• Charge Up
  So many gadgets. So little time to keep them charged up. Enter the Charging Valet from Brookstone.

• Hire An IC
  Hiring an independent contractor is a great way for small businesses to get extra hands without the hassles of hiring an employee. Just be sure you follow all of the rules. Stephen Fishman’s book “Hiring Independent Contractors: The Employer’s Legal Guide” (Nolo, 2003) covers almost every detail you need to know.
  
  

GET CONNECTED TIPS
Nifty ideas you can use to build a better business

• Target Your List
  With e-mail marketing campaigns, the more you target your message, the better response you’ll get.

• Downtime Chores
  Are the hot summer months a slow time for your small business? If so, use the days wisely to strengthen your company. Try these four ideas.

GET CONNECTED TAXES
Savvy strategies to help reduce your taxes

• Phony IRS E-Mails
  The IRS is alerting taxpayers to the latest e-mail scam.

• Outsourcing Payroll
  Outsourcing payroll duties to third-party payroll service providers saves many small employers time and headaches. But ultimately, you’re responsible for ensuring that payroll taxes are paid accurately and on time. To make sure you (and your service provider) follow the rules.

GET CONNECTED TO-DO
Trade shows, conferences, seminars and workshops to boost your business

• Invest In Yourself
  For small-business owners, staying up to speed is never easy. But it’s critical if you want to run a successful business. In this free seminar from National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE), you’ll learn why training and personal development are vital to the success of your small business.

• Dealing With Difficult People
  In this one-day workshop from CareerTrack Seminars, you’ll learn how to bring out the best in people – from employees and clients to colleagues and suppliers. Get new skills to help you resolve conflicts and respond in ways that derail problem people.

GET CONNECTED TRAINING
Know-how you need to succeed

• Ditch The Hype
  When you’re trying to get publicity for your small business, don’t go overboard. Reporters want the truth, not the hype. Don’t inflate your sales numbers.

• Mark Your Calendar
  To boost your marketing results – and to keep your marketing on budget – develop a marketing activity calendar.