When you purchase a franchise, you are not running your own independent business. You (the “franchisee”) obtain the right to operate an individual business unit of a parent company (called the “franchisor”). You are granted the right to use the company’s branded name, sell their products or services and leverage their technical expertise. In addition, […]
Home Depot provides it to their stores’ sales associates; Starbucks provides it to their baristas; UPS provides it to their part-time workers. What is “it”? It is educational assistance. Tuition (or educational) assistance or tuition reimbursement programs enable employees to continue developing their knowledge and skills while working; it is a plus for employers as […]
We all understand the concept of branding. It is one of the most important aspects of any business – large or small, B2C or B2B. Your brand is your promise to your customer. It encompasses everything that you promise to them in terms of both products and services. It differentiates you from your competitors. In […]
The contingent workforce sector has undergone many changes over the last few years as employers (of all sizes) have embraced the flexibility, experience and skills that contingent workers can bring to their business. In fact, it appears that 2012 was a banner year for the contingent workforce. According to Staffing Industry Analysts: More than $2 […]
Fears regarding the fiscal cliff and its possible impact on our economy are causing many small businesses to rethink their hiring decisions for 2013. Many will try to do “more with less”. However, when it comes to your workforce, doing “more with less” will cost you more money after everything is said and done. This […]
Most companies realize that there is an “opportunity cost for rudeness” when dealing with the customer/company relationship. A discourteous company representative can cost a firm money, since customers tend to show their displeasure with their wallets. In a recent report, Civility in America, 69% of customers reported that they will stop doing business with an […]
When it is time to make an employee an offer, many small businesses find themselves at a loss as to how much compensation should be offered. The Magic 8 Ball will not tell you, nor will the answer fall out of the next tree that you walk by. Aiming too high could blow your budget […]
Finding the right people to fill empty positions within your organization can be costly and time consuming. The process can easily overwhelm all other company goals, especially if the skills criteria are specific and difficult to locate. In addition, it can be a costly affair. However, thinking of “cost” as a one-dimensional, tangible metric that only […]
The statistics are staggering: Before buying, 70% of Americans now say they look at product reviews. Over half of Millennials (aged 18-34) trust the opinions of strangers online over those of friends and family. Brands with high “social media activity” (this includes reviews) increased revenue by as much as 18%. Surveys show that 75% of […]
Rising labor costs have led employers to increase their usage of contingent labor. With the economy expanding in spurts, employers are still not willing to add full-time employees in mass amounts. Therefore, temporary employment is one of the few sectors of the labor market that is growing rapidly. In fact, employers in industries that have […]
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