You are probably already aware that most medium to large sized businesses run their internal systems with the assistance of server technology. A server is basically a central storage point for all documents that can be shared throughout an organisation. This means that even if you have to change computers all your documents will be stored in one safe location. The contents of the server are generally under the protection of managed IT services to ensure safe storage.

Servers are generally backed up regularly during the day so that all data is protected. The backups I usually stored off-site in a safe location in the event of fire or some other catastrophe.

But for many small businesses, or even businesses run from home, the outlays necessary for setting up a server were prohibitive and largely ignored as an option. These days however, things have changed with the introduction of Network Attached Storage (NAS) options. If you have a couple of computers you can benefit from an NAS where you can store all your video, music and image files in one central place so that the entire home network can access them.

A small business operator looking to install a network attached storage unit will probably be looking for some guidelines, so here are a few tips for you to follow when choosing an NAS.

Remember that an NAS is not just another hard drive. An NAS will have a built-in WiFi and probably an ethernet port allows you to access data via any computer on the network. It will have its own operating system which you will need to become familiar with. Some units will contain multiple hard drives so that you can have a backup within a backup giving you greater data protection. Check with the product vendor to see which unit will suit your purpose is best. For security purposes, make sure you are able to set up the system so that only you or a trusted employee has access to the unit. This means that no changes can be made to the system without your authority. Naturally you can also use your IT support team if necessary. Make sure the unit is able to be backed up easily and that you obtain adequate instructions on this process. Some units can be notoriously difficult to back up so check with the vendor about whether the process can be automated. If your business is growing, you may want to expand your system to cater for the growth. Your NAS should be able to expand with you, so make sure it has the capacity to not only extend your data capacity but also to add other devices like printers or scanners. Under some circumstances you may wish to gain access to the unit from your home or even another city. If this is the case make sure you choose a unit that gives you remote access capability.

If you cover these points, choosing an NAS for your home or small business should be a lot easier.

Why does one enter into a new business? The primary answer to such a question is the desire to increase ones earnings and savings. Starting a new business basically requires a lot more from the entrepreneur than just time, effort and money. It requires a huge commitment.

It is a commitment to persevere despite all the difficulties you may encounter through your journey. Statistics show that once a new business has survived the first five years or adjustment years, it will start to grow and produce profits. Statistics also show that 80% of small businesses do not make it through the 1st year. Of those that were left, 90% would close down during the adjustment years. This is why a strong commitment is required to when starting a new business.

In all life’s endeavors, the success rate is higher if there is a plan. For a business to succeed careful planning is required. A concrete and well detailed business plan must be made. The old saying goes “if you fail to plan you have planned to failed”which is very true in business. Creating a business plan may be time consuming and at times redundant. But remember as you sweat through all the paper work that this is a necessary step, a step that may cause the failure of the entire business if not done. Also bear in mind that going through this entire process makes you prepared for most, if not all, circumstances that may arise.

A new business plan must first state the vision, mission and goals of the company. This enables all the members and staff to focus on what the business stands for. It actually serves a similar function as the Constitution. That’s how important this stage is with planning a business. The foundation and the direction of the business will be determined through this process. Target markets, sales forecasts, products, strategies and even future expansions can be written in this plan so whatever your business is, careful planning is essential.

As you plan, you concurrently research competitors and the industry. This will enable you to learn the needs or special factors that must be considered in the business. There are organizations and even private companies that offer help not only in planning but also in the purchase or negotiations for product lines, distribution systems and networking with people in the same business. Some even offer free business plan help. Take advantage of all these organizations such as SCORE to help you create your business plan.

When opening a new business, an entrepreneur should be ready to commit their finances, time and efforts to make the business thrive and survive. To ensure any level of success, a well detailed business plan is needed to guide you through this new journey.

There are several advantages of a business plan template. It’s designed to be very user friendly for getting financing and funding to start your business. It also provides direction and strategy, keeps employees on track and helps avoid costly mistakes later.

Although the advantages are all valuable, there are of course also some significant disadvantages to using a template. Remember that a template is after all- a template- it limits creativity. Just as your business is subject to changing marketing conditions, you want your plan to be accommodating for growth. If you want your business to progress, you can’t settle for what you put in writing because it makes it hard to see the situation realistically. Templates also most often tend to be too general. For you to survive in today’s economy you have to be trusted as the go to person or brand in your respectable niche. Your business should have unique needs, features and offerings. A general template will not necessarily provide every detail to help you prosper in your niche. Sure it can guide you, but it may not help your business survive.

Another disadvantage is that a template in some instances can be a waste of time and ineffective. Most templates appear to be extensive but when closely evaluated, are unnecessary sections that are irrelevant to your planning needs. As you eliminate those unimportant parts, it will leave you with an incomplete business plan outline that’s close to being useless. Sometimes you have to forget about performance numbers, growth projections and other typical “pie in the sky” business plan drivel and focus on the one basic necessity that all small businesses (including start-ups) need in order to grow and thrive: Ways to bring in the cash. And if you’re just starting out, this will be even more critical to your success since the most important activities of any new business are to generate prospective customers, sell them products and services to keep the business growing. Far too many entrepreneurs believe that by using downloaded templates, they can cut short the planning process and cut down the planning cost. Keep in mind, the real value of doing a business plan is not having the finished product, but the process of research and thinking about your business in a systematic way. A template alone is not enough to make a good plan it takes other variables such as the skills of writer, planning skills and tools working together for the best outcome.

Although templates are one of the most helpful things that happened in business planning, before you even consider using one for your plan, decide if it limits your imagination or flexibility to grow your business.

The fury over the $300 billion of TARP money going to large banks is still some simmering in the minds of most Americans. To say this monumental giveaway program was unpopular is a euphemism. Needless to say, big banks have achieved well deserved disrespect as a result. But what about small community banks? Many of them did not receive a dime of TARP monies and are more likely to loan capital to small businesses. With this in mind, Obama recently unveiled his new Rescue Plan for small businesses at a town meeting in New Hampshire. Let us examine some of those details and see if it will deliver needed loan monies to our struggling 28 million small businesses.

First the facts. $30 billion is to be made available to small community banks, funded with the money recently received in payback from large banks who received TARP money. In other words, money from big banks recycled to small banks. Although it certainly seemed so, the government was not just giving away money under TARP. It invested capital into the big banks who pay it back. And, since many banks had it crammed down their throats, they have been all too eager to repay and free themselves of the Federal regulations–baggage that came along with it.

Bottom line. Can small businesses look forward to receiving loans now from these community banks, which haven’t been very willing to do so in the past? Without sounding like a politician, the answer is “yes” and “no”. I have good news and bad news. The bad news is it will take some time for such an initiative to be enacted and the money to start flowing. The good news: there are some banks right now who are lending, even without this program.

We should be aware of an existing SBA loan program that is working quite well without this new initiative. Believe it or not, there is a loan program out there and SBA lenders are actually making loans currently: the Community Express Loan Program. This gives unsecured small business loans between $5,000 and $50,000 with very little paperwork, answers typically in two days, interest rates presently at 7.75%, funding and two weeks, and monies wired directly to your business account. There are lenders participating in this program right now.

If you are a small business owner I would not hold my breath while this money starts flowing from the Federal government pipeline. In the meantime, make your application to community express lenders who are loaning currently.

One morning you might wake up and like a ton of bricks a great idea for creating and starting your online business comes to mind, and you hadn’t a doubt in your mind that you could turn it into a huge success. Start with the end in mind. Are you planning to start a new business? If you find a viable business you like, document your intentions, intended deal structure and what exact information you need to start your purchase due diligence.

Many small businesses start with a business plan based on guesses. The idea for you business plan comes to mind, its time to start the new business and you are all ready to go but the only problem is that you need money, so it is time to find the investors, angel investors and you will need to show them your business plan.

If you plan to jump into the fray, however, the first step is to create a solid business plan. The business plan you create will be one of the most important documents in your new businesses. It doesn’t matter if your business is just getting started or it is an existing business, creating a business plan helps you understand your business.

If so, have you started writing your business plan yet. In all honestly, when writing anything, even a business plan, it is the wording that makes all the difference in the world. Writing a plan for your project requires you to have an idea and vision of the whole project, the component parts of the project and the operating system behind your project.

The world is full of business-minded individuals, whether their goals are to lead a multi-million dollar company into the future, or simply start their own small business to provide services that are in demand and services they enjoy performing. You will need a brief outline of your business, your mission statement, goals, balance sheet, income statement, projected cash flow and plan for unforeseen hindrances.

Therefore, it is very important for the potential business owner to spend as much time and effort preparing and creating a business plan as they do finding the perfect location and the best restaurant ovens. Show why potential customers will award business to you, rather than your competition. One page of your business plan can have the following information: it can contain the potential partners, employees, board of directors, and you can show where the business will be in future years.

Angel investors want you to succeed and often they also like to give their input and if you end up taking their money for your startup, the need to realize that their input needs to be taken seriously. One of the great myths is that you only need a Business Plan if you are going to borrow money from a bank. A business plan of a start up business making no money — for example — is going to be bigger than the ones that are running and making money already. The angel and VC investors, are risking their capital money when they invest in your business, they hope in the long run they will receive returns that is worth many times what they put in.