There is growing concern among business owners that merchant account fees are too high. This concern becomes magnified every time Visa and MasterCard raise their interchange rates -- the rates Visa and MasterCard member issuing banks charge on credit card transactions, ultimately passed down to merchants. The article addresses the topic of ever-increasing credit card rates and whether Visa and MasterCard should cap their profit and limit it to a fixed percentage over the costs that they incur.

Italian pinstripe designer suits, a button-down collar, and French cuffs do not a complete outfit make. They need something more, and this something is called a tie tack. A necktie without a tie tack is like potato chips without potatoes. The tie tack improves not only the outfit's form, but also its function.

All larger companies and all those who have been in the market for several business cycles are prone to an (identity) crisis. Corporate identity and the product of the company are related. This is quite important when dealing with change.

Is the 80/20 Rule an abstract economic principle or is it a model of human behavior that works the same way every time? A Five Thousand year old story provides the answer. Understanding this story and its lessons will assist any business owner to stay focused, on track and on vision.

The business people in smart clothing sit around a small table and sip their coffee chatting about everything from the latest mergers to their son's little league game. Even though these people are enjoying themselves, they aren't here to waste away their time in idle chat. Like true entrepreneurs they are here to further their businesses agendas. With each sip of coffee they get to know each other better and are able to make those special connections that result in either a sale or in a new friendship.

Russia is still an emerging market and the challenges are plenty. However, the country's economic growth has been remarkable, with an average seven percent GDP growth backed by the favorable energy situation on the world markets, tighter government budget policy, and faster development of other key industry sectors, such as machinery, automotive, info-communication, construction and food processing. The Russian government introduced positive changes into the tax system; including a flat rate of 13% for personal income tax, reducing the corporate tax rate from 35% to 24%, and reducing the value-added tax (VAT) to 18%. Surpassing even some developed economies, Russia reduced its public debt to 13% of its GDP. Finally, Russia's evolving middle class creates a strong consumption wave that is a tremendous boost for the Russian economy.

This article cuts through the fluff and gets to the point about what to do to create a home based business that actually works. Avoid the mistakes others make that lead to failure. Instead take the steps that are proven to work.

When you own a small business and have never owned a business before then it would be understandable if you needed some bankruptcy help. There is nothing to be ashamed of, you may not know which section of bankruptcy to file for and we can help you. One of the first questions to be answered is your business a partnership or a sole proprietorship? If you own a corporation there are limited liabilities for companies and partnerships that are legal entities that are separate from their partners. In cases like these then, you can file Chapter 7 or Chapter 11.

Understand the secret meaning of flowers you give for Administrative Professional's Day.

The game you once played on the school playground is now the game you play daily in the corporate jungle.

Getting sales leads is vital to every business. Every business has to have customers; and prospective clients are what they identify as sales leads. Even the teenage girl who is eyeing some fashionable clothes in a magazine can be considered a sales lead...

Don't make the same costly mistakes small business start ups often make. Read this article and save lots of time, money and struggle. This simple advice can put you on the fast track to launching your small or solo business.

An interesting aspect of the proposed new Security & Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations on Executive Compensation relate to the need to supply justification for their decisions (see February 2006 issue for details of the proposed regulation).

There are various benefits to staying in an airport hotel during your business trip to London.

For the manager of the Building Records unit at a major west coast public University, the document storage problems were critical. The problem wasn't justifying budget for more space. There was no more space to be had.

If you are considering going into business for yourself, it makes absolute sense to be as prepared as possible. Here is a checklist of things you need to consider.

How a focus on market differentiation and cost opens channels in product development, building brand equity with customer value

Many small manufacturers are taking advantage of private labeling to expand their sales. This articles discusses this opportunity in detail and explains how a company can get started in private labeling.

The article provides an overview of the HAZWOPER standard. HAZWOPER is a regulatory standard that specifies training requirements for employees who work with hazardous materials. Its primarily purpose is to protect workers from the dangers inherent in working with hazardous materials.

Adding value to your site, service, or product is one of the most over looked and under rated strategies for improving your internet business.

It is a well-documented fact that at least 2 out of every 5 applications contain one major fabrication. What the employer doesn't know can, and almost certainly will, have a tremendous impact on that organization!

CF Consolidated Freight, Emery Express and Con Way. What does it mean?

It’s getting harder and harder to differentiate yourself from the competition these days. Especially when your competition is global, offer additional value through their stellar service, and look and sound similarly wonderful to your offering. Not to mention that the new buzz words - ‘adding value’ and ‘trusted advisor’ – are universal, making it even harder to distinguish what you bring to the party as being superior.