With some positive signs in the economy, it’s time to think about revving up the engines and getting back into growth mode. An effective way to grow your business-–and stand out from your competition–is to deliver exceptional customer service. Small community banks, for example, have been emphasizing personalized service and customer relationships to effectively compete against their larger counterparts. Read More

Posted on Oct 24.09 by bbetips

Things are as bad at your company as you’ve ever seen them. You’re doing the work of three managers, yet you know your job could be eliminated tomorrow. What does your gut tell you to do? Bear down. Get deeply involved in your team’s work. Make sure every single member of your team is doing exactly the right thing. Let your bosses see how hard you’re working. Read More

Posted on Sep 17.09 by bbetips

Radio reaches more than 235 million persons age 12+ over the course of a typical week, according to the RADAR 102 National Radio Listening Report which releases 9/21. Since the December 2007 RADAR 95 report, the RADAR national radio listening estimates and network radio audience reports have been based on PPM respondents from within commercialized PPM markets and on diary respondents from the balance of the United States. The combination of PPM and diary respondents have shown more listeners to radio over the course of a week versus the 2007 RADAR listening reports which were based on diary respondents alone. Read More

Posted on Sep 17.09 by bbetips

How valuable is your website if it doesn’t generate new business for you? Today’s economy makes it more crucial than ever to maximize your business online. Most small business websites contain elements that make a site engaging to both visitors and the search engines (the two audiences you always want to keep in mind). However, there are dozens of mistakes that small business websites should avoid. If you can keep in mind these seven-sins, your web presence will be much more inviting and profitable. Read More

Posted on Sep 17.09 by bbetips

If you have skills on a particular topic that can help others, look at Teaching Sells (click here) as a way to share your passion and know-how (and make some of your own money at the same time).

From my understanding, Teaching Sells is limited to 500 participants for their online course that takes place twice-a-year. And they’re opening up for new members on Monday, August 24th.

Click here to watch their introductory video here on Monday morning.

Posted on Aug 22.09 by bbetips

Are you promoting your website address anywhere and everywhere you can? If your business name is spoken, written, or displayed anywhere, your web address should be the next piece of information that is seen or heard. And whenever possible, prominently. Some would argue sharing your website address is even more important today than your slogan or positioning statement. Take a look at the list and see if we missed any.

Posted on Aug 19.09 by bbetips

Apple is famous for its products, but shrewd marketing has been an essential component of the company’s success. Former Apple CEO John Sculley was not being entirely cynical with his famous observation that Apple was, first and foremost, a marketing company. While it’s fair to say that Apple’s engineers are the company’s foundation, it’s clear that without Apple’s marketing and public relations teams, its mythic aura would long since have vanished. Here’s how the company does it. Read more here.

Posted on Aug 18.09 by bbetips

First, you must decide what type of business entity you are going to establish. The type your business takes will determine which tax form you have to file. The most common types of business are the sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation and S corporation. Read all 7 here.

Posted on Aug 18.09 by bbetips

Owning or managing a small business website requires (unfortunately) that you know way too many terms, phrases, and acronyms. Here are five that every small business owner needs to know. Read More

Posted on Jul 20.09 by bbetips

If you want your advertising to resonate with prospective customers, it’s essential that you appeal to their emotions in some way. Fail to do this and you might as well be throwing money out the window. Effective ads sell your message, company, or product. They may or may not be creative, but if you can package some good creative in with a message that appeals to a strong need or want within your target audience, it will certainly help. Effective ads are convincing. They engage prospects as if you were speaking directly to them, and when you succeed in making this connection your prospective customer’s thoughts will become your brand itself. Read More

Posted on Jul 19.09 by bbetips