Yes, those things are part of networking-the process of communicating with potential and existing customers and suppliers. But for the entrepreneur, there are some specific techniques that are especially beneficial: (continue reading)

Let's say that your company website includes a blog. A blog (short for "weblog") is like an online journal where the most recent entries show up at the top.

In a blog, you write about pertinent topics. Perhaps a new product offering or a tradeshow where you'll have a booth. The topics are up to you-whatever new information will benefit people who read your blog. To be most effective... (continue reading)

Identifying the "who" part of that goal is an important part of the equation. That's your target market.

Let's say that you're selling skateboards. Then you can probably characterize your target market in this way: kids. Or let's say that you're selling bus tours. Who's your target market there? It's more likely to be adults, perhaps from middle age to retirees. (continue reading)

• Dial-up means Internet access through a telephone line. This type of connection is "on" only when the computer is connected to the phone line. Dial-up is considered to be a slow Internet connection...

Originally intended for social purposes, networking websites crept into the business world and are here to stay. Cost-free and typically easy to navigate, you can use them for a variety of purposes: (continue reading)

Something that not everyone thinks of is the power of branding-making a company and products recognizable and memorable. Branding can be a huge undertaking. The giant corporations spend mega-bucks on it and employ whole teams of people. Branding for a small business is important, but it can be simple and affordable. (continue reading)

While global outsourcing or "offshoring" has typically been done by very large corporations, small and medium-sized companies have also given "offshoring" a try, as reported by Business Week in Small-Scale Offshoring. As that article points out, there are risks, but there are also some successes for small and medium-sized companies. In fact, the article reports that 9% of small businesses and 6% of mid-size businesses surveyed plan to implement or increase offshore outsourcing. The article goes on to cite some stories of both success and failure. (continue reading)

Aiming for employee retention is perhaps even more important in a company with limited staff. But what is the number one reason that employees leave? Is it for more money or more opportunity?

Let's step back a moment. Maybe you own a business but don't have a website yet. "I can't sell my goods and services on the web," you say. "So why do I need a website?" Here's the short answer: These days, every business needs a website. (continue reading)

Yes, all those things are important to a company's success. But there's another answer that is, perhaps, the most compelling of all: It's people. (continue reading)

Twitter is now a secret weapon for businesses of all kinds. If you spend a few minutes on Twitter, you're likely to encounter elected officials, movie stars, news anchors, huge corporations, and small businesses, just like yours. And they're all there, tweeting away, 140 characters at a time. (continue reading)

But are companies prepared for what happens when their most experienced people retire, and there are fewer younger workers to take their place? (continue reading)

There are many benefits for employers that become Mature Worker Friendly Certified, including the free use of the Mature Worker Friendly logo on employer's materials and website. Employers also receive increased company visibility by being listed on the Mature Worker Website, special rates at job fairs hosted by one of the Initiatives community partners, and recognition as a 'friendly' work environment when recruiting seniors as volunteers.

Employers interested in obtaining Mature Worker Friendly Employer Certification in 2010 may now apply. After the 2010 application time period closes on July 16, 2010, it will not re-open until the summer of 2011. Due to the limited number of slots for the required employer training program, applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis. (continue reading)

The secret is two-fold. First, you have to find the right niche for your invention. Once you know that, media exposure is key. Here are some ideas: (continue reading)

Even if you don't "text," as text-messaging is called, you might like to know what some of this strange new language means. You've probably already seen it in a quick note someone left you, in an e-mail, or maybe on a fast-food restaurant's text sign. (continue reading)

Because fewer car companies and financial institutions are spending less on advertising, TV airtime is becoming more and more affordable for small- to medium-sized businesses. And the rise in unemployment means that more folks are at home watching TV. (continue reading)

So let's say you have an idea. A shop you want to open, a product you want to market and sell, or a new service you want to provide. How in the world do you get started?

The very best starting place is the Internet, which is an unequalled resource for business owners. And your first stop should be the U.S. Small Business Administration website. On that one site, you can find a wide assortment of information on topics like these: (continue reading)

Similar to matchmaking websites like E-Harmony, online services like RealMatch and SnagAJob will post your job on popular employment websites like Job.com and SimplyHired. As resumes are received, the ATS scans them to match an applicant's qualifications with your wants and needs. After resumes are ranked and rated, you receive profiles of the applicants. (continue reading)

The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) is a mentoring organization that provides free counseling, resources, and advice to people who are running a small business or want to start one. As a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE is dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth, and success of small businesses. (continue reading)

In these tough economic times, it's important to keep people motivated. Not only can a good attitude increase overall productivity, but it can decrease employee turnover and give a group a collective sense of purpose.

But you don't have to break the bank to improve morale. Here are a few cost-effective ways to boost your team spirit: (continue reading)

In addition to computerizing Americans' health records and aiming to reduce overall health care costs, the recent stimulus plan hopes to make COBRA payments more manageable for eligible, unemployed people and their dependents by providing a 65 percent COBRA premium subsidy for up to nine months.

People who are eligible for this subsidy include anyone who:

Also known as the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the government hopes the SBA-related features of the Recovery Act will help small businesses by: (continue reading)

So how can small businesses benefit from the Recovery Act? The first step is to become certified with the State of Arizona as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), a designation for minority-owned, women-owned and small businesses. (continue reading)

The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) runs the Shared Work Program for Arizona Employers. Through this program, a business that is facing the need to lay off at least one employee can take a different approach. Once approved for the program, the employer can reduce the total hours for a group of employees, equivalent to the hours that would have been cut through the layoff. Then the affected employees are eligible for a portion of their unemployment compensation while they continue to work. (continue reading)