Promoting the wrong person at the wrong time can hurt both the employee and your business. Even a team member who’s excelling in their current role isn’t automatically ready for more responsibility, and there are telltale signs worth watching for before you make it official. Here’s how to spot them before a promotion becomes a costly mistake.
Between Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and now Threads, there are roughly 128 social platforms out there—yet the average person only uses five or six. For a small business owner with limited time and budget, spreading yourself across all of them is a losing strategy. Here’s a simple framework for figuring out exactly where your customers actually are.
Paperwork, regulations, and red tape can eat up hours that small business owners simply don’t have to spare. Dealing with government bureaucracy doesn’t have to be a constant drain on your time and sanity, though—with the right approach, you can stay compliant without losing focus on growing your business. Here’s a practical guide to making it easier.
Business partnerships usually start with high hopes and shared goals, but even the best ones can start to sour over time. When that happens, it’s tempting to avoid the hard conversations—but ignoring the problem rarely makes it go away. Here are some practical strategies for addressing the issues head-on, whether you’re trying to save the partnership or planning to part ways.
Fear of failure, self-doubt, and uncertainty can quietly derail even the most promising small business. These fears often aren’t rooted in fact, but that doesn’t make them any less powerful—or any easier to shake off on your own. Here are some practical, actionable strategies entrepreneurs can use to confront those fears and keep moving toward success.
New entrepreneurs are proud, driven, and willing to take risks—qualities that unfortunately also make them prime targets for scammers. From fake invoices to phishing emails to bogus business directories, con artists have plenty of tricks aimed squarely at busy new business owners. Here’s a rundown of the most common scams to watch for and how to protect yourself and your company.
Starting a company comes with an overwhelming list of things you think you need to do before you can really get going. But chasing perfection, exhaustive market research, or a fully built-out product before launch can actually slow you down and cost you opportunities. Here are some common startup myths worth letting go of so you can focus on what actually matters.
Running a small business means constantly juggling more than you can reasonably handle on your own—and sometimes, the smartest move is simply asking a friend for help. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but there’s a right way to ask that makes it easier for both of you. Here are some simple tips for requesting favors without straining the relationship.
Not being taken seriously by investors, clients, or even friends and family is one of the most demoralizing challenges a new entrepreneur can face. It happened to radio legend Dave Ramsey, whose southern accent led station managers to doubt him—yet he pushed through anyway. Here are several strategies entrepreneurs can use to earn the credibility and respect they deserve.
Growing a small business can feel just as daunting as starting one, with financing, staffing, and marketing all competing for your limited attention. The good news is that expansion doesn’t always require a big budget or major risk—sometimes a little creativity goes a long way. Here are several inventive, low-cost strategies entrepreneurs can use to grow their businesses and build in some extra stability.