There’s never been a better time to make an extra paycheck online. It doesn’t take much time or effort to start moonlighting. Here are five fantastic part-time Internet business ideas.

As the cash economy cools, the cashless economy is heating up. These days, more entrepreneurs are experimenting with barter. Exchanging business services can help slash startup costs for some entrepreneurs.

Buying an existing business is often safer than starting your own. But there’s still risk. Watch out for these red flags.

Many small and midsize businesses are hesitant to break into the global marketplace. Trading on a global scale can be cost-prohibitive. But the savvy entrepreneur can greatly reduce the cost of doing business internationally.

Growth is often seen as a double-edged sword. Yet research from the Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership shows that growth pays off in some surprising ways. It can be a better indicator of stability than size

Franchising is a safe way to start your own business. Just make sure you pick one that makes sense for you. Follow these ten steps to select a great franchise.

Thinking about franchising? Think big! With borrowing leverage, purchasing power and marketing prowess already in place, big franchises handle much of the legwork.

As traditional funding sources dry up, franchisees have to get creative. Read five short tips regarding alternative francise financing options.

You have a successful, relatively unusual business. It seems that every month someone asks you if they can buy a franchise. Are you ready to take that plunge?

Sales to franchisees may remain steady or even grow in a slowing economy. Learn the three main trends in this down economy that can boost your efforts to grow your franchise business.

Starting a business is tough, so it pays to get help from your friends. There are common types of supporters that entrepreneurs should have in their corner. Learn how to find all four.

Formal and informal mentoring can provide guidance and support to entrepreneurs. This article’s author chronicles how invested in a mentor match service. The mentoring relationship helped her develop company building tactics and other skills.

Entrepreneurs can’t only recruit and retain talent, they must develop it. They must become mentors. Learn how to be an effective mentor to other entrepreneurs.

Even a small company can benefit from a board of advisors or directors. The board members can serve as a valuable consortium of mentors. Find out how one entrepreneur recruited an advisory board for her tech company.

Why should you take the time to mentor an employee? Why should you bother asking someone to mentor you? You'd be astonished at how easy it can be and how rewarding.

Crossmark turns an industry-wide low margin problem into an opportunity by focusing on economies of scale and achieving critical mass in services offered via business acquisition. Learn the keys to success when acquiring and integrating new businesses, with help from this article.

Get the ins and outs of mergers and acquisitions from someone who knows. Dianon Systems Inc.’s former CEO offers valuable insights on the acquisition process, from sizing up candidates to integrating cultures.

The principles of due diligence and disclosure are critically important in financial transactions. Protect yourself from bad decisions and legal liabilities. Do mergers and acquisitions right.

Business mergers can be likened to marriages. Each offers advantages and disadvantages, depending on the goals of each business owner. Unlike marriage, business owners can select from a number of options for combining their businesses.

It'll cost you more upfront, but you get what you pay for. Here are some good reasons to buy an existing business, rather than starting one from scratch.

Avoid these pitfalls if you want to create meaningful relationships; instead, learn the best way to build your networks and grow your base of referrals. Remember, you need to give members of your network a reason to send business your way.

Look beyond your standard groups and cocktail receptions for business connections that really work. Here are three entrepreneurs who learned the prime venues best suited to their networking needs could sometimes be found under the most extraordinary circumstances.

It is much easier to build partnerships with people you already know and trust. Expand your network. Follow these nine points to successful schmoozing.

You learn in your twenties. You earn in your thirties. When you’re starting your career, use the following tips to build an effective network.

Without a solid system for networking, what good are good connections? Here are ten steps you can follow to build a strong foundation of contacts.

One of the major challenges facing many startup organizations is how to come up with accurate projections. Use the practical tips in this article to create realistic projections to help your startup organization grow.

Entrepreneur Paige Arnof-Fenn reflects on a year of positive personal and professional changes. She offers tips on ways that other business people can refresh their careers.

Outsourcing has long been an option for large companies. Many start-up entrepreneurs have also started using the strategy to grow. Outsourcing can be just what you need to launch.

Dr. Susan Bragg bootstrapped her company by driving customer connections and partnerships. While bootstrapping with revenues, personal funds, and a small loan, she started her technology company and has grown it by penetrating her market via customer interaction.

When leasing or purchasing real estate, economics is only one part of the equation. Management teams make the mistake of just looking at rent. They should realize that location and ownership structure can have a long-term impact on cost.

Think someone's trying to pull a fast one on you? Check out our resources for validating their credibility.

When entrepreneurs sign up strategic partners, the primary focus often is on development and sales of products or services. For their protection, however, entrepreneurs also need to focus on crafting a proper legal framework in the event the partnership needs to be terminated.

A business partnership should be highly strategic. Use the guidelines in this article to ensure that your next partnership venture highlights the strengths of everyone involved and makes for a successful product or service.

Thinking of asking your best friend to join you in growing your business together? Better think again. With some planning, conflict in your business needn't lead to the end of a long-standing relationship. Learn to evaluate potential partners, plan for problems and tackle whatever arises.

From powerhouse financiers like Kohlberg Kravis Roberts to retailers like Baskin-Robbins to IT pioneers like Hewlett-Packard, business partnerships have been an important part of entrepreneurship and startup success. The reasons are simple: complementary skill sets, shared equipment or expenses, and the idea that one person with "hard" money capital can create synergy with the intellectual capital of another person so both can profit from their venture. Pitfalls abound when entrepreneurs decide to become partners. Know what they are ahead of time so you can set up guidelines that allow people to walk away if things go wrong.