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Archive for the ‘Small Business Tips’ Category

Mixing New & Used: It does look good!

Often times budgets determine what our upgrades are going to look like.  Recently, a client approached us about helping them with new office space.  The challenge:  work within a limited budget and give them a high-end look to match the new carpet, fresh paint and new signage.

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Square Watermelons? The Art of Changing and Business

Farming has been around since man began to walk upright (oh, and figured out how to proactively plant something).  Since the days of early man, there haven’t been a large number of farming innovations – you plant, you water, you weed, you harvest, and everyone else eats!  One farmer in Japan has taught the world that creativity truly knows no bounds.  So what can any business owner learn from this lesson? read more

Out Of The Box Ideas!

We are excited to be part of a new segment with the Looney Executive Pod Casts Series!  Working with Blake Glenn, the brainchild behind this incredible source of business information, we will be given 90 seconds of fame every two weeks when the latest pod casts air.  Our spot will feature great tips for business like, “Going Green“, “Latest Technology“, and “What is VoIP Really About?” read more

Graduating from the Home Office? 3 Choices to Keep In Mind

You finally hit that mark – it’s “go time, baby”!  Sales are steadily increasing, profits are up (no, I am NOT hallucinating – it is happening in some industries!), and you say to yourself, “It’s time for the real office!”  Here are some quick tips to help you plan your big growth upward and onward. read more

Lead Management: What to do with customer/lead lists?

I consider this one of my big finds of the year:  a business that specializes in reducing the sales cycle.  As a sales person, I always hated the sales forecast tools we were asked to complete, as well as the leg work that went into cultivating leads just to get to the good stuff:  THE CLOSE.  After all, isn’t that what you want as a manger/business owner- have your sales people completing the sale?  The big question you have to ask yourself is how long is your sales cycle, and how much is it worth to you to reduce that time? read more

The Buzz About Social Media

Social Marketing:  What is it about?  What do we offer and how can you benefit from our expertise?

Rather than the Information Age, we should be more appropriately labeled as the “Social Media Age”.  Advertising has evolved from newspapers to billboards to radio and television, and now the internet.  What is the best way to maximize your company’s presence on the web?  How do you take advantage of advertising about your company to gain market share, without spending a fortune?  Who has the time needed to really get the word out there? read more

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)

At Office Out Of The Box, we are committed to business development:  small, medium, or large.  This segment of blogging is dedicated to growing business and helping you, our valued customer, as you manage your company.  This is the first of a multi-part blog, in which you will be introduced to a business resource (the SBDC), read more

Creative Marketing Doesn't Get Any Better (Yummier) Than This!

It’s a “dog eat dog” world out there.  Competition has never been fiercier as people fight for the few customers that are spending money.  So how can it be done to get results and “tastefully”?  The answer is all in picking the right marketing brain (that would not be mine), who in this case is Steve Greenblatt of Steve Greenblatt Creative!.  We have featured him before, but this latest campaign is not only off the wall, but it works! read more

Financing Your Dream

Probably the toughest part of starting your own company is finding the money to convert your dream to a reality.  Would that we all had a rich relative leave us money, there would be little need for outside funding!  What’s available?  How do you pick the right bank?  Who can you talk to to help you actually get the money? read more