I am constantly looking to other businesses for inspiration. Who better to learn from than companies which have faced the same challenges as you and overcome them to become real success stories?

Sometimes it’s obvious your team is a bit flat and could do with a morale boost. While I’m not suggesting that team-building is a long-term solution for low staff morale, it is something that can get them away from their computer and help them feel refreshed and rejuvenated and ready to throw themselves into their work.

Cutting costs is second nature to most small business owners. After all any unnecessary expenses eat right into your profits. I like to think I’ve become pretty good at cost cutting over the years, so here’s a few of my top money-saving hacks. Hope they help.

 Collins dictionary describes management skills as, “skills regarding the technique, practice, or science of managing a company, business, etc”. But what management skills do you need to run a small business? And do all small business owners have them?

Just like most other small business owners I know, I’m a fan of anything that can save me time or money – or even better, a bit of both. In my quest to cut down on hours and dollars I must have downloaded hundreds of apps which promised to revolutionize the way I run my company. And while some were swiftly deleted, others have proved invaluable.

Customer loyalty is something that’s always really interested me – as both a business owner and a consumer myself. We have so much choice now, where’s the incentive to stick with one brand or product?

Football, Basketball, Ice Hockey, you name it and I'll probably watch it. So it goes without saying that I'm a huge fan of the Olympics. The U.S. has a great record and I'm always proud to watch our Olympians battle for the ultimate glory of winning a gold medal. I know it must take some serious work and more than a little talent to get to the podium.

Cats. Enigmatic, aloof, contrary - affectionate, loving, loyal. There are so many adjectives that can be applied to our feline friends.  And with a little under half of U.S. households (43%) owning one or more cats (totaling almost 86 million)1, it’s clear they’ve got a place in our hearts. But what can entrepreneurs learn from the cat’s attitude to life? Well, quite a lot actually.

We all know the importance of happy and engaged employees. They’re the lifeblood of my business and have propelled me from a struggling start-up to a growing, profitable company. But motivating employees can be hard – especially when you don’t have the capital to compete with large businesses on salary.

Stress can play a big role in a workplace’s productivity. When your employees are stressed, it impacts their health, possibly resulting in their needing to take time off. And while they’re at work, it’s likely on their minds – have you tried concentrating when your stress levels are high? I know I can’t. A stressed workforce can be an unproductive workforce.