Image for Improvement by Michael Giuffrida

Do I really need to create a budget for my small business each year?

Let me start by giving you a resounding YES! Now I’ll explain why; When you started your business, you might have done a business plan with a 1/3/5 year projections.  This pretty document immediately got bound and left on the shelf so you could say you did it.  However when you actually started serving the Read more about Do I really need to create a budget for my small business each year?[…]

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How can I use gamification in my company to increase productivity?

Creating fun and competitiveness in the workplace is not a new concept, but with today’s technology tools and systems, it has become more accessible and more real-time. For many years organizations have created contests for sales people to pit them against each other in hopes of increasing sales….because it works!  Sales people by nature are Read more about How can I use gamification in my company to increase productivity?[…]

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Know your numbers to be successful

When running a small business, it can be easy to get caught in the trap of assuming that if there is cash in the bank you are doing well and if there is no cash, you need to do better.  Unfortunately, there can be much more to determining how successful you are currently and in Read more about Know your numbers to be successful[…]

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Seriously?!?! Get me off of this email chain!

I’m guessing everyone reading this has thought or said that at least once in their lifetime.  This is what I like to call the “Reply-All-itis” syndrome.  Particularly in business situations, it is important to know when to reply to all and when not to.  Here are some basic guidelines you can use: When Reply All Read more about Seriously?!?! Get me off of this email chain![…]

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What is the difference between accrual and cash basis accounting?

For many small businesses, the consideration of whether to use cash or accrual basis accounting never even comes up as the difference between them is unclear and they leave it up to their tax accountant to decide.  However there are significant advantages and disadvantages to each which should be considered not just for tax purposes Read more about What is the difference between accrual and cash basis accounting?[…]

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Disconnect to build better work relationships

Technology is great.  Without some of the tools we have today such as smart phones, tablets and laptops, we couldn’t do half of the things we do everyday or be able to do them at our own leisure.  However, even though we are all aware of the presence of technology while in meetings and while Read more about Disconnect to build better work relationships[…]

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What should I do about telephones for my business?

There are lots of options for implementing a telecom strategy for your business with today’s technology.  There was a time when picking your phone number and deciding your initial telecom strategy was daunting because if you every moved your office to another town or went from one system to another all of the history with Read more about What should I do about telephones for my business?[…]

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How can I empower my employees to make decisions that will be in alignment with my thinking?

When you are operating a small business you can not be everywhere at the same time. Because of this, if you want to grow and scale your business you will quickly need to figure out how to empower your employees to make decisions so you are not a bottleneck to your own growth.  While this Read more about How can I empower my employees to make decisions that will be in alignment with my thinking?[…]

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Unlimited vacation time? Really???

There is a trend in small businesses to offer employees unlimited vacation time.  The reality is that for many small businesses, they would essentially do this for their good employees anyway.  While there is usually a policy that indicates how many days or weeks an employee would get, if you have employees who are going Read more about Unlimited vacation time? Really???[…]

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Can I use robotic process automation (RPA) in my small business?

The concept of automation is not new. Neither is the idea of using “robots” to do things that humans were previously required to do.  However, the idea of being able to afford any of this in a small business has been far out of reach as automation was widely considered an “enterprise” concept.  Good news Read more about Can I use robotic process automation (RPA) in my small business?[…]