<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Small Business Resources: Starting, Planning, Management &#38; Growth &#187; Starting Small Business</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.smallbizskills.com/category/starting-small-business/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.smallbizskills.com</link>
	<description></description>
	<lastBuildDate>Sun, 28 Aug 2011 09:48:04 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1</generator>
		<item>
		<title>How to get Governemnt Grants</title>
		<link>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/how-to-get-governemnt-grants/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/how-to-get-governemnt-grants/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:10:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Starting Small Business]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smallbizskills.com/?p=220</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[None of these Government Grants require a credit check, collateral, security deposits or co-signers, you can apply even if you have a bankruptcy or bad credit, it doesn&#8217;t matter. Its Free Money Never Repay! Receive Government Small Business Grants for virtually any type of business. Whether it is to start a business or expand your [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>None of these Government Grants require a credit check, collateral, security deposits or co-signers, you can apply even if you have a bankruptcy or bad credit, it doesn&#8217;t matter. Its Free Money Never Repay!</p>
<p><span id="more-220"></span></p>
<p>Receive Government Small Business Grants for virtually any type of business. Whether it is to start a business or expand your existing business there is money for waiting just for you. The Federal government provides this money to help existing small business owners and those who want to start their own business change their lives and achieve financial independence.</p>
<p>The United States Government wants your Small Business to succeed and you will be amazed at the lengths they will go to help ensure your success. At Grant Seeker Pro™ we have designed a State of the art software program that will aid you in locating the perfect grant or grants for your small business!</p>
<p>Once you find the programs for Small Business Grants that fit your needs you can use the Grant Seeker Pro™ software program to complete the applications! Don&#8217;t forget to use your Grant Seeker Pro™ to complete your business plan also!</p>
<h2>Facts About Government Business Grants</h2>
<ul>
<li>Over 20 million people gets Government grants every year</li>
<li> Over 10 BILLION dollars for entrepreneurs in the form of Low Interest Small Business Loans.</li>
<li>4,000,000 people get money to invest in real estate!</li>
<li> Did you know that if every business in America were to apply for and receive an equal share of Government Small Business Grants that each and every business in this great country would receive a $70,000 free cash grant?</li>
<li> Did you know that H. Ross Perot has received Government Small Business Grants?</li>
<li>Did you know Paul Newman has received Business Grants.</li>
<li> Did you know Donald Trump has used Small Business Grants to fund many programs.</li>
<li> Most recently the airlines have received Billions in grants to make sure they stay afloat through these troubled times.</li>
</ul>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/how-to-get-governemnt-grants/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Grow Your B2B Small Business Without Marketing</title>
		<link>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/grow-your-b2b-small-business-without-marketing/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/grow-your-b2b-small-business-without-marketing/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:50:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Starting Small Business]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smallbizskills.com/?p=215</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you have a business-to-business small business, some of your clients inevitably will go out of business, get bought out, undergo management shake-ups, or just get seduced by a new vendor. You have to grow your business just to stay in business. But how? Undertake costly and time-consuming marketing and networking projects to get new [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you have a business-to-business small business, some of your clients inevitably will go out of business, get bought out, undergo management shake-ups, or just get seduced by a new vendor. You have to grow your business just to stay in business. But how?<span id="more-215"></span></p>
<ul>
<li>Undertake costly and time-consuming marketing and networking projects to get new clients to make up for the inevitable attrition.</li>
<li>Ask your existing clients to refer new clients. This is always a good idea, but it&#8217;s not the fastest or most reliable way to get new business. You could wait months to see results.</li>
<li>Don&#8217;t get new clients at all. Instead, expand your offerings to your existing clients.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Choosing Your New B2B Small Business Offering:</h2>
<p><strong>What to Look for</strong></p>
<p>Expanding your B2B offering might sound like a bit of a headache and that is a possibility. You have to select your expanded offering carefully. Here&#8217;s what to look for:</p>
<p><strong>Complements existing offering</strong></p>
<p>In case you&#8217;re tempted to branch out too far, keep these factors in mind:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Market</strong>. If your expanded offering complements your existing offering, your existing clients will provide a ready market.</li>
<li><strong>Credibility</strong>. &#8220;Jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none:&#8221; it&#8217;s a cliché, but people instinctively believe it. Which would you trust more: a shoemaker who also sells wristwatches or a shoemaker who also sells socks?</li>
<li><strong>Skills</strong>. You will inevitably need new skills for your new offering. This includes the softer skills of selling and servicing the offering. The fewer skills you have to acquire, the smoother your rollout will be.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Modest investment to start</strong></p>
<p>The only guaranteed way of minimizing your risk is to minimize your investment. Remember: investment doesn&#8217;t just mean money, but also your time and energy. Choose an expanded offering that won&#8217;t be all-consuming.<br />
<strong><br />
Strong existing demand</strong></p>
<p>Face it: your small business already has its hands full with its existing business. You can&#8217;t afford to break ground on something the world doesn&#8217;t know about yet. Look for an unfulfilled demand on the part of your existing client base.</p>
<p><strong>Hypothetical Case Study: B2B Service Expansion</strong></p>
<p>Lisa is a virtual assistant who has expanded from data entry to helping her clients organize their internal records. But offshore companies are taking away record-keeping clients just as they did with data entry. Getting new record-keeping clients would be an uphill battle against offshoring.</p>
<p><img id="smallDivTip" style="border: 1px solid blue; z-index: 90; opacity: 1; position: absolute; left: 77px; top: 426px;" src="chrome://dictionarytip/skin/book.png" alt="" /></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/grow-your-b2b-small-business-without-marketing/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Why a Small Business Needs a Budget</title>
		<link>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/why-a-small-business-needs-a-budget/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/why-a-small-business-needs-a-budget/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 18 Oct 2008 06:51:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Starting Small Business]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smallbizskills.com/?p=162</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8220;I only have a small business, I don&#8217;t need a budget.&#8221; &#8220;I don&#8217;t have enough money to account.&#8221; For many small business owners, the word &#8220;budget&#8221; is something for the bigger company &#8211; maybe they&#8217;ll have one when their business &#8220;grows up.&#8221; What is a Budget? The simple explanation is the budget is a design [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&#8220;I only have a small business, I don&#8217;t need a budget.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t have enough money to account.&#8221;</p>
<p>For many small business owners, the word &#8220;budget&#8221; is something for the bigger company &#8211; maybe they&#8217;ll have one when their business &#8220;grows up.&#8221;<span id="more-162"></span></p>
<h2>What is a Budget?</h2>
<p>The simple explanation is the budget is a design for how you will direct the economic property and all expenses for your trade. The principal equation that you want to demonstrate in a a budget is as follow:</p>
<p>(estimated )Sales minus (estimated) Expenses = Profit (or loss)</p>
<h2>How to create a Budget</h2>
<p>If this is your first time to work on a budget for your small business, you might work from the perspective of having to list cost of goods or services plus all of your operating expenses to start the process.</p>
<p>How much does it take to start your phone line? What is the rate of other utilities? How about the loss of the company vehicle, or what is the charge of transportation if you&#8217;re with your private vehicle to also help as a company vehicle. Do you hardship any supplies or catalog to direct your custom? How about any employee payroll, payroll taxes or independent outcome or check providers? Remember to embrace everything you waste money onto manage your topic even if you allocate some of the expenses to &#8220;nasty currency&#8221; expenses, such as parking or conduit tolls while traveling to see clients.</p>
<p>I recommend that you create annual budget, as opposed to a monthly budget, so you can identify any expenses that you may have that come up only once or twice a year such as insurance and include them in your list of expenses. This allows you to amortize or spread the cost of this out over several months so that you can plan ahead for the expense.</p>
<p>As you work on your lean of expenses keep in object that these are the expenses that are vital to drive your company. These should not be your &#8220;longing list&#8221; unless you want to plan in some expansion or cyst. You may want to conceive the finances with just the necessities and another type of your account with expansion expenses scheduled so that you can see the cost of both separately.</p>
<p>With a dollar figure to work with of your total expenses you are able to set the standard for or evaluate your sales figures. If you are new to your business you may need to use the dollar amount of your expenses to help you determine what your sales need to be in order to cover all costs and show a profit. If you have been in business for a while you can evaluate whether or not you are producing a profit by looking at historical sales figures.</p>
<p>As you conduct business during your budget year you should compare your actual income and spending with what you estimated. This will allow you to manage your spending so that you don&#8217;t over spend and cut into or eliminate your profits. You will also be able to see if sales have met expectations in order to cover expenses and still remain profitable.</p>
<h2>Who should Budget?</h2>
<p>Every small business owner should budget, no matter the size of business. I have heard some small business owners say their business is too small to budget, but that is not true. If you don&#8217;t have a written plan for what your financial obligations are and how your revenue will cover those obligations and leave some money unspent, then your business will never grow. In fact, you may out-spend your revenue and put yourself out of business.</p>
<h2>Why Budget?</h2>
<p>Budgeting for your small business gives you control over your finances. By looking ahead to what you know or can reasonably estimate what your expenses will be, you can then make financial decisions that will keep you from over-spending, or give you the freedom to invest in the growth of your business.</p>
<h2>When Budget?</h2>
<p>Every small business owner should have a budget to start their business and then review it annually. I recommend that small business owners review their budget several months before the end of their fiscal year. When I say review the budget I&#8217;m talking about comparing projected budget with actual. In the comparison you can see if your estimates were realistic. You and your CPA can also plan for last minute tax strategies, or plan to implement strategies in the up coming year&#8217;s budget.</p>
<h2>The Goal in Budgeting</h2>
<p>Remember, the goal of having a budget is to stay in control of your finances in advance. Setting the standard for your spending and revenue and having a tool to compare with actual will give you the control that you need to stay profitable. At the very least it will give you an indication of whether or not your business is actually profitable and not just busy.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/why-a-small-business-needs-a-budget/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Get a Small Business Loan even with Poor Credit</title>
		<link>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/get-a-small-business-loan-even-with-poor-credit/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/get-a-small-business-loan-even-with-poor-credit/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:33:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Starting Small Business]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smallbizskills.com/?p=158</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The SBA Loan Book, 2nd Edition provides you with step-by-step instructions on how to maneuver through the complex maze of eligibility, qualification, and approval needed to get SBA financing. This edition includes the most up-to-date information on policy changes including Revision E, the 504 program, the SBA Express program. The SBA Loan Book, 2nd Edition [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/SBA-Loan-Book-Loan-even-Collateral/dp/1593372892%3FSubscriptionId%3D1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02%26tag%3Dsmallbizskill-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D1593372892" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HHCXCTKAL._SL75_.jpg" alt="The SBA Loan Book: Get A Small Business Loan--even With Poor Credit, Weak Collateral, And No Experience (Sba Loan Book)" width="66" height="75" /></a> The SBA Loan Book, 2nd Edition provides you with step-by-step instructions on how to maneuver through the complex maze of eligibility, qualification, and approval needed to get SBA financing. This edition includes the most up-to-date information on policy changes including Revision E, the 504 program, the SBA Express program. The SBA Loan Book, 2nd Edition give you answers to your most important questions, including how to:<span id="more-158"></span></p>
<ul>
<li>Increase your chances of getting a loan</li>
<li> Fill out a loan application</li>
<li> Present yourself to lenders</li>
<li> Consider your options for SBA-guaranteed loans</li>
<li> Close your loan fast</li>
</ul>
<p>In addition, you&#8217;ll learn how to appeal a lender&#8217;s denial, as well as how to approach a loan request if you&#8217;ve previously filed bankruptcy. The SBA Loan Book, 2nd Edition also includes the latest resources and forms.</p>
<p><strong>About the Author</strong><br />
Charles H. Green is a vice president with Sunrise Bank, one of the leading SBA lending bank in the nation. He has appeared on CNN, CNBC, and Bloomberg Business News.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/SBA-Loan-Book-Loan-even-Collateral/dp/1593372892%3FSubscriptionId%3D1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02%26tag%3Dsmallbizskill-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D1593372892" target="_blank">Find out more how to get a small business loan with poor credit and no experience</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/get-a-small-business-loan-even-with-poor-credit/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Guide to Set Up Your Own Online Business &#8211; Free Download</title>
		<link>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/guide-to-set-up-your-own-online-business/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/guide-to-set-up-your-own-online-business/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 28 Sep 2008 08:55:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Free eBooks & Software]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting Small Business]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://small-business/?p=117</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[More and more people toda have become dissatisfied with their jobs and their pension provisions. So the interest in starting an online business has begun to increase. Yet many who look at such a project find it difficult to know where to start because of the mountain of information available on the subject. This book [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/creating-online-business.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-125" title="creating-online-business" src="/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/creating-online-business.jpg" alt="Set up your own online business" /></a> More and more people toda have become dissatisfied with their jobs and their pension provisions.  So the interest in starting an online business has begun to increase.  Yet many who look at such a project find it difficult to know where to start because of the mountain of information available on the subject.</p>
<p><span id="more-117"></span></p>
<p>This book will help you to wade through the mountain of information available. This will, in turn, help you  to decide on what is the right sort of online business for you.</p>
<p>One of the first things that you should bear in mind when setting up an online business of any sort, is that you must treat it as just that &#8211; a business. This means that you must be prepared to put in the time and effort in order to reap the rewards, even if you are only starting it a part time venture at first.</p>
<p>Next, you must be prepared to invest some money into it.</p>
<p>The best way of starting an online business is to do it in an area that you are knowledgeable or passionate about.</p>
<p>This will help you to focus your attention, as well as help to creat a small income more quickly. But over a period of time, you will soon develop new skills, and through persistence and patience, you will soon see some very good results appear.</p>
<p><a href="/wp-content/resources/setup-online-business.pdf"><img src="/wp-content/themes/studiopress/images/free-download.jpg" alt="Free Download Guide to set up your own Small Business" /></a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/guide-to-set-up-your-own-online-business/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Launching Your Business &#8211; 5 DVD Bundle</title>
		<link>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/starting-your-small-business-dvd-bundle/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/starting-your-small-business-dvd-bundle/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 28 Sep 2008 06:06:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Free eBooks & Software]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting Small Business]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://small-business/?p=101</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[These are the things you need to do as you begin your launch, hire your team, develop your product and begin sales and operations. This includes the following DVDs: Entrepreneurial and Intrapreneurial Marketing: Entering new markets successfully for entrepreneurial companies and small businesses (Includes bonus Branding video) A Superior Product Development System for Startups: Getting [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/Launching-Your-Business-DVD-Bundle/dp/B0007NLUOU%3FSubscriptionId%3D1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02%26tag%3Dsmallbizskill-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0007NLUOU" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MHG1HFSEL._SL75_.jpg" alt="Launching Your Business - 5 DVD Bundle" width="40" height="75" /></a> These are the things you need to do as you begin your launch, hire your team, develop your product and begin sales and operations. This includes the following DVDs:<span id="more-101"></span></p>
<ol>
<li>Entrepreneurial and Intrapreneurial Marketing: Entering new markets successfully for entrepreneurial companies and small businesses (Includes bonus Branding video)</li>
<li> A Superior Product Development System for Startups: Getting products out much faster and cheaper using proven Skunkworks strategies.</li>
<li> Managing the Sales Process for Startup and Small Businesses: A system for superior results using a direct sales force.</li>
<li> How To Hire Sales Winners for Startup and Small Business.</li>
</ol>
<p>More information about <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/Launching-Your-Business-DVD-Bundle/dp/B0007NLUOU%3FSubscriptionId%3D1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02%26tag%3Dsmallbizskill-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0007NLUOU" target="_blank">Launching Your Business &#8211; 5 DVD Bundle</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/starting-your-small-business-dvd-bundle/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>First Step to Run Your Own Small Business</title>
		<link>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/first-step-to-run-your-own-small-business/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/first-step-to-run-your-own-small-business/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 May 2008 13:05:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Starting Small Business]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://small-business/?p=20</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[You’ve been dreaming about what it would be like to start your own small business. It has been on your mind since you were in school. But you don’t have the first clue how to get started, and of course, you’re afraid that you would put your heart and soul into it, only to fail [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You’ve been dreaming about what it would be like to start your own small business. It has been on your mind since you were in school. But you don’t have the first clue how to get started, and of course, you’re afraid that you would put your heart and soul into it, only to fail and look like a fool.</p>
<p><span id="more-20"></span></p>
<p>But, anything is possible! The only limitations we have are the ones we put on ourselves! With planning and learning the steps, and doing your homework, if this is something you really want to do, you can do it, AND succeed greatly at it, too!</p>
<p>Okay, so now you’re ready to take the next step! First, in order to help you focus, I recommend that people start working on the business plan. To find out why is necessary, please see <a href="/small-business-planning/why-is-a-business-planning-system-important/">why the business planning system is important</a>.</p>
<p>The <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.sba.gov">Small Business Association</a> has invaluable resources on their website. This was the route I took. I started working on my business plan. It helped me determine exactly who I was, what I offered, why, who my ideal client was, who my target market was (at that time), who my competition was, where I would offer my services, how I would offer them, and so on.</p>
<p>I now use a 3-page business plan for clients who don’t plan to look for outside funding. Regardless of the type of business plan, it will help answer many hard questions for you.</p>
<p>There are resources specific to most specific fields, too, including other professionals who help others get started. Do your research to see who you can contact for support and to ask questions of as you progress. Once you have your business plan in place, it’s not time to celebrate, yet! How are you going to accomplish the goals you have come up with in that plan? You next need a marketing plan. Now, although the marketing plan is also part of a business plan, it’s really just the intro! The marketing plan will become your template, your schedule, and will spell out the actions you will take to make those goals reality. If you use it seriously, it will be your day-to-day guide to making your dreams come true!</p>
<p>By Marjorie Geiser</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/first-step-to-run-your-own-small-business/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Five Steps to Starting a Small Business</title>
		<link>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/five-steps-to-starting-a-small-business/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/five-steps-to-starting-a-small-business/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 12 May 2008 23:19:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Starting Small Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[small business startup]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://small-business/?p=23</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Starting the business can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be very time-consuming and demanding. Many funds are available to help you, but information overload can produce you from moving forward. Keeping it minimal is regularly the best way of maintaining the momentum essential to get your sphere ongoing. There are five steps [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Starting the business can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be very time-consuming and demanding. Many funds are available to help you, but information overload can produce you from moving forward.</p>
<p><span id="more-23"></span></p>
<p>Keeping it minimal is regularly the best way of maintaining the momentum essential to get your sphere ongoing. There are five steps to guarantee sensation.</p>
<ol>
<li>Name your business</li>
<li>Get licenses and permits</li>
<li>Obtain an insurance</li>
<li>Recognize business taxes</li>
<li>Hire employees if necessary</li>
</ol>
<h2>1. Name your business</h2>
<p>The first step toward getting your business going is deciding on a name. When selecting a name, try to make the name short, easy to remember, descriptive of the business, and capable of drawing attention. First you&#8217;ll need to decide which business structure you will use, and there are specific rules and requirements for each of business types &#8211; sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations. Find out more about <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.toolkit.com/small_business_guide/sbg.aspx?nid=P01_4800">how business structure affects your business name</a>.</p>
<p>Any name that you do business under other than your own given name is called a &#8220;fictitious&#8221; or &#8220;assumed&#8221; name, and certain steps need to be taken in order for you to do business under that fictitious or assumed name.</p>
<p>Depending on where you live, different government agencies track which names are available. Look in your local phone directory, under government agencies to find the number, or contact your <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.statelocalgov.net/50states-secretary-state.cfm">local Secretary of State</a>.</p>
<p>Definityly, you can only choose the business name that is not already registered. If the name you want is available, you may need to file a fictitious or assumed name certificate with the state or local fictitious name office. Some areas will also require you to publish a notice in the local paper about your new assumed name. Both state and federal law regulates the use of names and &#8220;trademarks&#8221;.</p>
<p>To avoid conflicts with other businesses regionally or nationally using your business&#8217;s name, or the names of your products, you may want to consider registering your trademark through <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.statelocalgov.net/50states-secretary-state.cfm">Secretary of state offices</a>.</p>
<h2>2. Get licneses and permits</h2>
<p>Different areas have differing licensing and permit requirements depending on the type of business you are going into. Most businesses that require a license will have a local licensing authority that can guide you through the process.</p>
<p>Find out the licensing requirements on federal, state, and possibly even local levels for your type of business and get licensed. Failure to be properly licensed could result in penalties such as fines, closure of your business, and imprisonment in some cases.</p>
<h2>3. Obtain an insurance</h2>
<p>When things are going smoothly, insurance can seem an unduly burdensome expense on a small business. But when things go wrong, whether or not you have insurance can mean whether or not you and your<br />
business survive a catastrophic event like a lawsuit, fire, or natural disaster.</p>
<p><strong>Liability insurance</strong> protects you against liability in the event of injury to others or damage to other persons property. Liability insurers most often have two duties:</p>
<p>1. The duty to defend you. Hire a lawyer, if you get sued and</p>
<p>2. the duty to indemnify you. Pay for damage or injury to others. Both duties are extremely important, but the first is often overlooked by small businesses.</p>
<p>The cost of defending a lawsuit can easily run into the tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars even if you win. That&#8217;s why being careful is no substitute for liability insurance.</p>
<p>Make sure you have adequate coverage for your vehicles and those of your employees when used for business purposes. You can be sued and held liable for injury or damage done by your employees if it is within the course and scope of their employment.</p>
<p><strong>Property and theft insurance</strong> may be an important consideration, as well as product liability or service<br />
liability insurance. This is often called &#8220;errors and omissions&#8221; coverage.</p>
<h2>4. Recognize business taxes</h2>
<p>Depending on the structure of your business, you need to understand and recognize what taxes you must pay and how you pay them. Sole proprietors need to be conscious of local, state and federal taxes and registration requirements relating to their businesses.</p>
<p>Hiring an accountant or bookkeeper to help set up a simple accounting system, or using a software package is a good place to start.</p>
<p>Hiring a tax professional knowledgeable about local and state taxes relating to your business, or contacting the local tax authorities before you begin generating revenue or expending money can help you stay organized and be ready for tax time.</p>
<p>Additionally, the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.irs.gov">IRS</a> offers resources how you should manage your taxes based on 4 general type of business taxes &#8211; <strong>Income Tax</strong>, <strong>Self-employment tax</strong>, <strong>Employment taxes </strong>and <strong>Excise tax</strong>.</p>
<p>For entrepreneurs starting a small business in various publications, you can find out more about business taxes via IRS website.</p>
<ul>
<li><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/index.html">Publication 334 (2007), entitled &#8220;Tax Guide for Small Business&#8221;</a></li>
<li><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p583/index.html">Publication 583, entitled &#8220;Starting a Business and Keeping Records&#8221;</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>5. Hire employees if necessary</h2>
<p>The fifth step is hiring employees (if needed). Though many small business people start out running their own shop, success will often bring the need for expansion. When an employee is added, you must obtain an Employer Identification Number from the IRS. Download <a href="http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf">Form SS-4 Application for Employer Identification Number</a>.</p>
<p>In the United States, the Workers Compensation scheme does a lot to protect employers from lawsuits by employees injured on the job, while also providing employees with easier compensation for workplace injuries. Be sure to talk to your insurance broker about workers&#8217; compensation insurance.</p>
<p>Talk to your tax adviser, and make sure you register with your state for payment of unemployment compensation taxes.</p>
<p>Download <a href="http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4.pdf">Form W-4 Employee&#8217;s Withholding Allowance Certificate</a> from the IRS web site to take care of employee withholdings. You should get copies of INS Form I-9 to verify your employees&#8217; eligibility for employment in the United States.</p>
<p>Finally, issues regarding wrongful termination, discrimination, workplace harassment, and other legal issues have come to the forefront in today&#8217;s business environment. Make sure you have an employment agreement<br />
that spells out whether your employee is &#8220;at-will&#8221;. ex: can be let go at any time without cause, or the terms of the employee&#8217;s contract for employment.</p>
<p>Sometimes, hiring independent contractors is often a good way to avoid the administrative burdens of hiring employees, but be precautious. There are many pitfalls to hiring an independent contractor, talk to a lawyer and your tax advisor about who is an employee versus a contractor.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/five-steps-to-starting-a-small-business/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>7 Steps to Set Up Your Business Goal for Success</title>
		<link>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/7-steps-to-set-up-your-business-goal-for-success/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/7-steps-to-set-up-your-business-goal-for-success/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2008 02:11:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Starting Small Business]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://small-business/?p=52</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[How many times have your decided to set a goal for your business and set it aside because the task seemed too huge or difficult to begin? When setting your business goals it is interesting to see that the thought process is no different than personal goal setting. Here are 7 steps that will help [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>How many times have your decided to set a goal for your business and set it aside because the task seemed too huge or difficult to begin? When setting your business goals it is interesting to see that the thought process is no different than personal goal setting.</p>
<p><span id="more-52"></span></p>
<p><strong>Here are 7 steps that will help your business achieve the goals you are setting for it.</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Think about the goal you want to set for business</li>
<li>Write the goal down as soon as you visualize it. Writing the goal on paper for posting on a wall or desk where you may review it daily is very important.</li>
<li>As you develop and write your goal, make room for changes and put it on a type paper that can be easily updated as needed. This just means you will need to be ready to revise and change the written procedures as you move forward with the implementation of your goal. Change is inevitable a necessity of life.</li>
<li>Start taking the steps neccessary to implement your goal.</li>
<li>Be sure to write down the date you want the goal to be completed! Also write down the time and day of the week you will start working toward the goal!</li>
<li>Begin reflecting on how you are doing working towards you business goal. You can always make adjustments as needed.</li>
<li>Develop an attitude of I will do whatever it takes. Too many business owners set goals and then give up do to laziness or they just get to busy to follow thru.</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>Business goal setting</strong> is a long term process and you are going to have to work at it to make it happen. It&#8217;s your business so you determine the success and failure. Business goal setting is one step that will help you fall into the success category.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.smallbizskills.com/starting-small-business/7-steps-to-set-up-your-business-goal-for-success/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

