A small business owner's guide for choosing a fast, quality print vendor

Before the advent of digital printing, small business owners would be hard pressed to find a print vendor willing to take small orders, fast turnarounds or requests for customization. Now, print vendors are plentiful, and with so many of them vying for your business, it can be difficult to know which one offers the best services and the best deals. Read More

Spring cleaning your small business technology

Spring is a great time for small businesses to focus on cleaning up and organizing their technology. Doing so can make a business more productive and efficient and also reduce costs. Read More

Job outlook positive for diverse accounting-based careers

The need for well-educated accounting professionals will continue as long as business grows. From large to small, domestic or global, all businesses require financial guidance from professionals with accounting knowledge who can prepare, analyze and verify financial documents. Because this vital role comes in many forms, some colleges and universities offer multiple paths toward a specialization in the accounting field. Read More

Tips to help maintain a work-life balance during business travel

Companies have been pumping the brakes on business travel, but as the economy improves, employees are hitting the road again, realizing that investing in in-person meetings is worth the cost. As business travelers become acclimated again to a steady life back on the road, their next challenge is maintaining that illusive work-life balance. Read More

How to make business productivity blossom this spring

Every year, we tackle spring cleaning at home. Why not do the same at work? Most of us grapple with overflowing email inboxes, PC desktops stuffed with random files and servers brimming with old data. Digital clutter can be particularly challenging in small and midsize businesses because people are often juggling different roles. If you are the CEO, marketing director and customer service representative, it's difficult to find time. Read More

An American business success story

For more than 200 years, the United States of America has been viewed as the land of opportunity - a nation where almost anyone who is willing to work hard can become successful, regardless of how they start out. Read More

Protecting your financial information from natural disasters

Disaster preparedness has become more common as a result of the increasing number of floods, tornadoes, wildfires and hurricanes in recent years. According to FEMA's website, there were 99 major disasters declared in 2011 alone. One area of disaster planning too often minimized or overlooked is financial data. Read More

Preparation key to college and career success

Because of the United States' falling rank among developed countries for college completion rates, many lawmakers have recommended efforts to increase the number of young adults with a college degree. Some institutions are already working with high school educators to teach students about the importance of preparing for college. Read More

Why technology careers are in such high demand

Technology professionals continue to be in high demand across a wide array of industries. Health care, technical consulting and computer system design are just a few of the growing career directions grads can choose with a technology degree. Read More

Certification can improve your career prospects in a shrinking job market

Why would you need legal assistance? You might be surprised

Based on what you see on TV, you might assume you'd only need legal help if you experienced some dramatic and life-altering event. But the truth is most people will have a legal need at some point in their lives - usually under fairly common circumstances. Read More

Know your legal rights in personal injury cases

Americans of all walks of life experience personal injuries every day - many of them through no fault of their own. They just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. While most can recover from these injuries, the road to recovery is long for others. Some may never again be able to lead normal, healthy lives. Read More

Why offers to become a 'mystery shopper' require lots of scrutiny

Being paid to shop - a dream come true, right? Not so fast. While legitimate "mystery shopper" programs that pay people to shop and provide feedback on their experience exist, there are a number of scams out there that use "mystery shopping" as a cover. Therefore, it pays to be ultra-skeptical if you're ever approached with a mystery shopping offer. Read More

The importance of marketing your soft skills in the job search

As many Americans continue to search for employment, everyone is looking for ways to make the most of every interview opportunity. Of course, a good resume will reflect your technical training and experience. However, there is more to your overall qualifications than that. Your soft skills are an important part of the whole package. Read More

Professionals find passion, paychecks in sports business industry

Decades ago, the sports industry was a combination of talented athletes and mom and pop business owners. But now, in an economic time when many industries are hurting, sports business is one that is thriving and growing. Read More

Social media helping small businesses stretch their ad dollars

How to brand your business and position it for success

For small businesses, having a well-established brand with a loyal customer base is critical to both immediate and long-term success. While investing money in brand developing tools may be costly, building a suite of business cards, postcards, signs, banners, brochures and other products that give your business a professional look can be easily and inexpensively accomplished. When your brand acts as your identity, anything you can do to increase public awareness will only help your company. Read More

Tips for working smarter outside of the traditional office environment

For many professionals, life in a cubicle is a thing of the past. Going into work could very well mean taking a stroll down the hall to your home office or heading to the coffee shop down the street. For those who are used to working in a traditional office environment, there are a few things you can do to make sure you are working at peak efficiency in your flexible work environment. Read More

Lesser-known health care careers are very rewarding

Have you looked at career possibilities in health care lately? Many positions in the medical arena involve operating room (OR) procedures or patient care. Others require totally different skill sets, such as positions in pharmaceuticals or hospital administration. One unique and rewarding career option involves biomedical equipment technology. Read More

Resolutions small business owners should keep all year long

Why you don't have to think twice about boarding an elevator

For people who live or work in multi-story buildings, elevators are an integral part of our everyday lives. A century of innovation and popularization has opened previously unimagined possibilities for human transportation and revolutionized building design capabilities. Originally intended to carry freight in low-rise factories, mines and warehouses, the technological advances seen in today's elevators were once inconceivable. Now technologies exist that identify passengers and direct them to an elevator to help them quickly reach their destination. As elevator technology evolves to meet ever-taller buildings, demand for improved safety and performance remains in lock-step. Read More

Job-seeking tips for designers: How to appeal to potential employers

For college graduates entering the design fields, in particular aspiring interactive media and Web designers, a job search that ends well starts with socializing. Communicating and networking - in person, not just social networking online - is an important way for students to start building a foundation for their careers. Read More

Develop a plan to connect your business with customers

When is a dual-degree MBA worth it?

In the last two decades, more and more business schools have started to offer a dual Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, in which a student can pair a traditional Master of Business Administration degree with another post-graduate (master's or doctoral) degree. Pursuing two degrees at once may mean more time, money and stress initially, but it can also lead to a graduate who is proficient in business concepts as well as being a subject-matter expert. How can potential students tell if a dual degree is right for them? Read More

New job skills can increase your chances of being hired

Many Americans are involved in prolonged job searches these days. With the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting the unemployment rate still hovering around 8 percent at the end of April 2012, competition among job seekers can be daunting. This is a good time to evaluate your viability in the job market, beginning with an assessment of your skills. Read More

Accountants the backbone of the business world

When you think about the backbone of a business, it's not the owner, CEO or board of directors who keep everything trucking along. Instead, it's the accountant who leads the finances of small and larger companies into the future. Read More

Downshifting careers for a more fulfilling life

When 60-plus-hour weeks, expensive professional suits and excessive stress become too much, many high-power professionals trade in their high-paying careers for a more fulfilling life. Called "downshifting," the move allows former CEOs and company presidents to find more balance between work and life. Read More

Why your social media habits are just as important as what's on your resume

You may have spent hours making sure you are using just the right action verbs in your resume, and crafted the perfect cover letter to catch the attention of your future employer, but if you haven't spent the time to clean up what's on your Facebook page, all that work could be for naught. Not only do social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn allow you to connect and network as you search for a job, but they give you a platform to sell yourself - or shame yourself - to future employers. Read More

Master's degrees help educators navigate changing roles

Education is the second largest industry in the United States, and nearly everyone is impacted by its professionals in some way. Unfortunately, budget cuts have forced many states to cut faculty size and increase classroom size in K-12 schools. These changes have put educators under increased pressure to meet new demands while also staying abreast of evolving industry trends and regulations. Read More

Seven websites to inspire the everyday designer in you

What to look for in a cleaning service company

What working professionals should look for in degree programs

The college experience means different things to different people. An undergrad straight out of high school might consider Saturday football games and fraternity events part of the deal. But if you're a working professional heading back to school, chances are you're going to be a lot less concerned with the extracurricular aspects of college. Read More

Five golden choices for investors

In the dark about how to invest in gold? Despite gold's increasing value and popularity, many folks don't know where to get started. If that includes you, you're not alone. Here are five options to get you started. Read More

Trend alert: The future of in-store shopping goes high tech

Gone are the days of loading the station wagon and heading to the local mall to spend the entire day getting everything the family needs. Today, American shoppers are savvy and smart. They know exactly what they want and how they'll get it. As a result of this fast-paced shopping evolution, the retail environment is transforming, too. The next time you visit your favorite store, don't be surprised if you see high-tech innovations that enhance your experience and make shopping easier than ever before. Read More

The art of navigating corporate culture

Learning to navigate your career while grasping the culture of a company is one of the greatest challenges a new employee will face. Whether you're a recent college graduate, or at a crossroads in your career, steering your way around a company's 20,000 or 1,000 employees and figuring out the unwritten rules of corporate culture can be challenging and confusing. Read More

Need power for your business quickly? There's an online solution

When the power goes out in your home, it's rarely more than an inconvenience. When a business loses power, however, the results can be downright devastating. The Internet is making it possible for companies to get back up and running faster than ever before. Read More

Protect workplace information to keep businesses, customers safe

What many people don't realize is that when they don't protect their company's confidential information at work, they're not just putting their employer, clients and customers at risk - they're endangering themselves and their co-workers too. Read More

Graduating? Career trends job-seeking students should know

Students graduating from college this year should expect better job opportunities and salaries than graduates from recent history, but that doesn't mean new graduates will have an easy time finding employment. Competition will still be fierce with hundreds of applications submitted for jobs in many industries, both from new graduates and former graduates still looking for work. If you're planning on graduating soon and seeking career opportunities, here are some employment trends to be aware of. Read More

Retirement planning crucial for small business owners

Planning for retirement is crucial for everyone, and it is especially critical for small business owners, the business leaders many cite as the life blood of the American economy. The challenge before American small business owners is keeping their companies financially healthy long-term. This is so that small business owners do not over-rely on the sale of their business alone to take care of them in retirement, and so the business will continue to remain a viable employer in the communities it serves. Read More

Designing your home office for maximum comfort and productivity

There's no doubt that we're a connected society - and connected like never before through email, social networks, video conference technology, instant messaging, smart phones, the list goes on. While this influx in connectivity has made it easier to do business, it has also blurred the lines between work and home life, resulting with many of us working in our homes at least a few hours each week. If your kitchen counter top has become your go-to place for paying bills, responding to emails and conducting business, it may be time to consider adding a dedicated office space in your home. Read More

Growing career field provides vital support to businesses

Communication is the backbone of all businesses - regardless of size or industry. In the modern business environment, the ability to transmit and store information is vital to productivity - and thus, success. But no communication system runs itself - it's the people behind the scenes who ensure that a business thrives. This means huge career potential for individuals who can design, implement, secure and manage communication networks and keep them running smoothly. Read More

For career success in today's tough economy learn the G.L.O.W. method

Good is just not good enough for many employers today. As companies look to do more with less, hiring managers are drawn to those job candidates who stand out from the crowd and clearly illustrate the value they bring to an organization. Read More