"10 Essential Tools for Small Business Owners"

As a small business owner, it's essential to have the right tools to help you manage and grow your business. Here are 10 essential tools that can help you streamline your operations, increase productivity, and drive growth.

1. Project management tool: A project management tool like Trello or Asana can help you stay organized and focused on your goals. These tools allow you to create boards, lists, and cards to visualize your projects and track progress.
2. Accounting software: Accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero can help you manage your finances and stay on top of your cash flow. These tools allow you to track income and expenses, generate invoices, and manage payroll.
3. Social media management tool: A social media management tool like Hootsuite or Buffer can help you schedule and publish content across multiple platforms. These tools allow you to manage your social media presence, engage with your audience, and track your performance.
4. Email marketing software: Email marketing software like Mailchimp or Constant Contact can help you create and send targeted campaigns to your customers. These tools allow you to design and send emails, track open rates and clicks, and automate your email marketing efforts.
5. Customer relationship management (CRM) software: CRM software like Salesforce or HubSpot can help you manage your customer interactions and stay on top of your sales pipeline. These tools allow you to track leads, contacts, and opportunities, and automate your sales and marketing efforts.
6. Time tracking software: Time tracking software like Harvest or Toggl can help you track your time and stay focused on your goals. These tools allow you to track time spent on projects, generate reports, and optimize your workflow.
7. Website builder: A website builder like WordPress or Wix can help you create a professional-looking website without needing to know how to code. These tools allow you to choose from a range of templates, customize your design, and add features like e-commerce and contact forms.
8. Graphic design software: Graphic design software like Canva or Adobe Creative Cloud can help you create visually appealing graphics and branding materials. These tools allow you to design logos, brochures, and social media graphics, and edit photos.
9. Video conferencing software: Video conferencing software like Zoom or Skype can help you stay connected with your team and clients remotely. These tools allow you to hold virtual meetings, share screens, and collaborate in real-time.
10. Productivity app: A productivity app like Evernote or RescueTime can help you stay organized and focused on your goals. These tools allow you to take notes, track time spent on tasks, and stay on top of your to-do list.

By using these essential tools, small business owners can streamline their operations, increase productivity, and drive growth.

Additional Resources

For more information on these tools and how to use them, check out the following resources:

• Trello: Trello's website offers a range of guides and tutorials on how to use their project management tool. Visit their website at trello.com.
• QuickBooks: QuickBooks' website offers a range of resources and guides on how to use their accounting software. Visit their website at quickbooks.intuit.com.
• Hootsuite: Hootsuite's website offers a range of resources and guides on how to use their social media management tool. Visit their website at hootsuite.com.

Conclusion

In conclusion, having the right tools is essential for small business owners to manage and grow their business. By leveraging these 10 essential tools, small business owners can streamline their operations, increase productivity, and drive growth. Take the first step today by exploring these tools and finding the ones that work best for your business.

Some Startup Business Ideas For 2013

Where is the next great startup business idea coming from? It might already be out there waiting to be plucked off the internet and put into practical use. Always remember that in business there isn't really just "one thing."

Consider your own neighborhood. How many dry cleaners are there? How many nail salons? How many restaurants?

Businesses offering the same goods and services can coexist. What makes your business successful is how you innovate and market. Since more and more folks are turning to smartphones and tablets for daily use, you could find a sweet spot developing a product or website to fit the needs of all those potential users. If you're looking for an idea for a startup business consider these hot concepts:

Neighborhood Social Networks

Yes, everyone is on Facebook but that doesn't mean everyone is "connected" in real world terms. When it comes to social networking, staying local could be a big benefit. Developing a social hub for various communities could turn into a broader venture. Just keep it in the community.

Social Network Address Book

Speaking of social networks, there doesn't seem to be a decent address book that works across several platforms. Yes, every Smartphone has a version of an address book but supposed you want to organize all your online social contacts in separate categories? Where is the app for that?

The Next Great App

There is always room for a new great app. What about a digital business card or a digital customer loyalty card? If there was a way to scan those types of items and share them with other Smartphone users it could be a big plus to many businesses and reps.

A New Kind of Craigslist

So far, Craigslist has cornered the market when it comes to internet classifieds. Is there a better version? Perhaps something that isn't so cluttered? Maybe one that focuses more on trade than personals? Worth thinking about.

Group Shopping

Many fans of shopping like to do so with friends. What if you could go online shopping with your BFF? That could be a huge game changer for a smart ecommerce site.

Photo Sharing

There are many popular photo-sharing sites like Pinterest, Tumblr and Flickr. Is there room for more? When you think about the amount of pictures being shared today then the answer is "yes." The hook would be to come up with that tool or "cool factor" that the other sites are lacking.

If you've started up a new business this year, let us know. We'd be happy to share the good news! 

Top Digital Tools for Virtual Teams

Just because you're situated in one time zone and your associate is halfway around the world doesn't mean you can't get business done. We are truly in an age of instant global interaction. Everything from a conference call to design planning to video chat sessions can be conducted through cyberspace. Here are some terrific digital tools for virtual teams:

Scheduling

Before you can set up that cross-country meeting you need to know when everyone on your team will be available. 

Doodle lets you survey the group for the best time and day for a meeting. You don't have to register with Doodle and you can get it up and running in a few mouse clicks. 

Timebridge takes virtual scheduling to the next level by letting you set the best time but also an agenda, action items and allows for notes. If you'll be using audio-conferencing then Timebridge lets you attach the numbers via freeconferencecall.com.

Working Together

Once the meeting has been set, you might find he need to go over documents together or brainstorm in a creative session. To accomplish that you'll need to create a virtual environment where you can share a "cyber whiteboard" along with the ability to chat in real time. Here are some wonderful collaboration tools:

Join.me lets you have an ongoing teleconference while sharing desktop documents or programs.

Speek is a 100% online conference without a phone number or pin. Team members will go to a designated link to join in the call. There is even an option to send a text to that link and get in on the discussion.

MeetingSamurai sets up a virtual version of a board meeting that offers terrific note-taking features. You'll be able to vote on measures and then "park" agenda items to deal with later. All of this plays out for all the participants to view in real time.

Google Drive was formally known as Google Docs and is a very popular option among business professionals. What many users don't even realize is that there is a chat feature which is perfect for conference calls. This is great for those much-needed brainstorming creative sessions.

ConferencePad is perfect for the iPad users on your team who want to opt for remote collaboration. With this app you'll be able to view and make notes on any document presented to the logged in team. Even if you're in the same conference you can plug into this app and forego all the cumbersome power point presentation equipment. Everyone can just look at their pads!