The IRS recently issued a warning to tax professionals and businesses about a rise in spearphishing attacks aimed at stealing sensitive information. This alert is part of the IRS’s annual “Dirty Dozen” campaign, which highlights the top twelve scams targeting taxpayers and tax advisors each year. Spearphishing is a type of email scam where criminals pretend to be potential clients to trick tax professionals into giving away personal and financial information. These attackers send emails that look real but are actually fake, trying to get access to computer systems and sensitive data. IRS Commi ..read more

Sales professionals thrive on the thrill of closing deals, and what better incentive than a well-structured commission? In this article, we’ll explore the intricacies of sales commission rates across various industries. From the adrenaline-fueled world of advertising to the data-driven tech sector, we’ll dissect the numbers, uncover trends, and equip you with insights to navigate the sales commission rates by industry. What are the Average Sales Commission Rates? Commission rates are the lifeblood of a salesperson’s compensation. They represent a percentage or dollar amount of the gross sale t ..read more

With the tax filing deadline at 11:59 tonight, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is reminding taxpayers that they can quickly secure an extension to file their tax returns using the IRS Free File service on IRS.gov. This extension provides an additional six months, extending the deadline to October 15. However, the IRS points out that while the deadline to file can be extended, the deadline to pay any taxes owed remains April 15. Taxpayers are urged to file by the deadline even if they can’t pay the full amount to avoid hefty penalties. How to Get an Extension: Taxpayers can request an extens ..read more

Retail is never ever going to be the same. The practices that allowed retailers to achieve success in the past will not work alone in the future. Plus since post-Covid, consumers’ behavior is changing exponentially and accelerating. On The Small Business Radio Show this week, I talked with Gary Hawkins, who has been described as a visionary and retail industry expert. He has created a powerful blueprint to help the retail industry thrive in an exponential world. Retailers have a unique opportunity to set aside outdated beliefs and use accelerating innovation and never-before-possible capabilit ..read more

Amazon has announced that it will remove its cashierless system from grocery stores and will not feature the technology in new stores. The move provides lessons to other companies, particularly retailers, about consumer demands. While shoppers generally want speed and convenience, technology that replaces traditional elements of shopping and makes them feel alienated or even intimidated is not always desirable, particularly in physical store settings. This “Just Walk Out “technology is aimed at helping its stores create a faster way to shop without the hassle of checking out. Featuring shelf s ..read more

AI is revolutionizing marketing by offering powerful tools to analyze consumer behavior and personalize experiences. By harnessing AI’s predictive capabilities, marketers can anticipate customer needs, delivering tailored content and offers in real time. Strategic Marketing West 2024 will showcase how AI will improve your marketing so you can better understand your customers. AI-driven chatbots facilitate seamless customer interactions, while sentiment analysis enhances brand reputation management. Moreover, AI streamlines data-driven decision-making, enabling marketers to optimize campaigns a ..read more

There are so many online platforms and digital marketing tools that can benefit today’s businesses. To make the best possible choices for your business, it helps to learn from those with even more experience. Members of the online small business community are well-versed in the most popular platforms and tools of 2024. Read on for some of their recent thoughts. Make Money on Shopify Shopify is one of the top ecommerce platforms available to small businesses. And there are plenty of ways to make money using the tools provided. Read a guide to some top options in this OptiMonk post by Nikolett L ..read more

Comcast is one of many corporations that regularly support small businesses through grants. The company’s RISE grant program is an annual offering supporting entrepreneurs in select markets throughout the U.S. Read more about this program and others below. Comcast RISE Comcast is launching a new round of funding through its Comcast RISE grant program. This round includes a total of $500,000 in grants, along with technology upgrades, marketing support, media opportunities, coaching, and educational resources. As with past funding rounds, the program focuses on businesses in a few metropolitan a ..read more

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming sales and marketing, opening a new chapter for sales teams. With AI, businesses are achieving remarkable efficiencies and deeper customer insights, reshaping sales strategies. This article dives into how AI revolutionizes sales tasks, enhances customer engagement, and offers a step-by-step guide for adopting AI in sales practices. Embrace the journey to leveraging AI, setting your team to unmatched success. What is AI in Sales? AI in sales refers to using artificial intelligence technology to improve and automate the sales process. This technology a ..read more

The US Postal Service (USPS) plans to raise rates on certain products, including a 5-cent rise on First-Class ‘Forever’ stamps from 68 cents to 73 cents. The request was made to the Postal Regulatory Commission, which has regulatory oversight over the Postal Service. The Commission must deem the proposed hike necessary for the future financial stability of the USPS and approve the request for the rate rise to go ahead. If the price increase is approved, what equates to an almost 8% rise on the cost of many mailing services products, will come into effect on July 14, 2024. Similar increases for ..read more