It’s Halloween!

And in case you didn’t know, the days of trick or treating out on the streets are over!

Yeah, some still engage in the tradition, but the newest thing is shopping mall trick or treating!

That’s right. Kids dress up and head to the mall in costume. They go shop to shop instead of door to door, opening their bags for a handout!

It’s true. And, if you think about it, it’s a great idea for businesses.

So you have to stock up on a few bags of candy, but the reward is gaining possible sales you wouldn’t have otherwise.

Parents are inclined to browse around while their kids collect candy, which means money for you!

So, put on a scary face. Get in the spirit. And open your door to the hoards of kids (and parents!) that are coming your way!

Happy Halloween!

If your business is succeeding and you’ve seen a growth in numbers, it might be a good time to consider branching out.

Travel around a bit.

You know just what customers around the block want. But what about a foreign audience?

There might be a group of people in France just waiting for someone like you to give them what they want.

Exploring different countries and equipping yourself with the knowledge of other economies could benefit the life of your small business.

What might be a bust here could be HUGE in Germany (think David Hasselhoff).

Taking a trip could prove beneficial in more ways than one.

Besides being a good break from the norm, you could come back with a bigger, greater, more profitable idea than ever before!

Have you noticed how more and more businesses are offering free shipping on their online orders?

It’s a great incentive to buy.

While some companies gouge the consumer on inflated shipping prices, the free ship option gets customers hooked!

Plus, if you place a minimum on purchases qualifying for free shipping, you’re likely to see your money back.

For example, try offering free shipping with a minimum order of $25 to get customers’ attention.

Then, bump it up to $40.

Nine out of ten times (just a ballpark estimate!), a customer with $34.00 in their online shopping cart will spend an extra $6.00 to get their balance up to $40 so they can qualify for free shipping!

See? It’s easy. And it is these kind of subtle tricks that make business go BOOM!

The changing of seasons is upon us.

And weather has everything to do with how business is going.

If you run a small retail store, your business might see a fall. Patrons don’t like dragging their families out in the rain.

That’s just the way it is.

While many customers want to shop early for Christmas, the weather may pose a threat to them getting to you.

How do you rectify the situation?

By being creative.

Extend your hours of operation. Create an online store.

These are potential solutions to your problem of dwindling consumers.

In other words, make it easier for your customers to spend money! Because if they don’t spend it with you, they’ll spend it with someone else!

Learning from people who have come before you is essential.

If you don’t take heed of others’ advice, you’ll end up making the same mistakes they once did.

Why waste time reliving what you can avoid through conscientious application of past lessons?

Sure, you can pass off those elder businessmen and women as dinosaurs, professionals from a different time who know nothing of today’s fast-paced world.

But you would be a fool.

Those dinosaurs are, in fact, very valuable. They are pioneers who developed the path to where you are now.

And one day, you’ll be able to share your knowledge with those who’ll come after.

Even though you may think what you do is completely unique, there was someone before you who helped pave the way.

Give credit where credit is due, and start thinking of what you can do to better the road to success.

You never want to be stuck in the past.

Especially if you’re an up-and-coming business.

First impressions are important and there are no second chances at them.

You want to appear ahead of your game, and the way to accomplish that is NOT by using outdated software.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out.

Technology and your level of expertise on the subject says a lot about who you are and where you’re going.

You don’t have to spend a ton of money, but you do need to know what’s out there and do your best to implement programs that will benefit your small business.

For your benefit and your customers’, take a look at what is available and try out some new software.

You can always go for a free trial if you’re not sure you’ll like what you see. It’s a great way to test the waters without having to instantly commit.

Have you ever walked into someone’s office, eyed a desk of messy piles, and asked the inevitable question, “How do you find anything?”

The owner of the mess says, “Easy,” and proceeds to pull out exactly what they need from all the chaos.

Somehow they know exactly where everything is despite the massive disorganization.

Maybe this is you. And maybe you maintain that despite your lack of organizational skills, your system works just fine.

Okay. But what happens when you get the flu or need to take a plane across the country for a family emergency.

Is your assistant/partner/coworker going to “get” what you’ve created? Will they be able to make sense of the muddled disorder?

Make your life and everyone else’s easier and get organized!

You can’t say you haven’t had those moments where you’ve been ready to smash your walls down with a sledgehammer because you can’t find something. Admit it!

Clean up and you’ll find your life just got a little more clear.

The economy is a fragile machine, one that we all contribute to in our own ways.

Supply and demand is a simple enough concept, but factor in debt, war, taxes, foreclosure, stock prices and bankruptcy, and the economy can get pretty messy.

What is happening now is not new. It is stressful, yes…upsetting, sure, but nothing we haven’t equipped ourselves to handle.

The bad economy we’re facing today is simply a case of deja vu.

Things happen in cycles. Events from the past will surely repeat themselves.

The climate will change. The stocks will fall. It’s inevitable.

So, what can you do?

I suppose the most important thing to remember in emergency situations is to not panic.

Stay calm and think wisely. Put your money where it’s safest and continue working as hard and as diligently as you always have.

You’ll see. Things will turn around.