Technology is constantly evolving, and can often provide small businesses with the competitive edge needed to stay ahead of the competition and become more profitable.
Consider how technology is being used at this year’s Olympic Games in Vancouver. Skiers and snowboarders are using newly engineered skis and boards to reach new speeds and heights. Aerodynamic suits allow speed skaters to move even faster across the ice. And the Olympics are now streamed online, with up-to-the-minute results available through Twitter, Facebook and other websites.
What are some small ways your business can “go for the gold” and use technology and innovation to enhance the products and services you deliver to customers?
Start by reviewing the key needs of your business, whether it be reducing inefficiencies, improving your response time to customers, or increasing sales, and consider developing a technology strategy or plan to address the issue.
For tips on developing a strategy and hooking into the technology trends of 2010, check out this article from Baseline Magazine.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
On Networking…
There’s no doubt that expanding your business contacts and networking go hand-in-hand. Even in this day and age of social media and less face-to-face interaction, networking is an essential part of business growth. It’s worth the time it takes to attend networking events, which are a great way to meet new people and catch up with those you haven’t seen in a while.
They also provide opportunities to interact with people that share a common interest with you. It’s not often that you can be in a room with total strangers and know that you share some common bond. Whether it be geographic location (like local chambers of commerce) or a shared industry (industry associations), you know that you will have something to talk about with others in the room. This commonality is an easy way to start a conversation and begin to get to know someone. For an introvert like me, I really appreciate anything that makes networking easier and less intimidating. I’ve even used this tactic in social settings such as birthday parties, where I’ll ask about how someone knows the birthday boy or girl to get a conversation started.
In the article 10 Tips for Successful Business Networking Stephanie Speisman shares helpful hints on networking. Stephanie says that effective business networking is the linking together of individuals who, through trust and relationship building, become walking, talking advertisements for one another.
We are very fortunate in the Greater Rochester Region to have many opportunities to attend networking events and to be a part of networking organizations. For more information on local associations and chambers in our region, please visit the resources section of the Finger Lakes Business Information Clearinghouse (BIC).
For information on Small Business events in our region, visit the events section of the Finger Lakes BIC.
They also provide opportunities to interact with people that share a common interest with you. It’s not often that you can be in a room with total strangers and know that you share some common bond. Whether it be geographic location (like local chambers of commerce) or a shared industry (industry associations), you know that you will have something to talk about with others in the room. This commonality is an easy way to start a conversation and begin to get to know someone. For an introvert like me, I really appreciate anything that makes networking easier and less intimidating. I’ve even used this tactic in social settings such as birthday parties, where I’ll ask about how someone knows the birthday boy or girl to get a conversation started.
In the article 10 Tips for Successful Business Networking Stephanie Speisman shares helpful hints on networking. Stephanie says that effective business networking is the linking together of individuals who, through trust and relationship building, become walking, talking advertisements for one another.
We are very fortunate in the Greater Rochester Region to have many opportunities to attend networking events and to be a part of networking organizations. For more information on local associations and chambers in our region, please visit the resources section of the Finger Lakes Business Information Clearinghouse (BIC).
For information on Small Business events in our region, visit the events section of the Finger Lakes BIC.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Business Incentives Workshop
BUSINESS INCENTIVES WORKSHOP
Hosted by RochesterWorks!
Thursday, February 18, 2010 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Held at United Way Building, 75 College Ave, Rochester NY 14607
Does your Monroe County business need assistance in order to grow?
Please join us for an interactive discussion to learn about local incentives for small and mid-sized businesses. Local experts will discuss their unique programs that may help your business. There is no fee to attend this workshop.
To RSVP please contact Diane Lewis at dlewis@rochesterworks.org or (585)258-3545.
Hosted by RochesterWorks!
Thursday, February 18, 2010 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Held at United Way Building, 75 College Ave, Rochester NY 14607
Does your Monroe County business need assistance in order to grow?
Please join us for an interactive discussion to learn about local incentives for small and mid-sized businesses. Local experts will discuss their unique programs that may help your business. There is no fee to attend this workshop.
To RSVP please contact Diane Lewis at dlewis@rochesterworks.org or (585)258-3545.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Guide to Tax Services News and Trends
Guide to Tax Services News and Trends
Keep up with tax services news and trends to remain competitive
Posted on http://www.business.com/directory/accounting/tax/
By Linda C. Ray
Business tax services go through constant changes that are driven by governmental regulations, financial markets and emerging technology. You should keep up with tax preparation companies' issues to remain competitive and make sure you’re getting the most up-to-date information on changing tax codes for your clients.Follow the trends that are affecting tax services for small business by reading accounting and tax service publications that keep you updated with news as it affects the industries your serve. Subscribe to small business tax prep newsletters to learn about the latest developments in accounting codes, government incentives for business and tax exemptions. Look for tax services news and trends from a variety of sources to keep up with the rules.1. Get email alerts and tax preparation newsletters for immediate news advisories.2. Subscribe to publications for tax services that go beyond the headlines.3. Participate in associations for accounting and tax services to build a strong resource network.
Action Steps The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Accept emails from tax services for small business that closely follow the daily news
Get accounting and tax service email alerts, RSS feeds and industry newsletters that will send you news as it happens. Businesses can save a lot of money when they have the current information about how to frame their investments and purchases as well as what kinds of services and products are receiving tax breaks. Keep your clients informed of changes as they happen so they can make the proper adjustments and decisions.
I recommend: Keep up with the latest regulatory information around the world as well as breaking news that affects the industry through Deloitte tax alerts. And you must bookmark and check daily the headlines put out by the IRS.
Read articles that cover business tax services news and trends in detail
Subscribe to tax planning reports that cover the industry further than the headlines. Look for analysis and reports that give you a glimpse into tax-saving strategies and industry-specific guides for the companies that you serve. Read the latest small business tax consulting trend pieces so that you can advise your clients about upcoming changes and how they can take advantage of incentives and tax write-offs for small businesses.
I recommend: Federal, state and international tax news is available through Tax Analysts. Keep up with important events and news that drives the industry at the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
Join tax preparation groups that provide members with current information
Associate with other tax preparation professionals who can provide you with an inside track to news, often before it hits the press. Get involved with your trade association and take advantage of the networking opportunities to develop relationships with other tax preparers that can lead to new accounts and new ways of making your own business more efficient. Read the group's newsletters to get the latest updates on members, regulatory affairs and new tax processing software applications.
I recommend: Members of the National Association of Tax Professionals can get trend reports, updates and news through participation in the trade group that serves its members with research and networking opportunities. Join the National Association of Tax Consultants for updates on current events, marketing options and meetings with other tax professionals to keep up with the industry trends. Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
• Find relevant news about tax services for small businesses through mainstream sources such as the Wall Street Journal and Forbes to put the industry news in perspective with other financial trends that will ultimately affect your business.
Keep up with tax services news and trends to remain competitive
Posted on http://www.business.com/directory/accounting/tax/
By Linda C. Ray
Business tax services go through constant changes that are driven by governmental regulations, financial markets and emerging technology. You should keep up with tax preparation companies' issues to remain competitive and make sure you’re getting the most up-to-date information on changing tax codes for your clients.Follow the trends that are affecting tax services for small business by reading accounting and tax service publications that keep you updated with news as it affects the industries your serve. Subscribe to small business tax prep newsletters to learn about the latest developments in accounting codes, government incentives for business and tax exemptions. Look for tax services news and trends from a variety of sources to keep up with the rules.1. Get email alerts and tax preparation newsletters for immediate news advisories.2. Subscribe to publications for tax services that go beyond the headlines.3. Participate in associations for accounting and tax services to build a strong resource network.
Action Steps The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Accept emails from tax services for small business that closely follow the daily news
Get accounting and tax service email alerts, RSS feeds and industry newsletters that will send you news as it happens. Businesses can save a lot of money when they have the current information about how to frame their investments and purchases as well as what kinds of services and products are receiving tax breaks. Keep your clients informed of changes as they happen so they can make the proper adjustments and decisions.
I recommend: Keep up with the latest regulatory information around the world as well as breaking news that affects the industry through Deloitte tax alerts. And you must bookmark and check daily the headlines put out by the IRS.
Read articles that cover business tax services news and trends in detail
Subscribe to tax planning reports that cover the industry further than the headlines. Look for analysis and reports that give you a glimpse into tax-saving strategies and industry-specific guides for the companies that you serve. Read the latest small business tax consulting trend pieces so that you can advise your clients about upcoming changes and how they can take advantage of incentives and tax write-offs for small businesses.
I recommend: Federal, state and international tax news is available through Tax Analysts. Keep up with important events and news that drives the industry at the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
Join tax preparation groups that provide members with current information
Associate with other tax preparation professionals who can provide you with an inside track to news, often before it hits the press. Get involved with your trade association and take advantage of the networking opportunities to develop relationships with other tax preparers that can lead to new accounts and new ways of making your own business more efficient. Read the group's newsletters to get the latest updates on members, regulatory affairs and new tax processing software applications.
I recommend: Members of the National Association of Tax Professionals can get trend reports, updates and news through participation in the trade group that serves its members with research and networking opportunities. Join the National Association of Tax Consultants for updates on current events, marketing options and meetings with other tax professionals to keep up with the industry trends. Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
• Find relevant news about tax services for small businesses through mainstream sources such as the Wall Street Journal and Forbes to put the industry news in perspective with other financial trends that will ultimately affect your business.
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