How to Maximize Your Impact on Social Media

Friday, September 16th, 2011

Pretty much every business in the world has a social-media presence now. But just having a Facebook page or Twitter account isn’t enough—not if you want to get the most out of these sites for your business or personal brand.

Think of social media as a community, one in which you or your business must take an active role. In fact, you need to do more than participate—you need to create a community of your own. That means you need to provide unique and timely content that effectively competes for your readers’ attention. Entertain, inform and engage.

Here are some tips on how to do that: (more…)

How to Evaluate a Company’s Stock

Friday, April 22nd, 2011

As you probably know, a share of stock means a share in the company’s revenue, earnings, cash flow and equity. For the individual investor, a share of ownership entitles you to a share of all dividends. Even if the company’s stock does not currently have a dividend yield, there always remains the possibility that at some point in the future there could be.

Buying stock essentially means you’re acquiring a piece of the company.  Before deciding how much to spend on its stock, you’ll want to know how much money that company makes.

The most common way of evaluating the worth of a stock is to look at the company’s profits against the stock price (more…)

Launching Your Brand in China: Add the Poetic Dimension

Friday, January 8th, 2010

If you are launching or expanding your business into the Chinese market, a multilayered brand can be a key component to your success. A great brand name tells people what your company does and why you do it better than others. It tells a story about you that transforms your brand into a broader picture: the business, the product, the service, but first and foremost, the promise you make to your customers.

In the Chinese market, the many varied characters in the language make branding a challenge and an opportunity. Each character in the Chinese language has “multilayered” connotations. Even the slightest change in pronunciation can greatly alter the meaning of a word. Such a multilayered nature gives plenty of space for creativity (and constraints). In fact, multiple-meaning words can better convey brand values. (more…)

Naming Your Business

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

Creating a Great Business Name

Many people choose to start their own business in order to break free from the daily grind of a routine, nine-to-five workday. Starting a business also can enable you to achieve financial freedom without the traditional hassles that go along with working for someone else.

One of the most important elements about starting a business is creating a name for your company. Although it may sound simple enough, there are many things to keep in mind when it comes to naming your business. (more…)

Top Tips From Women Entrepreneurs: Growing Global, Part One

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

Women-owned businesses make up 40 percent of all firms in the United States, according to the Center for Women’s Business Research. They have implemented imaginative strategies to launch and expand their businesses, including going global.

According to the 2005 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Report on Women and Entrepreneurship, published by Babson College, London Business School, and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, there are more than 30 million women entrepreneurs in the world.

These businesswomen are seeking new opportunities, taking risks, sharpening their business skills and crossing borders faster than you can say “worldwide.” (more…)

Building Your Brand and Your Business: 9 Ways to Make This Year Your Best Yet

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

You can ramp up your business to make this year produce your best-ever bottom line. Make it your goal to follow these nine ways to build your brand, and you’ll be on your way to stronger business recognition and bigger profits.

1. Listen more

For many businesses and industries, last year was more than a bump in the road — it represented a fundamental shift in the way their goods and services were bought and sold. Your customers are looking for the same things you are: ways to operate more effectively and efficiently. (more…)