Most likely you have identified your business goals for 2013. What metrics are you using to measure success against those goals? Are they the right ones? What makes a metric the “right one”…what makes it meaningful? A recent article in Fast Company helps identify meaningful metrics and how to avoid metrics mistakes.
Archive for the ‘Getting Started’ Category
Uh-Oh: Messed Up Metrics
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, February 12, 2013
How Big is Your Nest Egg?
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, February 1, 2013
We all know that we should set aside some money every month. However, “knowing” and “doing” are definitely two different things. If your small business fell on tough or slow times, do you have enough money in your nest egg to see you through? Do you have a nest egg? How much should you save? A recent article in Entrepreneur gives solid guidelines on the topic. Still have questions? Our Small Business team is here to help.
Boosting Revenue: Trends to Learn From
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, January 21, 2013
The good news is tha
t small businesses did well this past holiday season, perhaps even better than expected. The even better news is that as a small business owner, you can learn from 2012 trends and take steps to boost revenue in 2013. A recent article in Small Business Trends identifies challenges, techniques, and solutions for making 2013 your best year yet.
Getting It All Done: 12 Time Management Tips
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, December 28, 2012
With 2013 right around
the corner, we’ve been thinking about a lot of things. One of them is time management. Over and over and over again, many of us feel that we just don’t have enough time. Ever. But we all are given the same 24 hours in any given day. How do some people get more done with their minutes? We revisited an article that appeared in Entrepreneur this fall. Great tips, and we look forward to implementing a number of them in 2013.
Starting Your Dream Debt-free
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, December 13, 2012
Are you looking at starting your own business? Maybe you have already have a business but are looking to expand it substantially. But the “d” word keeps holding you back: debt. Think a new venture can’t be started without incurring lots and lots of debt? Think again.
BusinessNewsDaily recently shared an article about Dreamstimes. If you haven’t heard of the company, Dreamstimes is a distinguished leader in stock photography and a major supplier of high-quality digital images at unbelievable prices. You know what else is unbelievable? The company was started debt-free. Talk about a great picture.
A Time Management Secret
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, November 1, 2012
Do you follow Geoffrey James? He’s a regular contributor to Inc., where he shares his insight on the business world. Check out his Sales Source column for a list of his posts. Several caught our eye, including the one titled “Surprising Secret to Time Management”. In in James explains how the Pareto Principle (the 80-20 rule) can be used to revamp – and rethink – your to-do list. (Be sure to read James’ first comment in the Comments section for clarification on something in the article.) Here’s to increased productivity!
5 Reasons People Fail – And How Not To
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, October 29, 2012
Why is it that some people succeed with what appears to be relative ease? And others try and try and try, only to fail and fail and fail? Geoffrey James, a regular contributor to Inc., believes that successful people manage to overcome five barriers. From uninspiring goals to worrying about “dry spots”, James quickly identifies the obstacle – and the fix.
Want to be Happier? Stop Doing These 10 Things–Now
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, October 19, 2012
There’s lots of advice out there (books, websites, blogs, podcasts–you name it) on what a person should do to be happier in both the personal and business sides of life. Jeff Haden, a regular contributor to Inc.com, recently took a different approach by outlining what not to do. From blaming to fearing, he asks us to consider what happens when we stop doing certain things. The article is eye-opening and enlightening.
And judging by the shares, tweets, and likes the article has gotten, he’s on to something.
7 Must-Have Web Tools for Small Businesses
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, October 15, 2012
So many web tools and websites, so little time. There is a plethora of sites that promise to make you more efficient and more effective. But who has the time to review all of them thoroughly to see if they live up to their claims? Fortunately, John Brandon, a contributing editor at Inc.com, has done just that in a recent article. These seven tools deserve a second look – and most likely a spot in your toolbox.
One Dozen Must-Read Blogs
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, September 25, 2012
I
n the hustle-bustle of day-to-day work life, it can be challenging to read a day’s worth of email, let alone fit a blog or two in. However, reading blogs helps keep you up to speed with industry trends and happenings, and they can often act as a catalyst for your own creative ideas.
Social media guru Lisa Barone recently shared her top recommendations for business blogs on Small Business Trends. Some of the blogs–spanning across business leadership/entrepreneurship, search engine optimization advice, and content marketing–may be familiar to you. Others might be new names. Check them out and see what you think. What business blogs do you read on a regular basis?
