Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on February 10, 2012 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz Certifications,Small Biz News,Small Biz Planning,Small Biz Secrets,Small Biz Secrets,Small Biz Startup,Small Biz Webinars | Comments are off for this article

Business Law; Top 10 Pitfalls a Small Business Should Avoid

Be Prepared with Business Law in 2012

By Thomas R. Reich and Chris Romero

1)      Lack of or Poor Organizational Documents! A good understanding of Business Law will tell you that you must create and maintain the right organizational documents, to prepare your small business for interaction with the real world.  You must first determine what type of structure you want your business to operate under.  Business Law dictates that it does not stop there; there are annual filing requirements and documents that must be maintained.  Don’t be a casualty, do your paperwork!

2)      Lack of Proper Corporate Records! If you say “we are a small nonprofit, Ill remember the records and do them later” you will fail.  Keeping up with records is a must to be prepared in Business law and takes little time if you make it an ongoing process!

3)      Accepting Money from Investors Without Understanding Securities Business Laws! There are ways to accept investment,  into your new business, that are legal and this is the only way they should be accepted.  Consult a lawyer first if you are unsure of Business Law. This is the rule of thumb; make sure you and your investors are protected before you get yourself in hot water.

4)      Failing to have Founders and Employees Non-Compete Agreements! If you or your new employees have come from a similar business and are now competing with an old employer, make sure there is not aNon-Compete agreement enforce.  By the same token protect yourself if what you are doing is of a unique nature.

5)      Weak or Non-Existent Vendor/Client Written Agreements. If you go into your new business on a handshake agreement to provide services or products to a friend or acquaintance, this is very risky.  Having a simple contract, one with terms and a time period assures that your demand will still be there when you take the plunge and open your doors.  Without a written agreement, one using practical Business Law, you may find the promised business does not materialize and you have no legal recourse.

6)      Litigation! Pure and simple, many new business owners feel they are in the cat bird seat now and they “Aren’t going to take this anymore!”  You must avoid all litigation if possible, work out problems without filing suit.  Litigation is very expensive and at the small business level, it can bankrupt a company from the preparation of just one law suit, this is Business Law fact!.  Collections are another matter, but there are professionals for that,STAY AWAY FROM LITIGATION IF YOU POSSIBLY CAN!

7)      Collections! Collections can be a problem in many small businesses, and it is tempting to take things personally.  First; work directly with the customer, sometimes a personal call and request for payment of promised funds from the CEO does the trick.  Second; never threaten or harass the customer, you could cross a line that puts them in the driver’s seat legally.  When the account can’t be salvaged with sugar, find good collections groups that work on a percentage and let them sow the vinegar, they are much more likely to be an expert in Business Law, and much more likely to collect!

8)      Non-Performance Alleged Against Your Business! It is most advisable that you do you level best to go overboard and fix non-performance allegations against you.  As a new business, you do not want negative statements on services like “Rip off Report” or the BBB.  Offer a refund or the bend over backwards to fix the problem.  Defending against a law suit is both unproductive and expensive, avoid if you can, this is the case with all Business Law, avoid litigation if you can.

9)      Non-Performance of Other Service Providers to Your Small Business! Same rules apply; avoid Litigation if you possibly can.  A call from your CEO or Director may do the trick, be cool calm and consolatory.  Remember they do not want negative reports on “Rip off Report” or the BBB either.  Again, Litigation is very expensive, so do you level best to work out difference civilly, but calmly and reserve the right to do what is necessary to receive services or products you have paid for.  Remember how you handled the other side of this issue, and use that experience to look at the other company’s point of view.  Never loose site of your rights under Business Law, but keep your eyes clearly on Public Relations and you image in the community!.

10)  No Internal Controls, Guidelines, Manuals, etc! It is important to have written rules and regulations to govern your business on a daily basis.  Internal Controls, Guidelines and Manuals are welcome by your employees, it lets them know exactly where they stand.  You will find that if rules are in place, you employees will not only follow what is expected of them but be thankful for knowing how to operate within guidelines.  You will be secure in the knowledge that you have done what you can to prepare your company under Business Law.

If you find FREE legal advice helpful, don’t miss our FREE webinar “Legal Issues to Avoid” by clicking this link LEGAL ISSUES TO AVOID.  This webinar is free and will happen on FREE Nonprofit Webinar Wednesdays February 15, 2012, it will be hosted by Attorney Mark Bartle, but you are invited, small business owners or potential owners will benefit greatly from this webinar!

If you would like more information on the full range of services offered to set up and service a Small Business please contact BizCentralUSA by visiting BizCentralUSA or by calling, toll FREE 1.877.857.9002.  Please follow us on Twitter and Like us on Face Book to receive free daily tips and tricks as well as notification of our FREE Award Winning Webinar series!

Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on February 9, 2012 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz News,Small Biz Planning,Small Biz Secrets,Small Biz Secrets,Small Biz Startup,Small Biz Tax Filing,Small Biz Webinars | Comments are off for this article

Bookkeeping Benefits

a Free Webinar!

Bookkeeping Blunders: are you in the Dark?

By Thomas R. Reich and Chris Romero

A pile of receipts and a check book; not part of bookkeeping benefits

Bookkeeping Benefits are in the forefront of small business.  Believe it or not, many small businesses nationwide don’t have an accurate bookkeeping system.  Andrea Root, Accounting Coordinator for BizCentralUSA and specialist in bookkeeping benefits says “More often than not a client will come in with some scraps of paper and bank statements needing up-to-date financial statements and corporate tax returns immediately!”

Bookkeeping benefits are worth the efforts

Running a small business involves many things, some are fun and some are a necessity!  You must have a bookkeeping system, says Miss Root, “Bookkeeping benefits can be an unfamiliar, tedious, and for some frightening process but it must be done on a regular, consistent basis.  Outsourcing this task will save you time, money, and aggravation in the end!”

Andrea Root will be hosting a FREE webinar “Bookkeeping Benefits” Thursday February 16, 2012 and all are welcome.  Simply go to this link FREE WEBINAR for free registration.  Andrea warns “Lack of bookkeeping benefits can be very inexpensive to have done, if you do your part and prepare, but not having accurate books can be very expensive, especially if the IRS comes knocking!”

Andrea will also cover simple tips on collecting data, “Whether doing your own books or hiring bookkeeping services, to enjoy the true bookkeeping benefits you must collect certain data every day!”

“Programs like QuickBooks seem an answer for some, but the learning curve can be steep, and who do you blame if something goes wrong?”  Miss

Andria Root will cover tips on collecting data for bookkeeping benefits!

Root went on, “Ask yourself this: Are you in the dark?  Bookkeeping benefits shines the light on your financial position!”

Remember, if you want to raise your salary or expand your business, you have to know how much income you have coming in and how much you have going out on a monthly basis, now that is a bookkeeping benefit!

Join BizCentralUSA in welcoming Andrea Root, who will be hosting our live FREE webinar “Bookkeeping Benefits”

Quicken can have a steep learning curve!

This Thursday, February 16, 2012by simply clicking on this link FREE WEBINAR BOOKKEEPING BENEFITS.

BizCentralUSA is one of the nation’s leading providers of small business services.  Each week we present a new free Webinar on some important facet of the Small Business world.  This week we are lucky to have the talented Andrea Root host BOOKKEEPING BENEFITS , and I am sure you will go away with some great knowledge.  Ask yourself; can you afford to be in the dark, let bookkeeping shine the light!

If you would like more information on the full range of services offered to set up and service a Small Business please contact BizCentralUSA by visiting BizCentralUSA by calling, toll FREE 1.877.857.9002.  Please follow us on Twitter and Like us on Face Book to receive free daily tips and tricks as well as notification of our FREE Award Winning Webinar series!

Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on January 27, 2012 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz Marketing,Small Biz Secrets,Small Biz Secrets,Small Biz Startup,Small Biz Webinars | Be the First to Comment

Marketing Mix for Small Business;

Using Social Media in your Marketing Plan!

by Thomas R. Reich and Chris Romero

This week we take a little different approach, we give you many lists to improve your business through Marketing Mix for Small Business.  Maximizing Marketing Plans for small business can do wonders for your bottom line!  Using Social Media, it’s a snap, and mostly costs only time,

marketing for small business can be used for brand marketing

brain power and having a Marketing Stragity!

Why do businesses fail??

1)   Not enough people know they exist, lack of Brand Marketing

2)   They did not do enough to get the word out, Marketing strategy

3)   Did not work hard enough for brand recognition

4)   Did not remind the customer daily why their business matters

A successful marketing mix for small business campaign must have a daily promotion habit, do at least ONE of the following each day for branding:

1)   Write or post a new blog

a blog post can help brand marketing and marketing strategy

2)   Tweet a timely question

3)   Do a radio interview

4)   Do a webcast

5)   Write a letter to the editor

6)   Link and share pictures on Facebook page

**Do at least one thing that will publicize your product each day through network marketing!

Other things to do to get free publicity brand marketing and having marketing mix for small business; on a regular basis you should:

Marketing mix for small business should include Traditional and digital marketing

1)   Contact 5 people a day that could help you publicize your product

2)   Give the media a hook to use to grab their audience, their audience is who gives you free publicity for small business (in the end you and your product does not matter to that media outlet, to the organization giving you the publicity and adding to your marketing mix for small business, it’s how you can add interest to their show or blog, remember this, what is their brand marketing!)

3)   Research what they can put in their heading or intro; coming up XXXXX Find something that will encourage their audience to stay tuned in or check back, what about you or your product would cause this reaction, and relate it to you brand.

4)   Again, you need to come up with hooks, what makes this blogger or interviewer’s audience tune in to his show or blog.  If it pushes you or your product or brand at the same time, that makes it a win win!  Why should they give you free publicity, ad to your marketing mix for small business in this case, what about discussing you or your product brand benefits the blogger or the interviewer’s audience?

5)   Example of a Hook that could interest an audience = “Could you go to jail for linking the wrong website?”, “Could this organization save your life?”, “Could our next guest make you money?”

5 Ways to Create a Hook

First: create interest in your brand

1)   How to do; “How do you Tweet a Question?”

2)   Counter a Myth; “Parents want a quick fix to poor study habits-could drugs be the wrong answer?”

Marketing strategy includes marketing mix for small business

3)   Make a prediction; “Why the US will soon experience dramatic food shortages” –or—“Why food prices will continue to rise”; can you see how this could draw free publicity and add to your marketing mix for small business.

4)   Ask a Question, can you give the media a question they can use? “What are cats thinking?”

5)   Give them a timely hook, a reason they need to have information about your brand now; Tax advice at tax time, new business start up advice in January, new kind of tomato plant in the spring, this is prime free publicity for small business!

Create an effective marketing plan

1)   Who is your core audience

2)   What does that core audience read or watch

3)   When will your topic be timely; time of year, anniversary, create a holiday around your product, look in the book ‘Chase’s Calendar of Events’ for listing of 10,000+ holidays

4)   Is there a predictable news event that can be spun to your brand, release of a movie, elections, release of monthly employment figures or

Target blogs with your marketing mix for small business

farm reports, this is the nature of marketing mix for small business

Next time we will go more in depth into how to find the right blog sites that fit your brand and will help your marketing mix for small business.  You can do this, and feel free to ask questions, I may even send you part 2 in advance if you ask!  You comments are not only welcomed, but strongly incouraged.  Send questions direct if you wish to tom@ BizCentralUSA.com, we are here to help you help others!

We at BizCentralUSA have been in the business of helping small businesses like yours for almost a decade, over 12,000 small businesses have come to us for advice over the years, and we are always here for you!  Call today for a free needs assessment and consultation we want to hear from you!  Also follow us on Twitter and Facebook for daily tips and tricks, as well as advanced notification on our free webinar series.  The key to a good marketing mix for

Marketing mix for small business is one of our specialty's

small business is within you, you can do this!

If you would like more information on the full range of services offered to set up and service Small Businesses please contact BizCentralUSA by visiting BizCentralUSA.com or call, toll FREE 1.877.857.9002.  Please follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook to receive free daily tips and tricks as well as notification of our FREE Award Winning Webinar series!

Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on January 10, 2012 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz Certifications,Small Biz Marketing,Small Biz Planning,Small Biz Secrets,Small Biz Startup | Be the First to Comment

Now is the Time to Set up a Small Business

By Chris Romero and Thomas R. Reich

A record 480,000 new entrepreneurs chose 2011 to set up a small business.  Those who made the move to start a company in 2011 along with the rest of the small businesses in the United States accounted for more that ½ of the private sector GDP and 70% of new jobs created in 2011.

With 2012 shaping up to be a much better economy, ask yourself, “is it safe to set up a small business?” Or, “Might it be safer to start a company than to hold an average job in today’s economy?”  The answer may surprise you. Statically speaking, if a small start up business lasts 3 years that Startup Company is far more likely to be in business next year than the average American is to be employed in the same job for 3 years.

Don’t get the wrong idea, to set up a small business is not an easy proposition.  35% of those who attempt to set up a small business fail out of the box or within the first 3 years.  Let’s look at why; here are the top 5 reasons those who set up a company may fail before they even have a chance to prove their unique business model works:

1)      Lack of a Professional Business Plan

2)      Poor planning and over spending on their attempt to set up a small business

Top 5 reasons efforts to Set up Small Business may fail

3)      Lack of a Marketing Plan

4)      Poor or nonexistent Bookkeeping system in place

5)      Lack of Graphic, Logo and Web Identity

The pitfalls that kill a startup company can be avoided completely by simply using a professional small

business services company.  There are many out there, but BizCentralUSA has helped over 12,000 set up a small business successfully since 2003.

At BizCentralUSA, we believe in delivering tried and true solutions and applying those solutions to well qualified entrepreneurs who wish to set up a small business correctly.  Our success rate is far higher than the national average success rate of those wishing to start a company without assistance.

At BizCentralUSA we know how to quickly and efficiently work with you to set up a small business starting with a working business plan.  We will have one of our Business Consultants work with the Startup Company to develop proper

Navigate rough waters to Set up a Small Business

bookkeeping system, Marketing Plan and adjust budgeting and Human Resource needs.  BizCentralUSA can even offer Web, SEO and Social Media Services, along with the beginning of unique branding, brand management and brand awareness.

Don’t go it alone, it is rough waters out there when you want to start a company.  But with a friend in the Business like BizCentralUSA, a friend that has helped over 12,000 clients set up a small business, many just like yours, the playing field is leveled!

Here’s the best part. We are up to 40% less expensive than our prime competition, LLC.com and LeagleZoom.com, because we can be.  With BizCentralUSA there is an additional benefit

Set up a Small Business is smooth sailing with BizCentralUSA

BizCentralUSA is proud to help Set up a Small Business with live phone service!

beyond just the lower price, you deal with a live business consultant, and a live staff!  We, at BizCentralUSA are available by phone at 877-857-9002, In a world that is ruled by the internet and automated operators, we have trained consultants standing by ready to help you. This is business help with a human touch.

Statistics are on your side, it’s time to set up a small business now!  Start a company with a friend in the business like BizCentralUSA, and its smooth sailing in 2012!

If you would like more information on the full range of services offered to Set up a Small Business, please contact BizCentralUSA by visiting www.BizCentrallUSA.com or by calling, toll FREE 1.877.857.9002.  Please follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook to receive free daily tips and tricks as well as notification of our FREE Webinar series on the right way to Start a Company!

Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on November 17, 2011 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz News,Small Biz Planning,Small Biz Secrets,Small Biz Secrets,Small Biz Startup | Be the First to Comment

Start a Home Based Business: 5 Reasons you should

You may want to start a home based business and you need to decide whether or not you should operate your business from a home office or if your small business will require a more traditional office setting. Below you will see 5 reasons to operate your business from home if your specific business allows for home-based operations.
Start-Up Costs:
When evaluating your home based business or small business’ start-up expenses you will find that starting a small business and operating your business from home will usually have fewer start-up expenses. When starting a traditional office-based business you may have start-up expenses associated with 1st and last month rent, security deposits, establishing utilities, furnishing the office with desks, computers, ECT. By operating your small business from home you may be able to significantly reduce these costs or eliminate them altogether.
Hours of Operation:
While many traditional offices hours are restricted to 9 to 5, Monday to Friday, home-based businesses can be open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. With an online business designed to process payment and outsource orders to a warehouse or distributer, people from around the world can purchase your products or services on your small business website while you are working, when you’re not working, while you are sleeping, even when you are sick or on vacation.
Customer Base:
Many brick and mortar business’ customers are restricted to locals or people willing to travel to the business’s location. When you operate a home-based business, especially an online business, it allows you to have a customer base worldwide.
Start Slow:
One great benefit of starting a small business from home is the fact that you don’t have to jump in with both feet right away. You can start slow by operating your business in your spare time, while remaining employed with your current employer. You should be sure that operating your small business does not violate any noncompeting clauses that you may have signed with your current employer. You can speak to your employer or legal council before starting a business to determine if starting your new home-based business will violate a noncompeting clause that you have signed.
Resources:
It today’s environment of information at the click of a button, there is vast amount of home-based small business resources easily accessible to business owners. Much of this information is available for free or at minimal cost online. You can find tutorials, forums, blogs, courses, eBooks, and other forms of information to help your small home-based business start and grow to become successful. One great place to start is BizCentralUSA.com, with its vast business resources and frequent free webinars.
With all of the benefits of starting a small business and operating it from home, unless your small business industry is unsuitable for home based business operations, you should definitely take operating from home into consideration when deciding to start a small business. As your business grows and you accounting and marketing complications mount, you can hire a staff, with a web/IT specialist, marketing specialist, book keeper, HR manager and graphics/advertising dept, or look into much less expensive solutions like those at BizCentralUSA, which enable you to stay home and do what you do best as inexpensively as possible. Even if you decide to operate your small business from a traditional office I would still recommend that you check out the services of a company like BizCentralUSA. Additionally they can help you build and develop a small home based business website and web presence where you can take orders and process payments so that your small business is not restricted to local customers and your hours of operation.

Posted by Jennifer Nelson on October 13, 2010 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz Certifications,Small Biz Startup | Be the First to Comment

Across the nation, 5.7% of all adult women are entrepreneurs. Approximately 64% of women, with personal net worth of at least $5 million, created their wealth through professional careers. That’s good news for today’s up-and-coming female entrepreneurs looking to open their own business.

The number of women owned businesses continues to grow at twice the rate of all U.S. firms (23% vs. 9%). There are an estimated 10 million women-owned, privately-held U.S. businesses. Sectors where women owned businesses are making exceptional strides over the past 10 years include Wholesale trade 283.4% growth, Health Care & Social Assistance Services 130.0% growth, Arts, Entertainment & Recreation Services 116.8% growth, and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services 82.7% growth. According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, women employ 12.8 million workers, or one in every seven employees.

Women start a business for both lifestyle and financial reasons. Many female business owners run businesses from home to keep overhead low. Women, like their male counterparts, understand the value of flexibility, empowerment, and challenge inherent in owning and operating a small business. Increasingly, employers will compete with this option for talented female employees, as women grow even more confident in being their own boss.

Male and female priorities for businesses are often unique. A recent study found that 79% of women business owners are concerned when selling their business about the buyer’s plans for the business compared to 52% of men. Women are also more concerned with passing on their businesses to their daughters than their male counterparts (30% vs. 11%) are. Women who start a business are less likely to have a college degree in their specific industry, or first-profession degree, than are male entrepreneurs. They are also less likely to get a job in a Ph.D.-related field. Women are also more likely than their male counterparts to take advice, an important skill needed as a new small business owner.

The majority of women business owners in nontraditional industries (85%) believe there is no disadvantage to being a woman or that it is actually beneficial. This is particularly true when setting up an official woman owned business that applies for government contracts.

Federal law requires that certified WBE women owned businesses receive at least 5% of all Federal contracts, yet less than 3.2% of all contracts are awarded to women. While some people might find this statistic discouraging, in the eyes of this author that shows there is 1.4% or over $6 Billion in untapped moneys targeted at women business owners who are ready and able to meet the governments needs. This is particularly true in four consistently female under-represented businesses: Cabinet Making, Coating and Engraving, National Security and International Affairs, and Other Motor Vehicle Dealers (i.e. all terrain vehicles).  While there is much to gain from obtaining WBE certification it is not a process to enter into lightly and may be in the best interest of the firm to seek assistance from a professional to further understand qualifications and requirements.

Some difficulties for businesses are constant regardless of gender. The greatest challenge for women-owned firms is access to capital, credit, and equity. Over two-thirds of women owned businesses reported barriers to working with banks. About 76% of women owned businesses financed their start-up with personal capital. Women are three times more likely to utilize credit cards for short-term financing than their male counterparts are. Only 60% of female business owners turn to banks for long-term capital financing at all, leaving a large 40% market of untapped resources for banks.

While bank financing can prove difficult for women, things are not as gloomy as they appear at first glance. Over half of all women business owners (57%) have a line of credit for their business and 41% have a commercial bank loan. Many women business owners are better at establishing sustainable growth because they rely on using business earnings or private sources for both short-term and long-term capital needs keeping them out of unneeded debt.

Having bank financing or a line of credit is important for all business owners regardless of gender and a business plan in the fundamental first step to begin applying for bank capital. Women like their male counterparts, are taking the steps they need to achieve proper capital and financing through banks and avoiding the higher interest rates offered by credit cards.

In conclusion, whether a woman or male entrepreneur, the tasks and obstacles they will face in many cases will be similar, it is how they overcome these hurdles that will define the success of their business.  If you start a business, no matter the type, it will always be critical to do the heavy-lifting of research and business plan development.

Posted by Jennifer Nelson on September 14, 2010 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz Planning,Small Biz Startup | Be the First to Comment

Frequently, I have clients ask about different opportunities to fund their small business startup and it seems that most individuals are interested in investors. This term tends to be the nebulous catch all for individuals that give away money but there are important distinctions in investor groups. This article is meant to help you understand venture capitalist, angel investors, and individual investors.

Venture Capitalist

Venture capital investments are generally made in cash in exchange for shares in the invested small business. It is typical for venture capital investors to identify and back companies in high technology industries such as biotechnology and IT (Information Technology). In 2008, venture capitalist-backed account for 10 percent of sales and private employment, but well less than 1 percent of companies.

Venture capital is important for building high growth companies. Venture Capitalist backed projects are 150 times more likely than average small business startup to create jobs. Venture Capitalists invested $18 billion in business startups last year. Over all, venture capitalists made 2,802 deals, investing in 2,372 companies. Approximately 728 small businesses received first-time funds or $3.3 billion in first-time financing. In 2008, average Venture Capitalist investment was $7.4 million. Venture capitalists are often the first choice for firms who are looking for a large-scale project or need money for research purposes.

Angel Investors

An angel investor, also known as an informal investor is an affluent group of individuals who provide capital for a small business startup, usually in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity. There is a growing trend for angel investors to pool together into angel groups or angel networks to share research and pool their investment capital. In 2008, the average angel group investment was $275,000. As a whole, angel groups make one quarter of the investments of venture capitalists. Always have your documents reviewed by a lawyer before you agree to any funding terms.

Individual Investors

Individual investors are often persons who dabble in investments and have limited funds to appropriate to your small business. Many times individual investors are people you know like family and friends. The average individual angel investment is only $77,000, half of individual angel capital is provided as debt, and more than 2/3 of individual angels are unaccredited. Be careful when dealing with individual investors, providing appropriate rates of return using debt would violate usury laws.

Whichever method you choose it is important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of your investor. In 2008, overall 7.3% of business plans made it through the screening process. Only 3.3% made it to the presentation process. About 2.8% had investors complete due diligence and 2.1% received investment. Working with investors is competitive and it is important that your business plan meet their exacting standards.  A solid small business plan should grab hold of the vision in which you want your company to be perceived, plant the seed to grow a successful and profitable small business and prove the two previous points to investors. Finally, always understand the investor’s business plan qualifications before you begin solicitations. Being smart early on will increase the chances of your success and help you achieve that all-important capital for your small business startup.