TAXTIME. It’s that time of year when some small business owners are scratching their heads wondering, “Should I have done things differently?

“Don’t work harder - works marter”really has become a cliche. But cliches usually contain at least a kernel of truth.

SUCCESS DOESN’T HAPPEN BY accident. It has nothing to do with luck. It’s not a magic pill someone swallows or a wand someone waves which immediately manifests a revolutionary change in status and bank balance.

A well-run office keeps customers happy and informed. It facilitates smooth scheduling and helps ensure you’re getting paid for all the work you do. Better yet, it can make it easier for you to do every job more profitably.

You may be questioning whether the American Dream, and the infinite promise it holds, is still a reality. In today’s day and age, with the economic crisis looming, doubts like this are not uncommon.

In the face of economic stress, people react in different ways. Some hunker down, count their dollars, and do everything they can to hold onto what they have. Others do more; they look for opportunities.

The H-2B programwas designed to legally and temporarily supply immigrant workers to American industries that struggle with labor shortages, especially those in the service areas (hotels, restaurants) as well as seasonal businesses. So now, with a lagging economy and unemployment rates reaching record highs, the need for the programno longer exists, right?Wrong.

Many busy entrepreneurs get so caught up in day-to-day operations that they sometimes overlook tools that could make running their business a lot easier. Integrated business management software is one of these tools.

Having been involved in the green industry for more than 30 years, I am hard pressed to remember a time so difficult for our industry. In particular, we are facing a very challenging economy.

You know the type. Maybe you are one. The manager who arrives in the morning before sunrise, who works through lunch and stays until 7:00 or 8:00 p.m., or longer. As a society, we often marvel at this commitment: “He’s such a hard worker,” or “She’s so dedicated.”