You ve decided that you need a better customer relationship management system (”CRM”) for your small business. You need a good place to store and access your customer information just like bigger companies. You want to be able to generate meaningful reports and manage your marketing campaigns. But there are […]
Service & Trade Marks Marks are generally an identifier of source and quality. Rights generally accrue under common law upon adoption and use of a mark (name, symbol, logo, trade dress, style of doing business, etc.) in connection with a business. Marks may also be adopted for use in connection with […]
For years, manufacturers have searched for ways to boost ailing production performance. From the promise of ERP, to Lean initiatives, Six Sigma and a plethora of other tips and techniques, manufacturers have become the experts at sizing up what works and, just as importantly, what doesn’t. A couple of months ago, Invistics […]
Implementing a reliable backup procedure can protect your business from data loss and downtime as a result of any of the following: hardware or software failure, power failure, natural disaster, or human error. When considering a backup solution, offsite backup options have some considerable advantages to onsite backup. The primary advantage to using […]
If you had known it would be this hard… If you re a small business owner, one of your constant headaches is making sure you re filing your payroll taxes correctly. You have to make sure you re taking out the right amounts in federal and social security taxes for your employees. You […]
SAS (Statistical Analysis System) is a 4th generation procedural language that allows programmers to use statistical data analysis and data dining to build descriptive and predictive statistical models. Data mining is the process of discovering previously unknown, actionable and profitable information from large consolidated databases and using it to support tactical and strategic […]
Bookkeeping is the process of maintaining records of various transactions of a business. The records include total revenue, gain, loss, expenses, dates of transactions, and many other details. Bookkeeping is the basis of accounting process and it is very important, no matter what business you are in. There are several advantages of maintaining […]
Every business uses computer software. But not every business realises the importance of having a user friendly software library for cataloging all their software. While sharing software and using it on more than one computer is against the law, making a copy to keep in your software library in case it is ever […]
The average practice submits half of its codes wrong, while some practices rarely exceed more than one code right out of every five codes. Inexact and inconsistent coding increases the risks of undercharging, overcharging, and post-payment audit. This article outlines evolution of coding from individualistic art towards disciplined and systematic process. […]
Small businesses today have a variety of choices when it comes to email marketing campaign software solutions providers. The majority offer the same basic features, which include, templates, list building opt-in solutions, email distribution, and a variety of other items. Why would a business today utilize email marketing? Listed below are […]
Business agreements with other IT companies can be an excellent way to secure high quality referrals. When you are dealing within a B2B context, the referrals you get from non competing IT businesses tend to be ones that will turn into long term service contracts. This is exactly the kind of business you […]
If you are worried about how many different business cards you should carry, let me speak from experience, you need only ONE! The best way to confuse a potential customer is to present them with more than one business card. You may be doing a number of things and have cards for each […]
Hiring A Computer Consultant - 17 Things They Hope You ll Never Ask
Hiring a computer consultant can be a challenging and sometimes frustrating experience that can have a critical impact on your business. 20 years of being a computer consultant, as well as hiring them, has taught me many lessons and thankfully exposed some […]
Business Plan - What Does That Really Mean?
If you are thinking of starting your own business and you tell anyone about it, the first piece of advice is usually “write a business plan.” At this point, you run out and buy a book on writing a business plan or get a piece of planning […]
To support innovation and growth, many small and medium companies are turning to enterprise software solutions to help them improve customer visibility, streamline operational activities and increase commercial transparency inside their organization. Enterprise Resource Planning is a software product that supports end-to-end daily commercial activities. For large enterprises, implementing this type […]
Considered a part of the annual strategic planning process, business valuation is the process of determining the estimated market value of a business enterprise. It is a valuable tool for business owners, stockowners and investors. Business valuation is used for a variety of purposes such as buy/sell agreements, mergers and acquisitions, estate planning, bankruptcies […]
The benefits of international payroll debit cards to a direct sales or network marketing company are obvious. The cards are safe, fast, and easy to track. Funds are accessible to distributors quickly. The ROI is rapidly realized. Reloads to cards are either free or miniscule compared to sending a check or wire. Payment cards […]
There was a time when frequent flyer miles, loyalty award systems and credit card points were virtually unknown to businesses and consumers alike. CRM history shows that customer relationship management is the system that popularized consumer benefits such as this. CRM history is indeed a brief one when it comes to the technological […]
Outsourcing Website Services - Can Your Business Benefit?
Would it surprise you to know that Compaq Computer™ outsources? How about Underwriters Laboratories™? Gateway Computers™? Yes, even the Chicagoland Area Chamber of Commerce™! I have been involved with projects involving each one of these companies. They all outsourced specific portions of […]
Microsoft and Google are the two most valuable technology companies, according to Bloomberg, and they are engaged in a battle to control “how consumers and corporations work, shop, communicate and go about their digital lives,” according to an article in the NY Times on 12/16/07. Google sees all these things happening through a Web-based […]
Microsoft Dynamics AX 4.0 is the latest version of Microsoft’s integrated enterprise resource planning system, used by over 7,553 customers to gain competitive advantage. It improves business efficiency, saves administration time and provides real-time information to improve business decision making. Customers of Tectura are recording a total return on investment in just 3 […]
The concept of Balance Scorecard has been utilized by businesses and organizations since the early 1990 s Over the years, it has gone through many iterations, with some sometimes significant changes in character by users. Initially the concept was intended to measure the activities of the company in terms of its vision and […]
Choosing a business card that showcases your individual talent and profession can be essential in leaving the person with lasting memories of who you are. Business cards are a very inexpensive way of essentially advertising yourself, whether it is to friends, colleagues, or potential customers. You want to make sure you use […]
The question I am asked most often by our clients is, “how do we get more business value from our investment in our Information Technology department?” In our experience there are four key areas that need to be addressed to maximize the benefit obtained from the investment in IT: Align business cases […]
For any successful company, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is one of the most important factors in customer acquisition. It not only consists of building extensive relationships with customers and other businesses, but it also allows a company to find out how their product is viewed by their audiences. In order to have a […]
Bookkeeping is an unpopular subject with most small business owners. Unless you are number cruncher at heart, most everyone would agree: the tedious task of making daily entries into a ledger or computer program is an unpleasant thought at best. But without some form of accounting, practically all businesses will eventually fail. Keeping an […]
There are two types of costs “direct” and “indirect.” Direct costs are also called “variable costs” and refer to costs that are a direct result of producing, delivering, or returning your product/service. Examples of these are materials and labor needed to produce/deliver the product that only occur once you sell the product, […]
Live Answering Services - The Small Business s Best Friend
Every day you miss calls from customers who need your products or services. But now you can get rid of all these problems, your call will be answered by a live answering service with your company name. Representatives at answering services will provide you services […]
Payroll management is an issue that is never too early to start considering. Obviously, in the early stages of your business, your payroll management will consist of paying yourself. As your business grows you will have to concern yourself with compensation for you and your employees. Payroll management in a business […]
Outsource staffing is an effort made by outsourcing companies to provide you and your company with just the perfect employee capable of doing your work to help you run your business smoothly and perfectly. To run any organization successfully and efficiently it is very important to choose the right people who can do the […]
Less than 83% of payments are paid to an average practice within the first four months since the date of service. In other words, the average medical practice delivers almost one fifth of its services for free. Since the vast majority (83%) of medical billing practices perform their billing in-house, we see […]
Most people find accounts tricky. They d rather be out there finding new customers, selling things or making things to sell. With an expanding business, your accounting needs are more sophisticated than basic bookkeeping. You need an all-in-one solution that not only takes care of your finances but also supports your business, helps […]
Are you challenged keeping team members involved in the continuing effort of developing and maintaining your company s business continuity plan? We know their reasons: too busy, don t understand the process, don t see the value, and don t perceive the project as a real company priority. Our challenge and concern: have team […]
Business growth is something we all want. During startup, however, you have to balance your business growth rate with your ability to keep on top of the business launch. You don t want to get overextended because that will cause you to cut corners and your future success may suffer. Controlling the […]
How Safe Is Your Computer Data?
As recently as December 2007, a New Zealander was subject to an FBI investigation on world-wide cyber crime which also resulted in Dutch authorities imposing strong penalties on companies using his malicious software. Managing data security is unavoidable in today s business environment and is a critical task […]
8-Step Plan for Software and Practice Integration of Electronic Medical Billing Service + SaaS EMR
The increasing reliability of the Internet technology and standardization of systems interfaces have recently enabled comprehensive “best-of-breed” configurations of modern EMR software and billing service, made available to physicians under the “pay-as-you-go” business model. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model […]
Open Source Software Can Save $1000s for Your Business
Expensive but necessary software can cut deep into the profit margins of small business. Fortunately, the open source software movement has produced a variety of excellent programs that can fill the needs of your small business without emptying your bank account. Open source software […]
Comparing Options If your firm hires a VP-level marketing executive you can expect to pay upwards of $175,000 in salary and benefits just to start. While your new VP may be able develop a marketing strategy, your firm will still have allocate a considerable budget to outsource projects to creative agencies […]
Here would be a couple of pointers to reduce threats in security for your small business. Try to scrutinize your employees before hiring them. You might want to check their personal references and a conduct a background check. Like the common preventative measures, it would be less expensive compared to having to deal […]
It takes so much to build a business and so much more to make it a real success. They say that you have to be really cut for it in order to make it in any business venture because while some get lucky, businesses are all about time, effort and a whole lot of […]
The following article is one of a series of articles which focus on Affiliate, Article and Internet Marketing. All of the articles are based on real experiences and research done over twenty years as a personal and business coach. They are also written in response to questions which I have been asked as well […]
Physical Therapy Billing - Will Outsourcing End in 2008?
The dramatic economic growth of India has created some negative implications for offshore Business Process Outsourcing organizations (BPO). Some of these implications can be directly attributed to the devaluation of the USD in comparison to the rupee. If this trend persists, and the USD continues to […]
What Are The Issues With Any Customer Support Software?
With the advent of Internet technology, it has certainly become quite easy, to start and operate your own small online business. But, this should not be a reason for complacency because many of the conventional rules of business are still applicable in today’s digitized world. For […]
There are a number of services that are available on the Internet for your various business needs. Some of these services include financial advice, software suggestions, and advertising. The companies that provide these services do their best to address your needs. Some companies even go a step further by allowing you to […]
When buying any type of software, it always pays to buy from a reputable vendor and buying POS system software is no exception. And when it comes to reputable vendors you can t get much better than Microsoft, whose POS software system known as Microsoft Dynamics offers everything that most businesses will need to […]
Insanity in the Sign & Graphics Industry Einstein’s Definition Albert Einstein once said “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Think about this quote for a second and ask yourself, does this quote apply to the way you run your company? […]
How Do I Write A Business Plan?
Why Write A Business Plan? How Do I Write A Business Plan is a question very much on a business executives mind usually around mid-year or during the last quarter of the financial year? As the business plan is part of the management process, most businesses would […]
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Overview covers What is ERP, Brief history of ERP, Why is it necessary, Market Leaders and the future of ERP. What is ERP? Enterprise Resource Planning or ERP is an industry term for integrated, multi-module application software packages that are designed to serve and […]
In small business marketing, setting marketing objectives for your brand or small business each year has been proven as one of the key elements to increasing your relationship with your customers. For every successful big business in the market place you will find marketing objectives have been set well before any money or time […]
What Are Your Employee Leasing/PEO Goals?
If you have decided that an employee leasing/PEO service is a smart choice for your business, the next step is determine what specific goals you want to achieve. With so many companies to choose from that specialize in specific industries, markets and states- which one will be the best […]
