Entrepreneur

Many SMB owners are often stumped when it comes to choosing an ecommerce platform that is right for their needs. There are several different options available, depending on the type and size of business, the technical ability of your team and your budget. Do you want to be able to modify every last detail, or would you prefer a platform that works right out of the box? Are you after a basic package that you can choose additional features for later on, or do you want to go all-in and pay a single cost up front? How many channels do you want to manage from the get-go – and do you want to add to these as you go along? These questions are important, but they often overwhelm would-be ecommerce shoppers. You don’t need the added burden of looking into every intricate detail whilst trying to run a business – so Brightpearl have done the hard work for you! Follow their “Which Ecommerce Platform is Right for Me?” flowchart to take the stress out of ecommerce research.

Neil Harbisson discusses his life as a human cyborg.

Author and media theorist Douglas Rushkoff explains how being constantly connected actually slows us down.

Style Coalition allows fashion brands and lifestyle marketers to remove the middle man in taste-maker marketing.

It was just a couple of years ago that I lamented about the lack of finance guides aimed at small business owners. Meanwhile, the number of non-traditional finance resources has increased, competing with traditional banking sources.  As a result, business owners have clamored for books outlining all finance options available. Among the most stellar coverage of small business finance resources is Spank the Bank: The Guide to Alternative Business Financing.  Karlene Sinclair-Robinson (@KarleneSinRob), founding member of finance consultation firm KsR Solution LLC, wrote the book to deter small business owners from pursuing poor business models that never get proper capital. Her expertise in handling millions in non-traditional financing and research on the subject has crafted a sensational finance guide. I discovered the author through a Twitter chat and asked for a review copy. A Signpost on the Many Highways of Finance Spank The Bank covers the latest finance instruments such as peer-to-peer lending and crowdsourcing, as well as traditional financing services such as business credit lines, asset-backed loans and factoring.  What makes the book a unique guide is how it outlines these resources.   With each financing option, Sinclair-Robinson explains the pros and cons, along with what to do in your business prior to selecting a choice. Using asides called Biztips, Sinclair-Robinson highlights the “so-what” of the information provided. For example, the first chapter details the business structures available, with a reminder as to what is at stake when selecting a structure: “Many funding sources will not work unless you are formally registered your company. They prefer that you do not operate as a sole proprietor.” One great aspect of the book is that each option is fit against the kind of businesses that would pursue an examined option. Cost is considered, as well as term definitions associated for each subject.   In fact, a terrific aspect is that the definitions are lengthy enough to appreciate what to expect with a choice.  Take the explanation about Purchase Order Financing (POF); there’s a context about the type of risk being considered with POF: “When you consider Purchase Order Financing and Factoring, always keep in mind the ‘number line.’ You have a positive and negative side… Purchase Order Financing is on the negative side or high risk, for the main reason that the lender is providing funding for you prior to any work being done or any tangible product delivered.” Sinclair-Robinson then follows up with key takeaway of what to expect with POF: “The fee for using this financing service will be much higher than most but the key will be for you to price your product correctly, deliver it in a timely fashion and keep your customers happy. It’s important that we not just look at how much things cost but also at how they can help enhance what we are doing.” Learn Finance Facts Instead of Myths Sinclair-Robinson also dispels widely cited myths, such as free business grants or that the SBA issues business loans.  You’ll understand what resources matches to your business. The chapters are brief, so you may weigh the information value against the nature of the topic. The chapter on venture capital is nowhere near as detailed as David Gladstone’s Venture Capital Investing, for example. But the information would give your business the right starting point for appreciating the difference of VC investment against another financing choice.  Plus, if you are using an accounting system, the topics in Spank The Bank will help you frame what accounting metrics and concepts need scrutiny and potential improvement.  You’ll get an idea of what to work in on. Cases, recommended reading and sample forms round out the guide. Such comparisons are what Sinclair-Robinson intended.  She succeeds at every effort to make information accessible to all small business owners.  In reviewing each chapter, I felt that the explanations were as straight-for

Location-driven mobile technology platforms make it easier for anyone to find and tap into services and information.

Sramana Mitra: When you look at what happens in the industry, mobile, social, and technology in general are impacting the healthcare industry in a big way. What are some of the key trends you... ___

An art school uses an online lending matchmaker to find capital.

Sramana: Did you build the product around the five companies who indicated they would purchase your solution? Chris Cabrera: We took all of that into consideration. Of the five companies that we... ___

Welcome to our latest curated list of events, contests and awards for small businesses, solo entrepreneurs and growing companies. To see a full list or to submit your own event, contest or award listing, visit the Small Business Events Calendar. Featured Events, Contests and Awards Access to Capital Chicago May 22, 2013, Chicago, Illinois Join us at the Navy Pier to learn how you can raise capital for your small business. Meet 1:1 with loan officers. Attend panels on traditional and alternative lending options, start-ups, crowd-funding, and more. Discount Code sbtrends (Get 30% off) Making Money Online: Ecommerce Done Right with John Lawson June 25, 2013, New York City Looking to create independence from this shifting job economy? Want a stream of income that works for you around the clock? Have a great idea of what to sell online but don’t know how to get started? Dreaming of growing your online store from a hobby to a full fledged, profitable business? Join John Lawson, award winning Social Commerce Strategist, American Express featured businessman, author, and founder of 3rd Power Outlet – an online clothing retail outlet that has exceeded $25 million in sales. John will be sharing his practical, down-to-earth methods for building your own ecommerce business from the ground up in this two part workshop, packed with resources, tips, and how-to instruction. Discount Code SBTRENDS ( $25 off) WBENC National Conference & Business Fair June 26, 2013, Minneapolis, MN The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) will convene 3,500 decision makers from the nation’s leading corporations, government entities and women’s business enterprises (WBEs) to generate business together and stimulate economic growth at the 2013 WBENC National Conference & Business Fair in Minneapolis, MN, June 25-27, 2013. Big Awards for Business August 14, 2013, Online The Big Awards started with a mission of recognizing real talent and performance. Real business people, those with experience and knowledge, judge the Big Awards. Request an entry kit today and submit your nomination by August 14, 2013. Discount Code SBT50 ($50.00 off) More Events Internet Week New York May 20, 2013, New York, NY Spark And Hustle Tour – Detroit May 20, 2013, Detroit, MI Women’s Success Summit May 21, 2013, Miami, FL NYC May Business Networking Mixer May 21, 2013, New York City, New York B2B Sales Workshop – The Fundamentals Of Selling May 23, 2013, Atlanta, GA S.W.O.T. – 3 Quick Steps from Analysis to Implementation May 24, 2013, Online Zoholics – Zoho User Conference May 29, 2013, San Francisco, CA Supercharge Your Business Network May 29, 2013, Online Small Business Summit May 31, 2013, Athens, GA Strategies for Raising Growth Capital in Volatile Markets June 04, 2013, Online Build Up Your Business: Growth By Design June 05, 2013, New York, NY CT Business Expo June 06, 2013, Hartford, CT 4th Annual MACs Women’s Entrepreneur Summit June 08, 2013, New York, NY The Inc. Leadership Forum June 10, 2013, San Diego, CA How Your Personal Credit Score Can Affect You in Business June 12, 2013, Pittsburgh, PA Veteran Entrepreneur Training Symposium June 13, 2013, Reno, NV National Small Business Week June 17, 2013, Washington, DC More Awards and Contests CrowdIt Launch Challenge June 04, 2013, Online eMinutes $2,500 Entrepreneurs Contest June 30, 2013, Online Huggies MomInspired Grant Program July 31, 2013, Online 2013 Big Awards for Business August 14, 2013, Online This weekly listing of small business events, contests and awards is provided as a community service by Small Business Trends and SmallBizTechnology. The post Our Latest Hand-Picked List of Events, Contests and Awards appeared first on Small Business Trends.