Steve Schlagel's Small Business Blog

5 Keys To A Successful Business Launch

October 21, 2011

Each year, thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs take the huge step of launching a new company.  And each year, thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs fail in their bid to start a new company!  The unfortunate truth is that the majority of new enterprises will fail within the first year, and nearly all will fail within the first [...]

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Grovo Brings Training to You

October 19, 2011

Grovo is a small, business friendly online training program. A hub for web users, Grovo trains people in the latest ins and outs of social media and other sites – all at no or low-cost, depending on your preferences. You’ll find easy-to-follow videos on navigating social media, such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, as well [...]

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Small Business Owner = Information Technology Expert?

October 18, 2011

Want to decrease Information Technology costs and improve internal processes?  With the advent of cloud computing and Software as a Service, giant server racks and complicated networks are fast becoming outdated.  Depending on your industry and business size, you may be able to tap into some of this innovative technology.  You and your staff may [...]

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Finding Your Start-up Business Idea

October 13, 2011

Pssst!  Your business start-up idea is not on the internet!  Internet lists don’t guarantee success.  In fact, browsing for best business startup ideas only takes you down the wrong path.  Instead, examine your passions, interests, gifts, and talents. People search lists of ‘easy to start’ businesses (is there really such an animal?), of hottest businesses, [...]

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Applying the Legacy of Steve Jobs

October 12, 2011

Steve Jobs’ legacy – even before his recent death – is saturated with stories of outstanding leadership and entrepreneurship, not to mention creative genius that actually CREATED a need, rather than simply filling it.  His story is one that will inspire many generations to come!  Here are a few ways he amazed and motivated me. [...]

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Website Design that Builds Your “Know, Like & Trust” Factor

October 4, 2011

Does your website design help your prospects know, like and trust your business? How do you measure the effectiveness of your website?  Traffic?  Sales?  Still, there are other things to watch for when you are your own webmaster. (If you have a webmaster on retainer, quiz him or her on key metrics.) Much goes into [...]

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Incentives: Three Ways to Encourage Productivity

September 30, 2011

Do incentives really motivate increased productivity?  Do rewards guarantee repeated behavior? If you believe they do, then you’ll need to reward valued and productive employees – but only if you want to keep them. If you think your workers feel entitled to wages, then build incentives into employee productivity. I should point out that a [...]

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A Mastermind Group: Your New Biz Partners

September 28, 2011

Trying to do it all by yourself? Struggling to keep up your motivation? Need someone to bounce ideas off? Join a Mastermind Group! Mastermind groups are small (6-8 people) groups of peers and colleagues on a similar path as you. By partnering with business owners in similar situations, everyone can exchange information and support. Members [...]

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Start Your Business Debt-Free

September 27, 2011

Is debt-free funding even possible? It can be!  And if you are diligent, you can choose funding opportunities that will minimize your risk and improve your chances of success. Debt-free funding lets you hit the ground running without obligations to anyone.  Consider these ideas to get you “started” (pun intended): Minimize business startup money. Choose [...]

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Five Top Tips for Strategic Marketing

September 23, 2011

Chances are good that you have a strategic plan, but what about strategic marketing?  Strategic marketing is a mind-set and blueprint. It is specific, analytic, and motivational in ways that Business Plans are not.   Yes, your marketing strategies must promote your product or service, but they must also outline marketing logistics for identifying your customers, [...]

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