'Yes, you can' is motto for success

November 30, 2008

To be a successful small business, you have to think and act like a successful business. Sounds simple, perhaps, but many small-business owners and start-up entrepreneurs forget this basic concept. In the face of financial adversity, they adopt a "can't-do" attitude.

Recent columns

• SCORE is the place to go for answers

  November 23, 2008

  If you plan to start a small business, chances are you have many questions. If you haven't already, sooner or later you may be wondering:

• Positive attitude is vital to business success

  November 16, 2008

  Successful small businesses come in all sizes and specialties, but their leaders share one essential attitude - a positive attitude that transcends everything they do.

• Marketing is vital to any small-business owner

  November 9, 2008

  What does "marketing" really mean for a small business? For you, it might include events, public relations, trade shows or advertising. But for other small businesses, it might mean different things, such as electronic newsletters, packaging, postcards and even hats, uniforms or name tags that employees wear.

• The difference between leading and managing

  November 2, 2008

  Successful business owners shine at most aspects of operating their business. Usually they are great at planning, marketing, creative thinking or knowing just how to satisfy customers. They sometimes fall short when it comes to leading, managing and motivating others.

• Closely watch rise and fall of your working capital

  October 19, 2008

  Working capital is the difference between current assets and current liabilities. Lack of close control on working capital is one cause of business failure. The small business owner must be constantly alert to changes in working capital, the reason for them, and any resulting business implications.

• It pays to keep a careful eye on revenue stream

  October 12, 2008

  It's tempting to be optimistic about the level of revenue your business will generate, but the realities of your revenue stream may create an altogether different picture.

• Small-business owners need to make time their ally

  October 5, 2008

  Time can be a small-business owner's best friend or worst enemy. It all depends on how you use it. There just never seem to be enough hours in the day to get things done. Time is extremely valuable to business owners - especially if you bill for time. Wasting time can be harmful to your bottom line.

• Leverage strengths for success in virtual business

  September 28, 2008

  In this age of instant communication and Web-based business services, there's more than one way to start and build a business. If your budget and time are limited, and potential partners and co-workers are widely dispersed, a good model to consider is to operate as a "virtual business." This is where most of the business structure exists online.

• Negotiating is a vital part of any small business

  September 21, 2008

  Negotiating is a specialized form of problem-solving. Two parties start with opposing positions and try to reach a middle ground. And in the context of a cost-conscious small business, wise negotiating practices can spell the difference between fiscal soundness and failure.

• It's important to pay heed to the 'small stuff'

  September 14, 2008

  Many small businesses waste money on routine expenditures simply because they don't pay attention. And while money spent on shipping, office supplies, service contracts, Internet and others might fall into the category of "small stuff" for some businesses, these routine items can be costly.

• Homework on insurance, insurance on home work

  September 7, 2008

  Operating a small business from home can free entrepreneurs from the costs of leasing space and commuting. But too many of them may short-change themselves when it comes to buying insurance.