WOJTOWICZ: Lots to consider when weighing mortgage payoff
You certainly don’t want to keep paying a mortgage if it restricts your business in other areas. But you don’t want to cough up too much at once and have the same effect.
Small Biz Columnists
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WOJTOWICZ: Prepare, then apply for small-business loan
To write (or refresh) your mission statement, think about what you do, how you do it and why you want to do it.
WOJTOWICZ: Do homework before meeting business lender
Prepare to talk in detail about your business, the plans you are making and the reasons for expanding before you show the banker the facts and figures.
WOJTOWICZ: Character always counts—even in loan decisions
During these difficult times, small-business lenders are looking harder at intangibles—including a borrower’s character.
WOJTOWICZ: Missed tax payments could affect business loans
Property tax billing and collection were at their most confusing during the recession, when businesses were experiencing lost revenue, poor projections and, in general, toughing it out as best they could.
Here’s a must-do checklist for personnel managers
If you are a human resources professional, now is an excellent time for you to assess the human resource function in your
company.
Blogging is no longer optional for entrepreneurs
In 2009, blogging is not optional. If you have a business, you
must have a Web site. If you have a Web site, you must have a blog!
How to innovate your way out of this recession
It doesn’t matter what industry you are in or how well you have prepared–we will all be affected by what has taken place
in the financial markets over the past several months.
Have a plan to motivate and keep key employees
The success of many closely held businesses is dependent on their key employees. These employees may not be family members
and probably will never be owners of the business. Nevertheless, their efforts help increase the value of the business.
Lean companies have best chance to survive
Make your business look as attractive as possible to your banker because you are competing for financing with other small
businesses.
To survive lean times ahead, small businesses must plan now
Small businesses should plan for the worst while being attuned to what is happening in their industries, and to their customers.