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Business Basics

A complete resource for starting, managing, and growing your business. Discover everything you need to know at business.com.

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Latest: Advice, Tips and Resources

Article
Pros and Cons of Monitoring Your Employees
By Simone Johnson | April 04, 2024

Employee monitoring can help improve workplace productivity, but employees may feel violated or resentful. Learn the pros and cons of monitoring employees.

Article
Small Business Guide to Energy Conservation
By Jennifer Dublino | April 04, 2024

Conserving energy can help your business save money, reduce its carbon footprint and help the environment. Learn how your business can save energy.

Article
How Do Commercial Car Insurance Deductibles Work?
By Kimberlee Leonard | April 04, 2024

Commercial car insurance deductibles work just like personal auto insurance deductibles. Learn about collision and comprehensive claims deductibles.

Article
4 Simple Steps to Valuing Your Small Business
By Russell Smith | April 03, 2024

Calculating your business's value accurately is crucial if you want to sell it or seek investors. Learn four steps for calculating your business valuation.

Article
Turn Your Genealogy Hobby Into a Side Business
By Chad Brooks | April 02, 2024

Have you ever considered starting a genealogy business? This guide will walk you through the steps of starting a home-based genealogy business.

Article
Crystal Knows All: You’re Being Profiled
By Mark Fairlie | April 01, 2024

Crystal claims it can give you accurate personality insights on customers, prospects, candidates and co-workers to help you sell more and manage better.

open plan workspace
Article
What is a Holacracy? The Holacratic Workplace
By Genia Stevens | March 22, 2024

In a holacratic workplace, there's no traditional leadership hierarchy; team members assume multiple roles. Learn if holacracy is right for your business.

Article
8 Tips to Manage Your Time as a Small Business Owner
By Jennifer Dublino | March 18, 2024

Small business owners are constantly pulled in different directions. Follow these time-management tips to maximize your effectiveness.

Article
14 Ways to Save Money on Business Insurance
By Kimberlee Leonard | March 15, 2024

You shouldn't cut corners when it comes to business insurance. Here are ways to reduce your insurance premiums without sacrificing coverage.

Article
What Is Intellectual Property Insurance?
By Kimberlee Leonard | March 14, 2024

Your business needs intellectual property insurance if you hold patents or trademarks. Learn what intellectual property insurance covers.

Article
7 Reasons Every Entrepreneur Needs a Branded Email Address
By Sean Peek | March 14, 2024

Don't use personal or generic email addresses for your startup. Learn why you need a branded email address for your business communications.

Article
What Is Commercial Liability Auto Insurance?
By Kimberlee Leonard | March 06, 2024

Commercial liability auto insurance covers the same types of liabilities as personal auto insurance, but the policy is for commercial vehicles.

Article
Should Your Restaurant Be on Grubhub?
By Sean Peek | March 05, 2024

Learn how much Grubhub really costs restaurants and what it brings to the table.

mentor consulting an intern
Article
What Is Risk in Business Insurance?
By Mark Fairlie | February 22, 2024

Insurance risk is the probability of an adverse event that causes an insurance claim. Learn how business insurance risk is assessed and how to lower it.

Article
Understanding Data Breach vs. Cyber Liability Insurance
By Kimberlee Leonard | February 22, 2024

Cyber and data breach insurance cover data breach costs, but cyber adds more protection. Learn how to choose the right insurance for your business.

Article
What Is Coinsurance in Business?
By Nicole Urbanowicz | February 21, 2024

Coinsurance for small businesses helps cover property and business assets, so the insurer knows there's adequate coverage. Here's how it works.

Article
What Is a Surety Bond?
By Mark Fairlie | February 20, 2024

Surety bonds act as a legally enforceable guarantee that help small business owners secure third-party contracts. Learn how they work.

Article
Workers’ Comp and Taxes
By Kimberlee Leonard | February 14, 2024

Workers' compensation has tax implications that every employee and business owner should understand. See our guide.

Article
What to Know When Choosing Business Insurance
By Sean Peek | February 14, 2024

Choosing insurance for your company or employees is important, and should not be done casually. Here’s what to consider when getting insurance.

Article
Workers’ Comp Insurance: How Much Do You Need?
By Max Freedman | February 14, 2024

Too much coverage wastes money, but too little can expose your company to claims and court awards. Here is how to calculate exactly what you need.

Article
What Is Business Interruption Insurance?
By Lauren Kubiak | February 14, 2024

Business interruption insurance policies can help when unforeseen events shut down operations. Learn how business interruption insurance works and what it covers.

Article
What Is OSHA Compliance?
By Max Freedman | February 14, 2024

This guide explains OSHA and the regulations it sets for workplace safety and employee health. Learn how your small business can comply with OSHA.

Article
3 Tips for Building an Investor-Ready Franchise Business
By Howard Goldstein | February 14, 2024

Being a franchisee has its perks over starting a brand-new business, but you still need capital. Here are three ways to appeal to investors.

woman using a laptop
Article
12 Ways to Use Slack to Be More Productive
By Mark Fairlie | February 14, 2024

Learn how to boost your productivity on Slack and get the most out of this workplace communication tool by using features such as huddles, reminders and deadlines.

Hello Alice CEO Carolyn Rodz
Article
Hello Alice CEO Carolyn Rodz On 2024’s Biggest Challenges for Small Businesses (Full Q&A)
By Maya Afilalo | February 14, 2024

Plus her reasons for optimism — and how small businesses benefit whole communities

graphic of a businessperson with an angel and a devil on their shoulders
Article
Prevent Unethical Choices by Asking Yourself These 9 Questions
By Steven Rogelberg | February 14, 2024

Listen to your conscience and these helpful hints.

Article
Rockefeller Foundation President Rajiv Shah Wants You to Make Big Bets (Full Q&A)
By Tess Barker | February 14, 2024

How to turn ambitious plans into measurable results

Office Christmas tree
Article
How Yule Want to Close the Office for a Week Off
By Jake Wengroff | February 14, 2024

To fully relax and recharge for your week off, let’s make a list and check it twice.

Lynsi Snyder book cover
Article
In-N-Out Burger President Lynsi Snyder Serves Up ‘Slow-Growth Philosophy’ (Full Q&A)
By Rob Gabriele | February 14, 2024

She took over the company at 27 and “Double-Doubled” its success.

Growth book cover
Article
“Little Business Books” Will Prep Your Kindergartner for the GMAT
By Dan Ketchum | February 14, 2024

Economic treatises for the CEO of the playground.