For individuals looking to start a business or keep one going and/or expanding, financial loans play a major role in those aspirations.

Whether it is the necessary funding needed to get a business off the ground or to acquire more equipment, employees, etc. it all begins with filling out a business loan application.

The first and most important step in properly funding a business venture is not seeking business capital too quickly or requesting too much money. By requesting too much funding or going after it when not fully prepared, businesses can find themselves in a hole that can be tough to dig out of.  Read the full entry

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Businesses have enough to worry about, the least of which should be getting sued if someone is injured on company property or one of their top employees suffers a major injury or illness and is out of work for a substantial time.

In order to protect a company, business insurance coverage adds to the company’s value, making it more attractive to both potential customers and buyers, should it go on the market some day.

When reviewing policies, company owners should be sure to follow several key steps. Read the rest of this entry Read the full entry

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A small business owner can run the tightest ship and yet find him or herself staring at a financial nightmare – a discrimination suit.

The problems a small business employer can face include a sexual harassment lawsuit, an age discrimination lawsuit, or a disability claim just to name a few. What initially seemed like a harmless in-office comment or action can soon turn into hiring an attorney and fighting to avoid opening up the checkbook. Read the full entry

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As the economy appears to be slowly turning around, more companies are placing help wanted ads.

In doing so, company HR managers charged with hiring need to be sure they are in sync with the rules and recommendations as they relate to interviewing and hiring the right employees.

While the interview process is very important, there is much more that goes into it than just those minutes the person in charge of human resources and/or a department head sits face-to-face across from a potential employee.

Before sitting down with a potential recruit, keep several things in mind: Read the full entry

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Your business can run the tightest ship in town, but it just takes one allegation of wrong doing directed at your company that can sink you financially and/or your reputation at the same time.

With that being the case, Errors and Omissions coverage (also known as professional liability insurance) can be invaluable for your business. If you don’t have the right E&O policy in place, what will you do if your business finds itself fending off an allegation?

According to the National Association of Professional Agents (NAPA), one of every seven professionals will be named in one form or another of an E&O claim at some moment in their careers. Making matters worse, the average expense to settle a claim exceeds $16,000.

When purchasing an E&O policy, there are a number of things to consider: Read the full entry

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Whether a small business or larger, having the right payroll accounting software in place makes things run more smoothly for your HR department, saving you costs and frustrations over time.

As you’re hopefully seeing signs of business growth, a good payroll accounting software system can monitor an array of items, including costs, payroll, sales and other important numbers coming and going from your office. Read the full entry

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In a day and age where running a business is even more challenging as a result of a sluggish economy, organizing the right business plan as a start-up or experienced business owner is critical.

It should come as no surprise that having enough funding to open and keep a business running smoothly or maintaining an older business should be at the top of the importance list. Without sufficient funds and sound financial management, a business able to open in the first place or only around for a few years is likely to have a limited life span. Read the full entry

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What is your company doing on the Internet to attract new and returning business? Getty Images

Is your business online savvy or is it being left in the dust by the competition?

Part of your company’s online approach should include properly using SEO to draw more customers to your Web site, thereby opening the door to more potential sales.

Simply stated, the process involves using the correct keywords so that search engines will direct traffic your way.  For example, if your business sells life insurance, it is not in your best interests to be using keywords involving workers’ compensation. Life insurance, life insurance quotes, life insurance policies, life insurance plans etc. should be some of the keywords you promote in your company’s copy. Read the full entry

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