In a recent report by EIN Presswire, it was found that nearly one-third of businesses have experienced enhanced accuracy through implementing accounts payable automation. This trend is gaining momentum as more and more companies are realizing the benefits of this technology. EIN Presswire is a leading press release distribution company that helps businesses of all sizes reach their target audience. With a comprehensive media database and distribution network, EIN Presswire is able to get your message in front of the right people.

This article seems to be promoting accounts payable automation as a solution for businesses, but is it really as effective as it claims? While it may improve accuracy for some companies, it may not be the best option for all businesses. Plus, with so many companies jumping on this trend, it's important to do thorough research and consider all options before making a decision. As a business owner, I would want to know more about the potential drawbacks and limitations of accounts payable automation before investing in it.

Read More

According to the Daily Breeze, technology is playing a crucial role in helping small businesses thrive during the holiday season. With the help of innovative tools and strategies, local businesses in the Harbor Area, Beach Cities, Torrance, Carson, Palos Verdes Peninsula, and beyond are seeing increased sales and success. From online marketing to streamlined operations, technology is proving to be a game changer for small businesses. Don't miss out on this valuable information!

As a small business owner myself, I can't help but be a little skeptical about the claims made in this article. While technology certainly has its benefits, it's not a magic solution for all business struggles. It's important to remember that success also depends on factors such as customer service, quality products, and competitive pricing. While technology can certainly help, it's not the only factor in a business's success. But hey, it's always worth exploring new tools and strategies to see what works for your business!

Read More

Stay ahead of the game with the latest work from home technology. From laptops to webcams, PC World has rounded up the best tools to boost your home office. (Source: PCWorld)

As a small business owner, I'm always looking for ways to improve efficiency and productivity. While the idea of new technology is exciting, I can't help but wonder if constantly upgrading is really necessary. Plus, with so many options out there, it's hard to know which ones are truly worth the investment. But, I'll keep an open mind and see what PC World has to say.

Read More

According to a recent interview with Stephen Kurtz, president of Total IT, it's important for businesses to regularly evaluate and upgrade their tech stack. This can help improve performance and streamline tasks. But how do you know when it's time for an upgrade? Kurtz shares four tell-tale signs to look out for:

1. Performance issues, such as lagging systems or frequent crashes
2. Outdated software or hardware
3. Difficulty integrating new tools or systems
4. Security vulnerabilities

While upgrading your tech stack can be beneficial, it's important to carefully consider the cost and potential disruptions to your business. It's also important to regularly reassess your needs and make sure you're not just jumping on the latest tech trend without a clear purpose. As with any decision, it's important to weigh the pros and cons and make the best choice for your business.

Read More

Cloud-based accounting solutions offer a cost-effective way for businesses to manage their financial operations while reducing overhead costs. With the ability of these accounting solutions to move their accounting tasks to the cloud, companies can avoid the need to invest in additional headcount, office space, and equipment like computers and printers. This can result in significant savings, as these expenses can be quite substantial.

In addition to eliminating the need for physical infrastructure, cloud-based accounting also eliminates the need for costly training courses for employees who are new to the job. With cloud accounting software, employees can easily access and use the system without extensive training, saving both time and money.

The ability to integrate with other software applications is one of the leading advantages of cloud accounting. Cloud accounting software can seamlessly connect with customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP), and marketing automation tools. Such ease of integration allows for streamlined data flow between different systems, eliminating the need for manual data entry and reducing the chance of errors.

For example, cloud accounting systems often integrate with marketing automation tools like Salesforce Pardot and HubSpot. This integration ensures that data from sales leads automatically syncs into the financial dashboard without any additional work on the part of the user. This not only saves time but also improves data accuracy, allowing businesses to make informed financial decisions.

Additionally, cloud accounting systems can significantly reduce operational costs. Cloud technology can be leveraged by businesses, hence they will no longer need to purchase expensive hardware and software for their accounting needs. With this, the initial capital expenditure and ongoing maintenance cost associated with the traditional on-premise solutions is eliminated.  Additionally, businesses can benefit from automatic software updates and upgrades provided by cloud vendors at no extra cost.

Cloud accounting systems also allow users to access their financial data from any location at any time. This enables users and organizations to save time and increase productivity. With cloud accounting, there is no longer a need to be tied to a specific office or computer to access financial information. This flexibility empowers employees to work remotely and collaborate effectively, resulting in increased efficiency.

According to Nucleus Research, cloud deployments can incur 63% lower initial consulting and implementation costs compared to on-premise solutions. This cost advantage makes cloud accounting an attractive option for businesses of all sizes. The pay-per-use pricing model further adds to the cost-effectiveness, as businesses only pay for the resources they actually use, without any upfront investment.

In summary, cloud-based accounting solutions offer numerous benefits for businesses looking to reduce overhead costs. Cloud technology helps companies avoid the need for additional headcount, office space, and equipment. The integrations capabilities of cloud accounting software streamline data flow and improve financial decision-making. Additionally, cloud accounting systems reduce operational costs by eliminating the need for expensive hardware and software purchases, while providing automatic updates and upgrades. The accessibility of cloud accounting improves productivity and allows for remote working. With its cost-effective pricing model, cloud accounting is a valuable solution for businesses seeking to reduce overhead costs and optimize their financial operations.

This year, technology will continue to have a growing role in tax departments as they look to do more with what they already have. Digital automation will quickly become an important tool in companies and workforces as business leaders look to make decisions quicker. 

The first step is to evaluate your business to better understand the processes that are already established and the goals you’re trying to achieve. Business Process Reengineering ­– recreating business processes with the goal of improving product output, quality, or reducing costs – is a helpful tool to accomplish this.

After the initial work is done, it’s time to evaluate where automation will be the most effective. In most cases, this will be in departments that leverage large amounts of data in their processes.

Let’s take tax departments as an example. Tax departments are known for having detailed and complex processes that synthesize a lot of data. Manual processes for tasks like reconciliation are particularly challenging. This is where automation can help spot anomalies that might slip through the cracks.

Across the industry, we’re seeing companies driving towards implementing e-invoicing and e-reporting. E-invoicing creates a system that standardizes the format of the e-invoice and transmits it to the proper tax authorities to receive validation in real-time. It also exchanges the transaction between the buyer and seller and retains a copy. This copy is important so tax teams can comply with periodic electronic reporting requirements.

Branching off this process, the digital journey also includes complying with the different invoicing requirements tax administrations implement on the business-to-consumer side, which is important for businesses looking to expand globally. Each country has specific requirements for invoicing, including language, currency, format, tax calculations, format and signatures. Automating the invoice process makes compliance with these regulations easier.

These trends show that automation is continuing to increase, which in turn decreases the workload for tax teams. Digitizing these processes can help accountants work through the complexity of requirements across different jurisdictions and countries. This is especially applicable to those working with a large volume of business transactions and helps to ensure their integrity.

While automation continues to make manual processes easier, it will leave your team with more time to focus on other business processes such as supporting audits or driving and creating new initiatives. With workforces facing labor shortages, economic barriers and supply chain issues, organizations need to find ways to buy back time and energy using technology.

Collaboration within your organization will be key to achieving these goals. Make sure there is a partnership between the IT teams and departments looking to implement automation. This will create an understanding of each team’s needs and allow for the common goal to be reached.

Remember, the best digital transformations happen over time. Don’t rush the process or fall victim to the “I need it all” mindset. The most successful leaders understand that automation isn’t a one-size-fits-all, but rather a useful tool that should be tailored to the business goals of the organization or department.

Bio: Chris Zangrilli, VP - Technology Strategy

Chris Zangrilli is Vice President of Technology Strategy at Vertex Inc. In his role he leads the technology strategy and innovation efforts, applying emerging technologies to understand the art of the possible to drive growth. He has held several technology leadership roles responsible for the architecture and development of SaaS solutions.  He brings 30 years of technology and strategic expertise driving value to customers through tax technology solutions. 

Owning and running a small business is a dream of almost everyone. However, this is a big challenge, especially considering the problems you will likely face. While having the idea is the easiest part, starting and managing a business is not a simple task, as some might want to believe. The first two years of a business are the biggest problem, and most small businesses do not make it past this period. Those brave enough will successfully manage every aspect of the business starting from employees, marketing and administration, and ensure that they do not miss any leads. Here are some challenges that your small business might face.

1. Getting customers

While starting a business can be simple, getting customers is a complex undertaking which can be painful sometimes. This is a challenge to startups and multinationals such as Toyota, Coca Cola and Apple, who have the right teams for marketing and customer support. As a startup, you do not have to sit there and wait for people to come and buy your product or service, hopefully. Rather, you must develop a comprehensive strategy to inform people about your product or service and buy it. This is a significant challenge for small businesses because they do not have a recognized brand that people already believe in.

2. Cash flow problems

Small businesses often face the challenge of cash, and entrepreneurs are often afraid to start a business due to this reason. To sustain a startup, you need to spend a lot of cash and engage in various transactions, which can sometimes be challenging. As a startup, therefore, you need to track every transaction and be strict in managing your cash flows. Hire an accountant to help with bookkeeping and in managing your finances.

3. Lead generation

Most businesses face the challenge of lead generation, especially in generating enough leads to satisfy the sales team. Marketers also report that this is a key challenge that business leaders face. Given this problem, it is hard to ensure there is a steady stream of sales and income.

4. Overreliance on one customer

A single, large paying-on-time customer is excellent news for any small business. However, it can also be a major problem. Depending on a single customer for payments makes you appear like a contractor. If they suspend or stop their services, you might end up doing no business at all. While it is important to attract and maintain any customer, you need to find new ones to keep you going when others stop buying from you.

5. Hiring talented employees

Getting the right people to work for your startup is one of the hardest things you may encounter as you start your business. This is a difficult challenge, especially since most quality employees are attracted to bigger brands. According to statistics, 52% of respondents in a CNBC study claimed that the biggest challenge they face is labour quality. This makes it hard for small businesses to get the right people who understand business goals and can work together.

6. Managing workflow

Once you have the right people in place, the next big challenge is to manage the workflow. You must ensure that your team has the right tools and processes to do the right things and work efficiently. This is a problem for startups because some of these processes are new or not tried and tested.

7. Financial planning

 Finances are the backbone of any business. Unfortunately, many small businesses have a problem managing and planning their finances. With this problem, some overspend or fail to use their financial resources prudently, ending their businesses due to cash flow issues. Given this issue, small businesses must find the right planning methods for their finances to last longer in the markets.

Although many potential entrepreneurs have great business ideas, most of them face financial difficulties. This makes starting a small business daunting. Although a great business plan is critical for such a venture, financing is the top element that you need to realize success. Sadly, coming up with the right amount demands discipline and the ability to impress lenders. This may mean that you should have more than one financing option on the table because the traditional lenders have some range they consider before they can fund your idea. If you have a low credit score or lack collateral to give to the lender, there are other alternatives you can try out for your startup. Check these options for small business loans if they can help in your venture.

1. SBA loans

The US Small Business Administration loans program is an amount of up to $50,000 given to small businesses looking to start or expand. The average amount is 13,000 administered by nonprofit community lenders. The SBA loans are easier to qualify for compared to larger loans. However, the key downside is that the funds might not be enough for all borrowers. The SBA’s flagship 7(a) loan program finances borrowers that want to start a business. However, the SBA 7(a) loans are hard to come by. They are given to established businesses with collateral, which can be an asset such as equipment or real estate that can be sold in case of a default. It can also take months to access the loans.

2. Microloans

Microloans allow microlenders and nonprofit lenders to access startup business loans with little complexity, unlike the SBA program.  The microloans are available outside the SBA program and help lenders, mainly those with shaky finances. The majority of microlenders focus on underserved small business owners whom traditional lenders often overlook. The terms for these loans are also better than others because they are given by mission-based organizations. This makes it possible for you to grow your business and establish better credit.

3. Personal loans

As a business owner, you can also access personal loans such as those offered by online lenders. These loans are based on the personal credit history of the borrower. This makes personal loans a competitive option if your small business is too new to qualify for other non-personal loans. They can have high APRs of up to 36%, especially for bad credit borrowers. Therefore, this type of loan is the best option for borrowers with strong personal credit and income.

4. Crowdfunding

This method has become one of the popular methods that small businesses use to raise money. Thanks to various platforms such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo that allow entrepreneurs to solicit cash through online campaigns, you can also do this. Instead of paying back the donors in the future, you give them gifts. Therefore, the online-crowdfunding campaigns are known as rewards-based crowdfunding. This approach is great for business owners who want to test their product or service with a specific customer base without debt.

5. Grants

Small grants targeted at businesses by private foundations and government agencies are another great way of raising funds for your small business. The good thing about these grants is that they are not loans, and therefore they will not be hard to get. The challenge is that it might not be enough for a small business that struggles to start.  

6. Loans from family and friends

This is the most common way of financing startups. It entails borrowing money from friends or family who can lend. However, like a bank, if your credit is bad, you will have to convince them to pay back their money. When exploring this option, find the individuals who understand the risks involved and your plans.

Inventory management software has become increasingly popular among businesses of all sizes. These software platforms offer a wide range of benefits that can help improve forecasting and cut costs. For instance, their ability to keep track of inventory levels, sales, and shipment data allows this software to provide valuable insight into supply chain operations, thus making it easier to identify and address inefficiencies. In this article, we will explore how inventory management software can help businesses improve their forecasting capabilities, reduce operational expenses, and increase revenue.

Inventory Management Software for Forecasting

One of the leading benefits of inventory management software is its ability to help businesses improve their forecasting capabilities. These systems can analyse sales and inventory data over time and identify trends and patterns that can be used to predict future demand. With this ability, businesses can optimize their inventory levels and avoid stockouts or overstocking, which can lead to lost sales and additional expenses.

For example, let's say a business sells seasonal products such as winter coats. Analyzing historical sales data, the software can identify the time of year when demand for coats typically begins to rise. This information can then be used to adjust inventory levels accordingly. This ensures that there is enough stock available to meet customer demand while avoiding excess inventory that may not sell.

Inventory Management Software for Cost Cutting

Aside from improving forecasting capabilities, inventory management software can also help businesses cut costs through operational cost reduction. Thanks to real-time inventory tracking, businesses can avoid overstocking and the associated costs of excess inventory storage, shrinkage, and obsolescence. Some inventory management software solutions also come with integrated barcode scanning and RFID technologies. These technologies make it easier to track inventory items accurately and efficiently.

For example, if a business has a warehouse with several employees, manually tracking inventory levels can be a time-consuming and error-prone process. With barcode scanning or RFID technologies, on the other hand, inventory counts can be performed quickly and accurately, which can save time and reduce the likelihood of errors. This, in turn, can increase operational efficiency and reduce costs associated with time and labor.

Additionally, inventory management software can help reduce the costs of stockouts. With accurate inventory tracking, businesses can ensure that they always have enough stock available to meet customer demand, thus avoiding lost sales and the associated costs of customer dissatisfaction.

Table: Benefits of Inventory Management Software

In conclusion, inventory management software can help businesses improve their forecasting capabilities and cut costs by reducing operational expenses. As observed above, inventory management systems provide real-time inventory tracking, barcode scanning, and RFID integration, which in the end enables businesses to optimize inventory levels, avoid stockouts and overstocking, reduce labor costs, and increase operational efficiency. This will ultimately result in increased revenue, improved customer satisfaction, and a more streamlined supply chain. Therefore, any business that seeks to streamline its inventory management processes and remain competitive in today's market would benefit greatly from the implementation of this software.

The shift to remote work opened up new opportunities for small business owners to access talent outside of their immediate geographical area. However, managing a distributed, remote workforce also comes with unique challenges. As a small business owner, you need strategies and tools in place to communicate effectively, keep employees engaged and productive, and foster company culture from afar. 

Embrace Communication Tools

With employees spread out in different locations, clear, frequent communication becomes even more critical. Leverage the array of technology solutions available to keep everyone connected. 

- Video conferencing tools like Zoom, GoToMeeting and Microsoft Teams allow for face-to-face interactions during meetings and collaboration sessions. Set regular video calls instead of relying solely on email and chat apps. 

- Instant messaging platforms like Slack offer streamlined channels for real-time, organization-wide or small group chats. Employees can easily discuss quick questions or clarifications. 

- Productivity suites like G Suite, Office 365 and Asana provide document sharing, cloud storage, calendars, project management features and more in one centralized platform. 

- Surveys and polls can quickly gather employee feedback so you stay tuned into remote workforce needs. Free tools like SurveyMonkey, Google Forms and Doodle Polls simplify collecting responses.

Prioritize Transparency

With a remote team, making company goals, expectations and priorities transparent is essential for keeping everyone rowing in the same direction. Overcommunicate using the tools above, and avoid assuming employees know the importance of their role and tasks. Clearly state responsibilities, objectives and instructions. 

Promote Work-Life Balance

Without office interactions and visibility into home lives, it can be difficult to promote healthy work-life balance across a remote team. Set core hours when you expect general availability instead of demanding 24/7 efforts. Discourage overworking with burnout-prevention policies allowing sufficient break times and enforcing vacation policies. Foster work flexibility for better integrating professional and personal life. 

Focus on Output Over Hours

Tying performance reviews and assessments to actual output rather than hours worked or facetime in the office motivates remote employees with greater autonomy. Set clear deliverables and deadlines, then evaluate based on quality of work instead of time spent online or reaching inbox zero. Output-focused management better aligns with remote work autonomy. 

Prioritize Cybersecurity 

With increased remote access comes higher cybersecurity risks. Protect sensitive company and customer data with cybersecurity policies enforced through tools like password managers for strong credentials, multi-factor authentication, VPNs for secure connections, and endpoint protection software to block threats. Set data compliance rules for how remote employees store, transfer and share files.

Invest in Professional Development 

Out of sight employees can mean out of mind for development opportunities. Actively invest time and funds into upskilling remote staff with access to online courses, skill development platforms like LinkedIn Learning and Gale Courses, and virtual workshops or conferences in their field. Offer to cover costs for relevant certifications or accreditations as well. 

Encourage Collaboration and Connectedness

With fewer organic opportunities for informal chats and team building, you need to foster connectedness across distributed employees. Use video calls instead of just email and chat apps whenever possible. Schedule regular video lunches, virtual coffee breaks or online social events. Create dedicated channels on chat platforms for both social and professional discussions and sharing. Recognize great work with mailed care packages or e-gift cards. 

Managing a productive and satisfied remote workforce as a small business owner requires embracing the latest collaborative technologies while focusing on transparent communication, output-based performance, cybersecurity policies and professional development. With deliberate strategies supporting work flexibility and employee connectedness, small businesses can unlock growth opportunities through remote employees.

In today's competitive market, small businesses are always looking for ways to boost growth and improve customer satisfaction. One tool that has gained popularity in recent years is chatbots. Chatbots enable small businesses to engage with their customer base through various platforms such as chat widgets, messenger apps, and websites. This availability enhances customer satisfaction and boosts conversion rates.

One of the key advantages of using chatbots for small businesses is their cost-effectiveness. Often, small businesses face limitations in terms of resources and budget. Chatbots can significantly reduce costs by handling simple customer questions and leaving more complex tasks to human agents. This allows businesses to allocate their resources more efficiently and focus on other important aspects of their operations.

Furthermore, chatbots have the power to transform small businesses by automating tasks, improving customer service, and increasing sales. With their ability to handle customer queries and collect contact information, chatbots act as virtual assistants, available anytime and anywhere. They can provide quick responses to customer inquiries, ensuring that customers feel valued and heard. Moreover, chatbots can collect customer data which can then be used for targeted marketing campaigns and personalized customer experiences.

To maximize the benefits of chatbots, it is important for small business owners to have the right approach and a well-planned strategy. By investing in chatbot solutions, businesses can enhance their customer experience, boost efficiency, and propel their growth. Small business owners who embrace chatbot tools today will not only streamline their operations but also position themselves for success in an ever-competitive market.

In addition to cost-effectiveness and improved customer service, chatbots also offer various other advantages for small businesses. One such advantage is the ability to offer multilingual service without the need for multilingual agents. With the use of artificial intelligence, chatbots can communicate in different languages, allowing businesses to reach a wider customer base and cater to diverse audiences.

Moreover, chatbots can direct customers to relevant information and resources, saving them time and effort. They can assist customers in finding products or services, offering recommendations based on their preferences and needs. This personalized approach helps in building trust and loyalty among customers, ultimately driving sales and business growth. This personalized approach helps in building trust and loyalty among customers, ultimately driving sales and business growth. 

By understanding individual needs and preferences, businesses can tailor their products or services to meet specific customer requirements. This creates a sense of value and importance, as customers feel heard and appreciated. As a result, they are more likely to develop a long-term relationship with the brand, leading to repeat purchases and positive word-of-mouth recommendations.

A personalized approach also allows businesses to anticipate customer needs and provide proactive solutions. By analyzing customer data and behavior, companies can offer targeted recommendations or personalized promotions. This not only enhances the customer experience but also increases the chances of upselling or cross-selling additional products or services.

Moreover, personalization fosters a stronger emotional connection between customers and the brand. When customers receive personalized communication, such as personalized emails or targeted advertisements, they feel understood and valued. This emotional bond translates into greater customer loyalty, as individuals are more likely to stick with a brand that has taken the time to know and cater to their unique preferences.

In addition, personalized approaches often result in improved customer satisfaction. By addressing individual needs, businesses can ensure that their products or services meet specific requirements, reducing the chances of customer dissatisfaction or post-purchase regrets. Satisfied customers are more likely to become brand advocates, sharing their positive experiences with friends, family, and colleagues, further expanding the customer base and driving sales growth.

Overall, personalization is a powerful strategy for building trust, loyalty, and sales growth. By tailoring experiences and offerings to individual customers, businesses can create a strong competitive advantage, fostering lasting relationships, and driving long-term business success.

In conclusion, utilizing chatbots to improve customer service can be a game-changer for small businesses. By leveraging their capabilities to automate tasks, enhance customer experience, and increase sales, chatbots enable businesses to thrive in a competitive market. Small business owners who embrace chatbot solutions today position themselves for success, leaving their customers delighted and their competition in the dust. With the right approach and strategy, chatbots can take small businesses to new heights, revolutionizing the way they [1][2]

Collaboration tools have revolutionized the way work gets done in modern organizations. With these tools, small businesses can enhance productivity, improve communication, and streamline workflows by simply adopting and using these tools to their advantage. Through collaboration software, small business teams can effectively collaborate with coworkers, remote contractors, and clients, creating a virtual office space that facilitates seamless teamwork.

The leading benefit of collaboration tools is increased productivity. With the help of tools like Asana, Slack, and Trello, teams can efficiently manage tasks, track progress, and set deadlines. This ensures that projects are completed on time. These tools provide a centralized platform for team members to collaborate, discuss ideas, and share files, eliminating the need for lengthy email threads and reducing the risk of important information getting lost in the shuffle.

Collaboration tools provide small businesses with the opportunity to leverage their existing apps and systems. Integration with popular tools like Dropbox and Google Drive, allows for seamless file sharing and document collaboration. With these tools, businesses can not only enhance productivity but also save time and effort by eliminating the need to switch between different platforms.

Apart from enhancing productivity for businesses, collaboration tools also offer enhanced security. With proper use of these tools, small businesses can equally minimize the risk of cyber threats and malware attacks, which are known to cause a lot of problems for modern organizations. Collaboration platforms provide a secure environment for communication, minimizing the chances of hackers using email addresses to launch malware attacks disguised as legitimate senders. This helps safeguard the company's sensitive data and ensures the privacy of confidential information.

Furthermore, collaboration tools help businesses regardless of their size in promoting effective communication and collaboration among team members, no matter their physical location. This means that remote workers and contractors can easily connect with their teammates, enabling real-time communication and seamless collaboration. With features like chat functions, video conferencing, and project management capabilities provided by collaboration tools and platforms available today, these tools break down the barriers of distance and time zones, allowing small business teams to work together effectively, no matter where they are located.

Additionally, collaboration tools encourage transparency and accountability within the team. Through the help of these tools, each team member can access the shared platform and track the progress of tasks. This is critical in ensuring that everyone is on the same page and deadlines are met. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, leading to increased engagement and motivation among team members.

Lastly, collaboration tools are user-friendly and easy to navigate, requiring minimal training for team members to start using them effectively. Platforms like Asana, Slack, and Trello offer intuitive interfaces and visual appeal, making them accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise. This ensures a seamless transition to using collaboration tools and minimizes any potential resistance or learning curve within the team.

In conclusion, collaboration tools offer numerous benefits for small business teams. From increased productivity to enhanced communication, streamlined workflows, and improved security, these tools have the potential to transform the way small businesses operate. By embracing collaboration tools, small businesses can enhance teamwork, streamline processes, and ultimately achieve their goals more efficiently. In today's fast-paced and technology-driven business landscape, collaboration tools are no longer a luxury but a necessity for small businesses striving to stay competitive and thrive in the digital age.

According to Small Business Trends, the federal American Rescue Grant continues to provide grants to small businesses. 

The economic stimulus grants provide small businesses can be the difference between staying open and closing entirely. Even before the pandemic, small business grants offered great opportunities to keep operating as well as support growth with strategic funding. 

 Read the article Small Business Trends

Running your own business can be hectic for many business owners. For small business owners, however, having all the responsibility to all operations, including successes and failures, can be detrimental to one’s health. Sadly, health among small business owners has not been taken seriously as it should despite the economic significance of such businesses to society and the economy. The mental health of small business leaders leads to a healthy working environment. It also leads to effective teams that are characterized by respect and trust in one another.

Large corporations with complex and well-structured succession plans can hardly be affected by health issues that may affect their leaders. The well-laid down succession plan ensures that in the absence of the CEO, operations run without hitches. Unlike big multinationals whose operations cannot be affected by the health issues among those in the high offices, poor health among the leaders of small businesses can end operations and render employees jobless. The simple structure of a small business is risky, and the impact of the demise of a CEO is unimaginable. With an instant disease or a condition such as a heart attack, everything can go down the drain since everything revolves around an individual. From this, it is evident that health is the greatest capital of small business owners. The smaller the firm, the higher the vulnerability in case the owner develops health complications, either physical or mental.

The health of such business owners may have damaging consequences not only for those that have been employed but can also impact those that depend on them entirely. For example, the family members who rely on the owners can also be significantly impacted. Similarly, health problems among the personnel and family members can destabilize operations and how the business runs. Small business owners face many challenges that often affect their mental wellbeing. According to a Danish study, there is a significant link between entering entrepreneurship and receiving prescriptions for sedative or hypnotics and/or their spouses. This is a clear suggestion that entering entrepreneurship is a health risk as it is a potential source of stress for entrepreneurs and their family members.

Many studies have found out that stress level among the business owners is higher than those of the employed. The always conflicting issues such as ambiguity in the business environment, lack of adequate resources, and daily hassles as well as failure to clarify roles increase stress and the possibility of health complications. Work overload is another factor that many small business owners face and may result in a complication. Entrepreneurs often work for more than 50 hours a week. Working for long hours, including weekends doing intensive tasks, is a potential cause of stress. 

Uncertainty is often identified as another factor that can cause health problems among self-employed individuals. The fast-changing business environment is always a concern for entrepreneurs who are always worried about their businesses in case things do not go as planned. These owners have many things to worry about, including their employees, government regulations, and reduction in profits, all of which determines the success of their businesses.  Loneliness of business owners also results in burnouts, which in itself is a potential contributor to mental health. Loneliness can be harmful in an environment where difficult decisions are to be taken, such as firing or hiring employees.

As seen above, health issues among the small business owners have severe spillover effects on those they employ and their families. Unlike CEOs of large companies that have a proper succession plan, health challenges among small business owners can cripple operations. As such, it is crucial to always stay ahead by addressing potential causes of health problems before they manifest into catastrophes.

Even before the coronavirus pandemic struck and sank the world’s economy, retiring at the age of 65 was already becoming a hot topic among many professionals. Now that the pandemic has impaired many businesses, both small and large plans of many organizations are in shambles. One of the areas that have been significantly affected is retirement. Business owners that were planning to retire are now forced to rethink. This could mean that the retirement age is likely to fall further as employees try to pick up from where they left once the economy reopens and the pandemic eases.

Although the recovery is expected to happen sooner or later, it may take some time. This is if the 2007-2009 recession is an example to go by. The recovery time can even be longer considering the severity of COVID-19 compared to the recession witnessed in 2009. As such, many small business owners may be tempted to consider selling their businesses rather than waiting for things to get better.

A study by StreetWise Retirement Confidence Index in May indicated that 26% of those interviewed stated that they would postpone their retirement plans after the coronavirus. Their decision is due to the economic conditions that the virus has caused. As damaging as they may seem, the decision is not surprising, given the uncertainty and fear that the pandemic has caused in many industries in different countries. The uncertainties have had an impact on the financial strategies of organizations and have forced many businesses to change their priorities. Another study by Allianz Life Insurance Company found out that almost half of Americans interviewed went into early retirement for reasons beyond their control. One of the reasons that were cited in the research is job loss. This was cited by 34% of the respondents, while 25% cited health challenges as their primary reason for retiring early. As an entrepreneur or employee who is willing to persevere and try their best to achieve their dreams, all is not lost. Taking some steps can enhance value and build your business so that you can sell more and retire as you planned or even early.

Creativity is one of the ways that can help you remain open in the current era of uncertainty. As a business owner, try your best to find creative ways that can adapt to the changes in the business environment. One way you can do this is by adding other services that will replace the revenue that has been lost. For example, as a restaurant owner, you can supplement the revenue lot by ordering food and selling them. This will create a new stream of income and increase profits even when other sources of revenue are not doing well enough.

A good rapport with banks is also crucial to businesses. Regardless of the size of your organization, always ensure that you have a good relationship with financial institutions. Having a wrong sense of security will only deceive you, and you will not have anyone to turn to in case things become tough. With the right relationship, you will have someone to run to for loans when the revenue stream dries up, and you need additional funds to keep running. Always ask yourself, is my bank relationship stable? If the answer is yes, then you are in the right place.

Coming up with a transition plan is another approach that you must consider. Just because you are delaying your retirement plans does not mean that you should not establish a transition plan. Take time to build a working transition plan that will not leave your organization in chaos when the right time comes. Most business owners lack a proper transition plan. This leads to a lack of focus on what is needed for a business to operate successfully.

It’s a good strategy to be forward-thinking and plan for the future, so now is a fine time to consider future vacation ideas. Not only will you have something exciting to look forward to, but you may need a longer lead time to put one of these plans in motion.

There are few places on Earth that are more remote, exotic, and accessible as Hawaii. With direct flights from almost all major US cities, and no passport required, Hawaii is a great destination to feel like you have left the monotony of day-to-day life behind. What’s even more exciting about getting to the most far-flung US State is that there are multiple islands, with 4 very different vacation styles for every taste. The big island offers no shortage of adventures, from walking across a volcano to snorkeling with sea turtles and manta rays, to tropical hikes with breathtaking waterfalls. Oahu provides the familiar hustle and bustle of city life with picturesque beaches. Maui is the most popular destination, with relaxing beaches and lively nightlife both. Finally, Kawaii is the most relaxing and serene of the islands.

If you prefer to stay in the continental US, the Southwest has plenty of adventure! From riding dune buggies through the desert to a train ride to the Grand Canyon, there is a right-pace adventure for everyone. Relax in a hot air balloon over Albuquerque or relive the old west with a trip through Tombstone, Arizona and other gold-rush towns. Few images are as inspiring as a desert sunset over the mountains, and once the sun goes down, the action never stops in Las Vegas.

Stretching along the Coast, there’s many options for a memorable vacation. Traveling to New England may seem like quite a change of pace, but there is plenty to keep one busy from Maine down to Connecticut along the coast. Enjoy a lobster dinner on the oceanside, hike through some of the nations oldest states and national forests, and get lost in miles of winding roads. Boston or Portland make perfect bases of operation to go a few hours north to the backwoods of Maine or to enjoy the finest foods from a wide variety of different cultures right in Boston or Providence.

While you won’t be able to enjoy an ocean view, the Midwest offers plenty of excitement as well. The mighty Mississippi touches 10 different states, each one with different scenery to enjoy. Whether you’re up for rugged hiking in Minnesota or a leisurely cruise on the river in Louisiana, the Mississippi River has dozens of perfect destinations along it’s 2320 miles. St. Louis boasts some of the region’s best museums while Memphis, Tennessee is a must-see for Elvis fans everywhere.

No matter where your interests take you, across our vast nation, there are ideal vacation destinations to be had. From coast to coast, you can’t go wrong planning your vacation in any region. Take your mind off any current worries, let your dreams loose, and plan ahead.