Business Discussions

Do you believe the best gifts are edible ones? If yes, then you are in for a treat today! In our article from Today, they listed 25 food items to show love to others and that could satisfy one's craving.  In the business realm, I can see customers appreciating this thoughtful gesture as well because I would definitely be one, too! I will share with you my top 5 that I believe can be affordable yet cute, especially for those of you who have a physical store.     Coffee or Hot Chocolate Station: Now, especially in the cold weather season, there is nothing like something hot to warm up the body from the chills. Popcorn-You could go the traditional way of doing popcorn over the store or rent/purchase a popcorn marker and distribute them as customers check in or out of the store. Beef Jerk or Mushroom Jerky- For those who may be vegan, you can also accommodate them as well for a little snacking. Caramel Apples- This can be a fan favorite as it brings back memories of carniv

As the holiday season approaches, the air is filled with festive cheer and the anticipation of celebrating Christmas with loved ones. One tradition that is deeply ingrained in the holiday spirit is the act of gift-giving. While some thrive on the last-minute rush of holiday shopping, there's a growing realization of the benefits of starting Christmas shopping early outside your business, too! Here are some benefits for you  to shop early, too, just like your customers:     Budgeting and Savings:Early Christmas shopping allows for better budgeting and potential savings. Rather than making impulsive purchases due to time constraints, you can plan your expenditures more effectively. Additionally, taking advantage of early holiday sales and discounts can lead to significant savings, helping you stick to your budget and avoid financial stress during the festive season.   Reduced Stress and Enjoyable Celebrations:The holiday season is meant to be a time of joy, gratitude,

Welcome back to the Business Discussion board! Today I'd like to share an article from the QuickBooks Blog that offers an informative guide to all social media platforms for small business. Let's take a look...   Did you know time spent on social media is at an all time high? Internet users are spending an average of 2.5 hours a day scrolling through their various platforms. I believe it's safe to say that even more time is spent for some. "For small businesses looking for new ways to build positive connections with consumers, social media can be an invaluable digital marketing tool." When utilizing the tool(s) of social media, businesses benefit from low-cost marketing and increased brand awareness. "But with so many social media platforms available, it’s important for small businesses to understand the different channels and how they align (or not) with their unique business goals."   The post goes on to say that it can be tricky to determine which platforms is best suited

  Hello Community! Do your employees know the company policies and procedures? As a business owner, it's helpful to make sure all staff know company policies to avoid misunderstandings and legal issues. To do this, you can create an easy-to-follow employee handbook! Make sure to keep reading to learn how and even get a free template from the full article in the QuickBooks Blog here. Let’s go over the steps together:   1. Review and gather company policies and procedures:To write an effective handbook, make sure to have the latest information on company policies and procedures. Take the time to review any recent changes before starting the writing process. It's also helpful if you have already established some policies through emails or memos.2. Create an outline of everything you’ll include: When you make your handbook, it's important to first make an outline of everything you want to include. This helps make sure you don't forget anything important. For instance,

I'm Canadian C Corporate owner , if i want to pay payroll for myself do i need to withhold tax & file periodic payroll tax form?i live & work from Canada 

Good afternoon, Community! It's the end of another workweek and I'm stopping by to share a post on inc.com. This article shares insight about how leaders can ask better questions. I have a feeling asking better questions leads to receiving better answers. Let's take a closer look...In order to ask better questions, you first need to be asking the right questions. Here are some focus points:   Navigating Complexity: Why are we doing the things that we are doing? How are others doing it? And could we do it a different way? Fostering Innovation: Thoughtful questions spark creativity and innovation. They challenge the status quo, inspiring you to think beyond conventional boundaries and explore new avenues for growth. Enhancing Decision Making: Strategic questions form the foundation of sound decision making. They prompt you to consider various perspectives, weigh alternatives, and make informed choices that align with your business objectives.   In addition to asking the

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

It's that time of year again! The holidays are sneaking up on us! I've barely made a dent in my shopping list. Like I say, "If it wasn't for the last minute, I'd never get anything done." Ha! Anyways, today I'm stopping by the Business Discussion space to share a great write-up from the QuickBooks Blog that offers a few tips to surprise and delight your customers during the holiday season.   Treat your product like a present, and package it like a giftHave you ever heard the phrase, "We eat with our eyes first," referring to food presentation? I think the same can be said for receiving a product.   Always leave them wanting more by giving them … something moreSamples, freebies, coupons, etc. are all a great way to show your appreciate and to keep customers coming back.   Make partnerships that can spread delightThe article mentions offering an exclusive product to one wholesale location. This is a perfect way to promote your product as well as funnel traffic to

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

I can imagine as a small business owner pricing can be difficult. Personally speaking, I have a little side hustle where I make and sell clay earrings. I do put a lot of time and effort into the pieces but potential customers are more concerned with the product itself. At the end of the day the goal is to sell. Here are a few pointers on how to take the emotion out of pricing.       Change your mindsetWhen pricing, don't come from a place of scarcity, come from a place of abundance.   Work backwardsFigure how much you'd like to earn in a year and then work backwards.   Take out emotionPretend your pricing items for a friend. It will feel less personal.   Price the valueFocus on pricing the value of your product or service over the time taken.   This may be a bit of a hot take on this topic. Should small businesses exclude emotion when it comes to pricing? Does it depend on the product or service? Let me know what you think!

With the holiday season coming up, it can be a stressful time for small businesses. Especially trying to meet the demands of increased retail sales and supply chain challenges and managing your team. Luckily, our QuickBooks Blog shared ways to help manage employees with grace during this hectic period by considering these seven tips. Let's dive in!     Set Clear Expectations and Respect Boundaries: Communicate any changes in schedules or priorities clearly, and respect your employees' individual holiday preferences and time off as much as possible. Strive for Fairness: Ensure fairness in work schedules, pay, and recognition to prevent employee resentment and maintain a positive work environment. Let Them Be Sick (and Get Well): Prioritize employee well-being by allowing sick leave and having backup plans for when employees need time to recover. Manage with Empathy and Compassion: Recognize that the holiday season can be emotionally challenging for employ

Happy Friday! I hope everyone is doing well! Today, I have this gem from Influencive highlighting game-changing enter-partnership strategies that will lead you to success! Here are some of my favorite tips:     Run Your Business Full-Time: Dedicate your full attention to your business for growth and success. Learn from entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Bill Gates, who prioritized their businesses over other commitments.   Possess the Right Skills and Work Smart: Focus on working smart, not just working hard. Acquire high-demand skills that allow you to achieve more with less effort. Consider fields like game development, which can be profitable in the current market.   Begin Small: Start your business with modest resources and expectations. Small beginnings help you manage setbacks and work toward profitability gradually.   Incorporating these strategies can significantly increase your chances of success in entrepreneurship, so why not t

Want to become more environmentally aware? Then I have some tips for you! Here are a few of my favorite ways:    Reduce Single-Use Plastics: Avoid disposable plastic items like water bottles, straws, and plastic bags. Choose reusable alternatives. Support Local and Sustainable Agriculture: Buy locally sourced, organic, and sustainable food to reduce the carbon footprint of your meals. Minimize Car Use: Combine errands to reduce the number of car trips, and consider using a fuel-efficient or electric vehicle. Compost: Start composting organic waste to reduce landfill waste and create nutrient-rich soil. Educate Yourself: Stay informed about environmental issues, climate change, and sustainability to make informed choices. Minimalism: Embrace a minimalist lifestyle by buying and owning only what you truly need, reducing consumption and waste.   These simple steps can help you become more environmentally aware and reduce your ecological footprint, contributing to a healthier p

Have you heard the news? There's a new 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 bu

The holidays are quickly approaching! Can you believe it? With that being said, I found an interesting article from firstforwomen.com that shared how you can start your next side gig. What is it you ask? Selling baked goods from home! Here's how to get started:   Check your local laws"There are some cities and towns where baking from home is fine. There are others that require permits and visits from the board of health. Some locales will even require you to have a permit and cook in a commercial kitchen." You can check with your local Board of Health or Department of Agriculture and Markets to find out if you need any licenses or zoning.   CalculateIf you get the "Ok" then you're ready for the next step. You'll need to start with your product. The article suggests baking what you know; can't go wrong there. Then it's time to get your calculator out. Add up your cost of ingredients (make sure to account for doubling and/or tripling recipes), any new equipment you'll

Hi there! You've reached the Business Discussion page. Today I'm sharing a few simple but effective ways to improve your way of thinking to get rid of imposter syndrome and turn it into boss mode! "I don't have enough experience." ---> "I can leverage my existing skills.""I'm going to make mistakes." ---> " I can confidently fail forward.""Why would anyone listen to me?" ---> "I am capable of earning respect.""I don't know how to do this." ---> "I can learn how to do this.""I can't ask for more money." ---> "I know what my work is worth."   Just a little mid-week reminder to say "you've got this!" What would you add? What are some affirmations you've come up with to shift your mindset during stressful and overwhelming times? Let's talk about it in the comments!

  Hello community! Happy Wednesday. As you may already be aware, social media is constantly evolving. That’s why it’s even more important today to stay in the know of the latest trends and align them with your brand values all while making sure that you’re entertaining your audience! According to this article from Sprout Social that I came across, “It’s really important you understand that social is now entertainment first”.   So let’s dive into some of the ways that Sprout Social mentions how you can lean into entertainment with your social media content: Lead with personality: You want to make sure you’re going beyond having a strong voice and tone as well as put a face to your brand. You can rely on creators as needed. Be Real: It’s important to embrace lo-fi and stop showing up perfectly in your content. Humanizing your brand should be at the forefront of your social strategy. Optimize for Share-ability: Speak directly to your audience by postin

Looking for ways to reduce your business expenses? Well, look no further! Our Firms of the Future today shared some tips that can assist with this, and I know this can be a perfect fit for your business. Here is what they had to say:    Eliminate (or Reduce) Office Costs: Consider remote work to save on office rental expenses.   Outsource Services: Use part-time employees, interns, or independent contractors when needed.   Negotiate Merchant Processing Rates: Negotiate lower transaction fees with your card processor. Review itemized statements to avoid unnecessary charges.   Use Free or Low-Cost Business Apps and Software: Utilize affordable productivity and marketing apps.   Buy Inventory in Larger Orders: Order products quarterly to negotiate bulk rates. Shop around for better pricing if necessary.   Upgrade to Better Technological Solutions: Consider VOIP for cost-effective phone and video calls. Explore competitive web hosting providers

Happy Friday, QuickBooks Community! Are you excited about the weekend? I know I am. A better question, though, is, are you looking to sell on Etsy? Well, Entrepreneur shared a comprehensive guide on how to do so. Here are a few tips they mentioned:       Decided if Etsy is the right platform-the key point here is to do careful research to ensure you will have the best outcome. Create your account and open your Etsy storefront. Upload your first product listing Choose your payment method. Customerize your storefront.   And there you have it! Be sure to review fees as well when having this storefront! But you will be on your way. I hope this was helpful to those who are thinking about it and use this as a sign! Until next time, folks, be safe and take care.

    Hello Community! Before you ask “How can AI make my life easier?”, you need to ask “How can I use AI responsibly?” According to an article from Sprout Social, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can increase efficiency and generate positive business outcomes, but there are consequences if it’s used unethically. I am here to share what they said on this topic. Here are five of the top AI ethics issues marketers need to know.   1. Job displacement2. Privacy3. Algorithmic bias4. Misinformation and disinformation5. Intellectual property and copyright issues   Alongside this, there are some steps you can take to maintain the ethical use of AI across teams. Find out more in the full article: https://bit.ly/3t2R2JH. But now I want to hear from you. How do you plan to use AI responsibly?? Let us know in the comments section below!

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 community! Have you ever struggled to find ways to get more clients as an accounting professional? If so then you’re definitely not alone. It’s totally normal to not know how to go about marketing yourself to increase your clientele, but that’s why I wanted to share some tips from this article in Firm of the Future. So let’s jump in and take a look at what these tips are:   #1: Know your target market/client: Knowing your target markets, how they operate, their unique needs and what they look for in an accounting professional is super important. It’s key that you identify one or more markets as it identifies you as a resource.#2: Be a resource: According to this article, often accountants get the additional role of being an in-house IT expert. It’s important that you embrace it! Your clients need you, and many times they may not have the time or resources to stay on top of tech trends.#3: Identify your brand: Take some time to brand your

Good afternoon friends of the Community! Today I'm hopping on to share an article I read posted on readwrite.com that goes over a few quick tips that are proven to increase customer engagement and build their loyalty to your company. That's what we like to hear, right? Let's take a look...   • Social Media Engagement• Personal Experiences• Customer Loyalty Programs• Customer Management Software• Community Building• Feedback Collection• Online Reviews• Customer Education• Offer Customer Support• Relevant Content   If you're curious, the original post offers details about each point, as well as additional ideas. I hope you'll use this info and see great results in your customer engagement and loyalty. Let us know how it works for you!

Hi Everyone, Glad to be here.  Can someone advise me in how they incorporated their Bookkeeping business?  Did you start out by getting clients first and then incorporating?  Also, if/when you did incorporate did you go LLC or S-Corp?Also, is there a community forum here for businesses looking for QuickBooks ProAdvisors and QuickBooks ProAdvisors that are looking for businesses? Thank you!

Welcome, Community friends! I'm a big advocate for strong, effective leadership. Today I'd like to share a few qualities/habits that great leaders have and do. Let's take a look... They earn your trust.They understand you have a life.They listen, then act.Help you find purpose in your work.They celebrate small victories.Upfront about their own short-comings.They build a team.Invest in you personally.They start you off on the right foot.Solve problems with you. If you've found yourself in a position of leadership I hope you were able to check all of these boxes. Let's chat in the comment section about other qualities and habits associated with good leaders. Take care everyone!