Real Estate Information Archive

Building business revenue, then protecting it

Business owners should sock away a "painful amount" of profits for emergencies, says John Krubski, research adviser to The Guardian Life Small Business Research Institute. It's just one of the six ways businesses can increase and shield their revenue. Other tips: Get professional financial advice, consider using borrowed money for research and development and have a vision for the business that goes out 10 years. Fox Business Small Business Center (4/12)

BBB finds renters battling bedbugs
  
When bedbugs invade a rental property, whose job is it to get them out? The answer lies in your lease, says Andy Teas of the Houston Apartment Association. But BBB is finding that apartment owners complain their landlords are not helping tackle the problem. ClipSyndicate/KRIV-TV (Houston) (4/11)

New Internet scams target small businesses

A new breed of Internet scams is using more sophisticated methods to target small business, according to GFI Solutions. For example, one scam used the Google name to get users to download a fake anti-virus program. Keep an eye out for fake LinkedIn invitations, which have linked users to download Trojan viruses, writes Dan Berthiaume. Instead of a spam filter, use a managed anti-spam/anti-virus service to identify scams before they infect your computer, he advises. MSP Mentor (4/13)

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Prevent data-tracking and protect your privacy online

Small businesses need to be increasingly focused on protecting data to maintain online privacy. This week, the Federal Trade Commission urged Internet companies to adopt stricter privacy policies and implement a "Do Not Track" system. Other ways consumers can prevent data-tracking include using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), enabling private browsing and deleting or preventing cookies. SmallBizTechnology.com (4/11)

A 3-month plan to getting a handle on cash flow

Tom Gray, a SCORE mentor, recommends following the 13 Week Cash Flow Statement model to understand your business cash flow and make forecasts based on it. The spreadsheet tracks expenses made over one business quarter and can be very useful for getting bank loans. SCORE Small Business Success Blog (4/11)

How social media fits into your master marketing plan

Think of using social media as a layer in your overall marketing and sales strategy, writes John Jantsch. Use social media to understand your customers even if their updates on Twitter and Facebook seem mundane, and use it as a form of search engine optimization to drive customers to your online content. He also advises small businesses to get to know journalists that cover their industry in hopes to increase their chances of media coverage. Duct Tape Marketing (4/13)

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Learn from other small businesses, avoid these common legal errors

Many small businesses make the same small legal mistakes that can land them in big trouble, Lawyers.com's Hayley Spencer writes. They include failing to register trademarks, infringing on copyrights and not choosing the right business format. SmallBizBee.com (4/11)

Documents: Keep, toss or shred

Get your shredder ready because Shred Day is just around the corner. As part of National Financial Literacy Month, businesses and individuals should shred sensitive information on April 21, BBB advises. Don't go shred-happy though; hang on to insurance documents, utility bills and make sure to retain tax documents for seven years. The Daily Times (Salisbury, Md.) (4/9)

Move over, boomers: 3 demographic groups to keep an eye on

Baby boomers may be a hot demographic to appeal to, but there are others that are gaining traction. With about 4 million births each year, the market for children's products is expanding, as is the market for domestic-related products because of 20-somethings. Senior citizens, particularly baby boomers' parents, also represent a big part of the market. Small Business Trends (4/11)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
BBB Accredited business since 03/01/1994

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BBB - TrustBrief - Advancing trust in the marketplace

How to survive a trip down the cash runway

Managing your company's cash runway -- the length of time your business can operate at a loss -- is complicated because there are several factors to consider. For example, if they don't have equity, your employees might be less committed to riding out the tough times, Sam Hogg writes. "Keeping the team onboard via equity, options and other noncash compensation is a smart way to smooth out times of low-cash turbulence and to get employees more invested in the company's long-term success," he writes. Entrepreneur online (4/10)

What's a business owner to do when the customer is just wrong?

Paul Downs, founder of Paul Downs Cabinetmakers, ran into a tricky situation with a client after some small scratches were discovered on a boardroom table that Downs' company had built. The scratches were likely the client's fault, but Downs agreed to fix them anyway. Downs writes he doesn't blame the CEO of the client company for trying to get what he wanted and feels he made the right choice in offering to fix a problem he didn't cause. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/You're the Boss blog (4/4), The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/You're the Boss blog (3/29)

Why you should consider a health savings account

There are a number of tax benefits to having a health savings account, according to accountant Mark Kohler. However, you must have a high-deductible health plan, he notes. Entrepreneur online (4/9)

Scammers target businesses with fake BBB e-mail
  
Scammers are trying to infect business computers with a virus by circulating an e-mail that purports to be from the BBB. The e-mail directs recipients to open an attachment to learn more about a complaint that has supposedly been filed against them. To spot these scam e-mails, it's important to remember that complaints are typically handled by local BBBs. ClipSyndicate/KSHB-TV (Kansas City, Mo.) (4/4)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
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Google's search ads may be more effective than you think

A recent study has found that customers who are acquired via search advertisements on Google are worth more than previously thought. "In their lifetime, they could be an active customer, repeatedly making purchases, and the cumulative amount of these purchases, that's sort of the profit stream we should take into account," said researcher Ying Xie. BusinessNewsDaily.com (4/9) 

Will small merchants be prepared for smart cards?

So-called "smart cards" are coming to the U.S., and small firms need to prepare to deal with them as payment, writes Brian Goudie, senior vice president at First Data, a global technology and payments-processing company. While it's not clear when chip cards will be widely used, Goudie asserts that small merchants need to decide now if they'll process them using standardized fraud-technology standards known as EMV, for EuroPay, MasterCard, and Visa, the three firms that created the standard. Small Business Trends (4/6)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
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What to do if you're selected for an IRS audit

Getting audited can be stressful, but it's important to maintain a positive attitude as you deal with the situation, according to accountant Mark Kohler. Also, get a professional to help you out, and be sure to respond to requests made by the IRS, he advises. Entrepreneur online(4/7)

Why bribery is bad for business

People tend to assume there is a lot of bribery that goes on in foreign markets while ignoring the unethical business practices that take place in the U.S., writes Tom Szaky of TerraCycle, which is looking to expand overseas. Besides the legal problems with bribes, they are also bad for business because they increase costs, TerraCycle chief financial officer Javier Daly says. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/You're the Boss blog (4/3)

4 tips to keep your cash flow running smoothly

Doing a good job of managing your cash flow is essential for keeping your business afloat, writes Cynthia McCahon of Enloop.com. You can improve your cash-flow management by creating business forecasts, focusing on efficiency and collecting on debts, she writes. SCORE Small Business Success Blog (4/6)

BBB tips for protecting your business from crime

Putting the right policies in place is essential to protecting your business from criminal activity, advises BBB. It's a good idea to shred sensitive documents, be careful about using e-mail and to encourage your employees to greet customers, which can deter thieves. Also, check out BBB's website before doing business with another company. The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.) (free content) (4/8)

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How to choose the best type of financing for your business

There are a number of options to consider when looking for financing to run your business. Among the possibilities are debt financing, grants and equity financing, writes Nellie Akalp of CorpNet. Equity financing can come from angel investors, venture capitalists or family and friends. Small Business Trends (4/5)

How to sooth your stress over finances

Many Americans are concerned about money issues, and employers say that stress is causing a host of problems. "Providing your employees with financial tools and counseling is the best way to ensure that your employees won't need to miss time working due to unplanned financial stressors," said Katherine Hutt, of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. BBB offers some financial-literacy programs, and BBB Accredited Businesses may also be able to help. BBB.org (4/3)

Crowdfunding bill gets President Obama's signature

The White House has signed off on new laws that make it easier for startup ventures to attain funding through crowdsourcing and eliminated some small-business barriers in the regulatory realm. The approved Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act also lets SMBs advertise for investors. "For startups and small businesses, this bill is a potential game-changer," President Barack Obama said. CIO.com/IDG News Service (4/5), Politico (Washington, D.C.) (4/5)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
BBB Accredited business since 03/01/1994

Your San Mateo Real Estate Advisor

BBB - TrustBrief - Advancing trust in the marketplace