ZenBlog

Small businesses may be the engine of our economy, but many small business owners view the lending process as complicated and frustrating. It takes wisdom and foresight. If you prepare mentally and practically before applying, the process can be nearly painless. Most business owners understand the importance of having a good personal cred...

When you own a small business, there are dozens of people and projects vying for your time and attention. It's hard to figure out where to focus your resources and easy to become overwhelmed. Regardless of the industry that you're in, productivity is one of many ways for you to improve the bottom line. For entrepreneurs and freelancers, it cou...

​When customers make a purchase from your  business pretty much every time the decision to purchase from you is not only based on how your product or service fulfills their needs, or the pricing of your product. In nearly 99.9% of transactions the customer will purchase from you because they trust you. A unique and compelling we...

​Taking out a loan to expand your business may feel like an impossible undertaking, with the seemingly endless paperwork and strict eligibility criteria, but the process can be much more manageable if you plan ahead. Preparing an effective, well-documented commercial loan proposal is the first step toward getting the money your business needs ...

Small businesses have many marketing challenges, but one of the hardest things small business owners need to do is determine what makes their business stand out from the competition and present it in a way that attracts their ideal client. Differentiation allows you to provide superior value to customers at an affordable price, creating a win-win s...

Many successful small business owners have at least one thing in common -- the ability to see the big picture and envision what their success will look like tomorrow. The longer you're in business the more ideas emerge as to how you could take your business to the next level. Advancing your business success can be a tricky process. T...

Running a business has its ups and its downs, but overall it is an exciting venture for anyone to get into. For small businesses, the route to success and profitability will always vary. However, no matter the company's circumstances, it's vital to gain a grasp of the essential ingredients which, properly understood and car...

Customers' experiences with your brand begins the moment they learn about your business, whether it is through a referral from a friend or advertisement. How customers feel while shopping in your establishment is everything. It influences how they talk to others about your business and whether they'll become repeat customers. As a business own...

In today's marketplace, your company's website is the most important marketing tool you have. As the hub of your marketing efforts, your website is the destination for visitors who have found it in a search, your other advertising, or from the URL on your business cards. Anyone can make a website, but not everyone can generate leads or even sales f...

Creating a business is a huge undertaking. It's not a simple path, and often includes details you may never have considered. Owning your own business is like going on a new adventure every day, without knowing where it will take you, what danger...

It can be so easy to find yourself lost at sea when building a brand. Most often it's the step that comes just after you've had the genius idea which will form the bedrock of your commercial empire, and quite often it's the step that makes developing your product itself look easy. Even though your business may be small, it is nonetheless a bra...

From self-employed workers to the founders of startup companies, independent entrepreneurs find themselves wearing many hats.In addition to manager, salesperson and production worker, a small-business owner is also a bookkeeper, managing his or her finances without an accounting staff. Every business should have its own banking and credit card acco...

Sales skills aren't just for salespeople. If you can't sell yourself, your ideas or your innovation, you won't stay in business. Selling is an essential skill every entrepreneur must master. Starting from day one in your business, you're selling. Whether it's pitching your idea to potential investors or showcasing your latest innovation to pro...

​As a small business owner, your instincts are honed to seek out competitive advantages in your niche. You work hard to offer your customers reasons to keep coming back – and to choose your business over large scale enterprises. Collaboration is a powerful tool for all small business owners, regardless of industry or type of business you have. It i...

Your ability to set long-term goals and constantly be thinking about the future of your business has an inordinate impact on the success and profitability of your enterprise. Determining a strategic plan to accomplish long-term business objectives helps you and your employees maintain focus on the future. A strategic plan provides guidance during e...

For most small businesses, few things are more important than getting paid on time, as payment delays can seriously disrupt cash flow. The success of your business relies on you getting paid on time. Chasing late payments can be one of the most frustrating parts of any business, especially if it happens on a recurring basis. The proc...

Credit is another tool in the entrepreneur's belt. When you're a business owner, strong personal and business credit scores can be an asset by helping you qualify for a business credit card, better terms with suppliers, an SBA loan or other types of funding that can help your business grow. Effectively managing your credit doesn't have to be ...

Starting a small business is already challenging enough. To keep it going each day is even tougher. It requires more than just hard work for it to thrive. You also need to have a solid marketing strategy so your brand can reach potential customers while strengthening your relationship with repeat clients at the same time. However, having these two ...

Startups are very risky, and most fail. Yet entrepreneurship is one of the fastest growing trends in business today. Surveys show that entrepreneurs are among the happiest people in business, despite the challenges. Not every business endeavor is a straight path to success, and even some of the most successful ventures of all time have had per...

Effective advertising gets you the best return on your investment. In other words, the best ways to advertise your business are the ones that have low costs but reach a wide audience. Limiting your advertising to a company website or the occasional postcard in the mail to prospects is not the best way to advertise your company. Good advertising req...