Tag Archives: small business advice

How to Go Virtual with Your Bookkeeping Services (And Keep Your Clients Happy)

  By Linda Hunt | February 27, 2012 - 6:31 am | Bookkeeping, Virtual Bookkeeping
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Business owners like to see the bookkeeper working onsite. It’s what they’re used to and it makes them feel comfortable to see you face-to-face. When they see you doing the work, it builds trust at the beginning of a new relationship. However, it’s hard for the freelance bookkeeper to be profitable providing onsite services and it can be a real time killer. For starters, it limits what you can earn. If you desire to grow your business to the point where you’re not doing everything and you have staff people to help, onsite services can be challenging. You have to … Continue reading →

CASE STUDY: A Coffee Ship with a Kick Part 1–A Job Well Done

  By E.T. Barton | February 14, 2012 - 11:04 pm | Case Studies, Getting Customers, Small Business Advice, Spotlights
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In previous case studies, I said that I wouldn’t call out the name of any businesses that I named in my Case Studies.  I said that because I do not wish to inadvertently harm any businesses that I discussed.  I am about to break that rule, however… but for a reason.  I am naming this business because I think they are doing so much right, they deserve the accolades.  However, no matter what business you are in, there is always room for improvement.  So today, I will name this business, point out everything they are doing right, and then make … Continue reading →

The New American-Style Customer Service

  By E.T. Barton | January 31, 2012 - 10:43 pm | Getting Customers, Small Business Advice
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As I’ve begun my year-long journey around the world, my mind has transitioned from constant worker to constant customer. Yet at the same time, my researcher’s brain has shifted into high gear. Every town and attraction I’ve visited, I have analyzed, weighed and compared that location to “what we do back home.” Because I’ve done market research for so many years, I can’t help but notice what these attractions are doing wrong, what they are doing right, and what they could be doing better. Through all of this constant analysis, there is one themed-thought that has been uppermost in mind. … Continue reading →

Growing Your Business in a Screwed Up Economy

  By E.T. Barton | January 24, 2012 - 10:35 pm | Decreasing Expenses, Getting Customers, Increasing Profits, Small Business Advice
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I don’t know about you, but I am SOOOOO tired of hearing about the screwed up economy. I see it on TV shows and in movies. I hear about it on the radio and in casual conversations. I even read about it in books, newspapers and on blogs. Everyone – no matter where they are in the world – seems to be freaking out about the worst economy that has happened in nearly a century.  This panic seems to lead to more panic until finally, all I can think is, “How is the economy going to recover if no one … Continue reading →

Lessons Learned from an Email Hacker

  By E.T. Barton | January 17, 2012 - 10:11 pm | Fighting Fraud, Internal Controls, Money Saving Tips
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Last week, I was the victim of an Email Hacker.  For the first time in 12 years of having my Yahoo , someone managed to get in and change my email password.  As I tried frantically for days to get control of my account back, I realized that I had made several small mistakes that – if I had known better – could have prevented the nightmare it quickly became.  You see, not only do I have a Yahoo email account, but I also have Yahoo Messenger, a Yahoo Website, a secondary Yahoo email, the customized Yahoo Page, but I … Continue reading →