Welcome to the wild world of remote work, where sweatpants are the new power suits, and your living room doubles as your boardroom. As a small business owner, you've likely found yourself thrust into the remote work revolution—whether you were ready for it or not.

In today’s post, we’re going to take a look at the pros and cons from the employee/employer POV, how to determine IF remote work will work for your company, and how to successfully manage remote employees without losing your mind...or your cool.

The Pros and Cons of Remote Work…if you’re the business owner:

Let's start with the good stuff. Remote work means lower overhead costs, fewer office shenanigans to manage, and the ability to hire talent from across the globe without having to shell out for relocation packages. But it's not all rainbows and Zoom calls. Managing remote teams can feel a bit like herding cats, and there's always the risk of your employees turning into productivity-sucking...

Running a small business is like steering a ship through unpredictable waters. Sometimes, you need extra wind in your sails to reach dry land. That's where business funding comes in.

Even if you don't need money at this very moment, that could quickly change. Here are a few reasons your small business may need funding in the near future: 

• Expansion: Ready to spread your wings? Whether opening a new location or entering new markets, expansion costs money.
• Equipment Upgrades: Outdated tools slowing you down? Investing in the right equipment can supercharge your productivity.
• Inventory Boost: Running low on stock? Having a healthy inventory is crucial for meeting customer demand.
• Marketing Blitz: Launching a new product or service? Effective marketing campaigns often come with a price tag.
• Hiring Talent: Growing businesses need skilled hands. Funding can help attract and retain top-notch talent.
• Technology Overhaul: Staying ahead in the digital game? Upgrading your tech arsenal...

Your business credit score is like the report card for your company's financial health. Unlike your personal credit score, anyone with a few dollars to spend and internet access can get their hands on it. (Competitors, clients, vendors, etc.) That number can be used for good (excellent terms, better approval odds, larger loan amounts) and evil (sky-high interest rates, rejections, and so on). 

Want to crank up that score and unlock more opportunities? Do This, Not That.

Do This: Pay Your Bills on Time, Duh!

It's the kindergarten level of credit management, but you'd be surprised how many businesses trip up here. Timely payments not only keep your credit score happy but also avoid unnecessary stress and late payment fees. Be the kid who finishes their homework before bedtime.

Not That: Neglecting Your Personal Credit Score

Your personal and business credit are like peanut butter and jelly – inseparable. Neglecting one can impact the other. Keep both in check to maintain...

Dealing with supply chain issues can be a real headache. You want the stuff. They have the stuff. But the stuff just isn't making its way from them to you. Or not at the rate you need it to.

Today, let's talk about why these hiccups happen and, more importantly, how to shield your business against them. It's no easy feat, but the end goal is to be able to bounce back from any setbacks and emerge stronger.

Decoding Disruptions and Unraveling Causes

Supply chain hiccups often happen unexpectedly and can be caused by a myriad of factors like natural disasters, politics, economic downturns, health crises, and human error (or incompetence). The impact can be far-reaching, affecting your suppliers, manufacturers, and business.

Want to keep your business safe? Know the things that can mess it up. Once you understand what can go wrong, you can come up with a solid plan to protect it.

Three Tips to Shield Your Business BEFORE the Storm Hits

1. Use Diversification as a Shield: Resist the...

Welcome back to the third and final installment of our 3-part series, "Mastering Your Hustle for Small Business Owners." So far, we've covered learning how to get better at time management using delegation and time blocking (catch up here), along with some practical productivity tools that can make our lives easier (catch up here).

But if we want to "keep the hustle alive" without burning out, we need to learn to find some balance...because otherwise, what is it all for? Let's explore three tried-and-true tips to find that elusive work-life harmony.

Set Boundaries:

Boundaries aren't restrictions; they're your secret weapon against burnout. Define your work hours and stick to them like gum on a hot sidewalk. Communicate these boundaries with your team, clients, and even yourself. When you guard your time like a hawk, you'll see stress levels drop and productivity rise. 

Action Tip: Block off specific work hours in your calendar and guard them fiercely. Remember,...

Welcome back to Part Two of our 3-part series, "Mastering Your Hustle," for small business owners. Last week, we worked on getting a bit better at managing our time by prioritizing tasks, delegating, learning to take breaks, and using time blocking. (Catch up here.)

This week, we're going to elevate our productivity game even more with these six tools to help you plan better, work smarter, and kick serious butt in 2024.  

Trello – Your Task HQ:

Feeling like your to-do list is out to get you? Say hello to Trello – your new Task HQ. This little gem can help you turn chaos into order, making it super easy to organize your projects. You can work seamlessly with your team, assign tasks, and forget the headache of scattered notes and missed deadlines. 

Asana – Your Work Oracle:

Think of Asana as your productivity sidekick. Project planning, goal tracking, and team coordination have never been smoother. Asana seamlessly integrates your tasks...

Mastering Your Hustle: A 3-Part Series for Small Business Owners

Ready to level up your small business game in 2024? In this 3-part blog series, we're diving deep into the essentials of entrepreneurial mastery. Get ready to learn the secrets of effective time management, discover the latest productivity tools for game-changers, and gain insights on balancing work and personal life. Whether you're a seasoned business professional or just starting out, these valuable insights will help you navigate the entrepreneurial landscape like a boss. Let's get started.

As small business owners, managing our time can be a real pain in the you-know-what. There's always a fire to put out. A crisis to deal with. A late shipment, a missed payment, or an employee calling out sick. (Nobody ever said this life was glamorous...or easy.)  

If you feel like you have zero control over your schedule and spend most of the day chasing your tail like a schizophrenic squirrel, we've got four simple...

Ah, the sweet symphony of a new year—a fresh chance to tackle business challenges and conquer new horizons. For small business owners and entrepreneurs, it's time to ditch the generic resolutions and get creative with effective strategies that'll make 2024 your best year yet. Here are eight resolutions to consider to kick some serious business butt.

1. Sayonara, Spreadsheet Overload: Bid farewell to the labyrinth of Excel cells. Invest in a user-friendly, cloud-based accounting system that won't make you question your life choices every tax season.
2. Embrace Your Inner Nosy Neighbor: Spy on your competitors shamelessly. What are they doing that you aren't? Stay on top of industry trends and sneakily borrow (ahem, adapt) the good stuff.
3. Ditch the Conference Call Blues: Invest in a decent video conferencing tool. You deserve more than pixelated faces and awkward silences—it's time to spice up those virtual meetings.
4. Hire a Human Translator: Say goodbye to misunderstandings and...

When it comes to running a business, few challenges are as crucial to navigate as the ebb and flow of cash. You could be the world's best planner, the Queen of Order, the Maestro of the Budget, or the teller of fortunes, but nobody (and we mean nobody) is immune to the occasional hiccup when it comes to not having the cash you need…when you need it.

Today, we'll explore why cash flow is paramount and provide actionable tips for its effective management.

The Importance of Cash Flow

Cash flow is the heartbeat of your business, governing its financial health. It's not merely about revenue but the strategic timing of when money enters and exits your operation. (The flow, if you will.)

Here are key reasons why you shouldn’t take your eyes off cash flow:

• Survival and Stability: Cash flow is the lifeblood that sustains day-to-day operations. It ensures the operational continuity of your business by covering immediate expenses, salaries, and essential overheads.
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Finding the right people for your small business is super important. But, the hiring process can be a bit tricky, and sometimes even owners with the best intentions make mistakes that can cause big problems.

In this blog post, we'll give you the lowdown on some common mistakes to avoid when hiring new employees. Our goal is to help you build a team that's a valuable asset, not a source of headaches.

1. Rushing the Hiring Process

You might feel pressured to fill positions quickly, especially when faced with increased workloads. However, rushing the hiring process can lead to hasty decisions and a higher likelihood of hiring candidates who may not be the best fit for the role or the company culture. It is important to take the time to thoroughly vet candidates and ensure that they align with your business's long-term goals. Hire slow, fire fast. Try to do it right the first time; it's far less expensive to retain (vetted and qualified) employees than to recruit and train new ones.

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