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At the suggestion of my accountant, I went onto the Intuit website to purchase a copy of QuickBooks. I had been told that by mentioning my accounting firm, I would be eligible for a 10% discount. However, when it came time to place the order, I could not find a way to inform Intuit of [...]
In recent discussions with several people, I’ve noticed a trend in certain small businesses. Since there is significant amounts of paperwork and filings associated with hiring an employee, some companies choose to hire their workers as contractors, thereby reducing the obligations between the two parties. Additionally, it allows for more fluctuation in workload, while achieving [...]
Many employees, having put in their time working at a perceived discount rate, begin to mull the possibility of getting a raise. The thought process involved often involves self-justification in terms of what they deserve or are entitled to. The walk to the decision-maker and subsequent bursting of the balloon leaves them upset, perhaps to [...]
I’m surprised to learn on a regular basis about yet another company that was caught doing something shady (or, in many cases, flat-out illegal), and is then somewhat perplexed that they got caught. Dubbed cynical by many people, I still find it surprising that more people have not learned to adapt to the fact that [...]
Perhaps the hardest decision made by the owner of a growing business is regarding the first hire. It’s at this point that the stakes in the business change, from being responsible for yourself to being responsible for employees. Where before a lack of business meant that you personally didn’t get paid, now there are other [...]
In recent weeks, the number of projects I’ve been involved with has rapidly grown, from the few constants and a couple small projects, to several large projects, a few smaller projects, and a constant turn-over of hourly projects. When I sat down one day to work, and realized that I had 8 active projects to [...]
Working with several businesses at various stages of development, as well as many projects that are to become the basis for future businesses, I’ve discovered something interesting about management teams. Every business or project has one, even if the entire company consists of a single individual. However, what I’ve discovered is that there is a [...]
I recently had reason to draft a proposal for something out of the norm for my line of work. I was asked by a family member to assist in writing a formal proposal for an after-school program, with the added twist that the program had already been approved in principal, pending the formal proposal. Not [...]
Elie Kochman is the author of Advice for Small Business Owners and the founder of Optimal Upgrade Consulting. Using his experience working in the corporate world along with his exposure to the world of small businesses, he writes these articles to assist others avoiding common pitfalls of growing a business. His experience in the corporate world, building his own business, and working directly with other growing businesses has given him some perspective on the trials and pains of running a business.
