You can also stop by and visit me at one of my other blogs. Mostly I blog about parties and entertaining, with a little kid’s stuff thrown in for fun. So, if you like parties or kids (and who doesn’t like kids!) stop by The Kid’s Birthday Fun Review, The Home and Garden Cafe, She Knows Parties, or Play Library and say hi when you get bored.

I’m also planning on writing a little about business (especially online businesses) at Lens Author, because I think I’m going to miss writing about business when I’m done here.

I’ve enjoyed sharing with all of you the last couple months. I’ve learned that I can pull quite a bit of information about small businesses out of my brain, I didn’t even know I had quite so much tucked away in there.

Thanks for the fun ride!

Image (c) L Gerlach

Post from: Bizzia

Image: SXC.hu

Managing a successful support team takes a project manager who is willing to not only work on developing their team but also developing themselves. Below are a list of areas where a project manager should either currently excel in or are developing in as part of their skillset. This list is based on the acronym “L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P”:

• Listening.
• Encouraging.
• Adapting.
• Delegating.
• Energizing.
• Realistic.
• Shaping.
• Helping.
• Integrity.
• Principled.

As you review these 10 skills that a project team leader should possess, keep in mind that if you don’t possess a skill, you can learn it, refine it and then incorporate it into your skill set. It all about teamwork and team building as you manage your project team. So also look for some of these skills in your team members as a way to continue building a firm foundation for your team.

Post from: Bizzia

Image: SXC.hu

To help you think about a few things when using social media, I have created a short list below:

• Respect others and don’t SPAM with links.
• Don’t always push information our to people, connect with others by responding to others.
• If you come across helpful information, be willing to share it.
• Be open to answering questions that you friends may ask.
• Look at ways where you can automate or manage your social media efforts.

As you apply these simple 5 tips to your social media efforts, you may find that you will make great connections. To help you learn more about using social media, watch the video below.

Post from: Bizzia

1. One of the biggest advantages is working in your slippers if you want to. When you’re not meeting with clients or customers you can hang out in comfortable clothes and your slippers if you want to. I do always try to get dressed for the day when I get up in the morning. I think that sets the tone for the day. When I’m up and dressed I’m ready to get to work.
2. You can set your own hours. Setting your own hours is usually a benefit, as long as you make sure you set aside some time for work. Don’t just blow it off because you have flexibility. You’ve got to put the hours in if you want to build your business.
3. You can decorate your office or work space however you want to. If you want to go all out for Christmas, there’s no one stopping you. If you want photos on your desk, or a coffee warmer, it’s all up to you.
4. You don’t have to pay for a separate work space. If you set up an office or a storefront it’s an additional monthly cost to your business.
5. You’ll save big on commuting costs. With gas prices up you can save big dollars each month on gas, wear and tear on your car, and insurance by driving fewer miles and working from home.

If you run your small business from home, what is your favorite advantage?

Home office image (c) L Gerlach

Post from: Bizzia

Seasonal businesses do have their draw backs, one of the biggest drawbacks is cash flow. It can be hard not to spend when you have cash in hand, but you do have to budget for the off months. There may still be rent to pay, and other fixed costs that you’ll have to have cash for when there is little or no cash coming in the door.

That’s not to say that you can’t make a wonderful business out of something seasonal. There’s definitely money to be made there. You just need to be extra careful to set up your business plan and your budget to include some down time.

Some examples of seasonal business ideas include:

• Lawn care and landscaping
• Christmas, or Halloween shops
• Tax Accounting
• Fresh produce stands
• Ice cream stands

There are many more out there, and many more potential seasonal businesses no one has thought of yet. If you’re thinking about starting a small business, there may be a seasonal market out there looking for what you have to offer, if you’re willing to work really hard for a few months out of the year.

Image sxc.hu

Post from: Bizzia

Are you someone who’s got a great idea for a small business? Maybe you’ve thoght of  a new product, or a new way of doing things, or cutting edge technology? Will you be able to get it off the ground, or will it be just an idea in your head?

How can you get your dream business from ideas to reality?

• If you can’t finance your business yourself you will need to develop a workable business plan to present to possible investors.
• Stay motivated and positive to help you power through the hurdles that will be thrown at you.
• There are many small business resources to help you through the business learning curve.
• Stick with it, and don’t give up.

Do you have any advice to share with someone trying to take it from idea to small business?

Post from: Bizzia

And that’s where Kick-ass Copywriting in 10 Easy Steps by Susan Gunelius comes in. Step-by-step, Gunelius shows you how to build good copy. She gives solid examples, showing the difference between mediocre and great writing.

In each section she gives a fictional company case study to show small business owners how to apply the principles she lays down. After reading each chapter, you’ll know how to apply quality copywriting principles to your work.

If you can’t afford a copywriter, this book will help you improve your own writing. And if you can afford to hire one, this book will help you know what to look for in a copywriter’s portfolio. And it could help you when you’re hiring a copywriter, too.

Also included at the back of the book are even more examples. There are real-world and sample ads and campaigns so you can try to use the same tactics to boost your own business. The book is full of great information. Gunelius writing is clear and easy-to-read. She doesn’t talk down to readers, as she’s clearly there to help them. To help you.

If you’re struggling with placing effective ads and having a low response to marketing campaigns, take a look at this book. I don’t think you can go wrong by picking one up.

Disclosure: I read a review copy of this book which I requested directly from the author.

image: Amazon.com

Post from: Bizzia

Here are a few online resources to help you get the information you need to get your small business up and running.

• The government has an excellent resource for businesses of all sizes at Business.gov, and if you don’t like to read you can check out some of the information at the Business.gov YouTube channel. They have a ton of helpful resources for new business owners.
• Another excellent resource for small business startups is the Small Business Association (sba.gov). They have a huge list of resources for small businesses there. From loan information, to formulating your business plan, and the tools you need to expand and grow your young business.
• Inc.com is an excellent resource for inspiration, and up to date news on what’s going on in the world of business today. Use the business success stories there to inspire you in your own business, and while you’re their check out their legal information, and growth strategies.
• Smallbusiness.com is a business wiki devoted to helping people new to small business ownership. If you need info it’s an excellent resource, if you have information to share you can add your two cents to the information already there.

Do you have a favorite small business resource? I’d love to hear about it.

Image: sxc.hu

Post from: Bizzia

• Do you like to craft? Set up an online shop at Etsy to sell your handmade items.
• Do you enjoy photography? You can sell your photos at several online photo galleries. Most pay you when your photo is downloaded, some popular photos and digital images are downloaded hundreds, and even thousands of times. One of my favorites is istockphoto.com.
• Create your own digital designs and upload them to shops like Zazzle, or Cafe Press where people can add them to things like t-shirts and mugs, earning you a nice little commission.
• Do you love to shop for bargain antiques, designer clothing, or electronics? Start your own ebay shop to sell your bargain finds.
• Are you an expert at something? Teach others what you know in classes at your home, or in a virtual online classroom.

I hope these work from home business ideas will get your creative juices flowing. Don’t stop with these ideas, take them to the next level. Come up with your own spin on things and take your small business to the next level.

Good luck!

Image: sxc.hu

Post from: Bizzia

How can you implement a customer survey in your small business? There are several ways.

• You can have the customer fill out the form in the store while they’re waiting to check out.
• You can give the customer a slip of paper to direct them to a website and fill out a survey online.
• If you have an email list you can send the survey out to your list, and have them fill it out online.
• If you have an active website, you can have customers who visit fill out a survey there.

A good way to intice customers to fill out the survey is offering them a small gift, a discount, or the chance to be entered into a drawing for a prize.

Use the completed survey to better target your business toward your customers needs. You can also use their wording in your advertising and promotion, to give them exactly what they want, in their words. They’ll be impressed that you’re listening!

Image: sxc.hu

Post from: Bizzia