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Have you been having trouble sending out bulk emails and email blasts recently? Are you suddenly having deliverability issues with clients and vendors you've been emailing for years? If so, you're not alone — Google and Yahoo rolled out new DMARC requirements in February, creating headaches. We have heard that many of our small business owner clients and their IT departments are having such headaches.  To investigate this issue, we have leaned on IT expert and long-time TAG peer board member Fred Moore of Moore Computing. Fred has walked us through changes to DMARC and offers advice on how small business owners can get their emails back into the inbox. While DMARC changes have thrown many into a temporary tailspin, the changes represent a move to safer and more secure email communication for all parties. Let's discuss what small business owners need to know about DMARC, how they can ensure their emails reach customers' inboxes, and how to keep their business digitally secure. What is DMARC? Cybersecurity measures are similar to cars: most of us drive one daily, but most are unable to lift the hood and understand exactly how it runs. Most of us rely on cybersecurity measures to keep our businesses safe online, but we may need help understanding the technical elements that keep us safe. That said, all small business owners should have a general background in cybersecurity, and DMARC is a great place to start. DMARC stands for "Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance." The idea behind DMARC is to limit the volume of scams and phishing on the internet. DMARC works with SPF and DKIM. SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is a list of services and servers that are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain, and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) is a digital seal that verifies the content of your email hasn't been altered or tampered with. DKIM is also able to withstand email forwarding, whereas SPF can not. Senders and Recipients At its core, DMARC validates the authentication of the sender of an email message. When there are deliverability issues with a message, it usually falls back on the sender. Small business owners know the importance of getting marketing campaign emails and other communications into their customers/clients' inboxes; to accomplish this, it is crucial to follow all protocols to ensure you have the best chances to reach customers' inboxes at an optimal place (i.e., not the spam folder), and avoid spam complaints. How does your email make its way to recipients? It follows a basic flow: ● The email is composed and sent ● The sending mail server will add DKIM ● The email is sent to the recipient's server ● Validation tests begin, checking DKIM, SPF, and DMARC policies ● The email either passes, is quarantined, or is blocked/deleted ● If the email passes, it goes through the recipient's user filters and inbox rules

Running a small business is a challenging task. It requires dedication, hard work, and juggling multiple responsibilities. Often, small business owners try to cut costs by taking on tasks themselves, even if they are better off calling a professional. While the intention may be to save money, the reality is that DIY can lead to costly mistakes and legal pitfalls. Let's explore the common mistakes small business owners make when they opt for a do-it-yourself approach and why investing in professionals like lawyers, accountants, and general contractors is crucial for long-term success. The Myth of Saving Money Many small business owners believe that handling tasks themselves will save them money in the long run. However, this is often a misconception. While it may seem cost-effective initially, the lack of expertise and knowledge in critical areas can lead to costly mistakes that can ultimately hinder the growth and profitability of a business. The Value of Professional Services Professional services, such as lawyers, accountants, advisors, and general contractors, bring expertise, experience, and a deep understanding of industry regulations. They can provide valuable guidance, prevent legal issues, and help small business owners make informed decisions that align with their long-term goals. Most of the time, business owners don't consult with their advisors because they are wary of spending money on bills from their advisors on top of other expenses. The phrase "You can pay me now, or really pay me later" comes into play in these situations. Business owners should not be afraid to discuss money and bills from professionals with their advisors, and they should properly compensate advisors for their time. Complaining about spending a few thousand dollars to review a $20,000,000 contract can cost hundreds of thousands due to difficult payment and dispute resolution terms.  Protecting Your Intellectual Property Intellectual property (IP) is a valuable asset for any business. Failing to protect it can lead to brand confusion, loss of revenue, and legal battles. Trademarks, copyrights, and patents should be filed appropriately and protected to ensure exclusive rights to your brand name, logo, or product design. How Professionals Can Help Lawyers specializing in intellectual property can guide small business owners through filing the necessary documents and paying the required fees. They can conduct an IP audit to identify and protect essential assets, develop IP protection strategies, and enforce IP rights if violations occur.

In the 1999 film “Any Given Sunday,” directed by Oliver Stone, Al Pacino delivers a powerful and memorable locker room speech that has resonated with me for years. The speech, delivered by Pacino’s character, Tony D’Amato, before a crucial football game, encapsulates the essence of the film and the themes it explores. While the speech is specifically about football, its underlying message can be applied to various aspects of life, including business. The idea of fighting for inches, continuously improving, and eliminating mistakes is a powerful metaphor for the importance of perseverance and adaptability in business. It highlights the value of small victories, incremental progress, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. For business owners, the speech serves as a reminder to focus on the details and the small wins that can accumulate over time. Just as a football team must fight for every inch on the field, a successful business must be diligent in managing its resources and seize every opportunity for growth. It emphasizes the importance of building a team that shares the same values and is committed to continuous improvement. Think of it in terms of all the inches and seconds around us in business and how $200 here and $50 there adds up. The whole concept of continuous improvement, eliminating mistakes, and fighting to get better is what I believe Oliver Stone intended when he wrote it. I love it as much today and as when I first saw it and the metaphor of getting into business and being profitable. You can read the transcript here . Or watch it here:

The business world is constantly changing, but the acceleration of change has dramatically increased over the last three years. Everything from business models to staffing to workflow was shaken up – and marketing is no exception. Small business owners know that no matter how strong their product or service is, they won't cut through the noise in a crowded environment without solid marketing tactics. However, unlike larger businesses, small businesses have less margin for error regarding marketing. They typically have smaller budgets, one or two marketing people on their team (if that), and more to lose reputation-wise if a marketing move goes wrong. We're here to help our small business leaders think through tangible marketing ideas that will keep their businesses succeeding without extra hassles. Let's examine a few. More Channels, New Channels As we've reached 2023, there's been an increase in the number of channels customers can use to interact with companies. Harvard Business Review cites this increase as 61% of companies reporting increasing the number of channels they now use. B2C leads channel increases, but B2B isn't far behind.  A vital facet for business leaders to consider is that while there's the option to expand to new channels, which channels will be most fruitful and keep the brand image intact? For instance, your business could start a text campaign for customers and allow them to text back questions. You should consider whether you will have the staff time to answer these questions and if your customer base prefers texting over phone calls, emails, or your typical communication channels. Don't Discount Face-to-Face Opportunities Face-to-face (F2F) opportunities are still in demand, even in our digital world. Because the average consumer is exposed to so many advertisements daily, F2F experiences can become more memorable than all the digital clutter. Potential customers/clients may be more likely to remember a F2F conversation they had with someone than a series of ads they saw online. With in-person events in full swing, many small businesses are embracing trade shows, conventions, and other industry events. These channels are excellent for meeting potential clients and customers and networking with industry experts. While these events require time, money, and travel, they can pay off significantly with the connections made throughout the events. Another way to lean into F2F experiences is through customer appreciation events. These events could be anything from an informal happy hour or barbecue to a more formal open house function. When planning these events, consider inviting customers, suppliers, employees, community members, and anyone else interested. Don't discount the power of word-of-mouth – even if a prospect attends an event and doesn't end up working with your business; if they have a pleasant experience at the event and share that with their friends, you can still get traction from that interaction.

UPS ships approximately 24 million packages daily and handles around one-fourth of all parcel volume in the United States; that's roughly six percent of America's GDP. So, when Teamsters, the union representing UPS workers, expresses concern about worker safety and compensation, there's a lot on the line. A few of Teamsters' current demands are higher part-time pay, more full-time positions, video cameras, harassment protection, cooling measures in the vehicle fleets, and no more two-tier wage system, to name a few. With the current contract at UPS expiring on August 1st and the workers recently voting to strike should a new deal not be made, the possibility of a strike is growing daily. The recent talks of this potential UPS standstill in August have raised concerns among small business owners who rely heavily on their shipping services. We are coaching our clients to take proactive measures to mitigate the impact on their business operations and maintain a smooth customer experience. Diversify Your Shipping Options Relying solely on a single shipping provider can be risky, especially when faced with the possibility of a strike. As a small business owner, exploring alternative shipping options in your area is crucial. Research and identify reliable courier services, regional carriers, or local delivery companies that can meet your shipping needs. By diversifying your shipping options, you can minimize disruptions and ensure timely deliveries, even during a UPS strike. Strengthen Relationships with Other Carriers  Take the time to build relationships with alternative carriers and logistics providers in your network. Reach out to them, introduce your business, and discuss the possibility of working together in case of a UPS strike. Building these connections will help streamline the onboarding process, ensuring a smoother transition if you need to switch shipping providers temporarily. Maintaining good relationships with multiple carriers also opens up opportunities for competitive rates and better service options.

It’s been a rough year for banks, particularly regional and smaller banks. While we continue to coach our clients that these types of banks are preferred because of the personal relationships they foster, now is an important time to revisit those relationships and ask some tough questions. Note we said, “banks” (plural). We firmly believe business owners need to have a working relationship with more than one bank. The main purpose of doing business with more than one bank is to keep your primary bank honest and aware in quoting rates for additional financing needs such as funding capital improvements, funding real estate or staying competitive with the rate on your Line of Credit. Of course, if your primary bank failed, you would obviously need a backup for critical functions like payroll. But beyond bank failures, other catastrophic events can happen to the bank, like a fire, cybersecurity breach, flood, or power outage. Ask Your Banker Some Tough Questions Set up an in-person meeting at the bank or a lunch with your banker and ask questions like: How healthy are the bank’s financials? How do their numbers compare to a year ago, five years ago, or even ten years ago? What do they think the bank’s financials will look like in 6 months or 12 months? What is the biggest loan loss they have incurred in the last 12 months? What loans are they worried most about? How exposed are they in sectors that are suffering right now, like commercial real estate (particularly office building landlords)? How is the bank’s investment portfolio? Is it balanced and conservative or aggressive in riskier sectors like technology? How do they think their bank’s financial stability compares with their competitors?  Take the time to dig in and get a sense of their level of worry (or confidence). If you are not satisfied with the answers or think they might not be telling you the whole truth, it’s time to look for a new bank. Common (and Uncommon) Disruptions The failures of these larger banks magnify the issues above, but the fact is that any disruptions can negatively affect a small business. The FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) will insure up to $250,000 for chartered banks. Still, even a minor stumble on the bank’s part can become a significant disruption for a business. Other disruptions beyond bank failures include environmental disasters, pandemics (ex. COVID-19), cybersecurity issues, and more. There may not be a foolproof way to avoid bank troubles, but there are steps small business owners can take to protect themselves financially. We recommend that small business owners have accounts with at least two different banks – if there is a disruption at one bank, you can still rely on the other bank to provide finances for immediate needs, such as payroll. Small business owners should be like the golfer who carries two putters (or two drivers, if you’re Phil Mickelson circa 2006) in case one doesn’t work how they expect it to. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket – consider multiple baskets, even completely different containers. Learning From Recent Bank Failures Several large U.S. banks have faced huge issues this year. Silvergate Bank liquidated in early March 2023 after a series of miscues, most notably the run on the bank after cryptocurrency hedge fund FTX announced bankruptcy. Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) was the 16th largest bank in the U.S., working with many organizations in the tech industry. However, in response to the Federal Reserve’s continual raising of interest rates since 2021, SVB announced in March 2023 that it had sold securities and treasury stocks and borrowed an additional $15 billion. This announcement caused a run on the bank as its customers withdrew $42 billion. Signature Bank and First Republic Bank have also faced similar financial issues. These bank failures have caused waves across U.S. and international markets. The current federal response has been to create the Bank Term Funding Program, which gives one-year emergency loans to credit unions, banks, savings associations, etc. Inflation, supply chain disruptions, and market volatility are happening nationwide. For small businesses, it is critical to ensure that all financial choices are informed and stable. If they have a loan with a bank that fails, this can impact loan terms, interest rates, and more. As Your Small Business Grows Whether your small business is relatively new or you’ve been around for a while, there are crucial actions to take as your business grows. Establish a Line of Credit (LOC) with your banks. Do this even if you don’t anticipate needing it; you want to avoid trying and getting a LOC when you need it if your financials take a downturn. Additionally, ensure you use your LOC occasionally to demonstrate to the bank that it’s active. Build up your cash reserves. Work to set monthly targets for savings, monitor cash flow daily, and eliminate unnecessary spending. These are vital to have ready to go in times of disruption. Know your alternative funding options. If a disturbance is beyond your control and your small business needs significant help quickly, remember that you could utilize crowdfunding or angel investors. Diversify your customer base. Consider bringing your business to new markets or targeting different segments. Smart business owners know that multiple, diverse customer bases are key.

AI is here to stay, and it will change parts of the business world, but there are many considerations with its integration into daily life.

Small businesses must find the balance between competitive employee benefits that keep employees satisfied and committed to the company but don't break the budget.