By: Lidia Hartle
Document organization is one of the most overlooked aspects of running a small business. Yet, having an efficient system for organizing your business documents can save you countless hours, reduce stress, and even improve compliance with industry regulations. With so many different types of pape...
By: Ryan Philips
As a small business owner, time is your most valuable resource. Between managing employees, handling customer issues, and growing your business, it often feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day. This is why mastering time management is crucial. But it’s easier said than done. That’s why ...
By: Lidia Hartle
In a world where rapid growth is often celebrated, it’s easy to overlook the advantages of growing slowly and steadily. However, slow business growth can offer significant benefits that contribute to long-term success and sustainability.
Why Slow Growth Can Be Beneficial
Growing too qu...
By: Lidia Hartle
In the digital age, small business owners are constantly connected to their work through smartphones, laptops, and other devices. While technology is essential for running a business, it’s also important to take breaks from the digital world to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy work-life bala...
By: Zara Haddad
In today's global marketplace, small businesses are more likely than ever to work with international partners and clients. Understanding and respecting cultural differences is crucial for building strong business relationships and avoiding misunderstandings.
Why Business Etiquette Matters...
By: Lidia Hartle
In the world of business, customer satisfaction is key. One of the most effective ways to exceed customer expectations and build loyalty is by underpromising and overdelivering. This strategy helps create a positive customer experience that can lead to repeat business and referrals.
What ...
By: Zara Haddad
Customer feedback is one of the most valuable resources a small business can have. When used effectively, feedback can provide insights that help you improve your products, enhance customer satisfaction, and drive growth.
Why Customer Feedback Matters
Feedback offers a direct line to y...
By: Lidia Hartle
Sustainability is more than just a buzzword—it's a growing priority for businesses and consumers alike. However, many small businesses believe that adopting sustainable practices is expensive. The truth is, there are many budget-friendly ways to go green and make a positive impact.
Sustainabl...
By: Lidia Hartle
Seasonal trends can have a significant impact on small businesses. Understanding these trends and leveraging them to your advantage can help you optimize inventory, marketing, and sales strategies throughout the year.
Why Seasonal Trends Matter
Seasonal trends affect customer behavior,...
By: Lidia Hartle
For small business owners, mentorship can be invaluable. However, finding the time for traditional long-term mentorships can be challenging. Enter micro-mentorships: short, focused sessions with industry experts or peers that provide targeted guidance without the long-term commitment.
Wha...
By: Lidia Hartle
Small businesses often face the challenge of limited resources and visibility compared to larger competitors. However, one powerful strategy to overcome these hurdles is by leveraging local collaborations. Partnering with other businesses in your community can create unique marketing opportuniti...
By: Zara Haddad
Setting goals is only the first step in driving business success. Equally important is the process of regularly reviewing and adjusting those goals to ensure they remain relevant and achievable. Regular goal review allows businesses to track progress, identify obstacles, and make necessary adjus...
By: Ryan Philips
Setting goals is crucial for business success, but it’s equally important to strike a balance between short-term and long-term objectives. While short-term goals drive immediate actions and results, long-term goals provide a vision for sustained growth and success. Balancing these two types of g...
By: Ryan Philips
Setting goals is a fundamental part of any business strategy. However, not all goals are created equal. To be effective, business goals must be clearly defined, realistic, and aligned with your overall strategy. This is where the SMART criteria come into play. By following the SMART framework, b...
By: Zara Haddad
Scaling a business is an exciting yet challenging endeavor. As you expand your operations, enter new markets, and increase your customer base, the demands on your resources and infrastructure grow exponentially. Successfully scaling a business requires more than just ambition—it requires strateg...
By: Zara Haddad
Efficiency is the backbone of a successful business. In an era where agility and productivity are key competitive advantages, businesses must streamline operations to stay ahead. However, achieving and maintaining operational efficiency can be challenging, especially for growing businesses that ...
By: Lidia Hartle
Listening to your customers is one of the most valuable things you can do for your business. Customer feedback provides essential insights into what’s working, what needs improvement, and what your customers truly value. By actively seeking and responding to feedback, you can create a better cus...
By: Zara Haddad
In today’s competitive business landscape, networking has become more important than ever. It’s not just about what you know, but who you know that can open doors to new opportunities and drive your business forward. Whether you’re a startup entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, cultivating...
By: Ryan Philips
A strong company culture is the backbone of a successful business. It not only attracts top talent but also fosters employee satisfaction and productivity. Here’s how you can build and maintain a company culture that drives success:
Define Your Core ValuesYour company’s core values are the pr...
By: Zara Haddad
Every successful business starts with a solid plan. A well-thought-out business plan serves as a roadmap, guiding your company through its growth and helping you stay focused on your goals. Here’s why business planning is crucial and how to create an effective plan:
Clarify Your Vision and M...
By: Lidia Hartle
Scaling a small business is an exciting yet challenging phase. As you prepare to expand, it’s essential to have a solid strategy in place to ensure sustainable growth. Here are five key strategies to help you successfully scale your small business:
Focus on Your Core OfferingBefore expanding...
By: Zara Haddad
Navigating the complexities of business taxes can be overwhelming, especially for entrepreneurs juggling multiple responsibilities. However, staying informed about key tax strategies and requirements can help you optimize your financial outcomes and ensure your business remains compliant. Here’s...
By: Zara Haddad
When growing your business, deciding between hiring employees or contractors is a critical choice that comes with significant tax implications. Understanding these differences can help you make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals and ensures compliance with tax laws.
...
By: Ryan Philips
As the end of the year approaches, it's crucial for entrepreneurs to take a proactive approach to tax planning. By making strategic decisions now, you can minimize your tax liability and position your business for financial success in the coming year. Year-end tax planning is not just about redu...
By: Lidia Hartle
At Propel, we’re often asked, “What’s the #1 tip you have for small businesses as they look to grow and expand?” The answer is simple: Focus on what you do best and let Propel handle the rest. You have enough to worry about while getting your products and services to market. You don’t need to si...
By: Zara Haddad
You may have heard the term "back office" bandied about the water cooler or in discussions about business roles and responsibilities, hinting at a crucial aspect of organizational functioning. But what exactly does "back office" mean in business, and what role does it play in the overall framewo...
By: Lidia Hartle
In the vast universe of social media platforms, Instagram stands out as a powerhouse for visual content. With over a billion monthly active users, it's not just a platform for sharing photos and videos anymore; it's a global stage where individuals and businesses alike showcase their creativity,...
By: Lidia Hartle
As the year draws to a close, it’s an altogether fitting time to reflect on the partnerships that have enriched our journey. This holiday season, we extend our warmest wishes to our valued clients who have made our year memorable and rewarding. From the entire team of Propellers, we wish you a j...
By: Lidia Hartle
Public relations, often abbreviated as PR, is a dynamic and essential field that plays a pivotal role in shaping how individuals, organizations, and companies are perceived by the public. At its core, PR is about managing communication, building relationships, and maintaining a positive image in...
By: Bailey Qualtz
The prospect of launching a business at a young age may seem daunting, yet it is entirely achievable with the right strategy. Filled with opportunities and challenges alike, the journey to becoming a teen entrepreneur can be a rewarding experience. To navigate this journey successfully, follow t...
By: Zara Haddad
In the dynamic world of retail, where transactions often occur in the blink of an eye, and customers come and go like a revolving door, the simple act of asking for a customer's name can have a profound impact on the overall shopping experience. Beyond mere formality, this small gesture holds th...
By: Lidia Hartle
We understand the challenges faced by today’s small businesses. That’s why we’ve brought together all the mission critical services that every company needs to succeed. But many have wondered: How can Propel be so good at everything my small business needs to succeed? We’re glad you asked!
We...
By: Zara Haddad
In the bustling marketplace, where products and technologies are in a constant state of flux, one aspect remains timeless and irreplaceable: customer service. Beyond the glitz of marketing campaigns and the allure of innovative products, customer service stands as the bedrock upon which successf...
By: Lidia Hartle
Staying ahead of the competition requires continuous evolution and adaptation. There are many ways to tackle those challenges, but one strategy that companies often employ to maintain relevance and capture new market segments is the development of product extensions.
What is a product extensi...
By: Lidia Hartle
Social media platforms have evolved into bustling marketplaces where brands can directly engage with their target audience. See, hear, watch, learn, chat, sell…all in one place. That’s why social media advertising offers unprecedented opportunities for businesses looking to showcase their produc...
By: Lidia Hartle
Why should a customer choose to support your business over another? You better have an answer, because it’s crucial for companies to find unique ways to stand out from their competitors. With numerous businesses vying for customers' attention and loyalty, differentiation becomes a key factor in ...
By: Ryan Philips
Choosing the right target audience is crucial for any business. It ensures that your marketing efforts are focused on the right people and that you're able to effectively communicate your value proposition to potential customers in a meaningful way. But with so many factors to consider, it can b...
By: Ryan Philips
Amazon is one of the world's largest online retailers, selling a vast array of products across different categories, including electronics, home and kitchen, books, apparel, and more. As of 2021, the company's revenue stood at $386 billion, with its net income at $21.3 billion. In this article, ...
By: Zara Haddad
A business vision is a statement that defines where a company wants to be in the future. It provides direction and purpose, guiding the company towards its long-term goals and objectives. Does your business have one? It should. We’ll take a look at the importance of writing a business vision sta...
By: Ryan Philips
Formulating a winning business strategy is essential for any organization that wants to achieve sustainable success in the long run. A business strategy is a plan of action that outlines how a company will achieve its goals and objectives while staying competitive in the marketplace.
The 7 St...
By: Zara Haddad
As a business grows, it becomes increasingly difficult for the owner or a small team to handle all the tasks necessary to run the business. One question that often arises in this situation is whether to hire employees or outsource tasks to third-party vendors. There are pros and cons to both gro...