Doing Business in Ghana - 08/27/2007

Invest in an emerging economy of West Africa with a stable government & competitive labor force

Using Linux for Your Desktop - 08/01/2007

Using Linux and open source software for your small business

Doing Business in Nigeria - 12/19/2007

Explore the rich resources Nigeria has to offer.

Expertly Avoiding Online Frauds and Scams - 04/30/2008

Thanks Parkick. One very common online fraud is the 419 scam. I have read miserable stories. I once blogged about it.

What Hackers Know About Your Network - That You Don't - 04/30/2008

Thanks for this guide Thomas. I just want to point out some free scanning tools. Some simple tools hackers use include nmap and nessus .

Tracking User Activity in Your Access Databases - 04/30/2008

Hi Jon, you describe a method of auditing Access databases. Thanks. Maybe your guide would get a higher rating if you expanded the focus to auditing in general. Auditing improves the overall security of databases. Are there any other security measures you can recommend?

Email Change of Address Services (ECOA) - 04/30/2008

"Add an email change of address button or page to your website to enable regular users or customers to send you their new email address. ". I like this idea it should be a standard practice on websites. It just makes sense. Thanks for this guide.

How to write emails - 04/30/2008

Thanks for this guide. A good companion guide is business email ettiquette .

Can GPS Tracking Save Your Business Money? - 04/30/2008

Interesting. Considering labor laws, are there any tips to make sure that tracking of employees is done in a legally correct manner?

Phone Conferencing Services - 04/30/2008

Vapps offers an amazing audio conferencing solution. You can even use skype to dail into the conference.

Cell Phone Service Providers for Small Business-47276 - 04/30/2008

Virgin Mobile also offers great prepaid mobile phone plans.

The Evolution of Birth Records - 04/30/2008

Interesting. I never knew I could order records online. Very cool. Thanks for the guide.

How to Host an Effective Conference Call - 04/30/2008

Great tips. I can not think of anything that you missed. I am going to save this guide for future reference.

Reducing defects in SDLC - 04/30/2008

Is there really a need to spend a whole week on Code Verification after adding a new feature? It seems to me that the your version of the CVP might prolong time to market.

Continuing Legal Education - 04/29/2008

Great question.. I have had the opportunity of talking courses online and I can say that they can be very effective. I believe that it is going to be a matter of time and sooner than later, online degrees are going attain a similar level of respect as brick and mortar degrees. In my online courses, I had the opportunity to interact with different people from all over the world. Traditionally, I believe it would have been very difficult to experience a similar level of diversity and a broad knowledge base. I took classes with students from the Phillipines, Jamaica, Canada, North Carolina, Chicago and even South Africa all from the comfort of my home office. I know that some brick and mortar colleges are adding online courses to their curriculum. Time will tell.

Storing and Protecting Your Business Data - 04/29/2008

Also, consider sending your data to an offsite data storage location like Iron Mountain.

Internet Security - 04/29/2008

A great way to increase employee awareness of security policies is to incorporate security training with most training events in the company. A good way to achieve this would be lunch and learn sessions in the company. It will also be a good idea to hammer on security during new employee orientation where prospective employees might be the most attentive.

Protecting Your Business from Computer Viruses - 04/29/2008

I have been using a free version of the Avast antivirus software.

upload pictures to your URBaCS website - 04/29/2008

Hi Rob, I found it a bit difficult understanding your guide. What exactly is a URBaCS website?

Computer Free Tips - 04/29/2008

I believe that your guide topic has potential to provide a great guide. Did you have problems with writing the guide? I would love to see more information on how to obtain free computer tips.

Healthcare Information Technology - 04/29/2008

"Most experts concede that while information technology for healthcare will ultimately reap significant savings for most medical care providers, the upfront costs are steep. One way to manage those costs is to gradually implement your technology upgrades". Great point. High initial costs and resistance to change create major obstacles to technology adoption. Sometimes a risk analysis also helps to justify spending big on technology. For the healthcare industry, evaluating HIPAA complaince can make a good point to go digital.

Wireless Technology - 04/29/2008

I see that you addressed the difference between wifi an bluetooth. I have had a few people ask me to clarify the difference between the two. This pcworld article provides further explanation.

Selecting Mobile Handheld Computers for Field Services - 04/29/2008

Thanks for this guide. I took a look at your blog and I see that you are quite the expert on Mobile handhelds. I look forward to more articles from you.

PCI Compliance and Web Application Security: What You Need to Know for the Upcoming Policy Changes - 03/31/2008

I did not know about the PCI Compliance, June 2008 deadline. Thank you very much. I will save this guide.

ADP Time and Labor Management Services - 03/31/2008

We use ADP at work. It is really easy to use and I recommend it. I was able to download my W2s directly from my tax preparation software. I thought that was awesome.

Great benefits of Online PR - 03/31/2008

Hi. I clicked on your guide right away but there seems to be no content. I believe that this guide when done will have a lot to offer. Did you experience any problems when writing the guide?

Videoconferencing Equipment - 03/31/2008

VAPPS also has great videoconferencing software with reasonable prices.

Research on Privately-Held Companies - 03/31/2008

Thanks for this guide. I will add it to my favorites. You hit the nail right in the middle. Privately held companies keep their information semi secret. Your links will surely help anyone seeking information on these companies.

Universal Messaging - 03/31/2008

CallWave offers a universal messaging platform. Check it out .

Telecom Management - 03/31/2008

I agree that you should get advice especially, inpartial advice on your telecommunication needs. It is neccessary to distinguish between what you need and what you want. It is easy to get distracted with what features come with a product and sometimes you end up getting features you don't really need.

Ruggedized and Industrial Computers - 03/31/2008

Buythough also offers industrial laptops.

Motherboards - 03/31/2008

ASUS has been around for a long time and I have come to trust them. Whenever I build a computer, I try to get one from them. Thanks for the tomshardware.com website link. I will go check them out.

Intranet Software - 03/31/2008

Microsoft Sharepoint is not bad either. We use it at work and is quite customizable, i.e if you can afford it. Hipergate is another free intranet software.

Venture Capital Firms and Funds in Latin America and the Caribbean - 03/30/2008

Great guide. A companion guide is doing business in Latin America . I would love to see more geographically centered guides like this. Thanks for the guide.

Hispanic-Focused Advertising Agencies - 03/30/2008

I keep saying and believing that marketing to the hispanic population is profitable and should be incorporated into the marketing strategy of an organization. The hispanic community is ever increasing with immigration and can not be ignored for too long.

Angel Investors in South Africa - 03/30/2008

Hi Gavin. it is sad that there is a lack of angel investors in South Africa. I did not know that because South Africa is a leader in the African continent, techonlogy and infrastructure wise. I find it hard to believe. I know that the founder of Ubuntu is from South Africa. Have you personally had any bad experiences finding angel investors in South Africa? I did some research on angel investors in South Africa and came up with this blog entry.

Harassment Law - 03/30/2008

Thanks. I am glad there is a guide on this topic. It is sometimes difficult to determine what is harrassment or not. This article also talks about a rising form of harrassment, Cyber harrassment.

Data Loss and Its Financial Impacts - 03/30/2008

How do we really measure the financial impact of data loss. Some states especially California have passed laws which force companies to disclose confidential data losses. I have not heard about a company go broke because of these disclosures but I am sure that they might lose some business. Protecting data is a very detailed process and essential. Hopefully more states require these disclosures in the near future.

Ms Access Error "The Search Key was not found in Any Record" - 03/30/2008

Maybe this guide could be improved to be a good tutorial for MS Access. I don't believe there is an existing guide.

Telecommunications Business Solutions - 03/30/2008

I recently got to use Counterpath's X-lite softphone and I love it. The voice quality is clear and I know of some companies which use it in their call centers.

Foreign Exchange Software - 03/30/2008

Interesting Colleen. I might have to dig into one of those trials and see how it works. However, I wonder if there are any legal gotchas a trader should be aware of?

How the Search Engines Describe You - 03/30/2008

I did not know that google relied that much on the DMOZ description. I am sure that is basic knowledge to most SEO guys, but that's good to know. Thanks for the examples too.

Getting the Most Out of LinkedIn - 03/30/2008

I am certainly not an expert on linkedin but I do find NOTASPAMMER's comment a little bit suprising. I believe that Linkedin makes an effort to ensure my contacts are people I want on my list and not solicitors. I am on a couple of social networking sites and get quite a number of contact offers. However, I like my linkedin to show professional contacts, keeping it separate from my personal ones. This issue might be up for debate but I like it that way.

Trouble Ticket Software - 02/29/2008

I have used Request Tracker in the past. It is robust and free.

College and University Programs by Type of Degree - 02/29/2008

I like your recommendation about researching the accreditation of the university. The accreditation of a college is a measure of how effective their education is and for that matter how much value employees get from their education. Thanks for that tip.

Becoming a Fizber - 02/29/2008

Hi Julia, I never heard the term "Fizber" before. Great. Now I know.

Twitter for Business - 02/29/2008

I am signing up now. Thanks Shara for this guide.

Computer Security Hardware - 02/29/2008

Lets not forget the simplest form of computer security hardware, locks. Physical security is often overlooked in the overall picture of computer security. Simple locks go a long way to provide physical security. What is the use of the most complex security system if it can be stolen?

Access Database Recovery - 02/29/2008

Database recovery is a pain. Ask any database guy and they will tell you that it is one of their worst fears. One mistake and there goes months and months of data. The cliche, prevention is better than cure. Backups are essential. Replication is another strategy to maintain redundancy. Databases are crucial. Protect them.

Network Performance Monitoring Software - 02/29/2008

There are a lot of free, open source network monitoring tools out there. Openview, BigBrother and Nagios are the ones I have some experience with. This article on Network Monitoring Tools will help to evaluate different options.

Fitness Franchises - 02/29/2008

Thanks Joel for this guide. A fitness trainer friend of mine told me that the fitness training industry is going to increase significantly in the coming years. Maybe I get into a franchise. I did not see a lot of resources on fitness franchise opportunities in your guide though. Could you provide some?

Small Business VoIP Phone Systems - 02/29/2008

John, you make great points with your 12 tips. To be honest, this is one of the most detailed guides I have read on work.com. Thanks. I look forward to more guides from you.

Database Administration Services - 02/29/2008

Data is the mainstay of a business. It helps to understand trends, market opportunities, threats and strengths. Deploying a reliable database is one of the major challenges of organizations especially small businesses. Hiring an experienced database expert to design a robust database should be high priority. It is money well spent.

Information Systems Analysis Services - 02/29/2008

"Government agencies and non-IT organizations frequently have gaps in knowledge or experience that IT service providers must bridge." I can not agree with you more. I think that this applies to all organizations not only Government and non-It organizations. Thanks for this guide. As informations systems become an integral part of organizations, the market for systems analysts will increase.

Mileage and Routing Software - 02/29/2008

Thanks for this guide Mary. I did not know that there was mileage and routing software out there. I can imagine how it will help businesses cut costs especially with the rising cost of gas. This guide goes on my favorites list.

Call Center Equipment and Supplies - 02/29/2008

I have considerable experience with call centers and the challenges of technology especially for remote monitoring. Outsourced call centers need to be remotely monitored to achieve good customer satisfaction. Network monitoring tools, video monitoring and quality assurance tools are vital. Great guide. I would loved to see more resources. Call center magazine is the premier source of information for call center information.

Prepaid Phone Cards - 02/29/2008

What a great idea to distribute phone cards as an incentive program for customers.Of course, that will depend on the type of business. It will not be a great incentive to customers of a retail store. Then of course, a business like a gift shop or a money transfer center could use this incentive. Overall, incentives for customers, however small helps retain loyal customers.

OC-12 Broadband - 02/29/2008

Wikipedia's article on SONET explains the structure , the different transmission speeds and the Network Management protocols.

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) Programming Services - 02/29/2008

Interesting. It is easy to forget that HTML is the foundation of the web and web pages. I have come across web programmers with poor knowledge of HTML. Furthermore, true HTML coders are hard to come across. Thanks for this guide.

the GMAT Exam - 02/29/2008

I wish I had this guide when I took my GMAT exam a couple of years ago. I did not use any of the test preparation companies but I wish I did. My tip to anyone taking the GMAT is to practice. Test taking skills are very important. Practice takes away nervousness and testing anxiety. For those who can not afford expensive tuition, there are test preparation books from Barrons.

Home-Based Jobs - 02/28/2008

Your guide is going into my favorites list. Your tips on avoiding work at home scams are right on the money. Certainly, the lure of working at home can expose unsuspecting job seekers into the hands of scammers. I expect more people to be working from home in the future. Work at home brokers will be cashing in.

Georgia Foreclosure Listings - 02/28/2008

I read about the difference between judicial and non judicial foreclosures at http://www.all-foreclosure.com/judicial.htm. I wonder which holds an advantage over the other and why?

Foot Lockers - 02/28/2008

Great guide with some good tips.

Use Data recovery software - 01/31/2008

It seems that this guide only recommends one company? Are there any other resources for recovering data?

Business Shoes - 01/31/2008

Very very innovative. I never thought about a guide about business shoes, but physical appearance is very important in the business world. Thanks for this guide.

Quickly Developing a Domain Name - 01/31/2008

This website on developing domain names has a lot of resources.

Creative Domain Names - 01/31/2008

I love del.icio.us and one of the reasons is because the domain name is creative. Is it really that is to use a TLD from a different country? I have never tried it but I will.

Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety - 01/31/2008

Public speaking is an art I believe. Practice, practice and practice. That is how I overcame my fear of public speaking. I am not an expert but I will use your tips to improve.

Check 21 - 01/31/2008

Hi Bob, what exactly is Check21? Could you provide more resources?

Being successful - 01/31/2008

Thanks for the guide. Most books I have read about being successful is managing time. According to Peter Drucker, "time is the scarcest resource available."

Stock Futures and Options - 01/30/2008

Are employees of companies allowed to sell their stock futures?

Using WhiteSmoke Writing Software for Your Business Communications - 01/30/2008

I saw that whitesmoke has a facebook application for free.

Finding Time to Blog (When It's Not Your Day Job) - 01/30/2008

How true. At present, I am suffering from bloggers block and I can't seem to get myself inspired to write posts. I am going to use your tips to get myself started again. Wish me luck.

Effective Email-68363 - 01/30/2008

I printed out your guide and I am going to keep it close by. Email etiquette is very important in the workplace because email has become a basic mode of communication. Emails might be the only mode of communication and for that matter replaces personal contact. The manner an email is composed goes a long way to improve perception.

Identity Theft : Protect Your Identity This Tax Season - 01/30/2008

Righly said, Tony. There is a lot of confidential information on tax documents especially W2s. Social security nos, wages and employer information are listed. What a valuable resource of information for identity thieves? I guess the first step to make sure that these sensitive documents get to your most current address. Your w2's getting into the wrong hands is receipe for disaster.

Picking Perfect Personalized Pens - 01/14/2008

I do know that there are some companies that offer free business cards in exchange for advertising space at the back of the cards. Is there a similar program for personalized pens?

Using Typefaces - 12/31/2007

To he honest with you, I have not given much thought to the type of fonts I have ever used. Thanks for this guide. I am saving it for future reference.

Google keywords advertising has proven unreliable for us. - 12/29/2007

I really don't know what to make of this guide. It sounds more of a complaint about google to me.

How Can I Enhance Quality from Our Outsourced Call Center Partner? - 12/29/2007

Great tips. Continous monitoring your outsourced call center partner is essential. Your tips do create a good solid platform to enhance quality.

Optimize your eCommerce Site for Search Engines - 12/29/2007

Good tips Justin. I look forward to more work.com guides from you. Thanks for this guide. I am going to bookmark it.

Credit Card Rewards - Credit Card Reward Program - 12/29/2007

Thanks for this guide. Most of your links point to your company's website, which makes me question the neutrality of your guide a little. However, I am going to save it for future reference.

Getting an FEIN (aka Tax ID) for your business. - 12/29/2007

The IRS also has an online classroom designed to help new and existing small business owners understand and meet their federal tax obligations.

Vibrationstraining - 12/29/2007

This is the first work.com guide I have seen in German. I used alta vista's babel translation service for translation. Are there any other physiological training resources apart from Galileo? For those who might want some more information, see this vibration training website .

acquiring information technology for your business - 12/25/2007

I believe this article is well written. However, I would have loved to have seen it in the work.com format. It is helpful for businesses to go through a total requirements analysis .

GPS Systems - 12/24/2007

I have been thinking of buying a GPS system for a while. Your guide is comprehensive. Thank you very much. I have saved it for future reference.

Retaining Walls - 12/24/2007

Nice guide Selena. One question popped into my mind after readiing your guide. Can a homeowner claim a tax benefit from using eco-friendly materials?

Commercial Equipment Financing Tips - 12/24/2007

Thanks for the guide. I have a few questions though. Do traditional banks offer financing too for commercial equipment? Given a wide range of available financing, what tips will you give a prospective finacee when comparing offers from competing lenders? Are there any brokers available? Should a prospective buyer consider used equipment? Thanks.

Real Estate Auctions - 12/24/2007

Me neither, Scott. I am going to save this guide for future reference. This guide has lots of useful links, Frances. Thank you very much.

Improving Customer Service - 12/24/2007

You make a good point about targeting the ever growing Hispanic community. I live in Southern California and I share the your sentiments that businesses should make it a point to service that ever growing demographic. There are a quite a few guides on work.com that focus on the Hispanic population. Do you have any specific tips on improving customer service for Hispanic customers? Also, I would love to read the whole case study. Could you provide a link?

Company Profile Research - 12/24/2007

Good list of resources on company profile research. I agree with Donna that it is a good idea to check what is being said about the company in the blogosphere. It is good to see what someone else is saying about the company, not what the company is saying about itself. Shara wrote a detailed guide on small business blogs .

Treo And BlackBerry Accessories Make Mobile Phone Comfortable - 12/24/2007

I agree that accessories make mobile phones more comfortable. What are the latest accessories out there? How will they enhance my mobile phone experience? How do I spot fake accessories from genuine ones? Work.com articles are directed at small business owners and they might be interested in more information about how these accessories can enhance their business experience.

Real Estate Sales Training - 12/24/2007

Thanks for this guide Mark. I am a novice to real estate terminology so I did know neither what FSBO nor expired meant. LaRita wrote a good work.com guide on For Sale By Owner properties. Maybe someone will be kind enough to write an article on Expireds. Your guide 's title made me believe that I was going to be reading an article on how to get training on real estate sales. I hoped to see links concerning real estate sales training. Could you provide us with some?

What Is Check Fraud And How Can You Protect Yourself? - 12/22/2007

I was eager to see more resources on how to prevent online check fraud. Great introduction.

The Top 5 Mistakes Advertisers Make with Their Advertising... - 12/22/2007

Your guide has some good advice for advertisers. It seems to me that the root of your message is to understand and respect your client. I believe that your advice is not only useful to advertisers but also to most small businesses. Thanks.

Domain Parking - 12/22/2007

I have some reservations when it comes to the idea of domain parking. Some see it as an investment and others see it as a nuisance. Google has adsense program for domains. Is domain parking ethical? I would love to hear some arguments for and against domain parking.

Cost Segregation Studies for Commerical RE Owners - 12/22/2007

Pardon my ignorance, but I did not know anything about Cost Segregation until I read your guide. Well, I only took one business class in college. Anyway, I decided to look it up. With the tax season coming up, your guide would have drawn a lot of interest. I believe that it needs a little more information. What specific tax advantages does it provide to commercial real estate owners? Is there any specific software available?

Data Management Software - 12/19/2007

Great overview of data management software. You rightly point out that the key is to come up with a data management plan. I have seen situations where a data management plan comes as an afterthought. I have fallen into that trap a few times. One often overlooked step in a data management plan is getting rid of data. Vulnerability exists when the process of discarding data is not planned. What do you do with your old hard drives? What about the prints from your data management software? Are they shredded? Data falling into the wrong hands is dangerous. SOX and HIPAA have made it a federal offence.

Doing Business in Ghana - 12/02/2007

Yahoo news article about a successful businessman in Ghana.

Networking Software - 11/30/2007

Great introduction to networking software. Administering a network can be little challenging. Learning the basics of networking helps in basic network troubleshooting. Understanding IP addressing and basic network terminology. Dan's article on business and tech terms jargon is useful.

Healthcare Management Software - 11/30/2007

Thanks for mentioning the HIPAA requirements. Violations of the HIPAA act, carry very strict penalties . Employees working with Healthcare Management Software need to be HIPPA trained to avoid penalties.

Apparel Software - 11/28/2007

Great guide overall with lots of resources. This guide covers software from designing apparel through apparel software for supply chain management to software at the retail level. I read a while ago about online apparel companies that allow customers to design their own clothes online. What an ingenious concept! Talk about outsourcing the design to the customer. I wonder which vendors provide this type of software? Could designing your own clothes online be the future of the fashion industry?

How to Get and Pay for Your College Education While Working - 11/26/2007

Thanks Giovanna, I wish this guide was around when I started graduate school whiles working. I would also recommend working for an employer who pays for continuing education. Some companies encourage their employees to get further education and they pay for it. If you dont want to change jobs, find out from your HR department has any incentives for going to school like paid time off. Its worth the effort to find out.

How to protect your system data effective! - 11/25/2007

Are there any other resources you can recommend for recovering data?

Computer Rentals - 11/23/2007

Protect your privacy and intellectual property . You hit the nail right on the head with that one. It will be bad for a competitor to have access to your trade secrets. Small business owners can project a "big" business image without having to really invest the capital. It would be cool to show up at a presentation with the latest gear.

Database Software - 11/22/2007

I remember when I built my first database application in dBase. Databases, I believe are very useful for small businesses. Databases allow you to manage, retrieve and store data. It is important for businesses to manage data in order to figure out how to maintain competiveness. How much am I selling, who am I selling to and how long is it taking? Today's data can predict the future. Mine the data, there are many hidden answers.

Rebuild your RAID - 10/31/2007

Would you advise a novice to attempt to rebuild a raid array? It seems complicated. Any other resources/list of data recovery companies?

OVERSEAS BUSINESS START-UP - 10/31/2007

John, I was immediately drawn to your guide because of the title. I really think that it is a very important topic. I would love to see more resources on starting up businesses overseas.

Creating "Wow" Customer Service Experiences - 10/31/2007

In my experience, honesty is very touching in customer service. If you dont know the answer, politely say so and then go and find out what it is. A customer would be happier knowing that you are taking the time to find out how best to help. It is far better than pretending to know when you don't and taking the customer for a spin. When in doubt, ask.

Small business phone systems with VOIP - 10/31/2007

Steve, are there any other models apart from the TMC EV4500 for small businesses? Are there considerable savings a small business should expect from switching over to VOIP?

SEO 101 - Image Optimization - 10/31/2007

Lots of useful information. I am going to bookmark this guide.

Hosted Microsoft Exchange - 10/31/2007

It is a good idea to check out the quality of customer service for any provider. However, I wonder if there are other criteria you might want to consider when choosing a Microsoft exchange provider.

Is your Business listed in Google Maps? Submit your business to Google Maps - 10/30/2007

Not a bad idea to be listed in Google Maps. The verification process seems a little lax to me. I don't believe that phone or email verification is secure enough for a business listing. I wonder if google provides the same service for other countries as well?

IT Audits - 10/30/2007

I found a McAfee policy auditor .

Free Internet Access - 10/30/2007

Free wireless internet is great. Some cities are making efforts to provide their residents with free internet service. This is of course subject to some controversy because it portrays the city as an Internet Service Provider(ISP). The question of security comes into play of course if encrypytion is not enabled but free is not always "free".

Avoiding credit card fraud with an online business - 10/29/2007

Hi Steve, could you provide tools or software to verify addresses to prevent fraud?

New Video Surveillance Technology and Uses - 10/28/2007

Interesting comment Jeff. I guess someone took a cue from the recent lawsuit by a judge against a dry cleaning company. Cases like this reminds small business owners that they are being held accountable to the same laws as big businesses.

Microsoft Windows XP - 10/28/2007

I wondered why there was a guide for XP when Vista is the latest Microsoft operating system. But, you are right Judy, I know quite a few people who are considering switching back to XP from Vista. I still use XP and I don't intend switching anytime soon. So far, XP has become a stable operating system. It has been around for about 6 years. I will say, it stood the test of time.

New Online Business Management Tools - 10/28/2007

Nice introdution to online business management tools. Hopefully, more small business will adopt online Saas tools as an alternative to traditional heavyweight "offline" tools. Companies like google are pushing online tools, one of which is google spreadsheets. One obstacle threatening the adoption of Saas is data privacy . Some folks are wary of publishing data to third parties.

Small claims court-58067 - 10/24/2007

I would not go far to say that this one of the worst articles. I think that your guide has potential. I agree with Paul that breaking up this guide will make it more readable.

Company Rankings - 10/24/2007

I agree with Donna. This is a great guide. I have seen some institutions solicit money from companies in order to place them in lists. Beware. They send you a mail saying you have been chosen. Then they ask you for money. Needless to say, it is a scam and it can ruin the reputation of your company.

Internet Marketing - 10/24/2007

Thanks Matt for a well written guide. Needless to say, internet marketing is the way to go these day. Marketing professionals now need to know the fundamentals of internet marketing in order to be useful in today's workforce. I have seen internet marketing and online marketing used interchangeably. Is there a difference?

Starbucks Franchise Information - 10/24/2007

Dan, thanks for your guide. From your profile, you seem to have a lot of experience with franchises. Thanks for sharing your expertise. I would have loved to see more Starbucks specific information in your guide. I still have questions like, how much would you need to start the franchise? What are the specific requirements? Would you need lawyers? Do you have to scout the location yourself? How long does it take from application to approval?

For Sale By Owner (FSBO) - 10/24/2007

How difficult is it to sell your house yourself? I wonder why folks don't do it often? Is it too time consuming? Thanks, LaRita for the resources you provide in the article. I bookmarked it to share with a friend.

WMS Software - 10/24/2007

Hi Jason, your article led me to research how to choose a warehouse management system. I found this whitepaper .

Computer Security - 10/24/2007

Thanks Marianne. I am always glad to see an article on computer security. Surely, a computer security policy will safegaurd your business. The most important about a policy is enforcing it. A great policy is essentially useless unless it is enforced in a consistent manner. Educate all new employees, conduct regular reviews of the policy with existing employees, reprimand those who violate it and continually update the policy to reflect your current situation. Computer security is a process that must be constantly fine tuned to be effective.

Inbound Call Centers - 10/24/2007

I am always cautious about outsourcing parts of a business without trying it out first. In my opinion, customer service is a very important component of any business. I believe the best approach is to hire some inhouse customer service agents, train them, learn how best to handle your customers and them outsource part of that process out. It is important to cultivate a unique "customer service style".

choosing the right server for your small business. - 10/24/2007

Would you advise a small business to build their own server? Otherwise, what resources are available for help?

IT Recruiting Services - 10/23/2007

Thanks Kate for this guide. A great companion guide wil be " Guide to Employment Agencies and Recruitment Agencies . One question, do you have any resources on IT recruiting services for the international market. I know a friend who is looking for a high tech job in another country.

Credit Card Debt Management - 10/23/2007

I rated this guide a 10 for the reason that it is an essential read not only for anyone trying to get out of credit card debt but also for those who intend on getting into debt to start a business. A lot of potential entrepreneurs have been known to use credit cards to finance their businesses. Having a contigency plan to get out of credit card debt could prove useful.

Transportation and Logistics - 10/23/2007

Thanks Ned. I used to work in the transportation and logistics industry a while ago and I love your approach to writing this guide. Managing the supply chain is very essential to the profitability of a business. It is important to forecast demand in order to supply your customers. Most businesses have periods of high demand (for the retail sector, it is the holiday season). One point you mention, ensuring that transportation was done in a safe, efficient and reliable way, caught my attention. It brings to mind the question of packaging and damaged goods. I found this article on reducing the cost of damaged goods.

Wholesale Clothing - 10/23/2007

Thanks for this guide LaRita. Do you have specific resources for wholesale "second hand" clothing? I have heard of some businesses buying second hand clothing wholesale and selling them in other countries.

T1 - 10/23/2007

Pacwest is another company that offers T1 services. Generally, T1 circuits are dedicated circuits so for businesses who value Quality of Service (QoS) over cost T1 is a better option. This is a basic explantion of how T1 works.

Software License Management - 10/01/2007

This is the first guide that really tackles the issue of software licensing. Thanks. I don't think a lot of people give much thought to the limitations that software licenses exert over their distribution and usage. There are many types of software licence agreements. The most flexible one are the free software licenses which essentially give you the freedom to use the product as much as you want but contribute any improvements / changes back to the code.

Buying Computers Wholesale - 09/30/2007

Thanks Marianne for this guide. I sometimes wonder if it is safe to buy discounted wholesale computers. Computer costs keep going lower and especially the fact that buyers mostly get these wholesale computers with no warranty could make wholesale computers a risky business. Nevertheless, this guide is well writen and I am going to save it should I want to get into the busines.

4 Compensation Tips - 09/30/2007

Another way to compensate employees could be providing a great stock option plan. Employees who are offered stock options on a regular basis would be likely to feel a sense of ownership and contribute to its growth. Its a great way to compensate without having to fork out a large amount of cash.

Facebook Basics for Your Business - 09/30/2007

I don't want to sound like a broken record but you wrote a very great guide to using facebook. I have been using it for a couple of months and I am beginning to explore the applications. I really love the status updates where I can read the mood of my friends. I have had some friends some funny updates and seeing them sometimes makes my day. Thanks Brian.

Doing Business in Ghana - 09/26/2007

You might want to do business in Ghana .

Firing a Customer - 09/13/2007

Sprint recently fired some customers. Read this Callcenter article .

Finding Help with QuickBooks - 09/12/2007

Great guide with lots of resources. I am sure small business owners will find your resources useful.

Get Cheap Calling Services - 09/12/2007

Hi Mohib, Sunrocket is out of business. So sad. Are there any other companies you can recommend?

Business-to-Business Online Competitive Intelligence for Search Marketers - 09/05/2007

Nice guide. I also read the more detailed report. You note in the report that you used the Work.com guide format. It made the report very concise and easy to read for busy professionals. The Work.com guide format really works.

Know how to chose a data recovery specialist - 09/04/2007

I like the 10 commandments of data recovery. They are the same things I tell my clients and friends before, during and after they lose their data. I saved your guide to my favorites.

online games - 09/04/2007

Hi Ashely, I was immediately drawn to your guide but then got a little disappointed. Online gaming is popular especially with interactive internet games like Second Life. See a very popular guide on Doing Business in Second Life. I hoped to see more information about popular online gaming sites, and how small businesses can benefit from starting or joining these sites. Is there marketing and advertising potential?

Using Linux for Your Desktop - 08/31/2007

Read this PC magazine's linux installation guide .

Recruiting Employees - 08/30/2007

One thing to watch out in future employees is how well they will fit into your team. No matter how good a prospective employee is they will fail if they can not fit into the culture of the organization.

Call Monitoring Solutions - 08/30/2007

Good customer service should be at the forefront of every business. Thanks for this guide about call monitoring solutions. A rapidly growing business should put great customer service first. It is also important to incoorporate best practices in customer service including call monitoring with customer service associates. This way, bad habits are not learned.

Managing Small Business Email - 08/30/2007

I like this guide. I saved it to my favorites. A great companion guide is managing email overload .

Benefits of a Fax to EDI Solutions - 08/30/2007

I did not know about fax to edi solutions until now. Thanks for this guide. By the way, is EDI still popular amongst B2B ecommerce?

Workflow Automation and Workflow Software - 08/30/2007

Good guide, Greg. We use microsoft sharepoint at work. I have a question though, what are the main differences between workflow software and project management software?

Solving Your Computer Storage Problems - 08/29/2007

LaRita, what is your take on online storage solutions? I had a discussion with a client the other day regarding the pros and cons of online storage. She was concerned about how secure her data would be.

Business Asset Liquidation - 08/29/2007

Holly, I was immediately drawn to your guide. I am looking for acquire some liquidated assets for a friend in Ghana. Do these assets come with some sort of warranty? I hope that you can add some more resources to your guide.

Office All-in-Ones - 08/29/2007

One argument that can be made against using all-in-ones is the concept of the single point of failure. When the machine dies, there goes all your bundled functions. What preventative measures can be taken to ensure that these machines last longer?

Macintosh Computers - 08/29/2007

Some freeware for macs. I dont use a mac regularly, but I would love to know if you have used any of mac freeware?

Recycling and Disposing of Old Computer Equipment - 08/29/2007

DBAN boot and nuke is a very popular program to completely erase a hard drive. I found a tutorial .

Buying Dell Computers - 08/29/2007

Thanks for this guide Frances. I need a new computer and I want to go with deal. I decided to lookup articles and blogs on how to get the best deal on a dell. This dealhack article has 5 good recommendations . 22 confessions of a former dell manager is also quite interesting.

Mobile Credit Card Processing - 08/29/2007

Is it not a great idea to use cellular phones as credit cards? I believe that some countries have had this service for a long time. I saw this article which provides examples of how other countries are implementing this service.

Using video emails to revive your subscribers - 08/29/2007

Great guide, Steve. I am sure small businesses will find your guide to be a good jumpstart to create their email marketing campaigns. The increasing popularity of video websites like youtube sends the message that online video might be the next big thing in marketing. Which video format and software do you think will be most appropriate for creating video emails?

VoIP for Small Businesses - 08/20/2007

Hi Bob, your 10 points are very interesting. You recommend going with SIP (Session Over Internet Protocol) providers over proprietary vendors. I agree with you because SIP is a pretty lightweight protocol but what specific advantages does SIP have over other proprietary protocols like H.323? Also, how would a small business make a transition from the traditional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to VOIP? What steps are involved? How do they keep their old numbers? What are the challenges and ultimately, would it be worth it?

Privacy Laws and Policies for Small Business - 07/31/2007

The EU has stricter privacy laws compared to the US. A small business owner interested in expanding to Europe shoud understand the differences and implement privacy controls before it is too late. This msnbc article tackles the differences in the layman's language.

Dealing with Difficult Customers - 07/31/2007

I find it most annoying when I encouter a customer service agent who clearly does not understand my problem and tries to give me a runaround. I would rather they put me on hold, research the problem and then come up with a solution. Placing a customer on hold is not a bad thing if it is done in a professional manner. Meagan's guide on improving your telephone manners is a good companion to this guide.

Improving Your Telephone Manners - 07/31/2007

Thanks for this guide. Telephone manners are very crucial to how a customer will percieve your business. I am glad that you placed considerable emphasis on placing a customer on hold. As a rule of thumb, it is helpful to check in with the customer on hold at least every three mins. It also helps to thank the customer for still waiting on hold.

Using Linux for Your Desktop - 07/31/2007

Managing Employee Conflicts - 07/31/2007

"When employees feel like they're part of a team, conflict is less likely. Encourage a team atmosphere with team-building exercises and by rewarding group achievements". Building a team for a group of strangers is very challenging. I believe the conflicts occur in a workplace largely due to personality differences and furthermore the overall culture of the organization. Every organization has a culture and you can tell a lot about the overall culture of the organization by how it manages employee conflicts. Prospective employees should really observe the organizational culture of an organization before jumping in.

Using Webinars - 07/31/2007

I have been in the situation where I have been bummed during a webinar due to a loss of internet connection, dropped/delayed audio but the worst is a speaker or presenter who is not sensitive to the special conditions of webinars. It is important to treat everyone equally although they might not be in the same room.Some tips from webinar success.

Video Conferencing Solutions - 07/31/2007

I have used Gotomeeting before and I loved it. You can take it on a spin for a free trial.

Bringing Onboard Great Talent-52739 - 07/31/2007

I was immediately drawn to your guide because of it's title. I must say that you have a lot of useful information and I have a few questions. How is hiring in China different from hiring in the United States or in the western world. I read a story about how Microsoft finally conquered China in the Fortune Magazine. I was intrigued by this article because moving top employees and recruits to build the business in China did not work. Sometimes, what is good for the goose might not be good for the gander.

Business Email Etiquette - 07/31/2007

At times, I get faustrated when I receive poorly thought out and poorly written emails. I was reading a tech republic article on 10 e-mail habits that waste time and cause problems . Interesting read.

Small Business Online Banking - 07/31/2007

I would say that security is a big issue with online banking. Identity theft is a growing problem. According to the ftc , identity theft accounted for 36% of all complaints in 2006. Overall online banking is very convienient and might overcome the traditional bricks and mortar banks. The question is, when? Until then here are the do's and don'ts of online banking.

what is battery?How to get the cheaper and better battery? - 07/29/2007

Violet, I believe your guide topic is catchy and a step in the right direction. I would love to see a section about the different types of batteries and perhaps a section on how to make your battery last longer. How should I dispose of a battery and what safety precautions should I take to ensure that my battery does not explode and burn down my house or business? Writing good guides could be a bit challenging but it might be worth the effort. Who knows, you could be an expert soon. Shara in the work.com blog writes about How to be an expert .

DFP-Defect Fixing Process - 07/29/2007

Bugs versus defects. I think they are the same thing but I wholeheartedly agree with you that the term "Defect, makes it more challenging and more focused". Overall, your guide tackles an interesting topic. I would have loved to see information about how best to get your customers/consumers to provide regular feedback on defects in your products and maybe a section on how to get help and resources for building an effective and as you put it "Defect fixing process".

Getting a Degree to enhance your Business or Career - 07/23/2007

Hmmnn. I have heard a lot of arguments for and against going for an online degree. There is a school of thought with the impression that online schools are not as effective campus based instruction. Well I do not buy that,. I have had the opportunity to be in either situations and I argue that they are different ways of instruction but are effective in their own ways. Online education is a life saver for anyone who just can not afford to go back to a campus. Children, family, career and other things in life can make it impossible for an otherwise determined candidate to go to school. Ying, thanks for this guide. I would like to see more resources on getting an online degree like listing some more providers, financing and maybe some success stories.

Overcoming your Fears of Launching a Business - 06/30/2007

I love this guide. Especially the title. Overcoming one's fears is essential. I have talked to many people who want to start businesses but are afraid. I had a small business when I started Grad School. I believe that most people are afraid because they do not want to leave their comfort zone. Not everyone can start their own business and succeed. However, the ability to know that you can do something for yourself is priceless even if you work for someone else.

Training Software to Trim Employee Training Costs and Ease Turnover - 06/30/2007

The key is to start from the beginning. I believe there are two types of potential employees. The ones who just want to work and the ones who want to advance. These days, companies should be looking for "knowledge" oriented employees.. These are the people who ask questions, always looking for the best solution, always challenging what practices and methods are in place. These are the employees who will benefit most from employee training costs. Such employees will are the ones who will take advantage of all the web based training. Another thing here, be prepared for the consequences of training. There will be new ideas and as an employer who encourages training... be prepared for change. It will come.

Doing Business While You Play - 06/26/2007

Tom, I agree that this is a great guide. I am pleased with your action steps. You really covered all the basics. There are web widgets for specially for business. There are thousands of widgets available on the yahoo . softpedia lists a lot of mac based widgets for business owners.

Buying EMail Encryption Software - 06/26/2007

Hi John, I was hoping to see some evaluation of email encryption software. However, what has been your personal experience with email encryption and in what circumstances would you not employ encryption?

use your batteries batter - 06/22/2007

Hi Roy, I am never able to keep my batteries for a long time. Sooner than later, their capacity diminishes and then I have to buy extra ones. Your guide provides some good tips. Can you provide more resources?

Web 2.0 - 06/13/2007

I have read this guide a couple of times. I came across the blog post on the risks and rewards of web 2.0. I am intrigued by security issues in information technology so this blog post caught my attention. I am particularly worried about potential social engineering attacks particularly phishing attacks. Anyone can post a false profile to get a job, attack you network or even gain confidential information from unsuspecting employees. Are there any security tips that you can suggest for business owners who use web 2.0 sites?

Barcode Software - 06/13/2007

Hi Frances. great guide. I saw a link to RFID, ME. In the past I have read a few articles on the future of RFID in the supply chain. In your opinion, is RFID going to take render barcoding obsolete in the future?

Computer Preventive Maintenance - 06/13/2007

I routinely run the systems diagnostics on my dell computer as a preventative measure. This checks for potential and or current problem on my hardware. Immediately after booting up my computer and before Windows boots, I hit the F12 key. Other PC vendors might have different options so consult your PC vendor's documentation.

Tech Support Services for Small Business - 06/13/2007

Mac users are able to visit Apple stores to get free advice. These stores offer free daily 1 hour workshops. Lookup a store close to you and get some good and more importantly, free advice.

Getting the Most Out of QuickBooks - 06/13/2007

I know that Wells Fargo offers online bill pay thru Quickbooks. I am a huge fan of online bill pay cos I never remember to pay bills on time. However, it is cool to have all your finances managed by Quickbooks and still pay your bills thru the bank. It saves the trouble of having to reconcile your personal finances with your bank statements.

Website translation / localization - 05/31/2007

I found your points about website translation very interesting. I looked around for some resources and websites that offer website translation. Check out applied translation and worldlingo.com. I believe google and yahoo also have directories on website translation.

Conversion Tracking Simplified - 05/31/2007

I looked around for some resources on conversion tracking. Micosoft's adCenter . I also saw this article from search-marketing.info. Read this Microsoft's article on conversion tracking.

XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) - 05/31/2007

I never heard about XBRL before. Thanks for this guide. In this new age of stricter accounting laws like SOX, languages like XBRL should it make it easier for accountants to keep tighter and more responsible control over accounting. Hopefully, XBRL will take some of the inconsistencies and accounting errors some companies keep reporting.

Getting Your Business Materials Printed - 05/28/2007

For those who dont want to deal with the hassle of printing their own materials, try mimeo . They also provide DVD/CD duplication. Another resource is fedex kinkos. Upload your documents and pick them up later.

Wireless Internet Service Providers - 05/28/2007

To add to Donna's comment, another company providing free wireless service is whisher . Whisher allows you to share your wireless bandwidth with others in good faith. It requires WEP or WAP encryption for security. However you have the option to disable sharing if your bandwidth gets too slow. At least you can warn others first.

Using Telecommuting and Teleworkers - 05/28/2007

Telecommunting and teleworkers communicate mostly by email and telephone. Teleconferencing costs can add up. Foonz allows you to setup teleconferences for free. You get a phone no from foonz, then create a group list. The foonz phone number allows you to start a conference or even leave a message for your group members. Virtual teams will find this useful.

Cutting Your Postage Costs - 05/28/2007

One other way to cut costs is to use online postal mail. Earth class mail receives your postal mail and converts it to electronic format , forwards ship the mail, shreds or recycle's junk mail, archives old mail. See their FAQ for small businesses .

IT Services Outsourcing and IT Consulting - 05/26/2007

A good resource which will help a business evaluate wether offshoring, outsourcing or nearshoring is viable is neoIT . Read some of their articles and white papers . Also check out global services media .

Software Updates - 05/26/2007

For unix/linux based syatems, you can get software updates on a reqular basis by crontab. In crontab you can schedule your update command (for Fedora use /usr/bin/yum update). Crontab allows you to choose the min, hour, day of the month, month or day of the week .

Calculating Tech's Total Cost of Ownership - 05/26/2007

"technology investments that cost more should take precedence because they deliver more value to your business". It is difficult to justify why a particular technology will deliver more value to your business inspite of its relatively high cost. This has been a bone of contention between the IT and finance depts for a long. An ROI calculator helps but there are situations where ROI analysis could shoot down a cutting edge technology purchase. Finance tends to look at how the technology will increase sales. It might not be immediately apparent but I have seen situations in which newer technology has opened new opportunities for a company. And trust me, that is hard to justify to someone looking only at numbers.

Hard Drives - 05/25/2007

So the first terabyte hard drive is out. A terabyte is approximately 1000 Gb.

Unified Messaging - 05/20/2007

I read this techrepublic article on unified messaging aka unified communications. UM converges all the many different forms of communication into on manageable unit. The ability to see your faxes in your email or a software client that also allows you to check your voicemail and play messages. Supposing you are not home yet, you could be able read a transcribed text of the voice message. One emerging company in UM is callwave.

Free Educational Web Seminars - 05/18/2007

Thanks Felix for such an informative article. For free technology web seminars (aka webinars), I use