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Why Outsourcing Strengthens Small Businesses and Communities
Why Outsourcing Strengthens Small Businesses and Communities Boosts Business Growth: Outsourcing non-core tasks lets small businesses focus on strengths, cut costs, and scale efficiently. Strengthens Communities: Partnering with local providers supports small businesses, creates jobs, and fosters innovation. Smart Strategy: Delegating specialized services drives business performance and fuels local economic resilience—everyone wins. Why Outsourcing Strengthens…
Read MoreThe Art of Giving Feedback That Inspires Instead of Discourages
The Art of Giving Feedback That Inspires Instead of Discourages Delivering constructive feedback is vital for team growth and morale. Effective feedback should be specific, timely, and focused on behaviors rather than personal attributes. Utilizing the “sandwich” approach — starting with positive feedback, addressing areas for improvement, and concluding with encouragement — can enhance receptivity.…
Read MoreIncrease Sales with This Smart Tip
Increase Sales with This Smart Tip Increase Sales With This Smart Tip One of the best things you can do for your business is make it painfully obvious what you provide for your ideal audience. Coyness, after all, does not sell products. Have you ever known someone who puts what they love out there? They…
Read MoreWhy Every Business Needs a Business Plan
Why Every Business Needs a Business Plan By Sherri May, SBTDC Business Launch Specialist December is National Write a Business Plan Month, and you may wonder why it is necessary for a small business to have a business plan, what exactly a business plan is, and how you can receive help in writing a business plan.…
Read MoreBusiness Ownership Through Franchising: Is it For You?
Business Ownership Through Franchising: Is it For You? By Eileen Proctor of SBTDC Raleigh IT’S TIME! You’re ready to flex your entrepreneurial muscles, become your own boss, start your own business. But coming up with that winning idea, putting together the systems and processes, hiring employees, marketing and growing the enterprise are just not your…
Read MoreTop Tips from our Counselors for a Successful 2025
Top Tips from our Counselors for a Successful 2025 Business Tips for the New Year As 2024 comes to a close, we asked seasoned business counselors to share their top tips for small business owners to carry into the new year. From budgeting strategies to staying ahead of industry trends, these insights offer practical, thought-provoking…
Read More4 Tasks to Make You a More Intentional Leader
4 Tasks to Make You a More Intentional Leader Define Your “Win” What it looks like: Take a moment each week to clearly define what success looks like for you, your team, or a specific project. Write down one or two measurable outcomes that, if achieved, would make the week feel successful. For instance, a…
Read MoreBudget-Friendly Marketing: Growth Tactics for Small Teams and Tight Budgets
Budget-Friendly Marketing: Growth Tactics for Small Teams and Tight Budgets For small businesses, competing in today’s fast-paced market can feel like an uphill battle—especially with limited marketing budgets. However, with the right mix of creativity, strategy, and resourcefulness, even the smallest teams can make a big impact. Here’s a roadmap to stretch your marketing dollars…
Read MoreWhy Protecting Competitive Tax Rates Matters for You
Why Protecting Competitive Tax Rates Matters for You An urgent call from 500+ chambers and associations to prevent a massive tax hike. When debates about tax policy happen, they can seem distant from daily life. Yet, the decisions made in Washington, DC, can directly affect every family and business in your community. What’s happening: Over…
Read MoreA Recent Ruling Overturning the FTC’s Ban on Non-Compete Agreements: Implications for Small Businesses
A Recent Ruling Overturning the FTC’s Ban on Non-Compete Agreements: Implications for Small Businesses Recently, U.S. District Judge Ada Brown in Dallas blocked a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule aimed at banning non-compete agreements that employees typically sign. Judge Brown ruled that the FTC does not have the authority to eliminate practices it considers unfair competition…
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