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- The positive power of a few bad reviews
Many small-business owners live in fear of negative online reviews, Lisa Barone writes. The truth is bad reviews can help SMBs to tighten up their operations and a smattering of negative write-ups can make your other more-glowing reviews seem more credible. "A few bad reviews won’t kill your business," Barone promises. Small Business Trends
(11/27)      
- How to close a deal with a new client
If you're running a consulting service, you can persuade new clients to hire you by highlighting your past successes and identifying some common interests, writes Grant Cardone. "[C]lients have often confided in me that they work with or buy from the consultant, team, or company they like," he notes. It pays to be bold during your presentation and to work to establish your credibility in the industry. Entrepreneur online/Ask Entrepreneur blog
(11/26)
- 6 ways to curb employee theft
Employee theft can have a significant impact on a company's financial health. Small companies often "operate on a small budget and smaller margins ... [so] the ability to control shrinkage or theft can often be the difference between being able to turn a profit and going out of business," said Alexander Fernandes of Avigilon. You can help to prevent theft by running background checks on new hires and restricting access to sensitive information, experts say. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (tiered subscription model)
(11/26)
- Want loyal workers? Don't show them the money
Cash bonuses are a lousy way to keep employees loyal, says psychologist Edward Deci. Monetary rewards often feel like a form of coercion, so companies get better results simply by empowering and respecting their workers. "Unless you're extremely careful with how you use rewards, you get people who are just working for the money," Deci explains. Entrepreneur online/The Daily Dose blog
(11/26)
- How to lower your 2012 tax bill
It might be smart from a tax-planning perspective to create a retirement plan and consider distributing dividends before the end of the year, according to Craig Castanos, who has a firm that provides financial advice. Also, you should know you might be able to get a tax credit if you hire a veteran in 2012. Intuit Small Business Blog
(11/27)
- What's true and what's not about the Affordable Care Act
Research shows that many small-business owners are uncertain about how the health care law will affect them, writes Maria Valdez Haubrich. Many small employers in a recent survey thought they would be forced to provide health insurance for their employees, but the truth is that companies with fewer than 50 workers are exempt from this requirement. Additionally, many respondents said they were unfamiliar with the concept of health insurance exchanges, which are being set up as part of the law. NetworkSolutions.com
(11/27)
- Obama proposes small-business tax breaks
President Barack Obama asked Congress to appropriate $25 billion to cover the cost of tax breaks for small businesses that hire workers or give pay raises to current employees. Under the proposal, small businesses would get a refund of 10% of increased payroll costs. The Washington Post
(11/27)
 | Consumers can tell a lot about a business by how they respond to criticism."
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