http://www.teesoft.info/content/view/87/1/lang,zh-cn/

2.Show Current network Download/Upload speed (Like Maxthon)
http://doudehou.googlepages.com/StatusbarEx

3 .Right-click a link to copy its text.

http://brettz9.blogspot.com/2007/04/firefox-extensions.html

4. Easy DragToGo

Allows you to open links in new tabs, serach texts, save images and do more with drag and drop gestures easier.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/6639

5. Speed Dial — allows fast access to your most visited websites. It loads in a tab, and will show thumbnail views of its assigned websites. Those thumbnails will be refreshed automatically in the background.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4810

 6. Lock and protect tabs. (Like Maxthon)

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/12536

7. Xmarks is the #1 bookmarking add-on. Install it on all your computers to keep your bookmarks and (optionally) passwords backed up and synchronized.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2410

8.

 

My company is suffering this year, with revenues flat and cash flow sagging due to many slow-paying clients. I have no idea how to market in this kind of environment and have even considered selling my company and trying something new. Do you have any advice? —C.S., Flagstaff, Ariz.

There’s no arguing the fact that these are trying times, and not only for entrepreneurs. Most business owners have never seen an economic downturn as deep and as persistent as the one we’ve experienced for more than a year. Indeed, the downturn started more than two years ago for many small companies.

“This is a scenario most entrepreneurs never imagined. It’s a real wake-up call to see your life savings dwindle to half. Many [business owners] wonder if they’re even going to survive. It’s taken the wind out of their sails,” says Mark Rittmanic, chief executive of ForteONE, a business consultancy based in Northbook, Ill.

In one sense, a routine recession can mercifully winnow weak companies that probably would not be successful over the long term. But a prolonged downturn like the one we are experiencing challenges even solid small companies with positive track records.

A Personal Decision as Well
Only you and your family can make the ultimate decision about whether to hang in there or jump ship and start anew. But don’t be afraid to take your personal feelings into account, along with larger questions about your employees, finances, and customers. Is your business something that you enjoy operating day after day? If it is, rely on that enjoyment to give you staying power. If it doesn’t, you might be miserable at your company even if business improves over the next months and years—as it inevitably will.

If you decide that you want to keep at it, you may not be in as bad a position as you think. If your revenues are flat (rather than declining) and you still have clients (albeit the slow-paying kind), you may be doing better than many of your competitors. Selling now could be something you regret later, particularly with business valuations down substantially.

Consider cutting back on both costs and production until your market picks up. Or find new ways to market your product or service in this particular economic climate.

Consider focusing your marketing campaign on cost-conscious customers. “Talk about the edge you have, where’s your value added, what differentiates you from the guy down the street, and focus on your strengths,” says Kevin Kemmerer, executive vice-president and managing director of the technology group at Safeguard Scientifics (SFE), a public company based in Philadelphia that buys equity stakes in technology and life-sciences firms.

“A common thing that people will buy even in a down cycle is something to cut costs. If you can redirect your marketing to telling customers how they can save money, you’ll still make sales,” he says.

Rivals Are in the Same Boat
If you have some money on your balance sheet, don’t forget that this is the ideal time to buy up competitors who are just as discouraged as you are, but don’t have the fortitude or financing to stay in business. “Sooner or later, people will have to make some tough decisions. You might provide some beneficial pricing and use a strategic approach to acquiring them,” Kemmerer says.

Many small businesses are available at what could be considered bargain prices, Rittmanic says, though getting funding for an acquisition or merger will be tough. You might look to private equity investors to make a purchase that will turn out to be a strategic move in the long run.

Another strategic move, if you have cash on your books or a still viable line of credit, is to make some capital improvements. It’s very likely you can get bargain prices on equipment or upgrades to your physical space. “If doing them would bring you extra productivity in the upturn—one or two years from now—then I’d say it’s a good idea if you’ve got the money,” says Ron Adair, a partner at The Resource Group, a financial planning firm in Glendale, Calif., that works with many small business owners.

If you’re still glum and don’t see any prospects a few months from now, think about positioning your company to be acquired by a larger firm that’s looking for bargains. You’ll be in a good position for an acquisition if you’ve got some cash on your balance sheet, and if you’re ready to move on, selling may be the best way to go.

Karen E. Klein is a Los Angeles-based writer who covers entrepreneurship and small-business issues.

Use your browsers “find” function to search. On most systems “Ctrl+F” will open the “find” window. If you have a question, please send it to us via e-mail and include “FAQ” in the subject line.

What is a business cash advance?
What is bonding?
Do I need a Federal ID number?
How do I determine the worth of my business?
SEP/Keogh requirements?
What’s a DBA?
Do I need a business license?
Where can I find minimum wage information?
What’s SCORE?
How do I market research a new idea?
How do I get certified as a women-owned business?
How do I choose a franchise?
Can I deduct expenses even if I have made no sales?
How do I determine if I can deduct home office expenses?
What is the advantage of incorporating over a partnership?
What’s a business plan and do I need one?
What’s special about incorporating in Delaware & should I do it?
My Worker’s compensation insurance has lapsed – what to do?
Can a husband and wife be a “sole proprietorship?”
Do I need a business license and if so where do I get one?
What is the difference between a “copyright” and “trademark?”

Q: I recently read something about business cash advances? What is this and why are they useful?

A: A business cash advance allows merchants to receive business financing based on futurer credit card sales. Also known as a merchant cash advance, it is a common alternative to an unsecured small business loan for merchants typically seen as “high risks” to banks.

Learn more about business cash advances at www.fastupfront.com.

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Q: I was told that I needed to be bonded by one of my customer’s. What is bonding and how do I get bonded?

A: BONDS AND BONDING.

From time to time a small business, especially those performing contracting services will be asked to bond his work in advance. In some states certain types of contractors are required to be bonded. What is a bond, how do you get one, and what does it do?

Simply put a bond (sometimes referred to as a surety bond) is a third party obligation promising to pay if a vendor does not fulfill its valid obligations under a contract. There are various types of bonds such as LICENSE, PERFORMANCE, BID, INDEMNITY & PAYMENT. A bond is a financial guarantee that you will honor a business contract. Frequently a customer will require that your company be bonded.

A PERFORMANCE bond is a guarantee that you will perform work in accordance with the terms of a contract.
A BID bond is a guarantee you will perform work if the bid is won by you.
A INDEMNITY bond promises to reimburse loss incurred if you fail to perform or if you fail to pay other vendors in the performance of the contact.
A LICENSE bond is required by some states for certain businesses. In some cases you pay the state directly rather than obtaining a bond.
A PAYMENT bond promises you will pay all subcontractors and material providers utilized in the performance of a contract.
A bond is NOT an insurance policy. This is important to remember. A bond provides assurance that the contracted work will be satisfactorily completed only. For example your bond will not pay for property damage or personal injury resulting from your work. For this you need conventional insurance coverage.
Your local yellow pages will list companies that provide bonding services under “surety bonds.” Also, check with Bond-By-Fax, Commercial Surety Department at 1 (800) 395 CBIC. Generally speaking, bonding companies will only provide bond coverage in an amount that you can cover with existing liquid assets.

Before you purchase a bond from any bonding company, have the bond documentation reviewed by your attorney and ensure that you understand exactly what the bond can and cannot protect against – for you and your customer.

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Q: I’m starting a home based mailorder business that involves the buying and reselling of Musical instruments. I am the only employee and I have obtained a DBA certificate for my business name. Do I need to do anything with the IRS at this time? Should I obtain a federal tax ID number or just my own social security number?

A: You do not need to get an EIN (federal tax ID or Employer Identification Number) from the IRS if you are a sole proprietor without employees. You can open your business bank account with your DBA name using your social security number (SSN). You will file Schedule C at the end of the year with your personal tax return, and if you have made a profit, Schedule SE (for self-employment tax) as well.

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Q: I’m thinking of selling my business. How can I determine its worth?

A: First of all, never do it yourself! In all likelihood, you will not be objective. Let the experts do it for you. Give a call to the Institute of Business Appraisers at (561) 732 3202 and ask for a recommendation of a business appraiser near you.

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Q: Can a SEP/Keogh be set up for a side business even if you are covered by a pension plan at a full-time job?

A: Yes! You can have your own fully deductible retirement plan even if you are covered by a plan at your full-time job. The maximum contribution/deduction amount is approximately 13% of your net Schedule C income for a SEP-IRA and 20% for a Keogh. A Keogh must be set up by December 31 of the tax year for which you want to take the deduction. A SEP, on the other hand, can be set up and funded as late as the extended due date of your tax return (which can be as late as October 15 of the subsequent year!)

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Q: What’s a DBA?

A: DBA is an acronym for “Doing Business As” (also known as a “Fictitious Name.”).

Most states require that sole proprietorships and partnerships that are conducting business under a name other than the owner(s) must file for a DBA certificate in the county where business is conducted. The DBA certificate is generally obtained at the Clerk of Court of the county in which business will be conducted. Fees are typically $10 or less and most courthouses have records that may be searched to determine if your suggested name will be unique.

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Q: Do I need a license for my new business? I am a sole proprietorship.

A: Maybe yes, maybe no. It is safe to say that most small businesses probably do not need a license. For example, if you will be consulting (a typical and popular small business) it is doubtful that you need a license. However most states have licensing requirements for certain types of businesses and you should check with your local government offices to see if your specific business needs a license. Examples of businesses requiring licensing include Barbers, Attorneys, Doctors, Dentists, Contractors, Insurance Brokers, Opticians, Veterinarians.

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Q: Where can I find minimum wage information for my state?

A: Information for each state is available at the Department of Labor website. There is a handy clickable map of the United States. Simply click on your state for the information.

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Q: What is SCORE?
A: The SCORE Association (Service Corps of Retired Executives) is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. There are 389 SCORE chapters in communities throughout the U.S. SCORE’s volunteer business counselors donate their time and talent to provide free and confidential business advice to entrepreneurs as a community service. An easy way to find a SCORE chapter near you is to visit their website at http://www.score.org

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Q: I have an idea for a small business. How do I go about finding out if there is a need and what the specifics of that need would be? Do I conduct my own marketing research, and if so, how can I find out the proper questions to ask? I’m sure a company that does this for you would be costly.

A: You are right about the expense of market research companies. In general, this can be an expensive approach but there are some things you can do yourself to make a market determination.

Basic questions you must answer include:

Who are likely customers?
How can you reach these customers?
How much will these customers pay for your product or service?
How should the product or service be marketed?
Who is the competition?
How to find the answers:
Contact your local SBA office (check specific STATE information for contact information)
Contact your local SCORE office
Check out the Bureau of the Census website (http://www.census.gov)
Browse the web for the product or service using major search engines. (this is a POWERFUL approach)
As you start this process, you will be led to additional sources of information. It will snowball quickly and you will end up with plenty of data upon which to make your decision.

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Q: How do I get certified as a women-owned business?
A: There is no certification process at the Federal level (although there is legislation in process to do so). You simply “self-certify” yourself on the various government forms. If, after a contract award, another vendor decides to protest the award, you may be required to produce “proof” of your status. Some States, however, do have a certification process for State procurements. This process is usually administered through the State’s Economic Development Council. Contact your local SBA office for additional information.

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Q: How do I choose a franchise?
A: There are thousands of franchise opportunities. Some good and some bad. Remember, this will be your business. Be sure it is something that will hold your interest. Don’t select a franchise based on the promise of riches.

You must thoroughly investigate any franchises you are interested in. Do this by talking to some existing franchisees – find out if they are getting the support they were promised. If the franchise you are interested in will not give you names of other franchisees, drop them from your list of possibles! Also acheck with the International Franchise Association at (202) 628 8000 or visit their website at http://www.franchise.org.

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Q: I’m starting a company and have purchased equipment and supplies to be used for product development. I haven’t sold anything this year but can I still deduct these expenses?
A: If you are developing a product for sale with intentions to make a profit (not as a hobby, for instance), you will be able to deduct expenses even if you made no sales. As always, check with your own tax advisor for details.

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Q: How can I determine if I may deduct home office expenses on my taxes?

A: IRS publication #587 has the whole story. Download a copy from their site at http://www.irs.gov/plain/forms_pubs/index.html. Also check the chart below (taken from #587) for a quick determination:

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Q: What is the advantage of incorporating over a partnership?

A: I hate to say this, but, ‘it depends.’ Each form has its advantages and disadvantages and which is best is determined by your specific situation. Here is a listing of some advantages and disadvantages of each. As always, before you make a decision, check with your attorney and/or CPA.

It should also be noted that there are various types of partnerships and corporations. “The Small Business Start-Up Guide” discusses the differences in some detail.

Partnership Advantages:

Synergy as a result of pooling partners’ different areas of expertise.
The partnership does not pay Federal in-come taxes. An informational tax return (IRS Form 1065) must be filed which shows the pass-through of income/loss to each part-ner.
Liability may be spread among the partners.
Investment can come from the partners in the form of a loan which creates interest income for the partners and a business deduction for the partnership.
Partnership Disadvantages:
Formation and subsequent changes in structure are complex.
Problems with partner(s) as the result of misunderstandings, different goals, etc., can weaken or destroy the partnership.
Limited partners are liable for debt if they are active managers in the business. General partners have unlimited liability. You may also be liable for the commitments of your partners.
Regular Corporation Advantages:
Shareholders (the owners) enjoy personal limited liability.
It is generally easier to obtain business capital than with other legal structures.
Profits may be divided among owners and the corporation in order to reduce taxes by taking advantage of lower tax rates.
The corporation does not dissolve upon the death of a stockholder (owner) or if owner-ship changes.
Favorable tax treatment for employee fringe benefits including medical, disability, and life insurance plans.
70% of any dividends received by the corporation from stock investments are deductible (unless you purchased the stock with borrowed money).
Regular Corporation Disadvantages:
More expensive and complex to set up than other legal structures.
Completing tax returns usually requires the help of an accountant.
Double taxation on profits paid to owners (corporation pays corporate taxes on profits and owner pays personal taxes on dividends from the corporation).
Recurring annual corporate fees.
Tax rates are higher than individual rates for profits greater than approximately $75,000.
28% accumulated earnings tax on profits in excess of $250,000.
Business losses are not deductible by the corporation.

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