Small business
Work From Home Fridays
Ross | March 28th, 2012We encourage our team to work remotely when they want. We care about performance, not face-time in the office. Did you know that the average commute is 45 minutes each way and that telecommuters report having 25% less stress? We leverage technology to work remotely: Basecamp and Campfire from our friends at 37signals, Skype and [...]
Lean Marketing Tips: Hyperlocal Marketing Channels
Mike | March 26th, 2012We write often about marketing strategies and tactics for small business and startups. These companies typically have limited budgets, thin resources, and strained capacity which combine to create a challenge for managers and owners: how to develop an effective marketing campaign using tactics that will work for their business. The Lean Startup movement provides a [...]
Where Do Good Ideas Come From?
Ross | March 6th, 2012When we come across successful products, services or startups, we often wonder – where did the idea come from? Why didn’t WE think of Pinterest, Facebook, or Google? In the following video, Steven johnson discusses ideas, innovation and how entrepreneurs and companies can groom environments to help incubate and promote good ideas. How do you [...]
Small Business Tips: Foreign Payments, The Patriot Act, OFAC, and you.
Mike | March 5th, 2012Every time I find myself on the security line at the airport, I watch the folks ahead of me anticipating that someone will be pulled from the line because their name appeared on the TSA “no-fly” list. I have yet to see this happen, but I sympathize with the poor schlub whose name matches that [...]
Why Cloud Is A Big Deal For Small Business [INFOGRAPHIC]
Ross | February 28th, 2012Five years ago, a small business launching a new online product would traditionally have purchased their own servers and software, or leased servers, software and hosting services from one of many hosting providers around the world. The cloud has changed the way individuals and organizations of all sizes leverage technology. Cloud computing involves the delivery [...]
Secrets to Select and Evaluate Innovative Business Ideas
Adriano | February 22nd, 2012While browsing the web I came across this useful guideline for selecting and evaluating business ideas made by the Board of Innovation. Very useful for when you have several solutions to solve a problem or create a new business and you want to avoid innovative ideas from falling to the cracks. A hint for scoring [...]
10 Things Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Politicians
Mike | February 13th, 2012‘Tis the season. Not for giving gifts or reflecting on peace on earth. This is the silly season where we have to opportunity to elect our next President of the United States. Every four years, our country engages in a ritual which will impact the course of our economy, our social policy, and our governmental [...]
10 things entrepreneurs can learn from chefs
Mike | January 9th, 2012Who among us doesn’t love a great meal? Whether we choose eat at home or in a restaurant, all of us appreciate and respect the work that goes into preparing and presenting our food. We love the humble diner which serves up a phenomenal burger and fries and marvel over the lavish cuisine served up [...]
Small Businesses and Startups: Worst. Advice. Ever.
Mike | January 3rd, 2012A few weeks ago I wrote about New Year ‘s resolutions for small businesses, but the other day I realized I had left one out. This one is not an action item, nor an intellectual exercise. It is at once very simple, but also incredibly difficult, especially when under pressure to get a new business [...]
