LOGIC: Technology can make doing business easier, but be sure to keep it “professional”. Not every client wants to be your friend- be sure to respect that boundary. These tips apply to all forms of business communication, too.
Unfortunately, the freedom presented by the latest mobile devices also provides opportunities for workaholic business owners, go-getter employees and demanding clients to frequently cross the line between professional and way-too-personal behavior. Have you lost sight of professional smartphone etiquette? Here are some rules of engagement to keep in mind.
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LOGIC: Many small businesses start, or are run, from home offices. Many people are not prepared for the isolation of working for themselves. Coworking can help imitate the office environment without having to answer to “The Boss”. This is also the way to have office space for a fraction of renting your own space. Many of these spaces don’t just offer desk space; they have copiers, can receive packages/mail, and offer conference meeting space- all the traditional office amenities without the capital investment.
Coworking has been growing in popularity since the phrase was coined around 2005. Almost every major city has at least one space, and most spaces have options that allow you to drop in for a day or two before committing to a monthly or yearly membership. Here are five signs that giving coworking a try might be a good idea for you.
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LOGIC: This is good advice for any business that has a big sale, or ramps up their marketing!
To be sure, many small businesses have had huge sales days and an influx of new customers, thanks to Groupon. "We've used a few other sites and no one even compares to the amount of sales we received when using Groupon," says Morgan Cullen, director of PR and marketing for Esther's Follies, a magic and comedy troupe in Austin, Texas. "They have every little step of the process laid out and it's very organized for their clients."
But not every business owner's Groupon experience is Utopian. Maybe they lost money. Or they didn't get as many customers as they thought they would. Or they had too many customers and were overwhelmed. Consider Jessie Burke, the owner of Posies Cafe in Portland, Ore., who in September 2010 shared on her company's blog that working with Groupon "has been the single worst decision I have ever made as a business owner."
So how do you effectively navigate the Groupon waters? Here are some tips for structuring your next deal.
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LOGIC: Starting a business is not rocket science (although it may feel like it!) The #1 take away from this article is- leverage technology. This is the greatest equalizer between small and big business. Software doesn't run differently just because of whose computer it's on. And there are plenty of alternatives for big business phone systems for the cost of a cell phone plan. ( I use RingCentral for my "real" business and get comments from original clients that think I've grown! Nope, just changed my phone system and now APPEAR to be bigger) Look for ways to keep expenses down and image high!
So you've got a great business idea. How hard can it be? A look at the most common mistakes people make when starting a business.
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