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OP-ED: Who is next on IRS firing block? | A Passion 2 Write

The 4 top small business advertising concepts

The 4 top small business advertising concepts

Want More Customers? Use Your Own Website Instead Of The Yellow Pages

You have a small business and think you are doing all the right things to get customers in your door...and to keep them coming back. You use yellow pages, newspaper ads, Smart Shopper publications, direct mailing, fancy displays and signs on your exterior, have a presence at local events, and you may even use email a little bit. But is that enough?

Short answer ... NO! Especially in today's world. New customers aren't going to drive around looking for you. Most print media is drying up. Direct mail just ends up in the trash. The yellow pages are so yesterday. This is the digital age. Customers are going online to find what they want ... and where they can get it. Plus, encouraging potential new and repeat customers is easier when you have a website to refer them to where they can visit to keep up to date on your latest specials and promotions, new products and services, sign up for a emailing list, and maybe even place new orders with "repeater" incentives.

Bottom line is you HAVE to have an online presence even if you are a brick and mortar storefront business. Watch this video to learn more about why ... and more importantly how.

Top Small Business Marketing Concepts For Building Sales

The ability to achieve sales and profit in today’s economy is very difficult due to consumer’s watching their monthly budget. Small business owners are feeling the drop in profit because consumers cannot spend money as easily and it does cause a lower profitability margin. For business owners, there are a few marketing techniques to consider which may improve or raise customer numbers.

1) Internet: Just about everyone has a computer these days, both consumers and business owners, so the Internet is a wonderful tool to take advantage of for marketing. A strategic plan of how to market your business should be determined as there are many ways to market your business on the Internet such as

a. Build a business web page

b. Create a Twitter account

c. Use Facebook

d. Build a business blog

e. Create a LinkedIn page

2) Local Community: The local community is another way to let everyone know you are available and able to help those in need of your business. A great way to let the community be aware of your service is by appearing at local events with business cards and introducing yourself. Another helpful way to get the word out about your business is the local library bulletin board as there may be a section for placing your business card for free.

Top small business marketing concepts for building sales

What Will YOU Retire To?

You're nearing retirement age and looking forward to the next phase of your life. Or maybe you want to retire early and try something new and exciting that you've always dreamed of doing. You can only play so much golf, do so many projects around the house, spend so much time gardening, visit the kids and grandkids so many times, read so many books, and so on and so on. Your retirement years should be active, exciting, and rejuvinating....not boring. Plus, with the economy the way it is today...and probably for some time to come...having an additional income would be a big help too.

Why not start a small business online focused on a burning passion you've always had. Something you can have fun doing AND make some money at too. How you say? Easy...just watch this video to get some ideas.

Does Your Business Have A Magic Touch?

Ok...you're all set up with an online business. You think. You have your niche identified, your website up and running, you've done all that search engine optimization stuff, you've even done some offline advertising to get some initital traffic to your website. Now you just sit back and watch the money roll in, right?

Not so fast. Are you sure you've covered ALL the bases?

Watch this video to see if your business has the "magic touch". Without it, you're just spinning your wheels and on the expressway to nowhere.

Using the SWOT analysis matrix in business

Most small business owners are aware the SWOT analysis matrix and the benefits provided when used to enhance the strategy and structure within. For example, SWOT analysis is used to define strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of a business. According to Investopedia, SWOT analysis is “a tool that identifies the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of an organization.”

View slideshow: SWOT analysis and matrix

The variables within a SWOT matrix manage both internal and external analysis. For example, the internal analysis can be performed by using the strengths and opportunities variables whereas the external analysis can be achieved by using weaknesses and threats variables. It may seem complex yet these two matrices are quite simple to manage for short-term and long-term matters. Tracking the strengths and opportunities of a business can be done every so many months as it will allow updates and enhancements to be reviewed.

The second matrix is the external analysis because of what two variables are used, Weakness and Threats. The first variable is used to seek out the weaknesses of business that can effect growth. The second variable determines threats from competitors that can cause difficulty in moving forward, obtaining customers, and building stronger market growth. Both internal and external analysis matrices work together in the end to build a full dialog of business goals for future growth potential.

Using the SWOT analysis matrix in business

Pinterest For Business....Social Media Marketing

Unless you've been under a rock lately....or live your life in a sheltered dark ages bereft of anything to do with the digital age....you must to have heard of, used, or seen Pinterest. Pinterest is an online community of millions of people sharing tips, ideas, advice, gadgets, and just about anything and everything they have a passion for, are in want of, or solved a problem with. Can you see the amazing potential here for your business? Believe me....a lot of small businesses already have. What about YOU?!

Watch these 3 videos and you'll learn all you need to know about how YOU can take advantage of the Pinterest phenomenon to boost YOUR small business success.

Universal Health Care is a train wreck coming to your town

Senior Democratic Sen.Baucus recently stated the universal health care was a “train wreck” and shortly after that term was given, he stated he was going to resign and not plan for another run. It makes a person wonder many key points about this. Let us consider the main question why is it this type of bill was even passed without being read to begin with? Oh wait, Nancy Pelosi forced health care through by stating the "2,000 plus page bill needed to be passed first” and then everyone in Congress could read and change things as necessary.

Well guess what, now it is passed and now the problem child has become a serious threat to not only the American economy, it has become a threat to the American worker as well as the American small business owner because of the financial numbers being reported by the CBO. It would seem ever since this nightmare has been uncovered, new numbers are growing higher and larger like an uncontrollable virus.

In order to deal with this “train wreck” before it happens all small business owners must take one of two options, lower the amount of workers within the business or lower the amount of hours being worked from 40-hours to 29-hours. By performing both actions, small business owners can 1) eliminate the having to pay a fee for the mandate and 2) eliminate having to offer universal health care to employees.

More small business owners will need to take advantage of the above, as they cannot afford paying new small business taxes including this outrageous fee being wanted by the federal government. What makes the matters worse is this mandate and universal health care has become more expensive the further information discovered. The federal government is attempting to cover up information and force a train to pass by all small business owners but it is not ethical for that action to take place. That train will certainly wreck before it arrives and cause severe damage regardless of what is in the way.

Universal Health Care is a train wreck coming to your town

Building An Online Business

You want to start a business, but prefer one with the freedom to work from wherever you want....whenever you want. Rather than a more traditional brick and mortar store front business....you dream of "going online" with your passion. Smart move. One thousands of other people just like you are trying every week. But before you run out and just throw up a website on the World Wide Web hoping that customers and sales will soon follow.....do your homework. A little planning and effort upfront will save you tons of frustration later.

With that in mind here's a must watch video to get you started on the right path to a successful online business.

Steps to follow when preparing for a job interview Pt 2 of 2

How do you answer questions from the hiring manager, do you respond with short answers or are they fully descriptive? Do you come prepared with questions or are you unsure what to ask? Are you someone who sends a thank you note the day of the interview or do you wait to hear from the hiring manager? These are the items to be aware of during the interview process.

Avoid short answers; instead provide descriptive thought and replies

During a job interview, there is a good chance the type of questions asked could be varied. A job candidate may find it helpful to consider previous work experience and/or any business skill that has been used. Hiring managers like to hear how job candidates will use their business experience and skills; it is quite okay to provide long answers when responding to interview questions.

Be prepared with questions during the interview

When reviewing the job information it would be best to write down a few brief questions to find out more details. For example if there is a question regarding the skill requirements that can be answered during the interview. Another question to ask could be about the company itself that was seen on the website. One question never to bring up during an interview is the salary as it will turn off a hiring manager and any chances of being a possible job hire.

After the interview follow up

During this economy, companies are taking longer with hiring the right person. The reasons for these actions are not just the slow economy as many would be quick to blame it is actually the high competitive numbers in job seekers that are on today’s market. Many persons have been laid off so in turn there are many who are currently job seeking. Because of the high number in job seekers, it has caused a longer period for interviewing and reviewing of resumes to take place as business owners want to find the best person for the job.

The best job seekers can do in this situation is to follow through after the job interview has taken place with a thank you note and showing they do have interest in the job position. Job seekers can log the date of interview, check off note being sent, and then wait for a week. Should a week pass and there be no word from that particular company, it would be a reasonable period to contact them for an update on the interview status.

Steps to follow when preparing for a job interview Pt 1 of 2 - Omaha Careers | Examiner.com

1. Research the corporation or company

Research the corporation or the company using Google search engine to discover more about basic information. It is best to do this type of thing the night before and take notes while researching so you are aware. Learn a little bit about the company history, the product and/or service being provided to consumers.

2. Practice Interviewing

Ask a friend to help you on this and respond to the questions that are asked during a job interview. These types of questions can be located by seeking About.com for the exact keywords "job interview questions" without using the quotation marks. After you have practiced responding to the questions a few times, the answers will come more naturally. Do keep in mind, hiring managers ask different questions so it will be different from job to job upon what is asked; it is best to try all of them just to be ready for anything.

3. Dress for success

The night before plan out exactly what will be worn to the interview so all is sitting out and prepared and waiting to wear after stepping out of the shower. Whatever has been chosen, it is important to be sure the clothes will make a good impression and not be too over the top. So choose wisely whether it be a suit for men or a black straight skirt with blouse.

4. First impressions count

Even though nerves may be present, the first meeting with a hiring manager is an important moment. An employee can show positive attitude by greeting his or her hiring manager first with a smile then with firm handshake and lastly by introduction. That combination will show confidence and the readiness for discussion about the job opportunity.

Steps to follow when preparing for a job interview Pt 1 of 2 - Omaha Careers | Examiner.com

May local job fairs are planned in Omaha, Nebraska

Did you know there is a local job fair coming into the Omaha, Nebraska area for the month of May? The first job fair is Omaha Jobs Wanted and it will take place on May 15, 2013 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Metropolitan South Campus (27th and Q) in Omaha, Nebraska. Visit the above link to complete free early registration before the event and to obtain directions to the campus. There is an approximate count of 30 employers (or more) to attend the job fair.

On May 16, 2013 at the Omaha Public Library from 10 am to 2 pm there will be the “John Bernardi Job Fair” held. The Omaha public library is located at 2868 Ames Ave in downtown Omaha, Nebraska for all to attend.

The Urban League of Nebraska is also helping persons who are job seeking by holding meetings every Tuesday at 10 am and 1 pm. Including those meetings persons who are interested there are workshops that can be attended during the month of May.

Another job fair planned for the month of May will be unique. Not only is it for nine days, this particular career fair is focused on job seekers who are seeking employment with colleges or universities. The job fair has uniqueness, as it is accessible for job seekers. The nine-day period will also allow visitors to schedule a time more convenient during their schedule. The job fair is sponsored by ScholarlyHires.com and this job fair can be visited from May 7 to May 16. Scholarly Hires does request that all persons who wish to attend the job fair please freely register for the up and coming fair. By doing this registration he or she will be notified with news upon the upcoming events. Scholarly Hires also has a group which can be accessed for free on LinkedIn if desired.

May local job fairs are planned in Omaha, Nebraska

How A Small Business Can Create A Facebook Page...And Why

Watch this video to learn everything you need to know about how to create a Facebook page for your small business.

Business Without Boundries...How To Build An Online Business

Putting your business online....or starting one from scratch....is not as scary as you may think. Watch these videos to see how simple, rewarding, and successful it can be for YOU.

How To Integrate Your Email Marketing With Your Facebook Fan Page

Like many businesses, you may be exploring integrating social media with your email marketing campaigns. Doing so can expand the reach of your messages and grow both your fans/followers as well as your email list.

So at AWeber, they’ve made a point of helping you combine email and social media by helping you automatically share your email newsletters on Twitter and Facebook.

As some of you noted when they rolled out their integration with Facebook, it only worked with personal profiles (not fan pages) due to limitations with Facebook’s API. They knew you wanted to post to your fan pages, but it wasn’t technically feasible at the time.

Well, as the saying goes, the only constant is change. And this is a good one. Facebook has changed their API, and AWeber has changed their integration and you can now post your email newsletters to your fan pages.

To learn how easy this works, AND to take advantage of this tool for your small business, simply read more here ....

Sharing Email Newsletters On Facebook

How to Open the Door to a Second Wave of Sales

Click. Creeeaaak!

That’s the sound of a subscriber opening your last marketing email – and opening a mental door to more information on that particular subject.

Then there’s that other sound: the silence. That’s a subscriber who didn’t open their door this time.

In one scenario, you got to share some information. In the other, you didn’t. But in both, you’re still standing on the doorstep. So what to do next?

Find out all you need to know here ...

More Sales

How To Manage Multiple Email Marketing Campaigns

Automate Your Email Marketing with AWeber

How To Use Autoresponders To Market Your Small Business

Try AWeber's Autoresponders for $1

How To Create An Email Newsletter For Your Small Business

Send Your First Email Newsletter Today - AWeber Communications

Free, Live Email Marketing Webinars

Whether you’re already a user or someone looking to see what email marketing is all about, these live webinars are packed with useful content to help you get the most out of your email marketing campaigns. Listen in on just a few and you'll be well on your way to becoming an email marketing master.

Topics include ....

* How To Get Started - Live Demo

* Follow-Ups - Connecting With Subscribers

* Create Effective Email Newsletters

* Email Analytics - Tracking and Segmenting for Better Results

* Better Web Forms - Get More Subscribers

* Email & Social Marketing - 3 Ways To Grow Your List

* Creating And Hosting Your Own Webinar

* Confirmed Opt-in Webinar

You can get all the details, including the schedule and sign-up (free rememeber) right here ....

Become An Email Marketing Master

What Tool Makes Email Marketing Easier For Small Business Owners?

There are only 24 hours in a day, and if you like spending some of that time sleeping, it can get stressful and frustrating for small business owners to find the time to get everything done.

But many small business owners out there are succeeding. They’re able to do it all by working hard (of course), but also by using the tools they have in smart ways.

Take Stan and John, for example. Two business owners who merged their blog with their email marketing to grow their audience and keep customers interested.

Read more about it here ....

Email Marketing For Small Business

How To Market Like Google

Google is a content marketing expert.

I can hear you saying, “Huh? But they’re a search engine!” But stick with me. Ever heard of Google Doodles? They’re fun changes that Google makes to its logo in honor of holidays and other notable events. They’re also an example of content marketing at its best. And you can do it, too, on your own blog, on your own web site, with your own email marketing campaign.

The great thing about Google Doodles is that they’re entertaining, interactive, and highly shareable. They’re also effective – web sites related to the day’s doodle topic have seen significant spikes in traffic thanks to Google’s fun marketing practices.

Here are four ways to take the core spirit of Google Doodles and apply it to your own content marketing plan.

Read more here....

How To Market Like Google

How An Offline Business Gets Online Sales

As you can imagine, farmers aren’t spending too much of their time online. But Earth Fortification Supplies Company (Earthfort), a business that helps with management of soil biology for agriculture, markets to farmers.

So it’s no surprise that most of Earthfort’s subscribers come from offline sources. But what might be a surprise is that Earthfort has a lot of people confirming their subscription and reading their emails, and have 0 complaints on all emails sent thus far.

Earthfort’s goal with email marketing is to increase sales – and that’s exactly what they’re doing.

How do they do it? By doing things right.

Read more here ...

Increase Online Sales

Is Your Online Business As Profitable As You Think It Is?

The general belief is that e-commerce is more profitable because it does not require physical stores, but there is a lack of visibility to the real costs associated with the online channel. Check out this interesting discussion about the blind spots that may cost retailers dearly. New business intelligence tools can help online retailers shift their focus from top line to bottom line.

Read more here...

Is Your Online Business as Profitable as You Think?

Small Business Marketing Services & Tips

Small businesses are very important to the american economy but have been taking a beating under the Obama administration. This article includes free marketing services and tips for small companies to manage their own marketing campaigns in this down economy. There's a ton of resources, insights, and on target advice every small business should take advantage of....while you still can.

Read More Here....

Top Free Marketing Services and Tips for Small Businesses

Vision For Business Growth In 2013

All businesses, from a child’s lemonade stand to Verizon, have four specific areas or divisions....

Marketing: The “selling things” part of your business – getting customers for your products and services.

Operations: The “making things” part of your business – what you do for your customer.

Human Resources: The “people” part of your business – recruiting, developing, supporting and compensating your staff.

Finance: The “enabler” of your business – more than financial statements and tax returns, it is what makes your business possible.

Each division is important to the success of the business and they all must work together, but at any given time one usually needs more attention than the others. This is especially true in a growing business since different parts of a business often grow at different rates.

There are four steps involved in researching, creating and evaluating a growth plan....

Step One: Diagnosing the Health of Your Business

This formal analysis ensures you take a realistic look at where your business is now so you can be confident you are working with facts, not assumptions.

Step Two: Focusing on the Key Division and Setting Goals

This will help you examine every part of your business – marketing, operations, human resources and finance, so you can identify where attention is needed most and set realistic goals.

Step Three: Developing Your Business Strategies

This is where you will identify the best strategies to break through the toughest roadblocks and plan for the growth of your business.

Step Four: Implementing Your Growth Plan

Now you need to put the strategies into place, measure the results and watch for unintended consequences.

Tips For Getting A Patent On A New Product

My suggestion is that you do as much work yourself as possible upfront. Read up on getting a patent but don’t submit it or even write it up yet. Get a nondisclosure agreement made up and have everyone involved sign it before you show them the idea. Get a prototype made. You can get someone to design it at www.freelancer.com . Get the part 3d printed or look for a manufacturer that specializes in prototypes. There several places online that can do it for you.

Once you have the prototype, find a factory that can make it for you as competitively as possible. By now, you will have gone through several iterations of the part and you can write up and submit the provisional patent. You can use the www.uspto.gov site and the Google patent search at https://www.google.com/?tbm=pts . You now know what your final product is, how much it will cost to make in volume and now the real work begins.

Now that you have a working prototype, with a patent pending number on it and hopefully some marketing literature and video, get yourself a independent rep that works in that industry to find distributors and wholesalers and try to get a mutually exclusive contract with them for one to two years, where they can’t buy a competing product and you offer them an exclusive territory as an authorized exclusive distributor. For this right, they must buy a minimum quantity , usually the same minimum that your factory requires. I would sell the part to your distributor at double your landed cost. With the p.o. and contract from your distributor, your provisional patent and a quote from your factory in hand, you can make a trip to your local bank for a line of credit. With the loan, you can buy your product and have the money for the full patent.

I want to emphasize a few points. If it is a unique product, the most important thing you can do is get the right partners and get it to market first. Start doing the research on as much in the beginning as possible. Including on how to write the patent and selecting the best Rep. You will only have a certain amount of time from the time your provisional patent gets approved before you have to get real patent or it will expire. In my opinion unless the product is revolutionary, the process of getting a provisional patent is the most important part so that even if you don’t get a full patent, at least you can prove prior art and no one can file a patent to keep you from making it. Most importantly, remember I am not an attorney, so verify everything I mention and that everyone else tells you as well.

Starting Saving – With a Purpose

  

Do you know only slightly more than half of all non-retired Americans (52%) think they are saving enough for "a retirement in which [they] will have a desirable standard of living?" Even fewer Americans say they have a goal in mind when it comes to saving (Consumer Federation of America (CFA), American Savings Education Council (ASEC), Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI)) 2012 survey).

So what can we do to improve those statistics? February 25 through March 2 has been designated as "America Saves Week." It’s an annual opportunity for organizations to promote good savings behavior and a chance for individuals to assess their own saving status as well as an excellent excuse for business owners to promote good savings behavior among employees.

Consider this: Finances are employees' #1 cause of stress, which leads to higher health care costs for your company and negatively impacts employee productivity and morale (http://ezinearticles.com/?id=473303).  Employees who learn how to effectively manage their benefits are more empowered, more engaged, and more satisfied with their compensation, benefits, and overall jobs (financialfinesse.com).

It simply makes good business sense to get employees thinking about saving for the future and participating in your company’s retirement plan. If you have a 401(k) plan, for 2013, the maximum you may designate to your 401(k), not including any matching company contributions, is $17,500. If you are age 50 and older, you can contribute an additional $5,500. The total contribution limit, including employer contributions, is $51,000 or $56,500, including catch-up contributions. Now of course many people can’t afford to save at this rate but it’s likely almost everyone can find some way to save more than they are today – particularly if they aren’t participating in your company’s retirement plan.

Even if you don't max out your retirement plan to take advantage of the tax savings, you may want to review your retirement plan's asset allocation, investment options, and your contribution levels just to be sure that the plan fits in with your overall savings strategy.

If you need more information, the Employee Benefits Security Administration will be hosting two webcasts during America Saves Week. The first is for small employers who do not yet offer a retirement plan. This will be sponsored in coordination with the Small Business Administration and Consumer Federation of America and will discuss the benefits to employers as well as employees and will provide information about the many retirement plan options available. That will be held February 27th from 2—4 pm, Eastern.

The second webcast will also be for small employers and will focus on using the new retirement plan fee disclosures to select and monitor your retirement plan’s service providers. That will be broadcast on February 28th from 2—3 pm Eastern.

 

Information on both webcasts can be found at the Employee Benefits Security Administration website at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/.

 

How To Market Your Small Business With A Budget Of $1,000 A Month

We all are aware that small businesses don't have large marketing budgets. In fact, every dollar counts more than ever especially as a start up. When considering how to market a small business, look for ways that allow you to do "more with less".

There is no definitive "best way" though. Your market will judge the best way by the response you get.

Whatever you decide to do I would recommend....

(i) BE CLEAR ON YOUR MESSAGE & MARKET

Before you commit any money, be sure of the message you want to convey. You're servicing both business and consumer - will your message be different for each? What problem do you solve; what is the result they will achieve by buying your service?

(ii) ADVERTISE FOR A LEAD, NOT A SALE

If you go for the sale straight off - you either get it or you don't. If you can evoke a response to enquire, or to request more information, or a free report or "a something" and capture the contact details of your prospects - then you can market to them over a period of time, building a relationship and building value.

(iii) LOOK TO OTHER INDUSTRIES

Often, business owners have an unconscious compulsion to market their services in EXACTLY THE SAME WAY as their competitors. Look outside of your own industry and see what others are doing. How can you adapt and adopt some of their strategies to make you stand out in your own industry?

(iv) TEST! TEST! TEST!

Start small, track and measure your response. Based on the response you can decide to scale it, tweak it, or drop it.

What follows is a more specific strategy and plan for marketing that allows you to "do more with less"....

TASTE, TRENDS AND TECHNOLOGY

What does your research indicate is the trend in your field? Will it stay the way you are currently offering supplies and services or will it change? This item covers the developments you expect for the next few years. Evan a 'perfect' business can become obsolete overnight due to future developments. Specify a 5 year forecast of your field in your area.

SALES REVENUE FORECAST

Have you developed these targets? This section shows your estimates of future sales revenue for your business. Your strategic plan, needs to spell out the specific actions you will take to achieve your forecast sales revenues.

DIFFERENTIATE YOUR BUSINESS FROM THE COMPETITION

How does your business differ from the competition's strong and weak points. Again, remember to carefully look at your business from the customer's perspective. If you're not sure how your pricing policies compare to the competition, here are some guidelines. Most people associate high prices with high quality and extra service, while they associate low prices with low or average quality and minimum service. Make sure you provide extra quality and service if your prices are higher than your competition or make sure that your prices are lower if your quality is average and your service is minimum.

DECIDE HOW TO REACH CUSTOMERS

Once you describe your target customer, it's easier to create a list of possible ways to reach that person. One of your jobs as a businessperson is to decide which of all the possible methods of communication will give you the most exposure for the least cost in money or time.

EVALUATE THE RISKS FACING YOUR BUSINESS

COMPETITION: Most businesses have competition. How will your business differ in significant and positive ways from your competition? If your competition is strong, don't minimize that fact, but figure out ways you will adjust to or use that strength. For example, if you plan to open a restaurant next to an extremely popular one, part of your strategy might be to cater to the overflow. Another might be to open on days or evenings when the other restaurant is closed.

PIONEERING: If you anticipate no direct competition, your business probably involves selling a new product or service, or one that is new to your area. How will you avoid going broke trying to develop a market?

CYCLES AND TRENDS: Many businesses have cycles of growth and decline often based on outside factors such as taste, trends or technology. What is your forecast of the cycles and trends in your business? For example, if your forecast tells you that the new electronic product you plan to manufacture may decline in three years when the market is saturated, can you earn enough money in the meantime to make the venture worthwhile?

SLOW TIMES: Every business experiences ups and downs. Is your business small and simple enough, or capitalized adequately enough, to ride out slow times? Or do you have some other strategy, such as staying open long hours in the busy season and closing during times of the year when business is ?

OWNERS EXPERTISE: Nobody knows everything. How do you plan to compensate for the knowledge you're short on?

Write your risk analysis by first thinking of the main dangers your business faces. This shouldn't be hard, as you have probably been concerned about them for some time. Some of these may be on the list set out above; others will be unique to your business. Once you have identified the principal risks facing your business, write out a plan to counter each. But don't bog yourself down worrying about all sorts of unlikely disasters