Growing Tomorrow's Profits | The Bottom Line Blog by Small Business Finance Forum

Outsourcing to Upsize Your Small Business Profits

April 25, 2012 –

Grow your profits with outsourcing
If you’ve ever eaten at McD’s (I blush to admit I love their fries), you know they’ll ask if you want to super size your meal. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could go into the Small Biz Store and super size your profits?

While it may seem counter intuitive at first, paying someone else to do certain things can actually improve your bottom line. The trick is to know when and what to outsource.

Now our villainous Number Muncher would love for you to think all outsourcing is bad, or convince you to to outsource the wrong things. Luckily I’m on to his villainous plot, and with the help of a few friends, will help you outwit his dastardly designs.

Time to Upsize Your Bottom Line!

By Nicole Fende | Posted in Business Plan, Productivity | Tagged income, nicole fende, outsourcing, Profit, small business finance forum, small business income, small business profit, The Numbers Whisperer TM, Word Carnival | Comments (19)

Put Your Time Where Their Money Is (Get Paid To Do Your Market Research)

March 28, 2012 –

Max the Math Mutt Market Research Crystal Ball
Are you sick of developing products only to see dismal sales?

Do you feel like you’re playing Russian Roulette when you develop a new service?

Do you wish you could afford to do market research?

Good news – I can help.

Learn how to research your target market, and get paid to do it!

By Nicole Fende | Posted in Business Plan, General Finance, Marketing | Tagged market research, marketing, Max Math Mutt, nicole fende, small business, small business finance forum, small business marketing, The Numbers Whisperer TM | Comments (25)

Getting a Monster in the Mail: Achieving My Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG)

March 21, 2012 –

Today was a first, I received a monster in the mail. AND I was excited about it! As you can see, Fluffy was pretty excited too.

The monster’s name is BHAG, which stands for Big Hairy Audacious Goal, and she is the Official Word Chef Mascot for Tea Silvestre.

Watch the video below, and find out why Tea Silvestre sent me BHAG.

By Nicole Fende | Posted in Finance Rock Star, Vlog | Tagged BHAG, Big Hairy Audacious Goal, nicole fende, small business finance forum, Tea Silvestre, The Numbers Whisperer, The Word Chef | Comments (12)

Take the Boring out of Small Business Planning – Interview with Jennifer Lee

March 2, 2012 –

Do you face your business planning with a sense of dread?

Is creating a plan something you only did because you needed it for funding?

Do you have a business plan, but it’s primarily used as a coaster for your coffee mug?

Multiple studies show that entrepreneurs who use some type of formal planning are more likely to succeed. So like medicine, why can’t there be a spoonful of sugar to make it go down? (FYI that will probably be the only time I ever quote Mary Poppins).

Good news, there is! In fact, it’s better than a spoonful of sugar. It’s more like a double chocolate peanut butter cheesecake for business planning. It’s the The Right-Brain Business Plan: A Creative, Visual Map for Success by Jennifer Lee!

I had the chance to ~~pester~~ interview Jennifer Lee recently, read on for her amazing insights.

Interview with Jennifer Lee, author of The Right Brain Business Plan™

By Nicole Fende | Posted in Business Plan, Finance for Start-Ups | Tagged business planning for entrepreneurs, Jennifer Lee, nicole fende, Right Brain Business Plan, Right Brain Chill Pill, small business, Video Summit | Comments (10)

Unusual Assets – Taking Stock of the Past Year

February 29, 2012 –

What is your most valuable asset?

Do you think it’s the equipment you use to create your product?

Perhaps you feel it’s your stellar ____________ skills, or your track record as a _____________.

One year ago I would have answered my finance skills and track record as an actuary, CFO and Investment Banker.

Boy was I wrong.

Join me in taking stock of the past year and discover your undervalued assets

By Nicole Fende | Posted in Customers, General Finance | Tagged Assets, Fluffy, nicole fende, Small Business Assets, small business finance forum, The Numbers Whisperer, Unusual Assets, Word Carnival | Comments (17)

Join Us Live – Book Launch Party – SWAG – Mini Workshops – More!

February 23, 2012 –

Streaming live from St. Paul Minnesota you can be a part of the How to be a Finance Rock Star book launch party. Thursday February 23rd at 4:30 p.m. CST Read More »

By Nicole Fende | Posted in Finance for Start-Ups, Finance Rock Star, General Finance | Tagged How to be a Finance Rock Star, Launch Party, nicole fende | Comments (2)

Early Bird Incentives for How to be a Finance Rock Star

February 20, 2012 –

I am so excited to announce an amazing list of early bird incentives. That’s in addition to all the value you’ll get from the book itself.

It’s as easy as spotting a Tie-Dyed T-Shirt at a Grateful Dead concert. Once you’ve ordered your copy of How to be a Finance Rock Star, simply forward your email confirmation or receipt to EarlyBird@FinanceRockStar.com Read More »

By Nicole Fende | Posted in Finance Rock Star, General Finance | Comments (0)

A Business Paradox: What’s Your Brand Really Worth? by @TeaSilvestre

January 27, 2012 –

Photo Credit: Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

Your brand. It’s a lot more than just your business name or logo. It’s how you’re perceived in the minds and hearts of your customers and prospects.

And guess what? Your brand may actually be worth something. Have some equity. Some actual monetary value that — should you ever decide to sell your business — would help make up the total value of your company.

The challenge (or paradox) is that while your brand does have some sort of value, it’s very hard to pin down.

How do you figure out the value of your brand?

By Tea Silvestre | Posted in General Finance | Tagged brand, brand equity, brand value, brand's value, branding, finance, small business, small business brand, small business finance forum, Tea Silvestre, The Word Chef | Comments (14)

Is Your Biz Cash Low? Use Bartering to Grow!

January 25, 2012 –

Does the idea of bartering conjure up images of a swap meet? Perhaps it brings back memories of grade school lunchtime; wheeling and dealing PBJ’s and oatmeal cookies.

Do you believe that bartering “just doesn’t work”? Are you convinced only wannabe’s, noobs and criminals barter?

Think again!

Barter is a fantastic way to grow your business when cash is tight. It’s time to set the record straight on barter, and how you can use barter to prosper.