Articles from CBIA News

Small Business Tips

• Foreign patents: Protect your inventions while keeping costs down (July/August 2003)
  Small businesses often don't obtain foreign patents because of the costs. Here are ways to save money while protecting your inventions in the global marketplace.
  Sidebar: Patent treaty streamlining effort under way
  
  

• What if you're audited?
  Be prepared: Thousands of small businesses will face an IRS or state tax audit. (June 2003)
  
  

• Surviving the temporary loss of key personnel
  When an employee steps out of the business temporarily due to illness, injury, family difficulties or military duty, planning and survival logistics can become complex. (May 2003)
  Sidebar: Web resources
  
  

• Don’t trash those old computers
  Even small businesses must follow ‘universal waste’ 
  rules for used electronics. (April 2003)
  Sidebar: Let employees know: Household electronics can be recycled too
  
  

• Computer disaster planning: Protecting your data and equipment 
  Take these steps to avoid computer problems that could keep your business from operating. (March 2003) 
  
  

• Wish government officials would heed your views?
  Here’s how to speak up and be heard on taxes, workplace costs and other issues (February 2003)
  
  

• Clues to creditworthiness
  Here's what to check before extending credit to a potential customer. (January 2003)
  
  

• Are your employees equipped for safety?
  Even employers of one must provide personal protective equipment. (December 2002)
  
  

• Protect your business from check fraud
  It's the fastest-growing financial crime in America (November 2002)
  
  

• Have a plan for purging business documents
  Make sure employees know what to keep, trash or shred. (September/October 2002)
  Sidebar: Federal corporate reform law has document handling provisions
  Sidebar: What to keep, what to toss
  Sidebar: Don’t forget e-mail
  
  

• Fly for less money, time and trouble
  Advice for the business traveler (July/August 2002)
  
  

• Know your obligations under COBRA
  The first employee notification is due at time group coverage begins. (June 2002)
  
  

• Creating a company giving program
  Donating money, expertise or other help to local nonprofits is a good business practice (May 2002)
  
  

• Get off to the 'write' start
  How to make sure your business letters accomplish their mission (April 2002)
  Sidebar: Business letter writing mini-course
  
  
• PC productivity pointers
  How to minimize problems that can slow even the fastest PCs (March 2002)
  Sidebar: Workplace PCs account for most consumer dollars spent online 
  
  
• Maintaining a stable workforce in an unstable economy
  Here are techniques for holding on to good employees, keeping them productive and avoiding layoffs. (February 2002)
  
  
• Getting a loan in today's lending climate
  Credit is available, but expect closer scrutiny of your loan request. (January 2002)

• New service takes COBRA administration off your shoulders
  CBIA helps members handle all the logistics of complying with COBRA regulations. (December 2001)
  
  
• SBA offering economic injury disaster loans
  If your company has been hurt financially by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks or by the reservist call-up, you may qualify for a disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration. (November 2001)
  
• Getting paid in uncertain times
  How to avoid having late-paying customers. (October 2001)
  
  
• Want to expand but lack cash? 'Grow Your Business' loan may help
  Stable small businesses that are unable to get traditional financing may qualify for these low-interest loans. (September 2001)
  
  
• Crafting your future
  Will your business adapt to inevitable changes? Or will it find itself obsolete? (July/August 2001)
  
  
• The power of e-business
  Tap it for commerce, customization and information sharing. (June 2001)
  Sidebar: B2B e-commerce checklist
  
  
• Extend your company's capabilities by forming strategic alliances
  A strategic alliance with another company can let you combine some resources to gain business, enter new markets, share financial risks, or provide complementary services to each other’s customers. (May 2001)
  Sidebar: Ten tips on strategic alliances
  
  
• E-mail marketing basics
  There are good reasons to make e-mail a part 
  of your marketing effort, but beware of the pitfalls. (April 2001)
  Sidebar: E-marketing checklist
  
  
• Minimize need to negotiate salary with job candidates
  Small-business owners can nearly eliminate the issue of salary negotiations for all but top-level positions by following a few simple guidelines. (March 2001)
  
  
• Can't afford consultants? Look into help from state's universities
  Universities throughout the state offer a range of free business consulting services to start-ups and established businesses. (February 2001)
  Sidebar: Help from the halls of ivy
  
  
• Will your company falter if the economy fizzles?
  Pay attention now to four key areas of your business. (January 2001)
  
  
• Donating excess inventory may get you a tax deduction
  Corporations that donate certain types of merchandise to qualified nonprofits may be able to earn a federal income tax deduction. (December 2000)
  
  
• Why would someone want to work for you?
  Small businesses offer intangibles that appeal to many job candidates. (November 2000)
  
  
• Small-business travel savings moving in right direction
  Airlines, hotels and car-rental companies all now offer special discounts and programs for small businesses.  (October 2000)
  
  
• Does your business succession plan work for you?
  Consider the long-range tax implications. (September 2000)
  
  
• Traveling for business? Take advantage of legitimate write-offs
  There are a few things to keep in mind about tax deductions when you travel on the job. (July/August 2000)
  
  
• Dollars for your dreams
  CDA's URBANK program makes small-business loans a reality (June 2000)
  
  

• Don't get snagged in the Web
  Avoid these legal pitfalls when launching your site. (May 2000)

• Watch your words
  Whether you need to praise or criticize an employee, do it right. (April 2000)

• Tax news to note before April 15
  Some IRS changes could leave you feeling richer, while others may make you feel poorer. (March 2000)

• How to defuse workplace conflict
  Conflict can't always be avoided, but here are eight suggestions for reducing its impact and increasing employee productivity. (February 2000)

• Train employees? You may qualify for a corporate income tax credit
  If you spend money on employee training, you may be able to claim a credit against Connecticut's corporate income tax. (December 1999)

• Finding a lawyer for your small business
  Engaging the services of an attorney is an important decision. Both you and your attorney will want you to make it wisely. (November 1999)

• Is your customer service as good as it could be?
  If you've only got a few customers, you really feel the impact if you lose even one. (November 1999)

• Five money-saving tips for year-end tax planning
  These strategies can help you save money on your tax return and on your bottom line. (October 1999)

• Worry less about money with a cash flow plan
  The best way to safeguard against money problems is to monitor your cash flow and develop a way to predict how much money you will need and when. (September 1999)

• For business consulting, SCORE may be your winning ticket
  When you need sound advice on a variety of matters to ensure your business survives, the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) is a good choice. (July/August 1999)

• Pre-employment background checks separate fact from fiction
  "A lot of employee problems can be solved in the hiring process. It's easier to hire carefully than to fire someone later." (December 1998/January 1999)

• Turn testimonials into selling tools
  Testimonials carry clout with customers. Here’s how to use them effectively. (July/August 1998)

• Do it yourself? Or delegate?
  Be aware of what your time is worth, and ask: ‘Is this what I should be working on?’ If not, delegate. (June 1998)

• Get more responses to your direct mail
  Success depends on your mailing list, offer, approach and follow-up. (May 1998)

• Marketing plan is road map to your business goals
  The business plan sets your destination. The marketing plan tells you how to get there. (April 1998)

• Planning can pre-empt family-related business conflicts
  Take steps to define family members’ roles in your family business. (March 1998)

• Are your prices right?
  Proper pricing affects the bottom line more than many business owners realize. (February 1998)

• Perk up morale with low-cost, tax-free benefits
  Noncash, tax-free perks, on top of basic benefits, can help you recruit or keep employees. (December 1997/January 1998)

• Finding sales leads on the Internet
  Databases containing millions of names can be searched and sorted to narrow the names down to your potential customers. (November 1997)

• Ten tips for improving your cash flow
  You may have great sales and be profitable, and still may be in trouble, because you don’t have enough cash available for day-to-day operations. (October 1997)

• Good contracts increase satisfaction with consultants
  Have a written agreement that spells out your expectations, work deadlines and other details. (September 1997)