2020-05-07 19:33
As someone who has spent her entire career supporting small businesses, first at some of the world’s biggest multinational banks and now at Mastercard, it pains me to see how the COVID… Read More
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Find finance news and financial advice for small business owners at the MasterCard Business Network Blog.
2019-06-11 15:30
Owning your own business is empowering, but it can also feel overwhelming — especially at the onset. To celebrate and support female entrepreneurs and kick off Small Business Month, Ma… Read More
2019-05-14 16:15
Small business owners are constantly reminded of the daunting challenge to protect their data – including data of their employees, customers, and partners – from online hackers a… Read More
2019-04-03 02:36
Small businesses are the lifeblood of a community and provide all manner of essential services and support to enterprise businesses and government. The global economic importance of small bu… Read More
2019-02-13 23:02
Starting a business is exciting, crazy, exhilarating, and nuts. You’ve got to find investors, perfect your business model, create a marketing strategy, and sell away. But the insanity… Read More
2018-10-03 21:10
Welcome to the source for the latest insights on the small business segment from Mastercard. Our perspectives will help you stay current on the latest products, trends and best practices to… Read More
2018-08-15 13:17
Virtually every small business owner that I speak to tells me that they want (or need) to get more sales. They are always looking for advice on easy or low-cost ways to help sell more of the… Read More
2018-08-07 14:29
There are now more mobile devices in the world than there are people, according to GSMA, and consumers are more comfortable with payment systems likeApple Pay and Android Pay every day. In a… Read More
2018-07-27 19:35
How do you know when you are ready to expand your business globally? If you have just experienced a rapid growth stage with your business–doubling sales weekly over the past year, for… Read More
2018-06-29 13:33
You want to see your business grow and achieve its goals. Taking your small business to the next level requires a lot of work, and helping it survive through tough times is quite a challenge… Read More
2018-06-22 13:25
When you need to borrow money you have several options – for car loans, you might visit your local car dealership; for mortgages, you might visit a bank or mortgage lender; for daily s… Read More
2018-06-15 17:47
No one really appreciates the microwave, until it’s broken – and the same is true of too many accounting departments. As a CFO, I can say that the accounting team should be a wel… Read More
2018-05-25 15:17
You have to hire, but you don’t have time to devote to the hiring process. It’s a common problem, as most business owners can attest to. Even with my very small company’s h… Read More
2018-05-04 20:05
When I grew up in small town America, it wasn’t unusual to leave home with our doors unlocked. But the world has changed dramatically since then and today many people don’t leave… Read More
2018-04-30 13:17
You’ve recently found out that you’re being audited. Luckily the process is not nearly as invasive as you may think. Unless you’ve deliberately done something wrong, the ta… Read More
2018-04-18 19:30
Are you thinking about expanding your business internationally? As Dylan Thomas once said, “Do not go gentle into that good night.” My take on that is “Do not go gentle int… Read More
2018-04-13 18:05
There is nothing sadder than going by one of your favorite small retailers only to find an empty store with a For Lease sign posted in the window. It means someone’s dream came t… Read More
2018-04-06 13:47
Adapting your product to meet the needs of an overseas market is a considerable undertaking and will likely require a substantial investment of time and money. You might do it to gain an ex… Read More
2018-03-23 20:25
Mobile phones are one of the greatest devices ever invented. They mobilize the power of computing and allow us to live and work out of our hip pockets. And as e-commerce has evolved into mob… Read More
2018-03-14 20:45
No what matter what size your business is, paying bills will always be part of it. Whether it’s the occasional order to pay for or a fully staffed accounts payable department managing… Read More
2018-03-09 17:00
In business, success is determined by the bottom line, your profits. What is needed to increase that bottom line may not be clear-cut, but there are certain skills that go a long way t… Read More
2018-03-02 15:40
In our busy social media crazy world we often forget the importance of being in a live face-to-face setting with others from the business community.
Being active in your industry t… Read More
2018-02-26 20:21
Enabling global trade for Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is a key factor for economic growth in many countries, and considering that this segment is responsible for 75% of employment, it s… Read More
2018-02-24 00:17
A massive wind of change has been gusting across the globe and it is affecting not only how we do business today, but for the foreseeable future. It’s a revolution that should grab the… Read More
2018-02-16 20:04
The concept of the shared economy has opened up many opportunities for small business owners and individuals in the Caribbean, particularly in the service industries of tourism, such as lodg… Read More
2018-02-09 17:59
In two hours and at no cost, you can significantly improve your international online presence. There are a number of international websites that allow small business owners to build their gl… Read More
2018-02-02 20:36
In today’s business world, there is a wide spectrum of technological tools to support and leverage the growth of entrepreneurs and their startups. In fact, small and medium-sized busin… Read More
2018-01-25 20:11
Many Caribbean Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have often viewed exporting as the domain of large or multinational companies. However, advancements in payment and information technology… Read More
2018-01-19 22:53
Did you know that Caribbean companies are lagging behind the rest of the world when it comes to innovation? We invest less in research and development, launch fewer new products and service… Read More
2018-01-12 21:16
How often do you think “this market is just too small for my business to realize its potential”? Probably more times than you care to count, and chances are, you are correct. Exp… Read More
2018-01-05 20:36
“If only I could get my team to be more efficient and productive!” Sound familiar? It’s the constant complaint of many business owners across the Caribbean who want to… Read More
2017-12-29 20:05
After carefully evaluating and selecting a distributor in a new market, the next critical step is the strategic negotiation of an international sales agreement. It’s important to not… Read More
2017-12-20 19:43
Importers and exporters often complain about “hidden” or “unknown” charges associated with their international trade transactions. However, in my experience, strategi… Read More
2017-12-15 20:49
Most Caribbean economies have a well documented history of merchandise or goods exports from the agricultural and manufacturing sectors such as coffee, cocoa, sugar, and bananas or from the… Read More
2017-12-08 14:43
Traditionally known as a popular tourist destination, the Dominican Republic rose to commercial prominence in the early 2000’s when interest piqued among Caribbean firms after the rati… Read More
2017-12-01 20:25
I’ve never met an entrepreneur who didn’t want to improve their company’s bottom line, and in theory, it should be pretty easy to accomplish. All you have to do is make sur… Read More
2017-11-22 14:34
Content provided by our promotional partner, Microsoft
It’s beginning to smell a lot like autumn, each and every day. As tryptophan and turkey day rapidly approaches, you need to get y… Read More
2017-11-17 21:11
Successful exporters understand the value and importance of engaging in extensive and methodical due diligence before appointing a new distributor. Following a prescribed distributor search… Read More
2017-11-10 20:17
The risk of not getting paid is one of the biggest challenges for companies involved in or considering international trade for the first time. It’s important to recognize that there wi… Read More
2017-11-03 17:48
Technology is perhaps the most powerful gift of our time, yet so many entrepreneurs and small businesses, have barely unwrapped the package, much less put it to full use. A perfect example o… Read More
2017-10-31 20:18
Content provided by our promotional partner, Microsoft
Look outside. What do you see? Pumpkin decorations popping up everywhere. It must be Halloween!
For online searchers however, it’… Read More
2017-10-31 14:14
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The post test appeared first on MasterCard Biz Read More
2017-10-27 19:21
It’s often said that it costs five times more to acquire a customer than to retain a customer. As a small business owner, you must focus on retention and that starts with knowing your… Read More
2017-10-20 20:15
Entrepreneurs don’t go into business to fail. Business owners, founders, and managers are focused on, and driven by, success. Failure is frowned upon in the world of enterprise, and es… Read More
2017-10-13 19:25
At some point, you are going to notice that your business has leveled out. While that is not necessarily a bad thing, it can be a bit disappointing. Like, “Is this it?”
Some busi… Read More
2017-10-06 19:15
The economy is changing rapidly.
New technologies have empowered many of us to work wherever and whenever we want – as long as we have an internet connection. Employers are becoming in… Read More
2017-09-29 14:44
Stroll through the hallways of the C-suite offices in any corporate headquarters and you’ll find the home base for the company’s chief technology officer (CTO). As technology pla… Read More
2017-09-21 18:47
It seems that you can’t turn on your computer without seeing yet another story about database hacking and cybersecurity breaches. And while it’s tempting to just tune out… Read More
2017-09-15 18:00
You’ve gotten a visitor onto your website.
After browsing your selection of products, they’re ready to whip out their credit card and buy.
Some do. But a great many of them don&r&hell…Read More
2017-09-07 20:52
Every trip to the doctor starts with a check of your vital signs. Why? Because they quickly indicate important information about your health. As an owner, you should be just as vigilan… Read More
2017-09-01 15:34
What do you think makes a successful small business owner?
Is it a roll up your sleeves attitude? A willingness to do it all – even if that means coming in early and staying up late?
I… Read More
2017-08-25 19:28
Small businesses frequently need to hire outside contractors for specific projects because it is often cost or otherwise prohibitive to hire full-time headcount, especially for non-recurring… Read More
2017-08-18 17:22
It’s not too far off to compare what’s going on today in digital payments as “The Wild West,” because what we’re experiencing is a real breakdown in orderliness… Read More
2017-08-14 17:18
According to a World Bank Group study, there are an estimated 25-30 million formal small and medium size enterprises in the world. They contribute up to 60% of total employment and up to 40… Read More
2017-08-10 20:11
According to the SBA, small business owners, on average, spend $10,000 in startup capital. And where exactly do business owners procure this money? Typically, external sources like credit ca… Read More
2017-08-04 14:33
Accepting electronic payments can make it easier for customers to pay you. However, since there are so many payment processing platform providers, how do you pick the right one for your busi… Read More
2017-07-26 20:08
One of the most important investments a small business makes is in its employees. It takes a considerable amount of time and effort to find just the right person for each job, train them in… Read More
2017-07-21 16:55
For most of us small business owners, Silicon Valley startups can seem wildly bizarre. We hear their founders interviewed on TV, read about their mega successes online, and it’s hard t… Read More
2017-07-13 18:21
So why wouldn’t you want to hire a virtual employee? Well, not everyone is cut out to be a remote worker. There are certain traits you should look for in a potential new hire that will… Read More
2017-07-07 20:16
Do you remember when you received your first credit card?
I would bet that you felt empowered. There’s a good chance you were in your early twenties – maybe your late teens &ndas&hell…Read More
2017-06-30 14:20
Word-of-mouth marketing has never been more important.
Because your potential customers are overwhelmed by thousands of marketing messages a day (many of them outrageous), they’re desp… Read More
2017-06-23 20:22
2017 could easily be called “The Year of the App.” There seems to be an app for virtually anything. Hungry? Order food to be delivered or make a restaurant reservation. Muscles s… Read More
2017-06-16 12:54
Have you ever found yourself apologizing for being a small business? Maybe you’ve felt like you can’t compete against the “big guys?”
Instead of feeling at a disadvan… Read More
2017-06-09 19:30
You spent a ton of money building a website for your business and countless hours promoting your products and services. It is all paying off as customer flock to your site to make purchases… Read More
2017-06-02 15:02
Each day brings yet another reason for your customer to go online. Your business may be able to benefit from this by providing a reliable and fast connection. Let’s review the process… Read More
2017-05-26 13:32
In some ways being exceptional at sales, is like succeeding as an entrepreneur—you either have the characteristics, capacity and passion for it, or you don’t. Most of us probably… Read More
2017-05-19 18:06
If you are a Caribbean entrepreneur who is in the business of selling services–not products–and are finding it difficult to grow your business, you are not alone. The majority of… Read More
2017-05-12 13:40
Thanks to financial technology innovation, the movement of money across borders has changed dramatically in the last five years.
The banking laws and financial infrastructure of each Caribbe… Read More
2017-05-05 18:52
Pause for a second as you read this and think about how your customers pay your business for services. Now realize that you probably overlooking at least one security risk in those payments… Read More
2017-04-25 20:02
It seems everywhere you look people are increasingly preoccupied with technological gadgets. While sometimes frustrating – most of us have probably found ourselves stuck behind a parke… Read More
2017-04-20 19:46
Digital advertising has historically offered two options: branding (cost per impression) or visitors (cost per click). Now Facebook, using the power of its social data, is changing the game… Read More
2017-04-13 16:03
When business is going well it’s easy to relax and get complacent. So how do you stay hungry and keep your competitive advantage? The key is to constantly evaluate why your customers a… Read More
2017-04-07 13:44
Businesses are always looking for new ways to deliver value to their customers, increase revenues, expand their reach, and ultimately grow their bottom line. Business Process Outsourcing is… Read More
2017-03-29 19:19
There is no doubt that e-commerce is the way of the future. It is expanding worldwide at an astounding rate; in the U.S. alone, e–commerce grew by over 15% in 2016 to top US$394 billio… Read More
2017-03-24 13:33
Why would anyone want to steal your company’s data? Security expert and CEO of Kalki Consulting Vikas Bhatia says, “Every small business has, or is connected to others that have… Read More
2017-03-17 14:55
If you’re like most small business owners, you didn’t spend years getting formal training in accounting, marketing, and sales before launching your business.
Instead, you saw an… Read More
2017-03-10 14:44
It’s impossible to overstate the importance of good communication for the success of your small business.
As a small business owner or manager, it’s incumbent on you to be an exc… Read More
2017-03-03 14:51
“You’re aces in my book!”
That’s high praise, indeed, and I think we would all love hearing those words from the people we meet and with whom we work. And, if your cu… Read More
2017-02-24 20:22
If you use computers to run your business, which is pretty much everyone, then you need to have at least some basic knowledge of cybersecurity best practices. I met with several cybersecurit… Read More
2017-02-17 20:18
As a small business owner, you are often pulled in multiple directions at once, with competing priorities all calling for your attention. Now that we are in the throes of tax season, additio… Read More
2017-02-10 15:29
Innovation is a huge part of one’s ability to succeed as a small business owner. But it’s easy to fall into a rut and get used to a certain way of doing things, which can lead to… Read More
2017-02-03 14:13
While it’s tempting to be chasing the next new customer all the time, that actually can be an expensive strategy. Certainly, you need to set up a marketing funnel to attract new custom… Read More
2017-01-27 14:24
Leadership is one of the most challenging – and essential – parts of running a successful business.
Who better to learn it from than one of America’s most elite military un… Read More
2017-01-20 15:52
Small businesses run lean and business owners can be heads-down for months (or even years) and not take the time to step back to do an inventory of what they’re paying for– and a… Read More
2017-01-12 18:02
Looking back, 2016 was probably the worst year ever in online privacy. Major security breaches, such as Yahoo, affected more than one billion accounts, leaving users worrying about their per… Read More
2017-01-06 19:25
When was the last time you ordered something on Amazon?
Yesterday? Two days ago; maybe three?
In just a few years, this online retail giant has become a staple of our everyday lives. We use… Read More
2017-01-05 18:11
Please join us for this webcast in which we will review the 1099 reporting changes for 2016 and discuss the value proposition for using electronic filing versus the paper based method. We&rs&hell…Read More
2016-12-29 18:52
Every month brings a new report of a massive data breach at a major company (or political party), but don’t let those stories fool you. Small businesses are also targets of attacks for… Read More
2016-12-22 18:05
It’s getting close to the end of the year. Things are probably slowing down (unless you’re in retail) and you might be thinking about your personal New Year’s resolutions… Read More
2016-12-16 15:52
There comes a time in every business owner’s life when he or she needs think seriously about scaling their business. While this can be exciting, it also can be quite overwhelming. More… Read More
2016-12-09 19:14
We small business owners might not have the financial resources of huge, multinational corporations. But we can move quickly and try new things to meet our customers’ needs. We can inn… Read More
2016-12-02 16:22
With the onset of the holiday season, many small business owners will be planning to take some time off for a much-needed vacation or to visit family and friends.
However, taking time away f… Read More
2016-11-29 21:34
There’s an economic freight train gaining speed in our economy and it’s being driven by freelancers and independent contractors.
A recent survey conducted by Upwork and Freelance… Read More
2016-11-23 16:24
It was simple. The thief broke the small back window of the car, unlocked the doors, and stole an office computer from the trunk.
When I received the news I calculated the potential loss: at… Read More
2016-11-16 22:47
When it comes time to creating a password, you have most likely received the following instructions many, many times: use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols in your password; don’t… Read More
2016-11-11 14:41
As a small business owner, you’ve probably heard about analytics’ potential. Maybe you’ve even installed an analytics tool, like Google Analytics, onto your website.
But wh… Read More
2016-11-04 23:10
Credit card fraud is at nearly $200 billion industry annually. And in a climate when 80% of businesses fail in the first 18 months, you need to do everything you can to reduce the risk of fr… Read More
2016-10-28 17:01
If your business has not yet switched over to the EMV (Europay, MasterCard, and Visa) or “chip card” technology, for processing credit and debit card payments, then now is the pe… Read More
2016-10-21 14:24
Pay-per-click ads. Sponsored Facebook posts. Sky-high fees paid to YouTubers and Instagrammers for brief mentions of a product. It’s enough to make any small business owner working wit… Read More
2016-10-14 14:47
It’s a common story. Either out of desire or necessity (a layoff perhaps) a talented professional decides to begin freelancing, consulting, or start down the path of being a solo entre… Read More
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