Business Discussions

We are a small environmental company looking for advice from other companies in the same industry. Thank you. MariaEmail:  [email address removed] 

Needing some key areas to focus on growth, efficiency, and success for the New Year? Well, here are a few takeaways that can help:     Sustainability and Social Responsibility: Incorporate sustainable practices into your business operations. Engage in social responsibility initiatives to build a positive brand image. Data Security: Strengthen your cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive business and customer data. Stay compliant with data protection regulations. Feedback and Measurement: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success. Regularly review and assess your progress toward business goals. Health and Safety: Prioritize the health and safety of your employees and customers. Stay updated on relevant regulations and implement necessary measures.   Be sure to regularly reassess your priorities and adjust your focus as needed throughout the year. With that being said! I wish you all a successful year.

Good afternoon! I hope this week has treated you well. Before signing off, I'd like to share an article with you from forbes.com that offers so creative ideas for marketing on a budget.   Build a great brandYour brand is the cornerstone of your company foundation. Your brand is everything. Everything you stand for and everything relevant to potential customers. Sounds a bit overexaggerated but it's true. "Essentially, your brand is the personality of your business and a promise to your customers. Without a good brand, your marketing will fail."   Storytelling is keyStories > facts. At least that's how they put it in the article. "Figure out how to tell your companies story in as many ways as possible in a way that is relevant to your future customers. If they believe in your story, they will repeat it." Ding, ding! Word of mouth for the win!   Build a marketing network" If you have zero dollars for marketing, then you want to surround yourself with marketing

Hello, everyone! And Happy New Year! Resolutions are always popular for the new year but how about some affirmations. Here are a few statements to remind yourself of as a business owner, entrepreneur, or just in general in 2024.       "My potential to succeed is limitless.""I embrace new beginnings with excitement.""I release the past and live in the present.""My journey is unique and worthwhile.""I am surrounded by love and kindness.""I choose joy and gratitude everyday.""I radiate confidence and positivity.""I seize every opportunity with enthusiasm.""My health is a priority.""I welcome this year with an open heart."   Write your personal affirmations on sticky notes and put them on your computer, on your mirror, in your car, etc.! What are your affirmations this year as we move into a season of starting fresh?

Happy New Year Community! Today I want to chat a little bit about why implementing a Customer Relationship Management system may be right for you. When a business grows, using spreadsheets for client information can sometimes be inefficient and lead to chaos. If you’re looking for ways you streamline this process, then a CRM system may be the way to go! It centralizes customer data, saving time and improving value for your clients.     To make the most out of a CRM, it's essential to plan and execute carefully. Here are five simple tips to follow according to this article in Firm of the Future: Consider what your organization needs. Don't pay for features you won't use, but make sure there's room to grow. Keep cost in mind. Evaluate your budget and find a CRM that fits within it. Make sure it integrates with your essential tools. For example, Intuit Mailchimp integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks Online and e-commerce platforms like Shopify. Provide sufficient

Hello Community! If you’re new to e-commerce or are simply looking for more tips, there are a few shipping technicalities to consider before jumping all in with your online store. Today I will share 4 shipping tips from this article in the QuickBooks Blog that I came across that will help you feel confident when starting your online business. Let’s take a look at what these are:   1. Packaging: Use personalized packaging to make your brand memorable and ensure products arrive clean and undamaged. Different products need different packaging, and you can save money by buying in bulk, using flat-rate boxes, or getting free supplies from mail carriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx.2. Destinations: When considering shipping, decide on how far you are willing to ship, keeping in mind that international shipping is more expensive and can have prohibited items, country-specific rules, customs declarations, and additional taxes and duties that can make you lose money on th

Need some easy steps to collect W9s from your clients? Our Firm of the Future shared three easy steps for QuickBooks Online users. Here is what they said:     Step 1: Identify whose W-9 is missing Go to Expenses > Contractors or Payroll > Contractors in QuickBooks Online. Check contractors' status: Green Checkbox: W-9 information saved in QBO. Gray Clock: Contractor invited but hasn't filled out information. Orange Checkbox: Contractor not invited. Check the Vendors list for missing contractors and edit to enable "track for 1099" if needed.   Step 2: Sending reminders or invitations to complete W-9 information. For contractors without a green check, click "Finish Setup and Pay" or add their email to send an invite.     Step 3: Readiness for 1099 Filings Monitor the status in QuickBooks Online; aim for "W-9 ready." A green status checkmark indicates sufficient information for 1099 preparation for manual entries. To download the W-9 form, access the

Hi there friends! Today I'm sharing a few great ideas for promotional sales to really get your customers in the holiday spirit. Let's take a look...   BOGO special Flash Sale Gift with purchase Stocking stuffers Holiday giveaway Exclusive pre-orders Mystery bags Wish Lists Free Shipping 10% off a product or category Early bird specials Refer a friend discount   It's always nice to have promos for your customers and the holiday season is the perfect time. What special pricing or events do you run during this time of the year? Let's hear your thoughts below.

Hello Community! As the holiday season approaches and we get ready to wrap up 2023, I wanted to share out some top social media trends that you should look out for in 2024 if you’re in charge of your business’s social media. According to Sendible, these are the top 10 trends you’ll want to keep implementing/start to implement in your social strategy this upcoming year:   Short-form video is still the king Youtube is alive and well Social commerce will continue to rise The content creators hold the power Community over followers Narrow-targeted social media ads Digital trust is crumbling and reshaping LinkedIn Social SEO is not something you wish to ignore the rise of AI-generated content Instagram Threads are here to stay   These are just a few to mention, but as you can see, short-form videos will continue to be big! Now I want to hear from you! Do you have a short-form video strategy already in place or are you planning to implement one this upcoming year? Feel free

  Hello Community! As you may relate, many small businesses rely on the cash flow that comes in during the holiday season to help support them throughout the year. To maximize this cash flow, businesses must start preparing with ample time. However, November and December aren’t the only time of year for this, on the contrary, this must be a year-round activity. If you don’t know where to start, no worries, I pulled out 10 tips from this article in the QuickBooks Blog that will help you get started and do just that. Let’s take a look:   1. Use a holiday sales calendar2. Craft a holiday season sales plan3. Build your holiday marketing strategies4. Include holiday spirit in your site design5. Optimize your e-commerce store for traffic6. Make your site easy to navigate7. Streamline the checkout process8. Create a flexible return policy9. Allocate time for customer support10. Plan for e-commerce seasonality   Having a proper e-commerce strategy during the holiday s

Do you believe the best gifts are edible ones? If yes, then you are in for a treat today! In our article from Today, they listed 25 food items to show love to others and that could satisfy one's craving.  In the business realm, I can see customers appreciating this thoughtful gesture as well because I would definitely be one, too! I will share with you my top 5 that I believe can be affordable yet cute, especially for those of you who have a physical store.     Coffee or Hot Chocolate Station: Now, especially in the cold weather season, there is nothing like something hot to warm up the body from the chills. Popcorn-You could go the traditional way of doing popcorn over the store or rent/purchase a popcorn marker and distribute them as customers check in or out of the store. Beef Jerk or Mushroom Jerky- For those who may be vegan, you can also accommodate them as well for a little snacking. Caramel Apples- This can be a fan favorite as it brings back memories of carniv

As the holiday season approaches, the air is filled with festive cheer and the anticipation of celebrating Christmas with loved ones. One tradition that is deeply ingrained in the holiday spirit is the act of gift-giving. While some thrive on the last-minute rush of holiday shopping, there's a growing realization of the benefits of starting Christmas shopping early outside your business, too! Here are some benefits for you  to shop early, too, just like your customers:     Budgeting and Savings:Early Christmas shopping allows for better budgeting and potential savings. Rather than making impulsive purchases due to time constraints, you can plan your expenditures more effectively. Additionally, taking advantage of early holiday sales and discounts can lead to significant savings, helping you stick to your budget and avoid financial stress during the festive season.   Reduced Stress and Enjoyable Celebrations:The holiday season is meant to be a time of joy, gratitude,

Welcome back to the Business Discussion board! Today I'd like to share an article from the QuickBooks Blog that offers an informative guide to all social media platforms for small business. Let's take a look...   Did you know time spent on social media is at an all time high? Internet users are spending an average of 2.5 hours a day scrolling through their various platforms. I believe it's safe to say that even more time is spent for some. "For small businesses looking for new ways to build positive connections with consumers, social media can be an invaluable digital marketing tool." When utilizing the tool(s) of social media, businesses benefit from low-cost marketing and increased brand awareness. "But with so many social media platforms available, it’s important for small businesses to understand the different channels and how they align (or not) with their unique business goals."   The post goes on to say that it can be tricky to determine which platforms is best suited

  Hello Community! Do your employees know the company policies and procedures? As a business owner, it's helpful to make sure all staff know company policies to avoid misunderstandings and legal issues. To do this, you can create an easy-to-follow employee handbook! Make sure to keep reading to learn how and even get a free template from the full article in the QuickBooks Blog here. Let’s go over the steps together:   1. Review and gather company policies and procedures:To write an effective handbook, make sure to have the latest information on company policies and procedures. Take the time to review any recent changes before starting the writing process. It's also helpful if you have already established some policies through emails or memos.2. Create an outline of everything you’ll include: When you make your handbook, it's important to first make an outline of everything you want to include. This helps make sure you don't forget anything important. For instance,

I'm Canadian C Corporate owner , if i want to pay payroll for myself do i need to withhold tax & file periodic payroll tax form?i live & work from Canada 

Good afternoon, Community! It's the end of another workweek and I'm stopping by to share a post on inc.com. This article shares insight about how leaders can ask better questions. I have a feeling asking better questions leads to receiving better answers. Let's take a closer look...In order to ask better questions, you first need to be asking the right questions. Here are some focus points:   Navigating Complexity: Why are we doing the things that we are doing? How are others doing it? And could we do it a different way? Fostering Innovation: Thoughtful questions spark creativity and innovation. They challenge the status quo, inspiring you to think beyond conventional boundaries and explore new avenues for growth. Enhancing Decision Making: Strategic questions form the foundation of sound decision making. They prompt you to consider various perspectives, weigh alternatives, and make informed choices that align with your business objectives.   In addition to asking the

Good afternoon! Welcome back to the Business Discussion board. Today we're facing a fear! Something that we do to ourselves that can limit growth, especially in a business ownership role. And that is limiting beliefs. Here's how to overcome them...   Change Your Relationship With FailureNot scoring the winning goal, not getting the promotion, going into debt, you get the idea of these few examples of what our structured ideas of failure looks like. Entrepreneurship forces you to re-arrange our relationship with failure. Rather than seeing it in the traditional sense, "failure" will look like: not being resourceful, being a poor leader, being too afraid to make mistakes, and not learning from those mistakes once they’re made. Remember, struggle is a necessary part of the process.   Identity Your Largest Fear and Face ItSay your biggest fear is actually starting your business; what better way than to dive in head-first? Register your business name and tell 5 people close to you

It's that time of year again! The holidays are sneaking up on us! I've barely made a dent in my shopping list. Like I say, "If it wasn't for the last minute, I'd never get anything done." Ha! Anyways, today I'm stopping by the Business Discussion space to share a great write-up from the QuickBooks Blog that offers a few tips to surprise and delight your customers during the holiday season.   Treat your product like a present, and package it like a giftHave you ever heard the phrase, "We eat with our eyes first," referring to food presentation? I think the same can be said for receiving a product.   Always leave them wanting more by giving them … something moreSamples, freebies, coupons, etc. are all a great way to show your appreciate and to keep customers coming back.   Make partnerships that can spread delightThe article mentions offering an exclusive product to one wholesale location. This is a perfect way to promote your product as well as funnel traffic to

Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Thanks for tuning in for another segment of the Business Discussion page. Today I'm sharing an article from forbes.com that offers some pointers on how to successfully tell your brand's story.   Include the elements of good storytelling. Character(s), tone, plot, etc. Be relatable. Showing even the not so great aspects of your story allows for a deeper human connection. Niche down. Don't be everything to everyone. Cater to your specific audience. Test your story. "Write a few variations of your story and review them internally. After choosing your favorite options, run them past a focus group." Show and tell. "We love written brand stories, but the future of the web is in multimedia content. Once you’ve honed your story, it’s time to share it in multiple formats." Live your story. Skepticism is alive and well in today's day and age. Your story shouldn't be full of claims you can't backup. Incorporate feedback.&n

I can imagine as a small business owner pricing can be difficult. Personally speaking, I have a little side hustle where I make and sell clay earrings. I do put a lot of time and effort into the pieces but potential customers are more concerned with the product itself. At the end of the day the goal is to sell. Here are a few pointers on how to take the emotion out of pricing.       Change your mindsetWhen pricing, don't come from a place of scarcity, come from a place of abundance.   Work backwardsFigure how much you'd like to earn in a year and then work backwards.   Take out emotionPretend your pricing items for a friend. It will feel less personal.   Price the valueFocus on pricing the value of your product or service over the time taken.   This may be a bit of a hot take on this topic. Should small businesses exclude emotion when it comes to pricing? Does it depend on the product or service? Let me know what you think!

With the holiday season coming up, it can be a stressful time for small businesses. Especially trying to meet the demands of increased retail sales and supply chain challenges and managing your team. Luckily, our QuickBooks Blog shared ways to help manage employees with grace during this hectic period by considering these seven tips. Let's dive in!     Set Clear Expectations and Respect Boundaries: Communicate any changes in schedules or priorities clearly, and respect your employees' individual holiday preferences and time off as much as possible. Strive for Fairness: Ensure fairness in work schedules, pay, and recognition to prevent employee resentment and maintain a positive work environment. Let Them Be Sick (and Get Well): Prioritize employee well-being by allowing sick leave and having backup plans for when employees need time to recover. Manage with Empathy and Compassion: Recognize that the holiday season can be emotionally challenging for employ

Happy Friday! I hope everyone is doing well! Today, I have this gem from Influencive highlighting game-changing enter-partnership strategies that will lead you to success! Here are some of my favorite tips:     Run Your Business Full-Time: Dedicate your full attention to your business for growth and success. Learn from entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Bill Gates, who prioritized their businesses over other commitments.   Possess the Right Skills and Work Smart: Focus on working smart, not just working hard. Acquire high-demand skills that allow you to achieve more with less effort. Consider fields like game development, which can be profitable in the current market.   Begin Small: Start your business with modest resources and expectations. Small beginnings help you manage setbacks and work toward profitability gradually.   Incorporating these strategies can significantly increase your chances of success in entrepreneurship, so why not t

Want to become more environmentally aware? Then I have some tips for you! Here are a few of my favorite ways:    Reduce Single-Use Plastics: Avoid disposable plastic items like water bottles, straws, and plastic bags. Choose reusable alternatives. Support Local and Sustainable Agriculture: Buy locally sourced, organic, and sustainable food to reduce the carbon footprint of your meals. Minimize Car Use: Combine errands to reduce the number of car trips, and consider using a fuel-efficient or electric vehicle. Compost: Start composting organic waste to reduce landfill waste and create nutrient-rich soil. Educate Yourself: Stay informed about environmental issues, climate change, and sustainability to make informed choices. Minimalism: Embrace a minimalist lifestyle by buying and owning only what you truly need, reducing consumption and waste.   These simple steps can help you become more environmentally aware and reduce your ecological footprint, contributing to a healthier p

Have you heard the news? There's a new feature called Intuit Assist that acts as your personal assistant! Oh, what's that you say? - Tell you more? Sure thing! Let's take a look at this article from the QuickBooks Blog for more info...   "Intuit Assist for QuickBooks, our new generative AI-powered financial assistant, now available in beta and rolling out more broadly in the coming months, is designed to help small business owners like you succeed. By surfacing powerful and relevant insights based on your business’s performance and your customers’ behavior, Intuit Assist will help guide you on the spot, enabling you to make informed business decisions."   Let's break it down. There are four key ways Intuit Assist will help and support your business growth:   Show MeA comprehensive view of where your business stands.   Do it for MeAutomates tasks, like drafting invoice reminders and more, saving you time so you can focus on the big picture for your small bu

The holidays are quickly approaching! Can you believe it? With that being said, I found an interesting article from firstforwomen.com that shared how you can start your next side gig. What is it you ask? Selling baked goods from home! Here's how to get started:   Check your local laws"There are some cities and towns where baking from home is fine. There are others that require permits and visits from the board of health. Some locales will even require you to have a permit and cook in a commercial kitchen." You can check with your local Board of Health or Department of Agriculture and Markets to find out if you need any licenses or zoning.   CalculateIf you get the "Ok" then you're ready for the next step. You'll need to start with your product. The article suggests baking what you know; can't go wrong there. Then it's time to get your calculator out. Add up your cost of ingredients (make sure to account for doubling and/or tripling recipes), any new equipment you'll