Posted January 12th, 2010 by ybo

Picture this…you’ve just returned from a tradeshow or seminar where you met and made a lot of great sales contacts. What do you do next? Unfortunately some businesses wait too long to follow-up with these new prospects, and the leads go cold. Others will begin to bombard these leads with unwanted sales materials and annoying sales calls. Still others will simply pass on the contact because they weren’t immediately ready to purchase. Read more…
Posted January 12th, 2010 by ybo

While a number of experts say the slow economy is starting to show some signs of life, many business owners are still struggling. They know that every little bit of business income they bring in can be the difference between turning a profit or turning another employee away. So we’ve put together a list of 10 ways you can make more money for your business in the upcoming year. Read more…
Posted January 12th, 2010 by ybo

Q: I think I need a business plan. Can you recommend a book or some other source to help me develop a business plan?
- Dennyse, Waukegan, IL -
A: There are about as many ways to write a business plan as there are types of businesses, but all plans contain about the same basic information. Most good business plans start with an executive summary and contain sections describing your business, marking information, financial information and management. Read more…
Posted December 4th, 2009 by ybo

As the year draws to a close, most small businesses will be turning their attention to tax time. But there’s a lot more you should do before turning the page to 2010. You’re already reviewing your books and crunching numbers to get ready for next year. It’s the perfect time to do a little checkup on where your business has been and where it’s going. Because, like the old saying goes, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” So here’s a checklist of 10 important things most small businesses should do before closing out the business year. Read more…