According to the US Small Business Association (SBA), a small business is a privately-owned and operated business with a small scale of trade and a small number of employees, depending on the industry. A small business can be an LLC, partnership, or sole proprietorship. There are...
A work-life balance involves a lot more than simply dividing working time and personal time equally. The concept is often viewed as a philosophy that determines many aspects of a person’s life. In order for it to succeed, both employers and employees must make an effort to create...
You’ve made it past the application process and the initial screening and you’ve been invited to an interview. It’s normal to be nervous, especially if you have limited experience in selling yourself. There are a few unwritten rules that apply for all interviews. As soon as you...
Keeping track of taxes in the US isn’t exactly a piece of cake. There are so many types of taxes that it’s difficult to know which ones apply to you and your business. If you don’t file your taxes correctly with the IRS, it could result in penalties, which could cost your...
Customer care is one of the corner stones of a successful company – whether you are running an online store or offering bank accounts. Even smaller companies can benefit from the use of CRM tools, which help to organize customer- or buyer data. These software systems automate and...
Before a business idea can be implemented, it is necessary to create a business plan. This serves as the founder’s roadmap, and summarizes all necessary information about planning and finances. However, the business plan is also highly relevant for investors as well as potential...
Running your own business can be a challenge, as well as highly rewarding. Having to deal with paperwork often seems like a necessary evil, but preparing yourself for individual steps can help break it down. Registering your business need not be stressful – we’ve got a guide here on how to register your business to help you along the way!
Managing a company without having to take responsibility for your assets? This is possible with a limited liability company (LLC) and this is the reason that many business owners in the US choose this legal structure. We explain what an LLC is, its hierarchy, as well as naming some of the advantages and disadvantages of this kind of business structure.
What does the future look like for your product and services? The BCG matrix is a simple tool that helps you make your decision: should you invest in a business unit or not? We explain the individual zones of the portfolio matrix and use an example to illustrate how to set up the BCG matrix.
Companies often work together despite being in competition with one another – in many fields and in many forms. The joint venture is one of these strategic cooperation models and enables cooperating companies to strengthen their joint presence in the global business world and to survive in a competition. But what does joint venture actually mean? What types of joint ventures are there? What are...
Brainstorming is a technique applied simultaneously by a group of people allowing to form numerous ideas on any given topic in a short time and at a high rate. Apart from the need to keep up with all the brainstorming rules, good preparation on part of the group host is also important, if the group is to achieve a maximum possible output from its members. Read our guide to find out what...
“Flat hierarchies” are a common refrain of many companies when it comes to recruiting. This means short chains of command, wide control spans, and democratic decision-making. This kind of a loose organizational structure has a reputation for motivating employees and therefore increasing their productivity. But not every company is suited to the concept. For more complex companies, it may be...
Mind maps are the preferred method of tapping into the creative power of the human brain for those with particularly intelligent minds. Usually, people simply reach for a pen and paper but are soon confronted with the limitations of these traditional tools. Digital mind mapping tools are the next step: presenting complex idea structures and concepts is not just faster and easier, the end result...
When work piles up, there is no way around it: prioritizing tasks is part of the daily work of a good company head or team leader. But if everything already had to be done yesterday, it can be difficult to define a clear structure. Proven concepts for how to prioritize such as the Eisenhower principle and the 80:20 rule can bring order into workload chaos. Everything begins with pen and paper –...
Are you a manager, leader or expert? Each of these guidance styles fulfils a particular purpose and should be used according to the situation. In order to lead to the best of your ability, and motivate your team to achieve goals, you should select and consistently adhere to a management style. Each type of leadership has its own strengths and weaknesses. Here, you can read what these are and when...
