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As someone who continually sorts her sock drawer to avoid writing, I desperately need this guide, but do agree that more resources would be great. I did like the proscrastination survey, though. It was a great way to, well, procrastinate.
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Yes, I agree with you Stephanie, but Eve makes a compelling case. Thanks for this incredibly helpul guide!
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Michael, at a time when travel has become downright abusive, it's good to know that there are still some ariports with good track records. Unfortuntely, my own airport (the dreaded LGA) is not one of them!
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What is difference between a lecturn and a podium? Perhaps LecturnGuy can enlighten us.
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Ditto! I Googled you, Rob, and I'm still not sure what this guide is about.
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I'm confused -- it looks to me like you can still get AVG for free.
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The
Plum Card from Open by American Express is a great relaitvely new card for small business owners that gives you discounts for early payment, extended payment options, and a variety of discounts with a number of vendors.
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One of my favorite books for aspiring entrepreneurs is
The Start-Up Garden by Tom Ehrenfeld. Lots of good info on his website, too.
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Thanks for the additional resoures!
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Very helplfu guide, Frances. Practicing the ptich is very, very important. I would even suggest video taping yourself, then viewing the tape with a very critical eye. It's painful, but enlightening!
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David,
The other very effective tactic that you use is to post frequent links and newsfeeds so that you're frequently on my home page and hence, on my radar screen. You really are an expert at social networking!
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This is an advertisement, not a guide!
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I completely agree with Susan that volunteer opportunities can be a great motivator for employees, especially for Generation Y, whose twenty-something members will very often seek out workplaces with a social mission. Also, I see an increasing number of companies aligning themselves with a single not-for-profit organization whose mission is somehow synergistic with the company's brand. It's a win-win.
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Great guide made even better by helpful comments; selling on eBay has certainly become much more complicated! Here's a story from CNN that explains the company's new
listing fee and commission structure.
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There's a lot of compelling evidence that even minimal aerobic exercise can improve brain function. Check out this
Authors@Google video of author John Media (he wrote
Brain Rules). Forward it to your boss he/she won't ever question your mid-day stroll!
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Nice guide, Mari! I would love to see you write a separate guide specifically on how to build a fan page for your business.
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I've had two Dell Latitudes over the past several years and I have to say that Dell's customer has become so poor that I don't even bother calling anymore; I'd rather pay a consultant than deal with their incompetence!
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Terrific guide Shara --thanks so much! I'll definitely do a fan page for my new book closer to the pub date.
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Lots of cool gear here -- thanks for a useful guide!
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I like the subject of this guide and you have some good information here, but you would earn a significantly higher rating if all the links were not to your own company!
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CallingCards.com is another site that offers international calling cards. Depending on where you're traveling, you may also want to purchase an international sim card for your cell phone.
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You make some good points here, but it would be a much more helpful and readable guide if you would put it into work.com format and include some links to various companies that offer insurance for exapats. Also, some general advice for CEOs on how to shop around for the best expat insurance packages would be great. Thanks!
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Another good event planning resource is
BizBash Media where you can research venues and access a master event calendar in your city. They also have a group on LinkedIn.
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I agree with Scott completely. This is a terrific guide and it's widely applicable. I'd add a few more tips for clients/customers: 1. always pay on time or early 2. recommed a business you love to others and make sure the business knows the referral came from you 3. stay loyal to companies you love; don't be lured away by lower prices.
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Nice guide, Kimberly --thanks! I'd also add that when evaluating channel partners, it's also important to make sure that their business culture and ethics are aligned with yours.
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My feeling is that monitors are so cheap right now that it doesn't make much sense to risk buying a used or refurbished one. You can always use your new monitor with a new computer when it's time to make the investment.
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I'm really surprised by these last two comments. Could one of you LinkedIn experts -- Greg or Scott maybe -- comment?
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Do you really think that venture capital firms would be intersted in investing in a fledgling construction company?!
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I am not a fan of this industry but concede that not all MLM companies are trouble. But as you say, Judy, anyone considering getting involved in an MLM company should do some thorough homework. Here's a site that provides a few links to
MLM Watchdog Groups
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Could the author of this guide please respond to the previous comment?
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Instead of just telling us how most business owners take the wrong approach to online marketing, how about also providing some advice and resources?
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Nice list, but completely irrelevant to Work.com!
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Joel, I absolutley agree that it's critically important to be passionate about being in business. But unless you are hiring someone to operate your franchise for you, you had also better be passionate about the product or service. Otherwise, the enterprise is not authentic, and customers can sense that instantly.
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Thanks to both Shara and Deborah for these great tips. I signed up for Twitter ages ago but have to admit that I never really "got it" until now. Thanks!
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I think that great service is a particularly important differentiating factor for businesses in a flagging economy, especially for small companies that always have a tough time competing on price.
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In the current, highly volatile market, how do REITs stack up against stocks in terms of risk and performance?
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There are some good ideas in this guide but it's so copy-dense that it's difficult to read. Would you consider putting the info into work.com format and also adding more informational links? Thank you.
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Lots of resources here, Matt; thank you! But I'd caution anyone considering a franchise that one of the most important factors to consider is the support and assistance you'll get from headquarters. If corporate leaves you twisting in the wind, a low-cost franchise can suddenly become very, very expensive. Talk to other franchisees, and not just the ones that HQ puts in touch with!
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Authors Paul and Sarah Edwards have been writing about home-based work for years and I'd highly recommened any of their books. On their website,
WorkingFromHome.com, you can take a quiz to see if you're ready to take the leap.
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Linda, you've packed a lot of useful information into this fun little guide -- thanks! Sloganizer is addictive and Zoomerang looks like like a great way to get others to weigh in on your slogan.
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Great advice -- thanks. Since de-cluttering would take me several years, perhaps I'll start now!
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Thanks, Dan! I just downloaded a free trial of Carbonite based on your recommendation.
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While there are many credit and charge card options for small businesses, I'm particularly fond of AmEx because they issued the first card specifically tailored to small companies nearly 20 years ago and they continue to expand their services. For instance, through their
OPEN Savings program, you'll get money credited back to your card when you do business with merchants like FedEx, Yahoo, Hertz and others.
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There are good reminders -- thanks! I especially agree with the point you make about follow-up. It shows customers that you're still thinking about them beyond the immediacy of a transaction. I'm partial to hand-written notes; since they are virtually a lost art, they make a huge impact.
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I think that there's growing consumer disdain for plastic bags of any kind due to environmental concerns. ISo while drawstring bags may be a nice promotional item, companies should put some thought into what materials they'll use.
P.S. some of your links don't work.
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You do mention safety later in you guide, but I think this is a point worth stressing further up. Lasers, particularly powerful ones, can really damage eyes and I would argue they never be used in classrooms, particularly with young children.
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Another great oline retailer of GPS systems is
TigerGPS. Very savvy staff and excellent customer service.
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Ah, the dreaded blue screen -- the case for Apple! But for those of us who have not yet made the switch, here's a
chart that gives you the skinny on several data recovery software options, including the one in your link.
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Eric,
I thought the IRS was cracking down on these types of arrangements.
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A company called
GreenPrint makes software that elimiates those annoying unwanted pages when you print. I find it particularly helpful when I 'm printing something off the Web.
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I largely agree with Susan. In fact, when I receive a relatively costly gifit with a corporate logo on it -- a picture frame or a clock, for instance -- it actually annoys me a bit beause I think it's such a monumental waste of money. Flash drives, notebooks, nice pens, etc. are great because they're utilitarian. I'm also wondering if there are some "green" promotional gifts out there.
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"The shredders you can get at the local office supply store are a waste of money." Hmm. I see that you're the manager of a shredding service! Honestly, I'm sure it's a great option for many businesses, but overkill for those of us with home offices. I find my MailMate from Staples to be quite adequate. As for disposing of the shredded paper, use it instead of packing peanuts!
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Scott, I agree with you. Your suggestions are great, Frances, but I think that all companies need to come up with their own definition of "socially consious" -- one that is consisent with the brand identity, the passions and interests of their employees and customers. Otherwise, the effort will not appear authentic and I think that's very important in the marketplace these days.
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Great ideas, George, thank you! As a business journalist for many years, I've always been fascinated by the leadership vs management distinction. Here's a good article from
Poynter on the subject.
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Very good ideas here, Peter. I think this point is key: "You have respectable businesses endorsing your company and handing out opportunities for their own customers to call you and save money." The most important element of any strategic alliance is partnerning with other business who share not only your customer demographic, but your values. Your customers will judge you by the company you keep!
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How about a few tips on how to make your home appealing to potential buyers? I have a friend who baked an apple pie right before each showing!
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This guide is really just an advertisment for you company. I recommend that readers also check out
BizChairs.com.
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Thank you, Barbara! You have some good tips here, so it would be terrific if you could put your guide into Work.com format and perhaps supply readers with a few more links. Personally, I highly recommend
The Elements of Style by Strunk and White to everyone who communicates in writing (and who doesn't?).
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I like the "focus on a friendly face" suggestion. I often do that when I speak to a large audience -- making occasional eye contact with a smiler is like getting a little burst of energy. But I think the best cure for stage fright is preparation -- practice what you want to say over and over again. In the mirror, or even by taping yourself. And also know this: even the most practiced public speaker or entertainer gets nervous!
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Question posting on LinkedIn is a fabulous tool. I've used it several times for book and magazine story research. Scott, when you post a question, do you know how deep into your extended network it goes? I ask this because I've received reponoses from many people who are not in my network.
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I keep saying I'm going to do that, too, but I never seem to have time to do the research on the various options. Can anyone recommed a good, reasonably-priced service for online hard drive backup?
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Deborah, I absolutely agree with you. I also think that the best way to find a good attorney is through trusted friends and business associates. Of course, estate issues become much more complex when there's also a business at stake. All the more reason to seek out skilled legal advice.
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Don, it seems to me that you've mis-named your guide. How about a guide specifically on coffee franchises with a little more detailed info on what to look for when considering investing in such a company?
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I am new fan of Etsy, having just interviewed the company's CEO for my new book. There was a great story about the company in
The New York Times Magazine last month. BTW, they also produce lots of online educational videos for crafters. One correction: the listing fee is 20 cents.
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The way Scott describes the process is accurate for the vast majority of book authors. As an author who has landed contracts with two major publishers, my strong opinion is that you need an agent in the proposal-writing stage. A good one will help you craft the proposal so that it appeals to publishers, negotiate a good advance for you, and review your book contract with your best interests in mind. It seems like sheer folly to even think of producing an entire manuscript without the advice of an agent or a contract from a publisher.
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I believe that the number one small business marekting mistake is not knowing who you're marketing to. Small businesses are notorious for wasting money on traditional advertising and promotions in a futile effort to reach out to the mass market when in fact their actual customer base is more fragmented and niche-oriented.
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You have some good ideas here, but your guide is so text heavy that it's very difficult to read. If you could re-format it in Work.com style and provide some additional links, you'd get more readers and a higher rating.
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This looks like a multi-level marketing scheme to me!
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This looks like a multi-level marketing scheme to me!
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How about offering some tips and links about customer service?
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Nice guide, Laurie. I especially like the idea of marketing workshops to niche markets -- seems like a great way to differentiate yourself from the competition.
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Anita, I can't claim that Elfa is inexpensive -- it isn't. But the quality and design make it worth the price. Scott, I wish I could follow your example,but paranoia drives me to print out my notes every day!
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Yes, Anita, I've had similar experiences. Businesses that issue pre-paid cards make a ton of money on the tiny amounts that are left on the card because consumers either forget how much is left, or are too embarrassed to use little amounts. Now, companies are even giving out the cards instead of rebate checks. Frankly, I hate them. I think the only way to use them is buy something that uses up the entire card at one shot and then pitch it.
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You have a lot of useful info in this guide, but I think it's important to point out that this huge generation includes people who are still in ther mid-fourties. They're extrememly brand loyal, crave innovative products, and would rather commit hari-kari than join AARP! So any kind of marketing that looks like it's targeting seniors (ie with larger type) is going to fall flat with younger boomers. Businesses have to be careful not to lump this generation into one homogeneous marketing bucket.
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I found your chart link helpful; thank you!
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Your guide contains some useful information, but it is hard to read because it is so text-heavy. Can you re-write it in the Work.com format and include some links? Thanks.
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I don't see any "how-to" advice on your guide and the one link you offer doesn't work.
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Lots of good tips here, Justin -- thank you! I think "human touch" is critically important for any web-based business. At any point in the transaction, the customer ought to be able to pick up the phone and reach a sales rep quickly. Unfortunately, many websites take just the opposite approach and alienate customers permanently because of it.
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What the heck is this guide about???
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You're right that spelling and grammar are important when writing for the web (or anywhere else). But there are many, many writing and grammar software programs on the market. We readers would be better served if you'd tell us what to look for in choosing software and provide us with a variety of links. Also, are there some good, free, web-based programs?
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There is some good information in this guide but it would be so much more helpful if you could put it into the Work.com format and include tips and links. Thanks!
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Very helpful guide, Betty --- thanks for including so many great resources and links!
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How about some specific action steps and some links?
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How about some specific tips on how to use new media in your business? Some links would be nice, too.
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I'll second Melissa's comment, Deborah. I typically create my invoices very informally in a Word doc but I sometimes think they get lost in the shuffle that way. So thanks for giving me my first New Year's resolution -- more professional-looking invoices!
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Thank you, Marianne! I'm sure the health care industry would save a bundle by embracing new technology. Maybe we could use some of that to help out the 40 million+ Americans who still don't have health insurance!
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Mike, for the benefit of our readers, could you please tell us what information is inaccurate? Also, I see you are an expert in this area -- how about writing a guide?
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I almost bought a couple of pre-paid cards as Christmas gifts, until I read the fine print and discovered there was a $10 activation fee! That seemed outrageous to me. Do you know if all pre-paid cards carry such high fees and if not, what's the best way to shop around. Thanks!
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Judy, it's my impression that most credit card companies offer these same services. What makes Chase stand out?
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Dan, there are some fabulous ideas here. I'm definitely going to look into this when marketing my new book -- thanks!
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Thanks, Kay! This is a good, comprehensive guide to a potentially complex tax issue.
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Kathy,
Rather than just offering a link, can you pull out some of the points you make in your podcast and a write a guide for us? Thank you!
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Scott, I never would have thought to used LinkedIn this way, but it's a great idea; thanks!
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Wow, Melissa, $25 is really generous; I would probably be happy with a packet of seeds!
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I like the idea of thank you notes as well. In fact, I know of a terrific retailer who regularly sends notes to his top 100 customers. And when the postage rate goes up, he'll include in those notes a few two cent stamps -- a thoughtful, low cost gift that surprises and delights his customers.
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Norma, there are some good ideas in your guide, but it would be great if you would put everything into the Work.com format and also include some links to illustrate and back up the poinst you make. Also, I think it's worth noting that it's virtually impossible to offer great customer service unless you've got great employees. So one of the key elements of service is training your employees how to deliver it expertly.
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I find that it's also a good idea to check out what's being said about a company in the Blogosphere!
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Jennifer, these are all good points. And I do believe that many of us absolutely need to know how to say no. But saying no just because the money's not there isn't always the smart choice. Some publications give you amazing visibility or prestige, but pay very little. You take those projects because you want to build relationships, or have your name associated with a particular brand. So you sacrifice a little money up front in order to reap bigger benefits down the line. It's a delicate dance!
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Deborah, I have my laptop connected to a 21 inch ViewSonic LCD monitor that I bought at Costco for around $300. The resolution is fabulous and the type is readable even for my aging eyes!
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Deborah and Scott, I will "third" your comments about AVG. I've found it to be absolutely reliable; both my computer consultant and the tech support people at Dell recommended it.
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Great job, Paul! I like the specific advice followed by solid examples that really make the guide come to life.
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Sorry, but I have no idea what you're talking about!
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Thanks for this very useful guide, Jennifer. I think your advice is particularly useful for writers who are doing corporate work since that's the bread and butter that often allows us to take sexier but lower paying magazine work. Most writers won't be able to negotiate fees when it comes to writing for newsstand quality publications -- the word rate typically is what it is.
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Kylon, your link doesn't work. Maybe Santa doesn't want you to give away his secrets!
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Another great guide from you, Matt -- thanks!
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Brian, there are some good ideas in this guide but it would be much more useful if you put it into the Work.com format and included a variety of links. Can you offer some tips on how to identify good sales prospects?
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I believe this is called advertising!
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Very good guide, Frances; thanks!
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There are two issues here: bartering public relations services in exchange for whatever products or services a business has to offer; accepting free products or services in exhange for editorial articles that appear objective. The former is perfectly acceptable while the latter is absolutely taboo! Here's a direct quote from the New York Times guidelines for travel writers: "The Travel Section will not publish articles that grow out of trips paid for or in any way subsidized by an airline, hotel, tourist board or other organization with an interest, direct or indirect, in the subject of an article." Okay, it's the Times and not everyone has these standards, but I'd argue that anyone who has any ambition of being a serious, professional writer adopt these ethics from the get go.
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Thank you, Connie! I've been a journalist and author for more than twenty years and one of the most useful online resources I know of for freelance writers is
MediaBistro. A premium membership to the site will get you access to the "How to Pitch" section which contains great information on what particular publications look for from freelancers.
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This is a very useful guide with lots of great resources -- thanks, Marianne!
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Kanika --
This is a good basic guide for budding entrepreneurs. It would be even better if you included a few more links. Thanks!
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The comment applies to all of your guides: I think you are very confused about the purpose of Work.com!
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You have lots of great information in this guide, Stephanie. But it's very text-heavy and would be more helpful to readers if you followed the Work.com format and also added some relevant links. Thanks!
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Another great guide from you, Brian -- thanks! I get so frustrated trying to organize email threads in Outlook; I'm definitely going to give G-mail a try.
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Well, you certainly have some lovely products, but this is an advertisement, not a business guide!
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"While there is no substitute for experience in building a business, there is no reason that that experience needs to be yours." You've got to be kidding!
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Sometimes team building is best accomplished outside the office. Here's a great story by Alison Stein Wellner in
Inc. Magazine about how one company approached the task.
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Lot of great information here, Richard -- thank you!
Would it be possible to also include a few "how to" links?
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Brian, I really think your guide motivated many of us here at Work.com to start using Facebook in earnest, so thanks again. It's addictive, though!! On a technical note, does anyone find that Facebook's ads obscure your page? There doesn't seem to be a way to zap them off. Help?
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Nice guide, Adam. You make a lot of great suggestions and the big theme here is that if non-profits want to survive in this era of reduced government funding, they need to make better use of sophisticated online tools. In some ways, they have to behave a little more like for-profit companies!
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This is a good start, but it would be helpful if you included some links as well. Readers might want to try these links from
Inc.com.
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This isn't a guide, it's an advertisement!
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Shara, what an enormously useful list of resources. This will open up a whole new world for those of us who are just getting our feet wet in Web 2.0. Thanks so much!
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I've been working at home for twenty years and I've found the best home office design solutions at The Container Store. I'm particularly sold on their
Elfa line of shelving, which I just recently put up by myself in my office. It looks great and it was surprisingly easy to install.
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I ordered bar stools for my home from
Barstools.com. Excellent service, quality and price!
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Very thorough guide, Matt! Another really interesting list that's brand new this year is published by WorldBlu, an organization that studies and promotes workplace democracy. Take a look at their their new list of
Most Democratic Workplaces.
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Nice guide; thanks Matt! Another great training resource is Zingerman's in Ann Arbor.These folks run a highly successful food business, so they're in the trenches practicing what they preach every day. Check out their
Art of Giving Great Service seminar.
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I'll weigh in on that, Paul. Greg, correct me if I'm wrong but I do think that your actual number of active credit cards (and that means ones that you may not use but have not bothered to cancel) impacts your credit score. So if you sign up for a card to, say, get a dept. store discount, and then never plan on using the card again, you really do need to formally cancel it.
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I also like
Cyberrentals.com. It's more for vacation properties, but that means it's easier to find a short term rental.
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Michael, you have made some important points here and this is a good start. I think if you broke ithe guide down to make the points more succinct and added more links, it would be much better and receive a higher ranking!
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Helpful guide, Mary -- thanks! Is it really necessary to have home busienss insurance? I was under the impression that for the majoirty of people who work from home, a good homeowners policy does the trick. Can you offer guidance on what kinds of home-base businesses really do need home business insurance? Thanks.
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Thanks, Selena -- this is a very good guide on an increasingly popular topic. Coaching is a particularly good idea for CEOs of smaller companies who are often isolated from colleagues and peers at their own professional level. A good coach can be invaluable.
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Excellent first guide for you, Gwen -- keep up the great work! I'd also recommend that anyone interested in ethics check out Jeff Seglin's blog and NYT column called
The Right Thing.
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Jody, I like your web site. Can you tell us how you choose the dealerships that you list as female friendly?
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Nice guide, Dan. I was actually given a set of stamps as a gift (with our kids pics on them), and that made me think that photo stamps might not only be a useful business marketing tool, but also a great gift to give to valued customers.
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Peter, can you offer any advice on how to determine if a business is fairly priced?
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Excellent guide, Brian! I just joined Facebook and plan to use it to start creating buzz for my new book as I'm writing it. I'm sure your tips will come in handy.
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All links lead to ArtPromos. This isn't by any chance your company, is it?
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This guide doesn't tell people how to lose weight and shape up; it merely encourages them to buy your products and services!
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Very imformative guide, LaRita. This kind of software can really help small business owners be current and consistent when it comes to evaluating employees. Not to mention that it helps them keep valuable documentation that may needed when it's time to promote -- or even terminate -- an employee!
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Excellent guide; thank you, Brian! I think it's fascinating to watch how established businesses are using YouTube to reach customers. One of the most interesting "corporate" videos I've seen is former JetBlue CEO
David Neeleman apoligizing for leaving passengers stranded on the JFK airport runway last spring. It didn't save his job, unfortunately, but his approach in this video is a model for business owners who may find themselves needing to publicly fess up to their own errors.
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Ned, can you recommend a good Outlook add on software solution that would allow me to send group emails individually? Thanks!
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Paul, I agree that breathing exercises are great. One of my favorites is called
Alternate Nostril Breath and people generally don't know about it unless they practice yoga. It's very effective!
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Great guide, Matt -- thanks! Over the past several years, the number of endowed chairs in entrepreneurship has increased 6-fold in U.S. colleges and universities. So while the prestigious schools you mention are still the ones that come first to mind, there are also some very, very innovative entrepreneurship programs at smaller universitties. Two of my favorites are at
Clark University in Worcheter, MA and
Belmont University in Nashville.
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Scott, you make some really valid points. I personally think the if you're going to do drug screening, then you should apply the policy to everyone at the company. Also, you need to make it very clear to employees what the consequences are if they test positive and you must be consistence when enforcing the policy.
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I agree with all the previous comments and would also like to point out that every link is to your company's site. Another great source of high quality, well-designed products for the office is
The Container Store.
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Thanks William! It sounds this is worth checking out not only for people who need loans but for those who want to earn some cash as lenders.
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I agree with Akwasi -- the Ten Commandments are a very helpful part of your guide!
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Do you know what percentage of claims actually results in a settlement and how long the process typically takes? What are the most common types of claims?
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William, this is a really fascinating guide -- I had no idea this industry existed and you've provided a very nice primer. I'm just curious who the lenders are on sites such as Prosper. Individuals? Institutions? How is this sub-sector of the the lending industry regulated, or isn't it?
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Thanks for the great guide, Dan! I've always been partial to
BigCharts.com, which I find very easy to navigate.
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Great info, Steve, thanks! Is it possible/recommended to create a decent click to play video using a web cam?
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Deborah, I'm fascinated by Second Life and singed up when I first read your guide. But I quickly discovered that mananging my Avatar's life was almost as confusing and time consuming as managing my own! Alas, I abandonned her. Then I read an artilce this month in
Wired Magazine that suggests that Second Life is really not the Marketing Mecca that many big companies thought it would be. Just wondering if you read the story and what you think!
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I'm a huge fan of
TripAdvisor.com. While it's not a business travel site per se, I find the user reviews of hotels and restaurants to be extraordinarily useful for both business and personal travel.
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Frank, you make a good point about the hiring challenges that companies face as more and more Baby Boomers retire. I think that another mistake companies make is assuming that the new generation of workers -- those in Generation Y -- can be hired, trained, and motivated in the same way as their older counterparts. They can't! Here's a good article from
Fortune on hiring Generation Y.
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MSN Messenger is now Windows Live Messenger. Anyone used/have comments upon this new version?
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Braydon, you have not taught us how to choose a web designer -- you have have taught us how to choose you! How about some more specific guidelines and more useful links?
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Abe, I appreciate your expertise and the content of your links. All I'm suggesting is that readers generally like to be offered a variety of resources.
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Hmm. I didn't see anything about beating customers up in the guide I recommended. Just trying to be helpful in the spirit of Work.com!
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Abe, you're an expert on this subject so I think it would very helpful to readers if you could beef up your guide with more specific action steps and a broader variety of resouces. For instance, I found this
Guide to Small Business Sales on Credit to be particularly helpful.
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Ben, this is a very thorough, well-researched guide; thanks so much for writing it!
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Thanks for this helpful guide, Carol! Any tips for coping with pre-presentation jitters?
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Thanks, Jeff! The other important thing to note about Mophie is that the company makes commodity products (iPod accessories) in a highly crowded marketplace. Ben's open innovation startegy differentiates the company from the pack and gives him brand identity and consumer loyalty!
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Dan, I wholeheartedly agree that great management is the key to a successful internship program. I'd particularly caution companies against hiring interns simply to do grunt work. Young workers, whether or not they're being paid, want to feel that they're making a significant contritution and that they're learning something that will help advance their careers. Give them that and you'll earn their loyalty.
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Great guide, Dan; thank you! I have to disagree with one of your points, however. In the 20+ years I've been profiling successful enterpreneurs, I can't tell you how many I've come across who had nowhere near $50,000 and managed to build multi-million dollar companies. They would tell you that bootstrapping helped keep them focused, made them frugal, and taught them how to make tough decisions. So I'm a big fan of lean start-ups!
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One of our own Work.com experts, Elaine Appleton Grant, writes a wonderful column, Business for Sale, for
Inc. Magazine. Lots of good info in these archives for people looking to buy a business.
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Jeff, I love this subject and you've done a really nice job with the guide. I just wrote a short profile of a young entrepreneur named
Ben Kaufman who is building his company, Mophie, around the concept of Open Innovation. Thought folks would like to see a real world example of how this fascinating process can work.
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Helpful guide; thanks Jenni! When my desktop crashed recently, I started using my laptop as my primary computer along with a 21" monitor. Wonder how many others are doing the same and if the cheaper laptops can accomodate all the programs that are needed for day to day computing.
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Yes, Paul, I agree with you!
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Very thorough guide, Caroline -- thanks!
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Greg, why do you think small business owners hestitate to do their banking online? I've always assumed it was the security issue. If that's the case, are banks addressing it? What questions should business owners ask to make sure they are being protected by the highest levels of security?
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This is an interesting guide topic and it sounds like you're an expert on this subject. So it would be wonderful if you would give readers more information on the use of audio on websites and not merely promote your own company. Thanks!
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I just discovered a company called Green Print that sells software that eliminates unwanted pages (such as when you're printing something off the web), thus saving paper as well as ink. You can download a free trial
here.
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Great guide, Elaine! So many entrepreneurs trip up during a big growth spurt in their businesses because they've been so seduced by the prospect of revenue gain that they neglect to ramp up the systems they'll need to handle extra volume. Lot of terrific advice here!
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Frank, you have lots of great information in this guide but I'm a little confused about what you're trying to get across. Is this a guide about bringing on great talent, or is it a guide about recruiting in China? Both are guide-worthy subjects, but I feel that readers would be better-served if you wrote two separate guides!
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Thanks for this helpful guide, Ryan! Would you also recommend backing up data on lin and if so, are there compnaies that you particularly like?
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Let's not forget that sometimes the crisis is actually brought on by the CEO. Case in point: John Mackey, the CEO of Whole Foods, was caught posting annonymous comments about the stock price of his own company and trashing Wild Oats (which Whole Foods is trying to buy). You can read about it
here. Mackey's being very defensive about the issue, which I happen to think is exactly the wrong way to manage this type of crisis. How about just admitting you were wrong?!
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Erica -- This is an excelllent strategic planning primer with tons of great information and useful links (although you need to fix your SWOT tool link!). Thanks so much for writing it.
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I've been to the southern coast of Turkey and it is indeed heavenly. But given the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in the cournty, is it really such a great place for Brits and Americans to invest in property?
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Good guide, Deniise. I do think that the difference between hard-core telesales people and those who perform more of a customer service function is key. Clearly, they are different animal and motivated by different incentives. Now more than ever, as we see the labor market tightening, it's important for employers to know exactly what motivates their staff and to put incentive plans in place accordingly.
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Thank you Lindsey! There's lots of useful information in your guide and I REALLY appreciate that you've used this space to inform readers and not merely market your company -- that's what we like to see!
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Helpful guide, Dan! Here's another good story on the subject from
Money/CNN. There always seems to be lots of moaning and groaning among certain sectors in Congress about the potentially negative effect of a wage increase on small business. But as Susan points out, the evidence from the trenches tells a different story. The majority of businesses say the wage increase has no negative impact. At any rate, I think it's virtually criminal that a wage hike took so long!
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I always think that it's a good idea to check out any home based business opportunity with the
The Federal Trade Commission. There's a lot of fraud out there and it pays to be diligent. Also, check out
Paul and Sarah Edwards, who offer great advice to home based business people.
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This is ad, not a guide, and not a very good ad at that!
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Adult education is a wonderful thing and I would certainly not dissuade anyone from pursuing a degree through an online university or a local college or university. But the fact is that I know plenty of entrepreneurs who don't have college degrees and it hasn't hurt them one bit. In the U.S, clients don't typically care about academic pedigree -- they just want someone who can get the job done.
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Sorry, but I disagree with your advice about looking for business partners online. Trolling around for a partner on the Internet seems imprudent. If you're serious about starting a business that you think will be substantial and complex enough to require a partner, then you've probably been in touch with laywers, bankers, other entrepreneurs, etc. These people -- the ones alreadly in your network and those who you already know and trust -- are your best advisors when it comes to finding a partner.
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Great guide, Dawn! I want to look into both Paper Tiger and Neat Receipts.Just wondering if youve used either of these tools personally and if you've found them to be helpful.
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Great guide, Scott! I particularly agree with two of your suggetions: Making sure that you are fully present when you're talkng to people at an event (it's so obvious and irritating when someone is scanning the room while talking to you!); and writing notes on the back of business cards. I do this all the time and find it to be very effective.
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Yes, i'm equally confused. Your links have nothing whatsoever to do with the subject of delegation.
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Eugene,
This is an ad for your business! How about adding a few more links to the guide?
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Thank you for this helpful guide, Scott. As a mother of teenagers, I'd like to encourage every retailer to regard this not only as a business issue, but a matter of social reposnsiblity. I found
this link to be a good, common sense guide for everyone who sells alcohol.
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Thanks, Cherie. I'll add one more source. The
Federal Trade Commission is a great place to check out companies that you're considering doing business with, particularly in the multi-level marketing industry where consumer complaints and lawsuits seem to be not terribly uncommon.
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None of your links work!
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You're clearly on expert on this subject, Skip, but some links to resources other than your company would also be really useful. Thanks!
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Thank you, Ilene! There's a lot of good info in your guide, but you need to acknowledge your connection with Launch Pad.
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Could you please provide a few more software options to our readers? Thanks!
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Tad -- Your links don't work. Also, at Work.com, we really apprecaite it when guides include resources from a variety of different sources. Thanks!
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Very nice guide, Carmina -- thanks for all the great resources. I especially like your advice on mentoring. Most successful entrepreneurs love the opportunity to help others who are just starting out -- all you need to do is ask. BTW,
Ladies Who Launch is another valuable resource for women entrepreneurs.
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Nice guide! I especially like your point about preparing employees. If you have more than a few people on your staff, it's also a good idea to appoint one or two people in each department to manage the disaster response.
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Great guide with lots of good resources, Frances -- thanks! I am a fan of Constant Contact as well, Anita. I pay the $15 a month and it's well worth it, given all the information (including who opens your emails, what links they click on, etc.) that comes with the subscription.
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Great guide, Dan. I rely on an independent IT professional in my town and don't know what I'd do without him. I'd add only that it's best to know who you're going to call BEFORE you have a problem!
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I can highly recommend
AssistU to anyone seeking a virtual assistant. I know the CEO and she is a pioneer in this industry.
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Brad--
Ths isn't a guide, it's an advertisement!!
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Great guide, Dan, and loaded with wonderful resources. Here one more:
Extreme Enterpreneurship Tour offers tools and programs for budding entrpeneurs. The young man who founded it, Michael Simmons, is a NFTE grad!
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This is an interesting topic, Frank. I've always thought of mirroring as more subconscious than deliberate. For instance, I often find myself inadvertantly mirroring when I'm talking to someone I just met at a conference. Maybe it is just part of our deep-rooted desire to connect with others!
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Anita, what a great idea this is; I'm going to check it out right away!
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Lots of good info here, LaRita. I've heard some amazing stories from CEOs who turn cusotmers who might have become thier biggest public realations nightmare into raving fans and customers for life. Yes, it invovles active listening, but it also means responding in a way that may seem over the top and costly at the time, but will ultimately pay off.
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Comments Posted by Donna Fenn