Last week we explored different blogs for small businesses, and today we will explore 5 books for leadership and small businesses.  This is not an exhaustive list by any means, but it we wanted to give you a good place to start.

Stronger: Develop Resilience You Need to Succeed

By George S. Everly Jr. and Drouglas A. Strouse

This book explores why some people can rise above adversity and excel under pressure while others can’t handle it.  Both authors interviewed over 1,000 resilient business leaders and have identified the traits that truly define the most resilient people.  The book also gives you advice on how to develop the same attribute at any age.

Leading Across New Borders: How to Succeed as the Center Shifts

By Ernest Gundling and Christi Caldwell

With the digital age running full steam, this ideal is no longer only for large businesses.  A virtual entrepreneur must understand the importance of what it means to manage and grow a global business.  The book gives examples of other leaders who have had success in globally growing their businesses and cultivating talent.

The Innovator’s Dilemma

By Clayton M. Christensen

Another bestseller, Christensen explains the path to “disruptive innovation.”  This basically means that a business should put the focus on adopting new methods and technologies that will meet the needs of customers in the future and not just the customer right now.  The basic principle that early adopters and innovators get ahead and all others fall behind is the underlying message throughout the book.  There are samples of how companies have succeeded in this area and others have failed.

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…and Others Don’t

By Jim Collins

Business leaders often have to ask the question “what does it take to make a great company?”  Collins explores a systematic piece that allows a company to reach “greatness.”  The main factor for achieving the transition comes down to a narrow focus of a company’s resources in a field of competence.  Collins also gives you 7 characteristics of companies that went from “good to great,” along with a list of great companies and those who failed to make that transition.  This common sense practices in this book shows that sometimes simple and basic can take a business to the next level.

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

By Stephen Covey

This top-seller has been around for over 15 years and continues to hold true.  The book focuses on the proven principles of integrity, honesty, fairness and human dignity.  It represents the best in self-help.  Covey gives advice about prioritization, empathy, self-renewal and many more topics.  This book is both relevant to both personal and professional development.

These books will give you a start to business leadership and success.  The important thing is to make sure that you surround yourself with great business partners - whomever they may be.  Apex Payment Solutions prides ourselves on being part of our clients team by providing advice not only on card processing but on business practices that are successful.  Contact us today to learn more about how we can save you money and help you grow your business.

7 Blogs for Small Businesses: Where to Begin

When you own a small to medium sized business, it is important to read some industry and business blogs.  Some people may see this as a time sucker, but in the long run, it can actually save you time!  By reading other blogs you can learn from others’ mistakes and avoid some of the same growing pains.  Opportunities that you didn’t eve know existed for your business can also be discovered.

Now that you understand the importance of why you should read blogs – where do you start?  Honestly, it depends on the challenges that you are facing and what focus areas you are least knowledgeable on.  We have compiled 7 different blogs that we think are useful for any small businesses.  This by no means is an extensive list, this is just a beginning of some that we know are helpful.

Blog #1: SBA Business Blog

This blog is a great place to start – especially if you are in the early stages of launching your business.  The SBA Blog contains everything from business plans, marketing plans, creating LLCs, tax tips and much more!  This blog is a fantastic resource to help you get things off and running.

Blog #2: Social Triggers Blog

The blog explores why people buy what they buy.  Social Triggers is a great resource to get an understanding of consumers and trends.  It also talks about pitfalls and limitations that businesses have with ignoring social trends.

Blog #3: Harvard Business Review

If you want a read that covers about any topic you can think of, Harvard BusinessReview is the best.  The blog covers topics like work-life balance, developing new products, managing people and much more!  The blog also explores common mistakes that businesses commonly make, especially in the early stages.  With a variety of contributors to the blog, you will be sure to find topics that are of interest to you and your business.

Blog #4: Evergreen Small Business Blog

This blog will help you with getting your finances in order.  Evergreen Small Business Blog answers questions about tax codes, asset allocation and index funds – and anything else that may pertain to financial needs.  This CPA written blog can be a true asset for many business owners who are not up-to-date on current financial and tax laws.

Blog #5: The Social Media Hat

If you are unfamiliar with social media trends and important tips, this blog has you covered.  Social Media Hat will teach you how to create a natural backlink profile for more page hits.  With the increase of social media presence in the work place, this blog can help have your online marketing process into shape before you know it!

Blog #6: DIY Marketers Blog

The great news is that you do not need a large budget to compete with the large business.  DIY Marketers identifies the most affordable opportunities that can be executed solely by you without large money spending.

Blog #7: 4-Hour Workweek Blog

This blog is written from Author Timothy Ferris – incerpts and tips from his book of the same name.  In the 4-Hour Workweek, the focus is on how to automate your business so that you do not have stay as actively involved from the day-to-day operations.

This is list is far from complete - it is a beginning and a suggestion of where to start!  There are thousands of great resources out there to help small and mid-sized business owners and entrepreneurs, you just need to know where to look.  Surround yourself with great business partners who can help guide you in the right direction.  If you need anymore suggestions or ideas, contact Apex Payment Solutions today  - we are happy to point you in the right direction and to answer any questions that you may have!

Next Day Funding: The Importance for Small Businesses

Credit card processors usually delay payment for businesses anywhere from 3-15 days.  As a company has to wait during this time to receive funds for providing goods and/or services, they may find that they do not have enough capital to survive.  This is why next-day funding can be critical for so many small to medium sized businesses.

The wait can sometimes feel like an eternity before funds hit your account.  Sometimes during these days, a business can go without supplies and inventory which can ultimately lead to loss of revenue and/or profit.  With the speed of digital age, this wait just seems unnecessary. 

At Apex Payment Solutions we understand the importance of next day funding and what it means for your business.  We want to make sure that we are providing the funds that a company needs to be successful.  We also charge lower fees that most processing companies because it is important that our clients can keep their hard-earned money.

It is important that you choose a credit card processing company that offers you quick turnaround and reliable service.  At Apex Payment Solutions, we not only offer next day funding, but we also have unmatched customer service for all of our clients.  Contact us today in order to see how we can help your business receive next-day funding along with low processing fees!

Limiting Chip Card Delays at the Point-of-Sale

Although many people like the increased security that chip cards bring to both retailers and consumers, many are concerned that the processing at the POS is longer than the typical swipe and go cards. As shoppers, we have become accustom to credit and debit card transactions at the POS only lasting 2-3 seconds.  With the new chip (EMV) cards, transactions can take up to 2 or 3 times longer – the delay is mostly caused by the chip card remains in the terminal until the transaction has been authorized and the customer has provided a signature or PIN. 

EMV cards come with an embedded smart chip that is programmed by the card issuer to create a unique cryptogram (secret code) for every transaction.  The code represents a randomly generates number provide by the POS terminal at the time that the purchase amount is keyed in by the cashier.  Use of an EMV chip triggers cardholder verification required for authentication.

Luckily there are steps that a business can take in order to streamline the entire checkout process for customers.  One solution is the implementation of line-busting programs, such as a mobile payment option - this can help retailers reduce wait times and long lines.  Another possible solution is for a business to make sure that all staff is well-trained in how to facilitate an EMV transactions at the POS. This too can help keep the transaction time low and wait time more manageable.

With EMV cards becoming the new norm, it is important for businesses to understand their importance and head off any “problems” that it may cause for customers.  The overall safety that EMV cards bring for both retailers and consumers outweighs the few extra seconds that it takes at the POS.

Want more information? Apex Payment Solutions can answer your questions and assist you in your transition to EMV. If your business has not transitioned to accepting EMV cards, it’s time to consider making the switch.  Contact an Apex Payment Solutions representative to find out which options are best suited for your business.