Never hire someone who knows less than you do about what he’s hired to do. — Malcolm Forbes

Never hire someone who knows less than you do about what he’s hired to do. — Malcolm Forbes

5 tools to measure web presence

Every week, businesses are finding exciting new ways to use their websites and social media platforms to drive sales, engage customers and build their brand.

But as a busy business owner with so many new things to try – and finite time and resources – you need to be able to track the performance of your online campaigns, so that you can define progress, learn lessons, and focus on what works for you and for your customers. How many people are visiting your website? How did they find it? What do they do when they’re there? Do they come back? Do they engage with you on social media? Does any or all of this translate into sales?

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Hiring in-house vs outsourcing

Maybe you’re a successful small company – maybe it’s just you! – and you need more hands on deck to keep up with demand; maybe you’ve grown to the point where you need expertise in a set of skills your current crew just doesn’t have.

Do you add a new employee (or whole team of employees) to your in-house workforce, or do you outsource to an external agency, specialist or consultant? There’s no simple answer, and what worked for another organization might not work for yours.

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Love what you do or don’t do it. — Mark Cuban

Love what you do or don’t do it. — Mark Cuban

I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance. — Steve Jobs

I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance. — Steve Jobs

What to look for in a new location

So you’ve arrived at the decision that your company needs to move locations. It’s a big and exciting step for your business and one that may seem daunting – with a whole world of office space open to you, how do you choose the best new home for you, your staff and your vision?

It goes without saying that you need something you can afford – just don’t forget to check all leases and contracts thoroughly for hidden costs before you budget for your move. But there are many practical factors you should bear in mind besides cost. Once you’ve identified a number of properties within your budget and preferred zip code(s), read on for everything else you need to know to narrow down your list.

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"Because if you’re prepared and you know what it takes, it’s not a risk. You just have to figure out how to get there. There is always a way to get there." — Mark Cuban

“Because if you’re prepared and you know what it takes, it’s not a risk. You just have to figure out how to get there. There is always a way to get there.” — Mark Cuban

"Progress always involves risks. You can’t steal second base and keep your foot on first." ~ Frederick B Wilcox

“Progress always involves risks. You can’t steal second base and keep your foot on first.” ~ Frederick B Wilcox

How to stop a lunch thief

An opportunistic lunch thief is like a printer jam or an argument about the thermostat: almost every office will have one at some point, and though it may seem petty, if it happens regularly it can make your workplace unbearable (not to mention unproductive).

How can you prevent lunch larceny from ruining your afternoons? Short of catching the culprit red-handed, no method is guaranteed success: but below are our best tips for disrupting, preventing and/or exposing a sandwich swindle.

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Stop giving away your time and talents. Value what you know and start charging for it. ~ Kim Garst

Stop giving away your time and talents. Value what you know and start charging for it. ~ Kim Garst