Organization and Structure: Aids to Productivity for Small Business Owners
A small business owner recently complained about long hours and a hectic work schedule. “Nothing gets done without a decision from me,” he said in a manner that clearly indicated his frustration. The situation was, indeed, unmanageable. In a very brief time, the threat of loss of control emerged as numerous facets of operations awaited […]
Emergency Preparedness—Is Your Business Ready?
Blackouts, brownouts, tornados, hurricanes, ice storms, terrorist incidents… Each of these events can have a devastating effect on the way in which we live our lives and for the continuity of your business. Though preparation will not eliminate the stress or potential for injury or death, it can help mitigate the effects. And being prepared […]
When the Business Check Engine Light Comes On…
Most new start-up business owners generally face difficult challenges during their first five years in business. Research indicates that a majority of these business owners start their business without a well-defined business plan, inadequate working capital, and also a lack of managerial experience. Today, most small business owners are finding out the hard way that […]
Ten Truths that all Small Business Owners Should Know
Last week a new business owner asked me what ten things would I tell a family member who was starting a business. This was an intriguing question and one that I pondered. At first, I thought of the standard things such as write a business plan, know your break-even point, know your target market, etc. […]
Sustainability in Small Business
Whether it’s due to the floundering economy, flat housing market, or time of year, it seems that more small businesses than usual are in financial distress. Let’s face it, entrepreneurship is risky, and many don’t survive past the three year mark. But some are not only surviving, but thriving. So, what’s their secret? Other than […]
Profit Engineering for Small Businesses
Now that many businesses have ended their calendar year and are preparing for tax reporting, it is an excellent time to evaluate last year’s performance and define areas needing improvement. As the economy tends to drift along at a sluggish pace, most businesses need to sharpen planning skills and develop a strategy that will deliver […]
Juggling Small Business Growth
Everyone in business wants to grow, right? Except for hobby businesses, or those where the owner doesn’t have growth as a goal, the answer is usually “yes.” In the beginning, most business owners think only of survival, and rightly so. The popular press is full of studies touting the long odds against business survival, let […]
Support Georgia’s Small Businesses
The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) provides tools, training and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. UGA’s public service mission guides this team to work alongside Georgia’s business owners by offering services are either no-cost to the business owner or at a significantly reduced rate. UGA SBDC IMPACT With […]