Networking has evolved beyond traditional face-to-face interactions to include online platforms and social media. Read about how to best take advantage of online networking for your business below! [Read Full Article]

Tips from February 11, 2010 The Small Business tips today discuss how to find customers. Chamber of Commerce: Introducing your business at your Chamber of Commerce will give you a start in connecting with other small businesses in your area. Additionally, ask for a link on your Chamber's website to yours about your new business opening. Use the support and organization in your favor to find customers in your area who are passionate about the small business cause. Networking: Use your friends, family members, and business contacts to your advantage. Talk to them about your new business, and ask if there are any contacts they know that you can network with. Don't forget about social networking online as well! Competition: As silly as it sounds, some of the best places to find your customers is by researching your competition. Find out what they are doing wrong, and what their customers are dissatisfied with. Use that to your advantage when starting out on yo... [Read Full Article]

Management and Operations Ten Worst Communication Blunders of 2009 From a steady review of major news events, here are the ten worst communication blunders of 2009. BusinessKnowHow.com Management and OperationsProductivity Coach's Corner: Clear the Clutter, Create OpportunityThe following is a specific key to success in lightening the load on your body and mind. This is a practical activity, one you can do to reduce the unnecessary physical and psychological stress you may be carrying around right now. Wouldn't it be worth it to invest less than one half of an hour to regain some confidence and control? M... [Read Full Article]

Networking is important to small businesses in that it helps them to stay in business, grow their business, and connect to other business owners. The general way to network is usually by having your information on a neat business card and give your information to others. To create a big name for yourself when networking, you need to step out of your comfort zone and create a buzz. Here are few ideas.Professional Business CardsYes, business cards are important for networking so they can have your contact information. No, they should not be the only thing that you do. For starters, make sure your business cards are professional. Have an edgy design on quality paper with all your contact information. Business cards should be kept in a safe place to avoid tearing and ripping. You might also want to consider adding your Twitter ID and Facebook profile to your card as a way for people to keep up with you in more of the real-time business world. Q & A... [Read Full Article]

Tips originally posted on October 30, 2009 The Small Business tips take a little of the shared wisdom from the 140 Characters Conference and will show you how to network with social media. Social media requires you to be social. Be human and relatable. Talk to me like I'm your sister. It's like an instant state of relaxation. Try not to over complicate things. Just use common sense in your networking approach. One step back can take you two steps forward in the medium. You should do dinner and a movie before you ask for a kiss. Basically that means to establish the relationship before you ask them to do something. Everything isn't always about you. Your network probably has more to offer you than you do to them. Letting them feel that way will help you in the end. Daily Overview... [Read Full Article]

Tips from October 29, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss how to set up a small business event to network in your community. Market your event via flyers, Chambers of Commerce, radio advertisements, mailers, on your website, as well as word of mouth. Create a Facebook invite and notify your friends, family, group members, as well as fans. Send them a reminder message a day before the event. Offer small, free gifts for people at your event, such as pens, magnets, or pads of paper. Have all of your contact information easily readable on it. At the event, collect business cards & give yours out. At the conclusion of the event, send a thank you letter & save their contact information. Daily Overview: Events allow your business to connect with other people and businesses to create relationships and build support. [Read Full Article]

Tips from October 28, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss how your local Chamber of Commerce is a great way to network. Join local businesses in promoting your town's economy by shopping locally to keep money in your community. Network with your neighbors to coordinate discounts and promotions to encourage consumers to buy locally. Meet a few times every month. Discuss your community's economy, goals for the future, & new programs or events coming up. Plan an event with your Chamber. Invite all small businesses to host the event & open it to the community. More tomorrow! Daily Overview: Use your Chamber of Commerce membership to its full potential by networking with other local businesses. [Read Full Article]

Government, Politics, and the Economy Can Main Street Catch Up with Wall Street? The Dow is up and many economists see an end to the recession. Try telling that to the rising ranks of those losing their jobs and houses. BusinessWeek.com Management and OperationsWhy Change is Necessary: Is Temporary Insanity Keeping You From Growing Your Small Business? Successful people, and businesses, recognize the need for change early. They embrace it. And they go looking for it. BusinessKnowHow.comManagement and Operations [Read Full Article]