Employee Training in 2017

Corporate Business Solutions excels in perfecting the organizational aspects of business, including staffing, cost control systems and accounting.  We also create advanced training programs for staff members, which contributes to overall advancement in the workplace. 

Training employees is often a huge undertaking for many managers. However, you can do the following in advance of the employee training session to increase the likelihood that the training you do will actually transfer to the workplace.

• Make sure the need is a training and development opportunity. Do thorough needs and skills analysis to determine the real need for employee training and development. Make sure the opportunity you are pursuing or the problem you are solving is a training issue.

• Create a context for the employee training and development. Provide information for the employee about why the new skills, skill enhancement, or information is necessary. Make certain the employee understands the link between the training and his / her job.

• Provide training and development that is really relevant to the skill you want the employee to attain or the information he needs to expand his work horizons. You may need to design an employee training session internally if nothing from training providers exactly meets your needs. Or, seek out providers who are willing to customize their offerings to match your specific needs.

• Favor employee training and development that has measurable objectives and specified outcomes that will transfer back to the job. Design or obtain employee training that has clearly stated objectives with measurable outcomes. Ascertain that the content leads the employee to attain the skill or information promised in the objectives.

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us today at 877-357-9366.

Growing Business Trends in 2017

Corporate Business Solutions is knowledgeable of the information necessary for growth in small and medium – size businesses.  As we look into the New Year already upon us, we look to trends that will continue to grow in the business arena:

1. Options for non-technical professionals to become tech-savvy - Technology in your business is now more important than ever. In 2017, technology will be a necessary staple for every business if it expects to compete in today's market. CMS platforms like WordPress allow easy management of a website with minimal technical know-how for people to build their businesses online.

2. Tools to help with personal brand - Personal branding has helped some celebrities, like Oprah Winfrey and the Kardashians, create world-renowned brands. The internet opened up the playing field to make it much more even, so people that may have never been very successful have an opportunity at making it big. Many people are releasing similar products that the competition in the market continues to grow. Personal branding tools will start trending even more, helping businesses gain individuality and reduce the number of direct competitors. Look into personal branding tools to increase business in 2017.

3. Ability to train remote employees - A few years ago, remote employees were not common. Nowadays, tech companies and startups are doing most of their hires remotely. IBM led this trend and many other companies have followed suit. Since meetings can be done over Skype or other video conference platforms and customer service, social media and programming positions only require access to the computer and Internet.  Talented Millennials can be hired for positions no matter where they live.

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us today at 877-357-9366.

Tips to Stay Productive on a Slow Day

The consultants at Corporate Business Solutions help businesses succeed. When we partner with a business to help with advancement, we often review and revamp employee practices. By doing this, we’ve seen firsthand that many employees don’t utilize slow time as best as possible. 

There’s definitely plenty you can do to pass time on a slow day. However, if you constantly feel that you don't have enough work, talk to your supervisor about long-term tasks or projects that will make better use of your time. 

If your company is experiencing a lull in work, here are suggestions to help you move forward:

• Organize emails- Even if you file every message in your email archives, there are some messages you should save on your company’s shared drive or in your personal files for later use. Save anything involving hiring or HR matters, but also those that you’ve used to diffuse a challenging situation. Also save great feedback you’ve received on projects or comments from a key stakeholder discussing why he or she participates in or loves your product or your work.
• Grab the phone - When you have time, take the opportunity to schedule catch-up calls with your clients and stakeholders. Start with small talk, then ask for their thoughts on how things are going or on any ideas you’ve been bouncing around. You’ll build trust and a spirit of teamwork, and you’ll strengthen the relationship. 
• Help out - If other departments are experiencing a busy season, this may a great opportunity for you to learn about other parts of the organization. If no one needs your assistance, look for new projects. Your boss will be happy that you took the initiative and notice your interest in the organization as a whole.
• Read - If you just have a short time to fill, focus on your professional development. Read articles on leadership, networking, marketing—anything that you’d like to know more about. Get the latest on sector trends or browse the big blogs in your industry. 

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us today at 877-357-9366.

Tips for Sending Holiday Gifts to Clients

Corporate Business Solutions  is recognized for using expertise, experience and education to access the information that is often necessary for growth in small and medium – size businesses.  

During the holiday season, we know many small business owners are looking for tips for sending out company gifts.  Here are three easy tips that may help you this season:

1. Re-check your list - There’s nothing worse than forgetting someone at a firm who has been a crucial part of your client relationship, so it’s very important to double-check your gift list. Consider including every individual who has played an important role in your business, or send a business-wide gift that everyone in the office can enjoy.
2. Choose the type of gift - Determine whether you want to send a more standard gift, like a basket of cookies, or if you’re going to tailor your gifts to each client. If you decide to send the same gift to each client, avoid cliché gifts, like pens and notepads. Whether you send a standard or custom gift, including a handwritten note or holiday wish shows attention to detail and tells your client that you care about them.
3. Don’t overspend -You don’t have to break the bank on holiday gifts. There are many ways you can express your gratitude without spending a ton of money. In fact, very expensive gifts may backfire by making your client uncomfortable or making them feel pressured to send one in return. You want to stand out, but ultimately, gifts are just a gesture. To avoid overspending on personalized gifts, consider customizing your gifts based on the revenue gained or length of your relationship—it can help you budget proportionately to the income you receive from each client.

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us today at 877-357-9366.

Small Business Government Contracting

The consultants at Corporate Business Solutions help the owners of small and medium – size business find their path to success.  We can also help contractors navigate through government contracting.  The SBA is also a great source for contractors looking to begin working with the U.S. government. 

U.S. federal government contracts represent a tremendous sales and revenue opportunity for small businesses because:

• The U.S. Government is the world’s largest customer
• It buys all types of products and services in both large and small quantities
• It is required by law to provide opportunities for small businesses

The Government’s Contracting Objectives

As you might expect, the government is very particular about how it purchases products and services. The general aims of the rules and regulations governing federal contracts are to ensure that:

• Competition is fair and open—The process of requesting proposals, evaluating bids, and making awards should take place on a level playing field with full visibility. Any business that is qualified to bid should be considered.
• Products and services are competitively priced. The government seeks pricing that is commensurate with its formidable buying power.
• The government gets what it pays for—The government protects itself by carefully defining requirements, terms and conditions for all purchases. Contractors must document that they have fulfilled all requirements and met all terms in order to be paid.
• Both the government and contractors comply with the law—Different rules and regulations apply to different types of purchases. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) or Defense Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) apply to most federal agencies. Individual organizations often have their own rules as well.

Government Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses

The government is particularly concerned to include small businesses as it buys goods and services for several reasons:

• To ensure that large businesses don’t “muscle out” small businesses
• To gain access to the new ideas small businesses are great at providing
• To support small businesses as engines of economic development and job creation
• To offer opportunities to disadvantaged socio-ethnic groups

To these ends, most government agencies “set aside” a percentage of their acquisitions (what they buy) for small and disadvantaged businesses. In some cases, these set-asides might consist of certain types of tasks on larger contracts. In other cases, entire contracts may be designated for small businesses.

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us today at 877-357-9366.

3 Business Trends for the New Year

Corporate Business Solutions is a leading business consulting firm recognized throughout the United States. We offer the valuable information that is often necessary for growth in the small and medium – size business marketplace.

As we approach 2017, we are looking at business trends that are expected to affect the New Year: 

1. Cyber Security - The number of Internet users with portable devices is constantly increasing. Therefore, the number of cyber-attacks is expected to rise. Companies will continue to be concerned with potential cyber-attacks and privacy data breaches in 2017 and the impact that these incidents could have on them. These incidents can be catastrophic for a company, as customers may not feel secure working with them in the future or they may lose their competitive advantages that led them to success. Existing standards of the cyber security world will need to adapt to the current threat situation. 
2. Advancing Technology - Businesses are expected to invest in harnessing emerging technologies and applying them to their business roadmap. Business owners will focus on developing IT tools (ERM, CRM, etc.) and analytics and on building IT technologies to implement their platforms with insights they get from data mining. This year we will see businesses trying more effectively to leverage breakthroughs in science to use for their business strategy.
3. Improving Employee Engagement - In the upcoming year, all-size businesses will continue their efforts to improve employee engagement. As we have discussed recently, an engaged employee is one who is enthusiastic and fully committed to his job, working hard to achieve organization’s goals and improve brand image. Employee engagement is a competitive advantage for a company through its people. The top three drivers that the organizations should focus in order to maintain or increase employee engagement are career opportunities, brand alignment, and recognition. Companies are launching initiatives to ensure their workplace approach results in the right conditions for all members of an organization to give of their best each day.

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us today at 877-357-9366.

Business Tips for New Franchises

The consultants at Corporate Business Solutions help the owners of small and medium – size businesses find their path to success.  We realize that many business owners consider franchising because it can provide the opportunity to grow their business fast -- but it may not be for everyone. Below are five important tips that should not be overlooked when planning your franchise model:

1. Have a precise concept - As a business owner, you may be comfortable running on intuition. But as a franchisor, you'll want your franchisees to have a plan in place for even the smallest of daily operations.
2. Carefully chose a franchisee with care - Recruiting the right franchisees is one of the most important aspects of franchising your company. Don’t recruit the first potential person that initiates interest. Refrain from giving the first few franchisees special deals by being consistent in dealing with all members of your network. As a franchisor you must be aware of where the franchisee is getting their funding and what their repayment terms are. Lastly, a franchisee should be entrepreneurial minded but not so much that they cannot work within the franchisor’s system.
3. Invest in stringent training- Solid training benefits both the franchisee and the franchisor. Training helps franchisees ensure their employees have the right skills as well as rise to challenges that will most certainly come.
4. Keep tight controls- Control begins with the franchisor providing significant help in operating the business with a proven marketing plan. Beyond this initial start, it encompasses numerous aspects of the franchisee’s operations: promotional campaigns, accounting practices, personnel policies and being clear on hours of operation are just a few.

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us today at 877-357-9366.

Savvy Tips for Business Travel

Corporate Business Solutions  is recognized in the small business industry for using our expertise, experience and education to access the information that is often necessary for growth in small and medium – size businesses.  We help overhaul a business, including implementing accounting systems, information systems, organizing employees and improving productivity, which often results in maximum success.

We know that travel is required for many business leaders today.  Work travel is often welcomed, but it can also be daunting and tedious. For those with business travel on their upcoming schedules, we have fun tips that may help with your travel experience: 

1. Get elite status: Nothing beats having being an elite member of an airline insofar as travel goes as the perks are just great: Faster lines, free seat upgrades, first class upgrades, the ability to use their lounge in the airport, etc. You can do this by obtaining and using a frequent flier mileage number as well as getting an airline credit card. 
2. Invest in a great four-wheeled rollaway: Not only is checking bags is for amateurs, but a great rolling bag makes travel so much easier since a rollaway with four wheels can stand without you having to touch it, thus freeing your hands.
3. Purchase noise cancelling headphones: Although they are not cheap, they are worth it. Being able to shut out loud neighbors, a crying baby or engine noise when you are seated above the wing can be critical to your comfort. 
4. Skip car rental insurance: Not only does your normal auto insurance probably cover any problem you may have with your rental, but often your credit card does too.
5. Download helpful apps: There are many great apps available that make travel easier, and here are some of the most popular:

• TripIt - Turns flights, hotel, and car reservations into a simple itinerary. Additionally, the app allows you to get flight status, driving directions, and more.
• SeatGuru - Gives you detailed airline seat analysis, comments about seats which have limited recline, less legroom, bad windows, etc.
• TripAdvisor- When going to a new city, these crowdsourcing reviews of hotels, restaurants and more are invaluable. TripAdvisor is the world’s second-most-popular travel app (Google Earth is #1); it is estimated that it is downloaded 25 times per minute.

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us today at 877-357-9366.

Managing Employee Time Off During the Holiday Season

Corporate Business Solutions is a leading business consulting firm that works with businesses that have a minimum of 10 employees and $1 million in revenue. We offer the critical information that is often necessary for growth in the small and medium – size business marketplace.

Business owners often struggle with the influx in requested employee vacation time during the holiday season.  In fact, at no other time of the year do companies have to field multiple requests for time off. If handled poorly, this could hurt the business at an otherwise busy time of year – not to mention it can hinder your culture and brand.

To prevent potential problems you may have this year, we have general tips to help manage employee holiday time off:

1. Be organized - Many industrial businesses have their holiday schedule planned well in advance, and there’s no reason why a small business can’t do the same.  Send workplace emails and hold a brief discussion early in the year to help avoid any last minute challenges. 
2. Keep seasonal workers– When managing a business that is busier during the holiday season, or you realize many staff members will be gone during one specific time, a helpful option is to keep seasonal workers that you can utilize when you need extra help. It’s also a good idea to keep in contact with these part-timers through the year so you’ll know their availability in advance. 
3. Offer holiday pay - Money may be the main objective for many employees, even if it means they won’t be with their family during the holidays. Therefore, offering a holiday pay differential can keep your business staffed.  However, this practice should be part of the company’s structure and not something you offer just to entice an employee not to take off.  
4. Introduce a vacation blackout period - For some businesses, particularly retail, the holidays are the busiest time of year. This usually means the location needs a full staff, and often extra help. If your business falls into this category, a way to prevent employees from taking off is to have a blackout period where no one can take off.
5. Let employees work at home. These days pretty much everybody has a laptop, iPad or smartphone that enables them to work remotely. If your staff doesn’t have to be on site, letting them work at home during the holidays can be a productive way to get things done without having to bring in additional staff. 

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us today at 877-357-9366.

Tips to Begin a New Workplace Procedure

Corporate Business Solutions is recognized for our exceptional ability to create and implement new policies and procedures that help small and medium – size businesses thrive and grow in their respected industries.  

Common workplace policies may include:

• code of conduct
• recruitment policy
• internet and email policy
• mobile phone policy
• social media policy
• non-smoking policy
• drug and alcohol policy
• health and safety policy
• anti-discrimination and harassment policy

If you’ve already established the need of a new policy in your business, here are tips that may help you ensure a successful implementation:

1. Management support - It is crucial to have management support for the implementation or modification of a policy, especially where policies relate to employee behavior. The endorsement and modeling of the behavior by managers and supervisors will encourage staff to take the policies seriously. While management support for a policy is an important first step before actively seeking employee feedback on a proposed policy, the idea for the policy and some of its details may in fact come from staff.
2. Consult with staff - Involve staff in developing and implementing workplace policies to promote stronger awareness, understanding and ownership of the outcome. Staff involvement also helps to determine how and when the policies might apply, and can assist in identifying possible unintentional outcomes of the policy.
3. Define the terms of the policy- Be very specific. Define key terms used in the policy at the beginning so that employees understand what is meant. You may wish to include specific examples to illustrate problem areas or unacceptable types of behaviors.
4. Publicize the new policies - To be effective, policies need to be publicized and provided to all existing and new employees. Policies should be written so it can be easily understood by all employees. Ensure all staff understand what the policies mean, how to comply with the policies and the implications of not complying.
5. Training and regular referral- The policies may be explained to staff through information and/or training sessions, at staff meetings and during induction sessions for new staff. They should also be reiterated and discussed with staff regularly at staff meetings to ensure they remain relevant. Copies of policies should be easily accessible. 
6. Implementation- It is important that policies are applied consistently throughout the workplace. A breach of a policy should be dealt with promptly and according to the procedures set out in the policy. The consequence of the breach should also suit the severity of the breach – whether it be a warning, disciplinary action or dismissal.
7. Evaluate and review - Review policies regularly to ensure they are current and in line with any changes. Where policies are significantly changed they should be re-issued to all staff and the changes explained to them to ensure they understand the new directions. These changes should also be widely publicized.

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us at 877-357-9366.

Tips to Help Eliminate Business Failure

Corporate Business Solutions has the expertise to help small and medium – size business access valuable information that is often necessary to achieve success in the business arena.  By understanding critical business necessities, it is easier to avoid failure in business. 

Here are important factors that can greatly affect the growth of any business: 

1. Leadership: Dysfunctional leadership in your business will trickle down and affect every aspect of your operation, from financial management to employee morale, and once productivity is hindered, failure looms large on the horizon. Do whatever you can to enhance your leadership skills and knowledge of the industry. 
2. Brand recognition: Your brand is the image your customers recognize and associate with your business. Your brand identity, including your logo, tagline, colors and all the visible aesthetics and business philosophies that represent your company should be supported by your value proposition. It should separate you from the pack and present your individual perspective to your customers. 
3. Customers: A successful business keeps its eye on the trending values and interests of its existing and potential customers. Survey customers and find out what their interests are and keep abreast of changes and trends using customer relationship management (CRM) tools. Effective use of CRM can help keep your business from failing.
4. Finances: Use professional business accounting software to keep records of all financial transactions, including all expenditures and revenues received, and use this information to generate not only profit and loss statements, but critical variable reports that tracks the financial trends in the business to show important variances from week to week, month to month, and year to year. This is valuable information that you need to run your business, know where you stand at all times, keep it operating in the black and know where you need to make changes.  If you lack skill in financial management, consider hiring a tax advisor and professional bookkeeper or certified public accountant to help manage your financial affairs.

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us at 877-357-9366.

Tips for Starting a Wholesale Business

The team at Corporate Business Solutions is renowned for their expertise in many industries, including the wholesale business. 

Starting a wholesale business may be easier than you think. There are several different types of wholesale business that you could start, some of which can be run entirely over the internet without pre-purchasing stock. Ultimately, you may be able to start a wholesale business quickly, easily and with little or no capital investment.

If you’re looking to start a wholesale business, we have general tips that may help you: 

1. Identify the industry you want to be in - It's generally advantageous to have knowledge of the industry before starting a business and often easier to get started if you know the products, manufacturers and retailers that you'll be working with. If you are considering starting a wholesale business in a new industry you should research industries of interest and contact potential suppliers for product information, terms and pricing. Ideally you should look to sell products that you feel passionate about and believe in, within a market that is not over-saturated and too competitive.

2. Recognize your market – You must determine who you will sell to. Consider these factors:

• What will be your customer demographic be?
• Where will they be located geographically?
• Will you need to ship goods or operate on a drop-ship basis with your suppliers?
• If you have to ship goods, how much will it cost you?

3. Review competition - Check out the wholesalers your new business would compete with. The less competition your new wholesale business has the easier it will be for you to break into the market and capture the business you will need to sustain long-term success for your venture. .  

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us at 877-357-9366.

Tips to Help Improve the Employee Review Process

At Corporate Business Solutions , we have the expertise to help your small to medium – size business access the knowledge that is often needed to achieve success.  

In order to maintain a positive workplace, we recognize that employees must be cohesive while working towards similar goals. One way that business owners can help streamline this is to implement and / or improve upon their employee reviews and make them into an effective communication, goal setting and development tool for their workforce.  

Here are five tips that business owners can use to help improve their employee review process:

1. Use the review document at least quarterly to assess employee progress. The review document is a useful discussion starter since it provides a running record of employee performance discussions all year. It also offers a picture of the employee's accomplishments and progress throughout the year.​
2. Provide feedback to employees regularly - not just in the annual review.  Employees like regular feedback and effective business owners take time every day for employee feedback. 
3. Engage the employees in a two-way discussion whenever their performance is the topic. You can improve the review process by involving the employee in the discussion all year long. Then the official review is just an extension of the normal performance discussion.
4. Improve reviews by using an employee self-appraisal prior to the review. This way, you can also see the employee’s feedback on their progress and struggles. 
5. Set goals in a way that reinforces the employee's ability to plan and implement the steps necessary to reach the goal. The review must support and strengthen the employee's empowerment, his or her ability to chart the course to successful accomplishments. 

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us at 877-357-9366.

Determining a Fitting Charity to Partner With

The business experts at Corporate Business Solutions know firsthand that small businesses looking to be philanthropic have many options today. Our business experts can help business owners navigate the world of charity. 

If your business is looking to establish a new corporate giving program, we have some tips that may help you determine a fitting charity to partner with:

1. Research charities: 

• Identify what factors are important to you and your business, such as the environment, education, animal welfare, children, etc. 
• Decide if you want to partner with a charity that does work in a specific area, including your neighborhood, region, the nation or internationally.
• Determine if you want to support a large or small charity, a new or an old one.
• Review the mission. Are their goals in line with the goals of your philanthropic endeavors?

1. Evaluate your list of charities:

• Check a charity's legitimacy. Does the IRS recognize the organization as tax exempt? If the organization is faith-based, you can ask to see its official listing in a directory for its denomination.
• Obtain the facts. A reputable organization will define its mission and programs clearly, have measurable goals and use concrete criteria to describe its achievements.
• Be sure to compare charities that do the same kind of work, especially if you're looking at their finances. The type of work a charity does can affect its operating costs dramatically.
• Avoid charities that won't share information or pressure you. Reputable nonprofits will discuss their programs and finances and are willing to send you literature about their work or direct you to a Website.

To learn more and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us at 877-357-9366.

Note-taking Apps for Small Businesses

The business professionals at Corporate Business Solutions are renowned for solving the complex and unique business challenges our clients are experiencing in the multifaceted business world.  We are committed to bringing the positive change that your business needs to have sustainable growth and profits.  

We review and analyze your business so we can create protocols to improve functionality. Our experts will help your staff become more productive and efficient.  Often, we help employees integrate apps into the workplace. 

With the right program, a smartphone or tablet can be multifunctional.  Many entrepreneurs especially appreciate note-taking apps. Digital notes have many advantages over the traditional pen-and-paper counterparts, including eliminating loss and adding convenience.

If you’re considering adding a note-taking app into your workplace, here are three free options:

• Papyrus is a multiplatform app designed to let you jot down notes and sketch out ideas on your mobile device using a stylus or your fingertip. The notes engine lets you cut, copy and paste items between pages, and features touch gestures so you can zoom and pan around your notes easily. Once you're finished, you can sort your notes by category, and export them to share with colleagues, co-workers or employees. For iOS, Android and Windows Phone.
• Evernote lets you dictate or manually enter notes, snap photos, create to-do-lists and more. The app features text identification, which can recognize and index printed — and even handwritten — text. That means you can search for specific words, whether they're in a PDF, a typed memo or a photographed note scrawled on a scrap of paper. Evernote is available for a wide range of platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Mac and PC, so you can access your notes on any machine and stay organized. 
• Simplenote prides itself on being a simple app. It excludes most of the extras that you’ll find in apps like Evernote , but the tradeoff is that it’s a lot easier to use. You can quickly create new notes and add bullet points. It also allows you to search through your notes with keywords.  Compatible with iOS and Android.

To learn more and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us at 877-357-9366.

Marketing Ideas for Entrepreneurs

The business professionals at Corporate Business Solutions are renowned for solving the complex and unique business challenges our clients are experiencing in the multifaceted business world.  We are committed to bringing the positive change that your business needs to have sustainable growth and profits.  

As a small business, you may think it's impossible to get the word out about what you do. That's no excuse. And you don't need fads or gimmicks. Follow the proven, timeless tips and techniques to help get the word out about your business and watch it grow.

• Attend Networking Events – Small business owners should research relevant organizations and then attend and present at events in town. Your contribution to the overall community makes you relevant.
• Volunteer to Lead an Organization - The secret to getting the most out of a group or organization is not just to attend but to lead. Become an authority and people will automatically associate your name with success.  
• Start a Podcast – Launch a podcast and interview other business owners.  People love to tell their story, and by highlighting them on a podcast you make an instant and meaningful connection. It's also a great way to get an education on a topic you are interested in.
• Send a Weekly E-mail - If you want to stay in relationship with your customers, there is nothing simpler than creating a weekly e-mail that provides something of value. 
• Support a Cause- Successful philanthropic endeavors are built steadily over time. The impact comes not just from which organizations receive funding but also the development of positive, lasting relationships between companies and their communities.
• Create a Cool Giveaway- When determining what your company will give away, make sure it's something valuable that won’t be thrown out or lost!

To learn more and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us at 877-357-9366.

Negotiating a Business Lease

Whether it’s an office lease, sales terms or a contract, negotiating is part of every small business owner’s life. But unless your former work experience required you to engage in negotiations, you may not feel overly confident in your negotiating skills.  Business owners can turn to the experts at 

Corporate Business Solutions for help with this daunting task. 

Our mission is to deliver amazing outcomes for clients based on professionally set expectations.  This means we solve the complex and unique business challenges our clients are experiencing in the multifaceted business world, including negotiating a business lease. 

If you’re considering negotiating your business lease soon, here are tips to help you improve your negotiating skills:

1. Perform due diligence. Know the average cost of the type of commercial space you’re seeking—retail, office or industrial. A commercial real estate broker can show you historical data for the region, and you can research prices online. 

2. Define your needs. Consider location, space, infrastructure, parking, storage, etc. Create a checklist of your needs and wants, specifying which are optional and which are essential.

3. Obtain professional help. Real estate brokers work for landlords and receive commission on the lease’s value, so while they can offer a lot of useful information, it’s also important to consult an unbiased professional experienced in commercial real estate.

4. Understand the law. Make sure you clearly define what uses the property is permitted for and that there are no zoning regulations or laws that could adversely affect your business.

5. Put it in Writing. Before viewing properties, make a list of questions to ask the broker and landlord. Never negotiate based on a verbal offer. Get terms in writing and have your attorney review them. Commercial landlords generally expect you to make a written counter-offer, too.

6. Discuss potential developments. If you need to remodel the property to suit your business, be sure you know what improvements can be made to the space, who will pay for them, who will oversee the work, and whether you’re expected to restore the space to its original state if you move.

7. Ask about subleasing. Getting the rights to sublease part or all of your space to another tenant protects you from breaking the lease if you must move unexpectedly. It also helps you cover costs if you’re leasing more space than you currently need in anticipation of growth.

To learn more and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business consultants at Corporate Business Solutions, call us at 877-357-9366.

Business Trends in 2016

The experts at Corporate Business Solutions  understand that the business marketplace today is quickly evolving. This is why we offer custom solutions, developed onsite, for small to medium-size businesses.  We are committed to bringing the positive change that your business needs to have sustainable growth and profits.  This often means building relationships with customers, adding technological avenues and getting products quickly to market. 

When you’re ready to take the next step to grow your business, we are ready to be your trusted partners. In the meantime, here are 5 business trends we are seeing in 2016. 

1. Creative Financing –Financing trends are continuing to expand in 2016.  While some entrepreneurs are again looking for traditional loans from banks and credit unions,  many modern business men and women are looking for more creative ways, such as crowdfunding, angel investors and venture capitalist. 
2. Mobile Marketing – Mobile visitors will continue to have a huge impact on franchises, so smart franchisees are optimizing their websites for mobile devices. With the increase in smartphone and tablet usage, it is imperative that your business’s website can be easily seen via a smartphone’s browser. 
3. Online Retargeting - You may have noticed ads online that show products you recently searched for. Retargeting is the practice of displaying ads on popular websites, like Google and Facebook, to people who have already visited your website. Marketing that relates to what a customer is interested in is always more effective, and retargeting is taking the place of older online marketing practices like email newsletters.  
4. Multigenerational Partnerships – The trend of pairing baby boomers with younger millennials is leading to many successful partnerships within business.  The fresh, passionate and technological savvy millennial who is eager to completely ditch the corporate ladder is often the perfect counterpart to the baby boomer who wants to be their own boss and has the experience and financial stability to manage a business. 
5. International Selections - The internet has assisted in opening up a new global market. Consumers, especially located in developing markets, often see international brands as symbols of superior quality and status, unlike the more common, local domestic brands. International companies are utilizing this status and starting new companies abroad.  

To learn more and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us at 877-357-9366.

The Strategy of Social Giving

In our modern marketplace, many corporations are turning to corporate philanthropy to increase corporate social responsibility, attract top talent and increase their loyal customer base.  Although philanthropy is a critical and age-old tradition, it can also be a confusing practice.  It’s no surprise that entrepreneurs can turn to the professionals at Corporate Business Solutions for help in establishing corporate giving. 

Adding charitable work is very valuable if done properly. If you are a business owner who is considering  integrating philanthropy into your business, it is crucial that you understand the potential negative side effects of doing so without a strategy. 

1. Budding social butterflies – Often, a company's leadership ends up becoming overly focused on the social side of philanthropy and consequently can lose track of the business platform.
2. Direct donations can hinder company goals – Charity through pure monetary donations can make it difficult for a business to actually reach its goal of change. A donation to a nonprofit agency may put control of the funds beyond the reach of the business. There is no guarantee that the agency will improve the community or offer any of the benefits that the business can gain from philanthropy.
3. Time, cost and decisions - If a business decides to take a longer route and invest money in the community itself, then there are other disadvantages. The business must form a team and decide how much money to give and where it should be given to produce the most impact. Decisions affect not only the length of the project, but also any marketing that goes along with it. In the end, the company must be prepared to spend time, money and human resources on a project.

To learn more and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us at 877-357-9366.

Online Strategies for Today’s Workplace

At Corporate Business Solutions, we offer extensive expertise and firsthand knowledge in a broad range of industries.  Our proven methodology, including analytics and consulting, allows us to present comprehensive management solutions to your business. 

In today’s marketplace, Corporate Business Solutions can be called in to help integrate digital advancements into the workplace.  A new wave of digital tools can help companies to focus not only on hiring but also on managing, retaining and developing employees. Digital labor platforms can pull these tools into an integrated whole as companies expand their employee database, refine recruiting methods and organize their employees more effectively. Such tools, and the platforms that include them, can put the right person in the right job, identify gaps in skills, assist employees in further education and nurture the development of the next generation of business leaders.

Online labor platforms make it easier to find—and harder to retain—talented people. They give companies a real opportunity to transform the way they recruit, develop and engage their employees. 

• LinkedIn has more than 122 million US members.  In addition, LinkedIn and sites like Careerbuilder and Monster.com have changed the way employers and employees connect, and digital marketplaces such as Freelancer.com, Toptal, have transformed the sourcing of contractors’ services internationally.
• Digital labor platforms have also created a more transparent job market. Top performers know their value and are growing more footloose as a result; many are going online to find new opportunities and to evaluate potential employers. What’s more, a lot of people now scour platforms such as Glassdoor to learn what current employees have to say about their job satisfaction, company culture, and lifestyle. Companies that don’t manage their workplace reputations carefully or engage their employees appropriately will find themselves on the losing side of an increasingly digital war for talent.

Corporate Business Solutions help small businesses capture substantial value by applying digital innovations to some of the most critical organizational challenges: matching the supply of and demand for labor, boosting productivity and getting the most out of people. 

To learn more and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions LLC, call us at 877-357-9366.

Tips for Integrating Corporate Philanthropy

The business experts at Corporate Business Solutions remind business owners that corporate giving has become the norm in our modern society. In fact, donating time and resources can be a crucial part of a viable business strategy. In addition, becoming a better corporate citizen nurtures good will that can accumulate other benefits. Some business owners assume integrating corporate philanthropy costs considerable money, however, it doesn’t have to cost more than you can afford.  

Establishing corporate philanthropy can be a challenge for business owners, so many industry leaders are turning to the professionals at Corporate Business Solutions for help. If you’re looking to establish corporate giving, here are some tips to begin the process: 

• Start with a solid enterprise- Sound business practices make for ideal philanthropic planning. Having a stable organization, even if profits aren't soaring yet, will ease the process of incorporating giving.
• Cultivate a strategy - Philanthropy starts with an idea and one of the first steps is developing a strategy around giving.  Determine what issue or issues will the company be addressing and why, what form will the philanthropy take, precisely how that will be accomplished, the long-term goal and how that all fits into the company's core values.
• Establish philanthropic objectives - Philanthropy has a number of forms, not just monetary ones, so the key is to find a donation structure that melds with the company's identity and plays off its strengths. Non-cash options include donating products and services, such as volunteering based on the company's unique skill sets.
• Become part of your community - Successful philanthropic endeavors are built steadily over time. The impact comes not just from which organizations receive funding, but also the development of positive, lasting relationships between companies and their communities.
• Partner with the right-fit charities - When looking for a nonprofit to partner with, take a close look at the organization's leadership, programs, activities and strengths, as well as the associated risks. Do research by assessing their track record and financial stability.

To learn more and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us at 877-357-9366.

The Knowledge to Increase Business Profits

Business owners typically share one common goal of maximizing business profits.  It’s no surprise that sharp entrepreneurs  in business partner with the experts at Corporate Business Solutions.  We consistently maintain the expertise and diversification necessary to help our client’s increase their business profitability.

Increasing profit at any level - gross profits, operating profits and bottom line or net profits - is based on increasing revenue, lowering costs or both.  

• Gross profit: Your gross profit is revenue minus costs of goods sold. One tactic to add profit is to generate more revenue while maintaining a constant cost of goods sold. You may also look for lower cost options to deflect some of your costs. 
• Operating profit: Your operating profit is gross profit minus operating expenses, such mortgage / rent payments, utility bills and marketing expenses. In addition to increasing revenue, a company can boost operating profit by reducing its cost structure in one or more of these fixed expenses.
• Net profit: Your net profit is the final result after adding irregular revenue and expenses to operating profit. It is possible to have high net profit relative to gross or operating profit if you report the sale of investments or assets. 

A business could increase profit -- but not profit margins -- in a given period if it takes on a higher proportion of costs to revenue than it previously had. The goal of improving margins is to enhance efficiency in turning revenue into profit.  To ensure that your profit margin grows, the business must generate revenue in a more efficient way. Raising prices and / or lowering cost of goods sold are often key drivers of gains in profit margins.

There are four key areas that can help drive profitability, including reducing costs, decreasing turnover, increasing productivity and increasing efficiency. Our experts will work with you to determine the changes needed in your business and then implement new standards to increase profit margins:

To learn more and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions LLC, call us at 877-357-9366.

5 Leadership Tips from the Business Experts

The renowned business consultants at Corporate Business Solutions strategically work with business leaders in your organization to ensure all employees are given a path that leads to success. As you may already know, it can take years to become a success. If employees are willing to commit and follow advice and the right systems put in place within the business, that time can be considerably shorter.

Here are 5 leadership tips from Corporate Business Solutions that can be incorporated into your business:

1. Lead by example. Act as you would want your employees to behave, but also recognize that your role is different from that of your employees.
2. Surround yourself with the best people in the industry. Hire for fit, train for skill and hire people who are better than you. Be ready upon the start of new hires so they immediately feel connected to your business. 
3. Don’t play the blame game. It can always be someone or something’s fault. But in the end, it stops with you. As a business leader, you have the power to inspire people to exceed expectations. You also have the power to release people who aren’t making the grade. What you shouldn’t do is blame everyone else for your team’s failure to perform.
4. Build on strengths. It is common to focus on improving weaknesses. However, you can differentiate yourself by paying special attention to areas of strength, as this is where you’ll receive the greatest return for your investment.
5. Your success depends on the success of those around you. For your business to be successful, you will need to shift your focus from “me” to “we.”  Going forward, you will be evaluated on your ability to create and maintain a highly engaged team that is willing to give it their all.

To learn more and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us at 877-357-9366.

Business Valuation 101 with Corporate Business Solutions

The experts at Corporate Business Solutions LLC help business leaders throughout the United Sates effectively determine the value of their companies. A business valuation is unique in that it varies with your individual business. However, the business worth is typically measured by the ability to produce economic benefits along with any risks that result from owning the company.  An accurate business value may be measured by five factors: 

1. Circumstances surrounding the business valuation. The worth of the business will be different if the business is to be closed and its assets sold compared to if you plan on maximizing sales and growing your brand exponentially. 

2. Who needs to know the business worth? You may need valuation to set a sale price, determine an offer to buy a business, secure a bank loan, settle an internal problem or defend your business value in a legal dispute.

3. Financial and operational records and future prospects. The history of the business offers significant details but the value does depend more on what the business can do in the future. 

4. Business ownership structure. You may need to know the value of the entire business, a portion of a partnership share or a controlling ownership interest. 

5. Approaches and methods used to measure the business worth. There are a number of standard business valuation methods to choose from under the asset, market and income approaches.  

Our valuation professionals are certified by one or more of the professional valuation organizations. We have experience with valuing companies of all sizes in more than 900 SIC/NAICS codes. Our valuations are legally defensible in a court of law and adhere strictly to the guidelines and standards as determined by regulatory bodies, such as the IRS, Department of Labor and Revenue Canada.

To learn more and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions LLC, call us at 877-357-9366.

Tips for Growing Your Business

The experts at Corporate Business Solutions often partner with businesses and corporations to plan and manage business growth.   If you’re focused on growing your brand, let us lead the way for you. 

Here are three tips from the business growth professionals at Corporate Business Solutions LLC:

1. Realize That You Can’t Do Everything - As a small-business owner, you’re going to have to be at ease wearing many hats – salesperson, bookkeeper, publicist – but that doesn’t mean that you should do everything yourself.  Knowing when to seek out talented people who share your vision is a crucial test for any business owner. There’s only so much you can do on your own, so if you’ve got your sights set on growth, come to terms with the fact that you’ll need help before long.  You don’t need to relinquish any of your control to make this happen – but you do need to realize that you’re only one person.

2. Run the Business You Want, Not the Business You Have - The “fake it ‘til you make it” principle is something you should adopt, especially in the early days of your business. This concept applies to every aspect of your business, from the language used on your marketing materials and website to the way you greet prospective clients. If you project an air of confidence and authority when dealing with new customers, you can make a great first impression that offsets your relative lack of experience or smaller size.

3. Don’t Dip into Your Business’ Bank Account - Once you’re up and running, it’s tempting to see your business as an extension of your checking account, but you must resist the temptation to “borrow” funds from your business or splash out on lavish expenses. 

Growth costs money, even for the most successful ventures. Every time you take more out of your business’ funds, you’re hurting your chances for growth. Make sure you’re adequately compensated for your work, but keep your salary modest and make reinvesting in your business a top priority.

Moreover, you must avoid treating your business as your personal bank account.  If you don’t keep personal funds and business funds separated, then you run the risk of having the protection of the corporate veil pierced with a legal judgment against you for failing to maintain the structure required by law for corporations. 

To learn more and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions LLC, call us at 877-357-9366.

Using a Certified Fraud Examiner

One of the many services at Corporate Business Solutions LLC is a Certified Fraud Examinination.  In fact, many business owners are turning to our fraud experts to assist with eliminating fraud once and for all.

More than half of U.S. organizations that experienced fraud in the past few years reported an increase in the number of occurrences, according to a survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers. They also found a rise in accounting fraud, bribery and corruption, with cybercrime moving to the forefront of U.S. companies’ concerns.

Fraud, particularly corporate fraud, is a complicated crime. Fraud will usually just look like a pile of papers, electronic documents and accounting figures. It takes a trained professional from Corporate Business Solutions to see what is really going on. A Certified Fraud Examiner detects, identifies, prevents and investigates fraud.   Since fraud includes any intentional or deliberate act to deprive another of property or money by guile, deception or other unfair means, Certified Fraud Examiners work in various capacities in all fields.

The Certified Fraud Examiners at Corporate Business Solutions have proven expertise in deterrence and detection, as well as accounting and auditing skills for investigation. Our services are crucial in businesses detecting fraud.

Every business is susceptible to fraud.  Our highly specialized Certified Fraud Examiners are trained to recognize the patterns that indicate fraud, whether from internal (employees, managers, officers or owners) or external (customers, vendors, or other 3rd parties) sources, conduct interviews regarding sensitive issues, resolve financial disputes and provide expert testimony on financial and investigative matters.

In addition, a Certified Fraud Examiner can implement strong anti-fraud controls.  We are here to protect your business and customers against the latest high tech frauds, including identity theft, intellectual property theft and security breaches, as well as the more common low tech frauds such as bad checks, product theft and embezzlement.

To learn more and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the fraud experts at Corporate Business Solutions LLC, call us at 877-357-9366.

Tips for Your Business Exit Strategy

Every day, small business owners make drastic mistakes when selling their business and lose thousands of dollars in the process. All their hard work and long-term investment is lost. At Corporate Business Solutions, we work diligently to create the most beneficial Exit Strategy that best suits you, your business and your future. 

If you are beginning to ponder exit options for you and your business, contact the professionals at Corporate Business Solutions. Although selling a business can be a very challenging process, our experts help make the process as easy as possible for you.

Here are three tips from Corporate Business Solutions Inc to help you avoid pitfalls, disappointment and lost money in the sale of a business:

1.       Timing - Waiting too long to sell can cause many business owners to miss the best window of opportunity. Since it takes an average of two to four years to sell a small business, long-term planning is crucial to any successful sale. By keeping updated records, a detailed business history and sales portfolio on hand at all times, it will make your planning pay off.

2.       Sale Price - Setting a very high or unrealistic price tag on a business can lead to a dead end street. Expecting to get top dollar for a business that generates little or no profit is simply using bad business sense. Another mistake is to price the business too low. Often business owners will price their business low because they are burned out, suffer from an illness or followed bad advice.

3.       Choosing the right buyer - Taking the first sale offer may not be the best choice. Business sales often go bad after the new owner takes over. The new owner may lack business experience, have a closed mind, be a poor leader, etc.  

   

      Evalute your options and make the best selection for the long term. Ask yourself, is this the best person to buy and run my business? Or, can they quickly connect with my customer base and learn how to market effectively? When the business sale goes as planned, it creates a tremendous opportunity for both business owners and the success continues.

To learn more and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions Inc, call us at 877-357-9366.

Corporate Business Solutions Provides Business Solutions

No company has a more experienced staff than Corporate Business Solutions in providing quality analytical, consulting and strategic tax planning services to the owners of small and medium-size businesses. The average number of comprehensive onsite business analyses performed by the core group of CBS senior business analysts is over 700. The minimum allowable number to work with the CBS team is 400 comprehensive onsite analyses. 

In addition, every year each of CBS’s senior business analysts provide analytical services to 100 or more businesses to provide each of Corporate Business Solutions' clients a broad range of knowledge which comes from the vast experience offered by each of its senior business analysts. There is no staff of analysts anywhere in North America who have more experience over the course of a year than the Corporate Business Solutions senior business analysts.

For more information contact : http://www.cbs-cbs.com/