BizOp Blogs

MarketWatch: The IRS’s online filing system is up and running on time. No last-minute bits of legislation to change the whole playing field. What’s the big news this year? Lots of free advice and better question paths in all services. About 145 million tax returns were filed last year. The IRS... More

In the world of money, bills and spending, time waits for no man – or woman. When a due date hits, you have to pay it fast. When an opportunity to buy something at a good price comes up, you have to grab it very quickly. But the funds to do these things aren’t always there. That’s a time when... More

HeraldNet: Sometimes the greater challenge for entrepreneurs isn’t landing on a winning idea; it’s finding the money to start a new business venture. It’s been said there are three common sources for funding — family, friends and fools. In reality, personal savings and investment... More

Despite that fact that it is 2010 and today’s marketplace being technologically driven, you might be surprised at how just many small-businesses still don’t accept credit card payments. If your small business doesn’t currently take credit/debit cards than you are really missing out on a sizable... More

MarketWatch: Unable to get loans at banks, more small-business owners are turning to credit unions. Most credit unions didn’t get in on the subprime-loan market, so they’re not smarting from multibillion-dollar losses like many banks. Many also have extra cash because deposits increased... More

TheStreet.com: Nationally, the businesses sold had a median revenue of $395,000 and a median sale price of $200,000 in the quarter ended June 30. The businesses had a median cash flow of nearly $95,000. Close to 2,100 businesses changed hands through bizbuysell.com in the second quarter, up from 1,559... More

The Wall Street Journal: Small businesses finally are getting their own little piece of the federal government’s ballooning bailout package. U.S. officials announced the federal government as part of a broader package will lend up to $200 billion to institutions that originate consumer loans and business... More

ITWeb: Once you have raised the necessary venture capital to launch your innovative new technological concept or service into the market, you’re set for success, right? Wrong! A study that has recently been concluded at a world-class university showed that start-up businesses with no venture capital... More

MarketWatch: 1. Triage payments Make a list of all payments due for the next three months. Give payroll priority and see what else you can negotiate to pay later. You may be able to slide with utilities; subcontractors can often be persuaded to wait a bit. 2. Accelerate collections Call customers to... More

USAToday: As lawmakers debate the proposed financial bailout bill, small-business owners — who are especially vulnerable to financial meltdowns — face even tighter credit than usual. They’re tapping credit cards and personal savings as it gets harder to land bank financing. They appear to be... More

Associated Press: Seventeen-year-old Alexis Corocan spends about $5 a month on clothes, accessories and eyes of various shapes and shades for her online persona on IMVU, a popular Internet hangout. For 29 cents, for example, she can buy a set of deep gray eyes framed by dark lashes. Sixty cents gets... More

PR Web: Few people understand the effect of increased expenses during the summer better than stay-at-home parents. The kids are home from school and living in-house which means higher grocery and utility bills. In addition, what follows is the end-of-summer woe otherwise known as back-to-school shopping.... More

Corsavoo.com: A business plan is a necessity for obtaining business startup loans and funding for your business. Without one, most banks and investors will not even consider providing you with business startup loans or other funding for your new business. But a business plan provides more than just... More

U.S. News & World Report: Running a small business can be a life-consuming process, so sometimes small-business owners miss the forest for the trees. Maybe that’s why only about 16 percent of businesses with fewer than 50 employees in the United States have 401(k) plans. Small-business owners... More