Blog

This post was written by Patricia Frame of Strategies for Human Resources, and originally appeared here. Since the new salary level test for overtime pay was first announced, we have offered extensive training and counseling on the Fair Labor Standard Act and who is required to be paid overtime. Many of the questions we got… Read more »

I’m sure you are in the same race to the end of the year that most small business owners face around the country, and around the globe. No matter your political persuasion, this year’s election campaign cycle was surprising not only because of the outcome, but also since it was so hyped up in the… Read more »

This holiday season, make your shopping experience memorable and worry-free in Alexandria, the DC region’s Shop Small headquarters for independent boutiques. You can opt small and shop a local experience in a magical setting of holiday wonder all season long. New this year is 116 King Holiday Pop-Up and expanded Random Acts of Holiday Cheer. The season… Read more »

The following blog post was sent by the Internal Revenue Service with the request that it be circulated to all employers who furnish W-2 forms to employees or 1099-MISC forms to independent contractors.  There is a change in the date when such forms must be filed with the Social Security Administration.  All small businesses should… Read more »

Businesses and nonprofit organizations have been readying themselves to comply with the new regulations on Overtime; i.e. which employees must be paid at time-and-a half for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week. Alexandria SBDC HR Consultant Patricia Frame of Strategies for Human Resources presented a webinar on the subject, which can be seen… Read more »

This article is written by Ray Sidney-Smith of W3 Consulting, who facilitated the October SBDC Roundtable discussion: “Great Customer Service Tips We Can All Put to Use”. Let’s face it, Small Business Customer Service is tough. Most Small Business owners don’t have a Customer Service department separate from the rest of their team. You are… Read more »

This post is written by Bill Reagan, Executive Director of the SBDC and first appeared in the Alexandria Times on September 30, 2016. Maya Angelou once wrote, “What you’re supposed to do when you don’t like a thing is change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it. Don’t complain.”… Read more »

Referrals and Leads: How to Give, Get and Use Them This blog post was written by Ray Sidney-Smith, owner of W3Consulting and facilitator of the monthly Alexandria SBDC Small Business Roundtable. It’s become a well-regarded axiom among marketing professionals that people do business with, and refer business to, people they know, like, and trust. When… Read more »

Retail Hiring: Interview Questions Recently, HR expert Patricia Frame of Strategies for Human Resources presented a comprehensive workshop on hiring, geared particularly to small retail businesses. The workshop covered all aspects of hiring, from defining the need and type of employee you wish to hire, through the sourcing of candidates, writing the ad, interview techniques,… Read more »

If a hurricane or other natural or man-made disaster was to hit, would your small business be able to get back on its feet and open right away? To a large extent, that would depend on what you have done to prepare for an eventual emergency. In this area we have seen hurricanes, floods and… Read more »