An attendee at the Disney Entrepreneur Center in Orlando, Florida, shares some business tips for entrepreneurs and owners, including those offered by the center's director, Jerry Ross. The center is a partnership dedicated to the success, growth and advancement of small business, sponsored by the masters of , the people of Disney. The 35 quick tips are:

  1. Reducing expenses is the quickest way to increase cash flow.
  2. Effective networking requires planning and targeting the right contacts.
  3. Good recordkeeping will save you time and money at tax time!
  4. Use your business contacts and business counselors for perspective and advice.
  5. Always be prospecting for new clients!
  6. Qualify a client before you do a sales presentation.
  7. Can you clearly convey why a client would WANT to do business with you?
  8. Objections are an opportunity to educate your client on your product or service.
  9. People are led, things are managed.
  10. Business education needs to be an ongoing process! Attend a seminar this week!
  11. Ask for referrals from everyone! Even those who don’t buy…yet.
  12. Tradeshow expenses are wasted if you do not follow up on the leads.
  13. Take the time to do it right the first time!
  14. Customer service is not an expense, it is a competitive advantage.
  15. Build your team of advisors and use them!
  16. It is cheaper to keep a good customer than to find a new one!
  17. Don’t make a rule that you do not intend to enforce!
  18. Think globally and creatively…at least once a week.
  19. A goal without a time frame is a wish.
  20. Hold yourself and your employees accountable.

For the remainder of the tips, read the article on the blog "startupstudents.com" Here.


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In April, 2008 during Small Business Week, the Small Business Administration will recognize extraordinary small business owners for contributions that their businesses have made to communities, to society, or the national economy.

Small business owners in all fifty states and Washington, DC are eligible to enter. The award categories this year include:

Small Business Person of the Year
SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Phoenix Awards (for disaster recovery)
Women In Business Champion of the Year
Small Business Journalist of the Year
Minority Small Business Champion of the Year
State Small Business Person of the Year

… and many others.

For a listing of SBA offices and phone numbers nationwide, visit the SBA Small Business of the Year Nomination Guidelines at this Link.


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Filed under Virtual Office Toolbox by Linda.
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Every time you meet someone new, whether personally or in business situation, you are presented with an opportunity to market yourself and your small business. The phrase "elevator pitch" refers to the 15 seconds in an elevator that you might spend with a stranger, conveying exactly what product or service you're in the business of selling. Stefan Topfer, Chairman and CEO of WinWeb and The Small Business Blog, suggests that to take advantage of every introduction and opportunity, every small business owner should have an "elevator pitch." Read more


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