Real Estate Information

Internet services have a long way to go to build trust

Recent data-collection decisions by Facebook and OnStar have irked users by violating their trust, writes Michael Krigsman. Cloud services should remember to act transparently and that personal data belongs to users, he writes, and companies should read agreements to make sure they can trust services. Responding to criticism, OnStar dropped changes to its new privacy policy that would have allowed the company to track data about users who cancel the service. ZDNet (9/27), PC Magazine (9/27)

Safe Harbor 401(k)s don't carry tests that come with retirement plans

The last day to set up a Safe Harbor 401(k) this year is Saturday. Such plans allow businesses to skip the tests that come with traditional 401(k)s that small employers might fail. "The flexibility of the Safe Harbor 401(k) helps the small-business owner, and many employers can set up a 401(k) plan for a low monthly cost, depending on the size and complexity of the plan," said Janice Nearen-Bell of Paychex. BusinessNewsDaily.com (9/27)

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Why you need a Google+ presence now

Google+ offers many advantages for businesses such as the fact that, unlike Facebook, it is indexed by Google's search engine, Chris Brogan writes. The social network's Circles feature, which allows businesses to carefully target their communications, is another positive, he writes. While Google is still adding its business features, it's important to get in on the ground floor to make the most of the platform, Brogan writes. Entrepreneur.com (9/22)

Can't get capital from the bank? Try your customers

Businesses that can't secure traditional financing should consider turning to their customers for needed funds, Karen Axelton writes. Companies should offer tangible benefits to customers who contribute and explain how the money will help the business to grow, she writes. Crowdfunding websites such as Prosper.com can also allow companies to reach a wide range of potential investors. Grow Smart Biz (9/22)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
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How to survive a data disaster

Businesses need to identify their most critical data to be prepared for crises, writes Jennifer Walzer of BUMI. "If disaster strikes, you want to make sure you can access the most critical data immediately," she writes. Companies make a number of mistakes when it comes to data protection, including failing to test their backups and not planning ahead, she adds. Small Business Trends (9/21)

Is a cash advance worth the risks?

For small-business owners unable to secure traditional financing, merchant cash advances can be tempting, but they also carry risks. Before taking an advance, experts recommend doing your research on the company, ensuring that you will be able to pay off the interest and considering the length of your business cycle. Inc.com (9/21)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
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Facebook aims to woo small-business owners

Facebook is making a push for small-business users, hoping to woo more of them through an effort that includes an advertising-credits giveaway worth $10 million. The social network is working with major business groups to target small enterprises and educate them on benefits of advertising on the website and using it as a platform in marketing. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (9/26)

How Google Analytics can improve your website

Information is key for small-business owners looking to improve their websites. Google Analytics can provide a number of metrics, including what your visitors are interested in -- and what they aren't. "Funneling resources to features that aren't captivating users is clearly not a smart business move, and Google Analytics can help you avoid making that mistake," Karlee Weinmann writes. The Business Insider (9/24)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
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How to build the trust you need to delegate

It can be tempting to micromanage your workers, but learning to trust them to tackle challenges in their own ways is important and frees up your time to look at the big picture. One manager who was having trouble delegating was able to loosen up by realizing that there are multiple ways to get something done and by using coaching sessions to prepare employees, writes Mary Jo Asmus of Aspire Collaborative Services. Aspire-CS.com (9/25)

Locavesting: The book on alternative funding for small businesses

"[Peer-to-peer] lending will expand ... to $5 billion in loans worldwide," according to the book "Locavesting: The Revolution in Local Investing and How to Profit From It," which focuses on alternative sources of funding for small businesses such as co-ops and community banks. The book fills unmet demand in the business-book world for information about small-business financing, writes Pierre DeBois of Zimana. Small Business Trends (9/25)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
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BBB: Investigate unexpected credits on your bills

One woman's predicament emphasizes the importance of contacting a company if you notice unexplained credits on your bill, writes BBB's Alan Bligh. After a $30 credit mistakenly appeared on several bills, she was asked to pony up more than $1,000. "A mistake doesn't mean the company has to eat the debt. The lesson here is that if you see a credit on a statement from anyone that you do not understand, you need to contact that company immediately or you may wind up in a jam," Bligh writes. Victoria Advocate (Texas) (9/24)

How to save on wheels for your business

Car manufacturers offer discounts to businesses looking to buy several vehicles, and the deals sometimes come with other advantages, such as prepaid maintenance. Company owners who want to learn more should call dealerships during regular business hours and ask for their fleet-vehicle managers, Susan Carpenter writes. As with other deals, prices vary among dealerships, she writes. Entrepreneur.com (9/23)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
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Businesses face a shortage of skilled employees

More than one-third of employers are having a hard time finding skilled employees to fill their open positions, according to research by ManpowerGroup. This can be especially tricky for some small businesses, who may lose out on skilled employees to larger companies. Offering small perks and creating a good workplace environment can help attract talent, said Joyce Gioia of Employer of Choice. Fox Business Small Business Center (9/15)

Wells Fargo reaches $1 billion in SBA loans

Wells Fargo has doled out 2,600 Small Business Administration loans in the past fiscal year. The bank increased its loan amounts by more than a quarter from Oct. 1, 2009, to Sept. 30 2010, and became the first bank to lend $1 billion worth of the SBA 7(a) loans. "Getting a small business loan is the last choice [business owners have] got. The SBA industry is counter cyclical; it is probably the one big growth area right now," said Tom Burke of Wells Fargo. Fox Business Small Business Center (9/15)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
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Why trust is essential for business success

A visit to Munich, where cyclists often leave their bikes unlocked, highlighted that trust is essential for economic growth, writes consultant Dorie Clark. "You aren't going to loan someone money, or conduct big deals, if you're not confident you'll be paid back. ... The key is building a shared expectation that deadlines and agreements will be kept, and having a central authority ... that backs those guarantees," she writes. Harvard Business Review online/HBR Blog Network (9/16)

Why risk management isn't just for big businesses

While large and midsize businesses are often the focus of risk-management efforts, small businesses, which have high failure rates, also have much to gain from them, writes Jay Vadiveloo of Towers Watson Risk & Financial Services. Inefficient business processes and too much reliance on a key individual are some of the most common risks small businesses deal with, he writes. The Huffington Post (9/13)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
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BBB - TrustBrief - Advancing trust in the marketplace

SMB bank accounts lose up to $1B a year to cybertheft

Cybertheft siphons up to $1 billion a year from bank accounts held by small and midsize businesses, according to Dell SecureWorks, and companies are often left on the hook for the losses. One senator last year introduced legislation to cover cyberfraud on small-business accounts, but Doug Johnson of the American Bankers Association said it's important for small businesses to share some of the responsibility. Bloomberg Businessweek (9/15)

SBA: Faster payments could mean billions for small businesses

President Barack Obama's directive that the government pay its small-business contractors in 15 days rather than 30 would save small businesses billions by reducing financing costs, said Joe Jordan of the Small Business Administration. Small businesses often fund their services with lines of credit or loans, so, "[b]y cutting the receivables time in half, you're reducing the negative float," he said. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/You're the Boss blog (9/15)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
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BBB - TrustBrief - Advancing trust in the marketplace

Why some crowdsourced reviews are untrustworthy

The anonymity of crowdsourced review sites such as Yelp is a breeding ground for fraudulent reviews from unscrupulous businesses, writes John Quain. Recent moves from large companies, such as Google's decision to buy Zagat, demonstrates that there might be a trend away from crowdsourcing and toward professional content, he writes. FoxNews.com (9/12)

What to do before an audit

Internal Revenue Service audits may include income analyses in which auditors compare your bank transactions against the income listed on your tax returns. Before an audit, perform this comparison yourself, while keeping in mind the number will not match up with the adjusted gross income listed on your Form 1040, Bonnie Lee writes. The figures listed on the form will be higher because they include withheld taxes, for example. Fox Business (9/15)

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