Small Business Resource

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Jonathan Ross of Black Rock Consulting offers a myriad of services specifically for small businesses. Below is a description of what he can do for you from Jonathan himself.

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I’m a small business owner and operator with a boutique Business and Communications Consulting practice. I offer an integrated suite of services that at the core, focus on my ability to objectively analyze situations and markets following diligent research; to identify, articulate and hone creative solutions within a definable strategic framework; to efficiently operate on a tactical level to ensure that the necessary work gets done; and finally, to invest myself in the client’s success by serving as a business advocate and sounding board where appropriate.

My project management background provides real value to business owners because I am capable of implementing solutions and not simply making suggestions which may or may not be acted upon. I can provide very tangible value in guiding business owners through the often confusing digital media landscape, ensuring that they are not taken advantage of by unscrupulous vendors and/or developers that fail to understand the importance of establishing a clear methodology, such as developing written Business Requirements which support the actual business objectives and subsequently creating both Functional and Technical Specifications that guide all subsequent development and production efforts.

Writen by Robin J. Elliott

When you have a service or a product that is bought many times over, it makes sense to pay to get a new customer. For example, I showed a hair salon owner client of mine how to invite high-end potential clients for a hair free cut and blow wave. His cost was negligible; however 82% of them were so impressed with the quality of his work that they became regular customers. A Tree Surgeon may offer a free service in order to obtain long-term customers. An accountant or lawyer may offer a free initial consultation.

Combine the above with a Joint Venture and you can create the opportunity to access a large base of potential customers, especially if you have a consumable product. If your research and experience shows that most people who try your product go on to consume it on a regular basis over a period of time, why not ask JV partners to advertise your product and keep 100% of the first sale income for their trouble? Or they might want to give it away to their clients as a gesture of thanks for loyal patronage. The clients who like it can be directed to make all future purchases from you.

YES, WE CAN!

Writen by Larry Galler

One week after the recent announcement of heightened airport security I had to take a flight. I heard about long waits going through security so I arrived at the airport two hours before my flight. Naturally, when one arrives with plenty of time, there is no one in line but if you arrive late it seems as if everyone in the world is going somewhere that day. I whisked through security and had plenty of time to sit and observe. As much as everyone likes to complain about air travel I’m always in wonder that something as complex as an airport let alone the entire air travel industry, actually works as well as it does.

So there I was, observing a microcosm of the air travel industry. A little while after I arrived, two crewmembers arrived. Little by little, other crew arrived. They introduced themselves to each other. It was apparent that none of the crew had met each other before. Yet, as I boarded the plane, I was aware of how well they worked together as a practiced, coordinated team.

Writen by Nola Redd

At first glance, you wouldn’t think the park would have anything to do with a small business. I’d like you to take a deeper look, however.

I recently became quite perturbed regarding the lack of sidewalks on Henderson Road. I live directly across the street from the Henderson soccer fields, which backs up ? via some lovely wooded trails ? to Henderson park. On the west side, which crosses over 285, there are sidewalks. On the east side, which leads to downtown Tucker, there are not. In fact, the street leading towards Tucker not only carries a great deal of traffic but has an almost nonexistent curb.

I penned a journal entry berating the lack of accessibility to the park from the plethora of nearby neighborhoods. I ranted on the growing obesity problem in America. Only after I completed the journal entry did I realize the effect the lack of sidewalks has on Tucker small businesses.

Despite its close proximity to Atlanta, Tucker still carries that small town feeling. Local renovations will heighten that sense. And the quantity of small store fronts only adds to the feeling.

One of the key ways for entrepreneurs and small businesses to succeed is to connect and share knowledge with others in their field. Increasingly, this is being done online using social networking websites.

RedWire is one such online community devoted solely to entrepreneurs and small businesses. It is a place to connect with other entrepreneurs for collaborative knowledge sharing, and a tool to expand your contacts and draw upon a greater pool of resources.

RedWire allows you to create a profile, list events and groups, and access content from experts in all areas of business.

You can check out the community at Redwire Nation

Writen by Audrey Hoffman

It seems so long ago that I started my first business. Since that time, I’ve created several successful businesses and learned a lot of lessons along the way. There are several things I wish I would have known in the early days of my entrepreneurial efforts that I hope will help some other first time entrepreneurs on their path to success.

You’ll Work Harder for Yourself than You Ever Have for a Boss

If you think owning your own business is simple or means you get to lounge around all day long, think again. While this may be an end result after a lot of hard work, it will certainly not be the beginning of your business. You will work long hours, long nights and at times you’ll feel overwhelmed at the amount of effort owning your own business can take. But, also know that owning your own business and working hard for yourself can be one of the most satisfying feelings of your life.

Don’t Confuse Setbacks with Failures

They say there is no successful business owner who hasn’t failed with at least one business before they started the one that “struck gold”. It is important that you take each failure you encounter on your path to success as an opportunity to learn something.

Writen by Bette Daoust, Ph.D.

What are the best methods for keeping a good business relationship?

Once you have a business relationship in place, you need to work on that relationship to keep it intact. As a matter of fact, people nurture their business relationships more than they do their families! The first and most obvious method is to follow up with questions and requests in a timely manner. This rapid response to queries does more for the relationship than sending out regular information. Customers or business partners are really impressed with response rates.

Can you imagine asking a person in a retail store a question about the product you are about to purchase and they say they will get back to you in a minute but actually finish their phone call, chat with a few others in the store and then start another project before getting around to the answer. It is likely you would walk out on such a situation. The same is true when forming solid relationships with customers and partners. The sooner you respond, the more it is likely that they will want to do business with you.

Likewise, the partner will need to nurture the relationship. Relationships are two-way streets.