Business Insurance: Protecting Your Business from Unexpected Losses
As a small business owner, you have invested large amounts of time and money to make your business a success. Business insurance protects this investment if unexpected damage to property occurs or lawsuits, which could otherwise devastate to your business. There are many types of insurance available depending upon your business. General Liability General liability […]
What Counts as “Hours Worked” Under the Fair Labor Standards Act?
If your small business has non-exempt employees covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), you must pay those employees under its minimum wage and overtime requirements for all “hours worked.” This may seem like a simple requirement, but figuring out what is considered “hours worked” may be more complicated than it seems at first […]
The Personal Guarantee: 5 Ways Small Business Owners Can Reduce Their Liability
Small businesses make a considerable contribution to the U.S. economy. Nevertheless, starting a new business is risky. Lenders view loans to small businesses, particularly start-ups, as among the riskiest they make, particularly when there is little or no credit history or business revenue on which to base their decision. To lessen their risk, lenders frequently […]
Independent Contractor or Employee: It’s Very Easy to Cross the Line
Many businesses prefer to hire independent contractors because there’s often less overhead and fewer expenses (i.e., taxes). However, classify an employee as an independent contractor, and you’re in big trouble. Here’s how to legally differentiate between the two. Who Controls the Worker? This question can be challenging to answer. According to the U.S. Internal Revenue […]
Are your LLC Interests Actually Securities?
Securities law is a complex minefield that terrifies even the most seasoned lawyers. As a small business owner, it is your responsibility to make sure you’re complying with all the securities laws, both federal and state, that may apply to your business. Most people think that only corporate stock qualifies as securities, but did you […]
4 Social Media Mistakes that May Put Your Company’s IP at Risk
Being active on social media is hardly a choice anymore for small to medium-sized businesses—it’s a given. Your customers are there. Connecting with your target audience on the social web can boost your brand and level the playing field between you and big competitors with larger advertising budgets. But before you rush out to tweet […]
What Is The Difference Between an LLC and an LLP?
If you are starting a new business, the business entity you set up will affect the extent of personal liability, how the business is taxed, its management, the level of formality required, and many other factors. There are a lot of options, which can make this decision overwhelming. Limited liability companies (LLCs) and limited liability […]
Dealing with Negative Online Reviews of Your Business
You’ve worked hard to build your small business. Nothing is more frustrating than negative online reviews, particularly if you feel they are unjustified or have been posted in bad faith. You can take several steps to prevent your business’s reputation from being damaged by unfavorable reviews. Respond promptly and professionally More potential customers are turning […]
Writing The Business Plan
Operating your business without a business plan is like going to the grocery store hungry and without a list. You end up with a lot more than you need—a lot more than you even want—in your cart. And you’ve likely upset your budget for the week. A few such carefree adventures and your budget is […]
5 Key Benefits of a Well-Written Job Description
Although the main purpose of a job description is to, well, describe a job – it actually serves a bigger role. A job description can improve a company’s ability to manage employees. A well-written job description will: 1. Clarify expectations. Employers must spell out their expectations of what an employee should do daily. Clearly describing […]
