Category Archives: Perfect Small Business
Written on
May 12, 2013 | by
Stephanie Brodribb
Because our software is uniquely customisable, there are BizApps available for every industry. Lets take a look at what the Business Cloud can do for Contractors.
1. Get a One-Page Website: With your very first one-page website to promote your business, you can place your contact details online so that you will appear on search engines and people will be able to book your services.
2. Get a Cloud Calendar: As a contractor, your schedule should always be priority. Even if you have multiple projects on the go simultaneously, you need to stay on top of what is going on. You can do this with a Cloud Calendar.
3. Get Business Planning: Contractors often work from project to project, so you really need to plan on a more long-term basis.
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Tags: Apps, Apps Contractors
Written on
May 07, 2013 | by
Stephanie Brodribb
The Agenda has often recounted efforts at the Small Business Administration to shift attention to larger businesses, a particular interest of the outgoing administrator, Karen Mills. Now The Washington Post reports that a program that the Obama administration has proposed to provide counseling to midsize businesses would come at the expense of counseling programs for much smaller companies.
As part of its 2014 budget, the S.B.A. seeks $40 million for an Emerging Leaders initiative, which the agency describes in a budget document as a training initiative that specifically focuses on executives of established businesses currently poised for growth from communities across the country.
At the same time, the budget proposes cutting almost $10 million, or 9 percent of what it received in 2012, from the grants it offers to small-business development centers, and $480,000, or 7 percent, from the agencys funds for Score.
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Tags: Small
Written on
May 03, 2013 | by
Stephanie Brodribb
Irony: This post from about a year ago explains why you cant sell an idea to a large company, and recommends not even trying. And dozens of reader comments ask how to do exactly what the post itself says they shouldnt even try. And I get more comments all the time, plus emails on my ask me form, asking how to sell the idea to the big company.
So I give up: Please promise me youve read this post before you go on. Know what youre up against. Dont be naive. Selling an idea to a big company is a one-in-a-million shot. You are probably wasting your time. But if you insist, here are my suggestions.
Step 1: Develop idea ownership
- Drill down on whether or not your idea is patentable. Patents are for inventions, not ideas. You either consult an attorney or do the research yourself. I
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Tags: Big Company, Company
Written on
Apr 20, 2013 | by
Stephanie Brodribb
According to the Kauffman Foundation, fast growing young innovative businesses account for less than 1 percent of all companies, yet generate roughly 10 percent of new jobs in any given year. This hearing was the first in a series that will examine how to bolster America’s competitiveness and propel economic growth through innovation and entrepreneurship.
“Research repeatedly demonstrates the integral role of innovation in catapulting economic growth.” said Chairman Rice. “We saw the benefits of economic growth driven by innovation during the 90’s with the expansion of the Internet. At a time of sluggish economic progress today, Washington must focus on creating a pro-startup environment, one that unleashes innovation as a mechanism for job creation. This hearing provided a valuable dialogue for our Committee about what conditions are necessary to attract and encourage innovative entrepreneurs and high-tech companies. This is a Read more…
Tags: Businesses, Small Businesses
Written on
Apr 11, 2013 | by
Stephanie Brodribb
Most of us need a similar basic set of software: Web browser, office suite, financial software, graphics editing, and backup software. You don’t need to fork over big money for any of these — instead, try these excellent free-of-cost open source alternatives.
Some of these titles are cross-platform, some run only on Linux. (Please read 5 Top Linux Computer Vendors for Small Business for a good introduction to Linux, and why it’s valuable for small business owners.) All of the software discussed in this article is completely open, which means no malware or annoying adware, and your data will never be trapped in a closed, proprietary file format.
The top Web browsers are Google’s Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Opera, and Mozilla Firefox. Chrome worries privacy advocates because of Google’s famous data-mining capacities, and IE has both privacy and security concerns. C
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Tags: Software, Software Alternatives