• Host Hunting
  If your small business is in the hunt for a new Web host, check out these three Web sites first. The sites can help you narrow down a list of potential hosts as well as check reliability, ratings and reviews

• Trade Show Tool
  Wondering if trade shows and exhibitions are right for your small business? Just ask the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), www.ceir.org. At the Web site you’ll find statistics, research and reports about trade show topics.

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

• Media Tip
  Make your media kit a hit with reporters by giving them a little extra. That extra is a single page that lists additional sources. For example, in addition to a press release, FAQ and corporate backgrounder, provide a page that lists trade associations and professional organizations associated with your industry.

• Financial Faves
  Looking for a small-business loan? Check out the Bank of America in Charlotte, N.C. It garnered the National Outstanding Lender Award at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Expo ’04.

GET CONNECTED TAXES
Savvy strategies to help reduce your taxes

• Charitable Miles
  Donating your unused frequent-flier miles to charitable organizations is a good thing. But it’s not a tax-deductible thing. The IRS says that reward miles have no monetary value, so donating them to charity doesn’t give you a tax write off.

• IRS Notices
  If you receive a letter from the IRS, don’t panic. Each year, the IRS sends millions of letters and notices to taxpayers to request payment of taxes, notify them of a change to their account or request additional information.

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

• Business-to-Business Marketing Strategy
  September 21, 2004
  Plano, Texas
  
  This intensive one-day seminar sponsored by Business Decision Resources will give you the perspective and tools you need for successful business-to-business (B2B) marketing.
   

• Basic Supervision
  September 28, 2004
  Wilmington, N. C.
  
  Whether your small business employs one worker or 10, you need to know basic supervision skills. This one-day workshop from Padgett-Seminars will show you proven strategies for improving morale, boosting productivity and enhancing communications.

GET CONNECTED TRAINING
Know-how you need to succeed

• Employee Resignation
  Your top performer just handed in her letter of resignation. You don’t want to lose her, so you immediately think of issuing a counter offer. Before you offer more money or perks in an attempt to persuade her to stay, consider the ramifications.

• Cramming Scams
  Watch those business telephone bills. They could cost you money if you get crammed. Cramming refers to the practice of billing businesses for services that were never authorized. The bogus charges usually appear on businesses’ telephone bills.