Real Estate Information

BBB's end-of-year checklist for business owners

Business owners should consider the current state of their companies and update their business plans as they develop objectives for 2012, BBB recommends. It's also important for businesspeople to figure out what tasks remain unfinished from the past year and start working on their taxes, according to BBB. American City Business Journals/Boston (12/27)

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

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Create cash-flow projections to get a handle on company's finances

Cash-flow projections can help small-business owners prepare for the future and weather tough times, Rich Russakoff and Mary Goodman write. "If you know in advance that you will not break even in a given month or longer, you can put a plan in place to make up the shortfall with a line of credit, cash reserve or savvy cash-flow management," they write. Such projections should factor in expected revenue, expenses and sales, they write. CBS MoneyWatch (12/22)

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

Policy changes will alter the business landscape in 2012

A host of new policies could affect how small companies do business in 2012. For example, businesses won't be able to deduct as much up front of the cost of buying new equipment on their tax returns, and new rules for implementing the Americans With Disabilities Act will change accessibility requirements. Los Angeles Times (12/27)

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

Continue to watch out for scam e-mails using BBB's name

Scammers are still sending phishing e-mails that claim to be from BBB, the organization warns. The messages employ the subject line "Complaint from your customers" and include BBB's name and logo. Recipients should avoid clicking on links in the e-mails and should scan their systems for viruses, BBB recommends. American City Business Journals/Boston (12/20)

What to do if you're lucky enough to have a cash surplus

If your business has extra cash, you have a number of options for spending it, Chris Griffiths writes. Consider paying yourself, repurchasing stock from shareholders or putting it back into the company, he writes. "This might be an opportunity to invest in new equipment, facilities or training that will create a short-term tax writeoff and improve your business's performance in the long term," he writes. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (12/20)

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

Watch out for fake NFL jerseys being sold online

Consumers should be on the lookout for illegal websites selling counterfeit NFL jerseys online. It's important to check out these companies, which may sell low-quality imitations, before making a purchase, said BBB's Jerry Shipman. Authentic jerseys are made of a stretchy material and generally sell for more than $200. ClipSyndicate/KOB (Albuquerque, N.M.) (12/19)

Dig your business out from under a mountain of debt

Many companies are facing stiff debts, and bank loans -- especially those backed by the Small Business Administration -- can be especially problematic for small businesses. If you are having trouble meeting your obligations, one way to get your bank's attention is to stop payments on your loan. Prepare a plan for increasing your revenues so you will be able to pay off the loan, and be ready to demonstrate that you have enough collateral, he writes. Entrepreneur.com (12/19)

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

Twitter is revamping its user experience

Twitter's new design could remove the need to use third-party applications such as Hootsuite to schedule tweets and keep track of statistics on your tweets, Angela West writes. The new features, which are up and running on Twitter's iPhone and Android apps, include the ability to get more information about tweets and more easily handle multiple accounts. PC World Business Center/BizFeed blog (12/15)

Avoid common business credit card bungles

While credit cards can be valuable tools for small-business owners, careless use can take its toll on the finances. Research credit card offers carefully and don't be lured by amazing introductory rates. Company owners should be aware that using small-business cards can affect their personal credit scores. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Finance (12/16)

Top year-end tips for cutting your tax bill

Small businesses can use several strategies to lower their 2011 tax bill such as by giving out bonuses and purchasing new equipment, Barbara Weltman writes. Donating to charity and stocking up on supplies can also help you to pay less in taxes, she writes. CNBC (12/7)

8 ways to ensure you get paid

To make sure your business gets paid on time after making a sale, it's important to stay in touch with customers, Chris Griffiths writes. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease and you need to be friendly and casual, but pro-active, in your communications with your customers," he writes. Consider offering discounts for those who pay quickly, and avoid losing your cool with delinquent customers. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (12/13)

Don't make these deadly errors with daily deals

Daily-deal sites can be effective for attracting new business, but you have to be aware of the potential pitfalls. Successful use of the sites requires a strategy for converting daily-deal users into returning customers, writes Jonathan Blum of Blumsday. "That plan should include capturing customer demographic data, grabbing [e-mail], social media presences and other contact information and clarifying a customer's need for new services," he writes.Entrepreneur.com (12/12)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

Watch out for "mystery shopper" scam, BBB warns

Scammers are targeting job hunters on the Internet with postings offering positions as "mystery shoppers." In one such incident, a Texas man was instructed to cash checks that arrived in the mail and wire the money, but the checks were fake. Little can be done to stop these scammers, who usually work overseas, but you can check out suspicious ads with BBB or report them to the government. KRIS-TV (Corpus Christi, Texas) (12/14)

Keep the money flowing in and your business going strong

Cash flow difficulties can be devastating to a small business. Keeping accurate financial records and planning ahead are vital, according to Tage Tracy and John Tracy, authors of the book "Cash Flow for Dummies." "Having access to sound financial plans structured for different operating scenarios is an absolute must," Tage Tracy said. MFRTech.com (12/14) 

How to tell if it's time to give company credit cards to employees

Whether you should get company credit cards for your employees depends largely on how often they are likely to use them, SmartBrief's Tricia Smith writes. "The employee who is constantly turning in a stack of wrinkled receipts for regular supply orders or travel expenses could definitely benefit from a company card," Smith writes. Be certain, though, that employees understand the responsibilities that come with having a company card, she warns.SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Finance (12/14)

6 ways to stop employee fraud in its tracks

Employee fraud, which tends to occur more during difficult economic circumstances, can hit small and midsize businesses especially hard, Melissa Schwartz writes. A number of strategies can be used to lessen the chance of fraud, including requiring employees to take vacations, conducting background checks before hiring new workers and making sure one employee doesn't have all of the control over the company's finances, she writes. Insurance Journal (12/14)

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Get your workers to care about data security

Data breaches can damage businesses, but a recent survey found that many employees don't think information security is their concern. It's important to communicate with employees about the importance of data security to get them more involved in the process, according to Sean Glynn of CREDANT Technologies. "Don't just tell them that they have to protect their data, but tell them why," he said. BusinessNewsDaily.com (12/11)

How to hire and handle seasonal employees

Seasonal employees can help small businesses survive the holiday season, but it's important to make sure you choose your hires carefully. "[Y]ou should look at the same qualities as you would with a major hire," Deb Spicer said. If an employee just isn't working out, letting them go can boost morale, she said. Intuit Small Business Blog (12/9)Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau -