Management and OperationsIdentify New Consumer NormsThe recession has changed how customers shop, possibly forever. Entrepreneur.com
Management and Operations Resolving Employee Complaints Before They Hit the Internet The question is what to do about employee complaints about the workplace. It's more than a matter of damage control. Trying to repair the harm to internal morale, recruitment efforts, and corporate reputations after the fact is not as effective as preventing the damage in the first place. ManageSmarter.com Management and Operations
By Cheryl Sowa · January 26 2010
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
Management and Operations“Enlightened” Profit. A Better Way To Build A Business.Values are the key to building value. More and more of today’s CEO’s now see a three tiered metric of profit as essential to building a strong and sustainable company. TheWisdomGuy.comManagement and OperationsWhen Bad Things Happen to Good Business Owners and EntrepreneursStuff happens. As a business owner and entrepreneur, the more successful you become, the more you open yourself up to criticism, negative feedback or just plain being attacked. BusinessKnowHow.com Management and Operations
By Cheryl Sowa · December 15 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, small business
Government, Politics, and the Economy No Rebound Yet For Smallest Businesses Confidence among America’s smallest business owners fell to the lowest level since February, according to the latest Discover-Small Business Watch. BusinessWeek.comManagement and OperationsDisaster Protection: The Need for Small Business ContinuityBusinessKnowHow has reprinted the latest edition (Fall 2009) of Disaster Recovery Journal and the article “The Need for Small Business, Business Continuity” by Mark R. Lupo. BusinessKnowHow.com Management and Operations
By Cheryl Sowa · December 08 2009
small business brief, small business, customer service, management
Tips from November 20, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss how to hire employees for sales.
Know the environments your candidates have worked in previously. Try to choose the candidates that have been in an environment that is similar to yours to adapt quickly to the culture.
Previous work in sales is extremely important, especially if you are hiring for a higher level position. Check their references for sales positions to ensure they are not exaggerating on their resume.
Inside sales and outsides sales are completely different. Know what you need to hire, and hire specifically for the position. Generally, the two sales positions don't cross. If you come across a candidate who has both, be sure to look into it.
Have a trial session with candidates during the interview. Ask them to role play and deliver a pitch to you. Analyze their tone of voice, body language, and their wording of the pitch. This will help you determin...
By Cheryl Sowa · November 20 2009
small business tips, sales, human resources, hire
In The News
Workplace Shootings in Florida, Texas Again Put Focus on Violence on the Job The two shootings are the highest-profile incidents of workplace violence since a Yale University student’s strangled body was found in the university laboratory where she conducted research. A co-worker, Raymond J. Clark III, was later charged with the murder. Workforce.comManagement and OperationsHow to Resolve Workplace Conflict Conflict in the workplace is a painful reality and a key reason for poor productivity and frustration. Do you have people in your workplace that cause problems for everyone else? Do they create additional work for o...
By Cheryl Sowa · November 10 2009
small business brief, small business, conflict, productivity
Government, Politics, and the Economy
Economy Jumps 3.5 Percent to Largest Growth in Two Years Consumer spending, exports and investments experience greatest gains. ManagerSmarter.comManagement and OperationsSmall Shops Make Big Play for Holiday ShoppersMerchants roll out Christmas wares weeks in advance to lure customers away from large discount retailers. WSJ.comManagement and Operations
By Cheryl Sowa · November 03 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
Government, Politics, and the EconomyRetail Sales in U.S. Jump 2.7%, Most in Three Years Thanks to the government's Cash for Clunkers program, retailers in the U.S. surged in August - the most in three years. Bloomberg.comManagement and OperationsBe Ready and Prepared for Disasters: September is National Preparedness MonthFire, flood, hurricane, or tornado, you need to be prepared to protect yourself, your family, and your business from mother nature. BusinessKnowHow.com Management and Operations
By Cheryl Sowa · September 15 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, retail
Government, Politics, and the Economyhttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB125233977333690447.html Key Week for Obama Starts on Feisty Note President Obama starts off the Tuesday after Labor Day by stressing the importance of his new government-run-health-insurance program, while key senators collaborated for a bipartisan deal. WSJ.com Management and Operationshttp://www.womenentrepreneur.com/2009/09/hiring-without-the-headaches.html Hiring Without the Headaches Salary, taxes, and benefits are just some of the worries that arise for entrepreneurs when they decide to add on to their workforce. Small businesses need to have a hiring process in place to effectively hire employees for their small businesses. WomenEntrepreneur.com Management and Operationshttp://entrepreneur.com/sales/customerservicecolumnistsydneybarrows/article203136.html Prioritize the Customer Experien...
By Cheryl Sowa · September 08 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, sales