Car shopping can be a stressful event even for the savviest negotiator. For most people a car is the second most expensive purchase they’ll make next to buying a home — all the more reason to be prepared and have a plan for picking a car out and financing the purchase. A snap decision at...
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Whether you’re starting a business or already have one, creating a website for your business is essential for reaching potential customers. A website allows you to attract customers while creating and controlling the message you send. In most cases, your website will be the first impression customers get of your company, and you want it...
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Perhaps you have an idea for the next top-selling gadget, an app to help make people’s busy lives better or a method to sell professional services in an innovative way. Once you’ve come up with a business concept and decide you want to bring it to market, it’s time for planning and preparation. Performing market...
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If you’re running a business, you should have a contingency plan in case one or more key people leave, no matter if it’s because of retirement, death, a disagreement over strategy or a job opportunity at another firm. In some cases, such planning is crucial to ensure an orderly transition in ownership. It is an...
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It has become increasingly easy to draw attention to your business without spending a fortune. That’s because many consumers look first and foremost online for goods and services. They are a motivated audience. But a smart online marketing strategy can make it easier for you to connect with them. It can generate interest in your...
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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...
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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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Have you ever had an idea for a small business? Maybe it’s a unique product you believe would be a hit, or a brick-and-mortar storefront that would provide a needed service to a neighborhood. For those would-be entrepreneurs who actually take steps to realize their business idea, however, many eventually hit a brick wall. Financing...
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The business you are building has been an all-consuming priority, a labor of love. You’ve devoted time and trouble to get the business up and running. Your creativity keeps it growing. You’re a rock of commitment. It’s exactly because you’re so devoted to the business, though, that you might be overlooking business risk factors that...
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Starting a business is an exercise in managing risk. But the riskiest time for a new venture is often in the initial weeks and months as you work to establish your service or product with potential customers. Keeping expenses low is important during this critical period. One unavoidable cost, though, is: space. Whatever your business,...
Read more about The New Office Space: How Coworking Spaces and Incubators Can Help Your Start-Up Thrive
Starting and operating a small business requires a set of skills many business owners may not possess. For instance, the owner of a music store might be an expert on guitars but have little knowledge of accounting, employee management or inventory control. He might not have the ability to effectively negotiate with landlords, suppliers or...
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Driving on the highway for the first time can be nerve-racking, which is why it’s common for new drivers to navigate only local roads until they gain enough real-world experience to venture onto the interstate. Once a new driver feels ready to take on a highway, being fully prepared can help a beginner make a smooth and...
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It’s hard to beat the unconditional love we get from our pets. National Pet Day is a chance to go the extra mile and show them how important they are. When is National Pet Day? Your pets might already be the focus of your everyday life, but on National Pet Day, April 11, we’re encouraged...
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More cities, resorts and parks are going the extra mile to accommodate the booming activity of snowmobiling in the U.S. The International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA) estimates 124,769 snowmobiles were sold worldwide in 2023; 53,553 were sold in the U.S. If you’re considering a snowmobile winter vacation, here are some awesome destinations for novices and...
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Car batteries have an average life of 3 to 5 years, and when it’s time for a replacement, it’s important to dispose of the old one safely. [1] If you have a new battery installed at a shop, they’ll typically take care of the disposal for you. But if you handle it yourself, you can...
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