The Benefits of Small Business Credit Cards

Business credit cards are very essential for small businesses. These credit cards offer the most important accountant benefit to small business owners, which is to keep business expenses separate from personal expenses. What would have been a nightmare trying to figure out various expenses are now recorded on your free monthly statements. This saves the business owners a vast amount of time trying to manage expenses since there is no need to save receipts, worry about losing receipts, reimbursements errors or sorting out personal expenses from business expenses. With this statement, business owners are able to monitor and control expenses and make it easy in filing income tax.

Do not use a personal credit card to make purchases. This will only cause confusion, inaccurate reporting and poor business management. Running a small business requires business owners to maintain accurate record keeping and track expenses. This is where the business credit card plays a pivotal roll. It separates personal expenses from business expenses and categorizes expenditure with no need for reconciling your expenses. Credit card companies can also generate itemized spending reports for individual employees to track employees spending. This information is the key to having a successful business. Business owners are able to manage their business more wisely because of the detail transactions recorded on their monthly business statement.

The Business Credit Card statement gives a categorized report of all purchases made and the ability to generate itemized employees report. Knowing where every dime is spent will enable the business owner to cut expenses where needed and improve on investments that are showing a profit. The major objective in doing business is to make a profit and to stay in business. Therefore keeping track of every purchase made and bill paid is very important in running a successful business. Accurate records at your finger tips will help in managing cash flow with accuracy, making right decisions, making a profit and eventually staying in business as the business grow.

Business credit cards have features comparable to standard credit cards such as, low introductory APR, cash back, rewards, frequent flyer miles, no annual fees, 0% Intro APR, balance transfers etc. The big difference is that business credit cards are optimized to save money on business purchases. Business owners can save money by leveraging their buying power, getting merchant discounts, group discounts, buying in bulk and getting a higher credit limit. The more you spend the better the rewards and cash back you receive.

Business credit cards have additional benefits such as online account management and may have option to download statement into QuickBooks, auto insurance, higher cash advances, personalized business credit card, free additional cards, year end statement to file income tax, higher unsecured credit limit. No need to spend time reconciling your expenses. Protect your credit by making credit card payments on time to avoid penalties. Credit card activities are reported to the credit bureaus Experian, Equifax and Trans Union.

Before applying for a small business credit card you will need to do some research. This is to help in finding the best business credit card suited for your company. All business credit do not have the same features. Some may be better suited for travel rewards, entertainment, credit limit, gasoline purchases, car rental, etc. An example would be business owner maximizing the benefits of the business credit card by having the fleet of vehicles buy its gas from a company that offers the most cash back or employees flying on airlines that offers the most bonus miles that can be used for free airline ticket.

Read the terms and conditions to know about the features offered such as interest rates, cash back, rewards and fees. Small business owners should know about the repercussions about making late payments, default on payments and who is responsible for any expenses incurred if your credit card is stolen etc. Small business owners are generally a sole proprietorship and are personally liable for the debts. Therefore if the business owner defaults on credit-card payments the creditors can go after the person who signed the credit card application.

Computer Profits From Home

On your mark - Get Set -Go!!! You're ready. You've finally got it, the top of the line, latest and great computer that moves at the speed of sound and has everything you need, plus some. But will it make you money. Absolutely - We're going to show you how.

There are numerous ways to utilize your computer for a home-based business. The key is finding the right one for you. First, consider your skills and expertise and most importantly what you enjoy doing. Remember, it's a combination of the three that make for a winning business. Those with good secretarial and Internet skills might want to consider virtual assisting, whereas those with a flair for figures might prefer accounting or bookkeeping. For those who live on the web and have the creative touch, how about starting a web designing business or desktop publishing? Then, there's computer tutoring, resume consulting, real estate transaction coordinators, etc. The possibilities are limitless and with the growth of the Internet, and the advancement in technology today, it just keeps getting better.

As an example, virtual assisting businesses are constantly in the media today and businesses are taking note and looking for VA's to assist them. For example, it was recently noted in Time Magazine, other top books and magazines that VA businesses are considered among the top 10 home-based businesses to start. Entrepreneur Magazine rates it as one of the top 5 home-based businesses.

What's a Virtual Assistant? A virtual assistant provides service from a home office to anywhere in the world using their high-speed access, e-mails, fax machines as well as many web-based applications. They can handle your publicity, typing, scheduling, e-mails, real estate transactions, legal briefs, medical transcription, your website, and more. The virtual revolution has truly begun and businesses are taking full advantage of the expertise of these professionals.

Once you decide on a business, then you're ready to make it happen. The first thing you'll want to do is to write everything down. All your thoughts and dreams and how you plan to achieve them. Decide on the hours you want to work, the price you want to charge, the marketing you plan to implement, the equipment and supplies required, and your goals and visions for the business. This is your plan for success. This is essential. Too many leave this vital step out and then don't have a clear focus for their business.

Next, research and read everything you can on starting your business. Find out how the pros have done it and gain from their experience. Don't just limit yourself to reading books - that's only one avenue, although a good one. For those wanting to start a virtual assisting business, my book, Virtual Assistant the Series, Become a Highly Successful Sought After VA, is considered one of the best in the Industry. This book is written with Industry Leader Kelly Poelker, and has helped thousands start their business already.

Look to the Internet. Find message boards and chats that relate to the area that you want to go into. Often times these are managed by people who have been in business for years and are willing to share their experience. Not only will you gain their expertise, but also that of those who frequent the boards. These will be others who are starting a business, or who are succeeding in business, and willing to share their knowledge with you.

Also, do a search on the Internet for the type of business you want to go into. Look to their sites. Find the common denominators. What associations do most belong to? What services do most offer? This is just research, but it will help in providing you ideas for what you want to do with your business. Look to their links page and check out their links. This is especially true for the organizational websites. Again, write down all your findings.

Sign up for newsletters. The knowledge is tremendous and the motivation well worth it. If you go to Publicity VA, http://www.Publicity-VA.com you can see a complete listing of great newsletters that will provide tips and suggestions on starting a business and other marketing ideas.

Get additional training if necessary. Once you decide what you want to do, then find out exactly what other skills you will need to make it possible.

With the knowledge that you have now, and with it all written down in your plan, you're ready to take the next steps in starting a business - your business. Your dream. Enjoy and remember nothing is impossible as long as you give it your all. Success happens when you make it happen.

Common Resume Mistakes

Using a general resume.
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DON'T DO IT! You cannot successfully use the same resume to apply to several different jobs.

Your resume should be custom written for each job you are targeting. When you send out something generic, it shows apathy and lack of motivation. This is NOT the impression you want to send to your potential employers.


Irrelevant content.
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For example, if you are applying for an accounting position, don't list your lifeguard position you held back in 1989.

Spouses, children, hobbies, and your favorite movie genre are also irrelevant tidbits that should remain private.


Creative fonts.
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Even if your choice looks easy to read on your screen, it may not be on someone else's screen.

For example, if I use Arial, Verdana, or Times New Roman, anyone with MS Word can view these fonts. If I were to use my cool Futurama Alien Font, most likely it would look all jumbled up on someone else's system.


"References Available Upon Request"
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This statement is unnecessary. An employer assumes that if you are job searching that you have professional references readily available.


Objective statement.
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Your resume needs a clear goal, but the traditional objective statement is outdated. Hiring managers don't care that you want a "challenging position utilizing my experience and creativity..."

Everyone knows the objective is to get the interview. Instead, try using a headline followed by a compelling summary of your relevant skills. This is a better way to present what you have to offer your potential employer.


Using a resume to replace a job application.
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A resume is not a job application. The reason for leaving your last job, previous supervisors' names, and rate of pay don't belong on your resume. This is information can hurt you more than help you, so leave it off of your resume.