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Business Advice

Resources for businesses of any size.

Going out on a limb and starting your own business? We’ll be your safety net. Fiercely, growing your company? We’ll be your fertilizer. Whatever stage your business is at, we’re here to keep everything in your financial garden rosy with education, support, and straightforward advice.

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Starting Your Business

 

HOW TO CREATE A BUSINESS PLAN

You have an idea for a business—but will it be successful? A business plan can help you analyze the market, set goals, and determine what strategies you need to succeed.

LEGALITIES FOR NEW BUSINESSES

From patents to business structure, you’ll need to address some key legal considerations before you can turn your business dreams into reality.

KEY ADVISORS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

No matter what industry you’re in, it's likely that at some stage you’ll need advice to improve your business. Learn which advisors can help your business succeed.

NAVIGATING REGULATORY BODIES

Whether you're a sole proprietor or head of a large corporation, if you're starting a new business you'll need to contact a variety of regulatory authorities.

4 WAYS TO FINANCE YOUR BUSINESS

There’s more than one way to start a business, and even more ways to keep it going. Determining your capital needs and potential sources is essential to fund your business.

THE BENEFITS OF A HOME OFFICE

Working from home isn’t for everyone, but there are some significant tax advantages to maintaining and using a home office for your business.

YOUR GUIDE TO HIRING EMPLOYEES

Making a new hire can grow your business, but it can also complicate things. Before posting a job ad, make sure you understand what’s involved in hiring and managing employees.

 
 
 

Growing Your Business

TURBO BOOST YOUR MARKETING

Marketing is all about understanding your customers' needs. By tapping into marketing strategies that are right for your business, you can help fuel your business’s growth.

KEY PAYROLL CONSIDERATIONS

If you’ve ever had a job, you know how important it is to be paid correctly and on time. That’s why it’s essential to understand payroll, even if you choose to outsource it.

MANAGE YOUR WORKING CAPITAL

Funding your day-to-day operations requires some kind of working capital. You should understand your expenses and income to determine how much you need to stay afloat.

SMART CAPACITY PLANNING

Expansion is a sign of growth, but it can be challenging to accurately plan for new facilities, more employees, or both. Anticipate demand with accurate capacity planning.

RECRUITMENT BEST PRACTICES

Finding and hiring the right employees will be essential to your business’s continued growth. But there’s a lot to consider when it comes to making the right hire.

ENHANCE YOUR DISTRIBUTION

What’s the best way to get your products and services into the hands of customers? Improve your results with a clear plan for the activities involved in distribution.

CREATE A GLOBAL BUSINESS

Operating internationally can open up exciting opportunities in new markets. However, you’ll need to be mindful of foreign exchange implications and international regulations.

TECHNOLOGY FOR BUSINESS

No matter the size of your business, technology can be a game changer. Explore how planning and financing a digital transformation can benefit your business.

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Establishing clear policies, rules, and expectations will go a long way to keep your workforce happy and your business running smoothly.

CREATE A BUSINESS ALLIANCE

Sometimes joining forces with another company is the best way to guarantee the continued growth of your business. Discover when a business alliance or merger might help.

​ACCESS R&D SUPPORT

Research and development is crucial to the success of a business. Ensure you have all the information available when it comes to accessing support.

EXPANDING YOUR BUSINESS

As your business grows, you may find opportunities to expand into new markets. Enhance your chance of success with forecasting and an updated business plan.

STAY AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION

Maintain a competitive advantage in your industry by analyzing your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, and continually plan how you’ll stay one step ahead.

 
 
 

Creating a Non-Profit

HOW TO CREATE A NON PROFIT

An organization must meet a specific set of criteria to be registered as a nonprofit. Understand what’s involved with this comprehensive guide to getting started.

SELECTING A BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A board of directors helps steer a nonprofit organization to reach its goals. Finding directors with the right skills and assigning appropriate roles is essential to create a strong board.

DEVELOPING YOUR VISION

Just like a regular business, your nonprofit organization will need a well thought out mission, goals, and business plan in order to launch successfully.

WRITE A NONPROFIT CONSTITUTION

A nonprofit organization must have its own constitution to specify how the organization operates. This document and its bylaws will govern all aspects of the organization.

A GUIDE TO NONPROFIT INSURANCE

A nonprofit organization requires insurance, just like a regular business. Protect directors from liability with the right insurance for volunteers, workers, and more.

STRUCTURING YOUR NONPROFIT

Regardless of size, your nonprofit’s organizational structure will determine how it functions, whether it is registered as a charity or not, and how volunteers are involved.

ENHANCE NONPROFIT MARKETING

When it comes to marketing, nonprofit organizations have double the work. You have to reach people who will use your services, as well those who will support those services.

HOW TO HIRE FOR A NONPROFIT

Whether you use volunteers, staff, or a combination of both, you should understand the regulations and responsibilities involved in hiring for a nonprofit organization.

STRATEGIES TO ATTRACT SUPPORT

Nonprofit organizations rely on funding to survive. Make it easy for individuals to contribute financially to your nonprofit with straightforward support options.

SMART NONPROFIT FUNDRAISING

Raising funds for a nonprofit organization can be challenging. Setting realistic goals and being strategic can help you save time and boost fundraising results.

NAVIGATING NONPROFIT GRANTS

Nonprofit organizations can apply for all sorts of grants, but you’ll need to be organized and have a clear budget to put them to work.

CREDIT CARD DONATION BASICS

Make it simple for your supporters to help you financially and get closer to your funding goals with a merchant credit card for your nonprofit.

CLOSING DOWN A NONPROFIT

You may eventually decide to dissolve your nonprofit organization. Before you start this final process, be sure that you’ve explored all your options.