Small businesses may not have much leeway in their budgets for bonuses but other ways to reward outstanding work can have a longer-lasting impact. “The recognition that sticks with people doesn’t have much to do with money,” Cindy Ventrice, author of “Make Their Day! Employee Recognition That Works,” said in an interview. While everyone appreciates...
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Whether you’re living in a newly constructed or older dwelling, it can still become the home of the future. Quickly evolving technology is allowing homeowners to improve the functions of a wide range of their household systems. Wireless thermostats are one great example. The latest versions are helping households regulate temperatures with greater speed and...
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Everyone has that someone on their holiday gift list: The person who’s head-over-heels in love with their pet. Whether it’s their dog, cat or bird, our gift guide will help make holiday shopping for your pet-lover friends easier. Unique gifts for the dog lover See how your dog views the world Gift: Dognition Price: $79...
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Remodeling with sustainability in mind is easier than you think, and may generate savings through reduced energy usage. Going green, however, requires more forethought than money to make your home durable, healthy and pleasing. Here are just a few of the options and products you can use to make your remodeling projects more sustainable. 1....
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Technology continues changing the automotive industry, and along with those changes come more career opportunities. Computers have become ubiquitous in our world, and today they control everything from our wireless music systems to our thermostats. They are also playing a significant role in the automotive industry. According to Forbes, electrical engineers now top the list...
Read more about It’s Technical: A Look at the Hottest Jobs of Tomorrow’s Auto Industry
For the last 40 years, two-car families have been the norm in the United States. And it hasn’t been uncommon for some families to own three or more cars But auto-industry experts now say societal and technological changes could spell the end of the two-car family. “Right now in the U.S., 57% of households have...
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Not all energy-efficient cars are created equal. There are alternative cars – hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric – that don’t need gasoline to run, as well as eco-friendly and diesel cars. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.Not all energy-efficient cars are created equal. There are alternative cars – hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric – that...
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For Millennials, figuring out how and where to save money and invest it is a little trickier than for previous generations. In many ways this group has the same financial concerns of previous generations. They might be paying off student debt, saving for a house, putting money into retirement accounts, building an emergency fund and...
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There’s a lot to take in while driving a car: the scenery, the movement of vehicles around you, and the hundreds of road signs that provide small but vital pieces of information. Though they’re easily overlooked, road signs make safe, organized travel possible. The messages on the signs that you pass every day don’t have...
Read more about What’s Your Horoscope? Find Out What Your Road Sign Says About You [Infographic]
Only about half of all new businesses survive five years or more, and only about a third survive beyond 10 years, according to the Small Business Administration. From not having enough startup money to trying to do it all yourself to not investing in marketing, common errors in planning and management can provide challenges for...
Read more about How to Avoid 5 Common Small Business Mistakes [Slideshow]
December, January and February are the leading months for home heating fires. Overall, heating equipment is the second leading cause of U.S. home fires and home fire deaths. There are between 350,000 and 400,000 house fires in the United States every year that result in almost $8 billion in annual damages, according to the National...
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More small businesses are starting podcasts to reach customers. In fact, 89 million people listened to a podcast in 2015, nearly double the number from 2008, according the Pew Research Center. It’s also estimated that 46 million Americans listen to podcasts each month, with the average listener tuning in to about six podcasts each week,...
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Research shows small business charitable contributions can help companies connect with their customers and their community. According to a 2010 study by Cone Communications, 85% of consumers have a more positive image of a company when it supports a cause they care about; 90% of consumers want companies to tell them how they’re supporting charitable...
Read more about Small Business Donations: How Charitable Contributions Can Help Attract Customers [Slideshow]
You know the basics: Come to a complete stop at a red light, follow the speed limit – and so on. But what about the more obscure state traffic laws? Here are 50 of the craziest state driving laws: Alabama – No driving while blindfolded Alaska – It’s illegal to tie a dog to...
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A key challenge for many small businesses is keeping costs low. One key fixed cost is real estate. Sure, many companies get started around a dining room table, but a home office isn’t practical once you have employees or when you need a place to hold client meetings. A great solution for many business owners...
Read more about Shared Office Space: The Benefits and Disadvantages of Coworking