This article is provided by the Greater Scranton Area SCORE Chapter.
Choosing to go into business for you is a major decision that usually means a commitment to hard work and long hours. As you struggle to build your business, however, you also must be careful not to overdo it and succumb to business owner burnout. It’s vital to take some time off to recharge your personal batteries. (more…)
This article is provided by the Greater Scranton Area SCORE Chapter.
Some small business owners believe they can stand out with just a great product and exceptional service, and that they are too small to create a “brand.” But to set your business apart—no matter how small—branding is a vital strategy in today’s competitive marketplace. (more…)
This article is provided by the Greater Scranton Area SCORE Chapter.
It can be frustrating for a small business trying to land its first sale to a public institution, government agency or major corporation. One of the most helpful steps—meeting personally with the right person—is often the most difficult to take. But a fast-growing program from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering hope to small business owners. (more…)
This article is provided by the Greater Scranton Area SCORE Chapter.
Everyone knows that backing up computer files is important, and most of us will face a computer crisis of some type sooner or later. But simple laziness, or perhaps a lack of information and belief that backups are too costly or time-consuming cause business owners to put it off. And that can have disastrous consequences. (more…)
This article is provided by the Greater Scranton Area SCORE Chapter.
Most small businesses have a Web site of some kind and many are relying more and more on the Internet to help their marketing and sales efforts and contribute to profits. But wanting a Web site that works hard for the business and actually getting one that does so are two different things. (more…)
This article is provided by the Greater Scranton Area SCORE Chapter.
If you are involved in a small business that is also a family business, you’ve probably heard warnings about the pitfalls of working with relatives. Operating a business with a spouse, parents, siblings, children or other family members presents many potential pitfalls over and above the usual problems business owners face. (more…)
This article is provided by the Greater Scranton Area SCORE Chapter.
When customers can easily comparison shop online with a few mouse clicks, the notion of loyalty seems almost old fashioned. Your best customers are someone else’s most sought-after prospects. (more…)
This article is provided by the Greater Scranton Area SCORE Chapter.
If you have a business name, catch phrase, logo design or a combination of those that you want to legally protect, you’ll need to bone up on trademarks—a form of relatively low-cost legal protection for this type of “intellectual property.” (more…)
This article is provided by the Greater Scranton Area SCORE Chapter.
Is your small business stuck in a rut? Perhaps your customers no longer seem excited and your staff has stopped offering fresh new ideas. Or maybe the competition has been giving you fits. (more…)
This article is provided by the Greater Scranton Area SCORE Chapter.
Operating a successful small business today means keeping up with a great many technology-related tasks. You need basic computers and perhaps laptops, as well as a bunch of different business software, depending on what your business does. Then there are networks, Internet access, email and Web sites to contend with. Even selecting the right technology is not easy. It’s hard to know what works best for a small business. (more…)
