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Tomorrow, parents across the country will celebrate National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day – or Take Your Kids to Work Day, as the occasion is more commonly known. More than an opportunity for young children to skip school or daycare for the day, it’s a chance for kids to learn important life lessons. In fact, they may learn something that school or daycare can’t teach them. Taking…read more →
Originally appeared on Business.com. As a small business owner, you take big risks and face even bigger competition, but you don’t have to do it alone. Main Street organizations, including small business associations, downtown improvement districts and Local First programs all support small businesses with everything from promotional resources to networking opportunities. They’re often led by small business owners themselves, putting the organization in the best position to support your…read more →
This year’s Employee Appreciation Day will take place on March 2. Do your employees feel appreciated? As it turns out, most small business employees do feel appreciated. According to a 2017 study by Aflac, 84 percent of small business employees say they are happy with their current job. More than two-thirds – 67 percent – of small business employees report that feeling appreciated is a benefit to working for a…read more →
As seen on Business.com. If you’re not showing the love to your customers, you could be missing out on a valuable boost. Here are 10 ways to make sure your customers know they are valued. These tactics will keep them feeling the love, year-round. Customers are the lifeblood of any business. They’re the reason for keeping the shelves stocked and the doors open. As you look to grow your business,…read more →
By now, you’ve heard about the change to Facebook’s News Feed algorithm. You may have seen it on Bloomberg.com, USA Today, or even Fortune. Maybe you were like us and it started blowing up your breaking news apps on your phone, then you got home and couldn’t find an outlet NOT talking about Mark Zuckerberg’s decision. Everyone was giving the headlines, but no one was really saying what it means…read more →
Small, locally owned businesses have a reputation for customer service. From auto body shops to sporting goods stores, small businesses are often known for friendly faces, specialized expertise and quality service. Their welcoming atmospheres help these businesses stand out from their big-box and national chain counterparts. Now, at a time when businesses big and small are increasingly leveraging new technologies, it may be more important than ever for small businesses…read more →
School is back in session this time of year – but it’s not just kids who could use a lesson. Being successful in small business takes continued learning. It’s important to keep up with industry trends, regulation changes and new tools to leverage for your business. In fact, taking time to learn may be one of the best ways that small businesses can gain an edge over their big-box competition….read more →
These days, research shows that consumers would rather spend money on experiences than on stuff. Shoppers may not need a new picture frame, but they may want to learn to make one on their own. Similarly, they may have a fridge full of food and drinks, but they might prefer to leave that at home and head to the local restaurant or brewery hosting trivia night with their friends. As…read more →
by Charles Barr, co-founder of LVRG Social media is no longer strictly for personal use, if it ever was in the first place. It has become an increasingly important and effective marketing tool that is simply too good to ignore. In fact, independent businesses that aren’t using social media or are using it ineffectively are doing themselves a great disservice. You may have heard this advice a thousand times, and…read more →
In 1776, the Founding Fathers declared independence to gain economic freedom and local decision-making for their colonies. Somewhere along the way, American communities seemed to lose some of that freedom and decision-making power, as large national and multi-national chains crept into the marketplace. Now, more than two centuries after the original, it’s time for a new kind of Declaration of Independence – independence from the big-box stores and national chains…read more →
