3 Things You Should Know About Small Business: July 17

"A jerk, in this case, is someone who a lot of people can't get along with. Maybe it's because they're a super-perfectionist, or they yell a lot, or they demand that everything be done in a certain way, or they constantly complain. Or maybe they're annoying in some other way. The key is that nobody -- not employees, customers, partners, suppliers, clients, etc. -- wants to give 100% for a jerk."

3. Cure the summertime business blues. For businesses that don't rely on summer-season demand, the weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day can be a difficult time of the year to generate business. But of course there are options to increase customer appeal, even during the dog days of summer. Here are three options from Micro Business Perspectives.

Try hosting an event "honoring" customers, anything from a picnic to an ice cream social. Apparently, free food always draws a crowd and if you have a physical location, hosting the event on your premises will be an easy reminder to customers of your products and services. Even if you don't have a storefront, hosting an event can make an impact, the article says.

A second option is to support a charity if you have a cause you are passionate about. Offer customers a discount if they contribute to the charity. Or host an event to raise money, which will increase your exposure in the community.

Having a clearance sale is always a good way to get customers in the door, since everyone likes a deal or discount. Tie the discount to one of your proven best-selling items and then entice customers to try something new, the article says.

-- Written by Laurie Kulikowski in New York.

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