Has this ever happened to you? A brilliant idea sparks, you meticulously plan every detail, create beautiful spreadsheets, and envision the triumphant launch. Maybe you even practice a little Law of Attraction in your meditative practices each morning.

But then…<insert sad trombone sound>.

The plan sits there, gathering dust, because life has gotten busy, you’ve been plagued by self-doubt, or you moved on to the next exciting concept.

Sound familiar?

So, how do we bridge the gap and turn those well-laid plans (or exuberant energy) into tangible results?

What do Han Solo (Star Wars et al), Walter White (Breaking Bad), and Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games) have in common? They’re terribly flawed and we love them for it.

Imperfection can also be a powerful asset for businesses when approached with the right mindset. So stop trying your best to be perfect and embrace imperfection as a way to connect with your customers.

First it was pet insurance and foosball tables. Then it was Friday kegs in the office and goat yoga. While those benefits seemed like frivolous ways to bring fun to the office, the current benefit trend that everyone is talking about actually improves productivity and employee well-being (at least as reported by the employees).

Have you heard of automatic concepts on YouTube? If not, and you’re using the second largest search engine in the world to share business content, you need to know about this. It could be impacting your content through clicks and views.

The new year is an ideal time to get clear about your goals. Many people set incredibly inspiring resolutions and plot pathways to their best selves. If you’re one of those people—kudos to you. But if you don’t get straight on one thing, your intentions are going to fall flat.

Here’s the one thing you need to know about goal attainment.

Every yes is a no and every no is a yes.

The new year often brings a renewed focus on fresh starts and improved efficiency. Many of us are wondering how we might earn more, be more productive, and enjoy a better work/life balance. But as you’re committing to goals for the new year, consider that what your business may need is some decluttering. It’s time to channel your inner Marie Kondo and tackle not just physical spaces, but also digital files, outdated processes, and even stagnant strategies.

Just like a cluttered home can lead to stress and lost productivity, a cluttered business environment can hinder growth and innovation. 

Here's how you can embrace decluttering for a more successful year.

The new year is the perfect time for beginnings and setting goals. It also makes for good marketing campaigns and changes to your business. There are so many things you can do to provide value for customers and potential customers. If you don’t use this time to try something new, you're leaving money on the table.

Whether you are starting your own business or reporting to someone else, you can be the leader you want to be with just a few changes to your weekly routine. All it takes is a little awareness.

If you want more views on your business content, you don’t have to be a celebrity (although that makes things a lot easier). All you have to do is help your audience get to know you, and by doing so, humanize your business.

If you’re like me—and almost everyone else in this country—the end of the year is a time to look back and assess. I enjoy the nostalgia and reminiscing that occurs at this time of year, but it can also be a time of dread. It’s a time to realize you either hit the mark or you didn’t. And if you did, you may be apprehensive about being able to do it again in the new year.

Making the most of the time you have is essential to business success. But how do you beat the clock? When you’re responsible for the entire business, how do you ensure you have the time to be your most effective?

In this blog post, we’ll share 4 simple tasks to help with time management.

AI is one of the most efficient tools we’ve seen since the advent of the computer. But if you’re using it to generate content and then just copying and pasting, you’re missing out. And that kind of “laziness” could be costing you customers.

Here’s how a couple of quick edits can bring your AI-generated content from meh to aaaamazing.

If you’re the typical small business owner, you began your business with an exciting idea, a passion. No one goes into business thinking, “I can’t wait to work on cash flow challenges.” And yet, cash flow is one of the top reasons businesses close their doors. It’s not that they aren’t making money. It’s that managing it is not everyone’s skill set.

Money management challenges are one of the most critical areas you need to master to be successful.

Giving Tuesday, held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, is a global movement dedicated to giving back. It's a day to celebrate generosity and make a positive impact on our community. This year, we encourage you to support our local nonprofit Chamber Members who are working tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of others.

If you have a small business, you should look at gift cards as a strategic tool—not just for boosting holiday revenue. Gift cards can also help you foster long-term customer relationships and assist you in increasing revenue for today for services rendered or goods purchased in the future.

You have a great business. You offer items/services everyone needs, yet you’re struggling to get people in the door. What can you do?

While the twelve days of Christmas are traditionally celebrated between December 25 (Christmas Day) and January 5 (the eve of the Epiphany), consumer businesses often celebrate with the “12 Days of Deals” observance where they offer a new deal every day for twelve days leading up to Christmas Eve (although any 12 consecutive days during Small Business Season works).

The discounts can be incredibly effective in generating buzz and drawing crowds. After all, everyone wants to know what tomorrow’s discount will be. In this article, we’ll walk you through how you can capitalize on your own “12 Days of Deals” during Small Business Season.

Have you noticed these days that everyone seems to have a course or at least a YouTube video on how they do what they do? Teaching has become a secondary (and sometimes primary) revenue stream for the small business professional. Marketers, eBay sellers, and even real estate agents are turning how-to instruction into a new business.

Sure, it can enhance your brand, generate additional revenue, and establish you as an authority in your field. But it’s not always the answer for every business.

Before jumping into becoming an online guru in your industry, it's important to weigh the benefits and challenges to instructional content creation. Here’s a guide to help you decide whether going that route is the right step for your business.

Does your business seem to be a revolving door of employees? If so, there are several reasons why that could be true that have nothing to do with your business itself. It could be the nature of your industry. Some industries are seasonal or attract a more nomadic employee base that tends to wander. It could also be a problem with one of your managers or supervisors. Perhaps, it’s a lack of growth opportunities.

If you’re shaking your head thinking, “No, that’s not it,” and you’re wondering what it could be for your business, The 2024 Intuit QuickBooks Allstate Health Solutions Benefits Survey may provide some answers.