Startups can be cool, edgy and downright techy.  But at the same time, a new startup needs to ooze with professionalism—after all, startups want to land good business too.  And the only way to do that is by being responsive, eager and of course, professional.

Is your startup practicing proper professionalism?  Be sure to check off these 7 ways to build a positive, professional business image and your startup is sure to get the reputation it deserves!

1. Nail down your logo and slogans from the get-go
   
   A startup tends to look scatter-brained if its constantly changing its logo and slogans.  Professional and consistent slogans and logos that are to-the-point can brand your business and build consumer awareness.  Once you have fully decided on a logo design and effective slogan, you must consistently incorporate the two of them into every aspect of your business—from your website to your promo items, from your letterhead to your signage.  The more your consumers see your brand, the more they will remember it!  For more information about choosing your business’s logo and slogan check out the Top 5 Characteristics of a Great Logo.  
    
2. Create a kick-butt media kit and package
   
   Incorporate important aspects of your new business into a media kit and print identity package.  This includes business cards, letter stationary, receipts, envelopes, estimate forms, presentation folders, marketing brochures, catalogs, simple fliers and account statements.  This package will also include your color scheme, logo, slogan and font style. 
    
3. Launch a professional website
   
   Every business needs a website.  In fact, your online presence is one of the most important aspects of your overall business and marketing strategy.  Take the time to carefully plan what your site will look like, how you want its features to work and how it will help you achieve your marketing objectives. 
    
4. Write consistent emails
   
   Email is one of the strongest forms of communication in the workplace today.  But because of their consistency and popularity, many startups treat them in unprofessional ways.  Be sure that you are addressing clients and customers in the professionally and that you’re taking the time to look over any typos or errors.  Other quick and easy tips?  Don’t send unsolicited emails, use your business name, avoid acronyms, keep it simple and brief, check your spam inbox, and don’t rely on email for every interaction—phones exist for a reason!
    
5. Dress for success
   
   Just because you’re a startup doesn’t mean you can roll into work in your pajamas.  The better you dress, the more productive you’ll be!  When you have an important meeting with a potential client or investor, always remember to dress to impress!  For more tips, read What Not to Wear...in the Office. 
    
6. Try out business competitions
   
   It doesn’t hurt to try!  Expose your new startup even further by entering into business plan competitions.  As Entrepreneur.com says, winning business, product and customer service awards is a fantastic way to earn credibility, attract new business and build a great business image and reputation.  Check out local newspapers, community business groups, industry associations and event calendars to get in touch with local and national business competitions.  You don’t know what can happen until you try!
    
7. Choose a professional work environment
   
   Finally, it is important to choose a work environment, office or workspace that gives your startup a professional vibe.  Be sure to check out coworking spaces, business incubators and other office spaces to give your startup a positive, motivational and professional environment.  Although working from the home is cost-effective, it may not be the best place to meet with clients or potential investors.  At the very least, book your important meetings at a rentable meeting room (many coworking spaces have them!). 

Hiring employees. Branding a company. Developing a marketing strategy. These are the exciting parts of starting up a business that everybody wants to do. But what about the hairy stuff? The stuff we try to avoid? You have to get around to it eventually, but what direction should you go?

Entrepreneurs are often stopped in their free-flowing track5 SCs when they come upon legal mistakes that they made when starting up their businesses. So how will you avoid making legal mistakes that so many others, just like you, seem to fall into? Be aware of these 5 scary legal mistakes before you find yourself in a bind!

1. Making deals without putting pen to paper.
   Casual, free-flowing, handshake deals seem great at first. But they often lead to outcomes that do not go according to plan. Be sure to put your business deals in writing every time. Without putting deals in writing, entrepreneurs and clients may not know what to expect from one another. Keep a written document for every relationship that your business enters into. This will protect you from loss of time, money and of course, potential lawsuits.
    
2. Bringing in partners without bringing in signatures.
   Because many partners tend to be long-time business colleagues, friends or even family, oftentimes, partnership agreements get lost in the mix during the chaos of starting a business. Take a look at The Social Network (movie) for example. A shaky partnership can turn sour very quickly. No matter how well you get along with your business partners, you need a legally binding agreement just in case. Sign these agreements early (just in case the relationship takes a turn for the worse in the future). Put in writing issues like who owns what, who has what power and what to do in case of buyout.
    
3. Making a partnership without the correct numbers.
   According to Entrepreneur Magazine, a 50-50 partnership usually does not work. The magazine states that "...when issues arise – like whether to bring on new investors – somebody has to be able to make an executive decision. If you deadlock on a major decision and nobody budges, the company is frozen in limbo unless one of you buys out the other." Even a 51-49 split is a better decision than 50-50.
    
4. Filing a trademark without the research.
   One way to take 18 steps backwards when starting up a business is by filing a trademark without doing heavy research beforehand. If you invest in a brand and then learn that someone else came up with it first, you could lose a lot of money. Do research with the Patent and Trademark Office, in business directors, on domain-companies and the Canadian Intellectual Property office. It's also important to look at that state level, since each has its own registry.
    
5. Choosing a business structure without knowing what you're talking about.
   Sure, LLC and Inc. may look good at the end of your business name, but do you know what the difference between the two is? It is important to do your research before you determine your business's structure. You can choose sole proprietorship, S-Corp or limited liability company—but which one is for you? Many business professionals recommend incorporation in most cases. Incorporations show customers, banks and investors that you're serious about being in business for the long haul.

They're out there—and they may be watching you. It's your competitors. and they're just as hungry for customers as you are. But what tools should you use to find them? A simple Google search won't cut it anymore. Here are 10 tips to use when researching your competitors:

1. Research Online
   This seems like a no-brainer. But like we mentioned earlier, a simple Google search won't quite cut it. It's more beneficial to use all of the online resources that are available—not just Google. Use other search sites like SpyFu (LINK- http://www.spyfu.com/), Google Trends or Google Alerts. Even better—use all three.
2. Use Social Networks
   Some of the most interesting tidbits from your competitors may be found in the social networking world. Follow your competitors on Twitter and keep an eye on what they're tweeting about. Additionally, check out your competitor's blogs, Facebook pages, LinkedIn sites, and Yelp reviews. Subscribing to your competitor's newsletters and e-mails can't hurt either.
3. Be a Reporter
   Check up on your competitors both online and offline. Use an analyst firm like Gartner to conduct research and studies that evaluate your potential and current competitors.
4. Ask your Suppliers
   A lot of small businesses use the same suppliers as their competitors. Try talking to your suppliers about who else they do business with. When you take the time to get to know your suppliers (which you should do regardless), they may give you information about who the main competitors might be and what they're ordering.
5. Look at the Gaps
   Keep an eye out for what positions your competitors are trying to fill. Look at their employee requirements and it will give you a good look into what the company is all about. Looking at what your competitors are hiring for is also beneficial. For example, if they're looking for a patent attorney, they may be working on some new inventions.
6. Survey
   Want a formal report? Conduct a survey to find out who your competitors are. Hire an outside company that conducts surveys. Have them ask your competitors what their prices are, how they handle their sales requests, and what they specialize in. This can help you differentiate your company from your competitor's.
7. Ask the Customers
   Some of the best information about your competitors can be found from their past or current customers. If you find a new customer interested in your services, ask if they had used somebody prior to you for similar reasons. Then continue to ask why they came to you. This will differentiate what they're looking for and perhaps what the competitors are falling short on.
8. Contact Them!
   Sometimes, the best way to get the information that you want is to just pick up the phone and ask. You may be surprised what you can learn directly from the company you wish to learn more about. But be cautious! It's best to be honest when you call up your competitors about who you are.

Don't just type a few words into Google and call it quits. Use these 10 easy tips when researching your competitors. Most of them are extremely inexpensive and very easy to do.

Collectively followed with enthusiasm, a short product life cycle and complete consumer obsession is none other than a fad. Fads come in with a bang, but quickly go out of style. Several popular consumer products and businesses are actually fads- they will not be around forever. So catch 'em while you can!

These business ideas are going strong right now, but are they here to stay?

1. Cupcakes: Cupcakes stores, cupcake companies, cupcake competitions, cupcake obsessions! Looking for a treat to satisfy your sweet tooth? Look no further. Cupcake shops are popping up on every street corner. Flavor of the day, customizable individual cakes and bright icing attract kids and parents alike. Here to stay? Not so much- although cupcakes are a yummy dessert, spending $4-$6 on one single cake is not going to stick around forever.
2. Silly Bandz: Silly Bandz are the rage of the year. Kids everywhere have their arms half-sheltered by these bright stretchy bracelets, which sell for only $5 for a pack of 24. Silly Bandz bracelets are shaped like animals and other fun figures, so that when kids take them off, they can trade one another for different shapes. Kids swap them like they did Pokémon cards 10 years ago, which may be foreshadowing that Silly Bandz will not last forever.
3. Angry Birds: This Smartphone application is being used at an all-time high. Although it sounds childish and it presents cartoon characters, it has proven to be an addicting game for thousands of users. "Angry Birds" makes you use a catapult to fling birds and knock down evil green pigs. Sounds fun, right?
4. Fine Featherheads: Purple, pink, black, blue- take your pick. Add a feather extension to your hair to have a little extra flair! Young girls to professional adults are rocking the new feather extensions for a small kick to the normal hair-do. Even celebrities are sporting the new featherhead look. Cute? Yes. Are girls going to have them in 5 years? Probably not.
5. Snuggie: An oversized fleece blanket with sleeves- who would have known it would be such a hit? With the original sales from TV advertising, Snuggies have gone viral. The Snuggie is a simple concept that captivates diehard couch potatoes. People aren't too scared to bear their Snuggie in public either. Snuggies have been spotted in sports games, movie theatres and even political rallies.
6. Shake Weight: For only $19.95 and 6 minutes a day, you will have significantly stronger arms with the Shake Weight! What was once ridiculed at first for being a silly workout gadget, the Shake Weight has made a name for itself. Demonstrated on popular television shows such as The Ellen DeGeneres Show, this arm sculptor has gain popularity nationwide. But will the fad last?
7. Frozen Yogurt: Needing something that is lighter and more refreshing than ice cream? The frozen yogurt industry has got your back. Once a popular trend in the 1980's, the second round is back. Storefronts such as Pinkberry and Red Mango are crowding the streets. But here's the catch- the frozen yogurt industry is becoming such a crowded market that some stores are already going out of business.
8. Triathlon/Running Stores: The push to get up and get moving towards a more active lifestyle is growing. 5K, half-marathon and marathon registrations are higher than ever. With this movement, upscale triathlon and running stores are booming with the trend. Selling innovative products such as Vibram 5 Fingers and water belts, you will find more groundbreaking gear here than your average sports store. However, prices are much higher and people must stick with training if we don't want these active stores to shut down.
9. Sushi: A popular place to grab a cocktail and some unique food nowadays is none other than a sushi restaurant. Although sushi has been a Japanese staple for centuries, the restaurant industry has put a new twist on it. Sushi restaurants all over the states are known for their hip and cool atmosphere while offering an Asian fusion. What better way to enjoy happy hour, a business lunch or a date night than grabbing some sushi?
10. 3-D Movies: Every time you walk into a movie theatre, ushers seem to hand you a pair of glasses for a 3-D experience. If you don't want to sport the colorful specs they give you then you are out of luck unless you want to watch a blurry screen. Will this technology trend stay?

So there you have it- the business fads of 2011. Enjoy them while you can. It was fun...while it lasted!

Everyone loves to be recognized for a job well done. As a small business owner or CEO of a business, you can help your employees feel appreciated and help them become more productive by giving them a few small rewards throughout each year. There are plenty of perks you can offer your employees to keep them working harder, more efficiently and with more passion. The following is a list of 10 great perks that will help keep office morale high.

1. Flexible Hours
Life is complex and stressful. Outside of work, most people are juggling family, friends and numerous activities. Show employees your understanding by allowing them to come in early so that they can get to their child's afternoon recital. If employees are willing to stay late, allow them to come in at noon so they can make their morning doctor appointment. Empower your employees to schedule their own lives so they can concentrate on doing their job. Flexible hours promote a positive work-life balance.

2. Unstructured Time
Outside of the day-to-day job tasks, set aside time for employees to work on their own research projects. Sometimes, the best ideas come from employees. Let them spend portion of their time developing new and improved ideas for your company. Google has experienced tremendous success by implementing the 20% rule in their corporate culture.

3. Dry Cleaning
On-site pickup and return of dry cleaning is easy to arrange and greatly appreciated by employees. Eliminate weekly errands to the dry cleaners for your employees and for yourself. You all can use this free time enjoying the things you really want to do.

4. Work from Home
Consider allowing employees to pick one day every month to work from home. They will appreciate being able to spend the day closer to family and avoid the hassle of commuting to the office.

5. Room to Relax
Make your office an enjoyable place for your employees to work. Have a designated room where employees can kick back, relax and rejuvenate during long workdays. A game room complete with a foosball table, Xbox or Wii system can give employees a place to go to clear their heads during a long workday.

6. Catered Lunch
A popular perk that many companies are beginning to offer is lunch. It is hard not to appreciate a good meal, especially when it is served in convenient proximity to your desk. If you can't swing daily lunch without breaking the bank, consider bringing in pizza every Friday or stocking the break room with an assortment of free beverages and snacks.

7. Gym Memberships
Offering a gym membership can benefit your employees and your company. A healthy and in-shape work force is likely to take less sick days off work. The benefit of exercise is the improvement of employee waistlines in conjunction with the company's bottom line.

8. Premium Parking
Offering a reserved parking spot located in close proximity to the office entrance is an excellent reward. If your employees take public transportation, you can offer to buy an annual bus or train pass.

9. Childcare
Onsite childcare is a beneficial perk that working parents love. Having a daycare or nursery at your company makes moms and dads feel better about going to work. The proximity allows them to visit their kids during breaks and gives them peace of mind.

10. Ask Employees What They Want
During particularly stressful (Article- Be an Entrepreneur – 5 Ways to Manage Stress) times around the office, offer your employees a little extra something to let them know how much you appreciate the extra hours they put in. Have your employees suggest what perks they would like to have. Perks might include office massages, yoga classes or free car washes.

There are plenty of ways to honor your employees' hard work and show them that you are grateful for it. Get creative and take cues from other companies in your industry. Try to tailor your perks to the specific wants and needs of your own employees. Remember: you don't have to spend a lot...it's the thought that counts!