Carolyn Stoll

Understand the value of social networking and learn tips to help make your small business's transition into the social media world manageable.

Blogging is a useful tool for small businesses to expand and understand their customer base, while also (subtly) spreading the word about their company. However, there are some tips that every self-respecting small business blogger should always abide by. Remember the three "Be's" of Professional Employer Organization blogging!

Fact: Laughter is the number one stress reliever. Ask anyone what helps them get over stress and the answer will always be the same: humor. It's no wonder, then, that humor is a tool often used in one of the most stressful day-to-day settings, the workplace. Recent research shows that humor does, in fact, increase productivity, further creativity, and most importantly, reduce stress.

How often have you overheard someone say of a company, "They've got great people." The more knowledgeable and professional your people are, the better your entire company looks. Naturally, the reverse is just as true. How often have you heard someone ranting about the incompetence of a company, and how they'll never use them again? Often this is the single difference between using one business over another.

All business owners are familiar with the added tedium and frustration that follows in the wake of hiring an employee. From day one, the stresses of payroll management, taxes, insurance, and pesky governmental mandates serve as constant reminders of the risks involved in being an employer. In this economy it is absolutely necessary to hire a PEO, but finding the right one can be difficult.

Everyone wants their website to be noticed in the search engines, but not everyone wants to fork out the cash. Here's 3 simple, cost-free techniques that offer head turning results.

The Health Savings Account (HSA accounts), may both reduce health insurance premiums and lessen your income tax payment. Is an HSA right for you?

With a thunderstorm of different economic problems raining down on any small business owner, it can be tougher than ever for your business to survive. The question I get most often is "How can I better my circumstance?" To be short and sweet, you have to take things one step at a time, be brutally honest, know your limits, keep a positive attitude, and simplify the business equation.

Filing and paying taxes often feels like battling a superhero, difficult and tiresome! Fortunately, to help you, the business owner, juggle running your business with paying corporate and payroll taxes there are PEO companies.

As a small business owner myself, I see great value in using a PEO when it comes to tasks such as payroll, taxes, workers comp, government regulations, etc. There are many components to keeping my workers motivated, supervised, evaluated, and essentially happy working in my business. What could an organization outside of my industry and company culture possibly contribute to a performance review?