| November 30, 2012 |
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- How to assemble an advisory board
Lonny Thiessen's company, which is involved in steel fabrication and manufacturing, is on track to generate $60 million in revenue this year, but Thiessen wants some advice about how best to run the company. He intends to put together an advisory board but isn't sure where to start. "We want help from some people who have been there and done that before," said Thiessen, who is only 26 years old. Experts recommend reaching out to organizations that might be able to help and to look for candidates that mesh with the company's culture. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (tiered subscription model)
(11/28)      
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- How to write news releases that boost your SEO
You can make your news releases more effective for search engine optimization by sticking to a standard structure that includes a headline, introduction, body text and boilerplate, Aaron Aders of Slingshot SEO writes. Include multimedia attachments if possible, but avoid peppering your release with an overwhelming number of links, he recommends. "Using too many links can make a press release appear 'spammy,'" he writes. Inc. online/SEO Heroes blog (free registration)
(11/28)
- Avoiding B2B social ignores the buying-cycle reality
Most of the B2B buying cycle has passed before prospects have made contact with a company. That's one of the reasons social media is so important, even if it is unlikely to involve millions of fans. Making an offer at the end of a blog post is a simple way of deriving leads from the social sphere, and aligning your social media with the overarching business goal for doing it -- sales or lead-generation -- will determine what you need to measure, Jeffrey Cohen writes. SocialMediaB2B.com
(11/28)
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- Phrases that flow easily from the mouths of great leaders
The business world is full of examples of leaders who have failed because of their self-interested nature so it's a good idea to focus on being humble, Steve Tobak writes. Leaders should learn to say they're sorry, admit they don't have all the answers and be willing to take responsibility for mistakes. "Leaders who make excuses are poor excuses for leaders," he writes. CBS MoneyWatch
(11/27)
- 6 tips for collaborating with another business
You might be able to grow your business by teaming with other companies, which can allow you to handle larger projects or offer more service options, Nadia Goodman writes. You can forge an effective partnership by understanding your company's strengths and weaknesses, and by setting clear rules for the collaboration. "Communication gets difficult when people have different expectations," said Michelle Thompson-Dolberry, an adviser for American Express OPEN. Entrepreneur online/The Daily Dose blog
(11/29)
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- What to do when the IRS comes calling
Small-business owners hit with an IRS audit should keep in mind four simple steps, CPA Kemberley Washington writes. First, if the IRS claims the business losses are for a hobby instead of a legitimate business, dispute that with evidence of your firm's marketing plan, past profits or other strategy. Second, use an audit as a chance to claim deductions you might have missed such as mileage. Other tips: Use nontraditional means to substantiate deductions and consider getting professional help. Fox Business
(11/28)
- Don't fixate on price when selecting an insurance policy
Insurance policies differ in substantive ways so you should consider more than just price when selecting a coverage option. "[O]ne insurance policy is not going to cover the exact same risks to [the] same extent as a policy from another carrier even if they call the policy the same exact name," he writes. Small Business Trends
(11/29)
- Ditch the jargon to improve your communications
Ditch the business jargon, stay calm and actively listen to effectively communicate with clients and employees, Jessica Edmondson writes. Also, stay calm and civil, and don't be reactive if the talks are over high-stakes topics. Most importantly, put your phone away and silence e-mail notifications so full attention can be given to the meeting, she explains. ThoughtLeaders blog
(11/28)
 | [L]isten to your gut, not your ego."
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