
  • Set a schedule. You’ll want to have regular meetings or your group will quickly peter out. If monthly meetings are too much, make them at least quarterly.
  • Choose a location or rotate among different members’ locations.
  • Keep in touch online. Start a LinkedIn or Facebook group just for members so you can keep in touch between meetings. (Just don’t let online interaction substitute for in-person meetings; getting together face-to-face is crucial for give-and-take.)

What do you discuss in your group? Time is valuable, so it’s a good idea to set a basic agenda that you follow at every meeting. You can rotate so that one month you share marketing ideas, another you talk about employee management, and another you talk about cash flow issues. Be sure that when appropriate, you also talk about timely issues, such as new parking restrictions that are making it harder for customers to visit your shop and how your group should work with the city to change them. Share your challenges, concerns and insights, and you’ll all learn how to do things better!

Image by Flickr user emilio labrador (Creative Commons)

 

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Posted in Entrepreneurs, Small Business, small business | 1 Comment »

Web.com Small Business Toolkit: Stress Tracker (App to Measure Stress)

November 8th, 2012 ::

Stress Tracker

Feeling the stress of running your own business? You’re not alone, and with the Stress Tracker app, you can help yourself by figuring out what is stressing you out the most during your day. Created by a team of leading clinical psychologists and researchers using cognitive behavioral therapy, Stress Tracker provides an all-in-one personal stress management app that tracks, identifies and helps relieve your daily stress. Record such information as the source of stress, symptoms of stress and which coping strategies work best. Then the app gives you an action plan to deal with your stress and helps you make healthy choices.

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Posted in Entrepreneurs, Health and Wellness, Resources, Small Business, small business | No Comments »

Web.com Small Business Toolkit: Pocket Yoga (Yoga App)

October 25th, 2012 ::

Pocket Yoga

No time to get to your yoga class and it’s making you feel oh-so-un-yogi-like? No need to drive to a class with Pocket Yoga, a mobile app that offers quick instructions on yoga positions you can do in your office, hotel room or anywhere you need a little “om.” Practice at your own pace and on your own schedule. You can choose from three different practices, difficulty levels and durations. A detailed voice and visual instruction (of over 145 pose images) guides you through every pose, including each inhalation and exhalation. Since you don’t need Internet connectivity, you can use this app anywhere.

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Posted in Entrepreneurs, Health and Wellness, Resources, Small Business, small business | No Comments »

Web.com Small Business Toolkit: Focus Booster (Organization App)

October 10th, 2012 ::

Focus Booster

The right time management tool is such a matter of personal preference that it’s worth it to try and find the one that works for you. If you find yourself spending too long on certain projects or you forget to take a break, Focus Booster might be the app you’re looking for. Based on the Pomodoro Technique, a time management method created by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s, Focus Booster can be used for any kind of task. The tool separates periods of work into 25-minute intervals separated by breaks, based on the idea that frequent breaks can improve mental agility. The app lets you set how long of a break you want to take in advance.

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Posted in Entrepreneurs, Resources, Small Business, small business | No Comments »

Economy: Thumbs Down; Entrepreneurs: Thumbs Up

October 3rd, 2012 ::

By Rieva Lesonsky

“I can’t get no satisfaction,” Mick Jagger wailed in one of The Rolling Stones’ biggest hits. Maybe Jagger should try owning a small business. The results of a recent Gallup poll found that despite economic challenges, U.S. small business owners are thoroughly satisfied with their businesses.

The percentage of small business owners saying they are extremely (17 percent) or very (38 percent) satisfied with being a small business owner—a 12 percent jump compared to the third quarter of 2010. Another 29 percent of owners are somewhat satisfied—meaning that overall, a whopping 84 percent are satisfied. In comparison, just 16 percent of small business owners say they are not too (10 percent) or not at all (6 percent) satisfied with their businesses.

Since you could expect satisfaction to relate to a small business’s success, Gallup also asked the entrepreneurs how successful they believed their businesses were. Thirty-nine percent report feeling extremely or very successful, and more than half (51 percent) say they feel “somewhat” successful. That means 90 percent of small business owners think they’re successful to some degree.

Interestingly, in separate Gallup polls, small business owners have been expressing growing pessimism about the economy in general. This quarter’s Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index showed small-business owners’ overall optimism had declined; Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index dropped too; and another Gallup poll found limited capital spending plans among small business owners.

Given these attitudes, why are entrepreneurs feeling so positive about their businesses? There are a couple reasons I can think of. First, small business owners are natural optimists—we wouldn’t start businesses otherwise. And even when we think the economy is in trouble and the government isn’t much help, we’re confident in our own abilities to get through the tough times.

Second, this attitude isn’t just braggadocio—it’s reality. We have gotten through tough times, and four years after the Great Recession hit, any small business owners who’s survived and thrived has a right to feel extremely proud of what he or she has accomplished.

However, there’s still a lot of ground to gain back. In 2007 (before the recession began), 47 percent of small business owners Gallup polled felt their businesses were extremely or very successful, compared to 39 percent today. But like the small businesses in Gallup’s survey, I’m confident that no matter what the coming months (and the presidential election) bring, America’s small business owners will stay positive about their futures.

Image by Flickr user openpad (Creative Commons)

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Posted in Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship, Small Business, small business | No Comments »

Count Me In: Urban Rebound-Los Angeles Conference and Competition: Small Business Resource

May 11th, 2012 ::

Count Me In’s Urban Rebound-Los Angeles Conference and Competition

Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence, a leading provider of resources, business education, and community support for women entrepreneurs, will hold the Urban Rebound-Los Angeles Conference and Competition on May 10 and 11, 2012, at the Skirball Cultural Center in Downtown Los Angeles. The goal is to help women entrepreneurs in Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange and Riverside Counties grow their businesses, and specifically to help 100 women-owned businesses in the area to reach $250,000 in annual revenues within 12 to 18 months. Participants in the competition will pitch their businesses to a panel of experts for a chance to be part of the Count Me In Business Accelerator Program.

 

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Posted in Entrepreneurs, Resources, Small Business, small business | No Comments »

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