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Hello and welcome to Modern CEO! I’m Stephanie Mehta, CEO and chief content officer of Mansueto Ventures. Each week this newsletter explores inclusive approaches to leadership drawn from conversations with executives and entrepreneurs, and from the pages of Inc. and Fast Company. If you received this newsletter from a friend, you can sign up to get it yourself every Monday morning. Consumers will spend a whopping $27.5 billion on Valentine’s Day this year, up from $25.8 billion last year, according to the National Retail Federation. For 1-800-Flowers.com, the purveyor of candy, cards, and—yes—flowers, February 14 is a bit like its Super Bowl, with year-long planning for the holiday. Beyond bouquets Founder, chairman, and CEO Jim McCann, who started the business in 1976 when he acquired a flower shop in Manhattan, says Valentine’s Day has expanded from an observance of romantic love to an opportunity to give gifts to friends, loved ones, and even pets. Historically, men made up 90% of purchasers during the holiday. “We now see men making up less than 70% of our customers who purchase for Valentine’s Day, and the recipient has broadened beyond the sweetheart to moms and sisters and children,” McCann says. “That’s resulted, frankly, in it becoming a bigger holiday for us.” The retailer has responded in kind, introducing pet-themed items (pet owners are expected to spend $2 billion on Valentine’s Day) and a collaboration with lifestyle brand LoveShackFancy featuring pastel-hued cookies and flowers suitable for “Galentine’s Day” celebrations of female friendship. The company also offers trending items such as black roses, designed to appeal to Gen Z. In all, the company says it will deliver 24 million flowers for Valentine’s Day. Fixing make-or-break tech When I asked McCann how he leads his organization through demand surges, I expected him to talk about supply chain, marketing campaigns, and staffing. Instead, he openly spoke about the company’s work to correct problems caused by the implementation of a new order management system at the company’s Harry & David fruit and prepared foods unit during the December holiday season. The system had trouble managing some complex orders, which caused delivery delays, frustrated customers, and some canceled orders. Though his seasoned team has deep experience in the business, “sometimes mistakes happen,” McCann says. Flower delivery and other units such as Shari’s Berries and The Popcorn Factory don’t use the same system, but they share a common customer service platform that was overwhelmed by the holiday season snafu. On a recent earnings call, 1-800-Flowers.com executives said many of the issues with the order system have been resolved. “We can hopefully come out a better management company as a result of it, because we cannot escape the changes of technology that are upon us and coming ever faster,” McCann tells me. Embracing the flops McCann’s willingness to own up to mistakes is nothing new. He frequently writes about mistakes he’s made in his career and even maintains a “Wall of Shame” at company headquarters “dedicated to celebrating every stumble, flop, and facepalm moment our team has had over the years,” he says. Of course, leaders and companies have to do more than just own up to their errors—they have to learn from them and figure out how to take calculated or mitigated risks. Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmonson writes about “intelligent failure” in her book Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well. She contends that “failing well” is necessary if companies ever expect to break new ground. McCann’s unabashed embrace of his own failures is a stark contrast to many other founders, who swagger about with an air of infallibility. (For more on these imperious folks, check out Inc. editor-at-large Bill Saporito’s story on “The cult of the entrepreneur.”) Indeed, when I asked McCann if 1-800-Flowers.com benefitted from having a founder as CEO, he demurred. “There are other people who are better at managing, and there are things that I could do that they can’t do because of the unique situation I’m in, having lived and breathed [this business] my whole adult life and having such a passion for it,” he says. “I don’t think I’m the best CEO that’s ever lived. I think I’m pretty good at envisioning what we are and what we can be.” What’s your biggest ‘my bad’ moment? Do you have a wall of shame at your company? What was your biggest failure, and what did you learn from it? Send your comments to me at stephaniemehta@mansueto.com. I’d like to share some of your insights in an upcoming newsletter dedicated to failure. Read more: on failing The Silicon Valley man obsessed with failure The biggest business failures of 2024 3 successful designers on the lessons of failure View the full article

Your WordPress site might be packed with great content and stunning visuals, but without proper search engine optimization (SEO), it could be hard to find. SEO ensures your site gets noticed, eventually driving traffic to your content and boosting engagement. Thankfully, SEO doesn’t have to be complicated. Many WordPress plugins simplify key tasks like optimizing content, structuring your site, and improving performance, all of which contribute to better rankings. Below, we’re exploring reliable and widely used SEO plugins that can help your site stand out and attract the audience it deserves. Here at Kinsta, ranked as G2’s top WordPress hosting provider, we have a unique perspective on plugins favored by our customers in the premium hosting space and installed on more than 120,000 websites. So, we’ll include some data on our own customers’ SEO preferences in this overview. Why the right SEO plugin makes a big difference SEO plugins can simplify tasks that would otherwise require significant effort and offer features that address key aspects of optimization. You can expect to find features like these in high-quality SEO plugins: On-page optimization: Some plugins help you fine-tune meta tags, analyze keywords, and improve readability. That way, each page meets search engine standards. Site structure improvements: Automatically generate XML sitemaps, add breadcrumbs, and optimize navigation. Integration with search engine tools: Connect your site with Google Analytics and Search Console to track performance and gain insight into what needs fixing. Enhance page speed and performance: Some plugins include features like caching or image optimization, which indirectly improve SEO by boosting load times and user experience. When choosing the right SEO plugin, consider your site’s needs and the skill set you’re bringing to the table. Beginners may prefer tools with simpler interfaces, while advanced users might want more customization options. Focus on essentials to prevent your site from slowing down or becoming overly complex. If one plugin does the job of three, then it’s usually best to go with the single plugin. The importance of plugin security Security might not be the first thing you think of when choosing an SEO plugin, but it plays a vital role in maintaining your site’s search engine rankings and overall health. Poorly secured plugins can open the door to vulnerabilities that expose your site to threats. Here’s a quick look at why plugin security matters: Outdated plugins create vulnerabilities: Hackers often target outdated or poorly maintained plugins. Once compromised, your site could be infected with malware, phishing scripts, or other malicious code. Hacked sites face SEO penalties: Search engines prioritize safe browsing experiences. If your site gets flagged for malicious activity, it could be removed from search results or labeled as unsafe, resulting in a sharp drop in traffic. Proactive protection is essential: Regularly updating your plugins and choosing ones from reputable developers help reduce risks. Look for plugins with consistent updates and strong user reviews. Managed WordPress hosting providers like Kinsta offer additional layers of security by performing regular plugin scans, flagging vulnerabilities, and making plugin updates easier. Top 9 SEO plugins for WordPress Choosing the right SEO plugin requires more than just downloading the first highly-rated option you find. For this list, we’ve evaluated plugins based on the following criteria: Popularity: Plugins with high ratings and a significant number of global installations are often trusted by the WordPress community. Features and ease of use: Whether you’re managing on-page optimization, generating sitemaps, or improving site speed, the plugins listed here offer useful features without unnecessary complexity. Regular updates and compatibility: Plugins that receive frequent updates are more likely to remain secure, compatible with the latest version of WordPress, and equipped with new features. Let’s explore the SEO plugins we recommend and see how they can elevate your WordPress site in search. 1. Yoast SEO Global installations: Over 10 million Average rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars Footprint on Kinsta-hosted sites: 51% Yoast SEO is one of the most popular SEO plugins (and used by fully half of Kinsta’s customers), offering a comprehensive set of tools to improve your site’s on-page SEO. Known for its beginner-friendly traffic light system, it evaluates your content’s readability and optimization levels so you can create pages that real human beings and search engines enjoy. Features: Traffic light system for on-page optimization. XML sitemap generation for better site indexing. Schema.org integration to enhance search visibility. Readability analysis to improve user engagement. 2. Rank Math Global installations: Over 3 million Average rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars Footprint on Kinsta-hosted sites: 18% Rank Math is the only SEO plugin that comes close to Yoast SEO’s popularity among Kinsta’s sophisticated customers. It’s a growing choice because of its advanced features and lightweight design. Rank Math offers powerful tools like rich snippet support, keyword analysis, and Google Search Console integration. Features: Detailed keyword optimization with support for multiple keywords. Rich snippet integration for better SERP visibility. 404 error monitoring and redirection tools. Easy integration with Google Search Console. Setup wizard for a hassle-free configuration process. 3. All in One SEO Global installations: Over 3 million Average rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars Footprint on Kinsta-hosted sites: 3.4% All in One SEO has been a trusted SEO plugin for over a decade, known for balancing ease of use with useful features. It’s designed to meet the needs of everyone and offers tools for meta tag management, sitemaps, and even WooCommerce optimization. Features: Meta tag customization for improved on-page SEO. Support for XML and RSS sitemaps. Built-in tools for social media integration. Advanced options for WooCommerce SEO. Local optimization for businesses targeting specific regions. 4. SEOPress Global installations: Over 300,000 Average rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars Footprint on Kinsta-hosted sites: 2.7% SEOPress offers a clean, ad-free interface while packing advanced features that appeal to advanced users. It includes everything from unlimited keyword optimization to redirection management, making it a strong contender for anyone looking to enhance their site’s SEO. Features: Unlimited keyword optimization to target multiple phrases. Redirection management to fix broken links and improve SEO. Integration with Google Analytics for better performance tracking. Customizable titles and meta descriptions. Schema support for enhanced rich results. 5. The SEO Framework Global installations: Over 200,000 Average rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars Footprint on Kinsta-hosted sites: 1.8% The SEO Framework is a minimalist plugin that focuses on automation and simplicity. Unlike other plugins, it’s ad-free and offers pre-configured settings, so those who want powerful SEO features without unnecessary distractions will benefit the most. Features: Automated SEO settings for hassle-free optimization. Local SEO options for businesses targeting specific areas. Built-in spam comment protection to safeguard site health. Extension manager for adding specific functionality as needed. 6. SEO Plugin by Squirrly SEO Global installations: Over 100,000 Average rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars Footprint on Kinsta-hosted sites: 0.1% Squirrly SEO is perfect for beginners who want guided assistance with their SEO efforts. It provides real-time suggestions and detailed advice while creating content, making the optimization process feel intuitive and approachable. Features: Real-time SEO advice during content creation. Keyword research tool to identify high-value phrases. Weekly SEO audit reports for ongoing improvements. SERP checker to monitor your rankings over time. Integration with popular tools like Google Analytics. 7. Broken Link Checker Global installations: Over 600,000 Average rating: 3.8 out of 5 stars Footprint on Kinsta-hosted sites: 2.2% Broken Link Checker helps maintain your site’s SEO health by identifying and managing broken links. Broken links make for an unpleasant user experience and can damage your SEO. Features: Monitors for broken links and missing images. Prevents search engines from following bad links. Allows you to edit links directly from the plugin dashboard. 8. W3 Total Cache Global installations: Over 1 million Average rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars Footprint on Kinsta-hosted sites: 0.47% W3 Total Cache isn’t a traditional SEO plugin but can help improve your site speed. Faster load times can lead to a better user experience and search engine rankings, making it an essential plugin for performance optimization. Features: Page and database caching for faster load times. CDN integration to deliver content quickly to global audiences. Minification of CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files. Browser caching to improve repeat-visitor load times. W3 Total Cache and other plugins in this category are rarely used by Kinsta customers because our own Cloudflare integration provides CDN, edge caching, and one-the-fly image optimization for free. 9. Internal Link Juicer Global installations: Over 60,000 Average rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars Footprint on Kinsta-hosted sites: 0.26% Internal Link Juicer is a specialized plugin that automates internal linking. This improves your site structure and can help search engines better understand your content. Features: Automates internal linking based on keywords. Customizable anchor text options for better targeting. Link statistics to track performance. Blacklist and whitelist features to control link placements. Summary SEO plugins do the heavy lifting to help your WordPress site rank higher, load faster, and stay optimized. Whether you’re fine-tuning a growing site or just getting started, the right plugin makes all the difference. Check out the options listed here to find the best fit. And if you want a hassle-free experience with top-tier security and performance, Kinsta’s managed hosting ensures your site is running at its best. View the full article

I recently listened to Tim Ferriss interview the prolific fantasy author Brandon Sanderson (see here for my coverage of Sanderson’s insane underground writing lair). Tim traveled to Utah to talk to Sanderson at the headquarters of his 70-person publishing and merchandising company, Dragonsteel Books. The following exchange, from early in the conversation, caught my attention: Ferriss: “It seems like, where we’re sitting –and we’re sitting at HQ — it seems like the design of Dragonsteel, maybe the intent behind it, is to allow you to do that [come up with stories] on some level.” Sanderson: “Yeah, yeah, I mean everything in our company is built around, ‘let Brandon cook.’ And take away from Brandon anything he doesn’t have to think about, or doesn’t strictly need to.” As someone who writes a lot about knowledge work in the digital age, I’m fascinated by this model of cooking, which I define as follows: a workflow designed to enable someone with a high-return skill to spend most of their time applying that skill, without distraction. It makes sense to me that Dragonsteel goes out of its way to protect Sanderson’s ability to think and write. The roughly 300,000 words he produces per year is the raw material with which his company’s revenue is ultimately built. To significantly reduce Sanderson’s ability to produce those words might make some of his employees’ lives easier, but it would be like reducing the amount of steel shipped to an automotive assembly-line; eventually you’re going to ship many fewer cars, and your sales will plummet. What doesn’t make sense to me is why this cooking model is so rare in knowledge work more generally. To be clear, this approach doesn’t apply to all jobs. At the moment, for example, as a full professor in Georgetown’s computer science department, I’m taking my turn as the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS). This is not a position built around a singular high-return skill, so it would make no sense for the department to orient around “letting Cal cook” as DUS. But, it’s also true that there are many jobs where, like for Sanderson, letting individuals focus on a single high-return activity could really boost the bottom line. I’m thinking, for example, of programmers, researchers, engineers, and any number of creative industry positions. And yet, we almost never see something like Sanderson’s focused setup replicated. A major culprit here is technology. Digital communication eliminates most of the friction required to command other peoples’ time and attention toward your own benefit. It costs essentially nothing to shoot off a quick message with a question, or to ask someone to jump on a call, or to pass along a task that just occurred to you. In such an environment, in the absence of hard barriers, most people get inexorably dragged toward a degenerate equilibrium state defined by constant distraction and obligation saturation. (I’ve written two books about this effect if you want to learn more about it.) If Sanderson didn’t explicitly build his entire company around letting him cook, in other words, then he would likely find himself instead spending much of his day answering email. What I would like to see is a world in which many organizations have, at the very least, a handful of Sanderson-type positions — employees with super high-value skills that are left alone to apply them in a focused manner. This would only impact a relatively small percentage of workers, so why would it matter? Because it would represent a notable incursion against the broader embrace of pseudo-productivity — the idea that busyness is synonymous with usefulness, and more activity is better than less. It would open our eyes to the idea that some activities are more valuable than others, and in-the-moment convenience is over-rated in the office setting. It would empower more organizations to explore more radical and interesting ways of structuring how they get things done. I don’t need us to figure this out immediately, but it would be nice, however, if we could make some progress before my stint as DUS comes to an end. By then, I’ll for sure be ready to cook. ##### In other news… If you want hear more on this topic, listen to Episode 339 of my podcast, in which I discuss this topic in more detail, including more practical ideas about how to formalize and spread the cooking model. My good writer friends Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness, over at The Growth Equation, recently published a great essay on their newsletter titled: “A Letter to My Younger Self: On Regret, Resilience, and Dealing with the Messiness of Life.” [ read online | subscribe ] (Note: Steve also just published a great new book that I highly recommend: Win the Inside Game.) Have you checked out my new book, Slow Productivity, yet? You should! In case it helps persuade you, it was recently revealed to be one of the top #5 most popular non-fiction books of 2024 in the Seattle library system, and the #1 most popular self-help audiobook of 2024 in the LA library system. (Wait, do I live on the wrong coast?) The post Let Brandon Cook appeared first on Cal Newport. View the full article

I recently listened to Tim Ferriss interview the prolific fantasy author Brandon Sanderson (see here for my coverage of Sanderson’s insane underground writing lair). Tim traveled to Utah to talk to Sanderson at the headquarters of his 70-person publishing and merchandising company, Dragonsteel Books. The following exchange, from early in the conversation, caught my attention: Ferriss: “It seems like, where we’re sitting –and we’re sitting at HQ — it seems like the design of Dragonsteel, maybe the intent behind it, is to allow you to do that [come up with stories] on some level.” Sanderson: “Yeah, yeah, I mean everything in our company is built around, ‘let Brandon cook.’ And take away from Brandon anything he doesn’t have to think about, or doesn’t strictly need to.” As someone who writes a lot about knowledge work in the digital age, I’m fascinated by this model of cooking, which I define as follows: a workflow designed to enable someone with a high-return skill to spend most of their time applying that skill, without distraction. It makes sense to me that Dragonsteel goes out of its way to protect Sanderson’s ability to think and write. The roughly 300,000 words he produces per year is the raw material with which his company’s revenue is ultimately built. To significantly reduce Sanderson’s ability to produce those words might make some of his employees’ lives easier, but it would be like reducing the amount of steel shipped to an automotive assembly-line; eventually you’re going to ship many fewer cars, and your sales will plummet. What doesn’t make sense to me is why this cooking model is so rare in knowledge work more generally. To be clear, this approach doesn’t apply to all jobs. At the moment, for example, as a full professor in Georgetown’s computer science department, I’m taking my turn as the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS). This is not a position built around a singular high-return skill, so it would make no sense for the department to orient around “letting Cal cook” as DUS. But, it’s also true that there are many jobs where, like for Sanderson, letting individuals focus on a single high-return activity could really boost the bottom line. I’m thinking, for example, of programmers, researchers, engineers, and any number of creative industry positions. And yet, we almost never see something like Sanderson’s focused setup replicated. A major culprit here is technology. Digital communication eliminates most of the friction required to command other peoples’ time and attention toward your own benefit. It costs essentially nothing to shoot off a quick message with a question, or to ask someone to jump on a call, or to pass along a task that just occurred to you. In such an environment, in the absence of hard barriers, most people get inexorably dragged toward a degenerate equilibrium state defined by constant distraction and obligation saturation. (I’ve written two books about this effect if you want to learn more about it.) If Sanderson didn’t explicitly build his entire company around letting him cook, in other words, then he would likely find himself instead spending much of his day answering email. What I would like to see is a world in which many organizations have, at the very least, a handful of Sanderson-type positions — employees with super high-value skills that are left alone to apply them in a focused manner. This would only impact a relatively small percentage of workers, so why would it matter? Because it would represent a notable incursion against the broader embrace of pseudo-productivity — the idea that busyness is synonymous with usefulness, and more activity is better than less. It would open our eyes to the idea that some activities are more valuable than others, and in-the-moment convenience is over-rated in the office setting. It would empower more organizations to explore more radical and interesting ways of structuring how they get things done. I don’t need us to figure this out immediately, but it would be nice, however, if we could make some progress before my stint as DUS comes to an end. By then, I’ll for sure be ready to cook. ##### In other news… If you want hear more on this topic, listen to Episode 339 of my podcast, in which I discuss this topic in more detail, including more practical ideas about how to formalize and spread the cooking model. My good writer friends Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness, over at The Growth Equation, recently published a great essay on their newsletter titled: “A Letter to My Younger Self: On Regret, Resilience, and Dealing with the Messiness of Life.” [ read online | subscribe ] (Note: Steve also just published a great new book that I highly recommend: Win the Inside Game.) Have you checked out my new book, Slow Productivity, yet? You should! In case it helps persuade you, it was recently revealed to be one of the top #5 most popular non-fiction books of 2024 in the Seattle library system, and the #1 most popular self-help audiobook of 2024 in the LA library system. (Wait, do I live on the wrong coast?) The post Let Brandon Cook appeared first on Cal Newport. View the full article

Wondering how to start a business? Starting your own business can be a rewarding endeavor, requiring careful planning, dedication, and a strategic approach from the beginning. If you’re interested in business ownership but aren’t sure where to start, this guide has you covered. Refer to the Table of Contents to navigate through the key steps and strategies for starting your business. How to Start a Business Though every business start journey is different, there are several steps that apply to most entrepreneurs, from finding your business niche to marketing your products and services. The business start process involves choosing a viable idea, market analysis, and securing financing. Following our detailed steps to start a business will ensure you cover all essential aspects, from legal registration to market entry, providing a clear roadmap for launching your venture. We’ve laid out this entire to-do list/startup checklist in the 10 steps below! Brainstorm to Find the Right Business Idea to Begin Before starting a business, it’s important to have a strong business idea. A successful business idea should be unique and innovative, and the concept should provide value to potential customers. Some business owners start something that’s never been done before, while others venture into an existing industry and simply find one or two ways to stand out. Buying into a franchise system or franchising can streamline the startup process by providing a ready-made business model and support network (Check out our franchise guide for more on selecting the right options). However, if you come up with something truly unique, consider patenting an idea to protect your business. As you narrow down your business concept, here are some qualities to prioritize: Simple and clear – A good business concept should be easy to understand and explain to others. Unique – A good business concept should be different from what is already available in the market. Scalable – A good business concept should have the potential to grow and expand over time. Profitable – A good business concept should be able to generate enough revenue to cover costs and make a profit. Sustainable – A good business concept should be able to operate over the long term without running out of resources. Popular Types of Business Startups to Consider If you need inspiration to kick off your new business venture, here are some popular business ideas to consider: E-commerce Store – An e-commerce store is an online platform that allows businesses to sell products or services to customers over the Internet. E-commerce stores can be created for various types of businesses and niches, and they can be set up on platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. Online stores can be run from anywhere in the world, making them a great option for entrepreneurs looking to work remotely. Freelance Service – Freelance services offer specialized skills and expertise to clients on a project basis. Freelancers work independently and can offer services such as writing, graphic design, programming, or photography. Freelance services are becoming increasingly popular due to the growth of the gig economy and remote work opportunities. Food Truck – A food truck is a mobile food business that can sell various types of food. These trucks can be found at festivals, markets, and street corners and can offer a range of cuisines, from fast food to gourmet fare. A food truck can be a great business opportunity for entrepreneurs who love cooking and want to bring their cuisine to the masses. Home-based Daycare – A home-based daycare provides childcare services in a home setting. This type of business can be ideal for stay-at-home parents or caregivers who love working with children. Daycare providers must comply with state regulations and requirements and ensure that they have appropriate insurance coverage. Personal Trainer – Personal trainers provide fitness coaching and training services to clients. Personal trainers can work with individuals or groups and may specialize in areas like weight loss, strength training, or endurance training. This type of business can be started with minimal equipment and can be operated from a home gym or a rented space. Virtual Assistant – A virtual assistant offers administrative and support services to businesses and entrepreneurs remotely, including tasks such as scheduling, customer support, bookkeeping, email management, social media management, and more. Bed and Breakfast – A bed and breakfast provides lodging and breakfast to guests in a home setting. Bed and breakfasts can offer a more intimate and personalized experience compared to traditional hotels and can be located in urban or rural areas. This type of business can be ideal for individuals who enjoy hospitality and have a spare room or two in their homes. Pet Grooming – A pet grooming business that offers grooming and care services for pets. Grooming services can include bathing, nail trimming, hair cutting, and more. This type of business can be ideal for individuals who love animals and want to work with them on a daily basis. Cleaning service – A cleaning service provides cleaning and organizing services to homes and businesses. This type of business can be operated solo or with a team and can specialize in residential or commercial cleaning. Cleaning services require little overhead costs, making them an ideal option for those looking to start a business with low startup costs. Event Planning – Event planning involves helping clients plan and execute events. Event planners can work with clients to plan weddings, conferences, parties, and other special occasions. This type of business requires strong organizational and communication skills, as well as attention to detail. Consulting – A consultant offers expertise and advice to businesses and individuals. Consultants can specialize in various areas, including marketing, finance, human resources, operations, or economic development. This type of business can be ideal for individuals with years of experience in a particular field and who want to help others succeed. Food Delivery – A food delivery business delivers food to customers who order online or via phone. Food delivery services can be offered for various types of cuisine, including fast food, pizza, Chinese food, and more. This type of business can be started with minimal startup costs, as delivery drivers can use their own vehicles and equipment. Social Media Management – Social media management involves managing businesses’ social media accounts. Social media managers can create and publish content, engage with followers, and analyze performance metrics to improve social media strategies. This type of business can be ideal for individuals who are skilled in social media marketing and have a strong understanding of different social media platforms. Tutoring – Tutoring involves offering one-on-one educational services to students. Tutors can specialize in various subjects, including math, science, language, and test preparation. Tutoring services can be offered in-person or online, making it a flexible business opportunity for individuals who enjoy teaching. Graphic Design – Graphic designers create visual designs for businesses and individuals, helping to establish a strong brand identity through branding, web design, print design, and more. This type of business can be ideal for individuals with strong creativity and design skills who enjoy working on a variety of projects. Landscaping – Landscaping involves providing landscaping and gardening services to homeowners and businesses. Landscapers can offer services such as lawn care, garden design, tree trimming, and more. This type of business can be ideal for individuals who enjoy working outdoors and have experience in gardening and landscaping. Mobile Car Detailing – A mobile car detailing business provides car cleaning and detailing services at clients’ locations. Mobile car detailers can offer services such as washing, waxing, and interior cleaning. This type of business can be started with minimal equipment and can be operated from a home garage or rented space. Personal Shopping – Personal shoppers offer shopping services to individuals and businesses. Personal shoppers can help clients find the perfect outfit for a special occasion, or they can help businesses source products and supplies. This type of business can be ideal for individuals with a passion for fashion and shopping. Subscription Box – A subscription box business sends monthly boxes of curated items to subscribers. Subscription boxes can include a variety of products, such as beauty supplies, food, clothing, or pet products. This type of business can be ideal for individuals who enjoy sourcing and curating unique products. Web Development – Web developers design and develop websites for businesses and individuals. Web developers can specialize in front-end or back-end development, or they can offer full-stack development services. This type of business can be ideal for individuals with strong technical skills and a passion for web design and development. Drop Shipping – This business model allows you to sell products without needing to hold inventory. With this method, you partner with suppliers who handle the inventory and shipping process while you focus on marketing and customer acquisition. If you want to learn how to start dropshipping, check out our comprehensive guide on “How to Start Dropshipping,” which provides step-by-step instructions on setting up and running a successful dropshipping business. This is but a small sample of what is available out there, and remember, you can always come up with a new business no one has thought of, too. Choose a Name for Your Business How do you start a business? Choosing a name is just the first of many pivotal decisions ahead. Once you have a general idea, it’s time to consider how to come up with a business name. A solid name is distinctive and memorable. Bonus points if the name makes it obvious what products or services you sell and is easy to both say and spell. You can also test potential names with customers to see how they react. Once you settle on an idea, perform a preliminary search on Google, the Secretary of State database for your state, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) site. A no-conflict, free trademark search will let you see if business names are available in all 50 states. You can also look into how to buy a business name if your choice is taken but not currently in use. If you don’t find the name, you can go to your local county clerk’s office and file a “Doing Business As” (DBA) or a “Fictitious Business Name” (FBN). The DBA and FBN protect against name theft and it lets people know who actually owns the business. Additionally, reserve your business name as a website domain and on various social media sites, even if you’re not set on using every popular site right away. Write a Solid Business Plan A business plan is your company’s guiding document. A business startup faces many challenges, including market entry, competition analysis, and building a customer base. Embracing the lean startup methodology, which emphasizes adaptability and customer feedback, can help your business navigate these challenges. Here’s a list of elements to include in your business plan: Executive Summary: Summarize your business’s mission, vision, and goals, providing an overview of your entire plan. Highlight your company’s unique selling points and future growth potential. Company Description: Detail your company’s background, structure, and the problem it aims to solve. Explain how your products or services fill a gap in the market or serve a target audience. Market Analysis: When conducting Market Analysis, it’s essential to adopt a systematic methodology that encompasses industry trends, target market behavior, and competitor benchmarking. Business Model: Outline how your company will generate revenue, specifying the pricing, distribution channels, and customer acquisition strategies. Include your value proposition and competitive advantage. Products and Services: It’s very important to describe your offerings in detail when you start a business. Emphasize their benefits and unique features. Explain how they address customer needs and differentiate them from competitors. Your Break-Even Point: Calculating your break-even point is important for strategic planning and investor confidence. Conducting a break-even analysis is also important for any business, as it precisely calculates the sales level needed to cover costs, guiding pricing and financial strategies. Marketing and Sales Strategy: Develop a plan for promoting your business, reaching your target audience, and converting leads into sales. This will help you have a more in-depth knowelege of how to launch effectively. Consider advertising, public relations, social media, and other tactics. Have a brainstorming session to generate creative and effective promotional ideas that resonate with your target audience. Startup Costs and Financial Projections: Calculate the initial investment required to launch your business and provide a detailed breakdown of projected expenses and revenues. Include income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow forecasts. Management and Organization: Present your company’s leadership team, their roles, and their experience. Describe the organizational structure and any key personnel you plan to hire. Exit Strategy: Define potential exit scenarios for your business, including mergers, acquisitions, or public offerings. This shows foresight and creates a clear roadmap for prospective investors. Appendix: Include any supplementary information, such as resumes, legal documents, permits, or industry research, to support your plan and provide additional context. Research Your Competitors and Your Customer Base Understanding your competition is key to the success of your business. So, a thorough evaluation of your market should be part of this planning stage. Here’s how to conduct market research and target the right audience: Market research is a cornerstone of your business planning, providing the data needed to make informed decisions about your product, pricing, and promotional strategies. Primary Research: Conducting primary research involves gathering first-hand information directly from competitors, potential customers, and local businesses. Visit their establishments, interact with their customers, and attend industry events to gain valuable insights. Collect data by surveying your target audience and analyzing their preferences and pain points. Primary research helps to validate assumptions and uncover new opportunities in the market. Secondary Research: Secondary research involves analyzing existing information from external sources, such as market reports, industry publications, and competitor websites. Study their marketing materials, customer reviews, and social media presence to gauge their brand image and customer satisfaction. This research helps you understand the current market trends, assess competitor positioning, and identify areas for improvement. SWOT Analysis: A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis allows you to evaluate the competitive landscape systematically. Learning How to perform a personal SWOT analysis can help you identify your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses by examining their products, services, pricing, marketing strategies, and customer service. With a SWOT analysis, you can explore market opportunities and potential threats, such as emerging trends, shifts in consumer behavior, or new regulations. A comprehensive SWOT analysis will provide a clear understanding of your competitive advantages and areas for growth. Check out SWOT analysis examples online to see how to create your own. Understanding Market Needs and Customer Behavior: When launching a new business, it’s essential to deeply understand your target market’s needs and behaviors. To begin your entrepreneurial journey, it is essential to conduct thorough market research to gather insights about your potential customers – what drives their purchasing decisions, their preferences, and their pain points. Use surveys, focus groups, and market analysis tools to collect this vital information. This understanding will inform your product development, marketing strategies, and customer service approach, ensuring that your offerings resonate well with your intended audience. Sort Out Your Business Finances By keeping a close eye on your business costs, you can identify areas to optimize, reduce expenses, and make informed decisions for the future. Here are some practical steps to help you sort out your business finances, ensuring you maintain a healthy cash flow and stay on top of your business costs. Proper accounting practices are essential not just for compliance but also for gaining insightful financial data to guide your business decisions. Make sure you consider the implications of income tax early in your planning process to ensure compliance and optimize your financial strategy. Start a Business Bank Account Opening a separate bank account for your business is essential to keep your personal finances separate from your business transactions. This separation simplifies bookkeeping and tax preparation and provides a clear financial overview of your business operations. To start a business bank account, research various banks in your area and their offerings. For example, some banks may offer many options for small business loans and credit cards, while others may prioritize things like online and mobile banking. Once you choose a bank that best fits your needs, gather the required documents (such as business registration and tax identification) and visit the bank to open the account. Consider Business Credit Cards Acquiring a business credit card can help streamline expenses, provide additional financing, and offer valuable rewards. It allows you to separate personal and business expenses, making bookkeeping and tax preparation easier. A business credit card can offer more than just a convenient payment method; it can also help you manage cash flow and build your business credit history. Moreover, some cards offer cash back, travel rewards, or other benefits tailored for businesses. Research different credit card companies and their offerings, considering factors such as interest rates, fees, and reward programs. Choose one that aligns with your business needs and spending habits to maximize benefits. Select an Accounting Software Investing in accounting software or hiring a skilled bookkeeper is a smart move for any business owner, as it simplifies financial management, bookkeeping, and tax preparation. Selecting the right accounting software early on can save you time and help avoid financial management errors as your business grows. The best accounting software for small business users automates processes, reducing the chances of human error and saving time. Some popular accounting software options include QuickBooks, Xero, and FreshBooks, each offering various features to cater to different business needs. Evaluate your requirements and choose software that provides the necessary tools to manage your finances effectively, ensuring the long-term financial health of your business. Determine Your Break-Even Point Understanding your break-even point is crucial for any business, as it indicates the level of sales necessary to cover your costs without generating a profit or loss. This financial metric can help you set realistic sales targets and effective pricing strategies. To determine your break-even point, divide your fixed costs by the contribution margin, which is the selling price per unit minus the variable cost per unit. Understanding this figure will help you make informed financial and operational decisions for your business. Fund Your New Business – Bank Loan and Beyond Starting a new business often requires capital, making it crucial to manage your money wisely across all phases of development. Exploring options like bank loans, venture capital, or crowdfunding can provide the necessary resources for your venture. Methods to finance a new business include bootstrapping, venture capital investments, crowdfunding, business lines of credit, and business loans and grants. Understanding these options will enable you to choose the most suitable approach to fund your business. Bootstrapping Bootstrapping is the process of self-funding your business using personal savings, assets, or reinvesting profits. Bootstrapping, or self-funding, allows you to maintain complete control over your business, emphasizing fiscal prudence from the outset. This is an especially popular option for low-cost business ideas. Bootstrapping can be a slow process but provides a solid foundation for business growth. Entrepreneurs choosing this method must be prepared to manage their finances carefully and make sacrifices to invest in their venture. Venture Capital Investments Venture capital (VC) investments involve obtaining funds from investors in exchange for equity in your business. VC firms typically target high-growth, innovative companies with the potential for substantial returns. This funding option can provide a significant financial boost, but entrepreneurs should be prepared to share decision-making power and potentially relinquish some control over their businesses. Networking and creating a compelling pitch are essential to attract venture capital investments. The structured setup of corporations and scalability appeal to investors looking for high-growth opportunities. Crowdfunding Crowdfunding involves raising funds from a large number of people, typically through online platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo. This funding method allows entrepreneurs to showcase their business idea or product to potential backers, who contribute money in exchange for rewards or equity. Crowdfunding can not only provide capital but also help validate your idea and generate interest from potential customers. Check out our post on What is Crowdfunding? for more on this option. Business Line of Credit A business line of credit is a flexible financing option that allows businesses to access funds up to a predetermined limit. Entrepreneurs can borrow and repay funds as needed, only paying interest on the amount utilized. This funding method can help manage cash flow fluctuations and cover short-term expenses, making it an ideal solution for businesses with variable financial needs. Business Loans and Business Grants Obtaining a small business loan or grant can provide the necessary capital to fund your venture. Business loans, available through banks or alternative lenders, require repayment with interest over a specified period. Business grants, on the other hand, are non-repayable funds typically offered by governments or non-profit organizations. Research available options, prepare a strong business plan, and demonstrate financial responsibility to increase your chances of securing a loan or grant for your business. Explore financing options offered by the Small Business Administration (SBA), which provides loans and grants tailored for small businesses. Choose a Business Structure What is the right business structure for you? The structure you choose will impact taxes, financing, compensation, and insurance. Not to mention the risks and liabilities of your personal assets. When you Choose a Business Structure, it’s pivotal to briefly discuss how different structures impact the management and oversight of finances, directly influencing fiscal responsibilities and tax obligations. Choosing the right business structure is crucial when you start business planning. Another point to remember when choosing your structure is the variations from state to state. Mak When choosing a business structure, consider a corporation for its benefits in liability protection and potential tax advantages, especially if you’re planning to seek significant investment. Consider forming a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) if you’re starting a business with partners and want to protect your personal assets while enjoying the flexibility of partnership taxation. A Limited Liability Company (LLC) combines the liability protection of a corporation with the tax efficiency and operational flexibility of a partnership. Be sure to find out how the common business structures like sole proprietorship are applied in your state to protect yourself from legal and tax liabilities. Before choosing, get familiar with all the potential options below. You may also consult an accountant or business consultant for guidance. When you start a small business, it’s especially important to choose the right business structure. Consider the following elements when making your decision: Your financing needs and options. How you want to pay taxes. The kind of liability protection you need. What kind of administrative complexity can you handle? Keep in mind that you will need to fill in an article of incorporation for certain business structures like corporations for legal recognition. Sole Proprietorship This is the simplest business structure. The profits and debts of a sole proprietorship company are the responsibility of one person. As such, the owner is personally liable for any debts. This means creditors can come after your personal property and savings, and you are personally liable for any lawsuits brought against the business. A sole proprietorship is easy to set up, low cost and has an easy exit. When it comes to taxes, all you need to do is to keep track of all the business’ income and expenses. At tax time, just report it on Schedule C with your personal tax return. Doing Business As (DBA) “Doing Business As” (DBA) or a “Fictitious Business Name” (FBN) registration is not technically a legal structure. It allows you to conduct business under a name other than your own. Although a DBA is more common among sole proprietors, LLCs, corporations, and partnerships can all file to get a DBA. States have different DBA requirements, so make sure you comply. For instance, New York State has specific DBA filing requirements. Limited Liability Company (LLC) An LLC is a cross structure combining the best features of partnerships and S Corps. It provides owners, called members, with the liability protection of corporations while allowing earnings and losses to pass through to the owners as income on their personal tax returns. Single or multiple members can be part of an LLC, and the profits and losses don’t have to be divided among members equally. A single-member LLC can be taxed as a corporation or an individual using the Schedule C form. A multi-member LLC, on the other hand, is taxed as a partnership with the K-1 form. Corporation A corporation is an entity that is separate from its owners with its own legal rights. A company structured as a corporation can sue, be sued, own property, and sell its ownership in the form of stocks. There are several types of corporations: C corporations – Owned by shareholders, they allow an unlimited number of investors and are taxed as separate entities. S corporations – These are designed for small businesses to avoid double taxation. It doesn’t file its own taxes and profits are passed through and reported on the personal income tax return of the shareholders. An S corporation has employment and profit taxation rules as well as strict ownership laws. B corporations – These are for-profit entities structured to make a positive impact on society. They are also known as benefit corporations. Closed corporations – These are not publicly traded companies, and they benefit from limited liability protection. Compared to publicly traded companies, they have more flexibility. Open corporations – These are traded on a public market by allowing anyone to invest in them. Nonprofit corporations – These are formed to serve the public good, and they have tax exemptions to help with that goal. Partnership A partnership is an unincorporated business owned by multiple people or other businesses. The profits in partnerships are divided among owners and it is reported on their tax returns. Some of the different types of partnerships are general partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships (LLPs), and limited liability limited partnerships (LLLPs). If your business goes beyond a sole proprietorship, make sure you are fully aware of your liabilities. Find qualified experts to guide you while you are on your way to starting a perfect business. Want to learn more? Take our business structure quiz to learn what kind of business organization is right for you. Register Your New Business Registering a new business is a very important step for startups and involves several important steps, including obtaining a business license, registering with the federal and state government, getting an Employer Identification Number (EIN), obtaining the necessary insurance, paying taxes, and acquiring professional licenses. Obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a necessary step for tax purposes and when planning to hire employees. Employer Identification Number (EIN) An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify your business for tax purposes. It’s needed for various reasons, such as filing taxes, hiring employees, opening a business bank account, and applying for business licenses or permits. It also establishes your business as a separate legal entity to maintain financial separation between your personal and business finances. You can apply for an EIN directly through the IRS online or by fax, mail, or phone. Tax Documents As a business owner, it’s essential to understand and fulfill your financial and tax obligations. This includes filing taxes, paying self-employment tax, and staying informed about any changes in tax laws or regulations. Understanding your tax obligations, including sales and use tax, is vital for operating legally and efficiently Filing Taxes: All businesses are required to file taxes annually with the federal and state governments. The type of tax forms you’ll need to file depends on your business structure (e.g., sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation). It’s crucial to maintain accurate financial records and file your taxes on time to avoid penalties. Self-Employment Tax: If you’re self-employed, you’ll need to pay self-employment tax in addition to income tax. Self-employment tax covers Social Security and Medicare taxes for self-employed individuals. It’s important to calculate and pay these taxes to ensure you’re contributing to your future Social Security and Medicare benefits. Sales and Use Tax: Depending on your business’s location and the products or services you offer, you may need to collect sales tax from customers and remit it to your state or local government. Be sure to register for a sales tax permit if required and stay up-to-date on your state’s sales tax laws. Employment Taxes: If your business has employees, you’ll need to withhold and pay employment taxes, which include federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare taxes, and state income taxes (if applicable). You may also need to pay state unemployment taxes and other employer-specific taxes. Professional Licenses Some businesses may require professional licenses or permits to operate legally. Here are a few common examples: Health Department Permits: Businesses in the food industry, such as restaurants, bakeries, and catering companies, often need health department permits to ensure they meet sanitation and food safety standards. Alcohol Licenses: Businesses that sell or serve alcohol, such as bars, restaurants, or liquor stores, must obtain an alcohol license or permit from their state or local government. Building Permits: If your business requires construction or renovations, you may need to obtain building permits from your local government to ensure that your project complies with building codes and regulations. Occupational Licenses: Some professions, such as doctors, lawyers, accountants, and real estate agents, require specific occupational licenses to practice legally. Check with your state’s licensing board or agency to determine the requirements for your profession. Business Insurance Insurance is a vital aspect of protecting your business from potential risks and liabilities. There are several types of business insurance to consider, depending on your industry, location, and specific needs: General Liability Insurance: This insurance covers your business against claims related to property damage, bodily injury, and personal injury resulting from your business operations. It is essential for most businesses, as it protects against common risks and potential lawsuits. Property Insurance: Property insurance protects your business’s physical assets, including buildings, equipment, and inventory, from damage or loss due to incidents such as fire, theft, or natural disasters. This type of insurance is essential for businesses that have made substantial investments in physical assets. Workers’ Compensation Insurance: If your business has employees, workers’ compensation insurance is typically required by law. This insurance covers medical expenses, lost wages, and disability benefits for employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their job. Professional Liability Insurance: Also known as errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, this coverage is designed to protect your business against claims of negligence or mistakes made while providing professional services. It’s particularly important for businesses that offer specialized services or advice, such as consultants, lawyers, or architects. Source Products and Equipment for Your Business The best places to source products will vary depending on your industry, target market, and business model. Thoroughly research your options and consider factors such as product quality, cost, shipping times, and supplier reliability when making your sourcing decisions. By carefully selecting your product sources, you can build a strong foundation for your business and offer products that appeal to your customers. Managing your inventory efficiently is crucial for product-based businesses, ensuring you meet demand without overstocking. Here are some popular options for sourcing products: Domestic Manufacturers and Wholesalers: Sourcing products from domestic manufacturers and wholesalers can provide several benefits, including shorter shipping times, lower shipping costs, and easier communication with suppliers. Additionally, products made domestically may be perceived as higher quality by customers. To find domestic manufacturers and wholesalers, you can attend trade shows, join industry associations, or search online directories and marketplaces. Overseas Manufacturers: Many businesses choose to source products from overseas manufacturers, particularly in countries like China, India, and Vietnam, due to lower production costs. Working with overseas manufacturers can result in significant cost savings, but it may also present challenges, such as language barriers, time zone differences, and longer shipping times. To find reputable overseas manufacturers, you can attend international trade shows, use online platforms like Alibaba and Global Sources, or work with a sourcing agent. Private Label Manufacturers: Private label manufacturing allows you to source products that are already being produced and rebrand them with your company’s name and logo. This approach can save time and resources, as you won’t need to invest in product development or manufacturing. To find private label manufacturers, you can search online directories, attend trade shows, or contact manufacturers directly to inquire about their private label services. Dropshipping Suppliers: Dropshipping is a business model where you sell products without holding inventory. Instead, you partner with a dropshipping supplier who handles product storage, packing, and shipping on your behalf. This can be a cost-effective way to source products, as you don’t need to invest in inventory or warehousing. To find dropshipping suppliers, you can use platforms like Oberlo, SaleHoo, or Spocket or search for suppliers within your industry. Marketplaces and Online Retailers: Online marketplaces and retailers like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy can be great sources for niche or unique products. These platforms allow you to buy products at wholesale prices and sell them through your own online store. Keep in mind that competition can be high on these platforms, so it’s essential to find ways to differentiate your products and brand. Local Artisans and Craftsmen: For businesses looking to source unique, handmade, or artisanal products, working with local artisans and craftsmen can be a great option. By partnering with local creators, you can support your community and offer one-of-a-kind products to your customers. To find local artisans, you can visit craft fairs and farmers’ markets or search online platforms like Etsy. Manage Your Supply Chain and Cost Supply chain management involves coordinating with suppliers, managing logistics, and navigating international trade regulations. A robust supply chain management strategy helps mitigate risks like delays and shortages, ensuring smooth operations and customer satisfaction. Source Equipment and Software Businesses that aren’t product-based don’t need to worry about inventory. These businesses still often need to invest in equipment and/or technology to successfully manage their operations. Sourcing these purchases early can help you manage costs and select the best possible investments for your business goals. Select Your Business Location Today’s businesses can be established in the digital or physical world. Some businesses need a large commercial storefront or office space, while others can make do with a home office and a few freelancers around the globe. Selecting the general type of location is the first step and will significantly affect your business model. Then, it’s time to narrow down commercial spaces if that’s the route you choose. Here are some tips to consider: Consider Whether a Commercial Space is Necessary Some businesses require a storefront or physical office space right away. Aside from retail businesses and those with obvious needs, many office-based businesses might choose to do business in person to encourage collaboration or productivity. Other benefits of having a physical space include fostering a sense of community and providing a professional space to welcome clients and/or partners. However, doing business virtually is also a viable option. Many sole proprietors simply work from a home office or coworking space to save money. This format also allows businesses to build their teams with top talent from around the world since they can easily work remotely using virtual collaboration tools. Additionally, many businesses start out operating virtually and then invest in a physical space later once finances allow. Determine Whether to Buy or Lease For those looking for a brick-and-mortar location, it all starts by deciding whether you want to lease or buy your commercial property. There are tax implications for the decision you make, so consult your legal and financial advisors to make the best decision. If you plan on leasing, go through the agreement thoroughly and make sure you understand it fully before you sign the contract. There are many clauses in lease agreements. If you don’t have the expertise, seek legal advice before you sign. For those buying, work with a commercial realtor in your area to find spaces that fit your needs and guide you through the process. Choose the Right Space to Start The location you choose should address some, most, or even all of the needs of your business. Here are some questions to consider as you narrow your search: Is the price affordable? Is the location known for the products and services you offer, and does it complement your business? Are there suppliers and distributors for your industry close by? Is the area a business hub the city is pushing with future growth opportunities? Is there any future development planned in the area or region? Does the location have a good reputation? Is it secure? What is the crime rate? What is the skill base in the area? Does the space have the right infrastructure in place to accommodate your operations? Are the local zoning regulations in line with your business? Find and Hire Employees Building a strong team can significantly impact your company’s growth, productivity, and overall work culture. Providing health insurance and benefits can attract and retain top talent, ensuring that your team remains healthy and motivated. In this guide, we will discuss how to find new staff, manage payroll, and provide health insurance and benefits. Find New Staff There are several options for advertising job opportunities and finding new hires. Here are a few to consider: Job Advertisements: One of the most effective ways to find new employees is by posting job advertisements on various online platforms, such as job boards like Indeed, Monster, or LinkedIn. Be sure to create a clear and detailed job description that outlines the required skills, qualifications, and responsibilities. This will help attract qualified candidates and make it easier to filter through applications. Networking: Networking can be a powerful tool for finding potential employees. Attend industry events, trade shows, and conferences to meet professionals in your field. Also, leverage your personal and professional networks, including friends, family, and colleagues, to spread the word about job openings at your company. Social media platforms like LinkedIn can also be useful for connecting with potential candidates. Recruitment Agencies: Partnering with a recruitment agency can help you find qualified candidates for your new business quickly and efficiently. Recruitment agencies have access to extensive talent pools and can help match your job requirements with suitable candidates. They can also assist with screening and interviewing applicants, saving you time and resources. Set Up Business Payroll Once you hire your first employee, you need a payroll system to manage and streamline their compensation. Here’s what you need to know: Setting Up Payroll: Managing payroll is a critical aspect of running a business with employees. Using services like ADP to set up a system can help you track employee hours, calculate wages, withhold taxes, and make payments more efficiently. You can choose to manage payroll in-house using software like QuickBooks or outsource it to a payroll service provider. Be sure to research and follow federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations. Choosing insurance options as part of employee benefit packages is also very important. Withholding Taxes: As an employer, you must withhold federal and state income taxes, Social Security and Medicare taxes, along with any other relevant taxes from your employee’s wages. Make sure to collect the required tax forms, such as W-4 and W-9, from your employees upon hiring. Keep yourself updated on the latest tax rates and regulations to maintain compliance. Paying Employees: Establish a consistent pay schedule for your employees, such as weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Make sure to pay your employees on time and provide them with detailed pay stubs that outline their earnings, withholdings, and any deductions. Keep accurate records of all payroll transactions for tax and legal purposes. Offer Health Insurance and Benefits Many employers must offer health insurance and benefits to full-time employees. These elements can also help you attract and retain top talent. Here’s what you should know: Health Insurance Options: Providing health insurance is an essential aspect of attracting and retaining quality employees. Research the different types of health insurance plans available, such as Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), or Health Savings Account (HSA) compatible plans. Choose a plan that fits your budget and meets your employees’ needs. Employee Benefits: In addition to health insurance, offering additional benefits can help make your business more appealing to potential employees. Consider providing benefits such as paid time off, retirement plans, flexible work arrangements, or professional development opportunities. Tailor your benefits package to the needs and preferences of your target employees to maximize its appeal. Legal Requirements: Be aware of any legal requirements for providing health insurance and benefits, particularly if your business has a certain number of employees. For example, under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), businesses with 50 or more full-time employees are required to offer health insurance to their employees. Familiarize yourself with federal, state, and local laws related to employee benefits to ensure compliance. Navigate Remote Work Dynamics With the rise of remote work, understanding how to manage a distributed team effectively is essential. This includes selecting the right communication tools, establishing clear remote work policies, and fostering a strong virtual team culture. Embrace strategies that ensure productivity and collaboration while also supporting work-life balance for your team members. Market and Expand Your Business Determining how to grow a small business can vary based on your industry and business goals. For example, some may target new customer segments, while others may diversify product offerings or launch new marketing campaigns. Both marketing and expansion efforts require ongoing analysis, adaptation, and innovation to ensure long-term success in an ever-evolving marketplace. Here are some methods you might consider as your business grows: Develop a Brand Identity Developing a strong brand identity is essential for differentiating your business from competitors, building customer trust, and creating a memorable experience. Here are some key steps to develop your brand identity: Define your target audience: Identify your ideal customers, their demographics, preferences, and pain points. This will help you create a brand that appeals to them. Knowing your customer base deeply through market research and direct engagement is key to creating offerings that meet their needs and exceed expectations. Establish your unique selling proposition (USP): Determine what sets your business apart from others in your industry. Your USP should showcase the unique value you offer to customers. Create a compelling brand story: Craft a narrative that encapsulates your brand’s mission, values, and purpose. This story should resonate with your target audience and be consistently conveyed across all marketing channels. Design a memorable logo: Your logo should be visually appealing, unique, and reflective of your brand’s personality. Invest in professional design services to create a logo that represents your business well. Create a cohesive color palette and typography: Select a range of colors and fonts that embody your brand’s identity and apply them consistently across all marketing materials and platforms. Establish brand guidelines: Develop a comprehensive brand style guide that outlines your brand’s visual elements, voice, tone, and messaging. This guide will help ensure consistency across all channels and touchpoints. Register a ‘Doing Business as’: When establishing your brand identity and legal presence in the market, registering a ‘Doing Business As’ (DBA) can be a strategic step. This not only secures your business name but also enables you to conduct business under a name that aligns with your branding efforts without the need to create a formal legal entity. Create a Marketing Plan for Launch and Beyond A marketing plan is a strategic document that outlines your business’s marketing goals, objectives, strategies, and tactics. It serves as a roadmap to help you achieve your marketing goals and measure your progress. Here’s a list of what should be included in a marketing plan: Executive Summary: This section provides a high-level overview of your marketing plan, summarizing your objectives, strategies, and key takeaways. Market Analysis: Conduct an in-depth analysis of your industry, market trends, and competitors. This will help you identify opportunities and threats, as well as understand the competitive landscape. Thorough research is important for understanding customer needs and market gaps. Target Audience: One of our main tips for starting a business is to define your target customers, including their demographics, preferences, and pain points. This information will guide your marketing efforts and help you tailor your messaging. Marketing Goals and Objectives: Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) marketing goals and objectives that align with your business’s overall goals. Marketing Strategies: Outline the high-level strategies you will use to achieve your marketing goals, such as content marketing, social media marketing, or email marketing. Marketing Tactics: List the specific tactics and channels you will use to implement your marketing strategies. This might include blog posts, social media posts, or email newsletters. Marketing Budget: Determine how much money you will allocate to your marketing efforts and how you will distribute those funds across different marketing channels and tactics. Performance Metrics: Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) that will help you track your marketing efforts’ success and measure progress toward your goals. Implementation Timeline: Create a timeline for executing your marketing tactics, including milestones and deadlines. Review and Adjustments: Establish a process for regularly reviewing your marketing plan’s performance, making data-driven adjustments, and updating your plan as needed. Improve Customer Experience and Engagement In the digital age, customer experience is king. Focus on creating seamless, engaging experiences across all touchpoints – from your website and social media to customer service interactions. Use social media platforms to build brand awareness and engage directly with your customers, creating a community around your products or services. Use customer feedback to continuously improve and personalize the experience. Remember, a delighted customer is not just a repeat customer but also an advocate for your brand. After meticulous planning, you’ll be positioned to launch your business effectively. Network and Build Business Relationships Strong business relationships and networking are invaluable for business growth and support. Networking can unlock many opportunities for your startup business, from partnerships to funding industry events, joining professional organizations, and engaging in online forums. These connections can lead to new business opportunities, partnerships, and valuable mentorships. Set Up a Business Website A well-designed and user-friendly business website is a necessary part of establishing an online presence, attracting customers, and promoting your products or services in today’s digital ecosystem. Choose a domain name: Select a domain name that is easy to remember, reflects your brand, and ideally includes relevant keywords. Register your domain through a domain registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap. Select a web hosting provider: Web hosting providers offer storage space and services needed for your website to be accessible on the internet. Choose a hosting provider that meets your needs in terms of speed, reliability, and support, such as Bluehost, SiteGround, or HostGator. Pick a website builder: Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress offer user-friendly tools and templates for creating and customizing your website. For e-commerce businesses, utilizing platforms like Shopify with features like breadcrumb navigation enhances user experience and site structure. Design your website: Create a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate website that reflects your brand identity. Prioritize user experience by using a responsive design, clear navigation, and engaging visuals. Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, as an increasing number of users access the web through mobile devices. Develop website content: Create informative, relevant, and engaging content for your website, focusing on your target audience’s needs and preferences. Make sure your content is well-organized, easy to read, and includes keywords to improve search engine visibility. Optimize for SEO: Implement search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to improve your website’s visibility in search results. This includes using relevant keywords, creating quality content, optimizing meta tags, and building a strong backlink profile. Integrate analytics: Track your website’s performance and user behavior by integrating analytics tools like Google Analytics. This will provide insights into user demographics, traffic sources, and user engagement, helping you make data-driven decisions for your website. Expand Internationally Selling internationally exposes your business to new markets, increasing your customer base and revenue potential. Embracing global expansion can lead to business growth, risk diversification, and a competitive edge. Here are some steps you must navigate in order to reap these benefits: Market research: Conduct thorough research on potential target markets, evaluating factors such as consumer preferences, local competition, and cultural differences. This will help you tailor your marketing efforts and product offerings to resonate with international customers. Regulatory compliance: Familiarize yourself with the legal and regulatory requirements of your target countries, including import/export laws, taxes, and customs regulations. Ensure your business complies with all relevant laws to avoid fines or other penalties. Payment processing: Offer a variety of secure payment options that cater to the preferences of your international customers. Consider partnering with payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, or Adyen, which support multiple currencies and international transactions. Currency conversion: Display prices in local currencies to make it easier for international customers to understand the cost of your products or services. Use currency conversion tools or plugins on your website to provide accurate, real-time exchange rates. Shipping and logistics: Develop a reliable and cost-effective shipping strategy for international orders. Partner with reputable shipping carriers and consider using fulfillment services like Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) or ShipBob to streamline your logistics. Website localization: Adapt your website’s content, design, and language to cater to your target international markets. Use tools like Google Translate or work with professional translators to offer your content in multiple languages. Customer support: Provide multilingual customer support to address the needs and concerns of your international customers. Consider hiring native speakers or using translation tools to communicate effectively with customers in their local language. Marketing and promotion: Develop tailored marketing strategies for each international market, taking into consideration local preferences, language, and culture. Leverage local social media platforms, influencers, and advertising channels to reach your target audience effectively. What Tools Do You Need to Start a Business? Starting a business requires a combination of planning, research, and the right tools to help you streamline your operations and increase efficiency. Here is an expanded list of business tools that can support the many different aspects of your new business: Business Plan Software: A solid business plan is crucial for outlining your objectives, target market, and financial projections. Business plan software like LivePlan, Upmetrics, or Bizplan can guide you through the process and help you create a professional-looking plan to present to potential investors or lenders. Accounting and Bookkeeping Software: Keeping track of your business finances is essential. Tools like QuickBooks, Xero, or FreshBooks can help you manage your income and expenses, generate financial reports, and simplify tax preparation. Project Management and Collaboration Tools: Streamline your team’s communication and project management with tools like Trello, Asana, or Basecamp. These platforms enable you to assign tasks, track progress, and collaborate with your team in real time. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software: CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, or Zoho CRM can help you manage and nurture customer relationships, track leads, and analyze sales data to optimize your sales process. Email Marketing Software: Stay connected with your customers and promote your products or services with email marketing tools like Mailchimp, Sendinblue, or Constant Contact. These platforms offer email templates, automation features, and analytics to help you optimize your campaigns. Social Media Management Tools: Simplify your social media marketing efforts with tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, or Sprout Social. Schedule posts, monitor engagement, and track analytics across multiple social media platforms. E-commerce Platforms: If you’re looking to sell products online, think about utilizing e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce to create and manage your online store. Payment Processing Solutions: Accepting payments from customers is crucial for any business. Payment processing tools like Square, Stripe, or PayPal can help you process payments securely and efficiently. Inventory Management Software: Keep track of your stock levels and streamline your inventory processes with tools like TradeGecko, Zoho Inventory, or inFlow Inventory. Human Resources (HR) Software: Manage employee data, benefits, and payroll with HR tools like Gusto, BambooHR, or Zenefits. These platforms can help you stay compliant with labor laws and ensure smooth HR operations. Website Builders: Create a professional-looking website for your business with user-friendly website builders like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress. Analytics and Reporting Tools: Monitor your business’s performance and make data-driven decisions with analytics tools like Google Analytics, Tableau, or Looker. Video Conferencing and Communication Tools: Stay connected with your team and clients through video conferencing and communication platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Slack. Graphic Design Software: Create eye-catching visuals and marketing materials for your business with design tools like Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, or Figma. Time Tracking and Productivity Tools: Monitor your team’s productivity and optimize work processes with time tracking tools like Toggl, Time Doctor, or Clockify. These are just a few of the many tools available to support your new business. By investing in the right tools and technologies, you can streamline your operations, save time and resources, and set your business up for success. And always be on the lookout for new technologies to improve your operations. Start a Business with These Helpful Resources One way to ensure the success of your business is to take advantage of all the resources that are available to you. Public and private organizations, as well as nonprofits, offer everything from financial help to education, mentorship, and much more. Here are some of the many resources that are available to you as a budding entrepreneur. SCORE: SCORE provides free business advice and mentoring from experienced business owners and professionals. Small Business Administration (SBA): The SBA offers resources and support for small businesses, including loans, counseling, and training. StartUpNation: StartUpNation offers resources, advice, and tools for starting and growing a small business. Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs): SBDCs offer free business consulting and training for small business owners. National Association of Small Business Owners (NASBO): NASBO offers resources, advocacy, and support for small business owners. National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO): NAWBO offers resources and support for women-owned businesses. Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): WBENC provides resources and assistance for women-owned businesses, including the option to obtain certification as a women’s business enterprise. Bplans: Bplans offers business planning resources, including templates, guides, and examples. AngelList: AngelList offers resources for startup funding and connecting with investors. Crunchbase: Crunchbase offers insights and data on startups and investors. HubSpot: HubSpot offers resources for marketing, sales, and customer service, including software and training. Mailchimp: Mailchimp offers email marketing tools and resources, including templates and guides. Hootsuite: Hootsuite offers social media management tools and resources for businesses of all sizes. Fundera: Fundera offers resources and tools for small business funding and loans. Nav: Nav offers resources and tools for small business credit monitoring and financing. Yelp: Yelp offers resources for business owners to manage and promote their online reputation. LegalZoom: LegalZoom offers legal resources and services for small business owners, including incorporation and trademark filing. UpCounsel: UpCounsel offers legal services for businesses, including contracts, intellectual property, and employment law. QuickBooks: QuickBooks offers accounting and financial management tools and resources for businesses of all sizes. Google Analytics: Google Analytics offers insights and data on website traffic and user behavior. Canva: Canva offers design tools and templates for creating graphics and marketing materials. Trello: Trello offers project management and collaboration tools for teams. Zoom: Zoom offers video conferencing and communication tools for remote teams and meetings. Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA): The MBDA offers resources, training, and financing support for minority-owned businesses. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): The VA offers resources and support for veteran-owned businesses, including access to capital and procurement opportunities. National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC): The NMSDC offers resources and support for minority-owned businesses, including certification as a minority business enterprise. Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO): The AEO offers resources and support for microenterprises and small businesses, including training, financing, and networking opportunities. Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM): The EXIM offers resources and support for small businesses looking to export their products or services, including financing and insurance. U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC): The DOC offers resources and support for businesses looking to export their products, including export counseling and market research. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO): The USPTO provides resources and assistance to businesses seeking to safeguard their intellectual property, such as through patent and trademark registration. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): OSHA offers resources and support for businesses looking to ensure a safe and healthy workplace, including training and compliance assistance. Economic Development Administration (EDA): The EDA offers resources and support for businesses looking to create jobs and spur economic growth in their communities, including financing and technical assistance. Small Business Investor Alliance (SBIA): The SBIA offers resources and support for small businesses seeking investment and growth capital, including education and advocacy. How to Start a New Business FAQs How can I start my own business with no money? This is a very common FAQ. You CAN start a small business without any money, but you must bring other equity into the equation. For example, you might bring knowledge and expertise into an online consulting business, or you may turn an unused part of your home into an Airbnb business. Other free business ideas include dog walking, house sitting, blogging, and social media influencing. See our free checklist for more on how to start a business with no money Can I start a business with $1,000? The answer is yes, you can start a business with $1,000. This generally requires starting an online or service-based business. Online businesses like virtual assistant services, web design, e-commerce sites, and online courses can all be started for under $1,000. In-person service-based businesses like event planning, cleaning and errand services, and personal chef businesses are also quite affordable. Be sure to check out our related article 25 Businesses You Can Start For Less Than $1,000 for more information. What business is best for beginners? Factors such as your skills, interests, budget, and market demand will greatly dictate what the best business for beginners is. Some low-cost businesses that require minimal investment and have relatively low risk include home-based business ideas like dog walking, cleaning services, and lawn care. Online businesses such as e-commerce stores, dropshipping, affiliate marketing, and digital product creation can also be easy for beginners. Do you need a business credit card? While having a business credit card can be helpful for managing expenses and building credit for your business, you will not always need one to start a business. In fact, many small business owners use their personal credit cards to cover expenses when starting out. However, it’s important to keep business and personal expenses separate, as this can make accounting and tax filing easier. If you decide to get a business credit card, shop around for the best rates and rewards and use it responsibly to build your business credit history. Do you need a business degree to start a business? While having a business degree can be advantageous for starting and growing a business, it is not essential for achieving success as an entrepreneur. Numerous successful business owners lack formal business education and instead draw on practical experience, industry insights, and a readiness to learn and adapt. However, it’s important to have a basic understanding of business concepts such as accounting, marketing, and finance. This can be achieved through self-education, attending workshops or seminars, or working with a mentor or advisor. Do you need a special license or permit to start a small business? The licenses and permits required to start a small business vary depending on the type of business and the location. Some businesses may require specific licenses and permits from state and local agencies, such as a food service permit or professional license. Businesses that handle hazardous materials or operate in regulated industries often require additional permits. It’s important to research the requirements in your specific industry and location and obtain any necessary licenses and permits before starting your business. Failure to do so can result in fines, legal issues, or even the closure of your business. Working with a professional advisor can help ensure that you are in compliance with all necessary requirements. How do I price my products and services? To price products and services, calculate the total cost of materials, labor, and any other resources that go into your operations. Then, project how many products or services you intend to sell each month to cover those expenses. This is just your break-even point. You should also consider the perceived value of your goods and services and look at what competitors are charging. If you offer extra value in some way, it’s often wise to charge a bit more. However, some businesses set themselves apart through affordability. Images: Envato Elements This article, "How to Start a Business in 10 Easy Steps – From Set Up to Launch" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Wondering how to start a business? Starting your own business can be a rewarding endeavor, requiring careful planning, dedication, and a strategic approach from the beginning. If you’re interested in business ownership but aren’t sure where to start, this guide has you covered. Refer to the Table of Contents to navigate through the key steps and strategies for starting your business. How to Start a Business Though every business start journey is different, there are several steps that apply to most entrepreneurs, from finding your business niche to marketing your products and services. The business start process involves choosing a viable idea, market analysis, and securing financing. Following our detailed steps to start a business will ensure you cover all essential aspects, from legal registration to market entry, providing a clear roadmap for launching your venture. We’ve laid out this entire to-do list/startup checklist in the 10 steps below! Brainstorm to Find the Right Business Idea to Begin Before starting a business, it’s important to have a strong business idea. A successful business idea should be unique and innovative, and the concept should provide value to potential customers. Some business owners start something that’s never been done before, while others venture into an existing industry and simply find one or two ways to stand out. Buying into a franchise system or franchising can streamline the startup process by providing a ready-made business model and support network (Check out our franchise guide for more on selecting the right options). However, if you come up with something truly unique, consider patenting an idea to protect your business. As you narrow down your business concept, here are some qualities to prioritize: Simple and clear – A good business concept should be easy to understand and explain to others. Unique – A good business concept should be different from what is already available in the market. Scalable – A good business concept should have the potential to grow and expand over time. Profitable – A good business concept should be able to generate enough revenue to cover costs and make a profit. Sustainable – A good business concept should be able to operate over the long term without running out of resources. Popular Types of Business Startups to Consider If you need inspiration to kick off your new business venture, here are some popular business ideas to consider: E-commerce Store – An e-commerce store is an online platform that allows businesses to sell products or services to customers over the Internet. E-commerce stores can be created for various types of businesses and niches, and they can be set up on platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. Online stores can be run from anywhere in the world, making them a great option for entrepreneurs looking to work remotely. Freelance Service – Freelance services offer specialized skills and expertise to clients on a project basis. Freelancers work independently and can offer services such as writing, graphic design, programming, or photography. Freelance services are becoming increasingly popular due to the growth of the gig economy and remote work opportunities. Food Truck – A food truck is a mobile food business that can sell various types of food. These trucks can be found at festivals, markets, and street corners and can offer a range of cuisines, from fast food to gourmet fare. A food truck can be a great business opportunity for entrepreneurs who love cooking and want to bring their cuisine to the masses. Home-based Daycare – A home-based daycare provides childcare services in a home setting. This type of business can be ideal for stay-at-home parents or caregivers who love working with children. Daycare providers must comply with state regulations and requirements and ensure that they have appropriate insurance coverage. Personal Trainer – Personal trainers provide fitness coaching and training services to clients. Personal trainers can work with individuals or groups and may specialize in areas like weight loss, strength training, or endurance training. This type of business can be started with minimal equipment and can be operated from a home gym or a rented space. Virtual Assistant – A virtual assistant offers administrative and support services to businesses and entrepreneurs remotely, including tasks such as scheduling, customer support, bookkeeping, email management, social media management, and more. Bed and Breakfast – A bed and breakfast provides lodging and breakfast to guests in a home setting. Bed and breakfasts can offer a more intimate and personalized experience compared to traditional hotels and can be located in urban or rural areas. This type of business can be ideal for individuals who enjoy hospitality and have a spare room or two in their homes. Pet Grooming – A pet grooming business that offers grooming and care services for pets. Grooming services can include bathing, nail trimming, hair cutting, and more. This type of business can be ideal for individuals who love animals and want to work with them on a daily basis. Cleaning service – A cleaning service provides cleaning and organizing services to homes and businesses. This type of business can be operated solo or with a team and can specialize in residential or commercial cleaning. Cleaning services require little overhead costs, making them an ideal option for those looking to start a business with low startup costs. Event Planning – Event planning involves helping clients plan and execute events. Event planners can work with clients to plan weddings, conferences, parties, and other special occasions. This type of business requires strong organizational and communication skills, as well as attention to detail. Consulting – A consultant offers expertise and advice to businesses and individuals. Consultants can specialize in various areas, including marketing, finance, human resources, operations, or economic development. This type of business can be ideal for individuals with years of experience in a particular field and who want to help others succeed. Food Delivery – A food delivery business delivers food to customers who order online or via phone. Food delivery services can be offered for various types of cuisine, including fast food, pizza, Chinese food, and more. This type of business can be started with minimal startup costs, as delivery drivers can use their own vehicles and equipment. Social Media Management – Social media management involves managing businesses’ social media accounts. Social media managers can create and publish content, engage with followers, and analyze performance metrics to improve social media strategies. This type of business can be ideal for individuals who are skilled in social media marketing and have a strong understanding of different social media platforms. Tutoring – Tutoring involves offering one-on-one educational services to students. Tutors can specialize in various subjects, including math, science, language, and test preparation. Tutoring services can be offered in-person or online, making it a flexible business opportunity for individuals who enjoy teaching. Graphic Design – Graphic designers create visual designs for businesses and individuals, helping to establish a strong brand identity through branding, web design, print design, and more. This type of business can be ideal for individuals with strong creativity and design skills who enjoy working on a variety of projects. Landscaping – Landscaping involves providing landscaping and gardening services to homeowners and businesses. Landscapers can offer services such as lawn care, garden design, tree trimming, and more. This type of business can be ideal for individuals who enjoy working outdoors and have experience in gardening and landscaping. Mobile Car Detailing – A mobile car detailing business provides car cleaning and detailing services at clients’ locations. Mobile car detailers can offer services such as washing, waxing, and interior cleaning. This type of business can be started with minimal equipment and can be operated from a home garage or rented space. Personal Shopping – Personal shoppers offer shopping services to individuals and businesses. Personal shoppers can help clients find the perfect outfit for a special occasion, or they can help businesses source products and supplies. This type of business can be ideal for individuals with a passion for fashion and shopping. Subscription Box – A subscription box business sends monthly boxes of curated items to subscribers. Subscription boxes can include a variety of products, such as beauty supplies, food, clothing, or pet products. This type of business can be ideal for individuals who enjoy sourcing and curating unique products. Web Development – Web developers design and develop websites for businesses and individuals. Web developers can specialize in front-end or back-end development, or they can offer full-stack development services. This type of business can be ideal for individuals with strong technical skills and a passion for web design and development. Drop Shipping – This business model allows you to sell products without needing to hold inventory. With this method, you partner with suppliers who handle the inventory and shipping process while you focus on marketing and customer acquisition. If you want to learn how to start dropshipping, check out our comprehensive guide on “How to Start Dropshipping,” which provides step-by-step instructions on setting up and running a successful dropshipping business. This is but a small sample of what is available out there, and remember, you can always come up with a new business no one has thought of, too. Choose a Name for Your Business How do you start a business? Choosing a name is just the first of many pivotal decisions ahead. Once you have a general idea, it’s time to consider how to come up with a business name. A solid name is distinctive and memorable. Bonus points if the name makes it obvious what products or services you sell and is easy to both say and spell. You can also test potential names with customers to see how they react. Once you settle on an idea, perform a preliminary search on Google, the Secretary of State database for your state, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) site. A no-conflict, free trademark search will let you see if business names are available in all 50 states. You can also look into how to buy a business name if your choice is taken but not currently in use. If you don’t find the name, you can go to your local county clerk’s office and file a “Doing Business As” (DBA) or a “Fictitious Business Name” (FBN). The DBA and FBN protect against name theft and it lets people know who actually owns the business. Additionally, reserve your business name as a website domain and on various social media sites, even if you’re not set on using every popular site right away. Write a Solid Business Plan A business plan is your company’s guiding document. A business startup faces many challenges, including market entry, competition analysis, and building a customer base. Embracing the lean startup methodology, which emphasizes adaptability and customer feedback, can help your business navigate these challenges. Here’s a list of elements to include in your business plan: Executive Summary: Summarize your business’s mission, vision, and goals, providing an overview of your entire plan. Highlight your company’s unique selling points and future growth potential. Company Description: Detail your company’s background, structure, and the problem it aims to solve. Explain how your products or services fill a gap in the market or serve a target audience. Market Analysis: When conducting Market Analysis, it’s essential to adopt a systematic methodology that encompasses industry trends, target market behavior, and competitor benchmarking. Business Model: Outline how your company will generate revenue, specifying the pricing, distribution channels, and customer acquisition strategies. Include your value proposition and competitive advantage. Products and Services: It’s very important to describe your offerings in detail when you start a business. Emphasize their benefits and unique features. Explain how they address customer needs and differentiate them from competitors. Your Break-Even Point: Calculating your break-even point is important for strategic planning and investor confidence. Conducting a break-even analysis is also important for any business, as it precisely calculates the sales level needed to cover costs, guiding pricing and financial strategies. Marketing and Sales Strategy: Develop a plan for promoting your business, reaching your target audience, and converting leads into sales. This will help you have a more in-depth knowelege of how to launch effectively. Consider advertising, public relations, social media, and other tactics. Have a brainstorming session to generate creative and effective promotional ideas that resonate with your target audience. Startup Costs and Financial Projections: Calculate the initial investment required to launch your business and provide a detailed breakdown of projected expenses and revenues. Include income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow forecasts. Management and Organization: Present your company’s leadership team, their roles, and their experience. Describe the organizational structure and any key personnel you plan to hire. Exit Strategy: Define potential exit scenarios for your business, including mergers, acquisitions, or public offerings. This shows foresight and creates a clear roadmap for prospective investors. Appendix: Include any supplementary information, such as resumes, legal documents, permits, or industry research, to support your plan and provide additional context. Research Your Competitors and Your Customer Base Understanding your competition is key to the success of your business. So, a thorough evaluation of your market should be part of this planning stage. Here’s how to conduct market research and target the right audience: Market research is a cornerstone of your business planning, providing the data needed to make informed decisions about your product, pricing, and promotional strategies. Primary Research: Conducting primary research involves gathering first-hand information directly from competitors, potential customers, and local businesses. Visit their establishments, interact with their customers, and attend industry events to gain valuable insights. Collect data by surveying your target audience and analyzing their preferences and pain points. Primary research helps to validate assumptions and uncover new opportunities in the market. Secondary Research: Secondary research involves analyzing existing information from external sources, such as market reports, industry publications, and competitor websites. Study their marketing materials, customer reviews, and social media presence to gauge their brand image and customer satisfaction. This research helps you understand the current market trends, assess competitor positioning, and identify areas for improvement. SWOT Analysis: A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis allows you to evaluate the competitive landscape systematically. Learning How to perform a personal SWOT analysis can help you identify your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses by examining their products, services, pricing, marketing strategies, and customer service. With a SWOT analysis, you can explore market opportunities and potential threats, such as emerging trends, shifts in consumer behavior, or new regulations. A comprehensive SWOT analysis will provide a clear understanding of your competitive advantages and areas for growth. Check out SWOT analysis examples online to see how to create your own. Understanding Market Needs and Customer Behavior: When launching a new business, it’s essential to deeply understand your target market’s needs and behaviors. To begin your entrepreneurial journey, it is essential to conduct thorough market research to gather insights about your potential customers – what drives their purchasing decisions, their preferences, and their pain points. Use surveys, focus groups, and market analysis tools to collect this vital information. This understanding will inform your product development, marketing strategies, and customer service approach, ensuring that your offerings resonate well with your intended audience. Sort Out Your Business Finances By keeping a close eye on your business costs, you can identify areas to optimize, reduce expenses, and make informed decisions for the future. Here are some practical steps to help you sort out your business finances, ensuring you maintain a healthy cash flow and stay on top of your business costs. Proper accounting practices are essential not just for compliance but also for gaining insightful financial data to guide your business decisions. Make sure you consider the implications of income tax early in your planning process to ensure compliance and optimize your financial strategy. Start a Business Bank Account Opening a separate bank account for your business is essential to keep your personal finances separate from your business transactions. This separation simplifies bookkeeping and tax preparation and provides a clear financial overview of your business operations. To start a business bank account, research various banks in your area and their offerings. For example, some banks may offer many options for small business loans and credit cards, while others may prioritize things like online and mobile banking. Once you choose a bank that best fits your needs, gather the required documents (such as business registration and tax identification) and visit the bank to open the account. Consider Business Credit Cards Acquiring a business credit card can help streamline expenses, provide additional financing, and offer valuable rewards. It allows you to separate personal and business expenses, making bookkeeping and tax preparation easier. A business credit card can offer more than just a convenient payment method; it can also help you manage cash flow and build your business credit history. Moreover, some cards offer cash back, travel rewards, or other benefits tailored for businesses. Research different credit card companies and their offerings, considering factors such as interest rates, fees, and reward programs. Choose one that aligns with your business needs and spending habits to maximize benefits. Select an Accounting Software Investing in accounting software or hiring a skilled bookkeeper is a smart move for any business owner, as it simplifies financial management, bookkeeping, and tax preparation. Selecting the right accounting software early on can save you time and help avoid financial management errors as your business grows. The best accounting software for small business users automates processes, reducing the chances of human error and saving time. Some popular accounting software options include QuickBooks, Xero, and FreshBooks, each offering various features to cater to different business needs. Evaluate your requirements and choose software that provides the necessary tools to manage your finances effectively, ensuring the long-term financial health of your business. Determine Your Break-Even Point Understanding your break-even point is crucial for any business, as it indicates the level of sales necessary to cover your costs without generating a profit or loss. This financial metric can help you set realistic sales targets and effective pricing strategies. To determine your break-even point, divide your fixed costs by the contribution margin, which is the selling price per unit minus the variable cost per unit. Understanding this figure will help you make informed financial and operational decisions for your business. Fund Your New Business – Bank Loan and Beyond Starting a new business often requires capital, making it crucial to manage your money wisely across all phases of development. Exploring options like bank loans, venture capital, or crowdfunding can provide the necessary resources for your venture. Methods to finance a new business include bootstrapping, venture capital investments, crowdfunding, business lines of credit, and business loans and grants. Understanding these options will enable you to choose the most suitable approach to fund your business. Bootstrapping Bootstrapping is the process of self-funding your business using personal savings, assets, or reinvesting profits. Bootstrapping, or self-funding, allows you to maintain complete control over your business, emphasizing fiscal prudence from the outset. This is an especially popular option for low-cost business ideas. Bootstrapping can be a slow process but provides a solid foundation for business growth. Entrepreneurs choosing this method must be prepared to manage their finances carefully and make sacrifices to invest in their venture. Venture Capital Investments Venture capital (VC) investments involve obtaining funds from investors in exchange for equity in your business. VC firms typically target high-growth, innovative companies with the potential for substantial returns. This funding option can provide a significant financial boost, but entrepreneurs should be prepared to share decision-making power and potentially relinquish some control over their businesses. Networking and creating a compelling pitch are essential to attract venture capital investments. The structured setup of corporations and scalability appeal to investors looking for high-growth opportunities. Crowdfunding Crowdfunding involves raising funds from a large number of people, typically through online platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo. This funding method allows entrepreneurs to showcase their business idea or product to potential backers, who contribute money in exchange for rewards or equity. Crowdfunding can not only provide capital but also help validate your idea and generate interest from potential customers. Check out our post on What is Crowdfunding? for more on this option. Business Line of Credit A business line of credit is a flexible financing option that allows businesses to access funds up to a predetermined limit. Entrepreneurs can borrow and repay funds as needed, only paying interest on the amount utilized. This funding method can help manage cash flow fluctuations and cover short-term expenses, making it an ideal solution for businesses with variable financial needs. Business Loans and Business Grants Obtaining a small business loan or grant can provide the necessary capital to fund your venture. Business loans, available through banks or alternative lenders, require repayment with interest over a specified period. Business grants, on the other hand, are non-repayable funds typically offered by governments or non-profit organizations. Research available options, prepare a strong business plan, and demonstrate financial responsibility to increase your chances of securing a loan or grant for your business. Explore financing options offered by the Small Business Administration (SBA), which provides loans and grants tailored for small businesses. Choose a Business Structure What is the right business structure for you? The structure you choose will impact taxes, financing, compensation, and insurance. Not to mention the risks and liabilities of your personal assets. When you Choose a Business Structure, it’s pivotal to briefly discuss how different structures impact the management and oversight of finances, directly influencing fiscal responsibilities and tax obligations. Choosing the right business structure is crucial when you start business planning. Another point to remember when choosing your structure is the variations from state to state. Mak When choosing a business structure, consider a corporation for its benefits in liability protection and potential tax advantages, especially if you’re planning to seek significant investment. Consider forming a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) if you’re starting a business with partners and want to protect your personal assets while enjoying the flexibility of partnership taxation. A Limited Liability Company (LLC) combines the liability protection of a corporation with the tax efficiency and operational flexibility of a partnership. Be sure to find out how the common business structures like sole proprietorship are applied in your state to protect yourself from legal and tax liabilities. Before choosing, get familiar with all the potential options below. You may also consult an accountant or business consultant for guidance. When you start a small business, it’s especially important to choose the right business structure. Consider the following elements when making your decision: Your financing needs and options. How you want to pay taxes. The kind of liability protection you need. What kind of administrative complexity can you handle? Keep in mind that you will need to fill in an article of incorporation for certain business structures like corporations for legal recognition. Sole Proprietorship This is the simplest business structure. The profits and debts of a sole proprietorship company are the responsibility of one person. As such, the owner is personally liable for any debts. This means creditors can come after your personal property and savings, and you are personally liable for any lawsuits brought against the business. A sole proprietorship is easy to set up, low cost and has an easy exit. When it comes to taxes, all you need to do is to keep track of all the business’ income and expenses. At tax time, just report it on Schedule C with your personal tax return. Doing Business As (DBA) “Doing Business As” (DBA) or a “Fictitious Business Name” (FBN) registration is not technically a legal structure. It allows you to conduct business under a name other than your own. Although a DBA is more common among sole proprietors, LLCs, corporations, and partnerships can all file to get a DBA. States have different DBA requirements, so make sure you comply. For instance, New York State has specific DBA filing requirements. Limited Liability Company (LLC) An LLC is a cross structure combining the best features of partnerships and S Corps. It provides owners, called members, with the liability protection of corporations while allowing earnings and losses to pass through to the owners as income on their personal tax returns. Single or multiple members can be part of an LLC, and the profits and losses don’t have to be divided among members equally. A single-member LLC can be taxed as a corporation or an individual using the Schedule C form. A multi-member LLC, on the other hand, is taxed as a partnership with the K-1 form. Corporation A corporation is an entity that is separate from its owners with its own legal rights. A company structured as a corporation can sue, be sued, own property, and sell its ownership in the form of stocks. There are several types of corporations: C corporations – Owned by shareholders, they allow an unlimited number of investors and are taxed as separate entities. S corporations – These are designed for small businesses to avoid double taxation. It doesn’t file its own taxes and profits are passed through and reported on the personal income tax return of the shareholders. An S corporation has employment and profit taxation rules as well as strict ownership laws. B corporations – These are for-profit entities structured to make a positive impact on society. They are also known as benefit corporations. Closed corporations – These are not publicly traded companies, and they benefit from limited liability protection. Compared to publicly traded companies, they have more flexibility. Open corporations – These are traded on a public market by allowing anyone to invest in them. Nonprofit corporations – These are formed to serve the public good, and they have tax exemptions to help with that goal. Partnership A partnership is an unincorporated business owned by multiple people or other businesses. The profits in partnerships are divided among owners and it is reported on their tax returns. Some of the different types of partnerships are general partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships (LLPs), and limited liability limited partnerships (LLLPs). If your business goes beyond a sole proprietorship, make sure you are fully aware of your liabilities. Find qualified experts to guide you while you are on your way to starting a perfect business. Want to learn more? Take our business structure quiz to learn what kind of business organization is right for you. Register Your New Business Registering a new business is a very important step for startups and involves several important steps, including obtaining a business license, registering with the federal and state government, getting an Employer Identification Number (EIN), obtaining the necessary insurance, paying taxes, and acquiring professional licenses. Obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a necessary step for tax purposes and when planning to hire employees. Employer Identification Number (EIN) An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify your business for tax purposes. It’s needed for various reasons, such as filing taxes, hiring employees, opening a business bank account, and applying for business licenses or permits. It also establishes your business as a separate legal entity to maintain financial separation between your personal and business finances. You can apply for an EIN directly through the IRS online or by fax, mail, or phone. Tax Documents As a business owner, it’s essential to understand and fulfill your financial and tax obligations. This includes filing taxes, paying self-employment tax, and staying informed about any changes in tax laws or regulations. Understanding your tax obligations, including sales and use tax, is vital for operating legally and efficiently Filing Taxes: All businesses are required to file taxes annually with the federal and state governments. The type of tax forms you’ll need to file depends on your business structure (e.g., sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation). It’s crucial to maintain accurate financial records and file your taxes on time to avoid penalties. Self-Employment Tax: If you’re self-employed, you’ll need to pay self-employment tax in addition to income tax. Self-employment tax covers Social Security and Medicare taxes for self-employed individuals. It’s important to calculate and pay these taxes to ensure you’re contributing to your future Social Security and Medicare benefits. Sales and Use Tax: Depending on your business’s location and the products or services you offer, you may need to collect sales tax from customers and remit it to your state or local government. Be sure to register for a sales tax permit if required and stay up-to-date on your state’s sales tax laws. Employment Taxes: If your business has employees, you’ll need to withhold and pay employment taxes, which include federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare taxes, and state income taxes (if applicable). You may also need to pay state unemployment taxes and other employer-specific taxes. Professional Licenses Some businesses may require professional licenses or permits to operate legally. Here are a few common examples: Health Department Permits: Businesses in the food industry, such as restaurants, bakeries, and catering companies, often need health department permits to ensure they meet sanitation and food safety standards. Alcohol Licenses: Businesses that sell or serve alcohol, such as bars, restaurants, or liquor stores, must obtain an alcohol license or permit from their state or local government. Building Permits: If your business requires construction or renovations, you may need to obtain building permits from your local government to ensure that your project complies with building codes and regulations. Occupational Licenses: Some professions, such as doctors, lawyers, accountants, and real estate agents, require specific occupational licenses to practice legally. Check with your state’s licensing board or agency to determine the requirements for your profession. Business Insurance Insurance is a vital aspect of protecting your business from potential risks and liabilities. There are several types of business insurance to consider, depending on your industry, location, and specific needs: General Liability Insurance: This insurance covers your business against claims related to property damage, bodily injury, and personal injury resulting from your business operations. It is essential for most businesses, as it protects against common risks and potential lawsuits. Property Insurance: Property insurance protects your business’s physical assets, including buildings, equipment, and inventory, from damage or loss due to incidents such as fire, theft, or natural disasters. This type of insurance is essential for businesses that have made substantial investments in physical assets. Workers’ Compensation Insurance: If your business has employees, workers’ compensation insurance is typically required by law. This insurance covers medical expenses, lost wages, and disability benefits for employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their job. Professional Liability Insurance: Also known as errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, this coverage is designed to protect your business against claims of negligence or mistakes made while providing professional services. It’s particularly important for businesses that offer specialized services or advice, such as consultants, lawyers, or architects. Source Products and Equipment for Your Business The best places to source products will vary depending on your industry, target market, and business model. Thoroughly research your options and consider factors such as product quality, cost, shipping times, and supplier reliability when making your sourcing decisions. By carefully selecting your product sources, you can build a strong foundation for your business and offer products that appeal to your customers. Managing your inventory efficiently is crucial for product-based businesses, ensuring you meet demand without overstocking. Here are some popular options for sourcing products: Domestic Manufacturers and Wholesalers: Sourcing products from domestic manufacturers and wholesalers can provide several benefits, including shorter shipping times, lower shipping costs, and easier communication with suppliers. Additionally, products made domestically may be perceived as higher quality by customers. To find domestic manufacturers and wholesalers, you can attend trade shows, join industry associations, or search online directories and marketplaces. Overseas Manufacturers: Many businesses choose to source products from overseas manufacturers, particularly in countries like China, India, and Vietnam, due to lower production costs. Working with overseas manufacturers can result in significant cost savings, but it may also present challenges, such as language barriers, time zone differences, and longer shipping times. To find reputable overseas manufacturers, you can attend international trade shows, use online platforms like Alibaba and Global Sources, or work with a sourcing agent. Private Label Manufacturers: Private label manufacturing allows you to source products that are already being produced and rebrand them with your company’s name and logo. This approach can save time and resources, as you won’t need to invest in product development or manufacturing. To find private label manufacturers, you can search online directories, attend trade shows, or contact manufacturers directly to inquire about their private label services. Dropshipping Suppliers: Dropshipping is a business model where you sell products without holding inventory. Instead, you partner with a dropshipping supplier who handles product storage, packing, and shipping on your behalf. This can be a cost-effective way to source products, as you don’t need to invest in inventory or warehousing. To find dropshipping suppliers, you can use platforms like Oberlo, SaleHoo, or Spocket or search for suppliers within your industry. Marketplaces and Online Retailers: Online marketplaces and retailers like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy can be great sources for niche or unique products. These platforms allow you to buy products at wholesale prices and sell them through your own online store. Keep in mind that competition can be high on these platforms, so it’s essential to find ways to differentiate your products and brand. Local Artisans and Craftsmen: For businesses looking to source unique, handmade, or artisanal products, working with local artisans and craftsmen can be a great option. By partnering with local creators, you can support your community and offer one-of-a-kind products to your customers. To find local artisans, you can visit craft fairs and farmers’ markets or search online platforms like Etsy. Manage Your Supply Chain and Cost Supply chain management involves coordinating with suppliers, managing logistics, and navigating international trade regulations. A robust supply chain management strategy helps mitigate risks like delays and shortages, ensuring smooth operations and customer satisfaction. Source Equipment and Software Businesses that aren’t product-based don’t need to worry about inventory. These businesses still often need to invest in equipment and/or technology to successfully manage their operations. Sourcing these purchases early can help you manage costs and select the best possible investments for your business goals. Select Your Business Location Today’s businesses can be established in the digital or physical world. Some businesses need a large commercial storefront or office space, while others can make do with a home office and a few freelancers around the globe. Selecting the general type of location is the first step and will significantly affect your business model. Then, it’s time to narrow down commercial spaces if that’s the route you choose. Here are some tips to consider: Consider Whether a Commercial Space is Necessary Some businesses require a storefront or physical office space right away. Aside from retail businesses and those with obvious needs, many office-based businesses might choose to do business in person to encourage collaboration or productivity. Other benefits of having a physical space include fostering a sense of community and providing a professional space to welcome clients and/or partners. However, doing business virtually is also a viable option. Many sole proprietors simply work from a home office or coworking space to save money. This format also allows businesses to build their teams with top talent from around the world since they can easily work remotely using virtual collaboration tools. Additionally, many businesses start out operating virtually and then invest in a physical space later once finances allow. Determine Whether to Buy or Lease For those looking for a brick-and-mortar location, it all starts by deciding whether you want to lease or buy your commercial property. There are tax implications for the decision you make, so consult your legal and financial advisors to make the best decision. If you plan on leasing, go through the agreement thoroughly and make sure you understand it fully before you sign the contract. There are many clauses in lease agreements. If you don’t have the expertise, seek legal advice before you sign. For those buying, work with a commercial realtor in your area to find spaces that fit your needs and guide you through the process. Choose the Right Space to Start The location you choose should address some, most, or even all of the needs of your business. Here are some questions to consider as you narrow your search: Is the price affordable? Is the location known for the products and services you offer, and does it complement your business? Are there suppliers and distributors for your industry close by? Is the area a business hub the city is pushing with future growth opportunities? Is there any future development planned in the area or region? Does the location have a good reputation? Is it secure? What is the crime rate? What is the skill base in the area? Does the space have the right infrastructure in place to accommodate your operations? Are the local zoning regulations in line with your business? Find and Hire Employees Building a strong team can significantly impact your company’s growth, productivity, and overall work culture. Providing health insurance and benefits can attract and retain top talent, ensuring that your team remains healthy and motivated. In this guide, we will discuss how to find new staff, manage payroll, and provide health insurance and benefits. Find New Staff There are several options for advertising job opportunities and finding new hires. Here are a few to consider: Job Advertisements: One of the most effective ways to find new employees is by posting job advertisements on various online platforms, such as job boards like Indeed, Monster, or LinkedIn. Be sure to create a clear and detailed job description that outlines the required skills, qualifications, and responsibilities. This will help attract qualified candidates and make it easier to filter through applications. Networking: Networking can be a powerful tool for finding potential employees. Attend industry events, trade shows, and conferences to meet professionals in your field. Also, leverage your personal and professional networks, including friends, family, and colleagues, to spread the word about job openings at your company. Social media platforms like LinkedIn can also be useful for connecting with potential candidates. Recruitment Agencies: Partnering with a recruitment agency can help you find qualified candidates for your new business quickly and efficiently. Recruitment agencies have access to extensive talent pools and can help match your job requirements with suitable candidates. They can also assist with screening and interviewing applicants, saving you time and resources. Set Up Business Payroll Once you hire your first employee, you need a payroll system to manage and streamline their compensation. Here’s what you need to know: Setting Up Payroll: Managing payroll is a critical aspect of running a business with employees. Using services like ADP to set up a system can help you track employee hours, calculate wages, withhold taxes, and make payments more efficiently. You can choose to manage payroll in-house using software like QuickBooks or outsource it to a payroll service provider. Be sure to research and follow federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations. Choosing insurance options as part of employee benefit packages is also very important. Withholding Taxes: As an employer, you must withhold federal and state income taxes, Social Security and Medicare taxes, along with any other relevant taxes from your employee’s wages. Make sure to collect the required tax forms, such as W-4 and W-9, from your employees upon hiring. Keep yourself updated on the latest tax rates and regulations to maintain compliance. Paying Employees: Establish a consistent pay schedule for your employees, such as weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Make sure to pay your employees on time and provide them with detailed pay stubs that outline their earnings, withholdings, and any deductions. Keep accurate records of all payroll transactions for tax and legal purposes. Offer Health Insurance and Benefits Many employers must offer health insurance and benefits to full-time employees. These elements can also help you attract and retain top talent. Here’s what you should know: Health Insurance Options: Providing health insurance is an essential aspect of attracting and retaining quality employees. Research the different types of health insurance plans available, such as Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), or Health Savings Account (HSA) compatible plans. Choose a plan that fits your budget and meets your employees’ needs. Employee Benefits: In addition to health insurance, offering additional benefits can help make your business more appealing to potential employees. Consider providing benefits such as paid time off, retirement plans, flexible work arrangements, or professional development opportunities. Tailor your benefits package to the needs and preferences of your target employees to maximize its appeal. Legal Requirements: Be aware of any legal requirements for providing health insurance and benefits, particularly if your business has a certain number of employees. For example, under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), businesses with 50 or more full-time employees are required to offer health insurance to their employees. Familiarize yourself with federal, state, and local laws related to employee benefits to ensure compliance. Navigate Remote Work Dynamics With the rise of remote work, understanding how to manage a distributed team effectively is essential. This includes selecting the right communication tools, establishing clear remote work policies, and fostering a strong virtual team culture. Embrace strategies that ensure productivity and collaboration while also supporting work-life balance for your team members. Market and Expand Your Business Determining how to grow a small business can vary based on your industry and business goals. For example, some may target new customer segments, while others may diversify product offerings or launch new marketing campaigns. Both marketing and expansion efforts require ongoing analysis, adaptation, and innovation to ensure long-term success in an ever-evolving marketplace. Here are some methods you might consider as your business grows: Develop a Brand Identity Developing a strong brand identity is essential for differentiating your business from competitors, building customer trust, and creating a memorable experience. Here are some key steps to develop your brand identity: Define your target audience: Identify your ideal customers, their demographics, preferences, and pain points. This will help you create a brand that appeals to them. Knowing your customer base deeply through market research and direct engagement is key to creating offerings that meet their needs and exceed expectations. Establish your unique selling proposition (USP): Determine what sets your business apart from others in your industry. Your USP should showcase the unique value you offer to customers. Create a compelling brand story: Craft a narrative that encapsulates your brand’s mission, values, and purpose. This story should resonate with your target audience and be consistently conveyed across all marketing channels. Design a memorable logo: Your logo should be visually appealing, unique, and reflective of your brand’s personality. Invest in professional design services to create a logo that represents your business well. Create a cohesive color palette and typography: Select a range of colors and fonts that embody your brand’s identity and apply them consistently across all marketing materials and platforms. Establish brand guidelines: Develop a comprehensive brand style guide that outlines your brand’s visual elements, voice, tone, and messaging. This guide will help ensure consistency across all channels and touchpoints. Register a ‘Doing Business as’: When establishing your brand identity and legal presence in the market, registering a ‘Doing Business As’ (DBA) can be a strategic step. This not only secures your business name but also enables you to conduct business under a name that aligns with your branding efforts without the need to create a formal legal entity. Create a Marketing Plan for Launch and Beyond A marketing plan is a strategic document that outlines your business’s marketing goals, objectives, strategies, and tactics. It serves as a roadmap to help you achieve your marketing goals and measure your progress. Here’s a list of what should be included in a marketing plan: Executive Summary: This section provides a high-level overview of your marketing plan, summarizing your objectives, strategies, and key takeaways. Market Analysis: Conduct an in-depth analysis of your industry, market trends, and competitors. This will help you identify opportunities and threats, as well as understand the competitive landscape. Thorough research is important for understanding customer needs and market gaps. Target Audience: One of our main tips for starting a business is to define your target customers, including their demographics, preferences, and pain points. This information will guide your marketing efforts and help you tailor your messaging. Marketing Goals and Objectives: Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) marketing goals and objectives that align with your business’s overall goals. Marketing Strategies: Outline the high-level strategies you will use to achieve your marketing goals, such as content marketing, social media marketing, or email marketing. Marketing Tactics: List the specific tactics and channels you will use to implement your marketing strategies. This might include blog posts, social media posts, or email newsletters. Marketing Budget: Determine how much money you will allocate to your marketing efforts and how you will distribute those funds across different marketing channels and tactics. Performance Metrics: Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) that will help you track your marketing efforts’ success and measure progress toward your goals. Implementation Timeline: Create a timeline for executing your marketing tactics, including milestones and deadlines. Review and Adjustments: Establish a process for regularly reviewing your marketing plan’s performance, making data-driven adjustments, and updating your plan as needed. Improve Customer Experience and Engagement In the digital age, customer experience is king. Focus on creating seamless, engaging experiences across all touchpoints – from your website and social media to customer service interactions. Use social media platforms to build brand awareness and engage directly with your customers, creating a community around your products or services. Use customer feedback to continuously improve and personalize the experience. Remember, a delighted customer is not just a repeat customer but also an advocate for your brand. After meticulous planning, you’ll be positioned to launch your business effectively. Network and Build Business Relationships Strong business relationships and networking are invaluable for business growth and support. Networking can unlock many opportunities for your startup business, from partnerships to funding industry events, joining professional organizations, and engaging in online forums. These connections can lead to new business opportunities, partnerships, and valuable mentorships. Set Up a Business Website A well-designed and user-friendly business website is a necessary part of establishing an online presence, attracting customers, and promoting your products or services in today’s digital ecosystem. Choose a domain name: Select a domain name that is easy to remember, reflects your brand, and ideally includes relevant keywords. Register your domain through a domain registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap. Select a web hosting provider: Web hosting providers offer storage space and services needed for your website to be accessible on the internet. Choose a hosting provider that meets your needs in terms of speed, reliability, and support, such as Bluehost, SiteGround, or HostGator. Pick a website builder: Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress offer user-friendly tools and templates for creating and customizing your website. For e-commerce businesses, utilizing platforms like Shopify with features like breadcrumb navigation enhances user experience and site structure. Design your website: Create a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate website that reflects your brand identity. Prioritize user experience by using a responsive design, clear navigation, and engaging visuals. Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, as an increasing number of users access the web through mobile devices. Develop website content: Create informative, relevant, and engaging content for your website, focusing on your target audience’s needs and preferences. Make sure your content is well-organized, easy to read, and includes keywords to improve search engine visibility. Optimize for SEO: Implement search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to improve your website’s visibility in search results. This includes using relevant keywords, creating quality content, optimizing meta tags, and building a strong backlink profile. Integrate analytics: Track your website’s performance and user behavior by integrating analytics tools like Google Analytics. This will provide insights into user demographics, traffic sources, and user engagement, helping you make data-driven decisions for your website. Expand Internationally Selling internationally exposes your business to new markets, increasing your customer base and revenue potential. Embracing global expansion can lead to business growth, risk diversification, and a competitive edge. Here are some steps you must navigate in order to reap these benefits: Market research: Conduct thorough research on potential target markets, evaluating factors such as consumer preferences, local competition, and cultural differences. This will help you tailor your marketing efforts and product offerings to resonate with international customers. Regulatory compliance: Familiarize yourself with the legal and regulatory requirements of your target countries, including import/export laws, taxes, and customs regulations. Ensure your business complies with all relevant laws to avoid fines or other penalties. Payment processing: Offer a variety of secure payment options that cater to the preferences of your international customers. Consider partnering with payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, or Adyen, which support multiple currencies and international transactions. Currency conversion: Display prices in local currencies to make it easier for international customers to understand the cost of your products or services. Use currency conversion tools or plugins on your website to provide accurate, real-time exchange rates. Shipping and logistics: Develop a reliable and cost-effective shipping strategy for international orders. Partner with reputable shipping carriers and consider using fulfillment services like Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) or ShipBob to streamline your logistics. Website localization: Adapt your website’s content, design, and language to cater to your target international markets. Use tools like Google Translate or work with professional translators to offer your content in multiple languages. Customer support: Provide multilingual customer support to address the needs and concerns of your international customers. Consider hiring native speakers or using translation tools to communicate effectively with customers in their local language. Marketing and promotion: Develop tailored marketing strategies for each international market, taking into consideration local preferences, language, and culture. Leverage local social media platforms, influencers, and advertising channels to reach your target audience effectively. What Tools Do You Need to Start a Business? Starting a business requires a combination of planning, research, and the right tools to help you streamline your operations and increase efficiency. Here is an expanded list of business tools that can support the many different aspects of your new business: Business Plan Software: A solid business plan is crucial for outlining your objectives, target market, and financial projections. Business plan software like LivePlan, Upmetrics, or Bizplan can guide you through the process and help you create a professional-looking plan to present to potential investors or lenders. Accounting and Bookkeeping Software: Keeping track of your business finances is essential. Tools like QuickBooks, Xero, or FreshBooks can help you manage your income and expenses, generate financial reports, and simplify tax preparation. Project Management and Collaboration Tools: Streamline your team’s communication and project management with tools like Trello, Asana, or Basecamp. These platforms enable you to assign tasks, track progress, and collaborate with your team in real time. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software: CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, or Zoho CRM can help you manage and nurture customer relationships, track leads, and analyze sales data to optimize your sales process. Email Marketing Software: Stay connected with your customers and promote your products or services with email marketing tools like Mailchimp, Sendinblue, or Constant Contact. These platforms offer email templates, automation features, and analytics to help you optimize your campaigns. Social Media Management Tools: Simplify your social media marketing efforts with tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, or Sprout Social. Schedule posts, monitor engagement, and track analytics across multiple social media platforms. E-commerce Platforms: If you’re looking to sell products online, think about utilizing e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce to create and manage your online store. Payment Processing Solutions: Accepting payments from customers is crucial for any business. Payment processing tools like Square, Stripe, or PayPal can help you process payments securely and efficiently. Inventory Management Software: Keep track of your stock levels and streamline your inventory processes with tools like TradeGecko, Zoho Inventory, or inFlow Inventory. Human Resources (HR) Software: Manage employee data, benefits, and payroll with HR tools like Gusto, BambooHR, or Zenefits. These platforms can help you stay compliant with labor laws and ensure smooth HR operations. Website Builders: Create a professional-looking website for your business with user-friendly website builders like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress. Analytics and Reporting Tools: Monitor your business’s performance and make data-driven decisions with analytics tools like Google Analytics, Tableau, or Looker. Video Conferencing and Communication Tools: Stay connected with your team and clients through video conferencing and communication platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Slack. Graphic Design Software: Create eye-catching visuals and marketing materials for your business with design tools like Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, or Figma. Time Tracking and Productivity Tools: Monitor your team’s productivity and optimize work processes with time tracking tools like Toggl, Time Doctor, or Clockify. These are just a few of the many tools available to support your new business. By investing in the right tools and technologies, you can streamline your operations, save time and resources, and set your business up for success. And always be on the lookout for new technologies to improve your operations. Start a Business with These Helpful Resources One way to ensure the success of your business is to take advantage of all the resources that are available to you. Public and private organizations, as well as nonprofits, offer everything from financial help to education, mentorship, and much more. Here are some of the many resources that are available to you as a budding entrepreneur. SCORE: SCORE provides free business advice and mentoring from experienced business owners and professionals. Small Business Administration (SBA): The SBA offers resources and support for small businesses, including loans, counseling, and training. StartUpNation: StartUpNation offers resources, advice, and tools for starting and growing a small business. Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs): SBDCs offer free business consulting and training for small business owners. National Association of Small Business Owners (NASBO): NASBO offers resources, advocacy, and support for small business owners. National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO): NAWBO offers resources and support for women-owned businesses. Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): WBENC provides resources and assistance for women-owned businesses, including the option to obtain certification as a women’s business enterprise. Bplans: Bplans offers business planning resources, including templates, guides, and examples. AngelList: AngelList offers resources for startup funding and connecting with investors. Crunchbase: Crunchbase offers insights and data on startups and investors. HubSpot: HubSpot offers resources for marketing, sales, and customer service, including software and training. Mailchimp: Mailchimp offers email marketing tools and resources, including templates and guides. Hootsuite: Hootsuite offers social media management tools and resources for businesses of all sizes. Fundera: Fundera offers resources and tools for small business funding and loans. Nav: Nav offers resources and tools for small business credit monitoring and financing. Yelp: Yelp offers resources for business owners to manage and promote their online reputation. LegalZoom: LegalZoom offers legal resources and services for small business owners, including incorporation and trademark filing. UpCounsel: UpCounsel offers legal services for businesses, including contracts, intellectual property, and employment law. QuickBooks: QuickBooks offers accounting and financial management tools and resources for businesses of all sizes. Google Analytics: Google Analytics offers insights and data on website traffic and user behavior. Canva: Canva offers design tools and templates for creating graphics and marketing materials. Trello: Trello offers project management and collaboration tools for teams. Zoom: Zoom offers video conferencing and communication tools for remote teams and meetings. Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA): The MBDA offers resources, training, and financing support for minority-owned businesses. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): The VA offers resources and support for veteran-owned businesses, including access to capital and procurement opportunities. National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC): The NMSDC offers resources and support for minority-owned businesses, including certification as a minority business enterprise. Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO): The AEO offers resources and support for microenterprises and small businesses, including training, financing, and networking opportunities. Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM): The EXIM offers resources and support for small businesses looking to export their products or services, including financing and insurance. U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC): The DOC offers resources and support for businesses looking to export their products, including export counseling and market research. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO): The USPTO provides resources and assistance to businesses seeking to safeguard their intellectual property, such as through patent and trademark registration. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): OSHA offers resources and support for businesses looking to ensure a safe and healthy workplace, including training and compliance assistance. Economic Development Administration (EDA): The EDA offers resources and support for businesses looking to create jobs and spur economic growth in their communities, including financing and technical assistance. Small Business Investor Alliance (SBIA): The SBIA offers resources and support for small businesses seeking investment and growth capital, including education and advocacy. How to Start a New Business FAQs How can I start my own business with no money? This is a very common FAQ. You CAN start a small business without any money, but you must bring other equity into the equation. For example, you might bring knowledge and expertise into an online consulting business, or you may turn an unused part of your home into an Airbnb business. Other free business ideas include dog walking, house sitting, blogging, and social media influencing. See our free checklist for more on how to start a business with no money Can I start a business with $1,000? The answer is yes, you can start a business with $1,000. This generally requires starting an online or service-based business. Online businesses like virtual assistant services, web design, e-commerce sites, and online courses can all be started for under $1,000. In-person service-based businesses like event planning, cleaning and errand services, and personal chef businesses are also quite affordable. Be sure to check out our related article 25 Businesses You Can Start For Less Than $1,000 for more information. What business is best for beginners? Factors such as your skills, interests, budget, and market demand will greatly dictate what the best business for beginners is. Some low-cost businesses that require minimal investment and have relatively low risk include home-based business ideas like dog walking, cleaning services, and lawn care. Online businesses such as e-commerce stores, dropshipping, affiliate marketing, and digital product creation can also be easy for beginners. Do you need a business credit card? While having a business credit card can be helpful for managing expenses and building credit for your business, you will not always need one to start a business. In fact, many small business owners use their personal credit cards to cover expenses when starting out. However, it’s important to keep business and personal expenses separate, as this can make accounting and tax filing easier. If you decide to get a business credit card, shop around for the best rates and rewards and use it responsibly to build your business credit history. Do you need a business degree to start a business? While having a business degree can be advantageous for starting and growing a business, it is not essential for achieving success as an entrepreneur. Numerous successful business owners lack formal business education and instead draw on practical experience, industry insights, and a readiness to learn and adapt. However, it’s important to have a basic understanding of business concepts such as accounting, marketing, and finance. This can be achieved through self-education, attending workshops or seminars, or working with a mentor or advisor. Do you need a special license or permit to start a small business? The licenses and permits required to start a small business vary depending on the type of business and the location. Some businesses may require specific licenses and permits from state and local agencies, such as a food service permit or professional license. Businesses that handle hazardous materials or operate in regulated industries often require additional permits. It’s important to research the requirements in your specific industry and location and obtain any necessary licenses and permits before starting your business. Failure to do so can result in fines, legal issues, or even the closure of your business. Working with a professional advisor can help ensure that you are in compliance with all necessary requirements. How do I price my products and services? To price products and services, calculate the total cost of materials, labor, and any other resources that go into your operations. Then, project how many products or services you intend to sell each month to cover those expenses. This is just your break-even point. You should also consider the perceived value of your goods and services and look at what competitors are charging. If you offer extra value in some way, it’s often wise to charge a bit more. However, some businesses set themselves apart through affordability. Images: Envato Elements This article, "How to Start a Business in 10 Easy Steps – From Set Up to Launch" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In news outlets, business publications, and scholarly journals, there is a crescendo of commentary about the combined power of human intelligence and artificial intelligence. Without question, that convergence is already yielding exciting discoveries in many fields. Yet a third, equally crucial, kind of intelligence is being left out of the discussion: nature’s intelligence. The idea that nature itself displays the hallmarks of what we understand as intelligence—the ability to learn, to encode those learnings in new, more effective models, and to continually adapt—is not altogether new. Leonardo da Vinci understood this well. Nature was his teacher and his inspiration. Nothing escaped his intensive observation: water, soil, plants, birds. Part of his expansive genius was to perceive the hidden systems—the invisible forces and laws—that govern everything from the workings of the human body to the movement of objects through the air. Today, we build on da Vinci’s wisdom when we analyze the intricate chemical communication of plants, the swarm intelligence of insects, the complex click patterns of whale “songs.” We are coming to see, with some humility, that nature is far more intelligent than we humans have ever understood. But what seemed to fascinate da Vinci the most was the interconnections among these systems and across disciplines. When he studied the human body, designed machines, or created masterpieces of art, he did so holistically, drawing on his ever-widening range of understanding, and producing work that is greater than the sum of its parts. This approach to innovation has never been more relevant or more possible than it is today. The fusion of natural, human, and machine intelligence—a synthesis that I call polyintelligence—promises solutions to some of the world’s most intractable problems. Indeed, this integrated framework is already beginning to revolutionize biotechnology. From drug development to generative synthetic biology, polyintelligence is enabling breakthroughs that no single form of intelligence—or even the convergence of two—could achieve on their own. Take the example of the Human Genome Project, which completed its mapping of the blueprint of human DNA in 2003. More than two decades later, that union of nature, human intelligence, and AI continues to yield—among other things—novel DNA and mRNA sequences that could unlock new breakthrough medicines. Or consider how scientists are using polyintelligence to “learn the language” of proteins, enabling us to craft new proteins that don’t exist in nature with specific therapeutic functions. Just as words and grammar define a spoken language, AI analyzes vast amounts of protein data to understand the “rules” that dictate protein structure and function. This knowledge allows scientists to design novel proteins by writing new sequences within nature’s linguistic framework, surpassing traditional limitations, and developing innovative treatments for complex diseases. Beyond biomedicine, polyintelligent thinking, polyintelligent systems, and polyintelligent solutions will have wider applications—and, I believe, unmatched power to mitigate climate change, increase agricultural yields in a sustainable way, and address other complex, global challenges. Again, this is not theoretical. Nature’s intelligence, supercharged by AI, is being applied to accelerating the evolutionary process of staple crops such as corn, wheat, and soybeans to enable them to grow in a hotter and drier environment. The promise of polyintelligence is clearly even greater than our hopes for AI. It is vitally important, therefore, that we manage this transition effectively and judiciously. The principles we set today—and the decisions we make regarding governance, ethics, and bias—for the use of AI should advance the goal of enabling polyintelligence. To realize its full potential, we must prioritize interdisciplinary collaboration by fostering cross-disciplinary research and integrating diverse expertise across sectors. By uniting policymakers, scientists, industry leaders, and educators, we can harness the collective strengths needed to both understand and address the world’s most pressing challenges. From urban-resilience planning and conservation of biodiversity to optimizing energy production and distribution, polyintelligence can catalyze sustainable solutions with wide-ranging impact. Lastly and perhaps most importantly, polyintelligence will also require a shift in human intelligence. In particular, we must stop seeing ourselves as the ultimate arbiter of what is good, correct, or intelligent. Whether we’re talking about the body’s complex and shifting methods of disease resistance, or a recent study showing that horses can think strategically and plan their actions, we should have the humility—as da Vinci, a true genius, did—to recognize that much of the natural world operates beyond our ability to comprehend it. Our knowledge is and will always be incomplete. But it is expanding significantly, in exciting ways—reshaping the very nature of discovery itself. View the full article

The acquisition of Mann Mortgage in 2024 gave Synergy the foundation and knowledge base to launch a homebuilder division, its CEO said. View the full article

Experts said the government-sponsored enterprises could change their tack on some of the innovation seen since the pandemic in loss mitigation, lending and technology. View the full article

It’s a simple idea. Aside from its electrical components, the Hoop Table Lamp by Finnish furniture company Vaarnii is made completely from pine timber and pine veneer. The result is a warm, natural statement lamp without any fuss. Released last week, the lamp is available in two sizes. It retails for about $360 for the medium and about $260 for the small. The appropriately-named London designer John Tree designed the lamp, which has a solid wood base created from a knot-free block of solid pine timber. The Hoop table lamp is topped by a pine veneer shade that’s cut thin enough to allow a glow of light through. All in all, the lamp is made up of only two pieces, and a gorgeous example of reductive minimalism that still conveys a sense of warmth. [Photo: Vaarnii] “Hoop is about reduction of form and an unambiguous use of quality pine wood,” Vaarnii says. “Simple yet painstakingly engineered, monolithic yet delicate, this is an effortless and essential lamp for illuminating any space with warm pine-filtered light.” Vaarnii sets itself apart from other furniture companies by creating its products from raw materials, including chairs and tables to ceiling lights all made from materials sourced from Finland. The wood for its Hoop Table Lamp comes from Finnish Scots Pine trees that the company says are sustainably managed and slowly grown. That means each piece is unique with its own grain pattern, and because pine changes as it ages, the color of the lamp deepens the longer you have it until it settles into a honey tone. The natural simplicity of the Hoop table lamp proves it doesn’t necessarily take much for timeless, sustainable design. View the full article

You should buy small business renters insurance if you rent an office space or another type to run your enterprise. This kind of small business insurance protects your operations and team and covers property damage. What is Business Renters Insurance? A business owner can get this insurance coverage through a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP). These combine three different types of insurance. General Liability Commercial Property Insurance Business Income Insurance Protect your business even if you’re renting a space because BOPs cover commercial property coverage. A small business gets financial protection from lawsuits, theft, and fire. Plus, lost income if the property is covered. Read More: Types of Business Insurance Why You Should Have a Business Renters Insurance Policy Business renters insurance protects small businesses from unexpected events and issues like property damage. There are several other reasons why this renters insurance is a must-have. For Coverage When Employees Damage a Rented Space – There are certain risks other types of business insurance coverage don’t provide. Standard policies don’t look after damages workers make to inventory or a warehouse. Your Contracts Might Require a Business Renters Policy – If you’re renting from your landlord, it’s possible that your rental agreement or loan documents stipulate the need for a renter’s insurance policy. To Cover Damages Made By A Third Party – A business owner should be aware of the difference between actual cash value versus replacement cost. For Coverage From Accidents Leading to Lawsuits – Small business renter’s insurance should cover this, make sure. It might not be covered by a standard business insurance policy. It’s The Law – Small business renters insurance is required in most states. Without it, your business can face losses due to legal actions, fires, and theft. What is Covered by Business Renters Insurance? A business owner’s policy like this provides coverage for natural disasters and lawsuits pertaining to bodily injury. Remember, when you’re looking for any type of insurance coverage, you should really get a customized quote. Lots of companies have convenient tabs where you can find an agent, too. This insurance covers the following as well: Professional Liability Insurance In the dynamic landscape of business, accusations of negligence or causing harm can arise unexpectedly. That’s where Professional Liability Insurance steps in, offering businesses a safety net against such legal claims. Commonly known as errors and omissions insurance, this policy bridges the gap that general liability insurance might leave. While a general liability policy offers a broad range of protections, it may not necessarily cover professional missteps or oversights. For contractors, it’s advisable to delve into completed operations coverage, which, although often part of general liability insurance, is paramount for their line of work. On another note, advertising injury coverage is generally bundled with commercial general liability policies. This vital addition ensures that businesses are safeguarded against potential pitfalls like unintentional copyright violations or instances of slander. Business Interruption Insurance When unexpected events such as natural disasters strike, they can halt business operations, leading to lost income. Business Interruption Insurance is intended to protect businesses from unexpected disruptions, compensating for lost revenue resulting from events such as theft, fire, or wind damage. With this policy, businesses can effectively manage difficult situations, ensuring their financial stability even during periods when operations are halted. Workers Compensation Insurance Almost every state mandates the implementation of Workers’ Compensation Insurance, highlighting its importance in the business ecosystem. This policy acts as a safety blanket for businesses, covering them against expenses stemming from work-related ailments or injuries. From compensating for lost wages to managing medical expenses, this insurance ensures that employees are well taken care of. It’s not just a matter of legal compliance; many landlords may require businesses to have this coverage in place. As an essential component of a company’s insurance portfolio, Worker’s Compensation Insurance underscores a business’s commitment to its employees. It covers the unavoidable aspects of the workplace, such as accidents, disabilities, and illnesses. To ensure complete protection, it is essential to include liability coverage. Commercial Auto Insurance For businesses that are anchored in distribution or transportation, Commercial Auto Insurance is non-negotiable. This policy encompasses the protection of business-owned vehicles, ensuring that they’re covered against potential damages or liabilities. Whether it’s a fleet of trucks or a single company car, this insurance guarantees that the wheels of business keep turning, regardless of unforeseen roadblocks or accidents. Investing in Commercial Auto Insurance highlights the significance of protecting assets that are crucial to a company’s operations. Comparison of Key Business Insurance Coverage For a quick glance at the various insurance coverages and what they entail, refer to the comparison table below. It will help you discern the differences and understand which policies might be the most pertinent to your business needs. Type of InsurancePurposeTypically CoveredNot Typically Covered Commercial Property InsuranceProtection against physical damage or loss.Theft, Fire, Certain Natural DisastersFloods, Earthquakes Business Income InsuranceReplaces lost income due to a covered event.Income loss due to fire, theft, etc.Income loss due to non-covered events. Professional Liability InsuranceProtection against negligence claims.Claims of professional negligence.Intentional malpractice. Business Interruption InsuranceCovers lost income due to events interrupting operations.Lost income due to wind theft, fire, etc.Lost income due to non-specified reasons. Workers Compensation InsuranceCovers work-related illnesses and injuries.Medical costs, Lost wagesInjuries outside of work. Commercial Auto InsuranceCovers business vehicles.Damages to business vehicles.Personal vehicle damages. Read More: Business Insurance Benefits What is Not Covered by Business Renters Insurance? This type of business policy doesn’t cover everything your small business might need. Here’s what your business won’t get with these policies. Coverage for Pests – Bugs are for the landlord’s insurance company to tackle. Most small business renter’s insurance coverage doesn’t cover damage caused by pests. Negligent Damage – Likewise building damage caused by criminal activity or negligence. You won’t get coverage under those circumstances to protect your business. Floods – Coverage for property damage caused by water is under a flood policy, not small business renters insurance. Ask your insurance company about this distinction. Earthquakes – Professional services and other business renters don’t get coverage automatically. But there could be an add-on to your business owner’s policy. Keep in mind that small business renters insurance should include bundled options. An insurance professional, along with the insurance company, should be able to tailor solutions to meet your needs. How Much Does Business Rental Insurance Cost? Small business owners are usually concerned with the bottom line. Like how much good business renters insurance costs. Remember, a good policy combines liability insurance and commercial property insurance. And general liability policies. There are additional endorsements you can add to renters insurance like a policy for errors and omissions coverage. And other insurance products you might need too. Here’s the bottom line. Business renters insurance should provide coverage mirroring BOP insurance. An insurance professional can estimate the average cost of one of these BOP policies. That’s usually around $1200 for good business renters insurance. What you pay might be different depending on several factors, such as the type of property your business is on. There are many different casualty insurance company choices. Read on to find out how to find the one that supplies good business renters insurance. How to Choose the Right Business Rental Insurance Company Finding the right company is a big part of getting business renters insurance coverage. A good insurance company offers income insurance, commercial property insurance and others. There are several things you can look for to start a search. Make sure that you can bundle policies with any of the companies you are considering. Chances are you’ll need to customize the coverage to get the best deal. While you are at it find out what’s not covered, this can be just as important as finding out what is. Every company supplies policies that have these exclusions. You need to find out what they are at the beginning. Review your needs before you start any search. Knowing what your business renter’s coverage requirements are is essential. So, you should be reviewing them on a yearly basis. Here’s how to choose a company that works with your risk management strategies. Contact the insurance company directly to explore insurance policies. Conduct some research to identify your needs, and then create a business policy that fits those requirements. Adjust the services to develop a tailored policy, such as one that includes property coverage. Finally, request a custom quote to ensure you only pay for what you will actually use. Get coverage online. Compare services from different providers this way. Contact an insurance broker to cover your business activities with the right insurance. It needs to cover everything from policies for professional liability to property coverage where applicable. Looking through these financial products on your own can be confusing. A broker isn’t cheap, but they can guide you through the process. Understanding the risks in your industry helps. That can guide you to the right insurance. For example, product liability insurance works best for restaurants. Learning what affects your insurance rates is critical. Don’t let a business owner’s policy lapse. That will increase the premiums on items like professional liability insurance. Assessing Your Business’s Risk Profile for Renters Insurance Understanding Risk Exposure: To determine the appropriate level and type of renters insurance, businesses must first understand their unique risk exposures. This involves assessing various aspects of their operations, such as location, nature of business activities, and customer interaction. Industry-Specific Risks: Various industries encounter unique risks. For instance, a tech company may place a higher emphasis on coverage for data breaches, whereas a retail store might concentrate more on protection against property damage or theft. It is essential to evaluate the risks that pertain to your specific industry. Location-Based Considerations: The location of your business can significantly impact your insurance needs. If you’re in an area prone to natural disasters, such as floods or earthquakes, you might need additional coverage. Urban locations might require higher coverage for theft or vandalism. Analyzing Business Operations: Evaluate your daily operations to identify potential risks. Do you handle sensitive customer data? Do you have expensive equipment? Do customer interactions pose potential liability issues? These factors will guide you in choosing the right coverage. Consulting with Professionals: An insurance agent or broker specializing in commercial policies can provide valuable insights. They can help identify risks you might have overlooked and suggest appropriate coverage options. Legal Implications and Compliance for Renting Commercial Spaces Understanding Lease Requirements: Many commercial leases include clauses regarding insurance requirements. It’s essential to understand these stipulations to ensure compliance and avoid potential legal issues. Local Regulations: Different jurisdictions have varying requirements for businesses operating in rented spaces. These might include specific types of insurance coverage or minimum coverage amounts. Familiarize yourself with local laws to ensure your insurance policy is compliant. Liability Concerns: Renters insurance can also protect against legal liabilities. For instance, if a customer is injured on your property, having adequate coverage can save your business from costly lawsuits and settlements. Documentation and Record-Keeping: Keep comprehensive records of your insurance policies and make sure they are readily accessible. This practice is essential not only for compliance but also for efficiently filing claims. Frequently Overlooked Coverages in Business Renters Insurance Business Interruption Extensions: While property damage is often a primary focus, the impact of business interruptions can be equally significant. This coverage can compensate for lost income during periods when your business is unable to operate normally due to covered damages. Electronic Data Protection: In the digital age, protecting electronic data is vital. Many standard policies may not cover data breaches or loss of digital assets. Electronic data protection can safeguard against these modern risks. Seasonal Inventory Coverage: For businesses with fluctuating inventory levels, such as retail stores, it’s essential to adjust coverage to reflect these changes. Seasonal coverage ensures that your insurance aligns with inventory levels at different times of the year. Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI): This covers claims from employees alleging discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, and other employment-related issues. Given the rise in employment-related lawsuits, EPLI can be a critical addition to your policy. Each of these overlooked coverages addresses specific risks that might not be immediately apparent but can have significant financial implications. Tailoring your renter’s insurance to include these coverages ensures comprehensive protection for your business. Best Small Business Rental Insurance Providers Effective business insurance coverage needs to come from industry-leading business partners. The top American companies for a good renter insurance policy are listed below. Remember to look for standards like liability insurance from any insurance company you’re considering. Take a look at the testimonials on their websites. These are good indicators of the company’s credibility. The Hartford This is a well-known casualty insurance company. Their business renters insurance works better than the competition because their owner’s policy is trusted. Get customized property insurance for different types of businesses. They also supply excellent worker’s comp policies. Chubb The insurance coverage available here is outstanding. You can include commercial property, liability, and business interruption coverage, as well as options for international coverage. State Farm There’s a handy tab to find a local agent. They support different types of businesses, like restaurants and retailers. Their insurance for general liability comes in $1 million increments. Property insurance is available, too. There’s no login required for this company. And you can get a certificate of your insurance right on their website. They look after a variety of small businesses like drugstores and bakery locations, as well as online sales businesses, contractors, and trades. Hiscox Pay for a short-term liability insurance policy and protect property and data with cybersecurity insurance. This insurance company offers general liability insurance, too. This is a company that has a 100-year history of making sure businesses have good coverage. There are 3,000 employees in 14 different countries and customers right across the globe. Nationwide They supply different types of insurance. Like liability insurance for different types of business, they offer commercial auto insurance with collision. The actual cost value when you need to replace property equipment breakdown is a covered loss. You’ve got insurance cover for errors and omissions, too, and, of course, general liability insurance. They also provide resources and tools for smaller businesses, and you can pay your bills online through their website. Nationwide has more than 90 years of business experience. Understanding business renters insurance and how it works can help you concentrate on making profits. Other business insurance products can also fold into a renter’s policy. Image: Depositphotos This article, "What is Business Renters Insurance, and Do You Need it?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

You should buy small business renters insurance if you rent an office space or another type to run your enterprise. This kind of small business insurance protects your operations and team and covers property damage. What is Business Renters Insurance? A business owner can get this insurance coverage through a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP). These combine three different types of insurance. General Liability Commercial Property Insurance Business Income Insurance Protect your business even if you’re renting a space because BOPs cover commercial property coverage. A small business gets financial protection from lawsuits, theft, and fire. Plus, lost income if the property is covered. Read More: Types of Business Insurance Why You Should Have a Business Renters Insurance Policy Business renters insurance protects small businesses from unexpected events and issues like property damage. There are several other reasons why this renters insurance is a must-have. For Coverage When Employees Damage a Rented Space – There are certain risks other types of business insurance coverage don’t provide. Standard policies don’t look after damages workers make to inventory or a warehouse. Your Contracts Might Require a Business Renters Policy – If you’re renting from your landlord, it’s possible that your rental agreement or loan documents stipulate the need for a renter’s insurance policy. To Cover Damages Made By A Third Party – A business owner should be aware of the difference between actual cash value versus replacement cost. For Coverage From Accidents Leading to Lawsuits – Small business renter’s insurance should cover this, make sure. It might not be covered by a standard business insurance policy. It’s The Law – Small business renters insurance is required in most states. Without it, your business can face losses due to legal actions, fires, and theft. What is Covered by Business Renters Insurance? A business owner’s policy like this provides coverage for natural disasters and lawsuits pertaining to bodily injury. Remember, when you’re looking for any type of insurance coverage, you should really get a customized quote. Lots of companies have convenient tabs where you can find an agent, too. This insurance covers the following as well: Professional Liability Insurance In the dynamic landscape of business, accusations of negligence or causing harm can arise unexpectedly. That’s where Professional Liability Insurance steps in, offering businesses a safety net against such legal claims. Commonly known as errors and omissions insurance, this policy bridges the gap that general liability insurance might leave. While a general liability policy offers a broad range of protections, it may not necessarily cover professional missteps or oversights. For contractors, it’s advisable to delve into completed operations coverage, which, although often part of general liability insurance, is paramount for their line of work. On another note, advertising injury coverage is generally bundled with commercial general liability policies. This vital addition ensures that businesses are safeguarded against potential pitfalls like unintentional copyright violations or instances of slander. Business Interruption Insurance When unexpected events such as natural disasters strike, they can halt business operations, leading to lost income. Business Interruption Insurance is intended to protect businesses from unexpected disruptions, compensating for lost revenue resulting from events such as theft, fire, or wind damage. With this policy, businesses can effectively manage difficult situations, ensuring their financial stability even during periods when operations are halted. Workers Compensation Insurance Almost every state mandates the implementation of Workers’ Compensation Insurance, highlighting its importance in the business ecosystem. This policy acts as a safety blanket for businesses, covering them against expenses stemming from work-related ailments or injuries. From compensating for lost wages to managing medical expenses, this insurance ensures that employees are well taken care of. It’s not just a matter of legal compliance; many landlords may require businesses to have this coverage in place. As an essential component of a company’s insurance portfolio, Worker’s Compensation Insurance underscores a business’s commitment to its employees. It covers the unavoidable aspects of the workplace, such as accidents, disabilities, and illnesses. To ensure complete protection, it is essential to include liability coverage. Commercial Auto Insurance For businesses that are anchored in distribution or transportation, Commercial Auto Insurance is non-negotiable. This policy encompasses the protection of business-owned vehicles, ensuring that they’re covered against potential damages or liabilities. Whether it’s a fleet of trucks or a single company car, this insurance guarantees that the wheels of business keep turning, regardless of unforeseen roadblocks or accidents. Investing in Commercial Auto Insurance highlights the significance of protecting assets that are crucial to a company’s operations. Comparison of Key Business Insurance Coverage For a quick glance at the various insurance coverages and what they entail, refer to the comparison table below. It will help you discern the differences and understand which policies might be the most pertinent to your business needs. Type of InsurancePurposeTypically CoveredNot Typically Covered Commercial Property InsuranceProtection against physical damage or loss.Theft, Fire, Certain Natural DisastersFloods, Earthquakes Business Income InsuranceReplaces lost income due to a covered event.Income loss due to fire, theft, etc.Income loss due to non-covered events. Professional Liability InsuranceProtection against negligence claims.Claims of professional negligence.Intentional malpractice. Business Interruption InsuranceCovers lost income due to events interrupting operations.Lost income due to wind theft, fire, etc.Lost income due to non-specified reasons. Workers Compensation InsuranceCovers work-related illnesses and injuries.Medical costs, Lost wagesInjuries outside of work. Commercial Auto InsuranceCovers business vehicles.Damages to business vehicles.Personal vehicle damages. Read More: Business Insurance Benefits What is Not Covered by Business Renters Insurance? This type of business policy doesn’t cover everything your small business might need. Here’s what your business won’t get with these policies. Coverage for Pests – Bugs are for the landlord’s insurance company to tackle. Most small business renter’s insurance coverage doesn’t cover damage caused by pests. Negligent Damage – Likewise building damage caused by criminal activity or negligence. You won’t get coverage under those circumstances to protect your business. Floods – Coverage for property damage caused by water is under a flood policy, not small business renters insurance. Ask your insurance company about this distinction. Earthquakes – Professional services and other business renters don’t get coverage automatically. But there could be an add-on to your business owner’s policy. Keep in mind that small business renters insurance should include bundled options. An insurance professional, along with the insurance company, should be able to tailor solutions to meet your needs. How Much Does Business Rental Insurance Cost? Small business owners are usually concerned with the bottom line. Like how much good business renters insurance costs. Remember, a good policy combines liability insurance and commercial property insurance. And general liability policies. There are additional endorsements you can add to renters insurance like a policy for errors and omissions coverage. And other insurance products you might need too. Here’s the bottom line. Business renters insurance should provide coverage mirroring BOP insurance. An insurance professional can estimate the average cost of one of these BOP policies. That’s usually around $1200 for good business renters insurance. What you pay might be different depending on several factors, such as the type of property your business is on. There are many different casualty insurance company choices. Read on to find out how to find the one that supplies good business renters insurance. How to Choose the Right Business Rental Insurance Company Finding the right company is a big part of getting business renters insurance coverage. A good insurance company offers income insurance, commercial property insurance and others. There are several things you can look for to start a search. Make sure that you can bundle policies with any of the companies you are considering. Chances are you’ll need to customize the coverage to get the best deal. While you are at it find out what’s not covered, this can be just as important as finding out what is. Every company supplies policies that have these exclusions. You need to find out what they are at the beginning. Review your needs before you start any search. Knowing what your business renter’s coverage requirements are is essential. So, you should be reviewing them on a yearly basis. Here’s how to choose a company that works with your risk management strategies. Contact the insurance company directly to explore insurance policies. Conduct some research to identify your needs, and then create a business policy that fits those requirements. Adjust the services to develop a tailored policy, such as one that includes property coverage. Finally, request a custom quote to ensure you only pay for what you will actually use. Get coverage online. Compare services from different providers this way. Contact an insurance broker to cover your business activities with the right insurance. It needs to cover everything from policies for professional liability to property coverage where applicable. Looking through these financial products on your own can be confusing. A broker isn’t cheap, but they can guide you through the process. Understanding the risks in your industry helps. That can guide you to the right insurance. For example, product liability insurance works best for restaurants. Learning what affects your insurance rates is critical. Don’t let a business owner’s policy lapse. That will increase the premiums on items like professional liability insurance. Assessing Your Business’s Risk Profile for Renters Insurance Understanding Risk Exposure: To determine the appropriate level and type of renters insurance, businesses must first understand their unique risk exposures. This involves assessing various aspects of their operations, such as location, nature of business activities, and customer interaction. Industry-Specific Risks: Various industries encounter unique risks. For instance, a tech company may place a higher emphasis on coverage for data breaches, whereas a retail store might concentrate more on protection against property damage or theft. It is essential to evaluate the risks that pertain to your specific industry. Location-Based Considerations: The location of your business can significantly impact your insurance needs. If you’re in an area prone to natural disasters, such as floods or earthquakes, you might need additional coverage. Urban locations might require higher coverage for theft or vandalism. Analyzing Business Operations: Evaluate your daily operations to identify potential risks. Do you handle sensitive customer data? Do you have expensive equipment? Do customer interactions pose potential liability issues? These factors will guide you in choosing the right coverage. Consulting with Professionals: An insurance agent or broker specializing in commercial policies can provide valuable insights. They can help identify risks you might have overlooked and suggest appropriate coverage options. Legal Implications and Compliance for Renting Commercial Spaces Understanding Lease Requirements: Many commercial leases include clauses regarding insurance requirements. It’s essential to understand these stipulations to ensure compliance and avoid potential legal issues. Local Regulations: Different jurisdictions have varying requirements for businesses operating in rented spaces. These might include specific types of insurance coverage or minimum coverage amounts. Familiarize yourself with local laws to ensure your insurance policy is compliant. Liability Concerns: Renters insurance can also protect against legal liabilities. For instance, if a customer is injured on your property, having adequate coverage can save your business from costly lawsuits and settlements. Documentation and Record-Keeping: Keep comprehensive records of your insurance policies and make sure they are readily accessible. This practice is essential not only for compliance but also for efficiently filing claims. Frequently Overlooked Coverages in Business Renters Insurance Business Interruption Extensions: While property damage is often a primary focus, the impact of business interruptions can be equally significant. This coverage can compensate for lost income during periods when your business is unable to operate normally due to covered damages. Electronic Data Protection: In the digital age, protecting electronic data is vital. Many standard policies may not cover data breaches or loss of digital assets. Electronic data protection can safeguard against these modern risks. Seasonal Inventory Coverage: For businesses with fluctuating inventory levels, such as retail stores, it’s essential to adjust coverage to reflect these changes. Seasonal coverage ensures that your insurance aligns with inventory levels at different times of the year. Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI): This covers claims from employees alleging discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, and other employment-related issues. Given the rise in employment-related lawsuits, EPLI can be a critical addition to your policy. Each of these overlooked coverages addresses specific risks that might not be immediately apparent but can have significant financial implications. Tailoring your renter’s insurance to include these coverages ensures comprehensive protection for your business. Best Small Business Rental Insurance Providers Effective business insurance coverage needs to come from industry-leading business partners. The top American companies for a good renter insurance policy are listed below. Remember to look for standards like liability insurance from any insurance company you’re considering. Take a look at the testimonials on their websites. These are good indicators of the company’s credibility. The Hartford This is a well-known casualty insurance company. Their business renters insurance works better than the competition because their owner’s policy is trusted. Get customized property insurance for different types of businesses. They also supply excellent worker’s comp policies. Chubb The insurance coverage available here is outstanding. You can include commercial property, liability, and business interruption coverage, as well as options for international coverage. State Farm There’s a handy tab to find a local agent. They support different types of businesses, like restaurants and retailers. Their insurance for general liability comes in $1 million increments. Property insurance is available, too. There’s no login required for this company. And you can get a certificate of your insurance right on their website. They look after a variety of small businesses like drugstores and bakery locations, as well as online sales businesses, contractors, and trades. Hiscox Pay for a short-term liability insurance policy and protect property and data with cybersecurity insurance. This insurance company offers general liability insurance, too. This is a company that has a 100-year history of making sure businesses have good coverage. There are 3,000 employees in 14 different countries and customers right across the globe. Nationwide They supply different types of insurance. Like liability insurance for different types of business, they offer commercial auto insurance with collision. The actual cost value when you need to replace property equipment breakdown is a covered loss. You’ve got insurance cover for errors and omissions, too, and, of course, general liability insurance. They also provide resources and tools for smaller businesses, and you can pay your bills online through their website. Nationwide has more than 90 years of business experience. Understanding business renters insurance and how it works can help you concentrate on making profits. Other business insurance products can also fold into a renter’s policy. Image: Depositphotos This article, "What is Business Renters Insurance, and Do You Need it?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

While it’s always a good time to watch TikToks — globally, users spend an average of 34 hours on TikTok per month — figuring out the best time to post a TikTok is a bit more complicated. And yet, knowing when to post on TikTok can be super helpful for content creators and small business owners alike. After all, creating TikToks is tough work (trust me, I know), so it makes sense to figure out your best time to post on TikTok. This is why we tapped into Buffer’s data — analyzing more than 1 million videos, carousels, photos, and text posts — to pinpoint the best times to post on TikTok. This guide will walk you through all the best practices for posting on TikTok for maximum engagement — and, with any luck, land your videos on For You Pages worldwide. Jump to a section: Is there a best time to post on TikTok? The best times to post on TikTok The best time to post on TikTok at a glance The best time to post on TikTok on Monday The best time to post on TikTok on Tuesday The best time to post on TikTok on Wednesday The best time to post on TikTok on Thursday The best time to post on TikTok on Friday The best time to post on TikTok on Saturday The best time to post on TikTok on Sunday The best day of the week to post on TikTok The best content type to post on TikTok How to find your best time to post on TikTok Is there a best time to post on TikTok?According to our data, yes — some posting times do seem to work better than others. The analysis, conducted by Buffer’s data scientist-in-residence, weighed up the median views of 1 million posts published through Buffer. These numbers helped us pinpoint some pretty clear patterns in the times of TikTok posts that tend to perform well compared to those that don’t, which are, arguably, the best time to post on TikTok in 2025. But before we dig into our data, though, two important caveats: First, there is no universal best time to post on TikTok that will work for every video on the app. If only it were that easy! The best time to post on TikTok for you depends on your target audience — your audience location, timezones, and their behaviors — which is why I'll walk you through analyzing your own TikTok data to figure out when to post on TikTok for your target audience later in this article. Second, we may well see a shift in reach and engagement on the platform if the proposed TikTok Ban in the U.S. comes into play. We’re keeping a close eye on all the legal developments and updating this article as new information emerges: TikTok in the U.S.: What We Know & What It Means For Your Buffer Account. Bookmark it, if you want to keep an eye on things!That said, the days and times in the charts below offer a handy guide to help you maximize your content potential while growing your following. Ready to get into the numbers? Let's take a look at the best time to post on TikTok in 2025. 👀 The best times to post on TikTokAccording to our data, the best time to post on TikTok is Sunday at 8 p.m., followed by Tuesday at 4 p.m., and Wednesday at 5 p.m. Videos, carousels, and text TikTok posts shared during those times tended to get the highest views of the week, though other slots weren’t far behind. 🌞 Generally speaking, views tend to pick up later in the day, with peak time slots at 1 p.m. or later. This graph above breaks down the week into hourly chunks. The darkest blocks are the time slots with the highest views (the best time to post) — and the light to white blocks are the time slots with the lowest views (times that are probably best avoided). TikTok is a particularly fascinating platform to look at in terms of posting times. In our other analyses of the best time to post on LinkedIn and even Instagram there are some really predictable patterns in video performance (and, we can assume, audience behavior). But with TikTok, things are less cut and dried. This is likely because TikTok has a younger demographic — 35% of TikTok users in the US are 18 - 24 years old, the largest age group on the platform — with a less rigid schedule. 🌍Wait, what time zone? To make this data easier to understand, our data scientist Bufferoo has done some mathematical magic to make the recommended time zones universally applicable. In other words, no need to convert. Whether you're in EST (Eastern Standard Time), PST (Pacific Standard Time), or IST (Indian Standard Time), the times apply to you.The best time to post on TikTok at a glanceMonday: 7 p.m.Tuesday: 4 p.m.Wednesday: 5 p.m.Thursday: 5 p.m.Friday: 4 p.m.Saturday: 5 p.mSunday: 8 p.m.The best time to post on TikTok on MondayThe best time to post on TikTok on Monday is 7 p.m., closely followed by 6 p.m., then 5 p.m., according to Buffer data. ⏰ When to post on TikTok on Monday: 7 p.m. The best time to post on TikTok on TuesdayThe best time to post on TikTok on Tuesday is 4 p.m. Videos posted at 8 p.m. received the second-highest median views, followed by 2 p.m. ⏰ When to post on TikTok on Tuesday: 4 p.m. The best time to post on TikTok on WednesdayOn Wednesdays, the best time to post on TikTok is 5 p.m., closely followed by 6 p.m., then 4 p.m. Wednesday is the best day to post on TikTok, so it's definitely worth adding to your posting schedule. ⏰ When to post on TikTok on Wednesday: 5 p.m. The best time to post on TikTok on ThursdayThe best time to post on TikTok on Thursday is 5 p.m. Videos posted at 1 p.m. received the second-highest median views, closely followed by 3 p.m. ⏰ When to post on TikTok on Thursday: 5 p.m. The best time to post on TikTok on FridayOn Friday, the best time to post on TikTok is at 4 p.m., followed by a smaller spike at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. ⏰ When to post on TikTok on Friday: 4 p.m. The best time to post on TikTok on SaturdaySaturday is a quieter time on TikTok, though there are some optimal times worth noting. The best time to post on TikTok is 5 p.m. followed by 4 p.m., then 7 p.m. ⏰ When to post on TikTok on Saturday: 5 p.m. The best time to post on TikTok on SundayThe best time to post on TikTok on Sunday is at 8 p.m., one of the best times to post throughout the entire week. Other good times to post on TikTok on Sunday are 5 p.m. and 4 p.m. ⏰ When to post on TikTok on Sunday: 8 p.m. This is where social media scheduling tools like Buffer shine. Experiment by systematically going through the times on the list above, scheduling a TikTok, and tracking its performance to see what works best for your specific audience. 💡Just as there’s no one-size-fits-all best time to post, there’s no single best time to post across all social media platforms. Here’s the best time to post on Instagram, the best time to post on Facebook, and the best time to post on LinkedIn.The best day of the week to post on TikTokThe best day of the week to post on TikTok is Wednesday. Overall, videos, carousels, and text TikTok posts shared on Wednesday tended to perform the best. Thursday and Friday are tied for second place in terms of the best day of the week to post on TikTok. The worst day of the week to post on TikTok is Saturday, when there’s a notable dip in views of TikTok posts shared on that day. The best content type to post on TikTokAs an added bonus in these analyses, we look at not only the best time to post, but also the best type of content to post on the platform. On TikTok, the answer probably won’t surprise you at all — it’s video. That said, pictures (or carousels) and text posts put in a pretty good showing on a platform that was once exclusively for video. Our data found that videos only see 18% more views than text posts and 7% more than photos or carousels. In turn, photos or carousels perform 11% better than text posts. How to find your best time to post on TikTokAs always, when it comes to the best time to post data, I advise you to take these times with a pinch of salt! Every social media audience is different — particularly when it comes to the diversity of TikTok — and will behave in different ways. These time slots are a great starting point to experiment with. I highly suggest you do if you’re unsure of your best posting time! But, TikTok is one of the more helpful social media platforms, thanks to some handy audience insights. In fact, you can see exactly when your followers have been online in the past week, to help you make more informed decisions about when to post your next videos. Here’s how: 1. See when your TikTok followers are activeTo find it, head over to TikTok account. Then: Tap on your profile picture to go to your TikTok profile, then TikTok Studio just underneath your bio (you can also download the TikTok Studio app for a more streamlined experience).Here, you’ll find an overview of TikTok’s tools for brands and creators. From there, tap the ‘View all’ link just to the right of the Analytics box.From within the Analytics section, tap the Followers tab at the top of the screen, then scroll down to ‘Most active times.’Here, you’ll find a retrospective overview of when your followers were most active on the app over the past week (you can’t see further back than 7 days). Why does this matter? When you post your TikTok, the algorithm will serve your video to a select group of your followers, and non-followers gauge how they react. Do they watch the whole video? Tap through the carousel? Like, it, comment on it, or share it with a friend? Actions like these are strong indicators that your content is valuable (while all TikTok engagement helps, watch time is particularly important). It signals to the algorithm that it should serve your video to more people like the ones who watched and engaged. A larger group will find your videos on their FYP, and so the pattern continues. While TikTok only shares follower activity, it stands to reason that your non-followers — people you’re hoping to reach and convert — will behave similarly to the people already following you. In turn, they might be scrolling through the app at similar times. Posting when your target audience is most active — or just before that period — gives your content the best possible chance of success. 2. Pinpoint some good times to post on TikTokSo, it’s worthwhile spending some time noting down their most active times over the past few days. Look for patterns. Is there a similar spike in activity on weekdays? Or on weekends? Is there one day of the week that stands out when it comes to the best time to post on TikTok? These slots will give you a good indication of the best time to post on TikTok for your target audience. I suggest posting slightly before your followers’ most active times, particularly if it lines up with one of our best times to post on TikTok, above. 3. Consider your own scheduleBurnout can be very real for content creators or social media managers. While it's a great idea to post regularly, you don’t want to do too much at once and exhaust yourself. When deciding the best time to post and in particular, how often you'll post on TikTok, consider whether the workload feels reasonable. To create engaging, informative, and thoughtful content, you need to feel inspired. Therefore, take care of your physical and mental health and take breaks whenever needed. Creating a posting schedule or social media calendar can reduce the stress of posting consistently. A calendar will provide an organized way to lay out all of your videos and help you be more consistent. Once you have a solid overview of your content and when to schedule your posts on TikTok, you can start planning and filming TikTok content in advance and even batch-create content. 3. Experiment with different timesNow you’ve studied your followers’ most active times and nailed down a few options for the best time to post on TikTok, it’s time to take those times for a spin. Experimentation is a pillar of successful social media marketing — play around with scheduling your TikTok posts at various periods during the day to see which video performs the best. If you’re not able to actively post during those hours (perhaps your target audience location is not in the same time zone as yours), no sweat: A social media management tool like Buffer can help schedule posts at the exact moments your audience is most likely to engage. While we’re on the subject: Want to add your TikTok trending audio natively in the TikTok app? You can still schedule your video to post at a specific time, with Buffer’s TikTok notification post feature! You’ll get a notification when the time comes to post your video, and Buffer will automatically open the video up in TikTok for you. From there, you can copy your caption over from Buffer, and add any elements you want in TikTok, saving you precious time. Plus, you’ll never forget a posting time again. 4. Analyze your content performanceStick to your planned posting schedule for a few weeks, to give them a fair trial. TikTok offers a wealth of helpful analytics that will vary depending on your goal. But when trying to pinpoint your best times to post on TikTok, keep an eye on these key metrics, looking to see if you can establish patterns in posting times when they’re high: ViewsAverage watch time (TikTok prioritizes videos that hold attention)Engagement (likes, comments, shares)New followers (if you’re growing your account, this one is particularly important. Sometimes, the videos with the most views won’t be the ones that bring in the most new followers).5. Rinse and repeatCan’t find any patterns that point to a best time to post on TikTok. That’s OK. You could stick to your current schedule a little longer if your posts are generally performing well, to gather more data. If not, I’d suggest adjusting your schedule (and checking out these tips for creating great TikTok content, too.). If you’ve found some times that seem to be working? Great! Be sure to share or schedule your posts during those times for the next few weeks. But don’t forget to add some new times to experiment with into the mix. TikTok trends (and algorithms) shift constantly, so testing new posting times every few weeks can help you stay ahead. Happy TikToking!Hopefully, this guide will help you nail down the best time to post on TikTok for you! Ensuring your videos, photos, and text posts, get seen by as many people as possible is the next step in attracting more customers to your brand and building a stronger online community. What are your favorite times to post on TikTok? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter or Instagram! View the full article

It took decades, but Rachael Kelly broke the insidious cycle of abuse she’d been stuck in since childhood. At the time, she was leading human resources at a restaurant group in 2020. “I’m new in this job, and my toxic marriage start[ed] to peak,” she says. Meanwhile, she was trying to help the employees at her restaurant who were suffering through the trauma and joblessness of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ending her marriage to an abusive husband while helping those workers establish safety nets made her think: “How do we package [what I’m doing here] and model it forward?” Kelly ended up doing just that by first launching her nonprofit HiveStrong, which helps survivors of intimate partner violence and human trafficking. She then translated HiveStrong’s principles to the professional sphere with her for-profit consulting arm called HiveSmart. “I didn’t expect how much trauma there is in the workplace,” she says, “and how much work around trauma and holding a safe space [could increase] business productivity.” HiveSmart Consulting provides HR and coaching services to organizations with anywhere from five to 5,000 employees in industries ranging from hospitality to retail to HR technology in the U.S. It may look like any business consulting firm on the surface, but all its profits go toward Kelly’s survivor-aiding nonprofit and its methods stem from this work—in other words, they’re trauma-informed. For Kelly, that means teaching business clients on how to do things like “hold a safe space” for their employees and where to draw the line between being “compassionate, empathetic, and flexible” while maintaining accountability. It also involves helping mediate and improve relationships between bosses and employees, particularly when one or both have experienced traumas that make them wary of each other, or unable to communicate effectively. Kelly’s particularly equipped to do this given her background as both a trauma survivor and a business leader. Since its August launch, HiveSmart has grown to include 20 consultants and works with four to six active clients at a time, Kelly says. She’s not alone in running a consultancy that fosters trauma-informed work environments; a quick Google will reveal that trauma-informed consultants are active around the country. But it’s a trend that Kelly says more employers are starting to see the need for, judging by the growing interest in her expertise and greater awareness of just how many people experience trauma. One global 2016 study found 70% of respondents reported experiencing at least one traumatic event in their lives, while the US National Center for PTSD reports roughly 5% of U.S. adults have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in any given year, a condition that might result in employees shutting down or lashing out when they’re triggered by a colleague or manager’s behavior. “Everyone experiences trauma,” Kelly says, citing the mass trauma incurred from the pandemic, “and there’s a way to make change that’s inclusive, not alienating.” The challenge, then, she says, is bringing that message to the C-suite. How trauma affects the workplace It’s difficult to trace the exact origins of trauma-informed practice, but many cite its roots in the healthcare field, specifically in how professionals came to work with Vietnam War veterans in the 1970s. With PTSD newly identified among veterans, healthcare providers shifted their approach to address its symptoms. This meant instead of asking patients, “What is wrong with you?” they’d start by asking, “What happened to you?” That latter question is still at the root of trauma-informed practices today, which have expanded beyond healthcare into arenas like education and, thanks to consultants like Kelly, the workplace. The U.S. Department of Health’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration names the “six key principles” of a trauma-informed approach as “safety, trustworthiness and transparency, peer support, collaboration and mutuality, empowerment aka “voice and choice” (giving workers’ agency that they lacked in their traumatic experiences) and cultural, historical, and gender issues.” When organizations don’t consider those principles in their operations, say trauma-informed practitioners, trauma can manifest at work in myriad ways. “It’s hard to [paint] a broad stroke, because trauma responses can look so different across folks,” says Shelby Cook, who founded the Ohio-based Cook Counseling and Consulting after getting burnt out as a therapist with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Two prominent examples she sees are “absenteeism” and “presenteeism.” (The former happens when employees, for example, repeatedly take sick days for their mental health. Presenteeism means employees physically show up to work but are mentally checked out and underperforming.) “That can be a result of trauma, where that shut-down mode [turns] on,” Cook says. As a therapist, Cook describes herself as “touchy feely” but notes this isn’t the most common trait across C-suite executives. Kelly points out how many older executives grew up in an era when the common wisdom deemed emotions “weak,” she says. That can result in bosses and managers, perhaps inadvertently, “shaming” employees for feeling. “When you do that, you make those emotions more acute,” she says, “training the brain that they’re worse than they are.” Eschewing trauma-informed practices also results in communication breakdowns. “I would see people talking past each other,” Kelly says, because they didn’t understand where the other was coming from. Context is everything when it comes to successful communication. This stuck out to Kelly when she worked with a CEO who’d been traumatized by people having stolen from him and was trying to improve his relationship with an employee who’d been abused by an older man when she was younger. Their relationship was “sparking [the employee’s] triggers of controlling, untrustworthy, middle-aged white men,” says Kelly, “But once she understood what was going on with him, and he understood what was going on with her, they could . . . meet in the middle.” That employee, who’d been on the verge of quitting, ended up getting promoted and increasing her company’s revenue. Implementing trauma-informed practices at work Dawn Emerick, a former CEO who now runs the trauma-informed Dawn Emerick Consulting in Florida, learned how her trauma affected her ability to work when she came up against what she calls a “bully boss” in her previous job. His “authoritative characteristics,” she says, elicited the “fight or flight” responses she didn’t realize she’d been suppressing since her traumatic childhood. They became so overwhelming that Emerick eventually resigned. Today, Emerick draws on her experience to coach other CEOs on trauma-informed methods. Coaching, she underscores, is not the same as giving advice, which she avoids in favor of executives coming to their own solutions. “We talk it through and give scenarios,” she says. “Sometimes CEOs just need a confidential place [to talk], because it’s lonely at the top.” She often uses the elevator metaphor to help clients land on productive responses to workplace problems. “If there’s ten floors to their emotional response, and they’re at an eight,” she says, “they need someone to help them get down to a four so they don’t send that damn email.” Strategizing around specific conversations is also a big part of Kelly’s work, as is ensuring leaders listen to and empower their employees. Having agency and choice is so important for trauma survivors, because it’s something they were denied as victims. Asking employees for their input, then, is crucial to fostering trauma-informed workplaces—and not just asking, but then acting on employees’ suggestions and requests. This holds for big and small asks. Cook brings up employees requesting she stock decaf coffee in the office kitchen. These small touches show employees that they matter and are being heard. When Kelly started working with LaMonte Jones, who’s on the board of directors of the nonprofit Children of Restaurant Employees, the organization struggled with board members operating in “silos” and “cliques,” Jones says, keeping their issues “hidden.” Kelly built connections with individual members to facilitate, Jones says, “an environment that allowed everyone to be heard and all their ideas to be considered.” The board members realized they had a common goal; they were just disagreeing on how to get there. Once they saw others listening to their ideas, they were able to incorporate more board members’ perspectives productively. Since Kelly’s intervention, says Jones, CORE’s funding is up, and they’ve identified staffers to promote to the executive level—the first time they’ve promoted in-house in a long time. At the last board meeting, Jones observed that “everyone likes each other,” he says. “They’ve got more strategic partners than they’ve ever had in the past. . . . They have people working in spaces that highlight their gifts and talents.” ‘Empathetic leadership’ doesn’t equal ‘trauma-informed’ While Cook calls this work “touchy feely,” Cook says the approach is essentially rooted in specific actions covered in those six SAMHSA principles, ranging from DEI efforts to other practices like responding sincerely to employee input. Defining it only as “empathetic leadership,” says Emerick, doesn’t do it justice. Being an empathetic leader means being able to put yourself in an employee’s shoes, she adds, while being a trauma-informed leader means acting on that empathy by making employees feel safe at work (like making sure they’re listened to and supported) in such a way that still holds them accountable to their job requirements and deadlines. For example, bosses can act compassionately toward their employees without bending to their every demand. “Holding a safe space doesn’t mean you’re saying it’s okay not to perform,” Kelly says. Bosses can practice flexibility by, say, letting an employee with a history of trauma leave a little early one day a week to go to therapy while still requiring they meet their deadlines. Kelly looks to the Americans with Disabilities Act for guidance on how to treat employees who’ve experienced trauma equitably without favoring them: “What’s reasonable,” she asks, “if somebody’s going through something, to accommodate in a way that still meets the needs of the business?” Employees notice shallow accommodation efforts. Offering snazzy workplace perks like ping pong tables or team-building days aren’t going to solve employees’ trauma-rooted problems. Cook brings up a misguided Employee Assistance Program she witnessed at a large Ohio university that offered counseling for its staff and students . . . provided by its own staff, meaning it lacked meaningful confidentiality. Ultimately, says Kelly, trauma-informed practices at work are means to an end. “There’s always a business outcome we’re trying to accomplish,” she says. For executives, achieving that outcome while holding safe spaces for employees isn’t unattainable—“you just need the right coaching.” View the full article

The standing desk is old news. Behold, the standing table. Herman Miller just released a new design that takes the concept of a standing desk to a whole new level. The Spout Sit-to-Stand Table comes in a range of sizes, from 2-by-4 feet to a whopping 4-by-7 feet, supports up to 400 pounds, and can seat a whole team rather than just one worker. That’s because it breaks a key form factor that most other standing desks follow: the number of legs in use. The vast majority of standing desks have only two motorized legs, mostly because they’re easier to stabilize and engineer to move seamlessly. Meanwhile, the Spout table stands on four legs, allowing chairs to be placed comfortably on all sides of the table. [Image: Herman Miller]“The biggest challenge in designing a four-leg solution was creating a rigid and stable platform that could seamlessly support large surfaces,” a Herman Miller spokesperson shared with Fast Company. “The design team and engineers tackled this by developing an elegant 360-degree understructure that not only enhances stability but also scales across multiple sizes, from 24”–48” deep and 42–84” wide.” [Photo: Herman Miller]A four-legged standing desk isn’t unheard of (in fact, Herman Miller offers a leather-wrapped version), but you’d be hard-pressed to find one with 28 square feet of surface space. And, whereas most standing desks on the market tend to live within a minimalist color palette, the Spout can be customized with a wide range of surface materials, edge details, and leg colors, like dusty blue or fire engine red. To keep the table’s profile sleek and elegant, its engineers also had to ensure that all of its moving mechanics—like the motors and drive assembly—would be tucked out of view inside the legs themselves. [Photo: Herman Miller]“The team devoted countless hours to ensuring that every line and radius aligned perfectly,” the spokesperson said. “While the table may appear elegantly simple, the precision and complexity behind its design are anything but.” Buyers of the Spout table will certainly be paying for this attention to detail. The price of the table varies widely depending on the size you choose and how you personalize it (see a guide here), but the three standard sizes currently available for purchase on the website start in the mid-$2,000s. For a Herman Miller product, this isn’t exactly a surprise. Many of the company’s office goods have make up their pricey costs not only in their high-quality materials, but also in their status-signaling cachet (see the Eames lounge chair’s recent renaissance among tech bros). Personally, I’d want my $2,000 desk to come with just a bit more opulence. Still, for any work-from-home tech couples out there or office managers looking to literally level up their space, this might just be the perfect product. View the full article

Learn how Google News works and how to get your content ranking on Google News and News surfaces. View the full article

Log file analysis involves downloading and auditing your site’s log file to find and fix technical SEO issues. View the full article

SEO analytics involves tracking a site’s search performance in search engines and acting on resulting insights to boost visibility. View the full article

When it comes to running a successful business, communication is key. Effective business communication not only requires clarity but also the use of appropriate email format and etiquette. In this article, we’ll examine some different email format examples for businesses to help you get started creating professional emails that get results every time. Let’s get started with the basics of effective email communication! The Proper Business Email Format Business email writing follows a certain set of conventions that distinguish it from other types of writing. By following these conventions, you create a polished and professional impression that will be appreciated by your recipients. Let’s take a look at the proper business email format and some tips for ensuring your emails are well-written and effective. Professional Email Address Subject Line Email Opening Email Body Email Conclusion Email Sign Off Email Signature Professional Email Address In business today, first impressions often start with your email address. It serves as a digital identifier, so having a professional one is paramount. Abstain from using quirky nicknames, numbers that don’t have a particular significance or vague identifiers. Ideally, your email should be a combination of your first and last name or a variation that’s closely associated with your identity. For businesses, it’s always beneficial to have an email address linked to the company’s domain. This not only looks more professional but also enhances brand recognition and builds trust among recipients. Subject Line The subject line acts as the gateway to your email, offering the recipient a glimpse into the content within. Therefore, it should be precise, attention-grabbing, and relevant. Integrating compelling action verbs or phrases such as “Meeting Update” or “Feedback Required” can drive urgency and prompt the recipient to open the email. Equally important is to refrain from using vague or misleading subject lines. The recipient should know what to expect when they delve into the email. Also, always be cautious and avoid using words that could trigger spam filters, which could send your email straight to the junk folder, diminishing the chances of it being read. Email Opening Starting an email on the right foot sets the tone for the entire communication. Your greeting plays a crucial role in establishing rapport and conveying respect. By opening with “Dear” or even “Hello,” you immediately convey a level of professionalism. Ensuring you use the correct name and title of the recipient further reinforces your attention to detail. If unsure of the person’s gender or title, it’s safer to use their full name. Following the greeting, you can insert an introductory line that shows goodwill, such as “I trust this message finds you in good spirits,” to subtly establish a connection. Email Body This is where the crux of your message resides. The content here should be well-structured and focused. Dividing the content into logical and short paragraphs enhances readability and ensures that each segment or idea stands out. It’s wise to keep your sentences straightforward, employing active verbs and direct language. This fosters clarity and decisiveness in your content. Steer clear of ambiguous phrases and jargon unless it’s an industry standard. For a universally understood email, it’s also vital to dodge colloquialisms and abbreviations unless previously defined or widely recognized. Email Conclusion Concluding your email effectively is pivotal in reinforcing your message and guiding the recipient towards the desired action. This is the segment where you briefly encapsulate the primary focus of your email and express gratitude for the recipient’s time and attention. Use prompts such as “Should you require further information” or “I await your feedback” to foster open communication. Keep in mind that a well-crafted conclusion not only summarizes the content but also sets the stage for ongoing communication or outlines the next steps in the process. Email Sign Off The way you end your email can leave a lasting memory in the reader’s mind. This small gesture can reflect your respect, professionalism, and the relationship you share with the recipient. Using standard and universally accepted closings like “Regards” or “Yours sincerely” can never go wrong. Depending on the relationship and the context, you can also use friendlier terms like “Take care” or “Cheers.” It’s essential to ensure the tone of your sign-off aligns with the content of your email, setting the right expectations for any subsequent interactions. Email Signature Think of your email signature as an electronic business card – concise, informative, and professional. This space should clearly display your full name, job designation, and the company you represent. Including contact details like a direct phone number, a website link, or even a LinkedIn profile can prove to be advantageous. For those wanting to make a more distinct impression, adding a company logo or a professional photo can further personalize your emails. However, it’s crucial to maintain a balance – while adding elements can make your signature stand out, over-cluttering can be counterproductive. Aim for a neat, organized, and efficient design. READ MORE: How to Recall an Email in Outlook Why Is a Proper Email Format Important? In today’s digital age, professional emails play a pivotal role in our daily communication, especially in the business world. Using the proper email format not only ensures that you present yourself as competent and trustworthy but also establishes a positive first impression. Taking the time to format your emails correctly speaks volumes about your attention to detail and your respect for the recipient. When your emails are well-organized and clear, they enhance effective communication, ensuring your message is understood as intended. Additionally, by maintaining a consistent and proper format, you reduce the risk of misinterpretations, ensuring the essence of your conversation remains transparent and efficient. READ MORE: How to Recall an Email in Gmail How Does a Formal Email Format Differ From an Informal Email Format? The difference between formal and informal email formats is primarily reflected in the tone, language, and structure used. A formal email generally follows a strict standard of professionalism, whereas an informal email permits a more casual and personal style. In a formal email, it’s crucial to maintain a neutral tone, steer clear of casual lingo, contractions, or colloquialisms, and prioritize clarity and precision. It’s also recommended to avoid any playful elements such as emojis, GIFs, or overly colorful fonts. On the other hand, informal emails can have a more conversational tone, embrace colloquial terms, and even include light-hearted elements to make the interaction more engaging and personable. Formal vs. Informal Email Format Understanding the differences between formal and informal email formats is key to effective communication. Here’s a comparative table to highlight the distinctions: FeatureFormal EmailInformal Email ToneProfessionalCasual Use of ContractionsAvoidedCommon Use of SlangAvoidedAllowed EmoticonsGenerally avoidedMore frequent Professional Email Format Tips Business emails should follow a standard, professional email format to ensure that your messages come across as clear and organized. Here are some additional tips for creating effective business emails: Start with a catchy, relevant subject line When writing a professional email, your subject line should be clear and concise to ensure that your recipient knows the purpose of the email. It can also help to use action words in your subject line to draw attention. If applicable, include urgency or importance indicators. Personalize your email When writing a professional email, personalizing it with the recipient’s name, job title, or company name can help create a more meaningful connection with the recipient. This is especially true for emails sent to multiple people. Referencing a recent event or mutual connection can enhance personalization. Keep emails succinct and to the point Business emails should be concise and to the point. Avoid using long words or phrases, and avoid unnecessary details that may confuse your reader. You should also keep emails short if possible, aiming for no more than two or three paragraphs. Prioritize the most critical information at the beginning. Make your email easy to read When writing a business email, use active language and short sentences. You should also break the content into paragraphs to make it easier for your reader to skim. Avoid using jargon or technical terms, and use bullet points to make it easier for your reader to find key points quickly. Highlight or underline key points for emphasis. Refrain from using slang, contractions, or emoticons Formal language reinforces professionalism. Therefore, business emails should be professional, and as such, slang, contractions, and emoticons are generally not appropriate. Avoid using them unless you’re certain they won’t be misunderstood by your recipient. Avoid slang such as LOL, and use emoticons sparingly. Contractions to avoid include “can’t,” “won’t,” and “shouldn’t.” Be aware of the tone Your email’s tone should reflect the type of conversation you would have in person. Choose your words carefully and avoid coming across as angry, aggressive, or sarcastic. It’s important to be polite and professional, even if the email contains negative information. Maintain a positive, constructive approach throughout. Be kind, courteous, and thankful Your emails should always be polite and cordial. Use words like “please,” “thank you,” and “kindly” in your messages to show respect. You should also be appreciative of the person’s time and effort, especially if they are helping you with something. Expressing gratitude can often lead to good relationships. Be outgoing, energetic, and likable When writing a business email, it’s important to be outgoing and energetic. Use positive words that convey enthusiasm, and be sure to include your contact information so your recipient can easily follow up with you. A warm tone can make your email more engaging. Mention points from your previous conversation If your email is a response to something the recipient previously said or asked, be sure to include specific points from your previous conversation. This will help show your recipient that you have paid attention to their thoughts and concerns. Recalling details shows attentiveness and respect. It will also help refresh your recipient’s memory and help them understand what you’re saying. End with a call to action When finishing your professional email, be sure to include a call to action. This could be asking the recipient for their opinion, input, or feedback on something you mentioned in your email. It could also be inviting them to take a specific action. Clarify what you hope to achieve with your email. Whatever it is, make sure that your call to action is clear and easy for your recipient to understand. Use a professional email signature As mentioned earlier, your email signature should include your name, job title, and contact information as well as a headshot or logo if you like. This will help to create a more professional impression with your recipient, which is important when sending business emails. Including a LinkedIn profile can enhance your credibility. Additionally, you should consider including a professional disclaimer in your email signature for privacy and legal purposes. This step will help protect you and your recipient. Attach a cover letter or other relevant file If you have relevant documents to include with your emails, such as a cover letter or resume, make sure you attach them. This will help show that you are taking the initiative and being proactive. Just remember to make sure that your attachments are virus-free before sending them. Indicate in the email body what documents are attached to ensure the recipient knows to look for them. Proofread emails carefully before sending Before sending a business email, it’s a good idea to proofread it for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Pay special attention to any instructions or requests you include in the email, as it’s important they are accurate and clear. Utilize tools such as spell checkers and grammar checkers to help identify mistakes. Reading the email out loud to yourself before sending it can also be beneficial, as it may help you spot any errors. Respond promptly to all emails While this doesn’t necessarily have to be done within minutes, you should do your best to respond promptly to all emails. This shows the recipient that you respect their time and value their input. Setting specific times to check and reply to emails can improve efficiency. Doing so will also help to develop strong working relationships with your colleagues and customers. Professional Email Format Key Points: Email Tone & Language: Maintain a professional tone. Avoid slang, contractions, and excessive emoticons. Convey enthusiasm and positivity. Content & Structure: Craft clear and concise subject lines. Personalize the email with recipient details. Recap previous conversations where relevant. Conclude with a clear call to action. Etiquette & Professionalism: Express gratitude and courtesy. Include a professional email signature. Respond to emails in a timely manner. Presentation: Ensure the email is easy to read. Break content into digestible paragraphs. Proofread for errors before sending. Attachments & Additional Information: Attach relevant files when needed. Ensure attachments are safe and virus-free. READ MORE: 50 Business Voicemail Greeting Examples How Do You Start a Professional Email? A professional email should have a clear purpose and be free of any grammatical or spelling errors. The initial step is to identify the purpose of the email. Are you looking to schedule a meeting, introduce yourself to a potential client, or express gratitude to someone for their business? Once you know the purpose of the email, you can start crafting your message. Keep your language concise and clear, and avoid any slang or informal language. It’s also important to proofread your email before sending it to catch any typos or errors. If you take the time to carefully craft your professional email, you’ll be sure to make a great impression. What Are the Four Parts of a Formal Email? The four parts of a formal email are the subject line, the salutation, the message body, and the signature. The subject line should be brief and to the point. It should give the reader an idea of what the email is about. The greeting or salutation should address the reader by their name or job title. The message body is where you’ll write your email. Be sure to proofread your message before you send it. The signature is your name, job title, and contact information. This lets the recipient know who they’re talking to and how they can get in touch with you. Image: Envato Elements This article, "Great Email Format Examples for Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When it comes to running a successful business, communication is key. Effective business communication not only requires clarity but also the use of appropriate email format and etiquette. In this article, we’ll examine some different email format examples for businesses to help you get started creating professional emails that get results every time. Let’s get started with the basics of effective email communication! The Proper Business Email Format Business email writing follows a certain set of conventions that distinguish it from other types of writing. By following these conventions, you create a polished and professional impression that will be appreciated by your recipients. Let’s take a look at the proper business email format and some tips for ensuring your emails are well-written and effective. Professional Email Address Subject Line Email Opening Email Body Email Conclusion Email Sign Off Email Signature Professional Email Address In business today, first impressions often start with your email address. It serves as a digital identifier, so having a professional one is paramount. Abstain from using quirky nicknames, numbers that don’t have a particular significance or vague identifiers. Ideally, your email should be a combination of your first and last name or a variation that’s closely associated with your identity. For businesses, it’s always beneficial to have an email address linked to the company’s domain. This not only looks more professional but also enhances brand recognition and builds trust among recipients. Subject Line The subject line acts as the gateway to your email, offering the recipient a glimpse into the content within. Therefore, it should be precise, attention-grabbing, and relevant. Integrating compelling action verbs or phrases such as “Meeting Update” or “Feedback Required” can drive urgency and prompt the recipient to open the email. Equally important is to refrain from using vague or misleading subject lines. The recipient should know what to expect when they delve into the email. Also, always be cautious and avoid using words that could trigger spam filters, which could send your email straight to the junk folder, diminishing the chances of it being read. Email Opening Starting an email on the right foot sets the tone for the entire communication. Your greeting plays a crucial role in establishing rapport and conveying respect. By opening with “Dear” or even “Hello,” you immediately convey a level of professionalism. Ensuring you use the correct name and title of the recipient further reinforces your attention to detail. If unsure of the person’s gender or title, it’s safer to use their full name. Following the greeting, you can insert an introductory line that shows goodwill, such as “I trust this message finds you in good spirits,” to subtly establish a connection. Email Body This is where the crux of your message resides. The content here should be well-structured and focused. Dividing the content into logical and short paragraphs enhances readability and ensures that each segment or idea stands out. It’s wise to keep your sentences straightforward, employing active verbs and direct language. This fosters clarity and decisiveness in your content. Steer clear of ambiguous phrases and jargon unless it’s an industry standard. For a universally understood email, it’s also vital to dodge colloquialisms and abbreviations unless previously defined or widely recognized. Email Conclusion Concluding your email effectively is pivotal in reinforcing your message and guiding the recipient towards the desired action. This is the segment where you briefly encapsulate the primary focus of your email and express gratitude for the recipient’s time and attention. Use prompts such as “Should you require further information” or “I await your feedback” to foster open communication. Keep in mind that a well-crafted conclusion not only summarizes the content but also sets the stage for ongoing communication or outlines the next steps in the process. Email Sign Off The way you end your email can leave a lasting memory in the reader’s mind. This small gesture can reflect your respect, professionalism, and the relationship you share with the recipient. Using standard and universally accepted closings like “Regards” or “Yours sincerely” can never go wrong. Depending on the relationship and the context, you can also use friendlier terms like “Take care” or “Cheers.” It’s essential to ensure the tone of your sign-off aligns with the content of your email, setting the right expectations for any subsequent interactions. Email Signature Think of your email signature as an electronic business card – concise, informative, and professional. This space should clearly display your full name, job designation, and the company you represent. Including contact details like a direct phone number, a website link, or even a LinkedIn profile can prove to be advantageous. For those wanting to make a more distinct impression, adding a company logo or a professional photo can further personalize your emails. However, it’s crucial to maintain a balance – while adding elements can make your signature stand out, over-cluttering can be counterproductive. Aim for a neat, organized, and efficient design. READ MORE: How to Recall an Email in Outlook Why Is a Proper Email Format Important? In today’s digital age, professional emails play a pivotal role in our daily communication, especially in the business world. Using the proper email format not only ensures that you present yourself as competent and trustworthy but also establishes a positive first impression. Taking the time to format your emails correctly speaks volumes about your attention to detail and your respect for the recipient. When your emails are well-organized and clear, they enhance effective communication, ensuring your message is understood as intended. Additionally, by maintaining a consistent and proper format, you reduce the risk of misinterpretations, ensuring the essence of your conversation remains transparent and efficient. READ MORE: How to Recall an Email in Gmail How Does a Formal Email Format Differ From an Informal Email Format? The difference between formal and informal email formats is primarily reflected in the tone, language, and structure used. A formal email generally follows a strict standard of professionalism, whereas an informal email permits a more casual and personal style. In a formal email, it’s crucial to maintain a neutral tone, steer clear of casual lingo, contractions, or colloquialisms, and prioritize clarity and precision. It’s also recommended to avoid any playful elements such as emojis, GIFs, or overly colorful fonts. On the other hand, informal emails can have a more conversational tone, embrace colloquial terms, and even include light-hearted elements to make the interaction more engaging and personable. Formal vs. Informal Email Format Understanding the differences between formal and informal email formats is key to effective communication. Here’s a comparative table to highlight the distinctions: FeatureFormal EmailInformal Email ToneProfessionalCasual Use of ContractionsAvoidedCommon Use of SlangAvoidedAllowed EmoticonsGenerally avoidedMore frequent Professional Email Format Tips Business emails should follow a standard, professional email format to ensure that your messages come across as clear and organized. Here are some additional tips for creating effective business emails: Start with a catchy, relevant subject line When writing a professional email, your subject line should be clear and concise to ensure that your recipient knows the purpose of the email. It can also help to use action words in your subject line to draw attention. If applicable, include urgency or importance indicators. Personalize your email When writing a professional email, personalizing it with the recipient’s name, job title, or company name can help create a more meaningful connection with the recipient. This is especially true for emails sent to multiple people. Referencing a recent event or mutual connection can enhance personalization. Keep emails succinct and to the point Business emails should be concise and to the point. Avoid using long words or phrases, and avoid unnecessary details that may confuse your reader. You should also keep emails short if possible, aiming for no more than two or three paragraphs. Prioritize the most critical information at the beginning. Make your email easy to read When writing a business email, use active language and short sentences. You should also break the content into paragraphs to make it easier for your reader to skim. Avoid using jargon or technical terms, and use bullet points to make it easier for your reader to find key points quickly. Highlight or underline key points for emphasis. Refrain from using slang, contractions, or emoticons Formal language reinforces professionalism. Therefore, business emails should be professional, and as such, slang, contractions, and emoticons are generally not appropriate. Avoid using them unless you’re certain they won’t be misunderstood by your recipient. Avoid slang such as LOL, and use emoticons sparingly. Contractions to avoid include “can’t,” “won’t,” and “shouldn’t.” Be aware of the tone Your email’s tone should reflect the type of conversation you would have in person. Choose your words carefully and avoid coming across as angry, aggressive, or sarcastic. It’s important to be polite and professional, even if the email contains negative information. Maintain a positive, constructive approach throughout. Be kind, courteous, and thankful Your emails should always be polite and cordial. Use words like “please,” “thank you,” and “kindly” in your messages to show respect. You should also be appreciative of the person’s time and effort, especially if they are helping you with something. Expressing gratitude can often lead to good relationships. Be outgoing, energetic, and likable When writing a business email, it’s important to be outgoing and energetic. Use positive words that convey enthusiasm, and be sure to include your contact information so your recipient can easily follow up with you. A warm tone can make your email more engaging. Mention points from your previous conversation If your email is a response to something the recipient previously said or asked, be sure to include specific points from your previous conversation. This will help show your recipient that you have paid attention to their thoughts and concerns. Recalling details shows attentiveness and respect. It will also help refresh your recipient’s memory and help them understand what you’re saying. End with a call to action When finishing your professional email, be sure to include a call to action. This could be asking the recipient for their opinion, input, or feedback on something you mentioned in your email. It could also be inviting them to take a specific action. Clarify what you hope to achieve with your email. Whatever it is, make sure that your call to action is clear and easy for your recipient to understand. Use a professional email signature As mentioned earlier, your email signature should include your name, job title, and contact information as well as a headshot or logo if you like. This will help to create a more professional impression with your recipient, which is important when sending business emails. Including a LinkedIn profile can enhance your credibility. Additionally, you should consider including a professional disclaimer in your email signature for privacy and legal purposes. This step will help protect you and your recipient. Attach a cover letter or other relevant file If you have relevant documents to include with your emails, such as a cover letter or resume, make sure you attach them. This will help show that you are taking the initiative and being proactive. Just remember to make sure that your attachments are virus-free before sending them. Indicate in the email body what documents are attached to ensure the recipient knows to look for them. Proofread emails carefully before sending Before sending a business email, it’s a good idea to proofread it for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Pay special attention to any instructions or requests you include in the email, as it’s important they are accurate and clear. Utilize tools such as spell checkers and grammar checkers to help identify mistakes. Reading the email out loud to yourself before sending it can also be beneficial, as it may help you spot any errors. Respond promptly to all emails While this doesn’t necessarily have to be done within minutes, you should do your best to respond promptly to all emails. This shows the recipient that you respect their time and value their input. Setting specific times to check and reply to emails can improve efficiency. Doing so will also help to develop strong working relationships with your colleagues and customers. Professional Email Format Key Points: Email Tone & Language: Maintain a professional tone. Avoid slang, contractions, and excessive emoticons. Convey enthusiasm and positivity. Content & Structure: Craft clear and concise subject lines. Personalize the email with recipient details. Recap previous conversations where relevant. Conclude with a clear call to action. Etiquette & Professionalism: Express gratitude and courtesy. Include a professional email signature. Respond to emails in a timely manner. Presentation: Ensure the email is easy to read. Break content into digestible paragraphs. Proofread for errors before sending. Attachments & Additional Information: Attach relevant files when needed. Ensure attachments are safe and virus-free. READ MORE: 50 Business Voicemail Greeting Examples How Do You Start a Professional Email? A professional email should have a clear purpose and be free of any grammatical or spelling errors. The initial step is to identify the purpose of the email. Are you looking to schedule a meeting, introduce yourself to a potential client, or express gratitude to someone for their business? Once you know the purpose of the email, you can start crafting your message. Keep your language concise and clear, and avoid any slang or informal language. It’s also important to proofread your email before sending it to catch any typos or errors. If you take the time to carefully craft your professional email, you’ll be sure to make a great impression. What Are the Four Parts of a Formal Email? The four parts of a formal email are the subject line, the salutation, the message body, and the signature. The subject line should be brief and to the point. It should give the reader an idea of what the email is about. The greeting or salutation should address the reader by their name or job title. The message body is where you’ll write your email. Be sure to proofread your message before you send it. The signature is your name, job title, and contact information. This lets the recipient know who they’re talking to and how they can get in touch with you. Image: Envato Elements This article, "Great Email Format Examples for Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Appointing a chief of staff is a critical first step for any CEO looking to make impactful leadership decisions. But an executive who merely utilizes their chief of staff as an administrative extra set of hands risks missing out on meaningful transformation opportunities. The critical decision to position a chief of staff as a true executive partner, when executed well, can be a bold investment that impacts a CEO’s legacy. Based on my own experience as a chief of staff for a Series A unicorn-to-be and my current work coaching and placing these professionals, I’ve seen firsthand that today’s chiefs of staff act as leadership amplifiers. They occupy a unique position at the top of the organizational chart, where they can operate across teams without being burdened by the direct management of a department. This freedom allows them to shield their CEOs from distractions and ensure they focus on the work that truly matters—their unique strengths, vision, and decision-making. An open secret and unfair advantage Understanding and defining the role remains a challenge. As a former partner at Andreessen Horowitz put it, appointing a CEO-whispering talent as one of the firm’s inaugural chiefs of staff made sense “because nobody knew what that meant.” I’ve seen this asymmetry of understanding first-hand in hundreds of conversations with executives. For Jamie Hodari, CEO and cofounder of Industrious, a chief of staff is a clear necessity. “Who wouldn’t want to be in two places at once? The best chief of staff relationship enables exactly that.” Sitting alongside his sixth chief of staff since founding his company, Hodari told me, “I’ve never encountered a hard problem at work where two smart people trying to think through it wasn’t preferable to one.” But I’ve also spoken with CEOs who have been given the misguided view that this position is merely an administrative role with a fancy title. Bridging this executive knowledge gap promises so much upside that McKinsey and BCG have intensified their thought leadership around this role in recent white papers and podcasts. Christie Horvath, CEO of pet healthcare company Wagmo, says that she views her chief of staff as an extension of her own brain. The chief of staff on her team takes on “tasks that can be delegated to other departments—they’re often CEO-led initiatives where the chief of staff must operate as a true strategic partner, not just a project manager.” Unleashing emerging leaders I’ve seen chief of staffs being tasked with all sorts of significant initiatives by savvy CEOs. These might include projects like: Spearheading the hiring process for other C-Level roles Company-wide Rhythm of Business and Stakeholder Management Plans Standing in and speaking for the CEO in high-stakes meetings . . . all with little to no guidance. Their often-uncommon career trajectories—spanning disciplines like consulting, law, and product development—also equip chiefs of staff to bring fresh, outsider perspectives that might not otherwise appear in executive leadership meetings. And while 75% of chiefs of staff support CEOs, many others work with CFOs, CHROs, or department heads, tailoring their expertise to the leader’s scope. Hire for a partner, not a position A trusted right hand can create new value that even the CEO or board of directors might not see. While the position is usually leveled as a middle-management role, the chief of staff is one-of-one in the corporate hierarchy, reporting directly to a boss several levels more senior. These individuals command competitive salaries even in a challenging job market, reflecting the rigors of the position. We see this in the data from our most recent Ask a Chief of Staff compensation report—compared to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, average chief of staff salaries across industries are approximately 49% higher than the latest median salary figures for general and operations managers. Taking on the $150 billion pet care industry as a leadership duo with her chief of staff, Horvath shared with me that, “a huge part of what makes this partnership successful is the “chemistry”—how easily my chief of staff can anticipate what I envision. The key is to hire someone who complements your skill set and shores up areas where you’re less effective, rather than duplicating your strengths.” The most important takeaway for CEOs is that this role is not merely a position—it’s a partnership. Empowering a chief of staff as a true C-suite partner is a bold future-focused move, requiring the highest degree of self-awareness, trust, and adaptability from a chief executive. View the full article

Investor could push for board changes and sale of assets, say analystsView the full article

It is high time the tax system encouraged more economically productive behaviour than parking funds in a cash accountView the full article

Maybe I should begin this article by arguing that nothing spices up a mundane meeting like a creative, beautiful, or hilarious background for your Zoom calls. But the reality is that most of us just need to hide messy offices, guestroom beds, or dirty-dish-filled kitchens. These three websites offer up almost half a million free Zoom backgrounds for your perusal, so forget tidying up and get that scrolling finger ready. Pexels: Something for everyone The undisputed king of free Zoom backgrounds, Pexels houses more than 450,000 photos and more than 50,000 videos in its Zoom section. With that many options, you have . . . well, options. Whether you’re looking for something professional, fun, or quirky, Pexels has you covered: nature, home, office, space, people—you name it. If you can’t find it here, it might not exist. Photos can be filtered by orientation, size, and color to help you whittle down your selection. They can also be sorted by popularity or latest additions. Unsplash: Modern masterpieces With only (only?!) 10,000 or so Zoom background images, Unsplash can’t hold a candle to Pexels’s giant collection, but this site specializes in slick backgrounds that will make your Zoom calls look posh and polished. There are some great options here, mostly skewing to the modern end of the spectrum. They’re like what your office could look like if you had the time, money, awesome lighting, and daily cleaning service. Images can be filtered by landscape and portrait orientations, and sorted by relevance, date, and “curated,” which features hand-picked selections. Freepik: No nonsense, no distractions When you need a background to hide your background, Freepik has a wonderful selection of understated options. There are lots of plants here. Lots and lots of plants. However, there’s also a great selection of slightly-blurred backgrounds that give your setup a nice, real-life depth of field to make things seem as realistic as possible. With not-quite 4,000 images on hand, this is the smallest collection of the bunch, but it’s a great place to start if you’re looking for something neutral and nondescript. It’s also got the most robust searching features, with more than a dozen filtering options to help you hone in on a most excellent downloadable. View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Should you get fired for (even really bad) behavior at a football game? I’m a big football fan and a feminist and civil liberties advocate. So I am really struggling with the question of a fan at the Eagles-Green Bay Wild Card game. He is on someone’s cell phone video (which of course was posted on social media) yelling misogynistic insults at a woman from the opposing fan base. The team banned him from coming to future games, a sanction I support (this was beyond the usual jawboning at high-stakes games). But people online also tracked down where he worked and called for him to be dealt with at work. He lost his job (I read). I wonder if this is just … too much. On the one hand, I can see a company not wanting to be associated with someone who became so notorious for his behavior. But it was not at work, not between coworkers. Before social media, his workplace might never have known about this. On an emotional level, part of me thinks — good! This is what you get! But it also seems like a pretty big punishment for bad behavior not related to work or happening anywhere near the workplace. I always hated the term “canceled,” since I think it was used to describe situations where people were rightly called out for bad behavior or racist/misogynistic comments in public. But I also chafe at the idea that someone’s entire life falls apart because of behavior outside of work. What do you think? Did management do the right thing? Well, this wasn’t a guy just being high-spirited in a moment of competition! He yelled really offensive insults at a woman and repeatedly insulted her looks simply because she was cheering for the opposing team … and he worked for a consulting firm that promotes themselves as being “DEI champions.” If I imagine hiring that consulting firm and then seeing that guy walk in to run my project, I don’t think it’s unreasonable that his company chose to part ways with him. I do think there’s nuance here. If it hadn’t been recorded and gone viral and his firm only knew about because, for example, a colleague was at the game and told them about it, they’d probably have been less likely to fire him. But it did go viral, which makes the reputational hit to the firm a bigger risk (again, imagine hiring that company and he’s the guy they send, or imagine simply being his female coworker) … and there’s also something more viscerally upsetting about seeing a video of that behavior than just hearing about it secondhand. I don’t think his company was out of line. 2. Can I tell my employee about a charity raffle I know he’d be interested in? I’m grand-boss to a fantastic employee who travels extensively, including Disney multiple times a year. He mentioned that one of his bucket-list items is to spend a night in the suite in Cinderella’s castle. (That’s the one that can’t be bought, not for any amount of money). The only way I know to get a stay there is by winning it in a charity raffle for an organization I love; it’s a special resort near Disney just for terminally ill kids and their families, like mine, and we made many happy memories there. They just opened up this year’s raffle ($10 per ticket). I’d feel icky not giving him the chance to do something he’s dreamed of, but is it out of line for me to send him the info, since this is a charity I’ve personally benefited from? If it makes any difference, he’s financially comfortable. Send him the info! Just saying “I know you’ve mentioned you’d love to do this and as far as I know this is the only way, so I thought you might be interested” isn’t inappropriate pressure. He can enter or not and doesn’t even need to tell you what he decides. 3. I’m worried that my boss and HR are laying a paper trail to fire me Yesterday, I got a call from the HR manager asking if I could meet with her and my boss near the end of the day. They raised issues about my performance, pointing out a few mistakes I’ve made in the last year, and asked me what they could do to help me. But when I had a suggestion (tell me when a task is given to me if it’s high priority/to be done immediately), it was shot down. (They didn’t really give a reason. They just said that I had to be more proactive and ask for that info myself.) I was caught off-guard by the entire thing and couldn’t muster any thoughts in the moment. A follow-up meeting has been promised but not scheduled. I also sent an email around just to have a record of what I was asked to do specifically, and the response was very general “improve your performance” stuff. I am terrified. This does not feel like a good-faith effort to improve my performance, it feels like laying the groundwork to fire me. I have never gotten a performance review in the six years I’ve worked here and only the most minimal feedback, so I had no idea I was on thin ice. About eight months ago, I went to HR about how I was being bullied by a more favored / trusted / influential employee, when it finally got to the point where my mental health was badly suffering from it, and I felt taken seriously at the time but I never heard anything else about it, and now I feel like this may be retaliation. The sensible response would be to leave this toxic environment, but unfortunately it’s extremely hard to get a job in my industry: it took me two years of trying just to get this one. I’m worried that if I leave for something generic to tide me over, I’ll be kissing my career goodbye. Do you have any advice for me? Am I possibly making a mountain out of a molehill? You should take it seriously. It doesn’t mean they’re necessarily preparing to fire you, but they could be. Do you know anything about how your company normally handles terminations, like whether they commit to following a process of formal warnings first or whether it can be more out-of-the-blue? That info can inform your thinking. Meanwhile, though, go back to your boss, let her know that you’re taking the conversation seriously and plan to do XYZ to improve, and tell her you’d appreciate any other feedback or guidance she can offer. (And yes, they should tell you when a task is high-priority, but since they’re telling you to ask for that yourself, be vigilant about asking for it.) Beyond that, it would be smart to search job-searching — not because you’ll necessarily need it, and you don’t need to take a new job just because it’s offered to you, but if you’re concerned, you should start laying the groundwork to move on in case you end up having to. (I know it being hard to find a job in your field feels like a reason not to go that route, but that’s actually more of a reason to start now so you’re not starting from scratch later.) 4. Employer said I retired, but I quit because I’m frustrated I founded a nonprofit organization over 30 years ago, and for many years was the sole employee. The organization has always had a board of directors that participated in strategic planning and volunteering for the organization. Over the years, the organization grew, and now I am one of five employees. Last year I went through a period of ill health; I cut back my hours and suggested a reduction in my pay to the board, which they agreed to. While I was recuperating, the board made some major changes to how we operate, which have raised costs and diminished the organization’s income. As a result, the organization is struggling to meet payroll, and the board informed me that they are cutting my salary again, by quite a lot. I wasn’t happy with this and turned in my resignation. The board has just sent out a communication to all our members telling everyone that I have retired. I did not retire! I resigned because I am frustrated with the board’s direction and very unhappy with my salary situation. I am planning some new projects in the same line of work and don’t want potential new clients assuming I’ve stepped out of the working world entirely. Should I try to get the board to put out a correction? Am I making too big a deal about this? I’d be pretty annoyed by that, particularly since I’d assume they framed it as a retirement because that looks better for them. That said, it’s probably not going to have a major impact on your ability to attract clients afterwards, particularly if you’re planning on approaching clients to pitch your work (which will make it very clear you didn’t retire). Still, though, at a minimum you can ask the board why they misrepresented your departure and, depending on how you feel about their answer, you could in theory ask them to set the record straight in their next membership communication. (A special communication just for this would be overkill, but they could correct the info in whatever they happen to be sending out next.) 5. Can I advocate for myself during layoffs? I’m not a federal worker, but I work in a field that is adjacent to the feds and my org has experienced a devastating financial impact from the executive orders issued over the past couple of weeks. We’ve been told this week that our division needs to reduce its budget by one-third as soon as possible; this means laying off roughly one-third of our staff, since we have few other programmatic expenses. Right now my division is organized into teams of specialists, and my specialty is research. However, the extreme nature of our upcoming layoffs likely means that staff who are left will need to wear a few different hats, rather than be specialists. They will also understandably want to prioritize roles that are revenue-producing, and mine is not. Compounding this is that I’ve only been with this org for about two years and just came back from a three-month maternity leave. But, because I worked in education and academia before this role, I actually have experience (and I would argue, strong skills) in many of the other specialized areas of my division — I’ve had those roles before! Many other colleagues have a 5+ year history here, including through other reorganizations, so I think their varied skill set is better known than mine. Given that, I’m wondering how directly I could raise this point about my past experiences to my manager in the hopes of making the case for keeping me on in some modified role. They may not need a full-time researcher anymore, but I could easily split my time between that and other roles which do produce more revenue for the org. Is there any chance of this working? I am applying for new roles, of course, but given that this is a sector-wide crisis, I don’t expect to have any job offers in hand when the layoffs happen in the next few weeks, and I strongly suspect (because the EOs have practically eliminated our org’s cash flow for the moment) that we won’t get any severance either. As a new mom, I’m just trying to find some way to keep an income and health insurance for me and my kid, but I also want to keep a good relationship with my peers and managers (for references, job hunting, etc.) and don’t want to stray too far outside professional norms in how I advocate for myself. You absolutely should let your manager know what you’d be capable of doing, and up for doing! If it’s easy to meet with her in the next day or two, do it that way, but otherwise email since it’s time-sensitive. Frame it as, “I know we’re looking at a significant reorganization and a lot of roles will need to be combined, so I wanted to highlight my past experience with XYZ. (Be detailed here.) I’d be happy to take on responsibilities in any of those areas in addition to what I’m doing now.” Obviously your motivation is to find a way to stay on, but you’re also presenting her with a potential solution to a business problem and providing relevant info so it’s not overstepping at all. 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