Getting Started Guides

At this year’s SuiteWorld conference in Las Vegas, Oracle NetSuite unveiled major updates to its SuiteCloud Developer Network (SDN), marking another step toward accelerating artificial intelligence (AI) adoption among businesses. The updates aim to help partners build, verify, and deliver AI-powered applications faster—potentially giving small and midsize businesses (SMBs) new ways to automate workflows, strengthen compliance, and enhance decision-making through trusted AI integrations. For small business owners already using or considering NetSuite’s cloud ERP, the announcement signals a clear shift: AI is no longer just an optional add-on—it’s becoming an embedded part…

Salesforce is pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence (AI) with new tools that can help small businesses harness the power of AI more effectively. Recent developments on the Salesforce Platform promise to streamline data management and improve operational efficiency, enabling companies to focus on growth while reducing risks related to data handling. Many small business owners have felt the growing pains of integrating AI into their operations, often stymied by complex data landscapes and inconsistent governance practices. According to a RAND study, over 80% of AI projects face challenges that impede their potential value, primarily due to poor data quality and…

Small business owners looking for an edge in today’s competitive landscape might find that the key to unlocking productivity and innovation lies not just in customer-facing strategies, but in prioritizing employee experience. Recent findings from HP’s research highlight that while budgetary constraints are always a concern, the real hurdles to adopting Digital Employee Experience (DEX) systems stem from strategic and cultural barriers. The study—entitled “Fulfillment at Work: IT View”—surveyed 1,825 IT decision-makers across a range of countries, including the US, UK, and Japan. A striking 35% of respondents identified lack of prioritization as the main reason for not im…

Training and development in Human Resource Management (HRM) bring numerous benefits that can greatly impact an organization’s success. By enhancing employee performance and boosting productivity, companies can see a marked increase in overall efficiency. Moreover, well-structured training programs lead to higher employee engagement and job satisfaction. These factors contribute to improved retention rates, creating a stable workforce. Comprehending how these elements align with organizational goals can further raise your business strategy. What other advantages might you discover? Key Takeaways Training enhances employee performance, leading to increased productivity …

Small business owners looking to enhance their operational efficiency may want to pay attention to the latest advancements in artificial intelligence from IBM. The tech giant has unveiled new features in its Watsonx Orchestrate platform designed to optimize how AI agents function in various business workflows. This innovation promises to provide small businesses with the predictive reliability and control needed to navigate today’s complex operational landscapes. At the heart of this update are “agentic workflows,” which allow AI agents to execute tasks autonomously while adhering to essential structures. IBM asserts that when precision is paramount—think financial appro…

In a bold move set to energize local economies, Square is launching its “See You in the Neighborhood” campaign, prioritizing direct engagement with community-based businesses over traditional advertising. This initiative aims to foster authentic relationships between local sellers and consumers, making small businesses within neighborhoods thrive more effectively than ever before. Square has historically positioned itself as a vital tool for small business owners, delivering simple payment solutions that cater to their unique needs. With this new campaign, Square is taking a significant step in providing tangible support through on-the-ground activations that resonate de…

Artificial intelligence has long promised to streamline business operations, but many small businesses have found the reality to be complicated, expensive, or out of reach. Zoho Corporation wants to change that. The company announced a broad rollout of new agentic AI tools—embedded directly into its Collaboration, Customer Experience, and Human Resources apps—to help businesses save time, reduce repetitive work, and improve decision-making. Perhaps most notably, these upgrades come at no extra cost, a move that could make advanced AI more accessible to small and midsize companies struggling to adopt it. Zoho’s announcement centers on simplifying AI adoption through autom…

Intuit recently unveiled its new Intuit Accountant Suite, a cutting-edge platform designed specifically for accounting firms seeking to enhance efficiency and profitability. In an era when small businesses often feel overwhelmed by the complexities of managing client accounts, this AI-powered solution promises to streamline operations and improve service delivery. The introduction of Intuit Accountant Suite comes at a time when the demands on accounting practices continue to grow. “Accounting firms play a vital role in advising their clients on key growth strategies, while managing their own complex operations,” says Simon Williams, vice president of accountant partnersh…

This week on “The Exit Strategy” we talk about how when you create a business, you have to know when the right time to exit is. This is a talent not too many entrepreneurs have mastered. It’s hard to “go out” on top! Peter Shankman’s first major exit, The Geek Factory, stemmed from a realization that both he and the market had become complacent. He knew it was time to move on when the work started feeling “too easy.” This sense of ease, while comfortable, was actually a warning sign that innovation had stalled. If you find yourself coasting through work without challenge or excitement, it may signal stagnation, either in your own engagement or in the market itself. Comp…

Verizon’s Home Internet service is making waves in the small business community with its latest expansion, introducing a new affordable Home Internet Lite plan designed specifically for customers facing limited connectivity options. With a commitment to bringing reliable internet service to underserved areas, Verizon aims to empower small businesses with the tools they need to thrive in a digitally-driven economy. As small business owners know, a strong internet connection is essential for everyday operations, from sending emails to streaming video calls. The Home Internet Lite plan offers a practical solution for entrepreneurs and employees alike, particularly for those…

As the healthcare landscape grapples with escalating demands, small businesses in the eldercare sector may want to explore innovative solutions like those pioneered by ElephasCare. This Ontario-based startup is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in long-term care: staffing shortages. Long-term care homes across Canada are facing critical staffing deficits, particularly in Ontario, where estimates suggest an urgent need for at least 58,600 additional nurses and personal support workers by 2029. In light of this challenge, ElephasCare offers a transformative AI-powered platform designed to e…

A DBA registration service helps you officially register a trade name for your business, which is essential for compliance and credibility. By filing the necessary paperwork, these services guarantee you can operate under a name different from your legal entity. They likewise conduct name availability searches, provide renewal reminders, and guide you through state-specific regulations. Comprehending these aspects can greatly impact your business operations and success, so let’s explore why this registration is necessary for you. Key Takeaways DBA registration services assist businesses in filing necessary paperwork to comply with naming regulations and avoid conflicts …

To excel in sales skills training, you need to master five fundamental techniques that can markedly improve your effectiveness. Comprehending product benefits and customer needs is vital, as is developing active listening and empathy to build trust. Furthermore, you must emphasize adaptability in a dynamic market and focus on cultivating strong relationships for long-term engagement. Finally, incorporating effective communication and negotiation strategies will further raise your performance. Discover how each technique can transform your approach. Key Takeaways Focus on understanding product features and customer benefits to tailor sales pitches effectively. Develop …

At the recent Web Summit 2025, Visa revealed exciting developments aimed at empowering digital creators—a group increasingly recognized as vital small businesses. With their new 2025 Creator Report and plans for a collaboration with Karat Financial, Visa aims to provide modern tools and resources to help creators grow both locally and globally. Small business owners should pay close attention, as Visa’s initiatives highlight a critical shift in the marketplace: creators are not merely influencers; they are entrepreneurs vying for a strong foothold in the economy. Visa’s study, conducted in partnership with Morning Consult, surveyed over 1,000 TikTok creators from region…

Salesforce is stepping up its game in the analytics world with its recent acquisition of Spindle AI, a platform renowned for its advanced agentic analytics capabilities. Small business owners might just find this development revolutionary in making data-driven decisions simpler, more effective, and faster. Spindle AI’s cutting-edge technology blends advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning with sophisticated data modeling. This fusion allows businesses to navigate complex datasets and derive actionable insights rapidly. For small business owners often overwhelmed by data, such technology promises a means to unlock its value without getting bogged down i…

Being an owner sole proprietor means you have total control over your business decisions and profits, but it additionally comes with significant responsibilities. You’ll manage everything from daily operations to legal compliance, all during facing unlimited personal liability. This structure can be appealing because of low startup costs and simplicity, yet it demands a strong commitment. As you consider this path, it’s essential to understand both the advantages and challenges that lie ahead. What will you prioritize as you begin? Key Takeaways As a sole proprietor, you own and operate the business independently without any legal distinction from it. You retain all pro…

Workday, a leader in enterprise AI solutions for managing human resources and financial systems, has announced its intention to acquire Pipedream, an integration platform boasting over 3,000 pre-built connectors. This acquisition aims to enhance the Workday platform by enabling streamlined workflows between Workday’s trusted HR and financial data and a wide array of business applications, delivering significant value to small business owners. By integrating Pipedream’s capabilities, Workday will allow small businesses to pull crucial data from popular applications like Asana, Hubspot, and Slack directly into Workday’s ecosystem. This flexibility promises to simplify oper…

In an era where mid-market businesses face increasing complexities and competition, Intuit Inc. has stepped up with a powerful new offering alongside Rehmann, a professional advisory firm. Their collaboration introduces the Intuit Enterprise Suite, aimed at enhancing growth for mid-market companies by leveraging artificial intelligence within a streamlined enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform. This partnership promises to tackle the challenges small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) encounter with outdated ERP systems. Simon Williams, vice president of the accountant segment at Intuit, noted, “Like Intuit, Rehmann is obsessed with customer success. This partner…

In relation to closing sales, perfecting effective techniques can greatly influence your success. From the Assumptive Close, which builds confidence by presuming readiness, to the Scarcity Close, which creates urgency with limited-time offers, each method serves a distinct purpose. Comprehending these strategies not solely improves your closing rates but additionally cultivates lasting customer relationships. Curious about how each technique works and the appropriate time to apply them? Let’s explore these impactful closing examples further. Key Takeaways Assumptive Close: Confidently assume the buyer’s readiness to proceed, framing the sale as a natural next step in …

In a significant advancement for small businesses, Google has unveiled its latest innovation, Gemini 3, which promises to revolutionize the way owners access relevant information through Google Search. By leveraging advanced reasoning capabilities, Gemini 3 enhances the existing query fan-out technique, enabling the search engine to deliver even more tailored outputs for complex inquiries. Gemini 3 builds on its predecessor by not only broadening the scope of searches but also gaining a deeper understanding of user intent. This means that when you pose a question, Gemini 3 can unearth high-quality, credible content that might have been overlooked previously. For small bu…

In an era where employee engagement can dictate business success, small business owners are continually seeking effective strategies to foster workplace morale. SurveyMonkey, a leading platform for employee feedback, recently showcased its approach to maintaining high engagement levels through regular surveys. This biennial insight underscores the crucial balance of gathering employee opinions without overwhelming them—a focus that small business owners may find particularly relevant. SurveyMonkey runs two comprehensive engagement surveys and two pulse check surveys annually. These tools help organizations measure employee satisfaction and track progress over time. The l…

As the holiday shopping season approaches, small business owners are facing a critical challenge: staying ahead of rapidly evolving fraud tactics that threaten their bottom lines. A recent report from Visa highlights five transformative forces reshaping the landscape of global payment security, urging businesses to take proactive steps in safeguarding their transactions. Visa’s Fall 2025 Biannual Threats Report, released to coincide with International Fraud Awareness Week, reveals that fraud is no longer the realm of individual crooks operating in isolation. “The payments ecosystem is experiencing a paradigm shift in how fraud operates,” says Paul Fabara, Visa’s Chief Ri…

Crafting compelling social media copy isn’t just about being creative; it requires a strategic approach. You’ll need to understand your audience’s demographics and their specific pain points to create targeted content that resonates. By employing attention-grabbing hooks and clearly highlighting the value of your message, you can effectively engage users. Yet, there’s more to reflect upon. What other factors can enhance your social media presence? Key Takeaways Understand your audience by segmenting demographics and addressing their pain points to enhance engagement and connection. Craft attention-grabbing hooks with provocative questions and strong adjectives to evok…

Acquiring fundamental conflict resolution skills is critical for effective communication and collaboration in any environment. Active listening allows you to understand others’ perspectives fully, whereas empathy enables you to appreciate differing viewpoints. Emotional intelligence helps you maintain composure during disputes, cultivating constructive dialogue. These skills not merely improve problem-solving but additionally contribute to a healthier workplace. As you explore these important techniques, consider how they can transform your interactions and improve overall team dynamics. Key Takeaways Master active listening to understand different perspectives and re…

Building a company from scratch is a structured process that requires careful planning and execution. To start effectively, you need to identify a viable business idea by conducting thorough market research to find unmet needs. After that, crafting a thorough business plan is vital, as it outlines your objectives and financial projections. Comprehending the next steps, including choosing a legal structure and securing funding, is fundamental for your venture’s success. What follows can greatly impact your growth trajectory. Key Takeaways Identify a viable business idea by researching market needs and consumer preferences to ensure strong demand. Create a comprehensive b…