Early in any small business, it’s extremely difficult to turn a profit. Even after you gain a little traction, it’s easy to get caught up in the never-ending details. This means you have no time left for the things that will actually increase your revenue. But there are a few things you can do right now to raise your bottom line.

Perhaps the most important action item on your list should be to calculate the exact costs of your business. In order to know where you’re starting, you need to look beyond general expenses and pinpoint just how much your activities are worth to the company. Then you can start cutting out tasks that are measurably low in value, automating them wherever possible. If you can do that for both you and your team, you have a great place from which to start. SmallBizTrends.com, March 26, 2018.

Top Ways To Stay Secure In The Social-Media World

Social media allows millions of people to reconnect and stay up-to-date with family members, friends, acquaintances and even former in-laws. But as social media reshapes the way we communicate with one another, it’s important to keep a couple of things in mind to protect yourself and your data.

Remember that there’s no “delete” button on the Internet. Even if something seems temporary, a simple screenshot or check through the archives can make it permanent. Even if you keep your social media completely private, relationships change, and what was private yesterday may suddenly become public record. The question you need to ask is whether you’ll be comfortable in 10 years with what you’re posting today.

In the same vein, if you post in online forums or on message boards, consider using a pseudonym. Never share names of real businesses, clients, friends or family. If a bank manager wouldn’t allow a picture of all the money in the vault to be shared on the web, you shouldn’t allow a picture containing confidential, financial, legal or other protected documents and items to be shared either. A good social-media policy in the office now can save headaches down the road.