Now’s the Time for Year-End Tax Planning
Thanks to the Wall Street Journal’s online site wsj.com, Entrepreneur.com and Kiplinger.com for bringing such current and valuable tax information to the Web. Find six favorite resources below:
1.Tax Center: New to Small Business
Get a start here. Learn about taxes.
2. Smart Year-End Tax Moves
Own a business? This link will help you make those December tax decisions and act now.
3. Tax Filing for Freelancers
Are you a freelancer? If so, plan ahead for taxes and prepare to pay what you owe on Schedule C.
4. Most Overlooked Tax Deductions
Tax deductions you don’t want to miss. Tax deductions for 2008.
5. Deducting Charitable Gifts
Charitable giving is a wonderful way to support the community and causes you believe in. Plus, there is a tax deduction benefit. By the way, SCORE is a charitable organization. If you would like you can donate to SCORE. Learn about documenting a charitable donation deduction.
-Christine Banning, SCORE
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December 2, 2009
Marketing and Business Assesment
To help increase your leverage both personal and professionally, do a quick self-assessment of where you are by viewing the listing below.
First:
Create an informal business plan, around one to three pages each, as a blue print for your company.
Second:
Focus on marketing business basics:
1. Exercise A Professional Phone & Email Presence
- Let Your Smile Radiate Through The Phone
- Return Calls & Emails Within 24 Hours
- Develop A Brief Company Identity On Your Vm
- Use Proper Grammar, Especially On Emails
2. Exercise Professional Work Ethics
- Be The Employer, Not The Employee
3. Customer Service
- Service Your Customer – Internally & Externally
- Not Only Listen, But Hear Your Customers’ Needs
4. Networking
- Build Relationships
- Create Partnerships (more…)
December 1, 2009
Improve Service with Constructive Feedback
We are taught that it is not good to complain, but think about all the times you did not complain when you received bad service, a faulty product or an extra charge on an invoice?
In fact, your vendors need to know when there are service and/or product deficiencies. You can make a difference by bringing the problem to the attention of management. Just as you value feedback in your business, the companies you work with also appreciate it.
How to make a complaint:
- Speak to the person in charge.
- Voice your concern when the problem occurs.
- If you don’t get results, put it in writing and send it to the owner or vendor to recap the situation with dates of occurrence and keep track of the dates of communication.
- Most companies will respond to complaints and correct the problem.
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If you do not get results, contact The Better Business Bureau, Department of Consumer Protection or go on web sites that rate businesses, such as www.yelp.com and www.Angieslist.com, etc. In these tough economic times, even entrepreneurs have to be smart about where they spend their hard earned dollars. Just as you ensure your customers are satisfied, it is essential to make sure that you (the entrepreneur) also receive the service you need. Don’t be afraid to ask for it.
But don’t forget, when you receive superior service or an excellent product, it’s good to send a compliment to the vendor or supplier. It always makes people feel good and great work should not go unappreciated. Being complimentary costs nothing and goes a long way!
Julie Brander, New Haven SCORE
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November 26, 2009
New Year, Better Business
Begin planning now to start or grow your biz in 2010. Former guest blogger Rieva Lesonsky offers step-by-step advice with co-author Ronan Keane. Download a copy of their new, startup success guide FREE!
Startup Success: Boost Your Chances for Business Success with Web 2.0
Check out SCORE for more startup tools and tips. And, don’t forget to make an appointment to meet with your business mentor.
Christine Banning, SCORE
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November 25, 2009
Increase Sales with Advice from SCORE
The holidays are rapidly approaching, ushering in one of the biggest sales season of the year. Make sure you’re prepared. Check out these resources. Then, contact a SCORE mentor for personalized help.
SCORE Association, SCORE
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November 24, 2009
Inspire Young Women to Succeed as Entrepreneurs
As women business owners, we’ve come a long way—but we still have quite a way to go. Despite the astounding growth of businesses owned by women, a recent study by the SBA’s Office of Advocacy, Self-Employed Women and Time Use, found that women are 57 percent less likely than men to start their own companies.
What can you do to change these figures? If there are girls or young women in your life (daughters, nieces, family friends), help plant the seeds of entrepreneurship early and often by talking to them about business ownership. Wherever your life touches the life of a younger woman—whether that’s a Girl Scout meeting, your child’s elementary school or at your own business—find ways to encourage young women to consider entrepreneurship as an option.
Start your own version of “take your daughter to work day”, offer to speak to girls’ and young women’s organizations, take a young intern under your wing. Most of all, don’t just tell them, but show them, the joy, excitement and pride of building your own business. When you love what you do, it can’t help but rub off on others.
Rieva Lesonsky, Guest Blogger
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November 20, 2009
When answering the telephone:
The person who answers the telephone in the business represents the company’s image. Anyone who answers the phone should always do so in the most professional mannar. If a message is taken, make sure to get the full name of the caller, his/her phone number, the reason for calling and the best time to return the call. An example of what can be said:
“Thank you for calling (name of company) this is (name of employee) how may I help you?”
When leaving a message:
- Always speak slowly and clearly when leaving a message
- Say the phone number with pause between the numbers
- Speak loud enough so the message can be heard
- Always leave your name, phone number, a brief reason why you called and the time you called and the best time to call back
- Always make it easy for people to reach you or the best time to call.
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After playing telephone tag a few times and when you finally have the person on the phone, take notes about what the conversation is about so that you can follow up in the future. Get an email address, as well, to put in your data base. Oftentimes, email is an easier way to communicate as people today are so busy.
Julie Brander, New Haven SCORE
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November 19, 2009
Support Your Community & Boost Your Biz
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, businesses can show their appreciation to their communities by giving back and garnering free publicity in the process. Big corporations have long recognized the advantages of giving back. Business like Target, Tom’s Shoes, Harpo and Microsoft are very vocal about their contributions to the local and international community. It shows their committment to the people and community that supports them. It also helps to build a brand associated with altruism and philantropy.
Small Biz Guide to Giving Back
Find out what matters most to your customers and focus your efforts.
For example, Target donates a part of their profits to schools because a large percentage of their target market are families with school-aged children. To make the best impact, focus on the issues that matter to your client base.
Decide what method works best for your business.
There are many ways to contribute. Pizza Hut offers free pizzas to students who read a certain number of books. Disney offers a free pass to indivuals who volunteer with an affiliated organization. Apple offers product discounts to students and teachers. These are just a few examples of how your business might give back.
Spread the word.
Once your program is up and running, let the public know. Put up information on your web site, place flyers in your store and update your online networks (Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter). Most importantly, pitch the story to your local media outlets. Reporters are always looking for human interest stories. Also, contact organizations that would benefit directly from your program. Ask them to include your info in their publications and on their web sites. This is a great way to get free PR and boost your business.
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Here are a few articles from SCORE to jump start the process.
Christine Banning, SCORE
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November 18, 2009
Twitter Emoticons and Questions For Business Intelligence & Prospects
Identify negative tweets about your company and questions in your niche on Twitter to beef up your business intelligence and find new prospects.
This is the third of a three-part Twitter research tutorial, in pictures. I’ve created screen shots that relate to my nonprofit, SCORE Chicago, to use as examples. SCORE, “Counselors to America’s Small Business,” offers free business counseling and inexpensive business workshops to entrepreneurs and small business owners. One of our most important keyword phrases is “business plan Chicago.”
Tracking Emotion and Opinion on Twitter
Emoticons like 
and 
have moved from email and texting to Twitter. If users add them to their tweets about your brand or business, you can narrow your search to tweets with positive or negative feelings. Here are people unhappy about their business plan….
Of course, you can also locate tweets with a question mark, which might be a prospect in need of your product or service… (more…)
November 17, 2009
Don’t Go It Alone. Ask SCORE for Advice.
With the holiday rush upon us, the new year a few weeks away and tax season immediately following, there’s a lot for a small business owner to do.
This time of year can cause stress and burnout for many entrepreneurs, but it doesn’t have to. The business mentors at SCORE are here to help you not only survive, but thrive.
SCORE Association, SCORE
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November 16, 2009
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Julie Brander
Peg Corwin
Peggy Duncan
Vernita Naylor
Betty Otte
Christine Banning
Maryanne Weiss
