All Articles Tagged 'business' (283)

As creatives (photographers, artists, graphic designers) we are in the business of creating 'visual' products. Yet somehow, we are always approached by both individuals and businesses asking us to work for them for free. In today's economy - we need to learn how to say NO.

Family, friends and relatives will always ask us to do things for them for free. We just need to make it clear to them that this is our business. It is what we do for a living. There are costs involved in creating…

In this rapidly evolving technology world, new strategies are constantly being presented to make security simpler and safer!  From remote monitoring to total system integration, there are a multitude of possibilities to place your home and business under your complete command.

Locally owned and operated…

I learned something new from Pat last week.

I’m sure that is something many Inside919ers can say.

What surprised me about it was my gut reaction when he asked if I knew about it. I wanted to lie, to pretend yes, I know that. Of course I do. I’m a copywriter, aren’t I? I wouldn’t want Pat Howlett, of all people, to think I don’t know what I am doing.

Admitting ignorance of something in your field feels illicit somehow. Instead, we all pretend to carry Mary Poppins carpet…

If you are a small business owner, you may have already given some thought to long-term business succession planning. But what if something happens to you tomorrow? Is your business protected?

An illness or accident that causes you to be suddenly absent from your business can create havoc if there are no plans in place for this possibility.

There are a number of options that can help you ensure your business runs smoothly in the event you become…

The hCard has always known that the key aspect of any business is the power of giving back. Community-minded businesses now know more and more that local is the secret sauce of commerce and it can increase profitability and success.

It is simply strategy of staying and spending local. There are multitude ways to add value to your local area, city, or region. Across many…

9 Ways Seniors Can Save for the Affordable Healthcare Act…

Your Tax Advising Solution for Seniors in the Triangle!

Melissa Van of AABS Inc., is your senior advisor and tax return specialist here in the Triangle. Located in Historic Apex, at AABS, All About Benefitting Seniors, says it all.…

Over the years, The hCard has developed a well-earned reputation for being involved in an array of community endeavors, always placing clients and businesses first. We realize that it is through continuous relationships that things get done. We have promoted and truly revolutionized the power of membership discounts, business advertising, local, regional and national discounting, and community partnering. We are the…

There are many benefits to outsourcing for a small business. Here are the top 5 outsourcing advantages in Raleigh and Durham, NC.

Saving money is always a major concern for small business owners and outsourcing can do just that.

• Less office space needed

• Decrease in full time employees

• Less capital needed to complete projects

Reducing risk is very important to the success of a small business. The very obvious advantage is…

As an owner of a local small business, I am a huge advocate of shopping local. Since most of our work comes from our local community, I feel it is only right to return the favor. I know many people that look for deals and drive 20 minutes, just to save a few dollars. I think that is counterproductive on so many levels. Here are some advantages to doing business, locally.…

Over the past year, your hCard Team has grown in both community and focus to better serve businesses and individuals with national and local discounts, business community partnering, and fundraising. We want to grow even more in support of community in 2013 with a continuous alignment of relationship building and sharing, both locally and nationally, across the country.

More and more, The hCard is growing in stature and in opportunity. Because the foundation of what we do is grounded…

The Chamber of Commerce in every town and city is one of the foundations of business partnerships and is the conduit for critical visibility for local businesses. It makes sense that we help keep both our Chambers and our businesses strong and vibrant through this current economic environment. The Holiday Season has come at the right time to support sales increases and additional profitability. This momentum can carry well into the first quarter and deep into 2013.

Although we are…

November is the month for both sharing and remembering. The month started with the commonality of all of us voting for national and local leadership, and we just recently remembered all those who have served with Veteran’s Day. The month concludes with what possibly is for many the most favorite of holidays, Thanksgiving Day. From our…

I’ve been asked this question ever since the I started the first indieconf a few years ago. Recently I was asked about this from the perspective of someone who is hoping to get in to tech-conference speaking (and I hope most people in the tech field give it a shot at least once – you might like it!) So… I decided to post some thoughts here about the selection process.

Firstly, every conference is different. Some will have a full…

Pay no tax on the first $50,000 of net business income starting with the 2012 tax year!  That’s right; many North Carolina business owners will become eligible for an up to $50,000 North Carolina income tax write-off thanks to the recent passage of North Carolina House Bill 200 and North Carolina Senate Bill 267.

Qualifications to Write-off the North Carolina $50,000 Tax Deduction

The new North Carolina deduction for business owners allow a single business…

On average, about 70% of small businesses do some sort of data backup.  This covers a broad spectrum of backup technologies from manual copying of files to fully automated backup and backup monitoring.  Many small business owners out there do not know all of the technologies that are available and/or the implications of using each. 

File Based Backup

I will start with the technology that most people are familiar with…..file based backup.  File based backup is, simply…

LISTEN...

Even saying the word out loud makes me stop and think quietly.  Listen....  Are you a good listener?   Do you truly pay attention to what someone is saying before you jump right in with your own ideas, your own opinion, your own agenda?  Are you an active listener?

The Chinese symbol for the verb "to listen"  beautifully illustrates the art of  active listening:…

One of the best ways to grow and maintain a successful business is through trust. When you gain peoples trust, they are more likely to keep doing business with you and refer you to their friends and family. Here are a few things that will help build trust.

1. Be friendly: When answering or returning a phone call, be enthusiastic and willing to help. People can often tell right away if you are someone that is helpful,…

Something I would like you to think about and I know you have all heard this in one form or another….

The key to make life really unique and worthwhile is to share.  Sharing has a certain unique magic of its own.  Here’s what…

Owners of family businesses that wish to keep the business viable for future generations would be wise to investigate establishing a family limited partnership to both protect and maintain control over their business assets.

When you establish a family limited partnership (FLP), business assets are transferred into the partnership and swapped for shares. As owner, you would keep the general partner shares, and then gives limited partnership shares to children over time, which removes…