Alternative Funding for Entrepreneurs
Many entrepreneurial success stories begin this way: X had a dream, but his dream was turned down at the local bank. This is a situation that many entrepreneurs face. While it can be scary, it does not have to be a dead end. The reason so many success stories begin this way is that it is actually very difficult to get a bank loan to start or expand a small business. However, there are alternate forms of funding that can help you achieve your dreams. It’s just a matter of knowing how to approach them.
Social Media and Entrepreneurship
Some entrepreneurs are reluctant to use social networking to promote their business ventures. There are good reasons for feeling this way; social networking may be low cost, but it requires an immense amount of time to set up and maintain. In addition, it is just as easy to anger and alienate your audience as it is to win their hearts. Many entrepreneurs prefer to focus on more traditional marketing methods. However, there are a few good reasons to make social media a part of your business. The first and more important one is that social networking works.
(more…)
Business Lessons From Steve Jobs
A few weeks ago, Steve Jobs resigned from his position as chairman of Apple, which we all recognize as one of the most powerful and well-known companies in the world. Although most people consider Apple a clear leader in its field, it had a rather bumpy road to the top and still fights to maintain its position.
Bouncing Back In Business
The last few years have been difficult for most American small businesses, and for many there is no light on the horizon. However, some owners are managing to bounce back from some very serious blows. Whether you have lost a few of your top clients, lost a supplier, or otherwise been hit hard by the recession, there are steps that you can take to ensure that your business bounces back to its former stability. Here are a few common-sense ways of leading your small business back to the top.
(more…)
Spawning your Small Business Brand
Many small business tips are written assuming that the business in question is not succeeding. But what if it is? Maybe your business is doing great and you merely want to take that success to the next level! Here are a few tips for that crucial expansion process.
(more…)
When Is It Time to Quit Your Day Job?
There was a time when a small business was a physical store with a shopkeeper/owner ever present. Now, however, the norm has changed. Many small businesses begin as part time ventures, often on the internet or run from home. Small business owners have the chance to build their brand and build their profits while still keeping a job outside their new company. This brings up an interesting question that many small business owners must deal with at some time: when is it time to quit your day job?
(more…)
The Psychology of Sales
Psychology has huge potential for influencing people’s behavior. Although we all like to think that we are independent individuals, the fact is that there are experts who can predict our behavior with shocking accuracy. Knowing how people operate and how to communicate best with them can help you to build your brand and entice customers to become conversions. Here are a few sales tips gleaned from the science of the human mind:
(more…)
5 Tips for Turning Your Great Idea into Reality
Running a small business can be more difficult than it initially seems. Many people get a great idea for a business, but get intimidated by the planning phases. Luckily, there are ways to plan that will help set you up for success. I get a great new idea every day but only 0.01% of those ideas ever make it to the real world! But even 0.01% is not a bad percentage. Here are five tips that will help your inspiration become your reality.
(more…)
Work-Life Balance for Work-at-Home Entrepreneurs
Working at home is one of the more popular arrangements of our times, and it is easy to see why. It eliminates time spent in getting ready and getting to the office, but the quality of work and the pay remain the same. It seems like the best of both worlds… until you try it. Unfortunately, many small business owners have trouble finding that necessary work-life balance. Either they are working 24/7, or they get so distracted by their home environment that it is difficult to get anything done. Here are a few tips for making it work.
(more…)
Lean Startups in the New Economy
- Image via Wikipedia
Many people assume that you need a lot of capital in order to start a small business. They search for investors, talk to an endless lineup of banks, and get turned down at every corner. It’s a common story in this economy, and one that shuts down many small business ideas before they ever see the light of day.
However, many entrepreneurs are not willing to take no for an answer when it comes to their small business dreams. For these people, a lean startup is the only viable option.
What is a lean startup? In short, it is a way for businesses to begin with a smaller than average investment of time, money, and other resources. The lean startup is more agile and fluid, responding quickly to changes in the market and in the customer base. There are certain things that distinguish a lean startup from other new businesses. Here are just a few.
(more…)