Starting a business is an exhilarating time. It can also be a very stressful and busy time. As a local business owner, you often end up wearing all of the hats (CEO, Accounting, HR, Marketing, etc.) in the beginning due to lack of funding early on. Don’t let this happen to you. Plan it out, and think of every big and little detail and expense. MORE >>

Everyone wants to boost their productivity, whether it’s at your day job or your personal development goals. Why does it seem so difficult? One of the reasons many people fail to see results when attempting to increase productivity is because they don’t realize there are two very different levels to which attention must be paid. Nowhere. MORE >>

Welcome to the Who Took My Pen. Again? Annual Blog-a-thon for Administrative Professionals. If you are just tuning in, here's the scoop! We are holding the 4th Annual Blog-a-thon for the Administrative Profession. Today's chapter excerpt is from the chapter titled Communicate. Communicate”. What a lot has been communicated about communication! MORE >>

by Donna Toothaker. It’s frustrating to have a conversation with a prospective client that ends with the question, “What is your rate?” followed by an abrupt, “Thanks, but no thanks” (or worse, a rude comment). These prospects usually care more about saving cost than getting the highest quality services. Build trust early on.  MORE >>

The first thing most readers notice in print or online is a headline. Think of it as a virtual handshake. If your headline is the text equivalent of a cold, dead fish, you’ll make a poor first impression. Or think of it as analogous to a cover letter or a request for a date. You only get one chance to introduce yourself — make it good. Really?” MORE >>