Blog
Can You Run Your Small Business From Your Smartphone?
Running a business is tough, and running one when you’re on the go a lot is even tougher. Sure, hiring a second-in-command that can do the things you do when you’re gone is a great thing to do, but only if you can currently afford a second-in-command. When it’s just you, things can be a […]
Thanking Those Who are Loyal to Your Business
Thanksgiving might not be here yet (though it’s just around the corner), but that doesn’t mean you can’t show your employees and clients just how much you appreciate them and everything that they do. In fact, appreciating those who keep your company running should be a year-round sort of thing, even if you just do […]
Quick and Easy Guide to Email Drip Campaigns for Small Businesses
Let’s face it—nurturing sales leads can be a tedious, unrewarding process. Wouldn’t it be so pleasant if at least some of the process could be automated for you? That’s the magic of something called a drip campaign. The emails always improve your company’s standing with a potential client. They are helpful and relevant, and because […]
Coming Back From a Bad Hire
So, you’ve hired a couple of employees that have turned out to be complete failures. Now, since you’ve tasted failure, you may be afraid to hire anyone else, even when you need them. Every mistake can build your business, so you shouldn’t be viewing bad hires as anything other than a learning experience. Here are […]
Should You Be Friends With Your Employees?
The title of the article is somewhat of a loaded question because it implies that there is a controlled choice in the matter. If an employee and manager are friends prior to hiring, that situation has to be reviewed in advance of the hiring decision to avoid a potential conflict of interest within the department. […]
Updated Facebook Features Can Help Your Small Business
Facebook is the central marketing tool for many companies, and even if it isn’t exactly central at yours, it should be incredibly important as a customer relation tool. The platform has added a couple of new features that could help businesses connect with new customers in the future. Facebook Place Tips Expands Facebook Place Tips […]
Why Being Transparent As a Business Matters
It’s true; you’ve probably heard the word “transparent” used more as a buzzword than an actual concept behind running a business. This can make it difficult to figure out just exactly what it means and how important it is. We tend to use the word transparent when we are referring to politicians and the campaigns […]
4 Ways to Work Smarter, Not Just Harder
While working hard will bring results over time, it’s a misconception that the more successful someone is, the more they work. If you work like a draft horse, you’ll wear out just as fast as one (10 to 12 years, by the way). Instead, you need to work hard—and smart. Smart working will guarantee you’ll […]
Invoice Payment Terms to Consider for Your Business
If you are a large business, you can afford 30 and 60 day net in most cases. It doesn’t affect your everyday overall picture. However, most small businesses are on a much tighter timeline, and even a single invoice unpaid can mean that payroll is late. How are you supposed to stop people from paying […]
Rethinking Your Emails to Customers
It’s true that social media and mobile marketing campaigns are, in fact, gaining tons of traction. However, email marketing is not only still relevant—it’s still effective and a popular channel to get the word out. In fact, it may still be the most effective way to acquire new customers—when you rethink the emails you’re sending. […]
A Visionary Approach to Your Security
The purpose of an IT partner isn’t just to fix something when it is broken, it is to keep your people working and your data secure. Astral moves beyond traditional managed services by addressing all the key areas of cybersecurity in today’s complex landscape.
