In a nutshell: In honor of National Small Business Week, here are some of our most-requested small business stories.
Once a year, the U.S. Small Business Administration sets aside a week to celebrate all of the contributions small businesses make to the economy and workforce. National Small Business Weekis filled with educational events, webinars, Twitter chats, virtual networking and helpful information.
In honor of this year’s National Small Business Week, we are pleased to present a roundup of some of BAI’s best stories for small business owners and leaders.
Starting Up
- The 3 Things you Must Do Before Starting a Small Business: Here’s how to make sure you’ve got the right financing, location and employees.
- Dos and Don’ts: Mission and Vision Statements: Clear, concise and well-written mission and vision statements will guide day-to-day operations and set a direction for the future.
Growing
- 3 Questions to Ask Before you Expand: Start with making sure your marketing plan is ready for expansion, and then look at financing and staffing.
- Funding Business Growth: Now that your small business is off the ground, there are new avenues available to help fund your growth. Here’s a look at how to find loans and grants.
- The Big Question: Lease or Buy: There are advantages to owning your real estate, and advantages to leasing. Which option is most suitable for your company?
- 3 Finance Flags for Small Businesses: Even if you’re not an accountant, these three simple formulas will help you make sure inventory, collections and profitability are moving in the right direction.
- Getting Started with Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and Other Third-Party Fulfillment Providers: We’ll help you determine if third-party fulfillment is right for you, and then what steps you need to transition from in-house to outsourced services.
Handling Risk
- Reducing Risk as you Start Your Small Business: Did you know that 70% of small businesses go bust within a decade? Defining your market, focusing on customers and making relationships with lenders can moderate risk.
- What Your Small Business Needs to Know About Harassment: Harassment takes many forms, but any kind can cost you employees, customers and money. Leadership needs to set the right tone for the company.
Happier Workplaces
- Five Work Perks Your Small Business Can Afford: Ideas include paid volunteer days, free food and fitness center discounts. Perks can increase employee loyalty and help set you apart from other employers.
- Creating a Pet-Friendly Workplace: Allowing employees to take their furry companions to work can give your company a distinct advantage in hiring talent. It can also help with employee productivity and loyalty.
Becoming a Better Leader
- Leadership Lessons from the Avengers:Everyone’s favorite superheroes have a thing or two to teach leaders about criticism, ethics and team building.
- Emotional Intelligence is Essential for Leadership: Successful leaders are aware of emotions, both in themselves and in other people. Here are some tips for enhancing your emotional intelligence.
- Helping a Poorly Performing Employee: Sometimes, a little honesty and sensitivity can steer the employee back in the right direction. But, if that doesn’t work, it’s important to take action before it’s too late.
- How Organizations are Failing Women (and 4 Things you can Do About It): Research shows that women aren’t moving up the ladder as quickly as men. Here are steps you can take to make sure that doesn’t happen at your organization.
