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There are some business lessons that you need to learn through experience. However, there are some things you can learn by paying attention to experts in your field or utilizing data and tools that are available to your business. Read on for some of the top lessons you should take from industry experts and other members of the online small business community.

Learn from Top Marketing Mavens

Throughout the month, 30 Days of Marketing Mavens will be sharing interviews with experts to reveal some of their top marketing tips and tricks. Small Business Trends’ own Anita Campbell is honored to be included. You can see her interview plus insights from other marketing experts here.

Follow Search Marketing Influencers

If you want to gain industry influence, you need to learn from the best. SEO is constantly changing, so following a well rounded list of experts can help you constantly stay on top of the trends and processes that are necessary for success. See some of those top influencers in this TopRank Marketing post by Lane Ellis.

Learn the Basic Business Realities

While it’s certainly valuable to learn from experts, influencers, and data, there are certain lessons you’ll need to come by on your own. In this Startup Professionals Musings post, Martin Zwilling shares some of the things business owners have to learn through experience. To see commentary on the post, head over to the BizSugar community.

Visualize Data with the Google Data Studio

When it comes to collecting Data, Google can be one of your most valuable resources. In fact, Google can also help you visualize the data you collect so it makes more sense for your operations. Learn more about the Google Data Studio in this Content Marketing Institute post by Fatmir Hyseni.

Use Chrome Extensions for SEO

The tech tools you use can also go a long way toward equipping your team with the knowledge they need to market your business effectively. More specifically, there are several Chrome extensions available to provide valuable SEO insights. Neil Patel shares 13 free ones in this post.

Find the Right Websites to Hire Dependable Freelancers

If you want to grow your team but can’t hire full-time staff, freelancers can help you fill in some of the gaps around your operations. But you need a reliable place to look for these freelancers if you’re going to find them efficiently. In this Process Street post, Thom James Carter lists some of the best websites for this purpose.

Solve Pain Points with Customer Video Interaction

For businesses to effectively market and create solutions that are useful for customers, you need to fully understand what problems you’re trying to solve. Grasping customers pain points can be tricky without the right tools, but customer video interaction may help to bridge that gap. Learn more in this Right Mix Marketing post by Ben Tejes.

Learn How Guy Kawasaki Fuels a Successful Podcast with Content

Constantly finding effective content for a blog or podcast can be a challenge. But Guy Kawasaki has managed to do it for years. In this Blogging Brute post, Mike Allton interviews him to share valuable insights with other content creators. And BizSugar members offered thoughts on the interview here.

Improve Quality Ratings with Google’s Guidelines

If you want to improve your SEO, it’s essential to follow guidelines that come straight from Google. The search giant recently unveiled some quality rater guidelines that may impact small businesses. See some takeaways in this Target Marketing post by Phil Frost.

Let Data Drive the Creation of Your Marketing Creative

If you want your marketing creative to be truly relevant to your audience, you might let insights from your customers drive those decisions. The data you collect can play an integral role throughout the development of your materials. Get more insights in this UpCity post by Trevor Anderson.

If you’d like to suggest your favorite small business content to be considered for an upcoming community roundup, please send your news tips to: sbtips@gmail.com.

Image: Depositphotos.com

This article, “Want to Increase Your Small Business Knowledge? Here are 10 Expert Tips” was first published on Small Business Trends

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Many small businesses are struggling as a result of closures and social distancing practices put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic.

How to Help Local Small Businesses

If you want to help local small businesses by supporting your favorite local shops, restaurants, and others stay afloat during this time, here are some ways you can do so.

Purchase Gift Certificates

If you can afford it, purchase gift cards from your favorite local businesses during this time. You’ll be supporting their operations when they need it most, and when businesses reopen, you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite goods and services that you’ve already paid for.

Order Takeout or Delivery

Restaurants in many states and cities are not open for dining in. However, you may still be able to get your favorite dishes delivered to your door. Or you could try picking up meals from those that offer it — just order ahead to avoid waiting in lines.

Purchase Products Online

For retail businesses where you’d normally shop in person, see if they’re offering online orders at this time. Even if their website isn’t set up to do so, they might offer flash sales on social media or other platforms.

Keep Memberships Going

Subscription or membership based businesses like gyms and fitness studios rely on steady sources of monthly income from members. Since many of these businesses have closed, customers are likely to get refunds or pauses on their memberships. However, if your income isn’t affected by shutdowns, consider keeping these memberships as-is.

Take Online Classes

Additionally, some gyms and similar businesses are finding ways to provide value through online classes. Even if you don’t belong to one already, spending extra time at home may be the perfect excuse to try something new while also supporting a local company.

Share Your Favorites on Social Media

You don’t need to have extra money to support small businesses during this time. If you’re concerned about your own finances but still want to help, shout out some of your favorite companies, products, or promotions on social media to let your friends know.

Connect with Companies Online

You can also help small businesses increase their online reach simply by interacting with their profiles. Follow a few more of your favorites, and then like and comment on their posts to improve their engagement. This will help more of their content show up in others’ feeds.

Leave Positive Reviews

Are there businesses in your area that you’ve always meant to leave a review for and just never got around to it? This period where you’re killing time at home is the perfect opportunity to help them gain some social proof and improve their online rankings. And it’s free!

Refer People Directly

Of course, you can also help simply by talking about your favorite small businesses to others via text, phone calls, or video calls.

Use Financing to Purchase Larger Items

Many small businesses offer financing or layaway options for larger purchases. Don’t purchase items you can’t afford, but if there’s something you were planning on buying anyway, now is the perfect time to get a good rate and keep your favorite shops afloat.

Contribute to Crowdfunding Campaigns

People around the country are starting crowdfunding campaigns to support small businesses and their employees that need financial assistance. Browse GoFundMe or social media to find causes you can contribute to.

Or Get a Campaign Started

If you can’t afford a donation or if there’s not a campaign started for your favorite local business, you could be the person who gets one off the ground. Consult with the company first to see what their needs are.

Create a Community Organization

If you want to support a variety of businesses in your area and get others involved, consider creating a community fund or support group. You can either collect money or come up with creative ideas to help local businesses. Use social media or local forums to facilitate conversations with others in your area.

Start a Local Business Directory

To help all the businesses in your area get more attention, create an online directory where people can easily find companies to support. You can even keep it going once foot traffic restores to facilitate a quicker recovery.

Tip Generously

If you can afford it, tip restaurant employees and delivery drivers a bit extra during this time. This helps them make up for some of their lost earnings and helps their employers feel a bit less strained.

Offer Support Services

A little break in the action is the perfect opportunity for many small business owners to focus on things like marketing, creating a new logo, or building a website. However, the loss of customers means they may not be able to afford these services. If you specialize in an area that could help small businesses, offer your services for free or trade.

Start New Home Projects

Being stuck at home is the perfect excuse to do some light remodeling or redecorating. Purchase supplies from a local hardware store or order from online decor shops to make your space feel cozy during this prolonged period.

Take Up a New Hobby

It’s also a great opportunity to learn or try new things, like painting, playing a musical instrument, or building model cars. Purchase the supplies you need from small retailers. And get your information from small business owners as well. For example, there might be a piano teacher in your area offering online lessons or sharing videos on YouTube.

Buy Quarantine Gifts for Friends

Want to do something nice for the people in your life who are having a hard time? Purchase gifts from your favorite small retailers and have them shipped directly to your favorite people.

Stock Up on Items You’ll Need Later

You might also purchase items that you don’t need immediately, like gifts for birthdays that are a few months off or summer gear for your family to use in the backyard.

Purchase Virtual Products

Lots of small businesses are getting creative during this time by offering virtual or downloadable versions of their products. You may even be able to buy these for a lower rate than the physical products.

Send a Kind Note

A little kindness goes a long way, especially during stressful seasons. If you can’t support small businesses financially, send them a quick note via email or social media to tell them how much you appreciate it. You could make the team’s day.

Have Patience

For those who are ordering products or services from businesses that have had to make adjustments during this time, be patient. They probably aren’t used to the new processes they’ve been forced to pick up very quickly. So if shipping takes longer than you thought or the delivery process isn’t seamless, stay calm and be kind throughout your interactions.

Ask Business Owners How You Can Help

Some business owners may need help in areas outside of the obvious ones. If you know any entrepreneurs in your area or online, reach out and ask if there’s anything specific they need. Even if there isn’t, they’ll probably appreciate the sentiment.

Opt for Local Stores Over Chains When Possible

The general idea is to purchase from small stores or businesses during this time whenever possible. Even if you don’t have extra money you spend, heading to the corner market for groceries over the big box store can make a major difference for that business owner. This is ultimately a positive practice all the time, but it’s especially important now that many small businesses are struggling to stay afloat.

Image: Depositphotos.com

This article, “25 Tips for Supporting Small Businesses as a Customer” was first published on Small Business Trends

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The American Psychological Association (APA) defines anxiety as “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

We live in more uncertain times and that heightens anxiety in our lives, but especially in our work life.

Based on a survey from the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, while only 9% of individuals are living with a diagnosed anxiety disorder, 40% experience ongoing stress or anxiety in their daily lives, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure.

It is important to know the difference between normal feelings of anxiety and an anxiety disorder requiring medical attention which can help a person identify and treat the condition.

The symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) will often include:

• restlessness, and a feeling of being “on-edge”
• uncontrollable feelings of worry
• increased irritability
• concentration difficulties
• sleep difficulties, such as problems in falling or staying asleep

The American Psychology Association describes a person with anxiety disorder as “having recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns.” Once anxiety reaches the stage of a disorder, it can interfere with daily function. It’s important to know if your anxiety is general or possibly a disorder, which should include a medical evaluation.

Anxiety in the Workplace

Anxiety at work especially in these current times brings challenges that impact all of our current workplace demographics and workforce diversity. The generations in our current workforce represent  Baby Boomers, Gen x, Millennials and GenZ, which spans ages 70 to 20’s. They are more educated, diverse and bring different and important skills to the table. Women are expected to continue to gain share, rising from 46.8 percent of the workforce in 2014 to 47.2 percent by 2024.

We can help each other get through our anxieties by supporting each other and sharing our experiences of how we got through them. Anxiety is a human emotion that gets triggered by so many personal and professional factors. Regardless, we need some concrete and solid ideas, tools and suggestions to help us deal with our anxiety and emotions.

Trying to convince yourself to stop being anxious when you’re feeling anxious is a bit like telling yourself to fall asleep when you have insomnia — it doesn’t work. So what does?

Coping with anxiety when you’re at work and expected to perform at your best can be particularly challenging.

Whether you’re worrying about something specific, like an imminent deadline, or you just have a formless feeling of dread, you might be telling yourself something along these lines: “You’ve got to get back to work, stop worrying, stop obsessing, get your head back in the game and just focus!“

Easier said than done.

How to Deal With Anxiety at Work

Trust Your Feelings

Have you experienced an anxiety attack at work and do you remember how you felt?  Too many of us don’t feel like mental symptoms are as real as physical ones. Thinking that mental health problems are, in some way, not as real as physical ones is not uncommon. This year, millions of Internet users have asked Google if mental illness is real, and the Internet abounds with public awareness campaigns from the government and non-profit organizations answering with a resounding “Yes!”

“Anxiety disorders are real, serious medical conditions — just as real and serious as physical disorders such as heart disease or diabetes,” writes the ADAA.

“Anxiety disorders are the most common and pervasive mental disorders in the United States.”  The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that as many as 1 in 5 Americans are affected by anxiety disorders.

Don’t Worry About Getting Fired

A major part of having an anxiety attack in the workplace can be the fear that you’ll get fired. The good news is — you probably won’t. The fear of getting let go is often a hallmark of workplace anxiety. But should your worst “what if” scenario come true, the law is on your side.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is designed to protect employees like you from job discrimination; so, if you tell your employer that you have a lasting “physical or mental impairment,” they are required, by law, to not only keep you on, but also provide you with “reasonable accommodation.” As the ADAA explains, your employer cannot fire you, or refuse to hire you, if you’re qualified for the job and your disability stops you from performing tasks that are “not essential” to the job.

Work With Anxiety, Not Against It

Steven Hayes, author of 46 books and over 600 scientific articles, professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Nevada in Reno, a man who is no stranger to panic attacks himself — advocates for a more self-compassionate and self-accepting way of dealing with anxiety. In fact, Prof. Hayes is the founder of one of the newest and most innovative forms of cognitive behavioral therapy, called acceptance commitment therapy (ACT). This form of therapy starts with the acceptance and non-judgemental observation of negative thoughts, and moves toward bringing the client into the present moment and helping them lead a meaningful life.

Make Stress Your Friend

Along similar lines, health psychologist and world-renowned speaker Kelly McGonigal makes the case for a positive rethinking of stress. She explains, it’s not so much the stress itself that is harmful, as the way in which we think about it.

Instead of seeing stress as your enemy, you can make it your friend and work for you. Stress and anxiety are nothing but a sign that you care about something, and this care can be molded into something that wildly improves your performance instead of inhibiting it.

She says these 3 steps help make anxiety work for you:

• Acknowledge stress when you experience it and allow yourself to notice the stress, including how it affects your body.
• Welcome the stress by recognizing that it’s a response to something you care about., so try to connect to the positive motivation behind the stress. Figure out what is at stake here, and why it matters to you?”
• Make use of the energy that stress and the anxiety it brings you, instead of wasting that energy trying to manage it. What actions can you take right now that will move your goals and values forward.

Find Activities That Make You Feel Good and Brings Balance to Your Life

• Exercise Daily
• Yoga and meditation has been shown to significantly reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.
• Stress Management
• Have a Support System
• Seek Professional Counseling
• Get a Mental Health Evaluation
• Restrict Caffeine
• Commit to a Healthy Diet and Hydrate all Day
• Work on a Regular Sleep Pattern
• Focus on what you have control over and let go of what you don’t
• Spend more time with people that support and uplift you
• Support and Uplift others who need it

Be Kinder and Gentler to Yourself

Often, those of us who live with anxiety are also perfectionists, over-achievers, and generally people who (have been taught to) expect a lot from ourselves. When you have anxiety, that makes things even worse, because not being at your best makes you angry at yourself, and treating yourself harshly is the last thing you need when you’re, in fact, at your most vulnerable.

Remember no one is ever perfect, and we all need to take care of and nurture our flawed selves. For most of us, our work days consist of sitting in front of our computers, barely blinking, let alone getting up to move. Take short breaks to get up and move around the building.  Go for a walk around the block during lunch or walk to lunch.

Just getting up and walking around your office can be the physical and mental outlet you need to let some of that stress and anxiety burn off without sending you into a spiral.

Remember It’s a Moment

When we are in the thick of our worst anxiety, it feels like it’s never going to end. Here’s the thing: it will, it’s going to end and it will pass and you aren’t going to feel anxious forever. But get into action and help yourself through it.

Take a Five-Minute Meditation Break

We take bathroom breaks. And lunch breaks. So, why shouldn’t there be five minute meditation break? Take time out to center yourself during a stressful moment or situation. This sends a message to your brain. It tells you it’s time to relax and refocus. Take some deep breaths. Let go of aggravating thoughts. And get your emotions back on track.

We need to believe things are going to be okay and put them into perspective. Then we work through our anxieties best. Keep the faith. Take the actions that can change things. And keep treating yourself with love, kindness and respect.

Don’t allow anxiety to define who you are. It doesn’t own us. We own it.

Image: Depositphotos.com

This article, “How to Deal With Anxiety at Work” was first published on Small Business Trends

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Small businesses are being impacted due to coronavirus and precautions to protect against the effects of the COVID-19 disease.  The disruption is rippling across the economy and affecting businesses of all sizes. But small businesses immediately felt the impact. Governments and large corporations are responding with programs and announcements.

This article contains a list of coronavirus resources and information vital to small businesses. New resources and links will be added as we gather additional information. Or leave a comment below with a suggestion to include.

View our Coronavirus and Small Business Resource Center to stay up to date.

Federal

15 Days to Slow the Spread – This is a general guideline for all Americans from the President.

CDC Coronavirus page has health information and updates.

CDC Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection.  Guidance for physical small business locations, about disinfecting premises, desks, equipment, doors, keyboards, linens, personal protective equipment and vehicles.

IRS and Taxes

The IRS has extended the date to pay Federal income taxes to July 15, 2020. You must still file your return by April 15, 2020. But you can delay payment on up to $1 million in taxes for an extra 90 days. Read more.

SBA Disaster Loans

SBA COVID-19 Loan Resources.  President Trump’s $50 billion stimulus plan includes making low-interest SBA coronavirus loans  available immediately to small businesses. Loans can be up to $2 million and can be used to pay debts, payroll or other bills. The interest rate is 3.75%. The SBA’s page has information.

COVID-19 Scams

FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.  The US Treasury Department warns about scams claiming to offer Covid-19 grants or stimulus payments in exchange for getting your personal information or asking you to pay a fee. You are urged to report scams to the FBI.

Resources By Industry

Retail and eCommerce

National Retail Federation Coronavirus Resources. The National Retail Federation has written a letter asking for Federal guidance. For example, some jurisdictions have limited access to warehouses and distribution centers, and deemed certain retail (such as pet stores) as not essential.

Amazon.com asked third party sellers, many of which are small businesses, not to send nonessential supplies to Amazon warehouses, so the online giant can prioritize deliveries of necessities. In effect until April 5. Read more.

eBay has been urged to clamp down on Coronavirus profiteering. Read more.

FindLaw list of state price gouging laws. Charging excessive prices (often defined as 10% to 15% higher than normal) for necessities during times of emergencies is considered price gouging and may violate state law.

Restaurants

Restaurant.org Coronavirus information.  Restaurant.org has collected a large number of resources just for restaurant operators.

FDA FAQ page. For businesses that operate grocery or convenience stores, run restaurants or produce food, the Food and Drug Administration has guidance.

Trucking

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has suspended parts of the Hours of Service Rule that limits the consecutive hours drivers can operate a truck. This suspension applies to emergency deliveries. Learn more.

Real Estate

Landlords: some local jurisdictions are temporarily suspending eviction notices. At least one jurisdiction is considering adding small businesses under commercial leases to the eviction moratorium. Read more.

Construction

Construction Association page. This page of resources is for those in the construction industry.

Travel Issues

CDC Travel page. This page at the CDC contains travel advisories and advice for travelers.

Business conferences have been cancelled, in most cases at least into April, due to prohibitions against large gatherings. Some are converting to online events.  Others plan to reschedule.

Gas Buddy.  Gas Buddy, the gasoline price-tracking site, suggests that gas prices are low due to lower demand with fewer people driving. The site projects that prices will be at multi-decade lows for the better part of 2020, with the national average under $1.80 per gallon by May. This is a positive for those with fleets and entrepreneurs who drive for a living.

List of Travel website and airline information pages:

• Orbitz
• Expedia
• United
• American
• Southwest
• Jet Blue

Business Continuity

OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19.  This is comprehensive advice about  the safety steps employers should take.

Sick leave and employees

Many businesses are choosing to have employees work at home if at all possible. Technology can help workers collaborate from their homes. If you must keep your work premises open:

Encourage employees not to come to work when they are sick.

Here are prevention tips for the workplace:

• 8 Ways to Protect Your Small Business from the Flu Pandemic
• Cold and Flu Prevention Tips for the Workplace.

Selling during Coronavirus

If your business has slowed down due to the COVID-19 concerns, remember, every stop light eventually turns green.

One of these motivation apps can help you stay upbeat.

Use these 4 sales tips during the coronavirus situation.

Productivity during slow time

Slow times are good for initiatives you may not have the time for regularly and can get you prepared to take advantage of the inevitable upswing. Overhaul your IT systems, complete an inventory, write procedure manuals, implement a new software system, or outline a marketing campaign.

Review your disaster preparedness plan. Every situation is an opportunity to learn from and will make your response better next time.

Remote Work Tools and Other Offers

Zoho is offering Remotely free through July 1, 2020. Zoho is also offering all of its Zoho apps for free for up to 20,000 small businesses for as long as three months to deal with the current situation.

List of remote access tools.

Microsoft is making its Teams video conferencing software available to businesses for free. Read more.

Facebook is offering $100 million in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 small businesses.  Details here.

TechSmith is offering free access and expanded usage of remote work tools. Apply here.

Intellifluence is offering any coronavirus-impacted small business (restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, lawn care, etc.) a free lifetime plan from Intellifluence, the influence marketing platform.  Details here.

State and Local Health Departments

Below is a list of all health department pages with Coronavirus information for all states, District of Columbia and territories in the United States. Large cities and counties may also issue their own guidance, so be sure to check local websites if applicable to your situation.

 

State Coronavirus Page	State Coronavirus Page
Alabama	Nebraska
Alaska	Nevada
Arizona	New Hampshire
Arkansas	New Jersey
California	New Mexico
Colorado	New York
Connecticut	North Carolina
Delaware	North Dakota
District of Columbia	Ohio
Florida	Oklahoma
Georgia	Oregon
Hawaii	Pennsylvania
Idaho	Rhode Island
Illinois	South Carolina
Indiana	South Dakota
Iowa	Tennessee
Kansas	Texas
Kentucky	Utah
Louisiana	Vermont
Maine	Virginia
Maryland	Washington
Massachusetts	West Virginia
Michigan	Wisconsin
Minnesota	Wyoming
Mississippi	Guam
Missouri	Puerto Rico
Montana	Virgin Islands

This article, “Small Business Resources About Coronavirus” was first published on Small Business Trends

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The tax season can be a stressful period for businesses. This period is marked with pressures to file for returns by a deadline and it inadvertently provides good opportunities for scammers to strike.  Scammers pounce on opportunities to steal your sensitive data, identity theft or trick you out of money by employing elaborate ruses using tax scams.

Tax scams can involve criminals impersonating IRS agents, government agencies, customer support employees and more. They can reach out to you in person over the phone, online or via the mail in an effort to trick you into sending them money for taxes, pay penalties or fees you don’t actually owe.

They often prey on the least suspecting using tactics cloaked in the guise of the official Internal Revenue Service business. The scams can be simple or extremely elaborate. What they count on are unsuspecting individuals they can easily dupe with threats and a sense of urgency to avert any penalties or fines.

Tax Scams

Below are some of the tax scams you need to watch out for. Some have been there for some time while others are variations or entirely new scams.

Phishing

This is a widely used tax scam that comes in various forms. It is a scam typically carried out with the help of unsolicited email or a fake website posing as a legitimate site to lure in potential victims.

There are basically two objectives here. One is to prompt you to provide valuable personal and financial information. Armed with this information scammers can commit identity theft or financial theft. The second is to help install some form of malicious malware.

The IRS does not send unsolicited e-mails to taxpayers about their tax accounts. If you receive such emails report it to phishing@irs.gov. By reporting such activities, you not only stop the scammers but also prevent others from becoming victims as well.

Identity Theft

Identity theft is a crime in which crooks obtain the personal or financial information of another person for the sole purpose of assuming that person’s name or identity to make transactions or purchases.

It occurs through gaining access to your sensitive personal and financial information. This could be through rummaging through your trash, social engineering by using shrewd tactics such as going through your social media posts to glean information about you or use corporate data breaches.

Once they have the information they are looking for, identity thieves can access your financials or swindle you, unsuspecting customers. If you are a victim of identity theft contact the Federal Trade Commission immediately.

Easy Money Lure

Often scammers will try to entice you with a get rich quick scheme. These will often come by way of a loophole that you can employ with their help to get significant refunds. These might be asking you to falsify income, claiming credits or advertise some form of offshore tax avoidance scheme. If you become a victim of offshore money stashes, the money is likely to stay with the scammers and the IRS may prosecute you

Another sinister ploy is for scammers to approach you claiming you either have a refund or are eligible for a lottery or sweepstakes. The rule of thumb here is always “If it is too good to be true then it probably is.”

Your Account or Tax Return is Locked or Restricted

This is a phishing scam that comes to you by e-mail. The email would look somewhat official and claims to be that from the IRS and can also include the IRS logo.

It will tell you your tax return has been restricted claiming your account has been hacked. In this scenario, the con artists will prompt you to click on a link and submit your personal information under the ruse of getting your sensitive personal information.

Update Your Tax Filling Information

This is a variant of the phishing scam. In this case, the email claims the recipient needs to update their tax filing information or their tax return. Here you will be directed to click on to a link where your personally identifiable information can be accessed and submitted to cybercriminals. In some cases, the link can be replaced by an HTML attachment.

Offers of a Tax Refund

Unsuspecting victims might be lured into yet another phishing scam where the prospect of a refund is dangled. For you to get the refund you need to provide proof of identity. This could be a scanned copy of your ID, a utility bill or a credit card statement. In some cases, the refund comes with a fee to get a refund.

The Surprise Refund Bait-and-switch

This is another twist on an old scam. After the scammers have secured your sensitive personal information, such as social security numbers and tax forms, they can easily file a fraudulent return on your behalf.

Once the fund is in your bank account, the scammers, impersonating someone from the IRS or a collection agent, will contact you to demand the return of the ill-gotten money either by depositing into an account or sending it to an address.

IRS Impersonation Phone Call

One of the oldest schemes used every year is scammers calling and claiming to represent the IRS to taxpayers and demand an immediate tax payment.

The calls come from a phone number that appears to belong to the IRS on your caller ID. They might threaten or intimidate you into making a rash decision. Do not be lured into making hasty payments or giving out sensitive information.

Make sure to record the phone number and verify it is actually coming from the IRS. All tax-related disputes have a course of action and detailed paperwork of notices. You can report suspected IRS scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).

Ask you to Put Money on a Prepaid Debit Card or Wire Money to Them

Once scammers have initiated contact and have reeled you in, they will ask for some payment. Those that are really audacious will ask you to transfer money by gift card or wire transfer. Scammers have also extended this scheme to email and social media channels.

The IRS does not request such payments.

Threaten to Cancel or Suspend Your Social Security Number

Criminals can make contact threatening to suspend or cancel your Social Security Number (SSN) until your overdue taxes are paid. The scam may appear real as the callers have some of your personal information.

This could be the last four digits of your SSN, your bank statements or any information that might appear that it’s the government that is contacting you.   You can report such incidents to the Social Security Administration’s website.

Fake Texts or Social media Messages

Scammers are ever more sophisticated and have elaborate tricks in their arsenal. They can come up with authentic-looking messages sent from credible-looking addresses to trick victims into sharing sensitive information or installing malware.

Before offering up any sensitive information make sure you can verify the authenticity of the request.

Stealing Social Security Numbers and then Filling False Returns

This scheme occurs when fraudsters use your information to get a refund from the IRS before you even file your taxes. What they do is steal your social security number and personal information and file a tax return. They typically claim a low income with high deductions by filing electronically.

Scammed by Your Tax Preparer

You might be targeted by your own tax preparer. In some cases, those you trust the most are the actual scammers. Your preparer might put together returns with false information in order to boost a refund. In other cases, they might even steal your personal information as well.

If someone comes out of the blue to do your taxes for free or cheap should raise red flags.

If you’re using a tax professional or online service to file your tax return, do some research before you narrow down your selection. Look up customer reviews or ask for references to make sure the person or service you’re using is legitimate and will keep your data secure.

Send Out a Fraudulent Form to Steal Your Information

Some scammers are so sophisticated they send you a fake form looking very similar to an official IRS document. In it, they ask you to fill in answers to help them steal your identity. Some are so audacious they ask for passwords and even security PIN numbers.

Please Take a Survey

Another variation of stealing your identity. In this case, an email purporting to be from an official government agency asks you to fill out a survey. This will often redirect you to an online survey where questions will require you to fill in sensitive personal and financial information under the pretense to confirm your identity.

Posing as a Taxpayer Advocacy Panel

People claiming to be from the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) approach you about a tax refund or tax-related issue. Usually, this is a variant of a phishing scam where they try to trick you into providing personal and financial information. The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel never requests and does not have access to any taxpayer’s personal and financial information.

Asking for Your Credit Card or Debit Card Number Over the Phone

Some scammers will cut across the ruse and directly ask for your credit card or debit card number over the phone. The IRS doesn’t call to ask for your credit card number.

Coming to Your Home or Place of Business Posing as an IRS Agent

Some really bold scammers actually impersonate an IRS agent and literally come in person. In the off chance, it actually is an IRS agent request to see their credentials and verify the information by calling the IRS. Also know that actual agents will not demand you pay right then and there. Agents just don’t just drop by. You will get a notice of their visit beforehand.

Threatening to Revoke Driver’s License or Have you Deported

The key to any swindle is to distract the victim enough so they have to make quick decisions without thinking it through. Very often this is done by making outlandish threats such as threatening to arrest you, get you deported, or have your driver’s license revoked. The IRS does not have these powers. As a taxpayer, you have the opportunity to question or appeal what the IRS says you owe.

Ransomware

In recent years scammers have been targeting vulnerabilities in online security by designing malicious software that exposes unwitting customers to data breaches or prevents you from accessing your data. The malware can take over the victim’s computer hard drive, giving someone remote access to the computer, or it could look for passwords and other information and send them to the scammer.

Victims should not pay a ransom as it further encourages the criminals and, in most cases, scammers will not provide the decryption key even after a ransom is paid.

Your Dependent Has Been Claimed by Someone Else

You might be in for a rude awakening when you file your tax return and find out that it has been rejected. This might happen when someone else has already claimed them on another return. Because the IRS processes the first return it receives, if another person claims your dependent first, the IRS will automatically reject your return. In this case, your only recourse is to print out the mail return and claim your dependent and document your claim with the IRS.

Falsifying Income to Claim Credits

Fraudsters will approach and convince you to create income to erroneously qualify for tax credits. This can lead to face large bills to pay back taxes, interest and penalties as well as possible incarceration.

Fake Charities

Scammers love charities. Posing as charitable organizations who are soliciting donations, they swindle tens of millions of dollars every year. Be wary of charities with names similar to familiar or well-known organizations.

Stealing Your Tax Refund

Through phishing, identity theft or some other ruse, scammers will use your personal information to file a tax return in your name. You will only find out until you try to file yourself and have your filling rejected by the IRS. The purpose here is not to pay your back taxes but to pocket your refund.

Not only will you face the daunting task of proving you didn’t file but the IRS will delay your refund. Additionally,  they can also open credit accounts, file fraudulent health insurance claims and other financial crimes with your information.

Tech Support Scams

This is often a nifty way of stealing valuable information under the pretense of solving a technical glitch. Scammers will pose as a company you do business with or maybe your internet service provider. They tell you there are viruses or other malware on your computer to sell you a service. The objective here is to steal your credit card number or gain access to your computer.

Remember, don’t volunteer any information. Instead, tell them to give you their contact info so you can call them later to work with them.  Call customer service and verify if they actually work there. Sometimes these come by way of pop-up warnings that might appear on your computer screen.

If you suspect there may be a problem with your computer, update your computer’s security software and run a scan. If you need help in fixing your computer get someone you know and trust to help you. Remember software companies offer support online or by phone, check with them first.

Things to Remember

As the adage goes, prevention is better than cure. There is no substitute for knowing what you as a taxpayer have in terms of rights and responsibilities. Some scams can be elaborate and really convincing, and people behind them can be difficult to catch. We all need to always keep our guard up.

Your first line of defense is to stay informed about the latest scamming strategies and have on hand contacts to the IRS helpline. Know what the IRS can and can’t do. Whenever you are in doubt, assume it’s a scam. The IRS has a dedicated Tax Scams webpage where the agency publishes warnings and updates about the current scams that are being used.

A common telltale to any scam is the victims are often confronted with a demand that comes with a sense of urgency. Do not be quick to divulge any sensitive information before confirming those seeking the information are who they truly are. Identity theft is very common, educate yourself on how people are dealing with scams and becoming victims. If you suspect you are a victim of identity theft you can also contact the Federal Trade Commission to file a complaint.

Know What the IRS Can and Can’t Do

Always remember the IRS does not initiate taxpayer communications through email, text messages or social media requesting personal or financial information. An easy giveaway is when the email addresses you as sir, madam or taxpayer. Never click on any links or open attachments claiming to be from the IRS. Never ever respond to unsolicited emails requesting sensitive personal information, scan copies of IDs, bank statements, credit card information or utility bills.

Learn to recognize and avoid phishing emails, threatening calls and texts from thieves posing as legitimate organizations such as your bank, credit card companies and even the IRS. More importantly, never open a link or attachment from an unknown or suspicious source. If you’re not sure about the authenticity of an email, don’t click on hyperlinks.

Use strong passwords to protect online accounts and use a unique password for each account. Use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. If possible, use two- or multi-factor authentication when possible. Make sure you regularly conduct deep scans of your system to keep your data safe.

There is no foolproof way to ensure you will not fall prey to a scam. But you can prevent unnecessary heartache and pain by filing early. Federal tax season typically starts at the end of January, and most people receive W-2 forms and other required tax documents around that time. When you have everything you need to file, don’t waste any time filing your taxes. Filing early will prevent scammers from filing a return in your name as it will be automatically denied as a duplicate.

Always protect your personal information and that of any dependents. Don’t routinely carry Social Security cards, and make sure your tax records are secure.

Image: Depositphotos.com

This article, “24 Tax Scams to Watch Out For” was first published on Small Business Trends

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As online and mobile shopping become ever more prevalent, many brick-and-mortar stores are seeking to offer a truly unique, stand-out experience in order to entice shoppers to make their purchase in-store, as well as ensure they stay satisfied and loyal. To help highlight some of the approaches you can use, we asked members of Young Entrepreneur Council the following question:

“What is one way a company can transform their in-store experience? Why does doing this help?”

How to Transform Your In-Store Experience

Here’s what YEC community members had to say:

1. AR/VR Experiences

“Adding an AR/VR experience wherever possible can be a powerful way to improve customer in-store experience. You can use these technologies to educate customers, entertain them or show them how your product works. You’ll create a memorable experience and help them in their purchasing decisions at the same time.” ~ Blair Williams, MemberPress

2. Loyalty Programs

“Loyalty programs are used by virtually every industry across the board. Depending on the price and products you’re offering, there are several approaches to this strategy. If you sell small-ticket items, consider offering a buy four items, get one free on your loyalty card. If your products are on the high-end, you may want to consider a cashback program per dollar spent.” ~ Chris Christoff, MonsterInsights

3. A Navigable Layout

“You use design to enhance your online visitors’ user experience on your website, so why not do the same for your physical store? Knowing what your customers want and will look for once they enter your store is likelier to lead them where they want to go to increase sales. You can look at your current high sales and place those products at the front of the store, for example.” ~ Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms

4. Personalized Interactions

“If you’ve visited a Starbucks enough number of times, you’ll find that the baristas remember your name and your frequent orders. This makes for a memorable experience and you can apply this to your own store experience. Train your staff to personalize their interactions with a customer and to remember their preferences. Doing so will make for great in-store experiences.” ~ Syed Balkhi, WPBeginner

5. An Integrated Online And Offline Experience

“Most retail customers research businesses online before stopping in. For some businesses, they book appointments or reservations using an app or visiting the website. Do everything possible to make the online and offline experience seamless. One example is letting people buy an item online and then pick it up in person. This saves time for the customer as well as the business and in-store staff.” ~ Kalin Kassabov, ProTexting

6. Prioritizing Customer Service

“Keep your employees happy. It’s absolutely wonderful to enter a store and be welcomed by people smiling and ready to help you. The energy of people changes the mood of any place completely. In order to achieve this, you must be monitoring your employee satisfaction closely. If they’re happy coming to work, then they will show it and portray it to your customers.” ~ Alfredo Atanacio, Uassist.ME

7. ‘Retailtainment’

“Retailtainment is just what it sounds like: the combination of retail and entertainment. Offering retailtainment to your in-store customers is a great way to bring more excitement to the shopping experience. For example, book stores can bring in authors to sign autographs and talk to readers. Or, a clothing store can hold a live in-store fashion show for shoppers.” ~ Thomas Griffin, OptinMonster

8. Online Coupon Clipping

“Online coupons are great for e-commerce storefronts, but they are just as effective for in-store customers. For instance, Bath & Body Works employees encourage customers that walk into their store to check out their app for some great coupons they can use in-store today. If you want to ensure this strategy, offer first-time customers to download the app for a free gift at checkout.” ~ John Turner, SeedProd LLC

9. Incentives To Keep Coming In

“The coffee shops I frequent all have loyalty programs, the typical buy 10, get one free. It seems so insignificant, but I find myself pleasantly surprised when my drink is on the house. This same approach can be put into other retail settings. For your die-hard regulars give them an incentive to continue coming in by offering them discounts, special events or a birthday reward.” ~ Zach Binder, Bell + Ivy

10. Being Personable

“One benefit in-store shopping will always have over online shopping is representatives who can help customers. Make sure your employees are personable and helpful when working with customers. If you have regulars, make sure you learn their names and their needs if possible. Customers will come back if they can build trust in your employees.” ~ Anthony Saladino, Kitchen Cabinet Kings

11. Adding Offline-Only Value

“Online shopping is becoming more popular and more convenient than ever. One way to enhance your in-store experience is to offer things that cannot be delivered online. If you have a supplement store, offer related services for free in the store such as a free body scan or a dietary consultation. A clothing store may offer free alterations and tailoring. Get creative.” ~ Karl Kangur, Above House

12. Speedy Service

“Thanks to e-commerce and the demand it has created for increasingly fast shipping and services, speed is everything. To make sure your in-store experience can keep up with online shopping, focus on offering fast service. In many cases, making a sale and losing the customer comes down to speed. Designing your store and services around speed is the first step in improving customer service.” ~ Blair Thomas, eMerchantBroker

13. A Shareable, Tech-Driven Experience

“People can now go online and buy products cheaper and with more options than you can have in-store. In an age of endless options, people are starved for unique experiences. If you design a compelling (and shareable) experience of walking into your store and interacting with your products via technology or service design, you’ll have people coming back and bringing their friends.” ~ Tony Scherba, Yeti

14. In-Store-Only Promotional Deals And Demos

“Offer a product or service that is only available in stores. In order to pull people away from online shopping exclusively, you must provide the value they can’t get anywhere else. Look at having promotional deals in stores only or offer a service or demo that comes with each product sold. When you make a product and experience, you expand its value and memory with the customer.” ~ Jared Weitz, United Capital Source Inc.
Image: Depositphotos.com

This article, “14 Ways You Can Transform Your In-Store Experience” was first published on Small Business Trends

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One of the biggest business news stories in the world right now is the coronavirus pandemic, and it’s affecting all kinds of industries from travel to industry events to global supply chains. The stock market has entered a new wave of volatility, prominent business networking events have been canceled or postponed, cross-border travel restrictions are complicating or canceling people’s international travel plans, and the entire country of Italy has shut down because of coronavirus.   

In times of crisis, when the news is full of shocking and ominous headlines, it’s important to keep calm and remember that there are still a lot of things that we can control and a lot of ways that we can make a difference. Just like we are all learning how to deal with the virus in everyday life by taking additional precautions like frequent handwashing, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces (like phones, keyboards and doorknobs), and being vigilant about properly covering coughs or sneezes, there are several strategies that sales teams should employ now to cope with the business impact of coronavirus. 

Maintaining Sales During the Coronavirus Outbreak

Here are a few key strategies that sales teams should use now to make sure you keep your sales pipelines functioning properly.

1. “Stock Up” on New Business Leads Now

Just like stocking up on supplies that you think your house may need in case of a quarantine, you also need to “stock up” on sales prospects. You should be doing that now rather than later. Devote extra time, effort and resources to prospecting and lead generation, right now, even if you’re currently busy. Even if you’re not in an industry that has been directly impacted by coronavirus so far, there is the possibility that this outbreak could lead to wider and more severe economic impacts. Your business will be well-served by having a deeper pool of prospective clients to work with over the long term. Even if the coronavirus turns out to be a short-term panic, or if it’s worse than expected and the U.S. economy goes into a recession, it’s never a bad idea to invest in a well-stocked pipeline of sales prospects.  

2. Reengineer your Solutions to Help with Coronavirus Concerns

Depending on what types of B2B solutions you sell, your prospects might already be having significant pain points and concerns about the coronavirus. Spend some time re-thinking and changing the angle on what are the key benefits of your products and services in a way that is relevant to coronavirus concerns. Is there a relevant sales pitch that you can make about how your B2B solutions can help your clients adapt to coronavirus and key benefits to help them get through the crisis? 

For example, many companies are already announcing an aggressive shift toward remote working and encouraging people to work from home. If you sell cloud colocation solutions, refocus your marketing efforts to sell remote access to companies who can keep their offices functioning by having employees work from home. 

Lots of other companies are having to cancel travel plans as big industry conferences and trade shows are getting postponed or canceled. If you sell a virtual event platform or collaboration software, this could be a great chance to show your prospects the value of being able to have their most important business conversations online, even if real-life meetings are currently not possible.  

The same selling points for your product that already were relevant before the coronavirus might still work, but you might need to slightly adjust your sales pitch to frame your solutions for people’s most urgent concerns. Your prospects might be dealing with several coronavirus pain points, such as… 

• Worried about possible coronavirus-related disruptions to their business 
• Adapting to new travel restrictions or coronavirus-related shutdowns in their supply chain 
• Figuring out how to collaborate with remote workers in new ways
• Enhancing their cloud security or business insurance to cope with emerging potential threats 

Do any of these pain points sound familiar to you, based on your clients and industry? If so, adapt these angles into your sales pitch. These are all possible angles to show how your solutions can help – during times of coronavirus and once life goes back to normal.  

3. Get Creative with Sales Presentations 

Coronavirus is forcing lots of businesses to cut back on travel and in-person meetings. That means web-based presentations are more important than ever. Start repackaging your sales pitch into a full-blown virtual presentation. Be prepared to do more of your pitch over the web instead of on-site meetings. 

This might require a change in your sales process. Perhaps you are used to doing an initial discovery-type phone call as stage one of your sales cycle, and then your next call would be an on-site meeting. On-site meetings may not be an option, as your potential new client may be working exclusively from home, or just not meeting face to face with anyone until the crisis settles down. 

Be ready to get creative and keep your sales advancing by doing things that you never thought possible. Such as…

• Taking your client on a virtual factory floor tour (using FaceTime or mobile conferencing apps) 
• Doing an in-depth product demo that includes your technical team who typically don’t get involved until later in the sale
• Sending your client a YouTube video of your product or solution in action, and then talking through it via web conference while watching the video together

Think creatively. Use various collaboration tools. And look for communication apps to talk with your clients. Don’t worry if you can’t be there in real life. 

4. Don’t Panic, Don’t Stop Selling 

Avoid panic. And stop assuming the sky is falling. Keep selling and prospecting. Lots of people right now seem on the verge of panic about coronavirus. They have stocked up on toilet paper and canned goods. They seem to believe the economy will shut down. I don’t claim to be an expert. But I think the worst fears are overblown. (This article features interviews with actual disease experts. It shares some helpful and calm perspectives on the myths and realities of coronavirus.) Look out for some short-term economic pain. But I believe that we are going to get through this public health crisis without a 2009-style economic crisis. 

The stock market reacts to possible risks and uncertainty. Business travel gets canceled. Do you work on Wall Street or in the airline industry or hospitality industry? Then you feel understandably concerned. But the rest of us need to avoid panic. Life may not totally go back to normal right away. So look for ways you can adapt and keep doing business. 

Deals may get stalled in your pipeline. But make sure you keep them warm. And keep checking in with your leads. Some companies may hold back on investment until the uncertainty resolves. But look for the first sign that the crisis is ending. You should make up for some temporary losses very quickly.

Image: Depositphotos.com

This article, “4 Tips to Manage Sales During the Coronavirus Outbreak” was first published on Small Business Trends

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A recent survey has found that fibbing in the workplace is much more prevalent. Some 83% of people working in HR say they lie in the workplace according to Viking. This suggests HR staff are more likely to lie at work, outstripping other professionals.

Reasons Behind Fibbing in the Workplace

HR professionals would tell white lies to avoid socializing (25%) with fellow colleagues to avoid awkward conversations. Additionally, they would make up false excuses for not answering phone calls (22.5%).

IT and Telecoms workers (76%) come in second among those who lie in the workplace followed closely by those working in Arts and Culture coming third with 72%.

The survey of UK based employees cites that overall, 69% of workers have lied at work before. The most common fib told was lying about the reasons for taking time off (26%). Some have attributed to using the time off for job interviews that they did not want their employers to know about. Others have lied to avoid disclosing about sensitive appointments they did not wish to make known.

Though lying is frowned upon, some come with good intentions. Across the board lying to make a colleague to feel better (58%) is the most common lie in the workplace. Others include lying about liking the employer (58%); liking the company (54%); lying to a client (30%); or lying on their CVs (29%).

Who Fibs the Most

Younger generations seem to lie relative to others. Over three quarters (76%) of Millennials (25-35 year olds) have lied at work. While only 56% of over-55s, or Baby Boomers have said they previously told a lie in the workplace. Surprisingly enough 38% of HR staff say they think lying on a CV is acceptable and 30% of them admit to lying on their own applications.

In order to snag jobs in a competitive market lying has become a recourse. Gen Zs (30%) and Millennials (33%) have embellished their CVs, compared to just 18% of Baby Boomers.

Furthermore, asked whether they’d take the blame for a manager’s mistake, the generational gap persists. With 32% of Gen Z and 28% of Millennials saying that they would accept fault, compared to just 11% of Baby Boomers.

Here too HR professionals have some surprises in store for us with 48% of them saying it’s acceptable to take the blame for a manager’s mistake

“As flag bearers of honesty and morality in the workplace, we certainly didn’t expect to see HR professionals leading the way when it comes to lying at work”, said Bob Huibers, Viking’s Marketing Executive, in the emailed release.

Huibers noted against the background of increased focus on mental health and wellbeing HR staff should not compound the problem by being complacent. He advises the tradition of toeing the line needs to change so that employees can feel supported and protected by their HR department.

Huibers puts forwards three remedies to instill in the work place to drive our deceit: management to lead by example; call out liars; and encourage honesty.

The Value of Having an Honest and Transparent Workplace

Having an honest and transparent workplace helps provide trust, provide a higher level of ethics and more employee engagement in the workplace. These help in bringing about better workplace engagement. Businesses with highly levels of employee engagement experience several positive outcomes. This includes a motivated and productive staff.

Health wise an engaged workforce will not struggle with depression and anxiety that come with low engagement. This in turn will lower turnover for the organization. This means less absenteeism and less sick days taken.

Engaged staff will also work towards meeting customer satisfactions by being more assertive in their tasks and work towards fulfilling the strategic goals of the business.

Ultimately it will translate to higher levels of productivity and profitability. Low employee engagement on the other hand can spell disaster for your business. Staff might be less motivated to do their job which in return affects productivity as well as drive away clients.

Creating an Honest Business Culture

Irrespective the size of your business or the line of business you are in honesty in your work culture should be a key pillar. The culture of your business is all about the values and beliefs that drive everything you do. Starting from what products or services you offer to how you treat your customers.

As a business owner and as a leader it is important you place honesty as part of your culture. Honesty can create the kind of work culture in which your employees feel empowered and validated.

A culture built on honesty helps foster workplace behavior and activity that is consistent regardless of external influences. In other words, your employees will behave with a consistent code of ethics regardless of the circumstances evolving outside their purview. Your human capital which is your staff will remain respectful and attentive even when faced with a rude customer that is in the wrong. This will help engender loyalty among your customers and help you remain profitable.

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This article, “The Most Common Workplace Lie and Reasons Employees Fib at Work” was first published on Small Business Trends

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