It pays to go by the book
Aaron Lynett/National Post
For the small business owner, difficult economic times make government red tape appear even redder and potentially more of a threat to the bottom line. More and more customers are doing credit checks and want to know that a company is not being audited for failure to properly remit taxes.
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Landlords don't want tenants to shut doors
Every week, another chain store or franchise group announces closures, as consumers spend less money. But North American retailers are ...
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The year of living safely: Deals of 2009
Technology companies may have wooed rivals with alluring, pricey buyout offers in 2008, but this year, nothing says sexy like safe deal...
Good applications get stamp of approval
Retired banker recalls that many of the applications that passed through his department were declined simply because the young entrepreneurs requesting the funds had presented incomplete financial projections.
HP offers small businesses 0% financing
As of last week, Canadian small businesses can take advantage of two 0%-financing options.
Features
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How do I deal with declining performance?
Julius C. Dithers, the irascible business owner in the classic cartoon, would probably confront a sharp decline in employee Dagwood Bumstead...
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Tools of the Trade: Key to the company PC
Beware the personal computer. It might look like an easy to use piece of office equipment, but underneath its sleek exterior lies a jumble...
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Starting your own business in 12 steps
You've survived the startup phase of your business, an intensive process that has challenged all your initiative, creativity and resourcefulness...
Archives
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Make people resources work for you
Its always important to have a clear understanding of what work is being done, and by whom, in your organization. This is even more critical...
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Finance: Be resourceful in hard times
With no solid credit history, asset liquidity or business experience, young entrepreneurs often have little success accessing traditional...
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Advice: Tell employees 'yes we can'
One of my consistent messages through the recession has been for business owners to use the slowdown as an opportunity to realign and recharge...
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Technology: News site scoops rivals
The news Web site Al lNovaScotia.comis in an unusual position for a media company these days. For one thing, it is making money. That, ...
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Advice: Get ready for a new way of thinking
As the recession blows its way across Canada, most small tomid-sized firms are hunkering down and waiting for them to blow over. The thinking...
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Advice: Building a relationship with customers
It's been a difficult year for small business, and more challenges lie ahead. One way SMEs can improve chances of survival is by putting...
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What got you started? Kristy Ilic on her 3-D wall decor business
Kristy Ilic, founder of Vancouver-based Beetling Design (www.beetling.com), makes and sells a selection of foam-based 3-D wall decor.
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Green efforts should be well beyond skin deep
Being green, or eco-friendly is more than a fad; in fact it can be good for business, some entrepreneurs are discovering.
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Lean times for tech startups
If one were to take a snapshot of Canada's startup community today, Ali Asaria and his online venture, Well.ca, could easily be considered...
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Finance: Doors open in private equity
In hard times, the banks are known to shut their doors to small businesses looking for capital. But a Toronto financial expert says there...
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Tech spending helps cut costs
Technology is helping small companies do exactly what they should be doing to weather the current economic slump: save money.
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Visa extends zero-liability option to business
Small business owners with Visa Business credit cards can further protect themselves from fraud with Visa Inc.'s expansion of its zero-...
Rick Spence
Be a little Machiavellian
Not much scared Niccolo Machiavelli, but one thing that did was change. "There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or...
Open for Business
Resource centre
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Succession planning
The Financial Post's small business succession planning series covers a topic crucial to every entrepreneur.
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Sales and marketing guide
It doesn't matter how brilliant your product or service is if no one knows it exists. These tips sheets cover sales and marketing essentials from creating...
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Money guide
There are many ways to find money to start a new business. But it is important to know the pros and cons of each funding option.
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Starting up guide
Starting a business takes more than hanging up a shingle. These tip sheets cover business start-up basics; from knowing what paperwork is expected, to...
What got you started?
Riding high on hemp food line
Mike Fata, president of Winnipegbased Manitoba Harvest (manitobaharvest.com), tells the Financial Post what motivated him to become an entrepreneur.