Going green is a great way to become more profitable.

Why?

Here are a few reasons.

More customers

For one thing, going green in your business will help get you business from customers looking to support green companies. There are many people who are environmentally conscious and are looking to support firms that feel the same. So you will get business from a sect of customers you otherwise wouldn’t.

How do you find people who support green businesses? One way is to just mention in all your ads that you practice green principles. Also, you might consider advertising in environmental magazines. Just don’t overemphasize it. As long as it doesn’t take away from the rest of your advertising message, this works great.

Tax breaks

The government gives tax breaks to businesses that are looking to help the environment. So if you take certain initiatives, you can save on taxes. Talk to your accountant to see if there are any green business tax breaks that apply to you.

Save money

Many people are under the impression that going green is more expensive than using traditional methods. However, it’s actually cheaper.

So what are the best methods for going green in your business?

Here are four great tips:

#1) Support green businesses - Every company has to get supplies. Why not do so from other green companies?

#2) Buy recycled items – This not only helps the environment, but it can also be far cheaper. The best place to look for these items is online.

#3) Go paperless – Many businesses use far more paper than they really need to. Most things can be done on the computer. For instance, don’t pass around paper at a meeting that nobody is ever going to look at again. Instead, have everything done by PowerPoint. If you really need paper, make sure to utilize both the front and back of it before throwing it out.

#4) Use natural energy sources – Solar and wind power are great for helping the environment, and they reduce your expenses as well. If possible, try and get as much of your energy from them as possible.

Any business, big or small, can help the environment. Your efforts might not seem unimportant. But just imagine if every company implemented these tips. Do your part, and you will not only be doing a good deed, but helping your bottom line as well.

Resources for further study:

Help Your Company Go Green!
The Green Business Bureau has lots of resources to help your business go green. Click the link above to enroll.

Online invoicing is a part of many online businesses.

There are many different types of online nvoices you can use, from a simple email message to a full scale professional service. How you choose to invoice is up to you however , it’s important to make sure your invoices look professional. A professional looking invoice will help build your credibility and authority as a provider. Here’s how to improve your online invoices and make them look more professional.

1. Add your company logo. Your logo on your invoice does more than show the recipient who the invoice is from. It helps brand your business and it can help improve your image as a professional. Have a logo designed by a professional and include it on your invoice template.

2. Make sure all of your information is correct. Errors on the invoice can detract from your professional image. Make sure the date, invoice number, invoiced amount, and most importantly the client or customer’s information are 100% correct.

3. Use/create a template. Templates make invoicing easy and they provide a unified structure for your invoices so each one looks the same and customers or clients know where to look for the information they need. You can find a number of invoicing templates online or you can create your own.

4. Use a service such as QuickBooks, Zoho or Freshbooks. There are a number of online invoicing services or products that simplify the invoicing process. They also accomplish the tip above and offer a unified look and feel to your invoices and your invoicing procedure. Some of these services also help you keep track of your cash flow, sales, profits and expenses. Others are simply invoicing products. Determine what you need and compare costs and features. You’re sure to find a service that meets your needs. Quickbooks coupons and discounts are here >

5. Save as a PDF. If you’re invoicing your clients yourself using a template that you designed, consider saving it as a PDF file. This is a file format that everyone can open regardless of the system they utilize and if they don’t have a PDF reader, they can download one from Adobe for free. It’s a reputable and acceptable way to format a file and it will add some professionalism to your invoices.

6. Make it clear how the client can pay. If a client isn’t totally clear on how to pay you, it may prevent her from paying on time. Make sure it’s clear on your invoice how the client can pay. Can they pay by check? By credit card? By PayPal or other online payment service?

It’s easy to give your invoices a professional look and feel. Create a template, make sure your information is accurate and be clear on how payments can be made. Be consistent with your invoicing policies and procedures to ensure clear communication.

Computers, just like your home office, can get to be a mess. Files everywhere, no system of organization and a hard drive that’s so gunked up and slow you have time to take a shower while your system loads.

Well, invest just a little time and you can have your computer decluttered and zipping along.

You’ll be organized and ready for anything that comes at you.

Here’s how to declutter your computer:

#1  Remove unused programs.
This step is easy but it can take some time. Programs can take up large amounts of memory and storage space. If you’re not using them, get rid of them, but it’s important to get rid of them in the proper way. Each operating system is a bit different but the basic method is to get into your computer’s control panel and click on “add or remove programs.” As you scroll through the programs, simply uninstall those you’re not using. You may need to restart your computer after some programs are removed.

#2 Archive old files.
Chances are you have old files stored on your computer that you no longer access. However, maybe you don’t want to get rid of them completely. You have a couple of options. One is to burn them to a CD or DVD. Label it and store it in a safe place.

Another option is to purchase an external hard drive and store old files on that. You can also use a service that backs up your file or stores them for you. Note: Images, video and audio files take up the most space on your computer. Archiving them or storing them externally is a great way to save space.

#3 Organize your files. Each person will have their own organization system. That being said, creating a series of folders and subfolders is generally the first step. Organizing your files doesn’t take much time once you have a system. Consider including not only the purpose of the file or a main category but also a date. For example, if you’re storing articles you would label the main file: Your Business Name
Create a sub file: Articles
Create a sub file within that based on topic or date. Date probably makes more sense: August, 2009 for example. And make sure to name each file within the folder appropriately so searching for the content is quick and easy.

#4 Organize your bookmarks.
Just as you may have random files floating around your hard drive, you more than likely have a ton of bookmarks that are not organized in any particular way. Most bookmarking systems allow you to create folders for your bookmarks. This is great because it enables you to find them quickly and you can create more bookmarks without having to worry about scrolling through that long list of them.

To get the job done, simply click on “bookmarks” on your browser toolbar and choose the “organize” feature. This will allow you to make folders with logical names to store and organize your bookmarks.

#5 Defrag your hard drive and clean up your hard drive. If you’re computer is still moving slowly, consider analyzing your system and defragging your hard drive. Defragging it essentially lets your computer organize things internally and make space. It doesn’t affect where you’ve placed your files and folders so don’t worry about losing anything. Once again, get into your control panel and look for “Disk cleanup” or analyze systems. It may be in your administrative tools as well.

Stick to your system. Once you’ve created a system for storing and organizing information, stick with it. This way you won’t’ have to do a major purge every couple of months. Your computer will stay clean and clutter free.

There’s no denying the fact that when doing business online – whether you’re a consumer, a business owner, or you’re simply searching online and utilizing tools like email – there’s a risk to your information and the technology you’re using. People like identity thieves and hackers can cause all sorts of trouble. This article identifies simple ways you can protect yourself – steps you should take to protect your online information.

1. Make sure your turn Firewall ON. And make sure you update it when renewal comes due or updates are available.

2. Likewise, install, update and use Anti-Virus software.

3. Consider using a website validation service or technology to make sure the websites you’re visiting aren’t corrupted or malicious.

4. Don’t access important websites or accounts when using a public computer at internet cafés, libraries, and other public sites. You run the risk of your information being copied and re-entered after you leave.

5. Be aware that there are misleading and scammer websites designed to trick you and collect your personal information. It’s generally called phishing and it’s when someone sends you to a fake website made to look like a real financial institution or facility. Instead of clicking on a link from an email, simply type the business into your browser to make sure you’re using the real web address.

6. Create a system of changing your password on a regular basis.

7. Buy from well-known companies – and only provide bank or credit card information in secure sessions. Look for the https in your browser and look for the padlock in the lower right hand corner to signal it’s a secure session. You can also look for the VeriSign or other security certificate.

8. Don’t share your passwords with others and don’t write them down.

9. Avoid using the same password for all your accounts – if someone figures out one, they’ve got them all.

10. Try to create a unique, non-personal password that would be difficult to guess.

11. Be wary of files without file extensions, for example .doc or .jpg because it makes it easy for viruses to hide in them. And don’t open a file with a double extension because it probably contains a virus.

12. Don’t open emails from people whom you don’t know and don’t open attachments if you are suspicious or don’t know the sender. Attachments and emails can easily contain viruses and your computer and the information it contains can be at risk.

13. Don’t open an e-mail attachment that contains a file ending .exe, .pif, or .vbs as these are commonly used with viruses. If you receive one of these files from someone you know, give them a call or jot them a quick email to make sure they intended to send it to you.

14. Review your ISP, Internet Service Provider, and see what protections they offer you as a customer. Do they offer virus protection services?

15. Read your bank and credit card statements. Make sure all of the charges and transactions are legitimate. If not, call the institution immediately.

16. Review your bank and credit card statements for any unusual transactions or withdrawals and notify the bank immediately if you suspect any discrepancies. And take care where you use your credit card or bank card. Carry cash and if a place or person feels suspicious, don’t share your credit card or bank number with them – pay in cash.

17. Finally, back up your information with an online back-up service and/or with an external hard drive. How often should you back up? Some experts recommend daily back-ups, others weekly or monthly. It depends on how often you add new information and how valuable that information is to you. You should also back up your website, because a hacker can get in there in a blink and mess everything up. If you have your website backed up, repairing the damage is relatively painless.

In this age of technology we have wonderful tools and freedoms. However, with this technology also come risks: risks of identity theft, risks of theft in general, and hackers and viruses which can destroy computers and years of hard work. You can mitigate these risks by taking a few simple, but savvy, steps to protect your online information.

The perceived size of a business can instill a certain degree of confidence to potential clients. And there are lots of ways that you can make your small business appear bigger. The key lies in creating a very professional image for your company.

Here are seven ways to make your small business appear larger on the web:

#1 Look into alternatives to the sole proprietorship. This is a minor change that can make a big difference. Your company name shows up in your online signature, your communications, and on your website and people notice. Consider the beneifits, for example of an LLC (Limited Liability Corporation). You’ll need to talk to your accountant before you make any such changes.

#2 Hire a professional to design a logo for your business. Branding and company identity are vital to the success of any business.

#3 Make sure your website is clean and polished. A well designed website radiates professionalism. There are a lot of messy and unprofessional websites out there. Make sure your online presence is clean, easy to navigate and brimming with valuable content and resources.

#4 Don’t underestimate the power of quality content. The more good, original content you have on your site, the better. Use article marketing to increase your brand awareness and boost your credibility. Network with other complementary websites to provide content for them. Provide value-added comments on notable industry blogs. When your company name is all over the internet, and you are making a true contribution to your industry, your business will automatically look bigger – and more valuable.

#5 Outsource when it makes sense to do so. This is particularly useful if you outsource your virtual help and/or your bookkeeping and accounting help. Give them names such as “project manager” “customer service manager” “accounting department” and sound like you have a warehouse filled with cubicles and happy employees, when in fact you have a few wonderful contractors who make you look good. Try AskSunday.

#6 Don’t use free email addresses. Most hosting package come with email addresses. Use them. Yourname@yourcompany.com looks much better than yourname@hotmail.com. And the same goes for your telephone number. You can get a toll free number for a small fee each month. Vanity numbers cost a little more but they can provide a perceived image of a larger size – 1-800-call-now!

#7 Automate. Automate your phone service and your customer service with easy tools. Phones can be automated with a virtual assistant or by using a system such as OneBox – which screens, answers, and forwards calls automatically based on your preferences and settings. Autoresponder services (we recommend GetResponse), live chat and other automated assistance help customers and prospects get their questions answered quickly, and it provides an image of size and responsibility.

When using the tactics above, remember to always keep your customer in mind. You aren’t trying to be deliberately deceptive in any way. You are just projecting a professional image. The user experience of your customers is what it’s all about.

In today’s globalized, decentralized, wireless economy, more and more businesses are hiring “virtual employees” – employees who work remotely, often from home, and who may rarely or never come into the office. Needless to say, managing these employees from afar can be challenging. Effective virtual management begins with hiring the right people and continues with regular, frequent communication and recognition of success.

1) Hire the right people. The successful virtual employee is a disciplined self-starter who is productive in an isolated environment but is wise enough to maintain connections with other outside communities. The employee must also be trustworthy, self-reliant, organized, efficient, and dedicated to their own and the company’s success.

2) Get to know them. Hold one-on-one, 20-minute meetings (or longer) at least once every two weeks with direct reports. Let the employee set the agenda, and encourage him or her to discuss any questions or concerns. Assure him/her of your trust and respect, and ask questions about his/her aspirations, quality of work life, and sense of career advancement. Work to resolve any problems quickly, and keep the employee apprised of your progress.

3) Make them feel like a part of the team. Virtual employees should be included in all team meetings. Teleconferencing and web-enabled tools like GoToMeeting.com, webinars, live chats, etc. make team meetings among scattered employees easy.

Include some form of recognition in these meetings, such as acknowledging an insightful comment, remarking on small accomplishments that contributed to the end result, and praising those who honor their commitments. Organize employee retreats once a year so that virtual and traditional employees can interact with one another, to discuss success and/or make improvements, to create a sense of unity and teamwork, and to share information.

4) Communicate, communicate, communicate – in as many ways as possible, including newsletters, electronic message/discussion boards, the company intranet, etc. The level of communication should correlate directly to the distance of the employee.

5) Set realistic benchmarks and expect regular status reports. Establish criteria for measuring progress and success – for example total contacts made or products generated. Reserve a particular time of day or the week for check-in chats and/or web-enabled staff meetings. Set interim deadlines for projects to avoid surprises or gaps.

6) Reward and recognize. Reward virtual employees’ desirable behavior in ways that are meaningful to them. A virtual employee might like an upgraded computer, a Starbucks gift card (since many of them work from coffee shops from time to time), learning and development opportunities, or simply time off. Ask virtual employees to list two or three rewards that they would find motivating and then recognize them accordingly.

Managing virtual employees is challenging but gratifying, as these employees are among the most reliable and entrepreneurial. Give them room to innovate and grow, and you’ll be rewarded with success.

You might like:
AskSunday™ – an affordable and award-winning personal assistant service that allows you to outsource tasks.

AskSunday™ is an affordable and award-winning personal assistant service that allows you to outsource tasks.

The service offers two service plans.

1. Dedicated Assistant Program assigns one of its assistants to work especially for you. This is a highly personalized (yet affordable) service. The Dedicated Assistant Program is offered at various service levels.

Dedicated Assistants can perform a variety of tasks, including:

• Data entry/analysis
• Internet research
• Outbound calling
• Document editing
• Uploading content onto websites
• Coordinating and booking travel plans
• Much more.

2. 24/7 Assistance Service gives you the resources of a 24/7 personal assistant, travel agent, and project assistant – available via both email and telephone.

Both services are affordable and available anywhere in the world where tasks can be performed in English.

Visit AskSunday to learn more.

Here’s a useful book: Best Home Businesses for People 50+

Where to buy: www.amazon.com

The Best Home Business For People 50+ is a comprehensive guide that provides people over the age of 50 ideas on how to start and run a home-based business.

Whether you are looking for a business that people over 50 can continue working in for the next 15 years – or a business that will give you extra retirement income and flexible working hours (or even a business that is suited for people with health issues) – this book offers a wide variety of different home-based business ideas. You’ll also find detailed instructions on how to run and build individual home-based businesses.

Business ideas range from bookkeeper, medical billing, medical transcription to mediator, fitness trainer, pet groomer or photographer.

The guide also covers profiles of successful business owners. It is an indispensable book for the over 50s who want to embark on a new career.

For more information on this book, click here: Best Home Businesses for People 50+

Product Review: Momprenaire
Review by: ACMarkMom
Who’s it for? Moms with an entrepreneurial spirit.
Where to buy: www.momprenaire.com

Momprenaire.com is a great website for Mom Entrepreneurs who want to achieve more in their life. Read up on interesting articles or discuss and share experiences in the discussion forums. Becoming a member allows you to participate in life events and network on and offline.

There are different membership options available. Silver Level gives you weekly access to the web’s hottest tools to make you more profitable and simplify your life.  If you have a great product or service to sell, you might be featured in the Success Boutique. This provides information on great products and services from other members. You can also read up on Momprenaire Inner Circle Success Interviews and Successful Mamas Summit Interview Series. The VIP list is your social networking tool to get to know other members in the Momprenaire communities for successful networking.

The Gold Level option, the more expensive option, provides additional resources and tools. Included is a monthly call with the author who will share tips and advice to build a successful business. The Monthly Expert Teleclass with interviews with successful business experts is also available with this membership.

Other benefits of becoming a member:

* Receive every issue of the Momprenaire Minutes?

* Creative strategies for your home and business

* Easily downloadable audios and videos

* Access to Momprenaire’s Successful Mamas toolkit

* Case Studies and project ideas

* Marketing strategies

* Complimentary weekly motivator Momivational

For more information on what Momprenaire.com has to offer, click the links below:

Are You A Driven, Mom Entrepreneur Who Wants to Get Focused? Join Momprenaire.com Today!

You might also enjoy:

The Momprenair’s Guide to Saving Time and Money

Write Your Own Success Story

One of the most challenging aspects of being a business owner and working from home is keeping all of the balls in the air at the same time.

When you work at home, things have a tendency to get in the way. And these minor bumps in the road, while they can’t distract a motivated and serious business owner from ultimately achieving goals, can set you back and cause you to lose time and money.

Here are a few tips to keep your home business running smoothly:

1. Try to keep regular business hours, whatever they are. One of the benefits of working from home is the ability to work when you want to and – let’s face it – even if we love what we’re doing, sometimes we just don’t feel like working.  Other times, say, when the children are sick or your water heater just exploded and flooded your office, you can’t work.

But to keep your home business running as smoothly as possible, try to keep regular business hours. If, for example, you find you’re most productive in the morning then make it a habit to work for a few hours every morning.  You can, of course, work during other parts of the day as you feel like it (or as you need to) but that regular habit of working from 9-12 every day will help things stay on track. You also don’t want to work so much that you burn out. Keep it steady, especially as you are starting out in your home business.

2. Make time for planning. You may not realize it, but one of your most important tasks as a business owner is to plan your business. Set time aside each week to plan your business.  For example: every Friday afternoon, plan what you’re going to do the upcoming week. Each day, before I leave my desk, I make a quick to-do list for the next day. I find that this helps me to organize my thoughts at the end of the day, and it helps to jumpstart my productivity the following day.

You’ll also want to set goals and outline steps to achieve those goals on a regular basis.  On the first day of the month, make a written plan. You’ll also want to create an annual plan and each week or month, take a look at this annual plan and your data to see where you are and what you need to do to accomplish your goals.

3. Keep records. It’s difficult to know how to plan or how to create goals if you don’t have information to base your decisions on.  Record keeping, analytics, financials, and the like are incredibly important.  When you have the right data, and it’s easy to access, you can make great business building decisions. Make gathering this data a part of your daily or weekly routine.

4. Make room for fun. Making time for fun every day is a great way to keep things light and interesting. Even if it’s just a few minutes of dancing to your favorite music, it’ll help you face any challenges that come your way.

5. Partnerships make a big difference. Partnering with other business owners not only helps your business grow, it helps you stay on track to attain your goals.  When you have someone counting on you, it helps you stay accountable.

6. Consider outsourcing. Trying to do everything yourself, particularly as your business grows, is not only is stressful but it makes it difficult for you to stay on top of everything and keep your business running smoothly.  Hire experts to help when necessary.

7. Do something you love. If you enjoy what you’re doing and are fulfilled by it, it’s just easier to make sure the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed.  You’ll be better able to focus, to move past mistakes,  and to seize opportunities.

Keeping your business running smoothly is about knowing your limits, creating systems and setting parameters for yourself and doing something you genuinely enjoy doing.  As life doles out its little surprises you’ll take them in stride and your business won’t suffer any setbacks.