This collection of articles have been written by John Eakins, a member of SCORE Chapter 406.  Many of these articles have been published in the Southeast Business Journal (SBJ), Rochester, Minnesota.  It is our hope that you find the information beneficial to your business.

John Eakins has been a member of SCORE chapter 406 and a counselor for seven years.

(While these articles are based on work supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the views expressed are not necessarily those of the SBA.)

Choosing the right business (how to choose; what to consider; do what you like)
   > Is a franchise right for you?
   > Sell what they want to buy (coming soon)
   > Should you focus on a niche?

Organizing yourself and the business (legal form; structure; delegate; focus; BP)
   > Advantages of incorporating may be elusive
   > Write that business plan 
   > Should you have a board of directors?

Finding money: loans (loans; grants; venture capitalists; partners; shares)
   > SBA (Small Business Administration) website 
   > Preparing your loan request 

Attracting customers: marketing (customers; competition; selling; ads; Mkt Plan)
   > Cheap marketing (NEW!) 
   > Help your community and increase visibility 
   > Get them to open your letters (coming soon)
   > Postcard advertising—good and cheap

Running the business (practically anything that doesn’t fit elsewhere)
   > Be a strategic partner
   > Could your presentations stand improving?
   > Tips to Make Your Next Presentation Go Better Than Your Last (NEW!) by Dr. Scott Litin
   > Great ideas take sweat
   > New technologies and techniques
   > Tweaking or changing the business model
   > Why owners resist advice

Building the bottom line: revenues & accounts (revenue, profit, cash flow)
   > Take a tip from your bank 
   > Want to boost revenues?
   > Improving the bottom line I
   > Improving the bottom line II
   > Want to get paid faster?

Making customers happy: customer service
   > Little things mean a lot - customer service
   > Make customers crazy about you
   > Win customer loyalty with customer service

Creating a happy workplace (ways to make a great place to work)
   > Hiring great employees
         > Small business hiring tips
         > How can I hire the right employee?
         > Two employees, one job
   > Management
   > Business owners are communicators
   > Communicate to set expectations
   > Grooming employees
   > Leading employees
   > Make business teams work (coming soon)
   > Entrepreneurial employees
   > Let employees like their work

Using the internet & a website
   > Internet for small business
   > Need a website? Where to start
           - Website basics 
   > Does your website need help?