Skokie Business Update

Social networking sites are trendy and many of them may not last out the decade. LinkedIn http://linkedin.com however has proven its worth and is a tool that is likely to continue. Small business owners can benefit greatly by signing up, filling out the profile and using some of the tools LinkedIn makes available.

First and foremost LinkedIn is an online social networking resource and in many ways it's the online equivalent of the Chamber of Commerce. You use LinkedIn to widen your network among colleagues and customers just like you would by attending a Chamber mixer or event. After signing up for LinkedIn your first step is to fill in your professional profile. Your profile is like an online calling card, once you fill it in with your accomplishments and expertise you can link to it from your company website or put the link on your business card, then colleagues and clients can easily
review your credentials and develop a level of trust in your abilities.

Of course the key to LinkedIn is to link up with others and LinkedIn provides a number of ways to help in doing this. There are industry and business groups you can join, including the Skokie Chamber of Commerce. Once you join a group you can share information and connect with others within the group. Or use the search box to find targeted companies and organizations and get names of potential contacts within the organization. Don't forget to check the "Answers" section too. Here you can get advice from a number of designated experts or try your hand at fielding questions yourself. This is a good way to reach out and help others and gain credibility as an expert in your field.

All in all with just a few minutes devoted to LinkedIn each day, you can enhance your networking skills and grow your business.

For more help with this topic or with business research contact Skokie Public Library business librarian, Mike Buhmann at 847-324-3176 or mbuhmann@skokielibrary.info

A small business makes use of an array of forms and documents in its day-to-day operation: from billing documents such as bills of sale or past due notices to HR documents such as employment applications or employee handbooks.  Where can you go when you need a new document drawn up and you don't want to pay the expense of hiring a lawyer or an accountant? 

Why not try some online resources that have example forms.  Sometimes all you need is an example of a form to get you started and the following sites provide samples of all types of small business and legal documents that can be modified to fit your particluar situation.  

FormNet which is part of Entrepreneur magazine's website contains a variety of free customizable business forms covering topics such as accounting, human resources, inventory control, office management, sales, shipping and more.

Another excellent source for Legal Forms from Thomas Gale  This is a value added resource provided by Skokie Public Library that offers a wide array of small business forms and a selection of state-specific (and multi-state) legal forms. It includes real estate contracts, sales agreements, credit contracts, sample letters and much more.  Since this is a subsciption database paid for by the library, a Skokie Public Library card is needed to use it via the Internet.  Access this database via the forms page of this Skokie Business Portal at business.skokielibrary.info/forms and contact Mike Buhmann if you need help getting a library card. (see below for contact information). 

For government related documents such as specialized tax or employment forms there is a federal site  Essential Government Forms which is part of the federal business site Business.gov or the state equivalent Find a Form at the State of Illinois Business Portal. 

For more help with this topic or with business research contact Skokie Public Library business librarian, Mike Buhmann at 847-324-3176 or mbuhmann@skokielibrary.info