Lawmakers and the ever-vigilant Internal Revenue Service are aware that “fudging” on tax returns is becoming more and more popular. Be warned, however, the IRS is not only aware of the “fudging” possibilities with cash transactions, they’ve developed a number of strategies for unearthing overlooked, ignored or simply fraudulent cash transactions....

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It’s not Shakespearian, but a lift by any other name is a lift, whether it’s called a boom, aerial platforms, scissors or whatever that moves workers up higher than ground level. Question is, could lifts be the next big thing in the window cleaning industry in the wake of the dramatic growth in the use of waterfed poles and pure water? Given the buzz of late within the industry, one has to wonder. True, some window cleaners have owned or rented lifts for years, but suddenly, there is more talk about them because of their purported cost effectiveness and safe operation. Herein is what we learned in talking to the lift providers and the end users....

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In a tough economy, it can be hard to think about growing your customer base—and even harder to justify the marketing dollars that may be required to do so. However, failure to keep an eye on opportunities for new business can come back to haunt you when the economy does eventually turn around. Incorporating smart marketing tactics into your business model is always a good idea. And this is just as important (if not more so) when it comes to your existing clientele. Consider this: it can cost as much as six times more to acquire a new customer than to retain an existing one. So from a purely financial standpoint, maintaining your visibility among your most loyal customers and taking steps to ensure their ongoing satisfaction is worth every penny....

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