The employee retention credit (ERC), a credit created during COVID-19, ended on September 30, 2021 (December 31, 2021, for startups), but it’s still alive. How can that be? The reason: The deadline for submitting refund claims has not expired. Many employers claimed the credit, and a number of these are still pending. But there’s been […]
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The definition of a customer is “one that purchases a commodity or service.” A customer is the party that generates revenue for your business. But in addition to the sales they make, there are other ways a customer can help your business…and at little or no cost to you. Here are 3 ways a customer […]
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Increasingly, you’ll hear about big companies using their profits for social good or to help the environment. Time listed the “best corporations” in 2023; the ranking included sustainability. Among these corporations were Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet (Google), Meta (Facebook), Accenture (in Ireland), Pfizer, and American Express. But you don’t have to be a giant corporation to […]
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Building a brand strategy for a business helps create cohesion for the marketing strategy, outreach efforts, and overall perception and experience of the business. A brand often consists of a mission statement and values that are communicated through visual, verbal, and other elements to create a unique customer experience of a business. The customer’s experience […]
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Today, anyone (including me) can figure out how to use ChatGPT (Open AI) to create content. It can produce blogs, marketing materials, video scripts, and more. This generative AI tool is free and can be helpful. But there are some serious issues to note. Here’s my take on how I’ve been using it and what […]
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It’s a well-known fact that most business owners pour their heart and soul into their business ventures. When the time comes to retire, closing down the business may seem like the easiest way out. However, shuttering your business might not be the most profitable decision that you can make. Selling your business is a probably better option. Here’s how to prepare for a successful business sale when you feel it’s time to move on. Should You Close Your Business? Before delving into the details of selling a business, there’s a fundamental question: should you close your business? The answer is […]
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Are we going to have a recession or not? Ask 3 economists and you get 3 different answers. The best course of action is to prepare and if we don’t have a recession, the business is in a better position anyway. One way to prepare is to deploy generative artificial intelligence (AI). It’s been reported that over half of businesses have already experimented with AI. If you haven’t tried, you may well do so soon. Here’s what using AI can mean to you and how it can help you if a recession occurs. Generative AI Generative AI is defined as a […]
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You may need money for your business, but interest rates are high right now. It’s been reported that small businesses are paying the most for loans in 16 years, with the average rate on a short-term loan at 9.2% Still, you may need money to renovate your facilities, hire additional employees, invest in technology or expand to another location. If you need capital to make your vision a reality and you don’t have cash on hand, borrowing may be your only option. Here are 10 places to look for loans, and the upside and downside of each type of borrowing: 10 […]
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The pandemic taught a valuable lesson—the need to adapt and diversify. Those that did—restaurants that launched take-out orders and outdoor dining, bricks-and-mortar stores that began online selling—were the ones that survived that crisis. If and when a recession hits, diversifying your business now can cushion you and help you survive. Even if there’s no recession, diversifying can certainly increase your revenue. Here are some ways to diversify. They’re not new ideas, but may be new to your business plan. 5 Ways to Diversify Your Business 1. Expand your product line Whether you provide goods or services, you can add to […]
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For many businesses, summer is a slow time. Customers and clients may be on vacation, and you may have time on your hands. Don’t waste this time. As Miles Davis said: “Time isn’t the main thing, it’s the only thing.” Here are 10 things—in no particular order—that you can do now to save you money, improve operations, and position you for growth in the future. 1. Take stock of your business. With half the year over, look at your numbers year-to-date. Have you been as profitable as you anticipated? What problems did you have and how did you solve them? […]
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