Posted by Aileen Gilpin on October 6, 2014

What bookkeeping records should you keep for your small business?

Source: Internal Revenue Service (IRS.gov) You may choose any record keeping system suited to your business that clearly shows your income and expenses. Except in a few cases, the law does not require any special kind of records. However, the business you are in affects the type of records you need to keep for federal tax purposes. Your recordkeeping system should also include a summary of your business transactions. This summary is ordinarily made in your business books (for example, accounting journals and ledgers). Your books must show your gross income, as well as your deductions and credits. For most small businesses, the business checkbook is the main source for entries in the business books. (more…)
Posted by Aileen Gilpin on September 7, 2014

Summer Hiatus… Over!

10462453_10204035064620627_1738944769401223228_nIf you have been following all summer, you will have noticed that there hasn’t been much to follow. Sorry for this little summer hiatus, especially since so many things have been going on with me and within AGC!

But don’t worry; I’ve come back with lot of new stories and stories to share. My summer travels led me all over the state of Illinois traveling for my daughter’s softball team enjoying the smell of the ball-field and enjoying hot dogs at the ball park.

(more…)

Posted by Aileen Gilpin on June 25, 2014

How to Improve Retention by Hiring the Right Employees

Focusing on the hiring process is an important aspect in running a business, but many business owners and managers overlook an important factor during the hiring process: retention. In order for your hiring efforts to be effective, it is necessary to look at retention as well… because hiring has a direct impact on employee retention.

How Retention Impacts the Hiring Process (more…)

Posted by Aileen Gilpin on June 25, 2014

Using Social Media to Make Yourself More Attractive to Potential Employers

With the invention of social media, the job search process has drastically changed over the years. Instead of just skimming through a stack of resumes, hiring managers are now looking online to find additional information about the people that they are interested in hiring. Your social media presence can make-or-break your job search efforts, and it is important that you consider the messages that are being shared through your social media accounts. (more…)

Posted by Aileen Gilpin on June 25, 2014

3 Ways to Increase Business Revenue in a Weak Economy

As the economy changes, many business owners and entrepreneurs have the same question in mind: How do I increase revenue despite a weak economy? There are a few steps that can be done in order to boost your revenue and increase profit at the same time.

1. Improve Your Services

You will never beat out your customers on price alone, because it will quickly turn into a race to the bottom. But, you can increase sales by offering unique products and services that your customers are looking for. Many people are willing to pay a little more money for a better experience, and with some creativity you can set yourself apart from the competition. Those customers will be more likely to come back again if they were completely satisfied with the service that they received.

The goal is to make each customer walk away from the experience with the feeling that they received a lot of value for the money that was spent. Focus on selling the value instead of promoting sales based on price, and you will bring in more revenue.

2. Invite Your Customers to Share with Their Friends

Word of mouth is the strongest form of advertising, and when you deliver unparalleled service then your customers will be more inclined to share with their friends. Sometimes a simple suggestion is enough to encourage people to take action by posting a review online, or sharing details about their experience through social media.

Other ways that you can initiate viral marketing is by offering an incentive for your current customers. For example, if they “Like” your Facebook page and share it with their friends, then they can receive a discount coupon to be used on their next visit.

3. Cut Unnecessary Costs

Even if you are bringing in a lot of money, high costs can quickly decrease your profits. Work with a financial professional who can evaluate the spending habits of the company, in order to identify places where costs can be cut. Sometimes simple changes can really add up in terms of savings, and getting an outside perspective can help you to see things that you might not have identified on your own.

Make sure that cutting costs doesn’t have a negative impact on customer experience though. Decreasing the value of your product or service can have the wrong impact on the way your customers view your company, which can have a ripple effect on your long-term revenue.

Looking for other articles related to hiring top talent, visit Career Connection Articles | Blog