SMALL OFFICE / HOME OFFICE
GET YOUR BUSINESS OFF THE GROUND
www.business.gov
Known as
“The Official Business Link to the U.S. Government,” this site is a
virtual one-stop shop for information on running a small business.
Operated by the Small Business Administration, this Smart Stop offers
guides on starting and managing a business, government contracting,
taxes and a host of other topics. There’s also a helpful tool to
determine what types of federal, state and local licenses and permits
are needed for a variety of businesses, along with contact information
for the appropriate agencies. There’s even a separate section filled
with information tailored for home-based businesses, which the SBA
says account for more than half of U.S. businesses.
FEEL RIGHT AT HOME
www.2minutecommute.com
This
blog offers commentary and advice for people who work out of their
homes. Recent postings included advice on feeling secure in an
insecure economy, a video review of telephone headsets, and an alert
about “business opportunity” scams. The site also looks at how to
avoid the isolation of working from home by co-working, or sharing
space with a group of other self- employed professionals. Postings can
be viewed by subject, such as “Business Ideas” or “Financing.”
MAKE YOUR SMALL BUSINESS WORK
www.esmalloffice.com
This
Smart Stop offers articles and weekly columns for the small business
owner. It features a “Business Guide” with dozens of how-to articles
offering advice on everything from writing a press release to
analyzing profitability. Other articles are grouped into topics
including “Starting Your Business,” “Managing Your Money” and
“Government Resources.” The site licenses content from providers such
as Commerce Clearing House, the Edward Lowe Foundation and the
Kauffman Foundation. You can also sign up to receive a free monthly e-newsletter.
GENERAL INTEREST
GET A CREDIT CLUE
www.controlyourcredit.gov
Way
more fun than a lecture, the U.S. Treasury’s interactive site features
The Bad Credit Hotel game, which provides information on keeping up a
good credit score. The premise is to solve a mystery in a creepy
hotel, with the goal of racking up enough credit tips to get to room
850—the perfect credit score—and unlock bonus information. Along the
way, you collect clues on debt management, credit history and credit
cards by clicking through to different rooms and clicking on key
objects in each room. After collecting enough clues, players get to
enjoy the secret perks found in room 850.
IT TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE
www.whitecollarfraud.blogspot.com
Who
knows fraud better than a fraudster? Sam E. Antar, former Crazy Eddie
Inc. CFO and convicted felon, shares his views and advice on white
collar crime, securities fraud, internal controls, Sarbanes-Oxley and
more on his blog. The introduction states, “The well-educated,
skilled, and experienced accountant is the first line of defense for
the capitalist system.” And, toward that end, Antar points out
inconsistencies in companies, organizations and governments, offers
how-tos on detecting fraud, and muses on wrongdoings. You can browse
by the most popular posts, learn more about the Crazy Eddie fraud
scheme, check out fraud facts, and find related blogs in his list of links.
YOU DESERVE A BREAK
www.accountingcrosswords.com
If
you’re looking to kill some time while waiting for a flight or an
appointment and have some accounting-related fun at the same time,
this Smart Stop is for you. This site offers more than 50 crossword
puzzles covering topics such as “Cash Flow Statement,” “Bank
Reconciliation” and many others.
KEEP THE CUSTOMER SATISFIED
http://customerservicezone.com
Drawing
and keeping customers is the lifeblood of any business, especially in
today’s tenuous environment. This Smart Stop provides practical
information on how companies and employees can serve customers and
potentially increase the bottom line. More than 1,000 articles are
available on topics that include communication, anger management and
negotiations. Join an online discussion group to share your expertise
with others and to gain more insight. The site also links to www.work911.com, which includes free
videos, book excerpts and more that focus on improving your
communication skills.
