Small Biz Ahead | Small Business | Starting a Business

At first glance, a competitive vacation package might seem like one of the most reasonable benefits you could offer your employees. After all, everyone deserves an occasional break now and then. However, what should you do when a staff member decides to take advantage of your business’s generous vacation policy and decides to use all of their paid vacation days upfront? In episode #148, Gene Marks and Elizabeth Larkin discuss how you as a small business owner should respond to an employee’s request for substantial time off.

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When it comes to networking, open communication is the key to fostering strong relationships and building a solid customer base. But, what happens when your target audience consists primarily of high level decision makers who have an entourage of gatekeepers to screen their messages? As daunting as it may seem, there are several approaches that a small business owner can use to cut through all the red tape and speak directly to their potential customer.

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Are you concerned about the security of your shared business documents? You’re not alone. From hackers to data breaches, the internet can seem like a scary place for small business owners who need to share confidential information on a daily basis. Still, while it is impossible to prevent every potential security threat, there are several steps that you as a business owner can take to ensure the protection of your shared files when communicating with your clients and vendors.

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Does your small business require customers to meet a certain purchase minimum before they can pay with their credit cards? While this idea might seem like a practical way to offset the additional costs of credit card fees, it can actually have the opposite effect and cause you to lose a lot of business. In episode #143, Gene Marks and Elizabeth Larkin discuss the negative impact of setting a price minimum on credit card purchases as well as more effective payment policies.

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Are you trying to find a more affordable alternative to your business’s existing health plan? As the price of health insurance continues to rise, association health plans offer small business owners the opportunity to provide their employees with quality healthcare benefits at discounted premiums. So, what does a small business need to do in order to qualify for one of these plans? Gene Marks and Elizabeth Larkin explain the process of applying for an association health plan.

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With the ever-mounting costs of running a startup, many small business owners find it difficult to justify the additional expenses of attending an industry conference, particularly when they have more pressing matters to attend to at the office. Still, despite the extra time and money involved, conferences provide business owners with an invaluable opportunity to understand their industry on a larger scale and network with professionals who could ultimately help their business grow. In episode #140, Gene Marks and Elizabeth Larkin offer an extensive look at how small business owners can benefit from attending a conference.

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Are you ready to join the “brick and click” movement? For many years, the primary question among retail businesses has been whether to open a physical storefront or market themselves as a strictly online brand. Recently, however, it has become increasingly evident that small businesses need to offer both in-store and web based services if they hope to thrive in today’s competitive market. In episode # 139, Gene Marks and Elizabeth Larkin discuss the advantages of expanding your small business into a “brick and click.”

Executive Summary

1:04—The term “Brick and Click” refers to businesses that have a traditional physical storefront as well as an online presence.

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At first glance, offering an unlimited vacation policy may seem like an obvious way to attract and satisfy the employees of your small business. Recently, however, studies have proven that this level of freedom can actually increase anxiety among staff members and negatively impact their performance at work. So, how do small business owners find a suitable vacation plan for their employees? In episode #136, Gene Marks and Elizabeth Larkin discuss the pros and cons of various vacation and paid time off policies.

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Like many small business owners, you are probably already aware of the financial advantages associated with utilizing one of the government’s basic tax incentives. However, did you know that there are also specific tax incentives that will reward you for helping your employees? In episode # 135, Gene Marks and Elizabeth Larkin discuss three tax incentives that will not only earn you additional deductibles, but will provide your employees with competitive benefits as well.

Executive Summary

2:07—Today’s Topic: Which Tax Incentives will Enable Me to Offer Employee Benefits?

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With their ever growing popularity, social media platforms have undoubtedly become the most effective way for small business owners to grow their client base. But, as simple as it is to post an ad on these sites, there are several pitfalls that you will need to avoid in order to make the most of these new mediums. In episode #134, Gene Marks and Elizabeth Larkin along with special guest, Hannah Stacy discuss four common advertising mistakes that can negatively impact your social media presence.

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