2-1-2 Small Business Sense

Time and money… most small business owners could do with more. So how can you read all those great publications, news stories, business books, magazines…without breaking the bank? Just as importantly, where do you find the time to search for all these books?

Many small business owners and prospective business owners have never considered utilizing their local library to save time and money. The great thing about technology is that it has made it easier than ever to obtain the business books you have been hearing about, but don’t want to spend money on until–or unless–you know they will be an ongoing resource.

Before you run out and buy dozens, or even one business book, consider checking it out from the library first. Often, you only need one or two of the ideas the book proposes. Other times, this may be a book that you turn to time and again as a source of ideas, inspiration and advice. You don’t know which it will be, however, until you have a chance to spend some time with the book. Therefore, save your money–order the book or check it out from the library first–buy it later if it is worth it to you.

Even better, with the advances in technology, in most areas you can access books through your local library’s network website, which saves you the time of browsing stacks in multiple locations. Basically, you are able to access books from multiple libraries throughout your metro area or state by simply having a local library card…and without having to go to those libraries to get the books (similar to ordering books through an online retailer, but you don’t have to pay for them).

Its usually very simple: log on to your local library website, search title, author, keyword….find the book you want, click “Place Hold” and select the library you would like to pick the book up at…and a few days later, your friendly librarian will call you to let you know the book is ready for pick up. In most cases, this is an entirely FREE service, and is available to anyone who holds a library card with a participating library.

So save your time…and money! Before you decide to run out and buy all those books, utilize the resources your tax dollars are already paying for.

By: Nicole Wipp

About the Author:

Create a video blog

When it comes to running a commercial cleaning service, businesses or individuals want to deal with someone who is straight-forward, honest, and will get the job done. Customer service should be a top concern, along with the quality of service one can provide.

Displaying a high level of professionalism should be first and foremost to any cleaning service. Customers want to know that they will be treated with respect and that the job will be done correctly. Every customer has different needs as to what may have to be done at their particular location. Rigorously following any cleaning schedule obtained through the customer will show them that they are not only dealing with a service that can get the job done, but will perform their tasks in a timely manner.

A janitor can also supply excellent service by paying attention to detail when in the process of doing their job. Cleaning an office means having to move objects in order to clean under or around them and making sure everything ends up where it started. Having a janitorial services that does not put things back in their proper place or will not move things to clean around them will likely result in the customer looking for a new service.

Good customer service goes a long way in any business. For a cleaning company this can be done by showing up on time, doing the best job that can be done, and adhering to any customer requests. Always communicate with the customer any changes that you feel might need to be made in the cleaning process or things that could be done to make the job easier. The customer may also request some kind of special service, and by doing what they requested and handling the job in a professional manner your janitor service will likely have a customer that will stay with you for a long time.

Any good commercial cleaning service will always do a walk through of the premises before they leave to make sure nothing was missed and that the job is complete and satisfactory. Any obstacles that may be causing a problem in completing any job should be immediately brought to the attention of the customer. Only by communicating with each other can the cleaning service and their customer be on the same page about what the job entails and what needs to be accomplished. A good janitorial service will take immediate action upon any requests by the customer and establish a good rapport that will make their company one that the customer will want to continue to use.

By: Theo Hill

About the Author:

Caffeinated Content – Members-Only Content for WordPress

Many small business owners truly believe that when they have a proper and comprehensive insurance
program for their business, they will be “fully protected” from financial losses. Setting aside the
grey areas on the fine print of most insurance policies, there are many losses that insurance cannot
be extended.

Some of the such losses that small business suffered after occurrence of accident; are lost of goodwill to customers due to failure to deliver merchandises on time; lost of faith from employees for not
providing a conducive working environment, and many more losses which do not have financial impact
initially but gradually translate into financially losses.

While insurance is important in indemnifying small business owners in case of fire damaging their
properties and/or accidents that causing injuries and loss of life thus downtime in productivity,
small business owners should practice risk management in order to create a more sustainable business
and have a competitive edge over their competitors to minimize their lost time hence cost.

The basic methods of risk management are

1.Avoidance of Risk

Simple procedures and things that most small business owners took for granted can have huge impact
when they resulted in accident. Always practice the maxim of “prevention is better than cure.”

2.Reduction of risk and losses

Be aware of the consequences of risk and accident, develop a loss prevention or reduction system to
minimize the occurrence of risk and losses when risk happened.

3.Transferring of Risk

Transfer the risk to other parties like insurance company.

4.Keeping of risk and absorption of losses.

If transfer of risk is not possible, you may have to absorb some of the risk and/or losses. Some of
the insurance policies require the insured to bear a portion of the losses term as deductible or
excess.

Arranging a comprehensive insurance cover for small business is crucial for the survival, many small
businesses have overlooked or ignored the important of a proper coverage for their business, when
accident happens, they found themselves in a financial distress and thus loosing their customers to
their competitors.

It is thus advisable to seek professional advice for a proper insurance coverage and more importantly practice good risk management.

By: SK Wong

About the Author:

Website content