Free Business Resources

Selected Resources and Best Practices

While no guide can provide a comprehensive look at all best practices, the selected resources provided here can help you learn more about select topics in the following areas:

  • Financial Management
  • Business Operations & Cybersecurity
  • Employees
  • Customers/Marketing
  • Products & Services
  • Leadership

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Financial Management

Understand Key Accounting Terms

Understanding the language of accounting is essential for good conversations with service providers. Take time to review the Accounting Terms all small business owners should know.

Understand Basic Cash Flow Management & How it Applies to Your Business

Hire an Accountant 

An accountant is a key member of your team of advisers (in addition to an attorney, insurance agent, lender, etc.). It is essential to interview several accounting firms to find a good fit. Industry experience, cost, and scope of services are all aspects to consider in choosing an accountant. Review What the 5 most important questions to ask before hiring an Accountant.

Choose an Accounting Software

A key function in being able to understand your overall financial picture is the quality of your reports. Good reporting comes from accurate inputs and functional software. Having cloud-based software allows you to easily access information remotely. How to choose an Accounting software.

Understand Your Risk Tolerance and Decide When to Take on Financial Risk

Risk tolerance is an important factor in entrepreneurship; most entrepreneurs have a higher risk tolerance than the general public. There is no one-size-fits-all answer about how much financial risk (debt) you should take on; this is an individual decision based on a variety of factors. Even so, you will want to make educated decisions in collaboration with your stakeholders. If you are signing a contract in particular, this is a good time to involve your attorney.  

Seeking Funding

Due to the inherent risk of starting a business, there are limited grant programs available. Grants that do exist are typically focused on specific categories of business. To learn more about loan and grant opportunities for funding, visit this resource page created by the Wisconsin Technology Council.

Articles:

Financial Management for Freelancers

The Freelancer’s Union, is an excellent resource to give you an overview of taxes, benefits, quarterly payments and more for freelance entrepreneurs.

Small Business Taxes

View this recorded small business tax workshop from the IRS to learn more about the basics of how taxes are structured and what you need to know.

More about small business taxes from the IRS.

Business Operations & Cybersecurity

Insurance

One key way to mitigate risk in your business is to purchase insurance. The Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance has developed the Consumer’s Guide to Insurance for Small Business Owners to help you better understand the types of insurance available for small businesses and  how to buy the coverage you need.

Reduce Cybersecurity Risks

Stay Updated on Current COVID-19 Health & Safety Regulations, Reopening Guidelines

Explore Moving Products Online

Hire a Lawyer

  • An attorney is a key partner in your business. Learn more about how to hire the best attorney for you.
  • The Wisconsin Bar Association’s “I Need a Lawyer” search will help you find an lawyer to interview. Make sure to speak with several lawyers in order to find your best fit! 
  • The Business Law Section of the Wisconsin State Bar has launched an initiative to provide eligible individuals and organizations with non-litigation business law services they could not otherwise afford, especially on urgent legal needs arising in the wake COVID-19.
  • The UW-Madison Law and Entrepreneurship Clinic is designed to help entrepreneurs develop businesses that create a positive economic impact for the state of Wisconsin. The Clinic is able to work with a limited number of businesses who apply, based on the criteria outlined on their website.

Employees

Evaluate Your Employee Needs

While many businesses may currently be limiting hiring to save costs, that means that when hiring does take place, it needs to count. The first step in making an effective hire includes writing effective job descriptions.

Adding employees to your team can take a variety of forms beyond full-time staff. In fact, hiring part-time or temporary staff can help you better understand your needs. Several options include:

    • Hiring freelance staff through websites like Fiverr or Upwork
    • Hiring student staff
      • The Federal Work-Study program is a federally funded initiative that aims to bring employers and college students together to build impactful employment opportunities that benefit both the employer and student. In the past, this program has been reserved for on-campus and non-profit organizations, but has recently been expanded to small businesses in the surrounding Madison area. Benefits of and eligibility for the program:
        • 50% of the wages earned by eligible students will be covered by the program, leaving only the remaining 25% to be paid by your business (until the student’s award amount has been met)
        • Verify your eligibility for this program by completing the Federal Work-Study partner eligibility questionnaire. The process of becoming a FWS partner takes about 3-4 weeks, from the date the application is received to the final approval. If deemed eligible, you will be able to compensate UW-Madison student employees using funds provided by the FWS program.

Create or Update Your Organizational Chart

By having an updated organizational chart, you have the ability to better acquaint new members to your team and to better clarify how different roles in your organization fit together. View a sample organizational chart here.

Update Your Employee Handbook & Policies

Functionally, your employee handbook serves as both your contract with your team and a resource to new employees as they seek to learn their role in the organization. If you do not currently have an employee handbook, you can view a few example employee handbooks here. The Dane County Public Health website has examples of how to:

  1. Create and adopt a hygiene policy
  2. Create and adopt a cleaning policy
  3. Create and adopt a process for staff receipt, acknowledgement, or training on the policies

Understand Unemployment Options

Understand Information About Employee Rights

Customers & Marketing

Understand Your Target Market

Use the data from your business to identify demographic information about your customers. This can come from sales records, a Customer Relations Management (CRM) system, social media accounts, mailing lists, etc. What do you know about them for sure and what do you know about them anecdotally? When you wrote your initial business plan, you likely did research to understand the customer. Some of this research was through library sources like IBIS World, or through trade associations. You may have determined geographic location or market size via US Census data. You may have conducted other research via surveys or small focus groups. You sought to understand their needs, wants and what motivates them to purchase. It is necessary during this time of disruption to review this important information.  In addition, you will need to understand how to build consumer confidence, the feeling consumers have about the current and future economic outlook.  

Understand Customer Psychographics (Empathy Map by XPLANE)

An empathy map is a tool that business owners can use to better understand their customers’ psychographics, including needs, wants, and motivations. Likely, when you started your business, you created something similar to this; however, it is a good idea to revisit the process now that so much has changed for our customers as a part of the pandemic. This particular empathy map was created by XPLANE.  

Establish Your Brand

Your business’ brand is one of the non-tangible assets you have available to you to leverage. It is helpful to establish your brand moving forward.

A brand mantra can help your team establish focus and build motivation. This resource provides additional information about how to create a brand mantra.

Develop a Marketing/Communication Plan 

Whether you are working with a marketing professional or doing the work yourself, it is helpful to understand the basics and key terms associated with customer acquisition, as explained in this “101” SBDC blog article.

Communication is always key with your customers. In our digital world, it is important to grow and continue motivation for your brand. This marketing plan template can help you make communication decisions.

As you think through your marketing objectives and tactics, review this 12-step template, including topics like conducting a SWOT and competitive analysis, setting SMART marketing goals, establishing KPIs, planning marketing tactics, and more.

Understand Consumer Confidence

  • Morning Consult studies consumer confidence across the country. Their website will help you understand how consumer’s perceptions have changed nationally since January 2020; however, it is always more helpful to poll your local markets and customers.
  • More locally, online surveys is one way to assess your customers’ consumer confidence level. Here are the six best online survey tools.

Sprout Social is a tool that will give you demographics from social media platforms.

Consider Expanding into International Markets

Unfortunately, few Wisconsin companies take advantage of the opportunities that exist in international markets.  Regardless of the product or service, with the advent of the internet, licensing deals, contract manufacturing and low cost intermodal shipping, these opportunities are more attainable than ever before.  In addition, thanks to the USMCA free trade agreement, exporting into Canada and Mexico is easier than selling to some parts of the US.  Take advantage of the Wisconsin SBDC Network’s Go Global Initiative to discover the opportunities that international markets represent: https://wisconsinsbdc.org/services/consulting/goglobal/

Products & Services

Research Alternate Suppliers to Minimize Disruption Chances

Without reliable access to products from your supplier, your business could experience a partial or complete disruption. Edible Alpha has provided a few resources for food businesses – though the concepts and information are broadly applicable – about avoiding supply chain interruptions. These resources include:

Research your Industry

Trade associations are a great way to get industry specific outlook regarding the current status and future trends of your products. They often conduct research on behalf of members and do legislative advocacy.

Additional sources of information can be found at your local library. Companies like IBIS conduct research and create reports that outline key indicators of success and areas of concern. Participants in our SBDC courses have the opportunity to work with a librarian from the Wisconsin School of Business. If you are not participating in one of our courses, local card holders can use the online resources and receive support from a librarian who specializes in business and technology. Not a Madison Public Library cardholder? Many of these resources may also be available at your local Wisconsin library.

Complete a Competitive Analysis

When you started your business, you did a competitive analysis as to what made your product or service unique, especially compared to other similar businesses in your area. Because many businesses pivoted to different business models during the pandemic (online products or services, carry-out, kits, etc.), this is a good time to re-assess what your competitors have stopped or continued offering and re-evaluate what might be your best fit.

Leadership

Crisis Management

Managing during a crisis has some different characteristics than the more holistic leadership you can demonstrate the rest of the time. 

  • Leading or Managing in a crisis
  • How to talk to your team when the Future is Uncertain
  • Perfectionism can be a Liability, how will your leadership change during a crisis? How should it look moving forward?
  • Psychology behind effective Crisis Leadership (Holding)  
  • Why empathy is one of the most overlooked skills in Business. As employees begin to return to work this summer or fall, they will likely have a lot on their minds. In addition to the collective global trauma of a global pandemic, individual employees may have additional or changed child care responsibilities, have lost family members to COVID-19 or not been able to attend important life events like weddings, graduations, and funerals. Because of all of these collective traumas, empathy will be more important than ever.

General Leadership Topics

Having a better understanding of your natural leadership and communication styles – as well as the styles of those around you – can give you a better sense of how to maximize your natural skills and make adjustments when working with an employee whose style is different than yours. 

  • The SBDC at UW-Madison offers a variety of leadership classes about leadership style, coaching communication, performance reviews, and more.
  • There are a variety of leadership assessments (usually paid) that you can take to learn more about your leadership style and how you can better interact with teammates who have a different style than you. 
  • One of our biggest human motivators (consciously or not) is emotion. As a leader, developing emotional intelligence is key to being able to help your team thrive. The Six Seconds website includes several resources, including:

General

Learn more

  • Top 20 Business Podcasts for Entrepreneurs
  • Listen to the Starting a Business Podcast to learn some of the key steps to opening a successful business.
  • The SBA has created Ascent, a digital learning platform for women small business owners. The content is targeted to help female entrepreneurs scale their existing business. All content is backed by research on the needs of empowering women business owners and female entrepreneurs. Topics covered include: disaster & economic recovery, strategic marketing, employees, financial strategy, and access to capital. Each Journey includes Excursions, which dive more deeply into the topic.
  • Need a lawyer? Find out more from the State Bar of Wisconsin

Frequently Asked Business Questions

Q: What are the legal forms of business?

Sole proprietorship, Partnerships, Limited Liability Corporations, S-Corporations and C-Corporations. With each legal structure, there are tax advantages and disadvantages. It is important to seek the advice of an accountant or an attorney for detailed tax information.

Q: What is the advantage of a sole proprietorship?

A Sole Proprietorship is owned and operated by one person. Obtaining the required licenses and permits establishes the business. If the name of the business is different from the person’s name, it is called a DBA or “Doing Business As”.  For example: If John Doe owns a business called EAT HERE, the business is legally identified as John Doe DBA EAT HERE.  Wisconsin Statutes do not require registration for a sole proprietorship.  You may voluntarily register with the County Registrar of Deeds and the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions 608/261-9555

Q: Is there more than one type of partnership?

Yes! A General Partnership is owned and operate by two or more persons. Drafting a partnership agreement is highly recommended.  The agreement can include provisions for the business to continue after the death or withdrawal of a partner. Otherwise, the business ends.   If there is no legal partnership agreement, the partnership is regulated by state statutes under the Uniform Partnership Act.

A Limited Partnership must have at least one general and one limited partner. Popular in the 1980’s.  Rarely used today.   It is formed by filing a Certificate of Limited Partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, 608/261-9555,  Wisconsin Limited Partnership Act .

Q: What is the most common business entity?

Limited Liability Company (LLC) is the most used business entity in Wisconsin. It can be formed by one or more members. An LLC separates personal and business assets. The owners must file Articles of Organization and register the business with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, 608/261-9555.

Q: What is the difference between and S Corp and a C Corp?

Subchapter S-Corporation is legally a corporation but is taxed like a partnership. The business must file, and have approved, Articles of Incorporation and register with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, 608/261-9555

C-Corporation can be formed by one or more persons and is the most formal and complex business structure. Ownership is restricted to those owning stock.  It is regulated by State Statutes, Chapter 180 Business Corporations.  The business must file, and have approved, Articles of Incorporation and register with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, 608/261-9555.  The business name must be different from any other national or foreign company.

Q: What is a B Corporation?

B Corp is to business what Fair Trade certification is to coffee or USDA Organic certification is to milk. B Corps are for-profit companies certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Today, there is a growing community of more than 2,100 Certified B Corps from 50 countries and over 130 industries working together toward 1 unifying goal: to redefine success in business.

Q: Is there any free assistance with forming my legal entity?

The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions has a lot of great information on their website.   The UW Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic offers free assistance with entity formation.

Q: Where do I go to file my corporation?

The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions,  608-261-9555.

Q: Are there any grants for starting a business?

In general, No. There are rarely funds available for starting a for-profit retail, service or manufacturing business. Sometimes there are industry specific monies available to spur innovation. In addition there may be government funds (usually in the form of a match) for revitalization or economic development. In general however, there are not funds for start-up.

Q: What does private equity mean?

Private equity is simply shares in a company that are not listed on the stock market. This term has also been used to describe the broader group of firms that are operating as private equity owners of companies.

Q: What is the difference between an Angel Investor and Venture Capital?

Both Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists will hold private equity from having made investments directly into private companies. However Business Angel Investors will be individuals who are investing their own personal funds into a business opportunity. Whereas Venture Capital is invested by firms or companies that use other people’s money. They raise that money by offering investors a chance to take part in a fund that is then used to buy shares in a private company.

Q: Do I Have To Write a Business Plan?

If you are seeking financing then you will need to write a business plan. You may also want to write a business plan even if you don’t need funding. Plans serve as a roadmap for your business.

Q: Are there classes to help with Business Planning?

The  BizSmart Training for Entrepreneurs Class includes an overview of the business areas crucial to planning and running your business. The class is designed to help you apply learnings to a business plan that you can use as a roadmap for your business. This program is meant for entrepreneurs who are just starting out, need a refresher of the business basics or need to update or write a business plan. The Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP) is a more intensive business planning training program that is a comprehensive combination of coursework, business plan development and optional individual consulting.  ETP participants are required to write and submit a business plan on a timely basis and are eligible to receive grant funding to help cover program costs.

Q: How do I know who my customer will be?

When starting a business it’s vital to understand who your customer will be. This takes careful research.

Q: What is Intellectual property? (copywrite, trademark, patents etc.)

See Introduction to Intellectual Property for Small Business

Q: What do I need to do when hiring an employee?

See Hiring Employees

Q: I need help making a prototype where can I go?

Contact the UW-Stout Discovery Center

Q: How do I reserve a web address (URL) for my business?

There are many sites you can reserve a web address for your business. Godaddy.com is an example of one such site.  Many webhosting sites also allow you to reserve your URL.

Q: How will I know what expenses are associated with my business?

Research the industry to determine common expenses. It is also a good idea to check with an accountant or take a financial management class to make sure you know which expenses are allowable for your business.

Q: How can I tell if I have a good business idea?

Test it out by taking the online First Steps class

Q: Who do I need to talk to about leasing space?

A commercial real estate agent or the owner of the building. Commercial leases are much more complicated than a residential lease so it is a good idea to have an attorney help you with the terms of the lease.

This workbook was designed to help businesses assess their initial responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and to build a plan moving forward during an extremely uncertain time. While a typical natural disaster (flood, hurricane, fire, etc.) is precipitated by a single event with a relatively linear recovery process, everything is constantly changing and it is important to have a plan.

The truth is that our business world today IS constantly changing, and next-steps are not always clear.

As a business owner, planning for sustained uncertainty can be overwhelming. This workbook provides you with the opportunity to reflect on the actions you have already taken in response to COVID-19 (or any significant event in your business), walks you through business best practices, and helps you set concrete goals to move forward. This workbook is also available in Spanish.

The foundation of this workbook is strategic planning for small businesses. –

Want your copy?

Visit this page to download now

The Wisconsin SBDC Network is a proud part of the Office of Business & Entrepreneurship within the Universities of Wisconsin.
It is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.