| December 20, 2012 |
| CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF |  |  |
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- Find and fix what's wrong with your business
Much like a doctor evaluating a patient, it's important to take a methodical approach as you seek to determine what's wrong with your company, writes Dave Logan. You should analyze the strategy, culture, structure and processes of your business. "You want to pay attention to the factor that is working the least well," he writes. CBS MoneyWatch
(12/19)      
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- How to evaluate a prospective PR agency
When choosing a PR agency to manage your brand, it's important to evaluate the team you will be working with, writes Alex Honeysett. It's a good idea to have "at least one industry expert on your team who has strong relationships with the journalists and influencers you're targeting," she advises. Also, make sure you understand the payment terms and how the firm will track the results of its outreach efforts. TheDailyMuse.com
(12/19)
- WordPress plug-ins can help kick your content marketing into high gear
If you're looking to enhance your content-marketing efforts, WordPress plug-ins such as Yoast SEO, Disqus and Digg Digg may be able to help, writes Mary Ellen Slayter. For example, Digg Digg "allows visitors to share the information they find on your website through Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, Twitter and any other social media outlets you choose," she writes. RepCapitalMedia.com
(12/19)
 |  | Selling your business? Here are 7 things you should do now.
If you're considering selling your business, you should be doing everything you can to get the best possible price. In just 7 simple steps you can improve your chances of attracting buyers and getting big bucks for your business. Read the article and learn the 7 steps. |
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| Management |  |
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- How to conquer your controlling tendencies
If you feel the need to control other people, it could be because you are letting your anxiety run your life, writes Shelley Prevost, co-founder of Lamp Post Group. You might be a control freak if you micromanage other people or are overly judgmental, she notes. "Rather than attempt to control everyone else, work on becoming a better version of yourself," she advises. Inc. online (free registration)
(12/17)
- The benefits of workplace wellness programs
The majority of executives say workplace wellness programs are good for business, according to a study conducted by the Alliance for a Healthier Minnesota. If you want to set up a wellness program at your company, you should choose a leader, get your insurance company involved and create a program that meets the needs of your employees, Rieva Lesonsky writes. Small Business Trends
(12/19)
|  | Whitepaper: SDN: How do you get there from here?
Are the growing data needs of mobile, cloud, big data and social threatening today's enterprise networks? Scalable processes, a phased integration approach and the appetite to optimize over time are key components of a modern network. It's how agile organizations prepare for the data needs of tomorrow.
Explore the whitepaper to start down the path toward SDN. |
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| Money | |
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- Small-business tax moves before 2013
Small businesses can make some tax-saving moves in the last weeks before the new year. Among them: accelerate expenses, make charitable contributions, add to your retirement fund and consider whether to apply for the health care tax credit. NetworkSolutions.com
(12/18)
- It's hard to say how many small businesses would be affected by tax increases
President Barack Obama wants to allow tax rates to rise for people who earn more than $400,000 a year; Speaker of the House John Boehner has suggested using $1 million as the threshold for tax increases. The impact of either proposal is hard to judge, but some small businesses probably would be affected. Raising rates for those who make more than $500,000 could affect 750,000 small-business owners, according to research by the Treasury Department. The Wall Street Journal
(12/19)
|  | The ROI of Privacy with TRUSTe Solutions
Investment in a Data Privacy Management Platform can deliver significant, positive financial returns for corporate bottom lines. The "Total Economic Impact (TEI) of TRUSTe" Study explains how Forrester Analysts calculated a 151% ROI for TRUSTe customers. Download the study now. |
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- How to expand a niche business
One problem with starting a niche business is that you may have limited room for growth, but there could be more opportunities than you realize. It's important to create a quality product, challenge conventional wisdom and be ready when opportunities arise. "Chance happens to everybody and you have to be on the lookout all the time," said Durval Tavares, co-founder of Aquabotix. Inc. online (free registration)/Techtown blog
(12/18)
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- It's the end of the world as we know it
The world is due to end Dec. 21, according to one interpretation of the ancient Mayan calendar, and people around the world are preparing for the worst. A Chinese man has spent $160,000 building a functioning ark capable of surviving a global flood; an Ontario man is renting out space in a labyrinthine underground bunker system he built using dozens of decommissioned school buses; and a New England mom is stockpiling honey bees, which she expects to be adopted as currency once civilization collapses. MentalFloss.com
(12/18)
 | Never compromise your self-respect by altering your core beliefs."
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Recent SmartBrief on Small Business Issues:
- Wednesday, December 19, 2012
- Tuesday, December 18, 2012
- Monday, December 17, 2012
- Friday, December 14, 2012
- Thursday, December 13, 2012
| | | Lead Editor: Brooke Howell
Editor at Large: John Jantsch
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