FOXSmallBusinessCenter.com

New Management for Your Brand

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:44:10 GMT

It is important to understand that support for your business is always in flux - some days sales are up; other days they're down. However, if you have noticed a string of down days, it may be time for a "Under New Management" sign—not literally, but implied; going forward, your communications will tell everyone that you are doing things differently in order to win back lost consumer confidence.

The Best and Worst States for Health-Care Costs

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:46:32 GMT

The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council released last week its "Health Care Policy Cost Index 2012," which ranks the states and the District of Columbia on public policy measures that impact the costs of health-care and health-insurance coverage.

Helping Customers Breathe Easy

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:02:40 GMT

We’re highlighting small businesses from around the country as nominated by you, our readers. If your favorite small business is using Twitter to communicate with customers, let us know about it @fbsmallbiz with the hashtag #mysbc, and it may be featured as an upcoming Small Business of the Day.

Is Self-Publishing in Your Marketing Plan?

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:00:41 GMT

If you're looking for a new way to position yourself as a respected expert in your field, self publishing may be a worthwhile endeavor.

Ten Tips to Keep Your Calendar Lean and Mean

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:00:21 GMT

In today's supercharged, hypercompetitive environment, it can be a full-time job just to keep your head above water and manage your time and calendar wisely. To help with this, Doodle, an online scheduling application, has compiled a list of 10 tips and tricks that can decrease the amount of time that you’ll spend on coordinating meetings and managing your schedule.

Why Small Business Needs a Real Estate Comeback

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:10:37 GMT

The National Federation of Independent Business' Research Foundation recently released Small Business, Credit Access ,and a Lingering Recession, which found the real estate overhang continues to limit access to capital for small businesses, and hinder their ability to grow.

Grading Small Businesses to Close Sales

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:22:37 GMT

Enough is Enough: When to Fire an Employee

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:01:40 GMT

It's may never seem like a good time to fire someone, but doing so may be crucial to having your business run more efficiently. Here are some tips from the Young Entrepreneur Council on how to know when to let a worker go.

Rising Gas Prices Put Small Businesses In Tough Spot: Increase Costs or Eat Losses?

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:47:44 GMT

It's not just consumers hurting every time they fill up at the gas station. Small businesses are also struggling to operate with prices at the pump expected to hit all-time highs of $5 a gallon by summer driving season, AAA reported.

Nine Tax Tasks to Do Before February 29

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:53:02 GMT

With just weeks to go, small business owners are feeling the tax crunch. BusinessNewsDaily checked in with tax experts about the outstanding chores that need to be done by the end of February to satisfy Uncle Sam

Taking a Risk on an 'Up and Down' Business

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:31:01 GMT

Jill Rempert was ranked as the number two wholesale account executive in the U.S. for Bank of America from 2005 to 2007, when she decided to open her own trampoline park in South Elgin, Ill.

Get on the ‘Linsanity’ Wagon and Up Your Game

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:26:18 GMT

Even if you’re not a sports fan – it’s hard not to know about Jeremy Lin. The New York Knicks point guard has spawned a fanatical following dubbed “Linsanity” that has taken over the country. But Lin excels beyond hoops, demonstrating admirable leadership traits that readily transfer to the workplace.

Designer Learns to 'Go With the Flow'

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:00:43 GMT

Three Steps to Handling a Crisis

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:00:16 GMT

No matter what size your business is, you need to be ready to handle and crisis should one arise

Small Businesses Weigh In: Should Crowdfunding Be Legal?

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:05:42 GMT

Crowdfunding – the practice of startups raising small amounts of money online in order to fund their new businesses -- is currently not legal due to securities laws from the 1930s. Supporters argue that legalization would be a positive for the economy, allowing new companies to "go public" online and letting investors buy a stake of these businesses via the Web and social media. Here's what small businesses have to say about this model of raising funds.

Business Traveler's Dream: Pick Your Flight Based on WiFi, TV and Food Offerings

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:36:14 GMT

Carriers are bending over backwards and expanding their in-flight offerings to attract business travelers.

Mom Sews Her Own Styles

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:00:37 GMT

Where Small Businesses Can Find Free Tax Help

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:10:53 GMT

It would behoove entrepreneurs to learn as much as they can about tax law in order to minimize their tax bill. Beware however, a little knowledge is dangerous.

'Entrepreneur' Title More Desirable Than 'CEO'

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:06:30 GMT

The days of aspiring to be a corporate executive seem to be over. Of the 1,075 people responding to Intelligent Office’s Work IQ survey, not a single one expressed any desire of spending his or her career as an office leader. Nearly 65 percent said they preferred to be an entrepreneur or independent worker instead.

Cutting the Cord: How Small Businesses are Going Wireless

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:43:10 GMT

Small businesses have finally cut the cord and are going mobile with the use of emerging wireless solutions such as tablet computers, 4G devices and GPS navigation mobile devices, a new national survey shows.