Many retail and office managers will spend inordinate amounts of time agonizing over important decisions and then ruin their efforts by making a snap decision over a seemingly innocent issue. Here are five actions that managers take that are actually counterproductive when it comes to effectively managing their staff and some steps to avoid the problem in the first place. Read the full entry

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We ascribe a lot of qualities to entrepreneurs — some good, some not so admirable. An indifference to risk. A desire to change the world. A tendency to put work — and “success” — above just about everything else, including family and health.

But what traits do founders really need to succeed? Or, to put it another way, how much do real-life entrepreneurs resemble their on-screen counterparts (e.g., Zuck in “The Social Network”)?

To find out, I asked 12 members of the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) to share the 3 qualities they believe are most important for would-be founders to cultivate in order to succeed in the startup world. Here’s what they had to say:. Read the full entry

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There are two kinds of people: those with ideas, and those making their ideas a reality. I like to think of myself as the former. Here’s how I juggle the seemingly endless flow of ideas rolling around in my head and make them into something tangible. Read the full entry

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Being an entrepreneur can be strenuous and stressful. Since you’re the boss and have control over your choices and time management, there are some really simple ways to refresh a bad mood and put a whole new face on your work day. Read the full entry

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I had a friend working for a startup who recently quit because the founder and CEO was a total jerk. Overhearing some nightmare stories about how the CEO treated his people personally and professionally inspired me to help other would-be entrepreneurs avoid becoming despicable CEOs. Read the full entry

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Wouldn’t you like to go on a weeklong, all-expenses-paid vacation on the company’s dime? Of course you would, but what if you’re the one footing the bill? Odds are you aren’t saying “yes” quite so quickly. However, before you reject the idea, you should consider all the benefits a company retreat can provide. The truth is that they’re not just good for your employees, but they’re also good for the company.

While retreats can benefit any business, they’re especially helpful for virtual companies. The distance between employees makes creating a vibrant company culture very difficult. Common complaints from poorly adapted virtual companies are confusion as to what people are doing, slow results because of inadequate knowledge sharing, and a general lack of cohesion among employees. Read the full entry

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Business owners that generate income from their websites could always use more traffic. As we know, traffic often leads ultimately to more conversions = $$. Inbound marketing, advertising online to drive traffic back to your site through a variety of methods, is the umbrella under which online marketing is contained. Want more traffic? Utilize blogs, podcasts, video, whitepapers, search engines, social media marketing and content marketing to get the word out about your brand and gain visibility online. Read the full entry

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While no two businesses are exactly the same, there are 10 steps entrepreneurs and potential business owners must take prior to opening the doors of their new company.

1. Write a business plan.

Experts agree writing a business plan is the first real step any entrepreneur or prospective business owner should take. Not only does this show a true level of commitment, it also forces real and tangible answers to important, and sometimes challenging, questions. A business plan is also the first thing any potential investor is going to request. This gives them a full understanding of the business venture being proposed, the owner’s level of expertise and understanding of the opportunity, and the financial requirements and potential upside. Read the full entry

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When you’re starting a new business, your first customers can become long-term customers and brand advocates for your business. However, poor customer service or a negative experience during their first one or two interactions with your business could be a customer killer. If you’re looking to get your new business off the ground, focus on delivering stellar customer service to keep your customers coming back. Read the full entry

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After small business or startup owners have a mere taste of success, there’s a good chance they’ve given business expansion a serious thought.  Rapid business growth can be both an exhilarating time but also one that must be done with caution and typically on a small business budget.  The opportunities are wonderful, but as your business grows you need to make sure you’re ready for the next level.  Let’s explore a few of the key areas that must be planned and considered with care prior to rolling out your expansion plans. Read the full entry

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