FastUpFront Small Business Blog

In previous posts, such as this one, I’ve discussed some of the unique opportunities crowdsourcing offers for small business owners- especially in the areas of business finance and market research. But there is a flip side to these benefits. If you do not exercise your due diligence, at best, you can end up forking over [...]

Faced with a lousy job market, many people are trying the entrepreneurial route these days. They start their new ventures which such high hopes and enthusiasm. But little do most of them know, that they probably won’t see their companies operating through 5 years, much less turn a profit. At least, that’s what the Small [...]

Ever since the concept of cloud computing entered pop culture a few years ago, it has gained in popularity and usage among consumers and businesses alike who were quick to harp on the advantages of operating in the “cloud” and using Software as a Service (SaaS) applications in particular. While users may still be a [...]

According to a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends project, an estimated 26% (the equivalent of 36 million) of the 139 million currently employed workers in the United States endured at least one period of unemployment during the recent recession that began in December, 2007.   The survey indicated [...]

There are countless blogs out there that offer a wealth of useful business-related information and news, but after a while, even if the content is good, most of them may start to sound the same. For those looking to trim a little blog fat from their rss feeds, or for those newbies wondering where they [...]

As the 2011 tax season gets underway, many small business owners will be seeking the assistance of professional tax preparers to help them through the process. But in an effort to save money, they may end up shortchanging themselves. Here are three reasons why a long-term financial adviser may more adequately fulfill the needs of [...]

When it comes to business marketing, everything rides on company’s brand- it’s unique identity based on words, imagery, emotion, and reputation. It is through the brand that a customer gets to know a particular product or service, and as such, it is one of a company’s biggest intangible assets. But as the following collection of [...]

We all know that good credit is highly sought after. And should we forget, those catchy little jingles are there to remind us, prodding with “free,” instant online credit reports. But once you find out what your score is, you may still be left wondering what exactly it’s good for, and more specifically, what does [...]

We’re not out of the woods yet… The National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) recently reported that its quarterly Index of Small Business Optimism fell 0.6 points in December to 92.6, closing off the 36th consecutive month of a recessionary reading.   Of the small businesses surveyed, sluggish sales continue to be a primary concern, [...]

If the thought of filing your business taxes makes you head for a bottle of Tums, then take a look at these five business tax tips to simplify the process. Learn how gain more control, take advantage of free or low-cost tax tools, and get educated.  (Image Credit) 1. Maintain clear records and know what [...]