Investing and Global Finance News

Monthly Archives: December 2013

5 New Year’s Resolutions for Small Businesses

New Year’s is a time of new beginnings, and there is no better time to improve your business. Take advantage of the momentum and enthusiasm that generally come with new beginnings, and get your small business in gear with these five resolutions:

  1. File all legal paperwork. Go through the endless stacks of documents that have accumulated over time, and continue to file new forms immediately. No more paper stacks!
  2. Take an objective look at your ROI. Analyze IT expenses,different approaches to marketing, computer systems and more.
  3. Stay on top of your tax payments. This quarter’s EST tax payment is due on January 15th, so make sure to have it ready beforehand to avoid additional fees.
  4. Get involved in social media. These networks are becoming increasingly important. Make sure not to get discouraged- establishing a solid presence on these sites takes time and commitment, so be prepared for some serious dedication.
  5. Revamp your website. According to research conducted by GE Capital Retail Bank, 81% of people research companies online before doing any business with them. Your website is often the first impression that potential customers get, so make sure it does your business justice with updated content, professional graphics and a simple, straightforward layout. Consider creating a mobile version of your website as well, as most online browsing is done via smartphones

Holiday Spending Boosts Stock Market

Consumers are showing some renewed enthusiasm and driving economic growth. In fact, stocks rose on Monday to record highs. The Dow is up 73, and the S&P 500 rose 9 alongside a 44 Nasdaq increase. The boost was supported by gains in Apple and Facebook, according to CNBC.com. Daniel Greenhaus, chief global strategist at BTIG,… Continue Reading

Frontier Communications Acquires AT&T Connecticut

AT&T is selling its Connecticut operations to Frontier Communications as part of its plans to shift focus to its new 4G LTE network. The $2 billion dollar deal will include AT&T’s 415,000 data, 900,000 voice and 180,000 video residential connections, as well as its local business connections and carrier wholesale relationships in the region. According… Continue Reading

Jim Baer on Data-Driven Businesses

Jim Baer, a senior director of Data Science with LinkedIn, recently discussed what he considers the four keys to data-driven business. He explained that data today can and should have a tremendous impact on a company’s success.  Though every business varies, and getting involved in the data world appears a daunting task, companies can benefit… Continue Reading