Real Estate Information

3 things that will help your business stand out in the crowd

Businesses need a clear identity to create brand loyalty with their customers, Walter R. Dailey writes. To make your brand memorable, get a catchy jingle, which might seem cheesy, but research shows it is 10 times more effective than just the spoken word. Slogans can also keep your brand in the mind of customers as can a simple, memorable logo. Fox Business Small Business Center (8/24)

The time to build creditworthiness is before you need money

It's easy to get credit when you don't need it -- and not so much when you do -- so as soon as possible is the best time for small businesses to start building their creditworthiness, Kelly K. Spors writes. Pay attention to your personal credit rating, and apply for credit shortly after starting your business, experts advise. Establish a good payment history with vendors and a business credit card, and don't limit yourself to one bank or lender. Also, remember that there are sources for credit other than traditional banks. Entrepreneur.com (8/25)

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Beware these 10 popular scams aimed at travelers

When you're traveling on business, the world may be your oyster, but scam artists will use every trick in the book to separate you from your cash and valuables. This feature details the top 10 global scams that are aimed at travelers like you. BudgetTravel.com (8/12)

Stop cash flow crises with automation

Achieving consistent cash flow can be a challenge for small businesses, especially when checks begin to bounce. Keeping cash reserves can alleviate the problem, as can signing up for automated bill payment through services such as Intuit's Mint.com. "We want to help people to write checks that can be cashed. It's not that they don't have the money, it's that they don't have money in the right account at the right time," Intuit's Aaron Forth said. Reuters (8/24)

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How college students can protect themselves from ID theft

The BBB wants to remind college students to guard themselves against identity theft on campus by sending sensitive mail home or to a local post office box. Students should not let friends borrow their credit or debit cards, and they should make sure their computers have the latest antivirus software. WPCVA.com (Chatham, Va.)/Smith Mountain Eagle (8/23)

A short list of smart, simple cost-cutting strategies

Saving money as a business owner can be as simple as eliminating unnecessary things and sharing the cost of those you don't need to have just for yourself, write the Angel Business Advisors. Eliminate phone bills by using Skype for free and cut back on travel by using Web-based video conferencing for meetings. Sharing office space, using temporary workers and leasing equipment can also save money. AngelBusinessAdvisors.com (8/21)

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

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Hot small-business tech tools and how they can help your company

Tablet computers, digital signs, wireless zero and multifunction printers are Christian Giebler's four big tech tools that small businesses should consider buying if they haven't already. Digital signage is great for communicating with customers and employees, and like tablets, it has an impressive wow factor, Giebler explains. Small Business Computing (8/23)

7 steps to a successful collections call

Collection calls are never easy, but they can be effective if you're prepared to answer objections and offer solutions, Michelle Dunn writes. Schedule a regular time for such calls, remain confident while you make them, then get the customer to acknowledge the debt and offer ways to pay including taking a credit card over the phone. Be prepared for interesting excuses, Dunn notes, but remain firm in your request for payment. Entrepreneur.com (8/22)

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

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7 answers to your questions on Facebook marketing

Timing matters when it comes to Facebook marketing, according to a Momentus Media report. Interaction rates tend to be highest for posts made on weekends and from 2 p.m. to 5 a.m. -- also the times posts are least likely to be made. "[I]t only stands to reason that posting in off-peak hours means you'll gain more interaction from fans," writes Entrepreneur's Mikal Belicove. Entrepreneur.com/The Daily Dose blog (8/18)

Research: Consumers don't mind higher prices for "green" products

Customers say they'll pay 15% to 20% more for environmentally friendly products -- but only if the company selling them can prove they're as green as it claims, according to apparel-industry research by the University of Missouri. Researchers suggest companies put labels on products to tout their "green" features. BusinessNewsDaily.com (8/22)

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

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Lies (and the lying liars who work for you)

A study found that about half of workers will lie through their teeth for as little as $5, but that only 15% of people continue to lie if they're given a few minutes to reflect on their actions. That suggests most workers are on the fence when it comes to ethical questions, and it means companies can benefit from decision-making infrastructures that gently nudge workers to take the moral high road. "These decisions truly put people on the fence, and it is quite easy to fall off, one way or the other," the researchers note. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Leadership (8/18)

The first step to saving for retirement: Choosing a plan

Picking the right retirement plan from a sea of options can be confusing, perhaps explaining why one report found the majority of small-business owners don't have IRAs or 401(k)s. Each plan has its own strengths and weaknesses; 401(k)s, for example, can carry steep fees but are a good investment option. Entrepreneur magazine (8/2011)

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

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BBB: Some contractors lie about energy savings to win green projects

Several hundred people have written to BBB complaining of contractors who falsely promised energy savings from windmills and solar panels that actually produce little or no energy. "I think it's horrible that contractors take advantage of people who are trying to do good by the environment," said BBB's Paula Fleming. ClipSyndicate/WPRI-TV (Providence, R.I.)(8/18)

Small-business lending program unsuccessful in distributing cash

The Small-Business Lending Fund, a federal lending program set to expire in September, has only disbursed $1 billion out of an available $30 billion, according to the Treasury. Community banks have requested $11.6 billion from the fund, but the Fed has held up many of the applications, complained the Independent Community Bankers of America in a letter to the Fed. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model)/In Charge blog (8/17)

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

If you are interested in the article, click here.

Why you shouldn't try to choose between social media and e-mail

Whether social media or e-mail is a better tool for engaging customers is a moot point because nowadays a good marketing strategy employs them both, writes Mark Schmulen. "E-mail remains the best way to get your message heard, but social media [is] the best way to get your message to spread," he explained. BusinessWeek.com/Today's Tip blog (8/15)

Tackling trust issues tied to employee-provided mobile devices

Companies can reduce costs by allowing employees to use their own mobile devices to conduct business, but the practice also brings up questions about liability and security, writes Ojas Rege of MobileIron. Businesses must set use policies that are not so restrictive they discourage employees from following them. "If the trust level of the personal device is so low that security requires extensive usage restrictions, the employee's personal mobile experience will be damaged," Rege writes. Yahoo!/Forbes (8/17)

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