Business Information for Entrepreneurs by an Entrepreneur

Many new business owners become overwhelmed with all the computer software packages and options that are necessary just to perform everyday tasks. Accounting, word processing, scheduling, and a host of other administrative duties all need to be completed through software programs.

However, buying dozens of different software packages becomes expensive, and learning how to use them is time-consuming. Is there a way that a new business owner can utilize software packages without all the hassle?

The answer is yes, if you look to Google for help on their Google Apps Marketplace. Here you can find almost every business software application you need, and all are easily run via your browser through an internet connection. And the good news is that most of them are free!

Here is a short glance at what you can find:

• Accounting - Take advantage of free accounting and finance applications, including full accounting cycle, asset management, customer billing, and payroll.

• Customer Management - Free applications are available to help you keep your customer and client contacts organized.

• Productivity - Through Google Apps Management, you can find a host of applications to help with your productivity. Create and organize folders. Schedule and share appointments and calendar. Use conferencing software to meet clients via the web. A variety of project management apps is available to help you create, share, assign, and manage your projects with ease and confidence.

• Sales - Need to create a slideshow sales presentation? No problem. How about a newsletter or subscriber management program? Got it. Or even a program that can help you design, deliver, and analyze a survey? They are all at Google Apps Management.

• Administrative - In addition to all the great business software apps you can find at Google App Marketplace, you also have choices of apps to make administrative tasks even easier, such as document management and sharing, file backup, calendars and reminders, and even web security.

Now there is no reason to complain about the high cost of software applications for your small business. Browse through Google App Marketplace and see if there apps here that can help you operate more efficiently

You've heard the saying, "do what you love and the money will follow." If you have a hobby that you love, it could turn into a regular business for you. In a slumping economic climate, many people who are laid off or unemployed find that starting a business out of a hobby is the right thing to do at the right time.

Here are some tips to think about as you prepare your hobby to become a business.

Write a Business Plan

Priority number one is to write a business plan. If you truly want to go pro with your hobby, it's time to stop treating it as a hobby and make it a business. That means having a written business plan that will give you direction. Even if you don't have all elements necessary, such as full market research and 5-year financial projections, you can still compose a business plan that gives your business vision and direction.

Register Your Business

Get your business registered with all the necessary paperwork. Apply for an IRS tax ID number. This will help give your business legitimacy, and it may even be necessary when opening a business bank account. Research and acquire all necessary licenses from local governments, such as a city business license. And don't forget about permits, if necessary, if your business is light manufacturing.

Separate Personal and Business Accounts

Open a separate business bank account. This is absolutely necessary to separate your business finances from personal. Use business checks for expenses and a separate account or other accounting software to track your income and expenses.

Insure Your Business

Insurance is a necessary evil. Do you own and use expensive equipment for your new business? Do you perform services for clients? Business insurance will protect your business property from financial loss due to theft or damage. Liability will help ensure that you have coverage in case a client should ever file a lawsuit against you.

Market, Market, Market

Once you're in business, you need customers and clients to stay in business. Create a website. Use every contact in your network to get the word out about your business. Post free ads on Craigslist. Purchase paid advertising in newspapers. Form joint ventures with other business owners.

With the right footwork, you can indeed turn your passion and hobbies into a lucrative business!

We've all heard about the federal stimulus package that has dollars earmarked for helping small businesses. But what about your local community? With the federal government recognizing that small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, what is your city doing to help your small business grow and succeed through economic downtimes?

According to a recent New York Times article, many cities and states are stepping up to the plate and offering to help small businesses succeed. What are they doing to help?

San Francisco

To help reduce the unemployment rate, the city of San Francisco is offering a 100% hiring subsidy for small businesses who hire certain new employees. That means the city will pay the wages of new employees, as long as the small business owner pays the regular Social Security and unemployment insurance. The stipulation is that the new employee must have been unemployed for at least 30 days prior to hire. Through the program, San Francisco has helped hire over 1,800 employees.

Cleveland

Cleveland is attempting to encourage consumers to spend money locally. They have set up a website where local small businesses offer special offers and discounts for northeast Ohioans. So far over 300 small businesses have signed up, and about two dozen more sign up each month. The result? Over the last six months, they have recognized a 40% increase in purchasing activity through the website deals.

Connecticut

The state of Connecticut is helping manufacturing businesses through grants. Small manufacturing firms can obtain grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 through the Connecticut Small Business Innovation and Research Office. Companies must be a locally registered manufacturing plant (and plan to keep it in the state) and provide at least three years of financial data.

North Carolina

And if you live in the state of North Carolina, you could get free financial advice for your small business. Since the fall of 2009, the program, called BizBoost, has helped over 158 small businesses with cash flow advice, money management strategies, and even lining up financing. Typical businesses who receive help have about 10 employees or less.

Check with your local government, both city and state, and find out how you can receive help for your small business. All it may take is a phone call or simply filling out an application.