Biggest Challenges for Small Businesses
Challenges Ahead for Small Businesses With the new year upon us, it time to get going and look forward to what is in store. Here are some of the biggest challenges small business owners will face in 2014. Read on to wise-up and make plans to overcome these potential stumbling blocks. Photo Credit 1. Funding While there are signs that the tight credit markets for small companies are loosening up, the loosening is happening slowly. In November 2013 big banks approved 17.4% of small-business loans which is up from 13.2% in 2012, small banks approved 49.7% 2013 versus 49.2% in 2012 according to...
Read MoreCyber Security Follow Up: I Got Phished
Less than 24 hours after publishing my last post I (almost) became a victim of phishing myself. What interesting timing! Read on to see how they tried to get to me and what classic phishing signs I recognized. I will not post complete phone numbers below but did receive everything in full 10 digit phone numbers. Here’s how I got phished. At 6:45pm this evening I received the following text message: PleaseContact[US-Bank]SecDept@(323)647-25*0 My first thought was “Oh no! Somebody got my credit card information!” My phone had made the phone number, essentially, a clickable...
Read MoreUse It or Lose It: Get These Tax Breaks Before They Expire
Tax Breaks! The Join Commission of Taxation published a list of 55 federal tax provisions that are set to expire this year a.k.a. tax breaks. Here are a few of those that may apply to you as an individual or business taxpayer. State Sales Tax Deduction. Applicable to residents of states without an individual income tax. Tuition and Fees Deduction. This allows up to a $4000 deduction for qualifying postsecondary education expenses. Check with your tax professional for details but this generally is available to couples filing jointly who make under $160,000. Make sure to pay Spring 2014...
Read MoreGifts for Clients and Associates: Holidays as a Business Owner Part 2
Gifts for Clients and Associates With an ever increasing number of holiday events, plays, parties, dinners, etc, staying on top of well wishes at the office can easily be put on the back burner. Business owners, use the quick tips and ideas in our two part Small Business Holiday series to wow your clients and associates this season. In part one of our series we gave you great tips for your holiday cards. Today, we’ve got some ideas to make gift giving a breeze. Part 2: Holiday Gift Ideas for Clients and Business Associates 1. Gift Cards- Its hard to go wrong with a gift card....
Read MoreHolidays as a Business Owner: Part 1 Holiday Cards
With an ever increasing number of holiday events, plays, parties, dinners, etc, staying on top of well wishes at the office can easily be put on the back burner. If you’re a business owner, use the quick tips and ideas in our 2 part Small Business Holiday series to wow your clients and associates this season. http://worksmartlivesmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/Holiday-Stress.jpg Part 1: Tips for Proper Christmas Card Etiquette from TinyPrints.com 1. Be aware of which holidays each recipient celebrates. “Happy Holidays” and “Season’s Greetings” cards are an easy way to avoid...
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