One of the toughest decisions when running a small business is determining when it’s time to get an extra set of hands. Sure, sole proprietorships require an almost fanatical focus on managing costs to help boost profits, and you might wince at the idea of spending any money at all elsewhere. Even so, there still comes… Read more »

Perhaps the most discouraging form of feedback that online sellers receive comes from customers angry over being shipped products broken in transit. Along with being disappointing for both parties, it can be doubly upsetting because it’s so entirely preventable. I once sold a three-piece set of nesting Italian terracotta serving bowls with a smooth, white glaze. I placed some newspaper… Read more »

You’re going, going, going all through the busy holiday season. If sales are up and your process is running smoothly, you surely have a friendly wind at your back. But what if things are a bit bumpy? What if you’re working yourself in circles but aren’t getting the results you want? When failed expectations combine… Read more »

When shopping during the gift-giving season, shoppers may be wary of what they might get—and when they might get it. So step up to ease their minds and take the worry out of their Yuletide buying. Here are four golden rules you can use to deliver some comfort and joy for your customers, giving them the… Read more »

It’s always a good idea to take a step back, evaluate how you’re doing, and set attainable goals (especially before the busy holiday season hits). But you can’t improve what you don’t measure, so it’s important to see where you stand and get a game plan in action. A good place to start? See if… Read more »

2016 went by fast, didn’t it? And it’s about to go by even faster. So take a minute to see how you’ve done so far and how ready you’ll be to energetically tackle the last—and busiest part of 2016. Not feeling motivated? It could be due to fatigue or doubt regarding whether you can reach… Read more »