Published Mar. 5, 2014
Ask SCORE
I’m a retired sales and marketing guy who’s recently purchased a local convenience store. What are some of the key numbers I should be monitoring to successfully manage the business’ finances?
About the Author
This column is brought to you by the Merrimack Valley Chapter of SCORE, with nearly 70 current and former business executives available to provide free, confidential, one-on-one business mentoring and training workshops for area businesses. Call 603-666-7561 or visit merrimackvalley.score.org for information on mentoring, upcoming workshops and volunteer opportunities. SCORE is a national, non-profit organization and a resource partner of the U. S. Small Business Administration.
Published Feb. 20, 2014
What Is VoIP?
Voiceover IP, or VoIP, is a technology that allows telephone calls to be made over local area networks or the Internet. VoIP systems convert analog voice signals into digital data packets and supports real-time, two-way transmission of conversations using the Internet Protocol (IP).
A small business considering transitioning to VoIP should carefully weigh its upside with its downside before committing.
VoIP calls can be made on the Internet using a VoIP service provider and standard computer audio systems. Alternatively, some service providers support VoIP through ordinary telephones that use special adapters to connect to a home computer network.
About the Author
About The Author: This article is provided by FitSmallBusiness.com, on online publication which help small businesses grow their top and bottom lines. David Waring serves at the editor-in-chief of Fit Small Business.
Published Feb. 20, 2014
An employment agreement is a legal contract between employer and employee that covers the terms and conditions of employment. Though it does not have to be in writing, it often should be because there are so many different things that need to be considered and specified.
Typical Terms and Conditions
A typical written employment agreement addresses these items:
The legal name of the employer and the employee.
About the Author
This article is provided by FitSmallBusiness.com, an online publication which helps small businesses grow their top and bottom lines. David Waring serves as the publication’s editor-in-chief.
Published Feb. 20, 2014
The most important issue to determine is what, how and how many you want. For example, I get clients who say, “I want to import apparel”, which is about as useful as I want to go out to dinner. The more information you have, the easier it is to develop relationships, find suppliers, and get reliable information.
Why Consider Importing?
About the Author
Expert in Internet Marketing and apparel. Very Knowledgeable in Executing Import and Export Business. Years of experience in integrating strategy and logistics. Over 30 years of executive experience as a results-driven executive leader in the textile, apparel and internet marketing fields. Strong track record of achieving growth and operating profitability in start-up, internet and turnaround businesses. Most recently I initiated several entrepreneurial startup businesses selling home furnishings on the Internet which achieved sales within 6-10 months of their funding and had a major internet component. These programs were all based on combining Chinese production, internet marketing, SEO, PPC, social media and innovative logistics to market high-quality home furnishings to consumers.
Published Feb. 20, 2014
Despite the increased complexity and ever-changing nature of today’s pricing environment, there are still some basic rules and simple tips you can follow to build your market share, make money in the process, and establish long term success.
Here are some considerations to review to maximize your pricing results.
Pricing products or services used to be a relatively straightforward process. You would:
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Calculate your costs
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Determine how much profit you wanted to make, and
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Add appropriate brand value.
You would then tweak your pricing model a little bit with promotions, clearance sales, supply and demand considerations, seasonality, and product life cycles.
About the Author
Bert Shlensky is an expert in Internet Marketing and apparel. He's also very knowledgeable in trade (import and export business) and integrating strategy and logistics. He brings over 30 years of executive experience as a results-driven executive leader in the textile, apparel and internet marketing fields. Bert has a strong track record of achieving growth and operating profitability in start-up, internet and turnaround businesses. Most recently, he initiated several entrepreneurial startup businesses selling home furnishings on the Internet, which achieved sales within 6-10 months of their funding and had a major Internet component. These programs were all based on combining Chinese production, Internet marketing, SEO, PPC, social media and innovative logistics to market high-quality home furnishings to consumers.
Published Feb. 18, 2014
In the pages ahead I will share with you some of the major ways poor forecasting can sabotage your business plan and your financing. I will also share some of the lessons I have learned about how to avoid these pit-falls and secure the financing you need to launch and grow your enterprise.
Introduction
I met with a friend recently who shares my interest in launching and funding startups. He told me an interesting story that resonated at many levels. It went something like this:
About the Author
Expert in Internet Marketing and apparel. Very Knowledgeable in Executing Import and Export Business. Years of experience in integrating strategy and logistics. Over 30 years of executive experience as a results-driven executive leader in the textile, apparel and internet marketing fields. Strong track record of achieving growth and operating profitability in start-up, internet and turnaround businesses. Most recently I initiated several entrepreneurial startup businesses selling home furnishings on the Internet which achieved sales within 6-10 months of their funding and had a major internet component. These programs were all based on combining Chinese production, internet marketing, SEO, PPC, social media and innovative logistics to market high-quality home furnishings to consumers.
Published Feb. 18, 2014
You rarely get a second chance to make a first impression, and your small business website may be the tool that attracts those coveted new customers, or sends them searching for someone else—assuming they find your website to begin with.
As an entrepreneur and a versatile Internet marketing expert, Edison Guzman knows the value a well-conceived, well-designed, and well-supported website can provide to a new or growing business. Through one-on-one counseling, workshops, and books such as Everything You Need to Know About SEO and Start and Grow Your Business, Edison has helped thousands of people across the country take advantage of all the Internet has to offer.
About the Author
Edison Guzman is a SCORE volunteer and owner of
A&E Advertising and Web Design. Since 1997, he’s helped businesses harness the power of the Internet by offering advertising, web development, traditional marketing & internet marketing services.
Edison has created & delivered curriculum for the continuing education program for the Empire State Development Corps Entrepreneurial Assistance Program. There, he taught people how to successfully start & grow a business. He has also developed Internet marketing courses, workshops & webinars designed to help businesses take advantage of all the Internet has to offer. He’s published books such as "Everything You Need to Know About SEO" and currently publishes the bi-monthly publication, Local Web Marketing Magazine.
As Chair of the
Orange NY SCORE, he advises people on how to start & grow a business. Having been an entrepreneur since 1991, Edison understands the survival skills a business must possess in order to thrive in any economic condition.
Published Feb. 11, 2014
US citizenship and residency are not requirements for starting a business in the United States of America. The process for starting a business in the US is nearly the same process that a US citizen would go through. Below, you’ll find steps to get started:
Below, you’ll find steps to get started:
Register with the state
Published Feb. 11, 2014
Sometimes speed matters. If that’s the case for you and your business, you’ll want to know how long it’s going to take the state to file and form your business entity once you’ve submitted your articles of incorporation.
Published Feb. 11, 2014
Once you’ve made the decision to form your business as a corporation or LLC, you may find yourself asking a common question, “Which state should I incorporate in?” There are countless stories of people incorporating in different states for tax benefits and other reasons, but reality is often different than story.
Many people choose to remain and incorporate in their home state, and there are many different factors to consider before incorporating in a state other than the one in which you live just for tax rates and lower fees. Below, you’ll find the questions to ask yourself in order to make the best decision.
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Drake Forester
Drake Forester
