May 11, 2011
You may have thought about blogging but then asked yourself, “What would I write about?” “Who would read it?” Or, “Is this the best use of my time?” If you’re a business owner who already wears a hundred hats, the latter may be what keeps you from starting. While only you can decide if it’s the […]
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May 9, 2011
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Swimming pool season is starting up, and while it’s time to make a splash, it’s also time to play it safe. Some 300 drowning deaths of children under age 5 occur in swimming pools each year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). In most of these deaths, the children had […]
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May 9, 2011
Workers come in more varieties than ever. Use this advice to choose the best option for your business. Full-Timer? Contractor? Outsourced Help? Each way of hiring has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are the pros and cons that business owners need to know when deciding how to hire the help they need. Read entire article.
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May 5, 2011
There’s no way you’re going to be able to stick to a budget unfailingly. The real world has too many twists and turns and, besides, we humans don’t live our lives as predictably as spreadsheets. And even if you were able to somehow muster the willpower never to deviate from your budget, really, what kind of […]
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April 29, 2011
WASHINGTON — The thought of owning a vacation home may sound appealing, but the year-round responsibility — and expense — that come with it may not. Purchasing a timeshare or vacation plan may be an alternative. If you consider a timeshare or vacation plan, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, says it’s […]
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April 22, 2011
Legitimate letters of credit are NEVER sold or offered as investments Letters of credit are issued by banks to ensure payment for goods shipped in connection with international trade. Payment on a letter of credit generally requires that the paying bank receive documentation certifying that the goods ordered have been shipped and are en route to […]
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April 21, 2011
WASHINGTON — The Federal Trade Commission earlier this week filed contempt charges against a promoter of credit repair and debt relief services and three of his companies, alleging that they continued their deceptive marketing practices in violation of a federal court order. The FTC charged that the defendants tried to take advantage of financially strapped consumers by falsely […]
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April 20, 2011
Commissioner Mintz Warns New Yorkers to Beware of Fee-Based Debt Settlement Companies NEW YORK — Debt settlement companies lure people struggling with debt by claiming that they will convince creditors to settle debts for less than what’s owed. However, it rarely works. Companies charge high fees and counsel consumers to ignore their debts, which can cause lasting […]
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April 19, 2011
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Small businesses seeking to grow their businesses and create jobs through exporting can turn to new, free educational videos created through a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration, Inc. Magazine and AT&T. Through the public-private partnership, a series of video modules has been developed to inspire and encourage American small businesses to […]
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April 13, 2011
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Victory State Bank, a sponsor of Staten Island’s Dine Out Against Hunger initiative, wants to remind consumers about tomorrow’s campaign and the opportunity to help those in need. You don’t need a fancy invitation to get in on Dine Out Against Hunger on Staten Island, explains the Staten Island Advance. Just go to any participating […]
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April 11, 2011
Among small-business owners, it’s well-known that finding customers through search engine marketing can deliver shoppers who are farther along in the buying cycle — that is, they’ve passed the research stage and they’re looking to buy. But how to do it effectively isn’t nearly as clear. A successful search-marketing campaign needs to be thoughtfully crafted — […]
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April 8, 2011
Staten Island’s only community-based commercial bank contributes to the Coalition for Debtor Education; bank plans to partner with educational organization for local seminars STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Victory State Bank, Staten Island, N.Y.’s only community-based commercial bank, has underscored its devotion to financial literacy with an $8,000 donation to the Coalition for Debtor Education (CDE). […]
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April 6, 2011
NEW YORK — Hiring a Tax Preparation Service This Tax Season? The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) offers the following advice: Avoid “Instant,” “Rapid,” “Express” or “Fast Cash” refunds. “Instant” refunds are actually loans with extremely high interest rates known as refund anticipation loans (RALs). RALs must be repaid even if you don’t get […]
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April 5, 2011
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Do you know your credit score? “If you don’t, you should,” advises Ralph M. Branca, CEO and president of Victory State Bank. “Knowing – and comprehending – your credit score is an essential component of financial well-being.” Based upon information in credit reports, credit scores help lenders judge the stability of an […]
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April 4, 2011
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A Staten Island business initiative launched in November 2010, and publicized by Relevant Public Relations LLC, most recently has drawn the attention of “Crain’s New York” magazine. In a “Crain’s New York” article published this week, “Regulation overload on New York’s small businesses,” journalist Cara S. Trager mentions the “Stop Suffocating Small […]
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April 1, 2011
5 Tips for a Useful Mission Statement What Does Your Company Really Do? Does your company “aim to be a leader of quality products, customer service, and innovation for tomorrow?” So do thousands of others. Sure, this statement sounds nice, but it means very little to your customers—and employees. An intelligible mission statement is essential to […]
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