Published Oct. 2, 2011
A concise primer on how to navigate your way to franchise success.
Published Aug. 4, 2011
This business plan is a generic model suitable for all types of businesses. However, you should modify it to suit your particular circumstances.
Published Aug. 4, 2011
This business plan is a generic model suitable for all types of businesses. However, you should modify it to suit your particular circumstances.
“Ultimate Business Planner” is a Windows based software tool that significantly eases the burden of writing a formal business plan. It guides you through each business-planning step quickly and easily.
“Ultimate Business Planner” is a Windows based software tool that significantly eases the burden of writing a formal business plan. It guides you through each business-planning step quickly and easily.
Published Jun. 14, 2011
Though my wholesale building supply business is profitable, I can’t help feeling we’re not operating up to our potential. As the company’s leader, what can I do to give us the needed push?
Are workplace conflicts sapping energy from your small business? Daniel Kehrer gives top tips to calming workplace conflicts.
Workplace conflicts can sap energy from any small business. Whether it involves employees, vendors or contractors, getting such issues resolved is critical to smooth sailing. Business managers overall spend an estimated 40 percent of their time dealing with conflicts both big and small.
About the Author
Daniel Kehrer, Founder & Managing Director of BizBest Media Corp., is a nationally-known, award-winning expert on small and local business, start-ups, content marketing, entrepreneurship and social media, with an MBA from UCLA/Anderson. Read more of Daniel's tips at
www.BizBest.com, follow him at
www.twitter.com/140Main and connect on LinkedIn at
www.linkedin.com/in/danielkehrer.
Published Jun. 1, 2011
Ramon Ray discusses how to better understand and use technology to grow your business.
Jimmie and Tiffany Williams started a snow removal business in December 2007. From that beginning, they expanded their business to include other services such as lawn care, landscaping and full building maintenance. Their clients benefit year round eliminating the hassle of having to deal with multiple vendors. Their focus on high quality service enabled them to develop a fine reputation which has caused their business to grow substantially.
However, as their business grew, they realized that they needed help in establishing an effective bookkeeping system and a workable budget. Fortunately, they were referred to SCORE where they met SCORE Mentor Brian Stinton.
Owner/Founder
Jimmie and Tiffany Williams
My Successes
Just Us Lawn Care started in December 2007 providing snow removal. The business grew to include other services such as lawn care, landscaping and full building maintenance. Jimmie and Tiffany Williams focus on high quality service which has enabled them to develop a great reputation and grow their business. Their primary need for SCORE assistance was in dealing with bookkeeping and preparing for tax filing. They were already using online tools such as Freshbooks.com and Outright.com, but neither provided them standard reports useful for tracking business progress and filing taxes. We decided that the use of QuickBooks for basic bookkeeping and bank downloads combined with Fresh Books was the best approach.
What's Great About My Mentor?
Mentor Brian Stinton taught the Williams how to set up a QuickBooks system, combined with Fresh Books, to create the bookkeeping system they needed in order to keep their business functioning smoothly and efficiently. Brian also helped them establish a budget, and has since been advising them on various aspects of their business which has resulted in continuing and steady growth.
Jimmie and Tiffany commented that “Brian has been an asset to our business as he has helped us move from simply running the business to managing the business effectively. Being able to view financial statements and forecast projections is one of our strengths, and a skill that has given us competitive advantage and helps us significantly through these tough economic times. We’re honored and blessed to have Brian on our team, adding another brick to the foundation that will sustain us throughout our future.”
How SCORE Helped
SCORE helped Jimmie and Tiffany Williams develop an effective bookkeeping process to track income and expenses as well as provide useful periodic reports. The Chicago SCORE continues to work with the Williams for budgeting for the new year and other methods to increase business.
Skylights or window letting in too much heat? Judy Hoffman, owner of Palm Springs Sunscreens, has an easy solution. Our custom sunscreens block 90% of the sun’s rays and install in minutes with the use of tension rods. While lowering your electric bill, the sunscreen will prevent glare and fading of your artwork, furniture and carpeting.
My Successes
Judy attributes her business success to SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business, a non-profit organization (score.org). These Counselors are dedicated to educating and assisting entrepreneurs in setting up and marketing their business ideas.
Print
