Category: Tips and Tools

Artificial intelligence (AI) has broad use cases affecting industries ranging from marketing to health care. It’s also becoming clear that the technology can improve workflows for entrepreneurs. AI tools allow them to simplify or remove manual processes that previously took a long time to do or were challenging to complete correctly. Here are some thought-provoking ways to use AI to become a more successful entrepreneur. How Can Entrepreneurs Leverage AI to Gain a Competitive Edge? Use AI for Customer Onboarding You may have a product-based business and want to help new users become acquainted with what you sell. Onboarding is the conventional way to do that and AI can make the process more personalized to each customer. For example, algorithms could show you which setup steps customers typically find most…

Running a small business in the US can be a real rollercoaster, full of thrills and spills. As you hustle to chase your dreams, you must be ready for whatever curveballs arise. According to research, 72% of small business owners have economic uncertainty keeping them up at night. Implementing strategies to safeguard your business against financial or any other risks is crucial and helps you feel better prepared in the face of uncertainty. Below are four practical risk mitigation strategies for your small business. 4 Risk Mitigation Strategies For Your Small Business 1. Do due diligence and avoid unnecessary risks. Risk-taking is a vital aspect of business. However, in some instances, an effective way to keep your small business out of hot water is to avoid some risks that could…

Scammers are always trying to find the most vulnerable databases to attack. Small-business owners must guard their resources against such shenanigans. Knowing the top scams helps you prepare for the worst-case scenario and avoid the pitfalls. Here are eight top scams to be aware of and ways to combat them to keep your company, employees and reputation safe. The Top Scams Small Businesses Need to Be Aware of Right Now 1. Delivery Driver Support Scam The U.S. Federal Trade Commission recently pointed to a new top scam involving food delivery services and people posing as support to steal personal information. The scammer calls an Uber Eats or DoorDash employee and says they're sending a free support tool, such as a tablet, and they need to verify some information. Sometimes, they…

When it comes to IT support, there are two options: outsource a third-party company to provide IT support, or hire in-house employees with IT experience to provide this support. The in-house option costs a lot more, but is this worthwhile for the extra security it can provide? This post takes a look to examine whether in-house IT truly is the more secure option. Is In-House IT More Secure? Benefits of hiring in-house IT support When you hire in-house IT, you can keep all security information contained within your business. You can also rigorously vet each candidate when IT staff and you can monitor them to make sure that they can be trusted with your company’s most sensitive information. This is something that you cannot really do when outsourcing IT. In-house…

Running a small business as an entrepreneur isn’t easy, but it becomes much more manageable and rewarding with a solid money management plan. Your day-to-day operations should be more stable and you’ll be in a great position for future growth. Get started with these actionable tips. Entrepreneurship and Money Management: Building a Solid Financial Foundation for Growth Scrutinize Your Inventory If your business sells goods, there are almost certainly some products more in demand than others. A good money management strategy is to identify the slow, medium and fast-selling products and prioritize them accordingly. Jessica Spaulding — founder of the boutique treat company Harlem Chocolate Factory — examined her books to do just that. The results helped her put the most resources into producing the most-profitable offerings. This plan also…

In an increasingly competitive business landscape, small businesses must find unique ways to differentiate themselves and fuel growth. One of the most powerful strategies they can employ is cultivating a customer-centric culture. This approach places the customer at the heart of every business decision, operation, and interaction. By focusing not just on what you sell, but how you sell it, businesses can foster stronger customer relationships, enhance loyalty, and ultimately drive substantial growth. As we delve into this topic, we'll uncover what it means to be customer-centric and how this mindset can be the engine for small business expansion. Cultivating a Customer-Centric Culture: The Key to Small Business Growth Embracing the Customer-Centric Mindset Being customer-centric goes beyond offering excellent customer service; it requires a shift in mindset and overall business…

Employees can help spur small business growth or stagnate it. Hiring suitable candidates brings fresh ideas to the brand and can impact the attitudes of other workers. Human resources (HR) can accelerate small business growth by tracking time and labor to hire the right people, writing job descriptions that attract the proper candidates, and training employees for better performance. With good HR practices, a small business can expand exponentially. Accelerating Small Business Growth Through Effective HR Practices How to Hire Talented Employees Hiring the right people is a crucial part of company success. An employee with an excellent attitude influences others in the office. Leadership can be particularly important — a manager who berates those working for them might drive away talent or create an atmosphere of anxiety. Look for…