Giving good feedback is essential whether you are a multinational corporation or a one man show. The way you approach problems and deal proactively with others will have a huge effect on the future of your business. You will have to give feedback—both positive and negative—to investors, suppliers, vendors, and employees. Here are a few ways to make that feedback as positive as possible to ensure that your message gets across and relationships remain undamaged.

• React immediately. Don’t fly off the handle, but deal with situations as soon as possible after they arise. Otherwise, the person receiving the feedback may not even remember the situation you are referring to. This will also help to prevent bad habits.
• Ask for the other party’s perspective. This can give you insight into the problem, but, more importantly, it makes the other person feel heard and appreciated from the start. This creates a framework for the feedback process: that you are going to work together to resolve the issue and prevent it in the future.
• Be positive. There’s a reason we have the word ‘positive’ in the title! All feedback, regardless of what you are going to share, should be framed in a positive way. Begin with a positive statement and end with one as well. Any criticism should be sandwiched between positive statements. This will ensure that the person you are talking to does not completely shut you out before you get to the key issue.
• Avoid attacking or judging. Even if you think the situation was caused by pure stupidity or neglect, avoid using these words. They do nothing to resolve the situation and create a hostile tone. It is difficult to work with someone who perceives you as dumb or incapable, so preserve your future relationship by avoiding these and other demeaning adjectives.
• Be specific. Do not be vague; give the exact example that is bothering you and state why is was not acceptable. If you give vague, negative feedback, the person will perceive you as a complainer and be less likely to respond proactively and respect your requests. Give easy to understand “when, then” statements, such as: When you are late with my order, I am left without a saleable product. This states the problem without blaming the offender.
• Think about outcomes. Coming from a punishing or berating standpoint is natural if you feel you have been wronged. However, it will not actually help the situation. Consider the outcome that you want to achieve and work with the person in question to find a way to achieve it with everyone ultimately feeling good about the process.
• Maintain civility. You might be upset about the situation, but you cannot let your emotions get in the way of working out the problem. Be as polite and respectful as possible. This will reduce defensiveness and allow you to work as a partner in correcting the situation.
• Don’t back down. These tips are not in any way suggesting that you ‘let things go’. If a problem is harming your business, pursue it and fix it. Just make sure you are positive throughout the process.

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If you are a small business owner, you have probably noticed that running a small business takes a lot of space. Whether you are running your business out of your home or have a dedicated workspace, you probably feel buried at times in products and paperwork. Here are a few ways of digging out of the clutter so you can work with a clean desk and a clean mind.

• Discard items you don’t need. This is the most important and simplest tip for reducing clutter, but it is the one that gives most small business owners the most trouble. While you may have a good reason for keeping certain newspapers, magazines, and other items, if you have not read or dealt with them by now, you probably won’t get to it in the near future. You should also pare back on supplies—often people buy two or three different cleaners where one will suffice. Getting rid of old and unneeded items leaves more room in your workspace and your life for the things that matter.
• Deal with paperwork as soon as you receive it. It takes the same amount of time to do the task early, and reduces the amount of paperwork lying around. When you let routine tasks like bill paying, phone calls and RSVPs pile up, you also risk losing the paper or forgetting about them entirely. The most effective managers deal with papers only once, reducing the total amount of time that each task requires.
• Keep files current. When you get a new document, discard the old one. This will make it easier to access the latest information and also reduce the space you need for files. If you must keep old documents, such as for tax purposes, staple like items together with the newest in front so you don’t have to dig to find what you need.
• Maintain electronic records where possible. Modern technology makes it easy to keep things like contacts and appointments in a small cell phone or other device. If you are worried about losing this valuable information, back it up on a computer or a CD regularly. The Rolodex went the way of the dinosaur long ago, with good reason. Digital storage takes up less space and is easier to organize.
• Invest in good organization materials. Small business owners often try to cut costs by spending less on things they perceive as ‘extras’. However, organizational materials are not an extra—they are essential to running your business in an efficient manner. Ask around and find out what works for people in your line of business. Invest in file cabinets, inboxes, time-saving software, and anything else that you think will streamline your business on a day-to-day basis.

Running a small business and building a brand is difficult enough without sifting through papers every time you need to complete a task. While it may take time and energy to get organized, you will find that it saves time in the long run and allows you to run your business more efficiently.

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We know how it is; every business magazine you pick up has a long list of programs and services that will send your small business straight to the Forbes 500. Most of these items are simply not necessary enough to justify a place in a limited small business owner’s budget. However, the following five products are useful enough that you might just want to invest in them. Here are five products that may pay for themselves in increased productivity and products.

1. The Tablet PC.

   While you certainly have lived without tablet PC’s in the past, an expanded range of functions as well as a lower price tag may make these the next must-have business accessory. Whether you choose the feather-light Apple iPad or the new Samsung Galaxy Tab, you will likely find that the ability to perform PC activities with cell phone portability is a win-win situation that gives you the edge you need.

2. Google Apps.

   Forget about Microsoft Office for a moment and consider this new office productivity package, which offers the ingenuity we expect from Google with all the functions you need to get maximum usage from your PC. This suite is cloud-based, an innovation that you cannot properly enjoy without experiencing it. Cloud-based software means that you can connect a variety of different programs and devices, while superior security will protect you and your valuable information from phishing and malicious software.

3. Share and Sync Software.

   This technology allows you to upload files and share them with other approved users, keeping everyone on the same page while making it easy for multiple people to work on the same file. There are several online services offering this, but the most popular are Dropbox, which is free up to 2 GB of storage, and Drobo, which is easier to set up and compatible with Mac’s. Both are ideal for small businesses and the price is definitely right!

4. Portable Projectors.

   If you have ever needed to make a presentation at a moment’s notice, you will appreciate the convenience offered by a portable projector. These can connect to a variety of devices, usually including smartphones and laptops. They can be bought in a variety of screen sizes with different features, so be sure to shop around and see which is best for you.

5. The Smartphone.

   If you haven’t made the switch to smartphone technology, you are behind the curve. Once you have one, you will never be quite sure how you ever lived without it. The latest ones offer not just mobile service, fun apps, and a camera, but new features such as video conferencing. Whether you choose iPhone or Android is up to you; both offer different but equally interesting programs and apps for the savvy small business owner. Being able to run your business from your car or your kid’s PTA meeting will make this an investment that you never regret.

Certainly you could make do without any one of these items, but it just might put you at a disadvantage. Look into these purchases to see if they are right for you and your business.

Are you interested in making your small business a more earth-friendly enterprise but afraid of what it might cost in time and cash? Luckily, there are a few green decisions that are low cost or even save money. Here are six easy, bottom-line-friendly ways to make your small business a lean, green money-making machine.

Recycle. Recycling key items such as paper and cans is important, but your business recycling plan should not stop there. There are many things that can be recycled within your office, saving money while helping the environment. For instance, it is now possible to refill and reuse the ink and toner cartridges used on commercial printing and copy machines. If you are not interested in refilling cartridges or worry about the mess, you can also buy refilled and recycled cartridges at a discounted price.

Use energy efficient products. From light bulbs to desktop computers to microwaves, there are a variety of energy efficient products on the market. Many of these products cost about the same as their less efficient counterparts. Best of all, they will lower your energy bill, keeping your overhead lower and lessening your ongoing operating expenses.

Go digital. In most small businesses, there are areas where you can use digital means instead of paper. For instance recordkeeping is easier, less time-consuming, and infinitely greener when you switch to an entirely digital program. This not only reduces paper waste, it reduces clutter and the chance that an important document will get lost in the shuffle. This is just one of many areas in which your business can save money, time, and the forests by choosing a digital option.

Plug into a power strip. Did you know that many electrical appliances use energy even when turned off? Luckily, there is an easy way to avoid this. Plug your less used products into a power strip and then simply switch it off when not in use. This will reduce your energy usage without any additional time or expense.

Donate unwanted items. While it is often easier and quicker to just throw things away, many items that are routinely replaced in an office, such as furniture, could be given to a charity and reused. This will reduce the size of our landfills as well as the amount of new products that need to be manufactured. Many charities will pick up discarded items at your office, reducing the time and fuel this option requires.

Turn off lights. This is a simple option, but one that is unfortunately rarely used in most offices. You can begin saving energy by sending out an office-wide email asking employees to turn off lights when they leave a room. For added reinforcement, put a small note over every light switch reminding people of the importance of saving energy.

There are many benefits to implementing these changes in your small business. Not only will you save energy and waste, you will save money with most of these options. Plus, being a green business may attract more customers and help you retain the ones you already have. There are so many benefits to being green that there is no reason not to start immediately. By the way, please do check out my latest article on the top 10 eco friendly company logo designs.

The Internet has changed the way we play marketing. It has turned one-way talks to dynamic conversations. Before, businesses bombard customers with messages from printed, radio and TV ads. But with the explosion of company blogs and social networking sites, customers can easily talk back if they don’t like what you’re doing.

A double-edge sword if you will. Do great things and it will spread like wildfire. Yet, one fatal mistake can stir numerous protest and boycotts. The recent privacy issue (http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=13049) on Facebook has created hysteria in the online world, forcing the company to retract its terms within hours.

Conversation is a two-way process. Before, only people in the media can launch attacks against companies. Today, everyday customers can start conversations with you through comments in your website and other popular social networks. Passionate and disgruntled customers are now empowered to make or break your image. And they don’t need to pay a dime to do whatever they want to do.

Being responsive is more critical than ever. It can be your advantage over big corporations. These guys have to deal with bureaucracies before issuing official statements. As small business owners, speed and flexibility are on your side. With a little help from your slick BlackBerry or iPhone, you can reply wherever, whenever.

A well-designed website backed by a superior content management platform is a big help in managing crisis and reaching out with your customer. You might remember that there were toy recalls last year from Mattel, the renowned makers of Barbie. Its website became the main mouthpiece in resolving issues and informing the public about safety.

In the market filled with customers longing for personal attention, how you respond can be a crucial element in building strong relationship. Who knows what 1 comment can do to your business.

One of primary considerations when starting a business is work-life balance. During the startup stage, expect that you’ll be really drained for it takes time and energy to launch a new company. Being organized is the key to maintain that work-life balance. Luckily, there are some tips that will help you achieve and maintain this.

Don’t be too greedy. Start with a small number of clients to work with. Taking too many projects will backfire on your business. You won’t be able to focus on delivering quality service and you will always be cramming to get things done.

Ignore negative comments. As you run your business, you’ll realize that there are some crazy customers who will do anything to annoy you. Worrying too much about their criticisms will taint your work-life balance simply because frustration kills. Just let it go and worry about it the next business day. Life is too short to worry about so many things, my friend. Take to time to laugh at your problems.

Invest in right technology and people. If your business is dependent on machines like computers or printing devices, you should learn to invest wisely in upgrades and upcoming technologies to make your life easier and tasks shorter. In some cases, hiring new guys will help unload some of the non-critical tasks you have at hand like clerical and administrative functions. In this way, you can focus your efforts on really important aspects of your business.

Build your reputation and raise your rates. If you own a consulting or service-related firm, it is better to get a few high-paying clients than too many low-paying ones. In this way, you’ll get more in less time. Having a great reputation and positive word-of-mouth will give you the right to be picky and the power to balance your life.

At the end of the day, try to see work-life balance as a necessity rather than an ideal situation. In this line of thinking, you will create a business that supports this lifestyle and not the other way around. There’s more to life than work and I bet you already know that.

In this very competitive business world where cutting through the clutter is the name of the game, many entrepreneurs are trained to sell, sell and sell. They would rather talk about their products or services. No wonder active listening is often referred to as a lost art.

Shut up! Gag your mouth if you can’t help it. Then go out or pick up the phone and talk to your customers.

Contrary to popular misconception, marketing is not all talk. It’s about paying attention to WHO really matters – your customers and employees (if you have). Researching about your customers need not be expensive. But it should be well-planned. Otherwise, it will lead you to the wrong direction.

The first and most difficult thing to do when listening is to remove all your faulty impressions about your target market. It’s unfortunate that some brilliant entrepreneurs believe they know their customers by heart. Start with an empty mind and try not to contradict the insights. Clarify but not contradict.

Basic questions

In case you don’t notice, consumers like to talk about themselves as much as entrepreneurs love to talk about their products. If such is the case, why not indulge them by asking open-ended questions? This will not only create an impression that you care but also give you free access to multitude of insights. Here are some questions to break the ice:

1. How do you use this product? How often?
2. Are there similar products you’re also buying?
3. Where do you buy these products? Why?
4. Where do you gather information when buying this product?
5. How different is this product to competitors?

Don’t act surprised. These are not magic questions that will direct you to the winning formula. Rather, they are so simple that many undervalue its importance in marketing.