If you spend a few minutes searching online you’ll find that there is no shortage of “Tips for Beginners” and “Top 10” lists related to starting out with multi-level marketing.


Use the Internet to Promote Your Business

Online promotion is a necessity for almost any business these days. If you are a new business, or one with a low advertising budget, navigating the many options available to you can be daunting, especially when you are also concentrating on other day-to-day business needs.


Advertising on cars has been shown to be quite cost effective. An ad placed on a car that travels busy city roads can be seen by up to 70,000 people a day, thereby reaching more people at lower cost than billboards, radio, direct mail, or mass transit ads.


While toys and games are fun for all ages, the toy business is anything but child's play. If you have a game or toy and you're seeking to bring it to market, the task can seem daunting.


Distinguish Between a Pyramid Scheme and Multi‐Level Marketing

For self-motivated individuals with a knack for sales, opportunities abound to make a little extra cash. Working for a multi-level marketing company (MLM), also known as direct sales and network marketing, can even become one’s primary source of income.


A ‘personal brand’ is in many ways synonymous with your reputation. It refers to the way other people see you as a business owner or representative of an idea, organization, or activity.


This article contains instructions and information that will help you reduce the number of telephone calls that you receive from telemarketers on your residential phone.


Telemarketers are people with feelings who are just doing their jobs. It is the telemarketing companies who are really harassing you, not their employees.


Make Money by the End of This Week With Just Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing  is becoming the most cost-efficient and accessible way of making money online. The affiliate marketer promotes one or more products of a merchandiser of his own choice based on average payment or commission on sale, promotional material and compensation plan.


Being harassed by telemarketers is never fun. Getting calls from unwanted numbers can be annoying and stressful. However, there are a number of ways to prevent and avoid these calls.


Telemarketing calls can be annoying, and sometimes are clearly harassment. Congress passed a law in 2003 which established the "Do Not Call Registry."


A telemarketer is a person who is responsible for selling a product or service over the phone. Telemarketers may work in a private office, from a call center or from home.


Report Illegal Telemarketing and Robocalls in the U.S.

Recorded calls, also known as robocalls, and unsolicited telemarketing calls are annoying. They may also be illegal. Once you have requested to be excluded from telemarketing calls, you can report illegal ones.


Telemarketing calls can be a major irritation. There are steps you can take to help  limit the number of unsolicited calls you receive , but it is difficult to completely cut them off.


Sell Credit Card Processing Services to Merchants

Selling credit card processing services to merchants is highly profitable due to the residual income it creates. This article teaches you how to go about it, from effective prospecting, to post-closing follow up.


Most cell phone users have experienced the frustration of receiving automated calls and voicemail messages. These “robocalls” can be a real nuisance, coming in droves and originating from different unlisted phone numbers and locations that make them difficult, if not impossible, to track.


Consignment stores sell products from individual owners, taking a portion of the proceeds from the sale. Clothing, antiques, electronics, decorations, tools, furniture, sports equipment and toys are popular items for consignment stores.


Locating a company or business is a process that can be accomplished a number of ways given modern resources. Most businesses want to be found easily to increase visibility to customers, though some may make their offices harder to find than their seller locations if such facilities are separate.


The internet is a great platform for businesses to market their products. From clothing to gadgets, everything people sell just about everything on the internet.


Business process modeling, also called simply process modeling, is a method of illustrating a business's processes so that they can be easily understood and improved upon.


This article shows how to build company strategy using SWOT Analysis. SWOT Analysis is one of the famous analysis methods used in business. It can be applied to: current market position identification, new business idea validation or even personal career development.


Lead a Business Process Improvement Effort

There are many methods to manage change within an organization. The business process improvement (BPI) effort is designed to help organizations refine their policies and procedures in order to bring a better product or service to their customers.


Efficiency strategies are integral parts of any business. With these strategies, you can maximize efficiency and set company objectives and standards for delivering value.


How to list your company on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and raise capital for you company.


Find Information on a Business That No Longer Exists

Each day businesses start up, close, are sold, or change for some other reason. You may need to find information on a defunct company to verify your employment history, for tax purposes, or a number of other reasons.


Giving negative advice in a positive way is crucial for success of students, friends, good employees, your son or daughter, sales people, business partners, etc.


A corporate anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate your company's success, reinforce connections between employees, and reaffirm your core values.


Get the Most out of Your Learning Management Investments

Learning management systems (LMS) manage all aspects of education by automating and managing the administration, management, delivery, and end user experience of blended learning programs.


Almost all publicly traded companies are legally required to file a proxy statement at least once a year before the company’s annual meeting. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that all companies provide its shareholders with information about the company, such as executive compensation or on proposals that are up for a vote.


Calibrate the Expertise and Expectations of a Job Candidate

Your business needs a vacancy filled but just how do you identify a right candidate and recruit them with certainty?


If you are starting a small business, you must create a business plan and begin looking for financial support. If you have a funding shortfall, after looking for investors and bank loans, you may be able to use your retirement plan to finance your business.


Running your own business is a stressful but good career and life choice. It demands your time and focus. Start by expecting to live your work until it is established, so it can get off the ground.


Small businesses are defined by the average number of employees they have in a year and their average annual receipts. In addition, a small business can take any for-profit structure so long as it is registered in the United States; independently owned; and not dominant in their field on a national scale.


Creating and sustaining your own business isn't just a way to wealth - it's a way to pursue your life's dreams and find personal fulfillment. This path isn't an easy one, but it's one that all of history's greatest entrepreneurs have had to follow.


Starting a vending route, as opposed to purchasing an existing vending route, gives you an opportunity to start small and grow it at your own pace. A vending route can be a flexible business for self-starters who want to earn full-time or supplemental income.


It is the dream of many aspiring entrepreneurs to start their own retail store business. Well, you can easily start a retailing business with the help of right planning and business strategy.


Start a Retail Store Business in a Shopping Mall

Opening a retail store in a shopping mall can give you immediate access to an existing flow of potential customers. In addition, your store can benefit from the amenities and structures that already exist in the mall, freeing you from having to create your own.


Starting a convenience store, just like starting any other business, takes money, planning, and time. Convenience stores are in demand all over the world, making them a good business to get into.


Start Your Own Business to End Unemployment

Starting your own business when you're unemployed may seem for some like a leap of madness into a black abyss. But for others it proves to be the best way to find work when work seems nowhere to be found.


For many, starting a family business together is the ultimate dream. Indeed, it can be a great way to make money while also building a strong family connection.


New companies thrive on innovation. If you want to come up with a winning idea for a new company, you'll need to set yourself up for success by learning to conduct market analysis and identify a gap in consumers' needs, then develop a compelling vision to fill that desire with a new and undeniable product.


Starting a business in a small town can be a great way to test the waters for your product or service. Your competition is limited in a small town and advertising costs can be lower than in major cities.


Many people choose to start a side business while still maintaining a full-time job. Maybe you want to generate a little extra income, or you believe you have a good idea for a product or service that's going to take awhile to get up and running.


Start a Business Without Much Knowledge or Capital

There’s no getting around it: knowing nothing and having nothing is not going to put you on the fast track to doing something. If you want to start a business, you’ll need some money and some know-how.


Start a Business Without Quitting Your Day Job

In today’s economic climate, it is easier than ever to  become an entrepreneur  in your free time and start a  small  or  home based  business without quitting your day job.


A limited liability company (LLC) has many advantages as a business form. For example, an LLC can shield you as an owner from personal liability for any of the company’s legal obligations.


The banking industry offers secure, well-paying jobs in exchange for extensive training and dedication to career goals. Banks hire for all types of positions from tellers to CEOs.


If you want to open a business in Michigan, you may be looking to establish an LLC under the State Statute 450-4104. This statute is valid for any resident seeking to apply to establish a limited liability corporation to be licensed in the State of Michigan.


Forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) may seem like an unnecessary hassle for your small business, but doing so might save you a good deal of money and legal wrangling in the future.


In business, a fictitious name is a business name that is different from the legal name of the person, partnership or corporation that owns it. Also known as an assumed name, trade name or DBA (for "doing business as") name, a fictitious name is created to identify the business to its customers more effectively than its owners' names can.


The process for setting up a sole proprietorship can vary significantly from state to state. To set up a sole proprietorship in the state of Ohio, you must register your business name with the Ohio Secretary of State, obtain applicable business licenses, and register to pay Ohio State sales taxes.


Set up a Sole Proprietorship in North Carolina

A sole proprietorship is a business that is owned and operated by 1 person, as opposed to a corporation or a limited liability company (LLC). There are no forms or documents that need to be filed in order to maintain a sole proprietorship, unless you are doing business under a different name other than your own.


Set up a Sole Proprietorship in New York

New York businesses must decide the structure in which they are organized. A New Yorker can choose to create a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation.


When a business wants to start branding their services, they must choose a business name. The process of reserving a business name is referred to differently depending upon the state and the country.


A sole proprietorship is one of the simplest business structures because the owner and the business are considered the same entity. Profits are recorded on personal income tax statements and there are few administrative start-up costs.


Starting a business in Indiana requires choosing a structure and filing the appropriate documents with the state or county. You must decide if you want to run a sole proprietorship, a partnership or a corporation.


Set up a Sole Proprietorship in Illinois

A sole proprietorship is the simplest way to start a business in Illinois. In the eyes of federal and state law, the business and the owner are considered 1 entity.


Set up a Sole Proprietorship in Colorado

A sole proprietorship is a simple business structure that is owned and run under the name of 1 individual. It is commonly referred to as self-employment.


A sole proprietorship is the simplest way to structure a new Florida business. The unincorporated business and its single owner are considered the same for tax purposes.


To set up a sole proprietorship in Arizona, you simply have to start operating your own business. There is no formal paperwork to submit to the government and there are no fees to pay.


Before setting up a private medical practice, physicians should consider different business models and choose one that suits their particular needs best.


If you want to run a business under a name other than your own, you typically must register that name with the state or county in which you operate.


There are several forms of business you can set up for a company. Each type of business has its pros and cons and preferences may vary depending on what kind of business you are attempting to start.


Registering as a sole trader, or self-employed person, is the simplest method of registering as a company in the UK. As a sole trader you can set up a company under your own name or choose a business name, but you will be recognized as a company owned and operated by a single individual.


When registering a partnership firm in India for startups, there are some basics that need to be covered. Partnership and proprietorship are the two most popular forms of business organisations in India.


This article will show you the different ways by which to form a limited company in the UK, including information on how to register the different types of limited companies.


The process of forming a Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) for a legal practice is nearly identical to that involving a Limited Liability Company (LLC), but the PLLC entails more restrictions and requires one additional step.


Business in Kenya is not as complicated as it was previously. This article gives you the 10 basic company registration steps.


Incorporating in Georgia is the first step in setting up your new business. It is actually very easy to incorporate in Georgia. However, the Office of Secretary of State in Georgia recommends that you receive legal advice to ensure incorporating meets your needs as a business owner.


A partnership is a business in which two or more people share ownership.  [1]   To set up the partnership, you need to create a partnership agreement and get necessary licenses and permits from the state.


A limited liability company (LLC) is a popular way of setting of a business because it allows the owners to limit their personal liability for actions taken by the company.


A sole proprietorship is the easiest type of business to set up. Unlike corporations or limited liability companies, you don’t have to file with your state.


This article focuses on what is required to form a Wholly Foreign Owned Entity (WFOE) in China. Foreign companies can go into China as a WFOE, as a Representative Office (RO), or as part of a Joint Venture (JV).


A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a popular business form. It combines the financial security of a corporation with a higher level of flexibility for the operator.


Qualify As a Personal Service Corporation

A personal service corporation (also called a professional corporation in some U.S. states) is a corporation whose main business activity is the performance of personal services.


An effective partnership can be run with a level of efficiency that few other types of business organization can match. However, there are risks associated with a partnership structure that are unique to the form.


Sole proprietorships are businesses that are owned and operated by 1 individual. In order to run a sole proprietorship in the state of Texas, you need very little in the way of set up.


Verify That a French Business/Professional Is Appropriately Registered

France is probably the most visited country in the world and there are a huge number of people who decide to either buy second homes or to settle permanently in France.


Many royalty owners receive division orders or transfer orders from oil companies that contain language that conflicts with the terms of their lease.


Set up a Sole Proprietorship in Virginia

A sole proprietorship differs from a partnership, a corporation or a limited liability company in that it is a business run by one entity. You may be a sole proprietor if you are a freelancer or if you do all of the work of the business yourself.


Set up a Sole Proprietorship in Tennessee

A sole proprietorship is a business where the owner and business entity are considered 1 and the same. The owner is responsible for all the debts and assets of the company, and will also reap all the profits.


A limited liability company (LLC) is a hybrid of a corporation and a partnership.  [1]   If an LLC incurs debt or is sued, an owner's assets are usually exempt and cannot be taken.


Obtain a Director's Identification Number (DIN)

For starting a business in India as a Private Limited Company it is mandatory for every Individual to have Directors Identification Number also called as DIN Number.


A partnership is a business where two or more people share ownership and contribute to the business.  [1]   A partner may wish to leave a partnership for a variety of reasons.


A limited-liability company ("LLC") is commonly referred to as a "hybrid" business structure, meaning that it shares characteristics of both a corporation and a sole proprietorship.


It can be useful to know how to form an LLC in the State of Maryland under the Statute 4A-202 & 4A-204. This statute provides that a resident may apply for a domestic LLC licensed to operate a business in the State of Maryland.


Wyoming passed the first version of the statutes allowing for the formation of Limited Liability Companies (LLC) in 1977. Recent changes in the laws have strengthened the protection for LLCs and made it an even more attractive and smart option for establishing your business.


In order to form a limited liability company (LLC) in the State of Texas, you will need to understand the legal procedure for business formation in Texas.


If you are an entrepreneur and want to do business in Indiana, consider forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC). This type of business entity affords you the personal liability protection of a corporation without the heavy tax burden.


You can form a limited liability company in West Virginia by naming your company, choosing a registered agent, and filing Articles of Organization. If you are looking for a flexible management structure, tax liability in proportion to ownership interest, and limited liability for members for a company that you plan to start in West Virginia or expand from another state into West Virginia, then an LLC may be the right business structure for you.


A limited liability company, or LLC, is a business structure that protects you from double taxation and provides protection against liability for financial loss.


Forming an LLC is easy in Vermont. All you need to do is choose an appropriate business name and then file Articles of Organization with the state. After you are approved, you should obtain necessary business licenses and tax IDs.


LLCs are Limited Liability Companies and are a popular way to structure a business. As a registered LLC, you have full corporation status but your taxes are similar to the taxes for a Sole Proprietorship or a Partnership.


A limited liability company (LLC) is a hybrid legal structure that combines aspects of a corporation and a legal partnership.  [1]   The biggest advantage of forming an LLC is the limited liability component - in other words, if the LLC suffers a financial loss or is sued, the LLC must pay but the individual members who own that LLC are not personally responsible.


Forming your own LLC can be an exciting first step in building a business and career of your own. However, before your LLC can become a reality you will have to correctly file information and pay certain fees with the state of Oregon.


If you are a business owner, forming a limited liability company (LLC) will provide some protection against personal liability for company debt. This means that if the company owes money, goes bankrupt, or faces a lawsuit, only the assets of the business will be at risk, rather than the personal assets of the owners.


Applying to be a limited liability corporation (LLC) in Utah is a fairly simple process. In fact, you can complete the main application online in under 15 minutes.


A "limited liability company," or LLC, is a way of officially organizing your business and registering it with the government. There are different processes to form an LLC in various states.


LLC stands for Limited Liability Company. If you're thinking of forming an LLC in New Mexico, there are a variety of guidelines regarding your name, operating agreement, and the various forms you'll need to fill out.


A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a business structure in the United States that provides limited liability to its owners, and the benefits of pass-through taxation of a partnership or sole proprietorship.


A Limited Liability Corporation, or LLC, is a popular business structure option that provides tax benefits and protection from personal liability. To form an LLC in North Carolina, all you have to do is complete some simple paperwork and register your business with the appropriate agencies.


A limited liability company (LLC) is a way of setting up a corporation that offers owners some protection against debts and suits. Many individuals and groups that found businesses choose to form an LLC in order to ensure that their personal assets are protected.


Whether you are starting a new business or expanding an old one, you need to think about organizing it to protect you against legal liability and make it efficient for tax purposes.


If you want to form a business in North Dakota, a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) is a popular choice. In terms of taxes, it’s like a partnership or sole-owned business.


How to Form an LLC in Nebraska under the state statute 21-2606 which allows any resident in Nebraska to operate and conduct business affairs in the name of a Limited Liability Company.


An LLC is a form of business organization that combines the limited liability of a corporation with the more favorable tax treatment of a partnership for federal tax purposes.


A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a business structure that separates the finances of the owner or owners from those of the company. This means that the owners' personal assets are protected if the LLC fails.


Your business needs to be licensed to legally operate. Regulations vary, so it's very important to understand the licensing rules where your business is located—failure to comply can have serious consequences.


A limited-liability company ("LLC") is commonly referred to as a "hybrid" business structure, meaning that it shares characteristics of both a corporation and a sole proprietorship.


You should have a reseller's permit, also known as a resale number, reseller's license, or sales tax identification number, if you have a business through which you are purchasing products for resale.


A wholesaler is an entity that buys items in bulk and sells the items to resellers as opposed to consumers. If you are engaged in the wholesale business, then you must obtain a wholesale license, which in California is called a “seller’s permit.”


In most states, if you want to be allowed to sell more than about 3 or 4 cars in a year, you will have to get a car dealer’s license. The requirements will vary from state to state.


If you’re starting a new business in Mississippi, forming an LLC may seem like the best of both worlds: you get the limited liability of a corporation, but with the ease of operation you’d have if you had a sole proprietorship or partnership.


Obtaining a liquor license is required if you wish to sell or provide wine, beer or liquor. The application process has been simplified, but you still must comply with many notice requirements and a lengthy application form.


In the state of Texas, there are no specific state laws that require you to obtain a state permit or license for selling firearms; however, federal law requires you to obtain a Federal Firearms License (FFL).


Starting a business is a big step. You've invested excitement, energy, time and money. Now it's time to invest some thought into your company's name and how to license and protect that name.


You can form a limited liability company in Kansas by naming your company, choosing a registered agent, and filing Articles of Organization. If you are looking for a flexible management structure, limited liability for members and proportional tax liability for a company you plan to start in Kansas, then an LLC may be right for you.


A limited liability company (LLC) is a particular way of setting up and structuring a business. This type of corporation offers owners some legal protection from personal liability for debts and claims.


A limited liability company (LLC) offers business owners a certain level of legal protection from personal liability for business debts and claims.  [1]   You can form an LLC in the state of Idaho under the State's Statute 30-6-201, known as the Idaho Uniform Limited Liability Company Act.


According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for plumbers is positive, with the demand expected to grow dramatically. Plumbers are well trained and experienced tradesmen who are sought after to fix everything from minor leaks to major pipe problems.


A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a business structure that can be owned either by an individual or group of individuals who share limited liability in the company.


Any resident of California can form a domestic LLC (limited liability company) in the state of California under the Statute 17000-17005 in order to operate a business.


A limited liability company (LLC) offers business owners a certain level of legal protection from personal liability for business debts and claims.  [1]   You can form an LLC in the state of Colorado under the State's Statute 7-80, known as the Colorado Limited Liability Company Act.


A limited liability company (LLC) is a business structure that protects owners from personal liability for business debts while the profits and losses of the business are passed to the owners and reported on their personal tax returns.


If you are a small business owner, forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) may be a wise choice, even if it seems like a hassle. As the name indicates, an LLC limits the owner’s (or owners’) personal liability for the actions of the company, which could save you a great deal of money and legal troubles down the road.


Making your business into an  LLC  will give it a specific legal status and mean that the owner of the business is not personally liable for the company’s debts.


A limited liability company, or LLC, is a legal structure that combines the aspect of a corporation and a partnership. As with a corporation, your personal liability is limited but operating your business is more flexible, as it would be in a partnership.


A Limited Liability Company (LLC) provides its members the limited liability of a corporation with a partnership’s tax requirements and flexibility.


Form a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in the USA

Limited Liability Companies ("LLCs") are popular business structures for partnerships and individuals, due to the attractive tax and legal benefits, and personal liability protection that they afford.


Forming a limited liability company (LLC) can be a great choice if you are looking for flexible management structures, proportionate tax liability, and limited liability for your managers and members.


Starting a business is exciting. Whether you are working alone or with partners, you need to decide what kind of legal and tax framework you are going to use to set up your business.


Holding companies are formed to organize and manage a group of smaller companies. If you are a business owner of investor, you may consider forming a holding company to protect your business assets or get a more favorable tax rate.


Partnerships in business can be tricky. Frankly, most partnerships fail. However, the ones that succeed can achieve much greater levels of success more rapidly than if the same individuals went after the same goals alone.


An LLC is a common business model, well-suited to a variety of new companies. If you currently live in Delaware, or if you are looking to relocate to the state to start your business, you will need to follow state guidelines to establish your LLC.


Starting your own business can be very rewarding. One of the business entities business owners can choose to form is a corporation. A corporation is a legal entity separate from its owner.


Many of those looking to start a business dealing firearms may not be sure what forms to submit for proper licensing, especially if they plan to deal in items that fall under the National Firearms Act, which include automatic weapons, short-barreled rifles, and accessories such as suppressors.


Commercial and business building contractors must be licensed in the state of Nevada. Legally, in Nevada, you need a license to contract. Contracting without a license could result in a fine between $5,000 and $10,000.


Selling your old car is fairly straightforward: list it online or in a magazine and wait for a buyer. However, if you want to sell cars as a business, you need to secure a car dealer license.


If you are looking to open a business in California, then you must obtain a business license in the city where your business is located. No matter how small the business is or how unprofitable it may be, it must be registered.


A “business license” can refer to a variety of permits or licenses that you need to lawfully operate a business. If you decide to close your business, then you should cancel all business licenses and permits that were issues to you.


All states require business owners who sell taxable merchandise or services to the general public to get a seller's permit and file sales tax returns.


Arizona state, like most other states, regulates all major residential and commercial construction. In Arizona, jobs that total over $1,000 must be done by a licensed contractor in the state.


A Data Universal Number System (D-U-N-S) number is a 9-digit designation provided to companies or organizations through Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), a company that researches businesses and provides information on them for credit or other decisions.


Joint ventures are a partnership of at least two separate parties or business owners. This pairing helps both parties involved to leverage joined resources to capitalise on opportunities to build your business.


D-U-N-S is the acronym for "Data Universal Numbering System." This number was devised in 1962 by the Dun & Bradstreet corporation to identify worldwide businesses, public agencies and not-for-profit organizations.


Partners decide to end a partnership for a variety of reasons. For example, one of the partners may have died or withdrawn from the partnership, and the remaining partners may not want to continue with the business.


Create a Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC)

A professional limited liability company (PLLC) is a business entity that offers professionals many advantages. For example, a PLLC can be taxed differently than a regular corporation, and it also shields owners from responsibility for acts committed by other owners.


A joint venture (JV) is a business strategy wherein two businesses agree to promote each other's products or services for their mutual benefit. An endorsement is a type of marketing where a business has an outside entity, like a celebrity or another business, promote the benefits of their product or service.


A joint venture is a strategic alliance or partnership between two or more parties that allows both parties—usually companies—to increase their ability to build their separate businesses.


S Corporations, or sub-chapter S Corporations are corporations that make a tax election to have the federal corporate taxes pass through to their shareholders.


Starting a business is exciting and stressful. Setting up your base of operations, defining your products and services, and taking care of all the details.


Change an S Corporation to a C Corporation

When you incorporate your business in the United States, you can make an S-Corporation election with the IRS for tax purposes. Otherwise, your corporation is treated as a C corporation by default.


Owning a radio station can be an exciting new business or hobby. However, you will need to perform thorough research before buying one. Radio stations are not the good investment they once were, so you should closely study the station’s financial statements, audience data, and employee salaries.


You might want to cancel your business name if you are closing your business or if you want to use a different name instead. Canceling your business name is similar to obtaining it in the first place.


Many small business owners organize their business as an LLC because it provides the limited liability of a corporation without the expense and complexity of incorporation.


Choose the Right Corporate Structure for Your Small Business

One of the most important decisions faced by entrepreneurs when starting a new business is determining the best type of legal structure for the enterprise.


When you decide to start a business, you have many decisions to make. Arguably the most important decision you will make is which form of a business entity to establish.


If you're a sole trader (or sole proprietor), you operate your business either under your own name or under a fictitious business name. You may need to change your name for a variety of reasons.


The hardest trust to earn is the trust you try to earn from a customer. These tips will help you to earn a customer's trust so you can start to build a bond and strong rapport and relationship with every single customer who comes your way.


Members of a limited liability company, or LLC, usually create an Operating Agreement and Articles of Organization when registering their company. Both documents need to be amended when any alterations are made that impact the business or its members.


Effective networking is all about connecting and communicating with the right people. If you’re looking to break into the banking industry, you can utilize both new and old contacts to help you land a job.


If you want to start your own Limited Liability Corporation in the state of Ohio, you have to be sure to meet the requirements for obtaining a proper business name, filing the correct paperwork, and registering with the Secretary of State.


If you’re starting a business in New Jersey, you may be interested in organizing it as a limited liability company. LLCs formed under New Jersey law have similar tax treatment and ease of operation that sole proprietorships do, but shield owners’ personal assets if the company has legal or financial problems.


DBA is short for "Doing Business As." In Texas, it's often called an "Assumed Name." A DBA is a legal declaration that you are conducting business under a name different from your legal, personal name.


Websites, like real estate, can be a profitable investment opportunity, and in the mind of some are still an undervalued one in comparison to their offline counterparts.


You can utilize many different avenues when you need help finding a banking job. One way to receive assistance finding work at a financial institution is to network with people who work at a bank.


A career as a bank teller can be exciting. As a teller you will meet many different people and learn a variety of new skills. If you want to work with money or in a higher position at a bank someday, working as a bank teller is a great way to start.


Working in a bank can be a great job choice. Whether you're just looking for a temporary job or a long-term career, a bank job can help you advance professionally.


In June 2013, a multi-day cloudburst hit the North Indian state of Uttarakhand and caused devastating floods and landslides. This was the worst natural disaster to have struck India since the 2004 tsunami.


Whether you are a freelance writer or an engineer looking for a job, it's easy to get career exposure online with simple tools ranging from social media networking websites to memberships with industry trade groups that maintain an active Internet presence.


Becoming an accountant requires a degree and experience. With an accounting degree, you can choose to work for private individuals, companies or the government.


Finding a cure or a life-saving treatment for cancer patients takes time for research and the funds to back it up. Cancer research is creating breakthroughs in the areas of prevention, earlier diagnosis, and better cancer drugs to help beat the disease.


Poverty is a major issue in the world and should be solved as quickly as possible. However for that to happen, all of us need to work hard to help the poor.


Charitable gambling events can be a great way to raise money for a local school, nonprofit organization or other charity. Unlike other charitable fundraising events, gambling events may be more heavily regulated by states that want to ensure that people are not running illegal gambling events and calling it charity.


Want to get involved with  community  outreach by connecting with non-profit organizations? Donating previously owned clothes,  toys , furniture, appliances, even cars can be a big commitment of time and effort.


Raising funds is never easy. While people want to help, there are a million worthy organizations out there. The key is to convince them you are the charity that needs donations right now.


There are many excellent charities that aim to help children. Many of these charities depend generous donations of people just like you. If you are interested in helping children and working with a children's charity, learning more about the process can help you make a big impact on a child's life.


When you give money to a charity when you have debt, you may feel guilty. You may feel like your money would be better spent paying down your debt. But at the same time, you may feel guilty for not giving at all – especially if you feel a religious duty to donate.


Before you give donations to  any  charity, make sure you take all the necessary precautions to insure your money goes where you intended it to. This also helps to keep you safe from identity theft and fraud.


United Way does  not  have legal authority to provide direct assistance to individuals, but it does work in partnership with organizations in individual communities that can help you.


Charities and nonprofits are always looking for ways to spread the word about their message and how they are making the world a better place. Getting media coverage guarantees that more people will learn about your organization and potentially support you in the future.


Poverty is one of humanity’s most intractable social problems. It will take global effort to end completely, but each individual can play a part. It won’t be easy, because reducing poverty is different from helping a poor person.


If you’re like most people, you know how to  use an ATM  and enjoy the convenience such cash machines offer. Unfortunately, ATMs are a common target for tech-savvy thieves, which is why you need to  protect your PIN and other personal information  while conducting a transaction.


ATMs, which stand for "Automated Teller Machines," are an easy, convenient way to access your bank account from almost anywhere. If you're new to ATMs, don't worry, this wikiHow will show you how to use one.


ATMs, or Automated Teller Machines, offer people a convenient way to manage banking transactions 24-hours a day. The most basic of machines allow users to withdrawal or remove funds from their account, while others have more advanced features including depositing funds, transferring funds between accounts, checking balance statements and facilitating credit card payments.


Whether you have enormous savings or don't have a nickel to your name, you might need to use a credit card to get cash from an ATM at some point. A cash advance lets you access part of your credit line through an ATM, cash advance check, or bank teller.


Smartphones and the prevalence of credit and debit cards have made bank accounts more accessible. However, that may mean your balance drops more quickly.


Many nonprofits find that their online fund raising is not as successful as they would like it to be. If your online contributions are anemic maybe it’s that your appeal isn’t as appealing as it could be, or maybe people just don’t know you're asking.


In most cases, depositing cash is as easy as walking into your bank, filling out a deposit slip, then explaining your intentions to the bank teller.


People usually think of ATMs (Automated Teller Machines), or cash-points, as a place for withdrawing cash from a bank account. However, many ATMs allow you to deposit money as well.


Online checking accounts, such as those offered by USAA, come with a lot of advantages. They have lower fees, your bank is open 24/7, and you can do everything online or with your mobile phone – everything but deposit cash.


ATM fees can be frustrating. If you have to pay an extra $3 or $5 to get your money, you may feel cheated. There are many ways you can avoid ATM fees.


Most banks provide ATM cards for their customers who open savings or checking accounts. An ATM card gives you instant access to your funds. When you open an account, the bank will send you a new card.


Be a Successful American Eagle Outfitters Employee

Being a successful employee is key at any place of employment. At American Eagle Outfitters, the following steps are encouraged among all employees to create a great shopping experience for the customer and to help with the store's overall profit and benefits.


Build Customer Incentives and Retain Consumer Loyalty

As marketing channels continue to fragment, finding new ways to engage with customers becomes increasingly difficult. By building customer incentives, companies can nurture the Holy Grail and ultimate target of any marketing practice; customer loyalty.


Attracting customers requires developing a quality product, offering it in an attractive package and advertising it to your target market. Many modern businesses must attract patrons both online and in a store.


The first step to any successful business is promotion and marketing, and the second follow-up step is retention. To learn how to bring in and keep customers can be challenging if you have never been exposed to marketing or public relations.


Word of mouth is a powerful way to market your business. Today, most people are talking online, which means you’ll need customer reviews to increase your visibility in the marketplace.


A primary responsibility of a customer service representative is answering customer questions and solving problems. It's important to be informed about your products, your company's policy on resolving customer issues and how to answer questions quickly and efficiently.


Answering customer emails is an important aspect of maintaining client loyalty and opening the door for future opportunities with those customers. In order to make the most of this particular type of communication exchange, it is important to make sure the response to each customer email indicates that the subject matter addressed in the original email was read carefully and that the answer is in direct response to the client's comments.


Live chat operator plays an important role in the success of an online business venture. Being at the operating end, it is their performance that directly influences the success rate of live chat support as an online customer service medium.


The most successful businesses are always striving to improve. Accordingly, you should solicit feedback from your customers so that you can find which areas you excel in and where you fall short.


Running your own wedding photography business can be difficult. One of the hardest parts is advertising your services to obtain clients. Because most wedding photography businesses are self-owned, your marketing budget and methods are in your hands.


Customer delight occurs when customers' needs and desires are not only met, but met in such a way that exceeds customers' expectations. Not to be confused with customer service or customer satisfaction, customer delight involves a business going above and beyond normal customer relations in order to provide an experience that will leave a marked impression on the customer.


If you have started up your own business but are concerned about your lack of customers, don't fret. It just means that you will have to work hard to attract more people to your business.


A survey is typically and quicker and more precise way to conduct qualitative research than a focus group. Focus groups, however, allow you to get more complicated, nuanced, and diverse responses than surveys, which do not permit as much participant interaction.


Experian is one of three major nationwide credit reporting agencies that collects information to issue credit scores and provide credit reports on consumers.


In the world of sales, TV commercials are a great way to get your product noticed. Companies with something to sell often look for commercial pitches that will get their product noticed by consumers and help it sell.


To people without much financial experience, credit can seem a lot like a Catch-22: to get it, you must already have it. While it's true that having a credit history is a prerequisite for many of life's major financial transactions (like, for instance, buying a house), with the right approach, you  can  establish healthy credit from almost nothing over a few years.


It is important to have a good credit rating for many reasons. Good credit enables you to request more credit in the form of credit cards, personal loans, car loans, and mortgages.


A good credit score is an essential part of getting good loans and evening the playing field with lenders. The average FICO credit score for Americans is roughly 720, meaning that half of Americans have a worse credit score and half have a better score.


Manage Large Numbers of Business Cards Effectively

Does it sometimes seem like you're drowning in business cards? Would you like to keep up with your contacts better? A good, current list of contacts can make the difference between effective networking and wasted time.


Once you’ve decided that you need business cards, it can be daunting to figure out how and where to order them from. All printing companies need basic information and follow a basic pattern when ordering business cards.


Business cards are a great way to network and to keep in touch with work contacts. It's a good thing to have when you're out mingling and talk about work with like-minded people.


Postcards provide an opportunity to attract potential customers to your business.   The post cards may be used to introduce the business to customers, to announce a special sale or to provide a special discount to people bringing the postcard to the place of business (a coupon).


Your business may be a success but doubling your sales and keeping track will no doubt help you. Below are what are believed to be the best 7 proven ways to increase sales and ultimately profit for your business available today.


Make a Photo Business Card Using IrfanView and Word

Not satisfied with the graphics options for making business cards using Microsoft Word 2007? This way looks tedious, but you'll love the flexibility and the results.


Making a business logo is one of the most important things your company will ever do. It's your company's first chance to make an impression. A good business logo should capture your company's essence.


Over 1.5 billion people use smartphones in their daily life. Apps have become the de facto method to deliver information and interact with customers and employees.


Internet shopping and smart phones have made it necessary for small businesses to have a presence on the web. People rarely use phone books to find out about businesses, but they look for websites, and they usually see those sites as a sign of a reputable company.


When you start your own business, you will be faced with many business expenses, from building a business website to creating marketing materials for your business.


Coming up with a catchy sales gimmick is one of the most important elements of creating your business. A sales gimmick is a creative way to attract attention to your business, product or service and to create a sense of urgency in the mind of potential customers.


Find a List of Branded Keywords Search in Google Analytics

People often search a website or business using specific brand name keywords. A brand name is recognition of your website or business and hence it will be of great value if you know how many queries or keywords lead towards your website pages include your brand name.


Adding photos and images to content can significantly enhance the appearance of any material you publish online, such as articles you write for the web, your social media profile, and even your own website.


Domain names can be extremely valuable to your business. However, due to the first-come-first-serve nature by which domain names are sold, domain names corresponding to your own trademarks and intellectual property can be vulnerable to cybersquatters.


Internet purchasing and electronic books has changed the way customers buy books, but bookstores are holding their share of the market from small, intimate shops to large chain stores.


Approximately 2% of all U.S. children are adopted.  [1]  An adoption agency can be a profitable business opportunity as well as an opportunity to provide homes and opportunities for disadvantaged, neglected and abandoned children.


Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a strategy for producing or updating a website so that it customers can find it more easily. A good SEO expert will have a working knowledge of the industry, a multi-faceted strategy and several happy references.


You can find shoeshine stands in a variety of places, including city streets, airports, barbershops and shopping malls. Visiting a shoeshine stand is a great way to care of your shoes or boots, people watch, take a break from shopping or just relax for a few minutes.


A resale shop, also known as a consignment store or second hand store, is a store that buys and sells used goods. They can benefit both sell and buyer, and also the owner.


If you love furniture and know how to furnish a room to make it both comfortable and pleasant, you might consider opening a furniture store. With consumers always looking for such types of furniture as antique furniture, designer furniture and industrial furniture, there are numerous opportunities to turn your passion into a profession.


Babysitting is not for everybody. You truly need to love children in order to be successful. If you think that babysitting is easy money, think again!


Opening a professional carnival can be extremely fulfilling and lucrative for business owners. And while there are hundreds of thousands of customers who pay for carnival rides and games each season, balancing your investment and income can be very challenging.


Opening a gift shop calls for research, one of the main steps to success. Gift shops are perfect for last-minute gifts, something most of us do. These shops can earn you good profit that may lead to expanding in the future ─ or even open secondary places.


Day care centers are in higher demand than ever before, and if you love working with children, opening one can be a smart and enjoyable business choice.


Banking is a difficult industry to join. However, many community-oriented banks are opening across the country. With a little careful planning, the task of opening a bank might not be as impossible as you think.


Infomercials have become accepted as a legitimate and effective marketing tool. Online video platforms have only broadened their potential outreach.


Operating a child-care business is a great way to earn a living if you enjoy working with children. Generally speaking, there are two main ways to run a child-care business.


Are you convinced you can create an incredibly popular life-changing product? Then don't wait! Take these simple steps to make your very own invention and get it out on the markets.


The Certified Business Analysis Professional]® (CBAP®) certification is created and maintained by the International Institute of Business Analysis® (IIBA®).


Starting a check-cashing business of your own can be a complex endeavor, but with the necessary thought, planning, and execution, it can become an incredibly profitable business that can help a lot of people.


All over the world, women are shattering glass ceilings and proving that they have what it takes to be successful business leaders. Here is some practical advice for becoming a successful business woman.


Awards and recognition are important to businesses for more reasons than just the business owner's vanity. Awards are excellent for getting the word out about your business and can help in validating the success level of your business.


As the owner of a computer dealer business, you need to wear a lot of hats on any given day. This can include customer service, sales, troubleshooting, optimization, and even accounting.


Avoid Undermining Business Success By Celebrating Too Often

Every achievement is recognized and celebrated and every achiever is venerated. Is it good to celebrate the success or achievement? What inner meaning the celebration of an achievement convey to us?


Client referrals are a vital part of how many businesses operate. If you are serving your clients well, most of them will be happy to refer your business.


Most business owners will tell you that starting a business is both one of the most challenging and most rewarding ways to earn a living. Being a successful business owner requires a large amount of hard work and dedication, but also generally relies on a set of personal qualities and business practices that are common characteristics of successful entrepreneurs.


A board of directors is a group of elected or appointed individuals who are responsible for overseeing the activities of a non-profit or business entity.


Gauge Employee Satisfaction and Improve It

When running a business you have a number of things to be concerned about and to do, which include ensuring that your employees are motivated and working hard.


Forming a board of directors can be a powerful driver for your company's success. Determining the right size, scope, and experience of the board is critical to a successful outcome.


If you've started a new business, one of the first things you'll need to do is get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. This number is used to identify the business entity for tax and other purposes, similar to the way your Social Security number identifies you.


Naming a business is one of the most fun aspects of starting a new enterprise. However, the name you choose also can have important consequences for the future of your business.


Is your business stuck in a rut? Doing what you've always done just doesn't cut it anymore. Just look at former movie rental giant Blockbuster. Despite being well known and dominating the movie rental market for years, the company failed to effectively adapt to changes in the market and is now defunct.


Setting up a store is no easy task, but you can build it into your livelihood with hard work and determination. You will need to find a niche, weigh your capital, and make sure that your plan is viable; handle the necessary permits; find a location, design the store, and hire staff; open the store, advertise the store, and build a brand.


Using an effective pricing strategy can be the difference between a hopping business and a dud. You've already done the work to come up with a killer product and an unforgettable hook for your business, so now you just need to price it accordingly.


Pricing items at a yard sale can be challenging, especially when you remember exactly what you paid when you bought your used treasures new. Remember that yard sale shoppers are looking for deals, so don't overprice your items if you want to have a successful sale.


Only 30% of businesses on the market actually sell. Whether you want to sell a business and beat the odds, or you are in the market to buy a business, ensure a fair price for yourself by following these steps and properly valuing the business for sale.


Here are some tips on how to price a piece of your artwork to sell it. There is definitely no exact science to it, but hopefully these tips will help you.


The movement to conserve resources and commit to green living is becoming more popular as people generally become more aware of dwindling resources and environmental regulations.


So you’ve decided to sell-off your car! The process of selling it is not as complicated as you think. But determining the right resale value of a used car can at times tend to get subjective.


Writing an environmental management plan is the first step in implementing policies that minimize an enterprise's impact on the environment. It's important to understand that awareness of tax breaks, grants and other incentives is key to the success of any environmental policy.


Write a Letter to a Bank Asking for a Loan

Businesses applying for a loan from a lending institution may be asked to prepare a loan request letter. This letter should include documentation of a strong management team, substantial experience in the industry and a complete understanding of the current marketplace.


There are many different payroll software companies you can use to process payroll but ADP does an exceptional job at helping your company process payroll.


Outsource Your Web Development Project Effectively

Web development industry have transformed magically globally. It becomes a global business, now most of organization moving on outsourcing their project rather than hiring their own developer.


An effective sales force has a huge impact on your company's sales and profit. You can provide incentives to your staff in a sales commission plan. It's important, however, to understand the process your staff uses to make a sale.


Your payroll process starts with collecting wage information for each employee. Businesses use a W-4 form to document the worker’s filing status and their allowances.


If you own a business, want to retire, have no succession plan in place what do you need to do to sell your business?


Calculate Accounts Receivable Collection Period

Businesses both large and small often sell their product to their customers on credit. Credit sales, unlike cash transactions, must be carefully managed in order to ensure prompt payment.


Interest expense is an expense you incur when you borrow money. Your lender charges you a specific interest rate that is stated in your loan document.


If you have done the hard work to create and build a business, then you will want to be sure you receive full value when it comes time to sell. The profit you receive will depend mainly on the reason for the sale, the timing, and the strength of the business, but just as in selling a home, you can take steps to maximize the value you receive.


When a small business does their taxes, they can deduct applicable expenses, in order to adjust their taxable income. Although deductions differ in every country, the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) says, "to be deductible, a business expense must be both ordinary and necessary.


A venture capitalist is a person or organization that invests in another’s venture, or business idea. According to Price Waterhouse Coopers  and the National Venture Capital Association’s Money Tree Report, venture capitalists in the United States invested $21.2 billion in 2,725 deals in the first three quarters of 2011.


Every business person dreads the news that the auditors or regulators are coming. You can manage the process proactively to reduce surprises and make the process more efficient.


Businesses need financing for start-up costs or to fund expansions. Depending on your business, you have several options for raising the necessary capital.


While banks are often hesitant to loan significant amounts of money to new companies, a venture capital firm typically is more willing to make a bet based on the future of your business and its long-term potential.


Inventors and creative business people are always coming up with new ideas for how to do things or develop products that will make life easier. It's important to know how to protect an idea and market it successfully to make that idea a reality.


AngelList is a great resource for new startups to reach out to potential investors. It would be great if you could simply list your startup on AngelList, sit back, and watch the money pour in, but unfortunately, the entrepreneurship world doesn't work like that.


Small businesses rely on a healthy flow of income to remain in business—especially since over 50% of new businesses fail within the first five years.


Your company’s sales represent amounts you are paid for selling a product or service. However, you may not receive full payment from the invoices you send to customers.


While many employees are paid on an hourly or salaried basis, commissioned employees are paid based on the value of goods and services that they sell.


Use Credit Card Debt to Grow Your Business

Using a business credit card to finance your business has several advantages. First, the credit card is a convenient source of revolving credit. Whenever you face a sudden cash shortfall, you can reach for your credit card.


With analysts on a never-ending quest to outperform the market, we have seen the creation of dozens of ways in which to value companies, with new methods surfacing all of the time.


Write a Proposal to a Financial Institution or Angel Investor

If you need to write a proposal to a financial institution, future partner or angel investor, there are various basics that need to be covered in about five pages or less.


According to basic economic principles, if a company lowers the price of the products it sells, it will sell a greater number of products. However, it will also make less money for each additional product it sells.


If you run a business or provide services, you want to be able to accept payment from your customers in as many different ways as you can. Just imagine how many potential sales are lost if you have to post a sign that says, “Sorry, Cash Only.”


Direct debit payments, commonplace in Europe, are becoming popular in the United States. Businesses that bill monthly--especially those with international clients--benefit when they have the ability to accept direct debit payments.


A cost analysis (also called cost-benefit analysis, or CBA) is a detailed outline of the potential risks and gains of a projected venture. Many factors are involved, including some abstract considerations, making the creation of a CBA more of an art than a science, though a quantitative mindset is still a must-have.


Whether you’re setting up a business plan to present to a bank or investors or you’re just punching a line item on your To Do list, sales projections can be a valuable management tool if done right.


Create Personal Financial Statements for Business Owners

Personal financial statements generally differ from business financial statements because the business itself is one of the assets owned by the person.


No matter how small or large your business is, you should consider opening a bank account as a small business so that you can keep your personal funds completely separated from your business funds.


Handle Letter of Credit and Avoid Discrepancies

Reducing the risk of exporting by successfully submitting documents under a letter of credit.


Write a Demand Letter for Debt Collection

If you own a small business and have a client who has not paid for services or merchandise, it can cause your business financial difficulties and uncertainty – particularly if it's a large account.


Whether you are planning to sell your business or simply want to know what it's worth, there are a number of options for giving your business a monetary value.


In an ideal world, you're able to pay all of your business's bills in full and on time – but for many struggling small businesses, the world is far from ideal.


A financial report is an informational document about the financial health of a company or organization, which includes a balance sheet, an income statement and a statement of cash flows.


Whether you just want to sell unneeded property to raise cash for your business, or are closing your business entirely and liquidating all assets, the process is generally the same – although if you're closing your business, you'll have other steps to complete after your assets are gone.


Working capital is the measure of cash and liquid assets available to fund a company's day-to-day operations. Having this information can help you manage your business and make good investment decisions.


Costs associated with a business operation can be broadly classed into two categories: variable and fixed. Variable costs are those that fluctuate with production volume, while fixed costs remain constant.


The cost of debt is the effective rate that a company pays on its borrowed funds from financial institutions and other resources. These debts may be in the form of bonds, loans, and others.


Prevent Overdue Accounts in an Accounting Sector or Business

How can you expect to make it as a business in this day and age if all of your revenue is outstanding or overdue? There are several ways out there to keep in contact with consumers and businesses and prevent overdue accounts.


A bill for payment, also called an invoice, is a document given to someone who makes a purchase, detailing the service performed and requesting payment.


You’ll need a merchant account if you want to accept credit card and mobile payments. This account will hold onto funds from debit and credit card sales.


Having a billing system is important for keeping track of bills for customers or other businesses. Many services and software programs exist to handle billing matters.


Reduce Your Business Energy Bill Without Spending Money

Energy keeps the business going. All operations depend on it; even the comfort of employees. We have known several measures in reducing energy bills.


A sustainable growth rate is the rate a business can increase it's income without having to borrow more money from lenders or investors. As a small business owner, the rate represents how much more money you can take in each year without putting in more of your own money, or borrowing more from the bank.


Square is a site that can handle all your online payment needs for your business. This includes issuing refunds,which is super easy using the site.


An invoice is a notice you send to customers or clients to notify them that payment is due for services you have performed. An invoice should outline what services you performed, how much the client owes and where they should send your payment.


A merchant account is an account with a bank that allows you to accept credit and debit card payments. If you are a business owner and need to accept credit and debit cards, follow the steps below to open your free merchant account.


Issuing refunds is a common transaction between merchants and customers in the sales industry, and can often be processed directly from your seller or merchant account.


If you're an entrepreneur who sells a product or provides a service to clients before they pay you, a customer invoice is the ideal way for you and the client to know exactly how much money is owed for the job or item(s) purchased.


Accepting credit cards is a great idea for any business. By giving your clients more options, you can collect payments easier. To get started, you’ll need to decide whether to establish a merchant account at a bank or to use a third-party merchant such as PayPal.


The ability to collect payments owed from your customers in a professional and timely manner can mean the difference between success and failure for your business.


An invoice is a bill for the goods or services you provide clients. You should send invoices promptly, but sometimes you need to send them again. For example, you might have made an error on the original invoice, or your client might have lost their copy.


Need to create an invoice but not sure how to do it? Sending out good invoices can mean your company gets paid by more customers, so invoicing is very important for small businesses or people offering services.


Credit card chargebacks can be extremely costly for merchants. There is the possibility that you might lose the sale and the merchandise sold. Chargebacks are typically the result of customer disputes, fraud, processing errors, and authorization issues.


If you own a small business, you're accustomed to receiving invoices from suppliers or others from whom you purchase goods or services. As a private individual, you also might receive invoices if, for example, you're having renovations done to your home.


Any business wanting to collect UK payments by Direct Debit needs a SUN (Service User Number) from BACS (Bankers’ Automated Clearing Services). Here's a quick explanation of how to go about it.


If someone uses a MasterCard at your place of business, that transaction can be disputed through a chargeback process. If the MasterCard cardholder (e.g., a customer) disagrees with the transaction, they can dispute it by calling their bank (a.k.a.,


Making a decision to extend credit to customers is something that requires a significant amount of research and consideration. Designing the ideal credit program means structuring the plan with specific criteria while also making sure the program is in compliance with any governmental restrictions.


If you are a merchant who accepts credit cards, you are likely to encounter a chargeback from a customer. A chargeback occurs when a customer asks a credit card company to reverse a transaction.


Because credit cards are one of the most popular methods of payment, offering shoppers the opportunity to use their cards can generate larger sales for your retail business.


Credit sales can be defined as non-cash sales made by a business. This means that the sale of the goods has been completed but the payment will be made by the customer at some future point in time.


Benefit Your Company Financially by Leasing a Fleet

The question of whether to own or lease a fleet can get complicated. The truth is, there are pros to both ownership and fleet leasing, and the final decision depends on the individual company and its unique situation.


A rainmaker generates new sources of income for his business by making connections outside of conventional, established business channels, and opening up new markets.


Every business makes small purchases each day for items such as office supplies, stamps, shipping charges, and other miscellaneous items. Writing a check for such items is time-consuming and expensive.


Accounts receivable is a concept used in accounting to indicate payments due to a business. When a business sells its product on credit, the customer is invoiced and then given a set time period (often 30 days) to pay.


The difference between a business loan and a business line of credit is flexibility. A business loan gives you a set amount of money for a specific purchase, which you pay back according to preset monthly amounts.


Most check writers don't intend to write bad checks, but everyone makes mistakes now and then. While it's nice to think that collecting on a bad check is as easy as calling the check writer, one phone call may not resolve every incident.


Collecting payments from your online customers can be easily done in a variety of straightforward ways. You can choose one of the following options or consider offering a variety, acknowledging that customers like choice of payment.


As a vendor, you may or may not want to provide an early payment discount to your customer. It depends mainly on your cash flow and if you can afford to do so.


If you own or operate a business – whether online or at a physical location – and accept credit card payments from your customer, you must ensure your systems meet the requirements of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).


The term credit memo, or credit note, generally refers to a document signifying a credit owed to the purchaser of a product. For example, a credit memo is often issued when an item is returned or when a customer has been overcharged for an item.


Apart from creating expenses and generating reports, Expensify also lets you create and send invoices to help you get paid faster. You don’t need to download any additional software or create a separate account to make your invoices because you can do it all within Expensify.


Choose a Commercial Debt Collection Agency

If you own a business and are owed a debt, collecting it yourself can prove to be a difficult process. Instead of trying to track down your debtors and recovering the amount owed, you might consider hiring a commercial debt collection agency.


PCI, often called PCI DSS, stands for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. In short, PCI is a set of industry standards used to measure the security of businesses that accept, process, store, and transmit credit card information.


Accepting credit cards can do wonders for your business. If nothing else, it is an absolute prerequisite to online trading. If you want to set your business up with the ability to accept credit cards, you need a merchant account.


Running a business can be challenge, no matter what services or products you are offering. To ensure flexibility in closing every possible deal you will want to accept credit cards by becoming a credit card merchant.


Accept Credit Cards Without a Merchant Account

Accepting credit card payments can be a challenge for new businesses and entrepreneurs with poor credit histories. Most traditional credit card merchant account providers will either deny the business an account or make account fees cost-prohibitive.


Being able to accept credit cards by phone can allow you to make a sale when a customer is unable to come to your place of business. In some cases, it can allow you to enjoy mobile sales.


Many customers prefer to pay with credit cards instead of using checks and cash. If you sell any type of service or product, you may find that accepting credit card payments can increase your business.


MetroPCS is a mobile phone service provider owned by T-Mobile and geared towards value. Its coverage is not available in all areas, but the company offers no-contract service plans that are meant to be more affordable than other phone companies.


Receiving and accounting for advance payments from a client is a task that requires careful attention to the way entries are made in a company's accounting records.


Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments move money electronically from one bank account to another. Setting up your business to accept ACH payments gives you an alternative to credit cards, cash or checks.


AngelList is a great resource for new startups to reach out to potential investors. However, due to the permanence of the internet, lots of thought and preparation is required before listing your startup on AngelList.


Present a Business Plan to Venture Capitalists

A venture capitalist (VC) is a person or organization that invests in another’s business or business idea. If you have contacted a VC about investing in your business and have received an invitation for an interview, you will need to prepare your business plan to present during the interview.


Commercial lease money can be a simple and relatively inexpensive alternative method to pay for capital equipment, reserving your cash, credit facilities and general borrowing power.


You have everything you need to make your dream business a success except the funding. Isn't that what venture capitalists are for? This article will show you how to get their money.


If you want to start a small business or expand an existing one, then you’ll need to find money. One option is to bring on investors. There are many potential investors out there.


Every business needs money in order to run. Ideally, you could go to a bank and get a loan. Unfortunately, a bank might not be willing to extend you money.


It takes money to make money — any new business has initial "launch" expenses that must be paid in order to establish the business's operations. Since most people aren't independently wealthy enough to pay the (often large) expenses that come with launching a business, it's usually necessary to get this capital (or wealth) from investors — people who are willing to sink their money into a business in exchange for some of its profits.


Every successful invention solves a problem for the user. If you have an idea for an invention, do some market research as a first step. Get an idea of how many people face the problem your invention will solve.


All businesses rely on a source for funding everyday expenses, from office supplies to inventory. Borrowing money to pay for a business comes with many risks, even if you decide to use your own funds.


A venture capitalist (VC) is a person or organization that invests money in a business expansion or start-up. In exchange for the capital investment, the venture capitalist receives a share of the company in the form of stock, a position as a controlling manager of the company, or both.


You have an idea and a business model in place. All you need is financing to scale your products and/or services. There are a variety of funding methods available, but you'll need to do some homework first.


Every business needs funding for a variety of reasons, including startup, operations, equipment and project completion. Finance for business is a complex subject that must be approached from a variety of angles.


As a member of a non-profit or as an individual performer, you may need corporate sponsorship to hold an event or participate in competitions. If you are organizing an event and need sponsors, you need to determine your approach and develop a pitch.


Finance is critical for a small business. Without sufficient start-up capital, you won’t be able to pay for your business license, purchase equipment, or hire employees.


Borrow Money from People You Know For Your Business

Asking for money for your business from people you know is very different from putting in a loan application at the bank. The good news is that you already have a personal relationship built on trust, so chances are they won’t run a credit check on you or ask you to put up your home as collateral.


When it's time to finance a business, there can be substantial work involved to facilitate this step. Every small business is different, and businesses in different industries and sectors have different ways of going about getting credit.


A financial statement is the lifeblood of any business. You rely on these financial statements to know the condition, performance and ability to efficiently sustain past and future operations of a particular business.


The general ledger is where all of the business's transactions and expenses are recorded. Good accounting practice requires that the general ledger be "reconciled," or checked for accuracy, on a regular basis.


You need to set up procedures for accounts receivable if you extend credit to your customers. An account receivable arises when you allow a customer to take immediate possession of a product or receive a service in return for a promise to pay in the future.


Reduce Taxes for a Small Business Owner Manager

If you are a small business owner or manager in Canada, the last few months of the year is usually the time to start thinking about the tax year. To help reduce income taxes for the current year, below is a list of some simple strategies to implement before year end.


Use Accounting Information to Investigate a Business' Solvency

Accounting is a vital part of the world today. Accounting is commonly referred to as the language of business and it can go a long way towards telling you about how well, or how poorly, a business is really doing.


A profit and loss statement provides information about your business's past activities, and is an essential document that must be created as part of your financial reporting.


Changing or augmenting an accounting system is an excellent way to automate financial information and create a more efficient infrastructure, especially if you are moving from a ledger-style to a software-based accounting system.


A balance sheet is a snapshot of a business's financial health on any given day. It is a detailed document of what a business owns, what it owes, and who that money belongs to.


You will learn both the condensed and expanded forms of the Statement of Cash Flows (the "SCF"). This Financial Statement is also called the Cash Flow Statement, the Financial Accounting Cash Flow Statement, the Funds Flow Statement, the Sources, Uses Statement and the Sources of Cash and Uses of Cash Statement and the Statement of Changes in Financial Position.


A statement of cash flows is one of the four major financial statements prepared by corporations at the end of each accounting period (the others being a  balance sheet ,  income statement , and  statement of retained earnings ).


Along with the income statement and the statement of cash flows, the balance sheet is one of the main financial statements of a business.  [1]   It shows a company's assets, liabilities, and equity accounts.


Business accounting is important because it allows for the analysis of income and expenses, which gives an overall picture of the business's financial health.


Creative accounting is a practice whereby a company takes advantage of loopholes to show that they are more profitable or financially stable than they actually are.


Accounting, a meticulous recording of financial transactions, is a crucial process required for the success of businesses both big and small. While large businesses will usually employ a sizable accounting department with many employees (as well as doing business with a separate auditing firm), smaller businesses may employ only a bookkeeper.


Every business, no matter how large or small, needs to keep track of all its transactions. There are many simple financial software systems you can purchase, but it is best if you first have a clear understanding of how accounting transactions work.


Do Common Ratio Analysis of the Financials You will learn 16 common ratios which are used to analyze financial statements.


Break-even analysis is a very useful cost accounting technique. It is part of a larger analytical model called cost-volume-profit (CVP) analysis, and it helps you determine how many product units your company needs to sell to recover its costs and start realizing profit.


An income statement is a key financial document in business. It shows the profitability of a company over a specific period of time. The following guide shows you how to prepare a simple multi-step income statement.


Bookkeeping is the act of recording your daily business transactions.  [1]   You’ll need to record the money going out as well as the money coming in.


You can deduct an expense if it is both “ordinary” and “necessary” for your trade or business. In order to identify which expenses qualify as business deductions, you should gather all of your expenses and go through each one individually.


Ensure Your Companys Receivables Is Generating Optimum Cash Flow

A Company's Receivables can account for up to 40% of their assets. With that in mind, it is crucial that businesses ensure that their receivables, credit and commercial collections process is operating at maximum capability to generate optimized cash flow.


An audit report is the formal opinion of audit findings. The audit report is the end result of an audit and can be used by the recipient person or organization as a tool for financial reporting, investing, altering operations, enforcing accountability, or making decisions.


Do Year End Tax Prep for Your Small Business

Tax season always seems right around the corner. If you weren’t organized during the year, now is the time to go through your business records and pull everything together.


Keeping a ledger is one of the tenets of basic accounting. Ledgers allow the company to quickly view all transactions in an account at once. Fortunately, keeping a ledger is fairly simple, requiring you to log every financial transaction from your business in a journal and the general ledger.


A balance sheet is a financial snapshot of an entity, either a business or an individual, at any given date.  [1]   The "balance" comes from reporting assets and then balancing those assets with the liabilities and equity used to purchase them.


Depreciation is a method accountants use to spread the cost of capital equipment over the useful life of the equipment. Recording depreciation on financial statements is governed by Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP).


Fixed costs are the costs associated with a product's production that do not change, regardless of the number of units produced.  [1]   For example, if your business produces curtains, then your fixed cost list will include things like the building lease, sewing machines, storage bins, overhead lighting fixtures and sewing chairs.


Net income is usually the final figure in an income statement — the “bottom line” that provides business owners with crucial information about how much money is left once their company’s expenses have been paid.


It takes money to start most businesses. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows business owners to deduct all or a portion of their startup costs for the first year they operate their businesses, and to deduct a portion of their startup costs over the first 15 years of operation.


People and companies need resources to put up a business and to keep that business going. In accounting, these resources are referred to as Assets. Assets are one of the essential components in constructing the financial statements, which are used by business owners to evaluate their company's performance.


If you own your own business, then you can deduct any expense that is ordinary and necessary for your business. If you don’t own the business, then you can deduct any business expense that is not covered by your employer.


If you do business in Canada—or plan to at some point—you should be familiar with the goods and services tax (GST) and harmonized sales tax (HST). The GST is a tax that is applied to most of the goods and services paid for in Canada.


Shareholders’ equity essentially represents the amount of a business's holdings that weren't purchased using debt (loans).  [1]   Whether you’re  investing  and buying stock in a corporation, or are a beginning accountant, learning how to calculate shareholders’ equity is an important financial tool.


Retained earnings is the portion of a company's net income which is kept by the company instead of being paid out as dividends to equity holders. This money is usually reinvested into the company, becoming the primary fuel for the firm's continued growth, or used to pay off debts.


Owner's equity is one of the simplest yet most helpful accounting concepts. Some might incorrectly assume that owner's equity tells you how much your business will sell for.


Decide Between Cash and Accrual Accounting for your Business

Accounting has long surpassed the bean counter, and new business owners are well-advised to consult a professional on complex issues. Still, there are fundamental accounting decisions you can make for your business, even if you're a finance novice.


Canadian businesses that generate sales may be required to file annual, semi-annual or monthly PST (Provincial Sales Tax, also called Retail Sales Tax) returns to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), depending on whether the province the business operates in has PST.


Turnover occurs when an employee leaves a job, and the position needs to be filled. Turnover can be measured using a turnover rate formula. The time and cost you incur to interview and hire new workers can impact your company's profit and loss.


Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or "EBITDA," is one measure of a company's operating efficiency. EBITDA is a way to measure profits without having to consider other factors such as financing costs (interest), accounting practices (depreciation and amortization) and tax tables.


The fixed cost of a project or business that cannot be changed. Knowing your fixed costs is essential for proper accounting, as it helps you see what costs you must pay each month, and have no chance of cutting to make your business more profitable.


Depreciation is the method of calculating the cost of an asset over its lifespan.  [1]   The most popular methods are: straight line, double-declining balance, and sum of years.


Depreciation is an essential part of business accounting. Recording regular depreciation expenses over the life of an asset reflects a very real principle: that assets will be worth less over time.


Contribution margin is a concept often used in managerial accounting to analyze the profitability of products. A single product's contribution margin is given with the formula  P - V , where P is the cost of the product and V is its variable cost (the costs associate with resources used to make that item, specifically).


Cash flow is the incoming and outgoing stream of money. Money you earn is inflow, while money you spend is outflow. If your inflow is greater than your outflow, you have a positive cash flow, an amount left over at the month's end that you can invest.


Calculating the cost of goods sold (COGS) gives accountants and managers an accurate estimation of a company's costs. COGS takes into account the specific cost of inventory materials (including the costs associated directly with inventory production in cases where companies make products directly from the purchased raw materials).


Calculate Gross Profit Margin and Net Profit Margin

Profit margin is a measure of profitability in terms of percentage of sales revenue. You can calculate both gross and net profit margin.


Capital gains are the portion of increase above the initial amount invested in vehicles such as stocks, bonds or real estate. It is the difference between original purchase price (or basis) and selling price.


Businesses and financial analysts calculate asset utilization to assess how efficiently a business is using its assets to create revenue. This measurement is typically calculated as a ratio of asset value to revenues.


Book value (also carrying value) is an accounting term used to account for the effect of depreciation on an asset. While small assets are simply held on the books at cost, larger assets like buildings and equipment must be depreciated over time.


Identifying the average operating assets or AOA associated with a company during a specific accounting period is very important to the business process.


An asset is anything a company owns that has a positive monetary value. Assets include things like cash, real estate, inventory, and equipment, but also include less tangible things, such as goodwill and reputation.


In accounting, intangible assets decrease in value over time and this value is calculated in a process called amortization. In the U.S., intangible assets are amortized while tangible assets are depreciated.


A subsidiary is a company that is controlled by another company that owns 50% or more of its voting stock. The controlling company, also called the parent company, is said to have a controlling interest in the subsidiary.


Expenses that a company has incurred (but not yet paid) are commonly referred to as accrued expenses.  [1]   Accrued expenses are classified as current liabilities on the balance sheet.


When running a business, it is very common for multiple expenses - rent and insurance, for example - to be paid for in advance. These expenses that are paid for in advance are known as pre-paid expenses.


A fixed asset is a type of property belonging to a business that is used for production of goods and services. Fixed assets are classified as either intangible or tangible.


Companies that own depreciable fixed assets may need to adjust the value of these assets due to unexpected loss of value. This loss is known as asset impairment.


If you run a small or mid-sized business and extend credit to your customer, then you are obliged to wait for payment until the stipulated credit period is over.


In the business world, your customers may not always pay for your goods or services immediately, and some may never pay at all. Most businesses must sell their products to customers on credit; that is, the buyer receives the product and an invoice which asks that they pay the purchase price within a set time period.


When donations are given to an organization, usually a nonprofit entity, those donations have a "worth" and must be counted as an asset for that company.


Deferred compensation is a term used in the United States to refer to a portion of an employee's pay that is disbursed well after it is earned. Stock options and pensions are the two most common forms of deferred compensation.


Sometimes a business needs to make a deposit of cash up front when placing a business-to-business order. This may be for an unusual one-time purchase such as for a large piece of machinery, or the business may not have the credit required with its supplier in order to be allowed to pay for the goods after delivery.


Long-term debt instruments, unlike equity instruments, represent the conditions under which a borrower receives a loan, including a promise to repay it.


The cost of goods sold (COGS) for a period is the total amount of costs involved in manufacturing a product or delivering a service.  COGS varies for products and services, but it generally includes labor, materials and overhead.


Understanding and accounting for accumulated depreciation is an essential part of accounting. While the process can be moderately challenging, you can learn how to account for accumulated depreciation by following a few simple steps.


A lease is an agreement between a lessor and a lessee by which the lessor will rent an asset to the lessee for a specified period of time, with regular payments due to the lessor for use of the asset.


A lease agreement refers to the act of one company lending an asset to another company, in exchange for periodic rent payments (like renting an apartment, for example).


In  bookkeeping  under General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), debits and credits are used to track the changes of account values. They can also be thought of as mirror opposites: Each debit to an account must be accompanied by a credit to another account (that's how the phrase "double-entry bookkeeping" gets its name).


An asset register — also known as a fixed asset register — is simply a record that clearly identifies all the fixed assets of a business. Fixed assets refer to assets that a business uses regularly to produce its income, and unlike assets like inventory, these assets are not considered products to be sold.


An accounting audit is the process of examining a company's entire financial situation, with an emphasis on ensuring compliance with relevant reporting standards, and promoting adequate cash handling policies and internal controls.


A bank reconciliation is a critical tool for managing your cash balance. Reconciling is the process of comparing the cash activity in your accounting records to the transactions in your bank statement.


A business' profit margin is a key piece of information about whether or not the business is producing income, and if so, how much. You’ll need to monitor your business' profit margin to create a good business plan, keep track of your costs, adjust your prices, and measure the profitability of your business is over time.


When it comes to running a business, profit is king. Defined as  total revenue minus total expenses , profit is the amount of money a business "makes" during a given accounting period.


QuickBooks is one of the many types of bookkeeping software commonly used by individuals and small businesses. Intuit, the maker of QuickBooks, offers a program (called ProAdvisor) through which the company will certify that you are competent with their software.


Bookkeeping, like accounting, is one of the necessary evils of running a business. Despite what many may think, those two terms refer to different processes.


Prorating employee pay is easy — generally, you'll just need to determine what fraction of the normal pay period the employee worked for and pay the appropriate amount.


Calculating Workers Compensation benefits is a necessary process when an unfortunate accident occurs and you or a loved one are no longer able to work full time.


A compensation plan should be an incentive for the employee to fulfill company's goals. It should also benefit the employer. Therefore, a compensation plan is typically a win-win for all parties involved.