How to Use Salary Caps to Sustainably Scale Your Small Business | Page19

August 28, 2015 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

How can a small business grow sustainably? Greg Crabtree and Beverly Blair Harzog think that in a growing business, staffing costs can quickly balloon out of control. When small businesses are making the transition to medium-sized businesses, it’s possible to fall into a dangerous feedback loop of borrowing and spending. As you scale your business, your costs grow, and it’s tempting to see breaking even—your previous measure of success—as sufficiently safe growth.

However, medium-sized businesses have vastly larger costs, and can’t afford the breakneck growth speed that smaller, more agile operations can attain. As your costs grow, it’s important to retain control over those which you have the power to influence—and the biggest of these is labor costs.

Top 5 Most Common Errors in Small Business Employee Handbooks | SOOFI

July 28, 2015 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Employee Handbooks are an integral part of every small business’s “CYA” arsenal. They are intended to provide objective standards for employee conduct, expectations, and disciplinary procedures.

However, the overwhelming majority of small businesses tend to rely on publicly available online forms or policies borrowed from fellow business owners to prepare their employee handbooks, whether out of necessity, preference, or convenience.

In states like California where employment and labor laws are constantly being added or amended, it is worthwhile to review your company’s employee handbook from time to time to assess whether they are adequate or create unnecessary risk that, with a few tweaks and modifications, could be mitigated. Complying with labor laws is a lot like keeping good dental hygiene: an unpleasant and frequent annoyance but one for which an once of prevention is worth a thousand pounds of cure. Here is some guidance on the most common errors or mistakes in small business employee handbooks:

How the Decline in Community Banks Hurts Small Business | Entrepreneur

April 2, 2015 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

A recent report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond reveals that the number of community banks dropped by a whopping 41 percent between 2007 and 2013. That’s bad news for small business owners, who rely heavily on financing from small, local banks.

Even more troubling is the potential culprit. Analysis by the Fed suggests that the Dodd-Frank Act is at least partially responsible.

A Harvard University study shows that the rate of decline in the community bank share of commercial banking assets has doubled since the passage of the law in 2010. Moreover, almost all of the decline in the number of community banks in recent years has resulted from a cessation in bank formation during the current economic recovery, the Richmond Fed reports.

Small Businesses Are Going on a Hiring Binge | Bloomberg Business

March 10, 2015 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

(Bloomberg) — Sterling Risk Advisors, an Atlanta-based property and casualty insurance broker with 86 employees, has added 13 workers since June and will probably hire 10 to 15 more this year.

“We are committed to growing,” said Doug Rieder, 50, president and co-founder. “We feel a lot better about business. We are pretty bullish right now.”

Small business, responsible for most American job creation, is finally gaining momentum, giving an expansion approaching its sixth anniversary some legs and leading an acceleration in job creation. Confidence is near a post-2007 peak for small companies, construction is recovering and credit conditions are easing.

How Small, Local Businesses Can Reach New Investors And Keep Dollars In Communities | Fastcoexist.com

March 2, 2015 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Small, local businesses lack access to capital. Banks will place restrictions before giving loans, like asking for collateral, wanting to see years of revenues, or asking for personal covenants. And then venture and angel investors aren’t interested in the low-rate returns hairdressers, restaurants and furniture-makers can offer; they want “high growth.”

That is why small, local businesses generally stay as small, local businesses. But what if small businesses could reach over the top of those market failures to the general public and investors who are willing to suffer the relatively low returns on offer? That might open up options.

Secrets to Financing a New or Growing Business | All Business

December 31, 2014 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Obtaining funds to start a new business or to expand an existing one can be a challenging and exciting experience. Before lenders and investors can commit to funding, they will want to know there is a high chance that your business will be successful.

Certain areas need to be addressed and prepared such as a coherent and comprehensive business plan that includes marketing strategies, financials, product or service offerings, competitor analysis, and short- and long-term growth strategies.

4 Common Reasons Why Small Business Startups Face a High Risk of Failure | Getentrepreneurial.com

October 21, 2014 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

“My business is in trouble with debt spiraling out of control and I simply don’t have enough cash to make payments on time. I’ve read that most small business startups have problems similar to mine, but why?”

This concern is common amongst the directors, managers, and owners of small business startups in the UK, and for good reason – about 2/3 of startups fail within their first 3 years of operation. Usually the failure is brought about by a number of factors that work together synergistically to make business progression difficult. Here are the 4 most common reasons why small business startups don’t do well:

1. Inadequate PreparationStarting a successful startup is all about planning – analysing your market conditions and competition. Some of the things you’ll need to know and have planned for:

Who is going to buy your product/service
How many companies are providing similar offerings
Why your company’s offerings will be more appealing
How much your competition is charging
What it will cost to get the business of the ground and start an advertising campaign
How much the business will need to spend to operate on an ongoing basis

‘Is it safe to hire?’ Business owners don’t trust recovery | MoneyCnn

August 22, 2014 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The economic recovery may be continuing, but small business owners aren’t ready to put the rose-colored glasses back on.

According to an exclusive CNNMoney-Manta survey released Tuesday, 28% of small business owners said the economy is the “biggest challenge” they’re currently facing, topping issues like sales, regulations and financing.

The survey polled over 1,500 small business owners across the country. Even those experiencing revenue growth are hesitant to test their luck. “We’ve done well as a small business, [and] banks are willing to lend us money,” said Victoria Aguilar, the founder of a small law and consulting firm. “But is it safe to bring on another employee?”

3 Strategies to Work Positive in a Tragedy | Getentrepreneurial.com

August 6, 2014 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

As I left our home and drove around the mountain, fog enveloped me quickly. Unexpectedly.

There was no sign of fog when I pulled out of our garage.

The business environment changes that quickly, also, particularly with what influences our customers’ and clients’ lives.

For example, the shooting down of the Malaysia airliner over the Ukraine suddenly dominates our conversations, news media, buying habits, and prayers. It fogs our perception.

So how do you do business when tragedy fogs over your business? Here are 3 Strategies to Work Positive in a Tragedy.

Cash Flow Management Tips for Small Businesses | Businessnewsdaily.com

August 5, 2014 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Managing cash flow is a challenge that many small business owners don’t realize can make or break a business, but streamlining the process is easier than you might think.

“Many great operators who understand their industry and how to deliver for the customers don’t have an understanding of what it takes to grow, maintain or create efficiencies in their operating cycle to empower their business,” said Quincy Miller, executive vice president and head of business and commercial enterprise banking sales at RBS Citizens Financial Group.

“Companies that have accelerated their receivables, streamlined their banking operations and established more-advantageous payment terms and processes with their vendors, suppliers and customers have a definite competitive advantage in today’s marketplace, no matter their business,” Miller said.