Business Discussions

Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Thanks for tuning in for another segment of the Business Discussion page. Today I'm sharing an article from forbes.com that offers some pointers on how to successfully tell your brand's story.   Include the elements of good storytelling. Character(s), tone, plot, etc. Be relatable. Showing even the not so great aspects of your story allows for a deeper human connection. Niche down. Don't be everything to everyone. Cater to your specific audience. Test your story. "Write a few variations of your story and review them internally. After choosing your favorite options, run them past a focus group." Show and tell. "We love written brand stories, but the future of the web is in multimedia content. Once you’ve honed your story, it’s time to share it in multiple formats." Live your story. Skepticism is alive and well in today's day and age. Your story shouldn't be full of claims you can't backup. Incorporate feedback.&n

Welcome to the QuickBooks Community! We all know that clear payment terms are more than just fine print, right? They are the foundation of timely payments and smooth client relationships. When your terms are easy to understand and consistently applied, you create trust while keeping your business financially healthy.      According to this QuickBooks blog, here are 3 quick tips they mentioned that can help you get paid faster.   Choose terms that align with your business needs, whether that means payment upfront, within 15 or 30 days, or upon receipt. State your terms clearly on every invoice. Offer small discounts for early payments, and consider adding late fees to encourage on-time payments.   These simple steps can make a big difference in how consistently you get paid. What do you think?   Take a moment to review your current payment terms. Are they helping your business thrive? If not, this could be the perfect time to make adjustments.   Than

Hey everyone! Hope your day is going well. Let’s talk about something that can make or break your business: customer service. It’s easy to think customer service is just about being nice, but it’s so much more. Great customer service means listening, solving problems, following up, and most importantly, making people feel valued.     Think about the last time you had a standout experience as a customer. Chances are, it wasn’t just the product. It was how someone made you feel heard and taken care of. That’s what keeps people coming back. In today’s world, people want real connection. A delayed order or tech glitch can be forgiven, but being ignored or dismissed? Not so much. So train your team to lead with empathy, stay calm under pressure, and always go the extra mile.   Customer service isn’t just a department. It’s a mindset. And when you get it right, it becomes your secret weapon.   What’s one customer service experience that left an impact on you, good or bad?

Instagram remains a valuable tool for growing your business if it’s aligned with your current goals. Here’s a quick five-step refresh to help you get the most from your account according to Buffer!     Set Clear GoalsDecide what you want to achieve: brand awareness, product sales, or community building. Write these goals down so every post supports your direction. Optimize Your ProfileSwitch to a business account for better tools and analytics. Make sure your bio is clear, includes contact information, and links to current content. Use a recognizable profile image and ensure your grid looks clean and appealing. Define Your Visual StyleUse a consistent color palette and font that reflect your brand. A cohesive aesthetic helps users instantly recognize your content. Post ConsistentlyCreate a regular posting schedule to stay visible. Use scheduling tools to plan ahead and test different posting times to increase engagement. Use Hashtags StrategicallyMix broad, niche, a

Hey Community! Today I want to talk about an article I read shared on the QuickBooks Blog. This particular post discusses ways to fund your business without relying solely on your own pockets. Here are a few examples:   Fundraising is a skillAs a business owner, it's pretty safe to say you have a large skillset. One of those skills can actually be fundraising. This comes with practicing your pitch, taking advice on how to better convey your message, and creating documents to back up your statement. "Fundraising, like any skill, is one that can be learned, one that can be improved, and one that can be perfected over time."   Learning from "no""You either win or you learn. There's no such thing as losing." This is what the writer had to say about receiving the answer "no" when requesting money. Using no as an opportunity to learn and better perfect your approach.   People invest in people, not companiesBuilding your network and relationships is key to business ownersh

Hello everyone! I hope you're doing well. Running a business isn’t just about managing daily operations, but also about growing, evolving, and leveling up your mindset. Season 2 of Mind the Business: Small Business Success Stories explores exactly that, and I wanted to share a few takeaways that really stood out.    This season is a reminder that growth begins with the right mindset. Hosts Avery Wilson and Alex Lieberman sat down with inspiring entrepreneurs to discuss the real moments behind building a business. They focused not only on the wins but also on the valuable lessons that come from taking risks, making pivots, and learning from setbacks.   One powerful theme that emerged is that confidence does not always come first. Instead, it is often the result of taking action. Many of the guests shared that they did not feel completely ready when they launched or scaled their businesses. However, they chose to move forward anyway, learning along the way and c

Welcome back to the Business Discussion board! Today I'm stopping by to share a list of a few common mistakes small businesses make for you to keep in mind...   Not knowing your competition Constant Self-promotion Setting unrealistic goals Not strategizing Not checking for grammatical errors Not measuring your efforts No interaction with customers   Not too painful! But keeping these fresh in your mind will certainly help in daily small business life. What would you add? What's a mistake that you made that you wish someone would have told you about? Let's talk about!

We've talked a lot about social media and how it can help your business grow. Let's say things are going really well and the social media aspect of your business has become increasingly more difficult to keep up with. Have you ever considered hiring a social media manager?   Here are a few things one could do for you:   Management This one is pretty straight forward; it's even in the job title! A social media manager will be able to do just that - manage, across all platforms.   Engagement Engaging on social media is done through replies, comments, and direct messages. Again, one of those things that can be really time consuming especially when there's a lot of it do. A social media manager will get this done for you!   Graphic Design Have you ever heard the saying, "We eat with our eyes first"? The same can be said about consumers when choosing a company to do business with. Help in the graphic design department will take your business to the next level. &nbs

Good afternoon! Welcome back to the Business Discussion board. Today we're facing a fear! Something that we do to ourselves that can limit growth, especially in a business ownership role. And that is limiting beliefs. Here's how to overcome them...   Change Your Relationship With FailureNot scoring the winning goal, not getting the promotion, going into debt, you get the idea of these few examples of what our structured ideas of failure looks like. Entrepreneurship forces you to re-arrange our relationship with failure. Rather than seeing it in the traditional sense, "failure" will look like: not being resourceful, being a poor leader, being too afraid to make mistakes, and not learning from those mistakes once they’re made. Remember, struggle is a necessary part of the process.   Identity Your Largest Fear and Face ItSay your biggest fear is actually starting your business; what better way than to dive in head-first? Register your business name and tell 5 people close to you

Hello everyone! Thanks for taking a minute to check out the Business Discussion page. Today I'm sharing an article from the QuickBooks Blog that offers a few options to improve your business efficiency during times of economic downturn.   If you've read any of my posts in the past, you know I'm a fan of starting off with a definition. Business efficiency can be defined as, "how effectively a company uses its resources (money, labor, materials) to produce an output (products and services)." It also answers the following questions:   How productive are my employees? How much waste does our company produce? Are we seeing a positive return on the tools, materials, and talent we invest in?   There are several ways to gauge business efficiency. Here are a few of the main areas to focus on:   Financial efficiency Overall profitabilityFixed asset turnoverReceivable turnoverInventory turnover   Operational efficiency ManufacturingSupply chain managementC

Hello everyone! Hope you guys are doing okay! Running a business means constantly facing decisions that can shape your company’s future. Whether you're launching a new product, hiring your first employee, or investing in new technology, asking the right questions beforehand can save you time, money, and stress. Here are a few things to consider:   First, ask yourself if the decision aligns with your long-term goals. It’s easy to get excited about new opportunities, but it’s crucial to make sure they actually move your business in the right direction.   Next, consider the potential return on investment. Whether it’s financial gain, improved efficiency, or greater visibility, understand what you expect in return and whether it is worth the cost.   Think about your resources. Do you have the time, staffing, and capital to support this move without putting a strain on your current operations?   Also, ask yourself what the worst-case scenario could look like. Being awar

Hello friends of the Community! Welcome back to the Business Discussion board. Today I'm dropping by to share an article I read from the QuickBooks Firm of the Future site. It talks about how having an effective business strategy also drives people strategy. Here are a few pointers to leverage your team:   Step 1: Look at your business growth goalsYour talent strategy begins with your business strategy. Identifying your business growth goals are critical to determining what skills you need your team to possess to achieve your ambitions. Sometimes this means bringing on new talent. But many times, it can take the shape of upskilling your current team.   Step 2: Help your team define their career goalsNow is the time to sit down with each of them to narrow their goals into particular focus areas. In order to accelerate their career growth, you first have to understand the path and milestones your team members see for themselves.   Step 3: Look for gaps in yo

Welcome, friends! Whether you're getting ready to launch your first business or just starting to explore the idea of entrepreneurship, one thing is clear: your personal brand matters. And the good news? You don't need a huge following or fancy videos to start building it. You need to show up as yourself, consistently and intentionally.     Recently, Forbes shared some great tips on how founders can start developing their personal brand before launching their business. It's all about getting ahead of the game, so when your product or service is ready, people are already familiar with who you are and what you stand for. Here's a simple breakdown of their advice:   Define Your Unique Value Proposition Reflect on what sets you apart. Identify your strengths and how they align with your business's mission. This clarity will guide your branding efforts and resonate with your target audience.   Be Authentic and Transparent Share your journey, including challenges and

Hey QuickBooks fam! Life gets busy, especially when you’re managing your business, your team, or your books. Trust me, I know. But keeping a positive mindset can make all the difference in how you show up each day. Here are five quick ways to boost your outlook:     Start with gratitude. A few moments of thankfulness in the morning set the tone. Take mindful breaks. Step outside, stretch, or simply breathe. Celebrate small wins. Progress is progress, no matter the size. Surround yourself with good energy. Uplifting music, a favorite podcast, or positive people help. Reflect, don’t dwell. Learn from challenges, then let them go.   Staying positive is a daily practice, not a one-time fix. A little intention each day can lift your mindset and your business. What’s your go-to positivity boost? Share in the comments! Sending lots of positivity your way!

Welcome! We're glad you're part of the QuickBooks Community. This is a place for business owners, bookkeepers, and entrepreneurs to connect, learn, and grow together. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, you'll find plenty of useful tips and conversations here.To get you started, here's a look at one marketing opportunity that’s gaining serious momentum according to Inc.com: Pinterest. It’s not just a place for recipes and craft ideas anymore. Businesses are seeing real results from advertising on the platform. Here’s why Pinterest might be worth considering for your next marketing move: Strong Revenue GrowthPinterest recently exceeded expectations with its quarterly revenue forecast, leading to an 11 percent increase in its stock. This shows growing confidence from both investors and advertisers.   Smarter Advertising Through AIThe platform is introducing AI-driven tools that make ad targeting more effective. Businesses c

Hi friends. Welcome back to the Business Discussion board. Today I have a bit of insight to help you be more productive. Let's talk about how to deal with task paralysis.   What is task paralysis you ask? Also referred to as overwhelm freeze, task paralysis is when your mind sees your to-do list as a threat. When we encounter threats, we either fight, flight, or freeze. With a larger to-do list the threat may be recognized as potential failure or letting others down.   Here are some tips to help you unfreeze and tackle your tasks:   Acknowledge your negative emotions. Think of ways to add reward and accountability to your task. Do something to increase your dopamine like listening to music while you're working or eating a snack before you get started. Move your body for a little while before you get started to get your mind out of the frozen state. Work in a different area. Start small with something that feels the most doable. Don't wait until you have "more time" or i

Welcome to the QuickBooks Community! I hope you are having a good day! If you're a small business owner looking to get your invoices paid faster, you're in the right place.   Our QuickBooks Blog has shared 20 actionable tips to help you collect payments more efficiently. However, let's dive into the top 5 strategies to accelerate your cash flow:   1. Automate Your Invoicing Sending invoices manually can be time-consuming and prone to errors. QuickBooks allows you to automate your invoicing process, ensuring that invoices are sent promptly and consistently. This reduces the chances of human error and ensures timely billing.   2. Offer Multiple Payment Options The easier you make it for clients to pay, the quicker you'll receive payments. QuickBooks integrates with various payment platforms like PayPal, Stripe, and ACH transfers, allowing clients to pay through their preferred method. This flexibility can lead to faster payments and improved client satisfaction.   3.

Hello, and welcome back to the Business Discussion area of the Community. I hope you all are doing wonderful! Today I'm sharing an interesting post I came across on the QuickBooks Blog that covers some interesting financial literacy statistics. Let's take a look.   To start, here's a good definition of financial literacy: "Possession of skills and knowledge to make informed and effective financial decisions."   Now, onto the stats... Only half (54%) of small business owners say they had a good understanding of financial management before starting a business. 1 in 5 small business owners say they taught themselves financial literacy. Less than half (48%) of small business owners are confident they’re paying taxes correctly. 71% of small business owners say being a business owner has improved their financial security. 48% of small business owners plan to build personal wealth by growing their business. 45% of small business owners say stability, not growth, is the lo

Hello ladies and gentlemen! Thanks for joining us here in the Business Discussion area of the Community. Today I'm dropping by to share an article from sfgate.com that talks about the importance of your target audience as well as how to find it. Let's take a look.   "A target audience is a specific group likely to be interested in your company's products or services. These individuals share certain characteristics, such as demographic and psychographic traits, that make them the most probable purchasers of your offerings."   Identifying your target audience allows you to: "Tailor your marketing messages to meet your audience's specific needs, wants, and characteristics." "Increase the cost-effectiveness of your marketing efforts by focusing resources on the most likely buyers." "Strengthen customer relationships by engaging with them on a more personal and relevant level."   How to find your target audience: Conducting Market Research Utilizing Tools and Res

Have you heard the news? There's a feature called Intuit Assist that acts as your personal assistant! Oh, what's that you say? - Tell you more? Sure thing! Let's take a look at this article from the QuickBooks Blog for more info...   "Intuit Assist for QuickBooks, our new generative AI-powered financial assistant, now available in beta and rolling out more broadly in the coming months, is designed to help small business owners like you succeed. By surfacing powerful and relevant insights based on your business’s performance and your customers’ behavior, Intuit Assist will help guide you on the spot, enabling you to make informed business decisions."   Let's break it down. There are four key ways Intuit Assist will help and support your business growth:   Show MeA comprehensive view of where your business stands.   Do it for MeAutomates tasks, like drafting invoice reminders and more, saving you time so you can focus on the big picture for your small busine

Hello out there, Community! I'm glad you're here. Today I'm sharing an article from inc.com the showcases an interview with Mark Cuban, from Shark Tank, where he tells us all about how to be an irreplaceable employee.   First and foremost, Cuban says, "The greatest value you can offer a boss is to reduce their stress." Here's how: Take care of your mental health and well-being. "Mental health is a vast topic with many aspects to consider. However, leaders should focus on employees who prioritize their self-care for workplace application. These individuals structure their schedules to prioritize their well-being while maintaining high-performance levels. Run away from workplace drama. "Getting caught in the whirlwind of workplace drama will overload your attention and take your focus away from what is most important--your work! Time lost to workplace drama could be costing your business a lot of money." Practice emotional intelligence. "Emotional intellige

Running a business comes with plenty of daily tasks, but managing payments doesn’t have to be one of the most time-consuming. If you offer monthly services, subscriptions, or ongoing client contracts, automating your billing can make a big difference. Our article today from QuickBooks Blog shared that QuickBooks Recurring Payments provides a smart and efficient solution to streamline your payment process, improve cash flow, and create a smoother experience for both you and your customers.     What Are Recurring Payments? Recurring payments are automatic transactions scheduled to occur regularly, whether weekly, monthly, or annually. These payments are charged directly to a customer’s debit or credit card or withdrawn through ACH from their bank account. This system is especially beneficial for businesses that rely on subscription models or consistent billing cycles.   Why Should Your Business Use Recurring Payments? Using recurring payments through QuickBooks offers seve

Hello again! Welcome to the Business Discussion board. I've previously shared a few ways to answer tough questions and how deal with difficult situations as a small business owner. This post is a new edition - how to politely respond to people asking for your product or services for free. Here are a few ideas:     "Thanks so much for considering me! Please follow this link to the services and price packages that I offer. Let me know if you have any questions."   "This sounds like a great opportunity, thank you for thinking of me! Are you able to confirm that this is a paid opportunity?"   "I appreciate you thinking of me for this opportunity. Unfortunately, I'm unable to take on any unpaid projects at the moment but I'll get back to you if that changes!"   "Thanks for reaching out! I typically charge a flat fee for this kind of advice so I'm unable to answer this via DM but I'll drop a link below so you can schedule a consultation with me."   These are ju

Hello Community! Thanks for joining us here in the Community for today's Business Discussion post. Today I'm sharing a post from the QuickBooks Blog that talks about how to protect your work as a small business owner and get the credit you deserve.   Terms to take note of: Intellectual property: Intellectual property (commonly referred to as IP) is anything you’ve created with your mind, like an invention, a work of art, or a brand name. Patents, trademarks, and copyright are all examples of intellectual property protections. Trademark: Trademarks apply specifically to the language and designs you use to identify and market your product, like a brand name or a logo. Unlike copyrights and patents, trademarks never expire. Copyright: Think of copyright as a patent for written and visual works, like novels, poems, art, and architecture. These protections begin from the moment you create your work, whether or not you’ve gotten around to publishing it. A copyright generally

We’ve all read that email or memo that sounds like it was written by a robot trying too hard to sound professional. Full of vague phrases and buzzwords, it leaves us wondering what’s actually being said. In business writing, clarity is king. Jargon might sound impressive, but it often confuses more than it clarifies.     Here are five common culprits and how to replace them with plain, effective language. 1. “Circle Back” What it sounds like: You're lost in a roundabout.Say instead: “Let’s revisit this tomorrow.” “I’ll follow up with you later.” 2. “Leverage Synergies” What it sounds like: Consultant bingo.Say instead: “Let’s work together.” “We can combine our strengths.” 3. “Move the Needle” What it sounds like: You're fixing a car stereo.Say instead: “Let’s make real progress.” “We want results that matter.” 4. “Touch Base” What it sounds like: Office baseball.Say instead: “Let’s connect.” “Can we check in later?” 5. “Bandwidth” What it sounds