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In life, there is no separation between one's vocation ad one's avocation, between our day jobs and other things we do to remain inspired. That's the principle that guides Yvon Chouinard, founder of the outdoor gear company Patagonia. He believes companies large and small can reap greater financial rewards by doing what's good for the environm Read More

One simple fact of marketing is that the Internet is a much different playing field than traditional advertising channels like newspapers and television. According to a study by Webvisible and Nielsen Online, only 9 percent of small business owners say they are satisfied with their online advertising efforts. Getting it right is critical in today Read More

"Growth" is a word rarely uttered in tough economic times, especially among small businesses that are fighting for survival. Fortunately, growing a business in uncertain times is possible. Just ask the owners of a small bookstore in Woodstock, Ga. They have steadily grown their store into a community fixture by eschewing doom-and-gloom thinking. Read More

Businesses large and small shell out huge amounts of money for training every year. In some industries, almost a quarter of those expenditures are earmarked for customer service training. But to be effective, the training must be presented in ways that match employees' learning styles. Here are three specific learning styles to consider. Read More

With the economy struggling, and profit margins thin, there is no better time than now to seek cost reductions as part of your business development strategy. Many small businesses, however, consider certain supplier relationships to be above review, which removes any incentive for suppliers to give you the best deal. Here are some steps you can ta Read More

Online relationship building with customers takes time and effort; it doesn't happen overnight. But small businesses that go the extra mile see benefits ranging from improved customer loyalty to increased sales. Here are six effective ways to get closer to your customers in the virtual world as part of a niche marketing effort. Read More

When a great product or service isn't selling, the salesperson is probably to blame, right? Actually, that's nothing but a myth, one of many that plague the sales profession. Martyn Lewis, author of the acclaimed book "Sales Wise," shares five other myths about sales, and the realities behind what creates truly effective sales lead generation Read More

These days, it's not enough for a small business to rely on the products and services it offers and the prices it charges. Having a strong brand identity lends credibility in a crowded marketplace and gives a company a personality beyond the people who work there. Here's what you need to know about brand identity development. Read More

No matter what business you're in, at some point in your career you will have to deal with an angry customer. Your challenge is to handle the situation and send the customer away thinking he or she has just done business with the greatest company on earth. Here's a six-step process to quickly resolve a customer complaint. Read More

No doubt, the economy is facing some serious challenges, but now is not the time for owners of small businesses to develop a recession mind-set. In fact, it's the perfect time to attract new customers while everyone else is expecting the worst. Here's how to recession-proof your business. Read More