The Small Business Blog
SEPTEMBER 21, 2012
My company WinWeb has struck a new partnership with Xenca, the fast growing providers of wellbeing products. They have chosen us as their cloud partner for the new Xenca CloudApp which is available now for all 600 of their members to access for free!
Office Organization Success
SEPTEMBER 15, 2012
Business owner’s To Do lists are endless … I mean there is so much to do all the time that it feels like a never-ending cycle of To Do lists! And they can spend all day being “busy” but at the end of the day never feel like they’ve accomplished anything…. … they still don’t have a full practice of ideal clients. … their marketing systems are hit-or-miss. … they do not have consistent cash flow.
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Stephanie LH Calahan
SEPTEMBER 12, 2012
I have been talking with people about social media a lot lately. There is a lot of confusion and frustration about what to do and what not to do when it comes to social media. Recently, I participated in Michele Price's #SpeakChat on Twitter. The topic was on the social media mistakes that speakers make. While Michele focuses on speakers in her chat, the tips she shared are excellent for many other industries.
Small Business Labs
SEPTEMBER 25, 2012
We attended the Global Workspace Association (GWA) annual conference last week in Baltimore. The GWA is a trade association for members of the workspace-as-a-service industry. Their members are folks from business centers, coworking facilities, executive suites, mobile workforce service providers and other vendors who serve this industry. The conference sessions were excellent and very informative. But even better was the interaction at breaks.
Speaker: Chester Santos
Forgetfulness is costing you time, money, and a ton of missed opportunities. In the age of automation, it’s easy to underestimate the power of a well-trained human mind. But memory isn’t just a parlor trick, it's a strategic edge. Human memory is one of the most underrated business skills. Whether you’re managing people, leading sessions, or having high-stakes conversations, remembering names, details, and concepts can be transformative in building trust, absorbing knowledge, and driving perform
Practically Perfect PA
SEPTEMBER 5, 2012
[Show as slideshow]. Like a lot of us these days I am glued to my iPhone. Over the last year I’ve had it stolen … twice! Both times I’ve replaced my phone as quickly as is humanly possible because I am just lost without it (sometimes I am literally lost without it thanks to my dependence on Google maps to get me about London!). I use my iPhone every day and I’ve found there are loads of apps which are really helpful for assistants and their managers, most of which probably have either an iPhone
Eco-Office Gals
SEPTEMBER 2, 2012
Happy Labor Day! We’re supposed to take the day off, we’re not supposed to labor, right? Not going to happen at Eco-Office Gals, I always work – it’s a bad habit. However, Labor Day is all about the sales, I can do that at least. I was reading Top 10 WordPress Security Myths on ProBlogger, I have heard my clients use every one of these excuses: WordPress is not secure.
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Ian's Messy Desk
SEPTEMBER 3, 2012
Starting tomorrow, students in Canada will change from a relaxed summer schedule to the structured program of school and other activities. The key to success in achieving your academic goals is good organization and time management. As you head back to school, here are a series of tips that can help students get organized: Improve your work habits. In class.
Stephanie LH Calahan
SEPTEMBER 14, 2012
I was on the phone the other day with one of my private clients and we were talking about her social media strategy. She tells me: " I just don't know what to say! I barely have enough time to create my webinars and blog posts. Twitter , Facebook , LinkedIn , Quora and the list goes on and on! How do I make up unique content for each platform?
Small Business Labs
SEPTEMBER 18, 2012
One of the most interesting shifts we've seen since we started researching small businesses is the change in view of small businesses as a target market. A decade ago relatively few firms - large or small - considered small businesses a key target market. Today, lots of firms do. This fact was highlighted in a letter sent to the management team of Office Depot by the Hedge Fund Starboard. They recently bought 13% of Office Depot's stock and are pushing the company to restr
Practically Perfect PA
SEPTEMBER 5, 2012
[Show as slideshow]. Like a lot of us these days I am glued to my iPhone. Over the last year I’ve had it stolen … twice! Both times I’ve replaced my phone as quickly as is humanly possible because I am just lost without it (sometimes I am literally lost without it thanks to my dependence on Google maps to get me about London!). I use my iPhone every day and I’ve found there are loads of apps which are really helpful for assistants and their managers, most of which probably have either an iPhone
Speaker: Frank Taliano
Documents are the backbone of enterprise operations, but they are also a common source of inefficiency. From buried insights to manual handoffs, document-based workflows can quietly stall decision-making and drain resources. For large, complex organizations, legacy systems and siloed processes create friction that AI is uniquely positioned to resolve.
Eco-Office Gals
SEPTEMBER 3, 2012
Many businesses hesitate to adopt green practices because they fear it will damage their bottom line and negatively impact profits. But the reality is that customers quite often scrutinize companies that they know do not actively make an effort to save the environment. For example, several years ago a leaked McKinsey and Co. study showed that nearly 10 percent of Wal-Mart customers stopped shopping there because of the company’s poor reputation (including its commitment to the environment).
The Small Business Blog
SEPTEMBER 7, 2012
Top 5 Tips posts from the SME Blog are always full of hints and tips for small, home & micro business owners. 1. Try not to overlook how important it is for you to maintain a positive reputation for your business online.
Eat Your Career
SEPTEMBER 13, 2012
When I was in fourth grade, my best friend and I were really “into” day planners. We meticulously noted our homework, our special activities (like trips to the mall) and anything else we found relevant in our young lives. Every once in a while, we would play a game. I’d take her planner, and she’d take mine. We’d casually turn to different pages, pick a random day, and put a star on that day.
Stephanie LH Calahan
SEPTEMBER 7, 2012
Do you "understand" or do you "over-stand"? Your perspective on the situation can make all the difference in the world. ~Stephanie LH Calahan. That is a statement I share all of the time on my social media channels. I receive really interesting comments when I do. But, did you know that this one concept can make or break your conversations with prospects and clients?
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Small Business Labs
SEPTEMBER 11, 2012
In 2008 Intuit released The New Artisan Economy , which covered a combination of economic trends and changes that were resulting in the re-emergence of artisans as an economic force. We partnered with Intuit and the Institute for the Future on this report. A recent article in Canada's National Post on the artisan economy reviewed and updated these trends. Key quote from the article: If you think of artisans as the producers of handcrafted furniture and one-of-a-kind jew
Practically Perfect PA
SEPTEMBER 14, 2012
Pin It. As we all know being an assistant means that our super organised skills are second to none. Fact! We are the most organised profession there is available to the working world and our skills can be transferable to many different tasks, including managing an event from start to finish. Like most assistants I’ve organised quite a few in my time and have felt quite comfortable managing all aspects of the event, for example I know how to arrange a conference room, I know which AV equipment to
Eco-Office Gals
SEPTEMBER 28, 2012
Yesterday was pure misery, I was hacked at 4:30am by some you-know-what in Italy. I did the cardinal sin – I didn’t do my upgrades! POW! BUB was found ! I know I know, but it wasn’t my regular site, it was my host reseller management platform, I’m not on there often and we’re not all perfect. {hang head in shame}. My trusty HostGator was right on it and had me back online, but it was a bit of a mess.
The Small Business Blog
SEPTEMBER 11, 2012
Unlocking the handcuffs No, I’m not talking about the bondage scenes in ’50 Sheds du Lait’ my latest, erotic fantasy novel. My next book is about a billionaire dairy farmer hooked on gorgonzola and addicted to early morning visits to the ‘Beyond the Pail Room’ with a trainee yoghurt maker.
Speaker: Jennifer Hill
Payroll compliance is a cornerstone of business success, yet for small and midsize businesses, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of federal, state, and local regulations. Mistakes can lead to costly penalties and operational disruptions, making it essential to adopt advanced solutions that ensure accuracy and efficiency.
Office Dynamics
SEPTEMBER 25, 2012
Tonight we gathered at the Cherry Nightclub Pool area at Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa in beautiful sunny Las Vegas for the welcome reception kicking off Office Dynamic International’s 19th Annual Conference for Administrative Excellence. The most complimentary expressions and words scarcely can describe the incredible event that took place. Administrative assistants and executive assistants, gathered from across the nation, were met at the entrance to the poolside bash by two Las Vegas show girl
Stephanie LH Calahan
SEPTEMBER 24, 2012
Recently, I shared some of my favorite tips on how to eliminate writer's block in my post: Writer's Block Stinks ! Based on all of the shares, tweets and messages I received, I can tell that there are a lot of people that are feeling stuck creating content! I have also heard from clients that would like to try some new things on their blog, but don't know how to introduce it to their audience.
Small Business Labs
SEPTEMBER 24, 2012
Franchising is the Rodney Dangerfield of the business world - no respect. We're guilty of this here at Small Business Labs. We don't follow, study or report on franchising as much as it deserves. I was reminded of this while reading CNBC's Hidden Small Businesses: The Case for Franchising Growth. The key quote is on the size of the franchising industry: There are more than 825,000 franchise establishments across 300 business lines, which employ nearly 18 million
Practically Perfect PA
SEPTEMBER 19, 2012
Pin It. Over the last few weeks I’ve been writing about the wonderful world of events. Firstly I put a little infographic together on various seating arrangements and then I shared some top tips on how to negotiate with a venue. This week I’ll be looking at the venue itself, specifically how to conduct an on-site visit and what questions you should be considering when choosing a venue.
Speaker: Tim Buteyn, President of ThinkingKap Learning Solutions
Join this brand new webinar with Tim Buteyn to learn how you can master the art of remote onboarding! By the end of this session, you'll understand how to: Craft a Tailored Onboarding Checklist 📝 Develop a comprehensive, customized checklist that ensures every new hire has a smooth transition into your company, no matter where they are in the world.
Tips From T. Marie
SEPTEMBER 6, 2012
I was reading a Forbes article on turning American women entrepreneurs into power brokers yesterday and the question asked at the end stuck with me. The author asked: “What’s your solution to creating more American-born women entrepreneur role models?”. She suggested starting with girls via the Girl Scouts , and while I agree we need to reach girls early to empower them, I felt that answer left out those of us that are well past being called a ‘girl’ Does that mean those
The Small Business Blog
SEPTEMBER 29, 2012
Be disruptive not desperate ‘I’ll do it’ That’s the response you get from Tony Robinson OBE’s answer-phone. It doesn’t surprise me that he’s desperate for work – he can’t do anything. As a literary agent, to yours truly, he’s been as successful as my goldfish.
Office Dynamics
SEPTEMBER 27, 2012
Lisa compared integrity to pantyhose. The feet on a new pair open on one side, but they were not ripped. Both sides were open. Turns out, the heel and toes are both open on purpose. It changed her entire outfit! She discussed “aldesko” which means eating lunch while seated at your work station. Root word: soundness, validity, wholeness. Lisa says it is more than that: it’s a bridge between character and conduct.
Stephanie LH Calahan
SEPTEMBER 5, 2012
Over the years, I've found a number of tools and services that I've incorporated into my business that really help me get my message "out there" and run my. business more effectively. I use a lot of audio in my business and I'm often asked what some of my favorite tools are. Today, I'll tell you about a secret weapon that I've been using for years and how it could benefit your business!
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Small Business Labs
SEPTEMBER 12, 2012
About 5 years ago we quit using the term "work/life balance" in our work and starting using "work/life flexibility" instead. We did this because almost everyone we interviewed described balance as having a flexible work schedule. Today it seems it's all about flexibility. A recent survey by Mom Corps as reported by Business News Daily found that nearly half of the repondents would give up an average of nearly 10 percent of their salary for a more flexible work
Practically Perfect PA
SEPTEMBER 14, 2012
Pin It. As we all know being an assistant means that our super organised skills are second to none. Fact! We are the most organised profession there is available to the working world and our skills can be transferable to many different tasks, including managing an event from start to finish. Like most assistants I’ve organised quite a few in my time and have felt quite comfortable managing all aspects of the event, for example I know how to arrange a conference room, I know which AV equipment to
Virtual Moxie
SEPTEMBER 19, 2012
Focus on what you want, and what you hope for. Walk toward that. Keep your eyes on that. Make every action about that. And trust that which matters—which will never be your fears.
The Small Business Blog
SEPTEMBER 25, 2012
Top 5 Tips posts from the SME Blog are always full of hints and tips for small, home & micro business owners. 1.
Speaker: Chandra McCormack, CPA, MBA, NACD.DC
Technical degrees might open doors—but it’s the soft skills that keep them open. In the face of disruption, evolving workplace dynamics, and rising expectations of leadership, soft skills like communication, emotional intelligence, and presence have become core business essentials—not nice-to-haves. Inspired by stories from her father coupled with her own career journey, seasoned executive Chandra McCormack breaks down how to lead with impact, connect with purpose, and cultivate a workplace cult
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