More people than ever are text messaging these days to help grow their businesses and better interact with an audience. Although it is shocking how many people are actually using text messages, it is more surprising how many text message subscription services are there. The reason this is a critical part of any marketing strategy is that the numbers are very revealing. Text messages not only have a 100 percent open rate, but they are also read 98 … [Read more...]

Choosing the best business management tools for a small company becomes more challenging when you have to incorporate integration into the mix. These business tools are supposed to make life easier for the small business owner. On the other hand, many of them are so complex that they take time to become efficient. The easy fix for the small business owner is picking from all-in-one management tools. These are loaded with all the features a … [Read more...]

When a person decides to start a small business, they are usually excited, energetic, and determined to make things work.  However, almost nobody can start off with enough training to navigate the sinuous maze of the legal world that rules small businesses. Depending on the size, nature, and structure of the new company, the laws differ from one case to another. Getting legal advice for small businesses is something that should be done … [Read more...]

Those who have tried to scan business cards into their computer know that this is more challenging than it appears. Business card scanner apps eliminate the headache of having to type in all that text and then copy and paste it elsewhere. The best business card scanner app will cut it down  to a couple of simple steps. You just take a picture of the business card. The app recognizes the text and adds the new information to your contacts list … [Read more...]

What qualifies an institution as a best bank for small business? A bank that offers start-up loans, payroll management, small business financing, and money transfer services. You want to find a bank that offers everything your small business will need to stay on top of its finances and with manageable or no fees. Most of the banks on this list offer a few hundred free transactions per month and don't require a minimum daily balance unlike … [Read more...]

In early 2015, Forbes published an article stating that 90% of all startups fail. Another equally grueling myth circulating among entrepreneurs is that 8 out of 10 startups fail within their first 18 months. Facing such dismal numbers, entrepreneurs feel overwhelmed by the gargantuan job that lies ahead of them. Consequently, a lot of literature  on the matter has hit the shelves, including The Lean Startup by Eric Reis. In The Lean Startup, Reis … [Read more...]

Elevator maintenance costs are necessary for large facilities like hospitals and universities. Paying for routine maintenance is usually cheaper than waiting until the elevator malfunctions to pay for repairs. The average elevator maintenance contract for small buildings is $3,600-$5,000 per year. For 30-story buildings, the average cost of elevator maintenance per year is $8,000-$9,000 under contract. The issue of maintenance costs extends … [Read more...]

At the very beginning of your journey to entrepreneurship (and possibly again later in the evolution of your business) you must decide what form your organization will take. Typically, the main contenders at start up are Sole Proprietor and Limited Liability Company (LLC). We'll talk here abut the advantages and disadvantages of each structure. What Is a Sole Proprietorship? In laymen’s terms, a sole proprietorship is the most basic … [Read more...]