Off the Ground Blog
Hard to Find Info for Start-ups - Poll Results
'What type of Information is Difficult to Find?' - was a 3-month long running poll question on the SBA homepage - and the results are in!
Joining a Business Association
There is strength in numbers - no question, and joining a business / industry association is a great way to tap into the skills, knowledge and economic advantages that larger groups may hold. With very few exceptions, most industries (major & minor) have national/provincial/regional associations. Most associations work toward common goals such as:
RRSP strategies for the Self-Employed
With the 2010 RRSP deadline less than a month away (March 1 , 2011), self-employed Canadians must ask themselves: how much (if any) will I contribute for 2010? For the newly self-employed, moving away from 'regular employment' means that existing RRSP strategies should be adjusted to match a new financial situation.
Working with a Franchise
Like the idea of self-employment but loath the thought of going it alone? Starting (or buying) a franchised business is a popular approach to self-employment, allowing owners to take advantage of a proven business model - for a fee.
The Digital Tattoo of your Business
A digital tattoo can be viewed in many ways (literally). Used well, it can demonstrate the best aspects of your business to a large online audience. If poorly managed, however, a damaging digital tattoo can become a serious liability. So: what is the digital tattoo of your business, and how can you control it?
Pros and Cons of Accepting Credit Card Payments
Customers expect rewards, cash back or air miles with every purchase they make - merchants, on the other hand, have fought for years to reduce 'payment processing' fees. If your business offers point of sale (POS) payment by Visa, Mastercard, Interac or other credit cards, getting informed on the pros and cons of these payment methods, and how best to handle payments received, makes good business sense.
Who are you Partnering with?
An organization - it is often said - is only as strong as its weakest member. For small business, this holds especially true, as the potential impact of a single partner (positive or negative) is high. To manage this risk, the first step is to fully understand: who are your partners?
Online tools for a shoestring budget
There are literally thousands of incredible web-based tools that have flooded the online marketplace over the past few years. Most of the hype tends to surround the most popular forms of social media, such as Facebook/Twitter/Youtube/Etc. You might be surprised to learn what lies 'beneath' these giants - and how many of these free online tools can play a role in your business.