Category: Business

Set your business up for success and nothing less with these 3 keys to a successful small business you probably haven’t considered.

Are you thinking of starting up a small business?

You’re not alone. Every year in the United States about 500,000 new businesses open up their doors for the first time. 2020, though, might be different. With the COVID-19 pandemic raging on, it’s not yet clear how many people have shelved their plans to start a business.

However, whether you want to start up soon or after the pandemic has died down, there are basics you must embrace and put to practice.

In this article, we’re sharing the keys to a successful small business.

Read on!

1. Embrace the Fact That Odds Are Stacked Against You

Let’s face it: starting and running a small business in the U.S. isn’t easy.

The numbers paint a disheartening picture. About 20 percent of businesses won’t survive past the two-year mark. 45 percent will close shop within five years, and 65 percent won’t see a decade.

With stats like these, it’s clear the deck is stacked against you. Right off the bat, you know that the probability of your business succeeding is a toss of the coin.

Nonetheless, you need to embrace this reality. Let it sink deep into your mind. This way, you’ll know that you need to work twice or thrice more to give your business a fighting chance.

Along with embracing this fact, seek to understand why most businesses fail. Learn from their mistakes. Try to do things differently.

2. You Need a Clear Business Plan

Here’s a secret hiding in plain sight: you need a detailed business plan.

Even when they know the importance of drawing a business plan before starting a business, some entrepreneurs go ahead and start out with this vital document. If you do the same thing, there’ll only be one outcome: failure.

A business plan is your guiding light. It identifies important information, such as the amount of money you need to start the business, your sales and marketing strategy, and more.

Take your time to write a detailed business plan. If you don’t have the time or expertise, you’re better off hiring a small business consultant to help you.

3. Adequate Startup Capital

You need adequate capital before starting up. We can’t stress this enough.

Don’t be like those entrepreneurs who resolve to start a business even when they know that they don’t have the required startup capital. They assume, often wrongly, that their business will start generating a profit soon after opening up.

What happens when the business doesn’t generate revenues as expected? They keep burning cash and inevitably run out of working capital.

When you start out with enough capital at hand, you won’t have to worry about running out of cash should the business fail to generate revenues according to your projections.

Do all you can to raise capital: bootstrapping, getting loans, seeking investors, and crowdfunding are all methods you can use.

Don’t worry about losing your investment. In fact, you could earn much more, especially if you decide to sell the business in the future. Check out these business valuation methods to understand how your money can grow in value over time.

Use These Keys to a Successful Small Business

Starting a business is the easy part. The hard part is putting in the work and ensuring the business becomes successful. With these keys to a successful small business, we’ve made the job a little bit easier for you!

All the best and keep reading our blog for more small business tips and advice.

In 2018, 80% of taxpayers made a mistake on their tax returns due to a change in taxation law.

Filing taxes can be complicated enough for individuals. For businesses, even more so. Not to mention that tax is only one part of accounting that requires close attention and a lot of effort.

If you’re a business owner, accounting services is an investment worth making. But how do you justify spending money on accounting services, especially in the context of a global pandemic?

Keep reading to find out how small business accounting services are worth the money you spend on them.

Accounting Services During COVID-19

The global COVID-19 pandemic has left many small businesses struggling to make ends meet. And, in hard financial times, it may be difficult to justify spending money on outsourcing your accounting.

But the truth is that an experienced accountant can help guide you through this time with sound accounting advice. For example, they’ll know of government and private financial programs that may be available to you. They’ll also help you figure out critical items like where and how to cut costs.

Find Solutions That Are Right for Your Business

Accounting services don’t provide generic advice, either. They dig into your business and figure out expenses, cash flow, and future revenues to create relief plans that are tailored to your business. They add a level of strategy based on hard evidence in order to best support your business.

For example, an accountant will know what programs your particular business is eligible for, including those that are only available for specific industries like healthcare, logistics, or food manufacturing. They’ll also know what loans might best suit your business based on future expectations. You can click for more information on tailored accounting solutions if you’d like to know more.

Keeping Your Business Compliant

Different industries have different guidelines and compliance requirements in terms of taxation. One small mistake can cost a lot of money, and a lot of money might not be affordable right now.

But an accounting service, especially one that’s familiar with your industry, ensures that you follow the rules. They keep updated on the latest taxation laws so you don’t have to and they keep accounting smooth throughout the year, so tax time doesn’t cause so much upheaval.

Have the Opportunity to Focus on Growth

As a business owner, you know the number of responsibilities that fall on your plate. With everything you care for, you don’t need the added worry and busy work of payroll processing or data entry for invoices.

Passing that responsibility to someone with the experience and knowledge to do it correctly will give you more time to focus on your business. You’ll have more time to focus on managing employees and developing new products, which is what allows your business to grow.

More Trending Advice and Tips

It might seem counterintuitive to invest in accounting services in the context of COVID-19 and the financial hardship facing many small businesses. In reality, an accounting service can help you create a strategic plan for financial recovery. They’ll know where to save money, programs to apply for, and also minimize costly mistakes.

And for more advice and tips related to what’s trending now, be sure to check our blog regularly.

Did you know that since 2014, the average cost of solar panels has fallen by 70%?

After reading this stat, you might feel as though solar power is something you can finally invest in. However, you may be wondering whether your home can actually benefit from solar power.

This post will provide you with a basic guide to solar-powered homes and how you can benefit from solar. If you’re ready to make your home green, you’ll soon discover how you can make solar power your primary energy source.

Let’s begin!

Are Solar Panels Suitable For Everyone?

Solar panels are perhaps the most common way to use solar power within your home. However, lots of people have questions about whether solar panels will work for them.

Well, for the most part, solar panels are designed to produce green energy in pretty much any kind of climate. So, you can use solar panels in your home no matter what part of the US you live in.

That said, the conditions surrounding your roof can impact your ability to benefit from solar panels.

For one, you need to make sure your roof isn’t beneath a lot of tree cover. After all, excessive tree cover can block the sun, and if you have this problem, you will need to cut them back a little.

Additionally, the state of your roof can also have a big impact on whether you can install solar panels. If you have a very old roof, you might need to update it before you can benefit from solar panels.

Of course, if you don’t know much about roofing, it can be hard to determine whether your roof is good enough for solar panels.

Fortunately, if you contact a solar panel company, they can come out and check whether your roof is suitable for solar panels.

What if Your Home Is Not a Good Fit For Solar Panels?

After reading the above, you might find that solar panels aren’t going to be a good fit for your home.

If that’s the case, you need not worry, as there are other ways to power your home with solar power, without having to install panels.

One of the most popular options here is a solar powered generator. These generators work like any other generator, except they produce clean energy thanks to their solar panels.

Before you buy a generator like this, you should verify how much power you will need. Once you know this, it will then be a lot easier for you to buy a generator that can actually meet your energy requirements.

Are Solar-Powered Homes the Future?

Thanks to cheaper solar panels, and the rising demand for green energy, it seems as though solar-powered homes are going to be the future.

Now, you might be ready to join this revolution, but you might be constrained by your budget. If that’s the case, you may want to see if there are any grants offered by your local government.

That’s because many local authorities are trying to incentivize solar panel installation. Thus, if you contact them, you may come across a grant that’ll help make everything much more affordable.

If you’re interested in reading something else, please visit our blog and you’ll see some of our latest posts!

Solar is an abundant energy source that is clean and renewable, unlike coal, oil, and other forms of polluting non-renewable energy. In recent years, more and more American households have chosen to switch to solar energy by installing solar panels on their property, commonly on their roofs.

One of the reasons behind the rise in popularity of solar energy has been the sharp decline in cost. Solar installation is around 70% cheaper today than it was a decade ago.

Some of the benefits of installing solar panels include significant energy savings and reducing your home’s carbon footprint. In this blog post, we will answer the question, “How much do solar panels cost?” Read on to learn the factors that determine prices.

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?

In order to give an accurate answer to the above question, it is necessary to consider a number of different factors (which we will do below). However, let’s look at the average cost of solar panels in a state like Kentucky for a 6 kW solar system.

In Kentucky, the average cost per watt is $2.34 and the average cost of a 6 kW solar system (after tax credits are applied) is approximately $10,390. This represents one of the most affordable prices in the United States.

Homeowners will generally pay off the cost of installation within around 4 to 8 years. Today’s solar panel systems have a lifespan of approximately 25 years. Therefore, there is the potential to save thousands of dollars in energy bills over the course of its lifespan.

What Factors Determine Solar Panel Installation Cost?

The first consideration when determining the cost of a solar panel system is its size. As highlighted above, a 6 kW is a popular size option for many American households. Generally, systems between 4 kW and 8 kW are best suited to need the typical household’s energy needs.

Location is another consideration; households in areas with more sunlight will benefit most from solar panels. The amount of electricity generated will help to offset the upfront cost of the system. Through net metering, you will also be able to sell excess electricity to the main grid.

Other considerations include local market conditions, state and national incentives, and the system equipment type and manufacturer.

If you want to get a custom quote for solar installation in Kentucky, reach out to Blue Raven Solar.

Make the Switch to Solar Energy Today and Save

Today, many people feel that they have a duty to protect the environment and see solar energy as an important step they can take. In addition to reducing one’s impact on the environment, solar energy can help households to save thousands of dollars on their energy bills.

If you have been considering buying solar panels, now is the very best time to do so thanks to the affordable prices.

Did you enjoy our answer to the question “How much do solar panels cost?” If so, be sure to check out our other interesting articles on the rest of our blog today.

Are you looking for a better way to manage your business expenses? Have you wondered if there are any options to automate some of your manual expense tracking processes?

Last year, more than 60 percent of businesses moved their workloads to the cloud. When your business data is easy for your team to access, it’s easier to manage expenses.

If you want to grow your business, it’s essential to keep track of your expenses. Here are several ways to help improve your business expense management.

Pay Bills On Time

One great way to reduce costs is to avoid late payment fees and interest charges. Schedule bill payments and set reminders for important dates to ensure that you take care of this vital task.

Take advantage of any discounts offered. If you are a regular customer that pays their bills on time, you may be able to purchase volumes at a discount. Some suppliers are happy to give discounts for early payments.

Keep Personal Expenses Separate

Open a separate bank account for your business finances. Never pay a personal expense using this account. It’s better to transfer funds to a personal account and pay your personal costs from there.

It may seem like an extra step, but it’s much easier to calculate your business expenses when they don’t include personal costs. Your private bills aren’t tax-deductible expenses, and you don’t want to make an incorrect tax deduction when you file your income taxes.

Automate Tracking

A straightforward way to automate your company expenses is to shift to a credit card platform that offers features that will save you time and money. Reconciliation tools and different levels of card controls will allow you to provide this option to more members of your team.

Check out Bento as the best Divvy alternative for business cards. Your business can use them to automate and track your business expenses.

Restrict The Use Of Cash

It’s more challenging to keep track of cash expenditures because of the manual steps involved in maintaining a petty cash fund. Consider issuing a credit card with a lower limit to certain members of your team.

They will appreciate your trust in them, and you will eliminate the need to reimburse small amounts by cheque.

Organize Your Receipts

When you make a purchase, write a note on the receipt. Indicate the name of the project or the business contact you had lunch with. If you document the purpose of the purchase it will be easier to justify it later.

Use file folders to organize your receipts. Label each folder with the name of a category of expense, such as office supplies or fuel. Then be sure to file your receipts frequently to keep from getting bogged down.

Improve Your Business Expense Management

When you understand how much easier it can be to improve your business expense management, you’ll take the steps you need to get started. Then you will spend less time on paperwork and more time building your business.

Did you find this article interesting? If so, be sure to use the simple search feature at the top of our page to discover more business information.

There are a lot of different factors to consider when choosing custom binder divider tabs. The first step is to decide the purpose of the tabs. Are you looking for something to organize your binder, or are you trying to highlight specific sections? Once you know what you need, it’s time to start thinking about design.

Do you want your tabs to match the color scheme of your binder, or do you want something that will really stand out? And finally, how much are you willing to spend?

There are a variety of options available, so it’s important to find the right ones for your needs. In this article, we will discuss all of these factors and help you choose the perfect set of divider tabs.

Choose a Reliable Manufacturer

This is one of the first steps in choosing binder divider tabs, and it’s also one of the most important. A good manufacturer will be able to provide you with high-quality tabs at a reasonable price.

They’ll have plenty of experience working with different materials and designs so that they can create exactly what you need for your binder divider system.

Choose Your Design

The binder divider tabs will be a prominent feature of your binder, so you need to make sure that it’s easy for people to see them and read through the information on each tab.

If your binder is dark in color or has thick textured paper inside, then having light colors might not be as effective because they won’t stand out enough against this background.

This can be a problem if people are trying to find specific sections quickly without flipping through pages looking at titles printed near those sections.

If there isn’t much contrast between what’s being viewed with its surroundings when viewing content via digital means like computer screens than physical ones such as booklets or magazines.

Check Product Reviews

It’s always a good idea to check reviews before making any purchase, and binder divider tabs are no exception. Reading what others have said about a product can give you a good idea of whether it’s the right fit for you.

Be sure to look for both positive and negative reviews so that you can get a well-rounded view of the product.

Compare Prices

Not all binder divider tabs are created equal, and the price can vary significantly from one manufacturer to another. That’s why it’s important to compare prices before making your final decision.

You don’t want to end up spending more than you need to, but you also don’t want to sacrifice quality by choosing the cheapest option available.

Pick Different Colors for Better Organization

It’s easy to get binder divider tabs in different colors, which will make it easier for you to organize your binder.

If you’re using color-coded binder dividers then this can really help people find what they need quickly and easily when browsing through books or magazines as well!

Choose Tab Size Carefully

Some binder divider tabs are small enough that they won’t be noticeable, while others may stick out too much. Make sure the size of your tab is right so users don’t have trouble finding specific sections within the content being viewed.

Include a Table of Contents on Each Tab

If you’re using binder divider tabs to organize content, then it’s important for people browsing through books or magazines as well be able to see where they are in relation to the rest of your binder quickly and easily when viewing digitally via computer screens such as booklets or magazines.

That means including either an indexing system (like with numbered pages) or at least some sort of table that lists each section title.

Don’t Deviate From Your Budget

It’s important to stay within your budget when choosing binder divider tabs. Just because a manufacturer offers high-quality products doesn’t mean that you have to spend a lot of money.

There are plenty of affordable options available, so be sure to compare prices before making your decision.

Choose the Right Material

The type of material you choose for your binder divider tabs will depend on a few things, including the climate where you live and how often you’ll be using them.

If you’re in a humid environment, then vinyl may not be the best choice because it can become warped over time.

On the other hand, if you’re in a dry climate, then cardboard or paper might not be ideal because they can quickly become brittle and snap.

Get a Recommendation From a Friend

It’s always helpful to get a recommendation from a friend before making any purchase, and binder divider tabs are no exception.

If you know someone who has already purchased some and is happy with them, then they might be the perfect person to ask for advice.

Make Sure They’re Durable

One of the most important things to look for when choosing binder divider tabs is durability.

You don’t want them to break or bend after only a few uses, so it’s important to find something that will last from https://tabshop.com/.

Don’t Rush Into a Decision

It’s important to take your time when choosing binder divider tabs. There are a lot of different options available, and you want to make sure that you’re making the right decision for your needs. Don’t rush into a purchase just because you think you need them right away. There’s no need to do that.

Ask an Expert at an Office Supplies Store

If you’re still not sure which divider tab to choose, then it can’t hurt to ask an expert at your local office supplies store.

They’ll be able to help you find the perfect divider tabs for your needs and give you some advice on how to use them most effectively.

Choose the Best Binder Divider Tabs

There are a lot of different things to consider when choosing custom binder divider tabs. By following these tips, you’ll be sure to make the right decision for your needs. Remember to take your time and compare prices before making a purchase.

Do you want to learn more about the best office tips? If so, check out our blog for more helpful articles.

Did you know that about 13.3 million United States citizens are unemployed? Are you amongst this statistic?

Many say that being out of work is a job in and of itself. Looking for work, applying, filling out resumes, setting up interviews, rejections. It all feels very stressful when you just need something positive to come through.

Have you ever thought of going through a recruiter to take some of the pressure off? Before you seek a recruiter out, it’s important to be aware of the different types of recruiters out there. Read our guide below to get a closer look.

Headhunter

Working for an employment agency, a headhunter recruits qualified individuals for a range of different employment opportunities. A headhunter will seek out these people via job boards and social media such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Ziprecruiter.

They will guide you on all the career options you have at your disposal.

Executive

An executive recruiter will seek to find management positions for high-level executives. These types of recruiters will also find and recruit employees for leadership roles.

Internal

You won’t have to look far for the best recruiter for the job here. An internal recruiter works in the HR department of a company or organization.

They will hire staff from within and perform various other HR responsibilities and duties.

IT

An IT (Information Technology) recruiter will assist someone seeking out employment in a slew of technology positions. If your expertise is with programming, then these types of recruiters are your best option.

Whether you need full-time, temporary, or project-based work, seek out an IT recruiter to get you hired ASAP.

Legal

The recruitment industry covers legal positions as well. These types of recruiters will assist qualified candidates to fill positions such as attorneys, paralegals, and stenographers.

A legal recruiter will hone in on one or a multitude of legal specialties, law firms, and corporate legal departments. The majority of positions will be in categories such as partner, counsel, or associate but may offer employment for advertisement or administrative tasks.

Pharmaceutical

Pharmaceutical recruiters specialize in filling pharmacy positions. These positions include pharmacists, pharmaceutical sales representatives, and pharmacy technicians.

What Types of Recruiters Will You Use Next?

If you happen to find yourself unemployed, between jobs or looking for opportunities elsewhere, a recruiter is what you need. As you can see there is a slew of different types of recruiters available. When going through a recruiter, you want to make sure your resume and cover letter are up to date (they can help with this too).

The good news is, you are never alone in the process. You will feel that much more confident about the new position that awaits you by going through a recruiter.

For much more insight on employment and the job market, be sure to browse our blog. You’ll be sure to find just what you’re looking for.

The weather is cooling down and that means—time to start thinking about commercial HVAC maintenance! Whether you have a small office or a large warehouse, keeping your HVAC system well-maintained is essential to maintaining a comfortable work environment for your employees.

HVAC maintenance is an essential part of keeping a facility in good working condition. Caring for your HVAC system will save you a lot of headaches down the line, and will keep your whole business running smoothly!

Keep reading to learn more.

HVAC Maintenance Tips for a Healthy Business

Regular HVAC maintenance is vital for any business. By keeping your system clean and well-maintained, you can save money on energy costs and avoid expensive repairs. Here are some tips for maintaining your HVAC system:

1. Schedule Regular Maintenance

Just like your personal vehicle, your commercial HVAC system needs regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly. Schedule an HVAC maintenance service for a checkup at least once a year to ensure that your system is operating at peak efficiency.

Also, inspect your ductwork. Leaky or damaged ductwork can waste a lot of energy and should be repaired or replaced. Have your HVAC system serviced regularly. A professional inspection can identify potential problems before they cause expensive damage.

You might want to check duct cleaning and its importance.

2. Change Your Air Filters Regularly

One of the most simplest and important things you can do for your HVAC maintenance plan is to change the air filters regularly. Dirty filters can cause your system to work harder, using more energy and causing wear and tear.

Depending on the type of filter you have, you may need to change it monthly or quarterly.

3. Keep Your Vents and Grilles Clean

Keep your vents and grilles clean. Dust and dirt can build up on these surfaces, preventing proper airflow and causing your system to work harder than it needs to. Keep your outdoor units clean. Remove leaves, debris, and snow from around your outdoor condenser unit.

By following these simple tips, you can keep your HVAC system running efficiently and avoid costly repairs.

HVAC Maintenance for Businesses

It is important to keep up with regular maintenance for your HVAC system to ensure optimal performance and avoid future costly repairs.

One of the best ways to keep your energy costs down and maintain optimal comfort in your workspace is to regularly service your commercial HVAC system. Just like your car, your commercial HVAC system needs regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly.

If you don’t have the time or knowledge to perform these regular check-ups, you can always hire a professional HVAC company to do it for you.

Do you now have a better understanding of how HVAC maintenance can help save your business money? If you do, make sure to check out some of our other posts for more tips on home improvement and more.