Succeeding in small business today requires a solid grip on your finances and an arsenal of tech tools to help you collaborate with colleagues, schedule your time, manage customer relationships and leverage the Internet. And guess what? You can get all of that – and more – absolutely free from some of the nation’s top tech companies that support small business.
The free products, services and solutions from these three organizations alone have already helped millions of business owners succeed. They represent some of the “core competencies” any business needs to survive and prosper, including finance, technology, information and customer relationships. Here they are – free for the taking:
1) Free Financial Software from QuickBooks: QuickBooks became the world’s most popular small business financial software because it understands what a small business needs, is easy to use, comes loaded with useful features and can almost instantly make your business more profitable. Best of all, you can download a QuickBooks “Simple Start” free edition 2009 – with no forms, registration or credit card information required – at the Intel Business Exchange Software Store for small business.
QuickBooks Simple Start Free Edition 2009, from Intuit, is not “trial” software. It’s fully-functional and never expires. Here are some of the things it will do for you:
Track sales, sales taxes and customer payments
Create estimates and invoices
Print checks, pay bills and track expenses
Manage payroll and payroll taxes
Track up to 20 customer and vendor contacts
Create 14 different financial reports with a single click
Import data from Excel
Of course, Intuit hopes you’ll upgrade to its more powerful products as your business grows. But that’s up to you, and starting with the free, Simple Start version is a great way to organize your finances at zero cost and get more time to spend on other facets of your business.
2) Free Online Applications from GoogleThink Google is just a search engine? Think again. The global Internet giant has morphed into a multi-faceted tool that you can use to help launch and grow your small business. Here’s some of what you can get:
No matter what size business you operate, Google Apps can help you stretch resources and work smarter. Google Docs, for example, enhances productivity and eliminates the need to collaborate with attachments. You can start a project with software like Microsoft Office, and use Google Docs to share files with others for collaborative editing. Everyone accesses the same online copy of the file in Google Docs, so there are no attachment compatibility problems, inbox storage quota issues, or versions to reconcile. When the group is done editing, you can keep the file in Google Docs, or export it back to the original format.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Guide to Why Your Small Business Needs a Web Solution Not a Website
Raise your hand if you have a website for your small business. Now keep it raised if it is generating a significant volume of prospects or sales. Not holding your hand up anymore? You are not alone.
Just a few years ago, small companies flocked to the web in droves, rushing to post their first website, anxious at the prospect of low-cost instant exposure. The web was going to be the great equalizer, putting small business on par with the big brand names, dangling the promise of visitors flocking to a company’s site to purchase its wares or partake in its services. Sound familiar?
Unfortunately, for most small businesses and organizations, the promise fell short and company sales did not skyrocket from an unending march of site visitors. So, what happened? For one, the web quickly became ultra competitive. Millions of sites sprang up in every business category making it virtually impossible to be found in the search engines. What little bit of traffic the businesses may have enjoyed when the site was first launched began to dry up. Also, as the web evolved to become a more interactive user experience, it became more technologically complex and many small business websites did not keep up. The other part of the problem was in the approach; not understanding that just putting together a website, even a pretty one, and finding some faceless company offering cheap web hosting services is not likely to make you the next great success story.
A large hurdle that many small business owners and managers face is the tendency to compartmentalize the web into a few oversimplified tasks: grab a cheap domain name, find a budget small business website design and development person, look for some impossibly low-priced website hosting, and then expect their website to magically appear on page one of Google. Unfortunately, this ends up being a waste of time and money.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
A Solutions-Based Approach with Professional Guidance
To create an effective web presence requires a solutions-based approach with clear ideas about what you want to accomplish and who the audience is you are targeting. The right elements have to be present; a well orchestrated website design with cohesive branding, solid technical acumen, clearly defined objectives for the organization, reliable small business web hosting services and some method of marketing your site and tracking the results. The web is constantly evolving and search engine competition is fierce. Being successful on the web requires consistently evaluating the site’s effectiveness based on your objectives, understanding the latest technologies and trends, having a dynamic website marketing plan and constantly fine tuning.
I recommend: While you don’t have to spend a fortune to create real value on the web, you should also be realistic. Understand that being successful will require an investment that you should plan for and a clear vision of how your website fits into the goals and objectives of the organization. If you don’t have the experience and technical resources in-house, working with a professional web solutions provider, preferably one specializing in small business web design and development can provide great benefits.
Just a few years ago, small companies flocked to the web in droves, rushing to post their first website, anxious at the prospect of low-cost instant exposure. The web was going to be the great equalizer, putting small business on par with the big brand names, dangling the promise of visitors flocking to a company’s site to purchase its wares or partake in its services. Sound familiar?
Unfortunately, for most small businesses and organizations, the promise fell short and company sales did not skyrocket from an unending march of site visitors. So, what happened? For one, the web quickly became ultra competitive. Millions of sites sprang up in every business category making it virtually impossible to be found in the search engines. What little bit of traffic the businesses may have enjoyed when the site was first launched began to dry up. Also, as the web evolved to become a more interactive user experience, it became more technologically complex and many small business websites did not keep up. The other part of the problem was in the approach; not understanding that just putting together a website, even a pretty one, and finding some faceless company offering cheap web hosting services is not likely to make you the next great success story.
A large hurdle that many small business owners and managers face is the tendency to compartmentalize the web into a few oversimplified tasks: grab a cheap domain name, find a budget small business website design and development person, look for some impossibly low-priced website hosting, and then expect their website to magically appear on page one of Google. Unfortunately, this ends up being a waste of time and money.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
A Solutions-Based Approach with Professional Guidance
To create an effective web presence requires a solutions-based approach with clear ideas about what you want to accomplish and who the audience is you are targeting. The right elements have to be present; a well orchestrated website design with cohesive branding, solid technical acumen, clearly defined objectives for the organization, reliable small business web hosting services and some method of marketing your site and tracking the results. The web is constantly evolving and search engine competition is fierce. Being successful on the web requires consistently evaluating the site’s effectiveness based on your objectives, understanding the latest technologies and trends, having a dynamic website marketing plan and constantly fine tuning.
I recommend: While you don’t have to spend a fortune to create real value on the web, you should also be realistic. Understand that being successful will require an investment that you should plan for and a clear vision of how your website fits into the goals and objectives of the organization. If you don’t have the experience and technical resources in-house, working with a professional web solutions provider, preferably one specializing in small business web design and development can provide great benefits.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Army strike continues as 66 more militants killed, nine nabbed
General ISPR Major Ather Abbas has said that sixty six terrorists were killed and nine were apprehended, while one civilian was killed and two were injured in various areas of Malakand, Bunnu and South Waziristan. At the same time, four soldiers martyred and 12 were injured including an officer.
According to ISPR press release, Security forces secured Kotka Saifullah and Sara Bangal. Terrorists fired two rockets at Bannu city, resultantly one civilian was killed and two were injured.
During search operation at Sara Bangal, 34 terrorists were killed, while three terrorists were apprehended.
The operation to secure Zindi Khan by security forces is under way.
South Waziristan. Late last night about 400 terrorists attacked Siplatoi and Jandola Fort, resultantly three soldiers martyred and five were injured, while 22 terrorists were killed and large number injured.
Forces are consolidating their positions at secured areas of Kabbal, while operation in remaining area is in progress. During exchange of fire with terrorists, three soldiers were injured.
Army commenced search and destroy operation at Ashro Kandao, Arkot Qilla, Shakardarra, Matta triangle, Sakhra, Matta - Khararai and Sarai on the west of Martung.
Security forces secured Sijban on Runial-Chuprial route. During exchange of fire with terrorists three soldiers were injured.
During exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists in Peochar area, one soldier was injured, while 10 terrorists were killed and six were apprehended.
The siege of villages Shatkas and Ghazigae by Lashkar is continuing. During exchange of fire at Shatkas, lashkar destroyed terrorists bunkers and three hide outs including 1 ammunition dump.
Terrorists fire raided at Zohaib Post near Lal Qilla, resultantly one soldier martyred.
An IED planted by terrorists was exploded on Ambela - Daggar road, resultantly three vehicles were partially damaged. A terrorist house was destroyed at Gatkala. Security forces secured Gat Khela and Jowar area.
Major repair work of main electricity line up to Mingora has been completed with the support of the Army.
Three trucks of rations and non food items were distributed among the stranded people of Swat valley.
According to ISPR press release, Security forces secured Kotka Saifullah and Sara Bangal. Terrorists fired two rockets at Bannu city, resultantly one civilian was killed and two were injured.
During search operation at Sara Bangal, 34 terrorists were killed, while three terrorists were apprehended.
The operation to secure Zindi Khan by security forces is under way.
South Waziristan. Late last night about 400 terrorists attacked Siplatoi and Jandola Fort, resultantly three soldiers martyred and five were injured, while 22 terrorists were killed and large number injured.
Forces are consolidating their positions at secured areas of Kabbal, while operation in remaining area is in progress. During exchange of fire with terrorists, three soldiers were injured.
Army commenced search and destroy operation at Ashro Kandao, Arkot Qilla, Shakardarra, Matta triangle, Sakhra, Matta - Khararai and Sarai on the west of Martung.
Security forces secured Sijban on Runial-Chuprial route. During exchange of fire with terrorists three soldiers were injured.
During exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists in Peochar area, one soldier was injured, while 10 terrorists were killed and six were apprehended.
The siege of villages Shatkas and Ghazigae by Lashkar is continuing. During exchange of fire at Shatkas, lashkar destroyed terrorists bunkers and three hide outs including 1 ammunition dump.
Terrorists fire raided at Zohaib Post near Lal Qilla, resultantly one soldier martyred.
An IED planted by terrorists was exploded on Ambela - Daggar road, resultantly three vehicles were partially damaged. A terrorist house was destroyed at Gatkala. Security forces secured Gat Khela and Jowar area.
Major repair work of main electricity line up to Mingora has been completed with the support of the Army.
Three trucks of rations and non food items were distributed among the stranded people of Swat valley.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Past govt failed to initiate Bhasha Dam
LAHORE - Assuring the businessmen that law and order situation would soon improve, Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif has urged them to import state-of-the-art machines of industrial units being closed down around the world due to global recession.
He was speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday where the LCCI handed over to him Rs 30 million cheque for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Swat.
LCCI President Mian Muzaffar Ali, LCCI Senior Vice President Tahir Javaid Malik, Vice President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, Senator Ishaq Dar and Senior Political Assistant to Chief Minister Pervaiz Malik and MNA Hamaza Shahbaz Sharif also spoke on the occasion.
The Chief Minister said that difficulties are always accompanied with opportunities. He said that Pakistan has competitive advantage in many industrial sectors that could be exploited now by importing industrial units at much lower cost. He advised the businessmen to make investment in dairy farming and livestock as both the sectors have the potential to become biggest foreign exchange earner for Pakistan.
He acknowledged that dreaming of any foreign investment at this point in time when country is facing terror threats all around is impossible. He said that the local businessmen have should have the confidence that their government would overcome these difficulties and provide them with a conducive investment climate and it is essential for act now and take advantage of the lower machinery rates around the world. He said that he has visited China and Iran recently and found there are ample export opportunities for many items being produced in the province. He said that Iranian are willing to buy two lakh tons of meat from Pakistan.” We simply have to upgrade our slaughter houses to satisfy their quality demand. He said Iran last year imported kinnos worth $30 million that is produced in Punjab. He said we will have to improve our cold chain and packaging to further boost the exports.
Talking about lost opportunities, he regretted that despite inflow of billions of dollars, the past government failed to initiate Basha Dam project or develop the Ther Coal that could have resolved our power shortage problem.
Mian Shahbaz said that we have always looked towards the west and lost many opportunities while Iran that sanctioned by the US took technology from China and build a six lane underground Metro through indigenous engineering. Now they have offered both the technology and expertise to Punjab government to build similar underground Metro in Lahore. He urged the Punjab Businessmen to place their skill requirements with the vocational institutes of the Punjab government so that need-based training could be imparted with assured employment to the trainees.
He was speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday where the LCCI handed over to him Rs 30 million cheque for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Swat.
LCCI President Mian Muzaffar Ali, LCCI Senior Vice President Tahir Javaid Malik, Vice President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, Senator Ishaq Dar and Senior Political Assistant to Chief Minister Pervaiz Malik and MNA Hamaza Shahbaz Sharif also spoke on the occasion.
The Chief Minister said that difficulties are always accompanied with opportunities. He said that Pakistan has competitive advantage in many industrial sectors that could be exploited now by importing industrial units at much lower cost. He advised the businessmen to make investment in dairy farming and livestock as both the sectors have the potential to become biggest foreign exchange earner for Pakistan.
He acknowledged that dreaming of any foreign investment at this point in time when country is facing terror threats all around is impossible. He said that the local businessmen have should have the confidence that their government would overcome these difficulties and provide them with a conducive investment climate and it is essential for act now and take advantage of the lower machinery rates around the world. He said that he has visited China and Iran recently and found there are ample export opportunities for many items being produced in the province. He said that Iranian are willing to buy two lakh tons of meat from Pakistan.” We simply have to upgrade our slaughter houses to satisfy their quality demand. He said Iran last year imported kinnos worth $30 million that is produced in Punjab. He said we will have to improve our cold chain and packaging to further boost the exports.
Talking about lost opportunities, he regretted that despite inflow of billions of dollars, the past government failed to initiate Basha Dam project or develop the Ther Coal that could have resolved our power shortage problem.
Mian Shahbaz said that we have always looked towards the west and lost many opportunities while Iran that sanctioned by the US took technology from China and build a six lane underground Metro through indigenous engineering. Now they have offered both the technology and expertise to Punjab government to build similar underground Metro in Lahore. He urged the Punjab Businessmen to place their skill requirements with the vocational institutes of the Punjab government so that need-based training could be imparted with assured employment to the trainees.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Guide to Interest-Free SBA ARC Loans for Debt Relief
If your small business is struggling to pay debts, you may qualify for a new type of interest-free loan in amounts up to $35,000, guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The temporary emergency program, called America’s Recovery Capital, or ARC, was authorized under the economic stimulus law passed earlier in the year and is now being launched by the SBA.
For borrowers, ARC loans will be interest-free, and with no SBA fees attached. But as with all SBA financing programs, the ARC loans will be made by private, commercial lenders, not SBA directly. Lenders, of course, won’t make loans for free, so the SBA will pay lenders monthly interest on the ARC loans on your behalf. And that’s basically free money for you and a good chance to get a little breathing room if you’re facing burdensome debt payments.
ARC loans are deferred-payment loans available to established, viable, for-profit small businesses that are suffering hardship right now and need short-term help to make principal and interest payments on existing debt. These loans are interest-free to the borrower (you), and 100 percent guaranteed by the SBA.
Here’s How it Works
In addition to the loans being zero interest and fully guaranteed by the government, you don't have to make any payments until a year after you receive the last of the funds, which will be disbursed within a period of up to six months. After the initial 12-month payment-free grace period, you'll have five years to pay it off.
Banks and other financial institutions that make small business loans should have information on the program available soon, and it will be up to them whether or not to participate. Meanwhile, details and updates on the program will be available at the SBA’s special Economic Recovery Act website at www.sba.gov/recovery. Keep in mind that proceeds from an ARC loan must be used specifically to make payments of principal and interest on existing business debt. But that includes a wide range of different types of loans, leases and lines that you might have.
Here are the types of debt that will qualify:
1. Commercial mortgages on a building or property that your business owns.
2. Conventional term loans, including secured and unsecured.
3. Revolving lines of credit.
4. Capital leases.
5. Credit card debt.
6. Notes payable to vendors, suppliers and utilities.
7. First mortgages loans under SBA’s 504 Development Company Loan Program.
8. Any SBA guaranteed loans made after Feb. 17, 2009 (but not SBA-backed loans made prior to that date).
For many business owners, paying down high-interest credit card debt would be the best use of ARC funds. But you will have to prove that the debt was incurred for specific business purposes, and the documentation requirements to use ARC funds for credit card debt could be stringent.
The loan application process, however, is designed to be rather quick. Once lenders submit the application, SBA is promising turnaround within 5-10 business days.
The “Viable” Business Standard
The key to qualifying for and receiving an ARC loan is whether your business is considered "viable" and is facing “immediate financial hardship.” While the standards don’t seem to present a major hurdle for existing businesses that have had success in the past, the viability measure might rule out newer businesses that haven’t turned a profit. And ARC loans are specifically not intended for startups.
Here's how the SBA defines “viable” for getting one of these loans:
"A viable small business is one that has been profitable in the past, but is just beginning to struggle with making loan payments, and can reasonably project that it can get back on track with the infusion of ARC loan funds and the benefit of deferred payments."
Examples of financial hardship offered by the SBA include declining sales or revenues, or difficulties in paying the operating expenses of the business.
For borrowers, ARC loans will be interest-free, and with no SBA fees attached. But as with all SBA financing programs, the ARC loans will be made by private, commercial lenders, not SBA directly. Lenders, of course, won’t make loans for free, so the SBA will pay lenders monthly interest on the ARC loans on your behalf. And that’s basically free money for you and a good chance to get a little breathing room if you’re facing burdensome debt payments.
ARC loans are deferred-payment loans available to established, viable, for-profit small businesses that are suffering hardship right now and need short-term help to make principal and interest payments on existing debt. These loans are interest-free to the borrower (you), and 100 percent guaranteed by the SBA.
Here’s How it Works
In addition to the loans being zero interest and fully guaranteed by the government, you don't have to make any payments until a year after you receive the last of the funds, which will be disbursed within a period of up to six months. After the initial 12-month payment-free grace period, you'll have five years to pay it off.
Banks and other financial institutions that make small business loans should have information on the program available soon, and it will be up to them whether or not to participate. Meanwhile, details and updates on the program will be available at the SBA’s special Economic Recovery Act website at www.sba.gov/recovery. Keep in mind that proceeds from an ARC loan must be used specifically to make payments of principal and interest on existing business debt. But that includes a wide range of different types of loans, leases and lines that you might have.
Here are the types of debt that will qualify:
1. Commercial mortgages on a building or property that your business owns.
2. Conventional term loans, including secured and unsecured.
3. Revolving lines of credit.
4. Capital leases.
5. Credit card debt.
6. Notes payable to vendors, suppliers and utilities.
7. First mortgages loans under SBA’s 504 Development Company Loan Program.
8. Any SBA guaranteed loans made after Feb. 17, 2009 (but not SBA-backed loans made prior to that date).
For many business owners, paying down high-interest credit card debt would be the best use of ARC funds. But you will have to prove that the debt was incurred for specific business purposes, and the documentation requirements to use ARC funds for credit card debt could be stringent.
The loan application process, however, is designed to be rather quick. Once lenders submit the application, SBA is promising turnaround within 5-10 business days.
The “Viable” Business Standard
The key to qualifying for and receiving an ARC loan is whether your business is considered "viable" and is facing “immediate financial hardship.” While the standards don’t seem to present a major hurdle for existing businesses that have had success in the past, the viability measure might rule out newer businesses that haven’t turned a profit. And ARC loans are specifically not intended for startups.
Here's how the SBA defines “viable” for getting one of these loans:
"A viable small business is one that has been profitable in the past, but is just beginning to struggle with making loan payments, and can reasonably project that it can get back on track with the infusion of ARC loan funds and the benefit of deferred payments."
Examples of financial hardship offered by the SBA include declining sales or revenues, or difficulties in paying the operating expenses of the business.
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