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Pivot as an adjective is defined in Websters as “turning on or as if on a pivot” and is the antithesis of business in 2020 if we are to survive. How have you pivoted in your business? Are you doing curbside pickup in your restaurant......
COCARD
COCARD has always been dedicated to empowering businesses through smart, cost-cutting payment solutions — and our new Cash Discount Program takes this even further. In this quick article, we are going to explore what the Cash Discount Program is, how it can save you money,......
Acceptance of Level 2 payments can reduce monthly credit card fees and consequently increase profits for your business, it’s that simple. For a transaction to qualify as a Level 2 transaction a few pieces of additional information must be passed during the transaction process. This additional......
Myth: Some businesses think that American Express is always so much more expensive. Fact: On average there is little difference between the cost to welcome American Express vs. Visa and Mastercard. It’s just one of the many reasons businesses are welcoming American Express. Contact our......
Providing good information is a service – I found this article today and thought it might be informative, interesting and useful for restaurants business owners and owners to be! https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2019/01/28/what-it-really-takes-to-start-a-successful-restaurant-in-2019/#47cec94267f2...
I was thinking about how to help our restaurant customers and their employees train and adapt to a new point of sale unit in their restaurant and I ran across this article. Read through it and let us know if you have any questions, comments......
It’s no secret, people love paying with credit cards. A recent survey showed that the public favored cards over cash 3:1. It’s convenient, easy and saves pennies jingling in your pockets. Naturally, the acceptance of cards at a retail establishment is great for the consumer,......
It’s a great time to be a small business or restaurant owner if you are a millennial. A recent study showed by the SBCD showed that 49% of Millennials want to start their own business in the next three years. Over half would say goodbye......
26 Sep POS and Your Salon
The Beauty industry is growing, fast. If you have chosen to open a Salon, you may have picked the best time to do it. You’ve already done the hard part. Make the business plan, found the space, curated an environment for your clientele that......
You’ve started a new business, you’re daunted by tax, the prospect of staff, wondering which supply stores you can trust, and on top of all of that, you must decide which type of POS System will be best for your business. Or maybe......
While COCARD’s REVONU POS is already well known for powering payments at restaurants, salons, and retail establishments, it also helps Holy Cross Monastery manage their gift shop inventory, payments and book sales. Read what Holy Cross Monastery’s Brother Scott has to say about REVONU POS and COCARD. COCARD:......
Point of Sale technology enables businesses to improve efficiency, productivity and transparency by tracking sales, cash flow, food/ingredients and inventory as well as simplifying bookkeeping. POS solutions make it easier, especially during peak hours, for the tracking of high volumes of cash, credit card sales......
According to an article by @emmiemartin, 90% of Americans don’t cook – and it’s costing them thousands each year: Here are some tips for capturing a share of that dining out cash in your restaurant: Improve your digital presence Both on social media and......
21 Jun FREE Stuff!
What’s better then FREE – not much! Check out what’s free and let us help you grow your business!...
Apps these days are a dime a dozen, so we wanted to assemble some of our favorite apps for organization. From file storage to organizing trip details to content management, these apps have the power to make your work life that much easier, and more......
We’re going to switch it up a bit today and explore a topic we think is simultaneously fun and informative. We know that you’ve probably heard of podcasts. The question is, which ones are you listening to? These podcasts are a few among many that......
If you need multilingual support for your point of sale, we have you covered. Call our support staff at 800-317-1819 option “0” or email support@cocard.info and let us support your POS solution today....
There’s nothing worse than being busy and getting nothing done. If you ever find yourself in this predicament—actively standing still—we’d like to share four hacks to make your days more productive. Make a priority list. Maybe you have a To Do List already, which is......
** URGENT UPDATE** COCARD has been notified that pcAmerica’s Cash Register Express/Restaurant Pro Express customers must upgrade to version 12.8033 as soon as possible. If your point of sale is not on version 12.8033 or higher, please contact your COCARD representative to avoid any payment processing interruptions. What is......
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As a business owner, nothing is more rewarding than seeing your company grow and thrive. After all, you are the one putting it all on the line, calling the shots and making important decisions that will lead to your future success. Because business trends change......
It’s Wednesday, “HumpDay”. Ever wonder where the term “HumpDay came from? Wonder no more!! Check out this link and Hey Happy HumpDay! http://frontporchdenver.com/where-did-the-term-hump-day-come-from/...
According to Google, 97% of consumers use the web to search for local businesses –has your business got an online presence? Having a strong online presence is an important part of your marketing strategy, no matter what size your business or what industry the REVONU team can......
16 Feb 10 Tips for a Happy Friday!
It’s Friday – Friday – Friday!! TGIF !! Check out these tips for a great Friday, have a wonderful weekend! https://www.livehappy.com/self/10-tips-happy-friday ...
As we find ourselves in the second month of 2018, we at COCARD would like to do a quick check in for any New Year’s resolutions you may have made this year, or things that you’d like to improve on for the upcoming year. From......
It’s 2018, nearly February and I have been thinking about strategy, retail strategies to be precise. Have you thought about your marketing strategy for 2018? This article might help, it’s full of useful information, take a look and let me know what you think or......
I almost forgot, how could I forget??? It’s National Peanut Butter Day! Read the history of Peanut Butter because, just because! https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/a-chunky-history-of-peanut-butter...
I have written before about my garden and passion for organic foods and organic restaurants. I found this article today and thought it worthy of sharing with our restaurant customers. Let me know what you think! Nelda https://www.thebalance.com/restaurants-go-organic-2538365...
It’s a new year, and if you’re still going strong as a business, there’s one reason why—and that reason is your customers. Have you taken a moment to simply say thanks? There are many ways that you can show your appreciation to the people......
Our team has found that selling a merchant what they want instead of trying to sell them what you offer is the easiest sale. With dozens of years of experience in the point of sale business, we see smiles on the faces of our clients......
Why Android – You mean WHY NOT? Android POS Systems need next to zero maintenance, not like those legacy Windows Systems. Android POS Systems are extremely affordable, and easy to own. Android POS Systems have the right feature sets for QSR and Small Retailers Android......
02 Oct Retail POS, What Do I Need?
Last week I spent a lot of time talking to business owners, one location I was visiting I had the owner tell me the most important feature was the PRICE of a system to them. I disagree! I have spent twenty years as a FEATURE......
28 Sep Let’s Talk About Food!!
Have you got a favorite restaurant or maybe you are a chef and want to share your favorite recipe? Let’s talk about it, share because I want to know and others do too. I am into organic gardening, I have a garden and I love......
This question was posed to me when I met with the owner of two Italian restaurants this past Friday. What is the difference in all of these systems now? My response was “All of these systems, what do you mean?” I learned first hand......
Have you looked into buying a new POS System and thought to yourself “I wonder what system is best for my business”? If so, you are not alone. Nearly all of the business owners I talk to want to buy a system that is going......
Small business is the life-blood of our country and we want to help you prepare your business in the event of an emergency. Of course your safety and the safety of your family and employees is the highest priority in an emergency however, if you......
It’s the best weekend of the year the @Decaturbookfestival and @Dragoncon. Back and forth, back and forth – #Marta https://www.decaturbookfestival.com/sessions/index/day:Fri ...
01 Sep Go Take A Walk!!!
I am crazy for Ted Talks, there is a talk for everything and everything can be a talk. Try this one and Go Take A Walk why don’t you? https://www.ted.com/playlists/60/work_smarter...
29 Aug The Big Idea!
I hate meetings, I know they are necessary but I hate them. My time is stretched so thin, wife, business person, Mom, caregiver for my 87 year old Father, who needs another meeting? What I do love and make time for are Ted Talks, short,......
Check out this article about why convenience is the retail sector of 2017! Why convenience is THE retail sector for 2017!...
Chase is a rescued labradoodle who comes to the office everyday, makes his rounds to everyone’s desks for a quick pet and snuggle to start the day and then settles down for a nap until lunch time. Do you bring your dog to work?...
Yep, FREE! Give it a try or give us a call if you have questions, here is the link: http://cocard.info/sircle-pos/ ...
Manage your restaurant, retail and salon business with REVONU POS!...
I ran across this article today about advertising and your small business. Check it out! 8 Ways to Differentiate Your Business...
Great article from Restaurant News about customer service in restaurants, going above and beyond! Worth the read: http://www.nrn.com/operations/how-avoid-customer-service-catastrophe...
What a great idea for leftover food! Check out this website especially if you own a restaurant or know someone who does. https://www.rescuingleftovercuisine.org/about ...
15 Feb Good-bye SunSet Software!
Sunsetting usually means that a product or software is no longer supported. Is the software you are using no longer getting updates with new features? If not, that usually means it is headed to the sunset! Don’t keep buying software for your POS that is......
It has been little more than one year since the liability shift began on October 1st, 2015, where merchants would be liable for fraudulent activity in their stores, as opposed to credit card companies. And since then, small and large businesses alike have made the......
As the information age has continued to create unprecedented breakthroughs in the tech industry, a number of products have become increasingly obsolete. Innovations in design, market strategy and consumer preference have all played a large role in the direction of best practices for both buyers......
In an interesting turn of events, Google announced on May 11 that it will no longer service online advertisements from Payday Lending companies starting July 13. This decision came due to increasing pressure (from civil liberties, consumer protection and consumer privacy groups) to make a......
Are you wondering about the benefits of accepting credit cards for your business? Cash and check are acceptable forms of payment, but accepting credit cards adds the extra touch of legitimacy to your company. Take a look at the ways in which accepting credit cards......
17 May Apple Pay Expands to Canada
If there wasn’t any before, Apple Pay’s recent expansion has given merchants throughout the country of Canada a strong incentive to provide point of sale solutions compatible with the service. Although Apple Pay isn’t necessarily a service that is new to Canada, May 2016 marks......
When you think about data breaches, your mind probably jumps to the highly publicized incidents of companies like Target and Home Depot. Small business might think they don’t need to take security measures–but that’s not the case. Small business are as susceptible to......
REVONU POS is making a huge impact on the POS community, and to talk about why, we asked Julie Nelson, owner of Julie’s Treasures in Minnesota, a retail consignment store, what she thinks about her new REVONU POS system and COCARD. COCARD: What made you choose COCARD for......
Do you have any burning questions? Not feeling like picking up the phone? Would you like some more information about credit card processing, POS systems or have a question about your merchant account with COCARD? Then chat away! I’m REVONU your POS system pal, and I’m here......
Like any new technology, mobile payments might seem a bit complicated. Don’t worry, we’re covering what you need to know about the latest mobile payment technologies— without all the technical jargon. How do mobile payments work? Apple Pay and Android Pay Apple and Android Pay......
in BlogA few short years ago, QR (Quick Response) codes seemed poised to reach smartphone levels of popularity. Advertisers, merchants and consumers had various reasons to be excited about this technology’s potential. In perfect application, QR drives traffic to websites, collects or processes simple, quick in-store......
05 Oct EMV Pocket Glossary
With the liability shift here, we know that you’ve already got a lot on your plate. So we’re going to just take it easy and go over a few terms you may have already seen or will see as you continue to learn about EMV.......
Last week we introduced Chip and Terminal, who have a lot to say about EMV, mainly because they are the main components in EMV technology. So we were lucky enough to be able to book a slot on their busy schedule this fall season to......
Salvador was born in San Bernardino, CA and raised in Salt Lake City, UT. He now makes his home in Duluth, GA with his wife, Nelly and daughter Evelyn. Salvador plays soccer, hikes and loves taking pictures (mostly of Evelyn). He is a great cook......
14 Sep Don’t Get SLAMMED!
Dictionary slam noun ˈslam Definition of SLAM 1 : switching business owners from their current merchant services provider to another service provider without the business owners knowledge or authorization. Examples of SLAM “He/she called for software support and was slammed by another provider” Don’t be slammed To Learn......
Chicken Little once said that the sky is falling. Yet it still remains intact above us. So while the transition from magnetic stripe to EMV might seem like a shift of cataclysmic proportions, the sky is not falling. Your company will successfully transition from magnetic......
25 Aug The Truth About EMV!
True. Bats see just fine, and in spite of the idiom “blind as a bat”, bats really have no reason to serve as the benchmark for people with less than perfect eyesight. Popular myths aside, fall is indeed upon us, which means that the start......
17 Aug EMV FAQs
Watch out—the future has arrived. And they call it EMV. As the target date for businesses to accept EMV payment cards draws near, make sure your business is ready to transition seamlessly from magnetic stripe cards to EMV. October 1st is upon us. Are you......
28 Jul The Basic Guide to EMV
Maybe you’ve already gotten a glimpse; a customer pulls a credit card out of his or her wallet, and as they swipe, you see a chip that’s embedded in the card. Don’t freak out. You don’t have to work at Google to get it. You......
23 Jul Have you heard about REVONU?
The complete POS solution for YOUR business! Let us tell you about our simple and cost-effective combined point of sale solution. It’s Revonu; helping main street generate more revenue. For more information about Revonu call – 1-800-317-1819 option #2, visit us on the web at:......
Integrated hardware,cloud software & payment solutions. Spend more time on the front-end of your business with our simple and cost-effective combined point of sale solution. By pairing state-of-the-art hardware with reliable cloud software and PCI compliant merchant processing, we’ve eliminated the hassle of dealing with......
Did you know that nearly half of all credit card fraud worldwide occurs in the United States? Considering that only 24% of credit card sales are made in the US, this number is surprisingly high. To combat fraud, the United States is currently transitioning to......
EMV and the Challenges that Face Payment Processing In order for a business to run successfully, the simple act of paying for a product or a service using a credit card or a debit card should be efficient, fast, and most importantly, safe. And because......
09 Jun Five Tips for POS Security
Point of Sales security is always a relevant issue for a merchant services provider. With the recent string of data breaches that have happened to well-known businesses like Target and Verizon, there are plenty of reasons to feel like your POS’s security system may not......
Basic processing systems will no longer cut it in the payment processing industry. A terminal is viewed as the bare minimum in today’s market, and merchants are finding it more necessary to integrate multiple technologies in their software applications. Now merchants are able to run......
29 May Are You Ready for EMV?
You are probably hearing a lot about EMV in the news and maybe even receiving a few scary calls from merchant service providers who imply that EMV has something to do with PCI Compliance. For the record EMV has NOTHING to do with PCI Compliance......
25 Nov Cocard 101
The future of merchant account services is here! When it comes to payment processing, every second counts. That’s why CoCard is constantly developing new technology solutions to meet industry needs for speed and reliability. A full-service credit card processing and merchant account services provider with......
15 Oct Where Do You Stand?
How do you react when you are outside of your comfort zone? Are you a natural at mingling and an ace at taking the stage? Or do you cringe just thinking about the prospect? Whether you’re a social butterfly or have a proclivity toward being shy, social......
If you’re looking to launch a business sometime soon, one of your best moves may be to, well… move. According to a recent poll from NerdWallet (as published on CNN.com) the following ten cities ranked as the best places in the U.S. to launch a startup......
29 Sep Service Industry Boom
Big news for the service industry: 2014 has brought a huge surge in the number of service-related companies. According to a recent article in Bloomberg, service industries—like restaurants and retailers—grew in July at the fastest rate since December 2005! Additionally, the Institute for Supply Management’s......
26 Aug Back to School Trends
You loaded up the kids on school supplies weeks ago… but don’t think you’re finished with back-to-school prep just yet. You’ve still got the season’s fashion trends to consider for your teen or tween. As is the case with every school year, last year’s looks have hibernated......
26 Aug Feeling Lucky? Try Clover!
At CoCard, we’re devoted to making sure our clients find the POS systems best suited to their needs. So we’re thrilled to be adding the Clover POS system to our roster of services! In case you’re unfamiliar, a Clover Station is a cash register, terminal and......
26 Aug Hacker Alert:
In case you missed the news at the beginning of this month, in early August, a Russian crime ring collected the largest known cluster of Internet credentials to date, which included 1.2 billion user name and password combos and more than 500 million email addresses......
The 2014 AJC Decatur Book Festival is finally upon us… …and for the third year in a row, Cocard is a proud sponsor. We love our city, and we support local businesses and events to the fullest of our abilities. We are proud to call Decatur,......
Basic processing systems will no longer cut it in the payment processing industry. A terminal is viewed as the bare minimum in today’s market, and merchants are finding it more necessary to integrate multiple technologies in their software applications. Now merchants are able to run......
11 Aug Back to School
The fall is fast approaching, and that means several things; everyone’s favorite sports are back, the weather becomes more bearable, and students are returning to school. As the semester begins, merchants may see a marked change in their merchants’ business sales; retail merchants may see......
31 Jul QA Test Engineer Intern
Since 1988, our Decatur-based financial services and technology firm has provided simple, secure and cost-effective electronic payment, data convergence and fraud prevention services for clients around the world. Offering advanced technology and truly personalized service, our consultants act as true partners, delivering customized solutions with integrity......
31 Jul Technical Support Intern
Since 1988, A-AAccess Online Payment Systems has provided simple, secure and cost-effective electronic payment and authentication services for merchants around the world. Offering advanced technology and truly personalized service, our consultants act as true partners, delivering customized solutions with integrity and anticipating our merchants’ needs. A-AAccess Online......
Since 1988, A-AAccess Online Payment Systems has provided simple, secure and cost-effective electronic payment and authentication services for merchants around the world. Offering advanced technology and truly personalized service, our consultants act as true partners, delivering customized solutions with integrity and anticipating our merchants’ needs. A-AAccess Online......
31 Jul Sales & Marketing Specialist
Since 1988, our Decatur-based financial services and technology firm has provided simple, secure and cost-effective electronic payment, data convergence and fraud prevention services for clients around the world. As we develop new products and services, we are currently seeking a highly motivated Sales & Marketing Specialist......
Since 1988, our financial services and technology firm has provided simple, secure and cost-effective merchant assistance for thousands of businesses. From electronic payment processing and data convergence programs to upper-echelon fraud prevention support, our nationally accredited services provide technical reassurance for clients around the world.......
30 Jul Bilingual Account Manager
Since 1988, our financial services and technology firm has provided simple, secure and cost-effective electronic payment, data convergence and fraud prevention services for clients around the world. Our consultants act as business partners, delivering customized solutions with integrity and anticipating our merchants’ needs. Our commitment......
According to Payment Source, the state of New York Department of Payment Services recently proposed the framework for ‘BitLicense’, a money transfer license pertaining to businesses that use Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Although this proposal still has yet to be approved, the potential effects could......
Credit card usage is finally on the rise again in the United States. According to ISO & Agent, Consumers are more comfortable borrowing money and using revolving credit than they have in years, with the Federal Reserve Board noting a spike in annual consumer credit......
15 Jul Popcorn Report
You know the drill: Summer is synonymous with major movie releases. Cue the action-hero flick and the anticipated all-star rom-com. Now that the first day of summer has officially come and gone, here’s what’s on our film-viewing radar for the next couple of months: Dawn of......
15 Jul Growing New Farmers
Contemplating adding the title of “farmer” to your growing repertoire of talents? Now just may be the perfect time. According to an announcement by the U.S. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden at last month’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Advisory Committee meeting, attractive new implementations and......
12 Jul Who We Are
CoCard is an industry leader in Point of Sale / POS payment processing with advanced debit and credit card processing software and hardware. Since 1999, CoCard has led the way in payment processing services, staying one step ahead of the curve. During this time, we’ve......
New Bitcoin ATMs continue to propel the currency forward Bitcoin payment is still a highly controversial topic; many people don’t know what to make of it, many see it as illegitimate, and many don’t know what it is at all. Although it receives mixed reviews......
With the continued expansion of internet prevalence in our everyday lives, it’s becoming harder each day to escape the ever-watching eyes of “Big Brother”. “Big Brother” is an idiomatic term that refers to government surveillance powers that oversee our actions on an everyday basis, the......
CoCard can be found in the beautiful community of Decatur, Georgia. Although our grassroots community is one of the most economically sound, and intriguing in the metropolitan Atlanta area, it still requires many improvements. Many members of the community are either aware of, or actively......
A recent survey done by American Express OPEN shows that small business owners are more comfortable taking summer vacations this year than any other year during the recession. According to the survey, a reported 60% of respondents (small business owners) are planning a week-long vacation......
24 Jun Five Tips for POS security
Point of Sales security is always a relevant issue for a merchant services provider. With the recent string of data breaches that have happened to well-known businesses like Target and Verizon, there are plenty of reasons to feel like your POS’s security system may not......
Take some time getting to know one of CoCard’s most promising employees, Technical Support Specialist, Rex Peterson! Currently a Computer Science major at Georgia State University, Rex’s love for coding, mobile applications, and all things tech has led him to CoCard’s headquarters in Decatur. His......
American Express’s Open Forum recently published an article highlighting the top 10 items your customers will expect from you this year. Given the ever-evolving world of commerce, tips like these can be helpful when you’re trying to stay ahead of the curve in terms of......
23 Jun Out of This World
It sounds like the premises for a sci-fi flick: Astronomers from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics just discovered a rocky distant “mega-earth” that weighs 17 times more than our planet, and that shows plausible implications for life. Given the moniker, Kepler-10c, this newly discovered planet......
The Bitcoin craze that began a few years ago is yet another one of the unforeseen curveballs that the internet has thrown at us. Although this form of electronic payment may seem futuristic and innovative—and to some parties, illegitimate—there’s no denying that it has altered......
Did you know that CoCard counts multiple nonprofits as clients? We’ve worked with nonprofits across the country, ranging from churches to museums and everything in between. We’re even a Goodwill preferred vendor! Regardless of your mission or services, CoCard is able to help by offering......
10 Jun City Spotlight: Rio
You’ve already heard the buzz: Rio is the place to visit right now thanks in large part to its selection as the hosting city for two major sporting events. Starting June 12, it will host the 2014 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament and in 2016,......
10 Jun Happy Father’s Day!
From all of us at CoCard, happy Father’s Day! On June 15, we salute all of our leading men for their guidance, their love and their support. Make sure you pick up the phone and thank your old man for being a great guy. Thinking......
Apple recently unveiled their most recent collection of products, most notably the Ios8 mobile phone. Although there were many improvements with the iPhone, such as multi-app messaging and group message self-removal, there were also several other products that got some upgrades; this includes their signature......
03 Jun iOS8 Arrives
Apple recently revealed its next generation of iPhone, the iOS8, at a conference yesterday. Although there weren’t too many changes, there were still some interesting improvements made to the device. Since iPhone’s are arguably the most popular and widely used phones in America, it seemed......
30 May The Mobile Market
The market for business growth has shifted rapidly in the last two decades. The explosion of the internet has thrown all of us into a matrix of numbers, lights, and screens. I personally can’t recall the last time I walked down the street and made......
28 May Sunny Days
While basking in the warm weather courtesy of that neighborhood picnic, after-work happy hour or poolside vacation, enjoy the leisure, but keep an eye on the sun exposure. Though you’re likely aware that prolonged sun exposure—along with indoor tanning beds—are the leading causes of skin......
28 May 2014 Decatur Book Festival
CoCard is proud to call Decatur, GA home. Our city is a huge part of what has made the Decatur Book Festival so successful. Each year, the Festival brings more than 600 authors and 85,000 people to Decatur! Cocard has sponsored the Decatur Book Festival......
05 May Security Alert!
Recent RSA findings report that ChewBacca malware has compromised the security of numerous POS systems since being discovered in October 2013. According to a Visa alert in March, the malware operates by installing a copy of itself in the Windows startup folder as a file called “spoolsv.exe”......
For information regarding the Payment Card Interchange Fee Settlement, please click here: http://cocard.info/payment-card-settlement/...
28 Apr Internet Security Alert
CoCard wants to alert all clients of a bug attacking the Internet’s OpenSSL software (an encryption software widely used by businesses to protect customer data) discovered by security researchers on April 7, 2014 called the Heartbleed Bug. Hackers use the bug to create websites that......
Chances are your health (or that of your loved ones) has been affected by the springtime pollen surge. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S., affecting more than 50......
14 Apr Happy Easter!
Whether April 20 means decorating and scavenging for Easter eggs, digging into a big family feast, attending a religious service, or enjoying a day in the garden, our team at CoCard wishes you a happy Easter. Enjoy!...
14 Apr Protect your Passport
Among the many questions highlighted by last month’s Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappearance was the prevalence of stolen passports (two passengers on board were flying with stolen identities). A recent article published in USA Today noted that Interpol’s database lists more than 40 million stolen......
14 Apr Fraud-proof your Business
As a small business owner, you’re not only the purveyor of goods and services, you’re a watchdog against credit card fraud. To protect your customers and your store, you and your cashiers must always stay on high alert. For card-present transactions be sure to train......
26 Mar Welcome April
Happy April Fool’s Day! Hopefully your co-workers haven’t taken advantage of your gullible side with too many practical jokes today. Beware of impromptu marriage proposals or outlandish news. And, if you’re made the fool, laugh it off. It’ll be April 2 before you know it.......
26 Mar Shape Up
We were inspired by the Retail Contrarian, Doug Fleener’s, blog post early last month about spring training fundamentals as they relate to business. As he considered baseball’s annual spring training (where a heavy focused is placed on perfecting the fundamentals), Fleener begged the question, “how often are......
11 Mar Next Big Thing?
At this point, you’ve likely heard the buzz surrounding the social media app, WhatsApp, possibly the next big thing in social media interactions. Just purchased by the Facebook crew for a whopping $19 billion, it’s still largely under the radar in the U.S. But, if Mark......
11 Mar That’s Rich
Drumroll, please. The 2014 Forbes Billionaires List is out, and it’s grown to a record 1,645 people, pulling in an aggregate net worth of $6.4 trillion. Bill Gates is at No. 1 again with his network of $76 billion; mining and telecom giant Carlo Slim comes in......
Look out Silicon Valley. Big innovations have been taking place in plain sight at Atlanta’s newly constructed Atlanta Tech Village. This sprawling modern complex, located in the heart of Buckhead on Piedmont Road, is the brainchild of entrepreneurial whiz David Cummings and is home to......
24 Feb And the Oscar Goes to…
Movie buffs and fashion devotees, your event of the year has returned yet again with the 86th Academy Awards, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres. As you place your bets on the winners and get your house prepped for your famous Oscar-viewing party (impress your friends and......
03 Feb Romantic Recipe
A dish doesn’t have to be complicated in order to be delicious. Nor do expensive ingredients equate deeper affection. It’s the thought that counts here. And, considering that most are scurrying off to high-end restaurants to celebrate the day, there’s something quite charming about suggesting......
22 Jan Winter Olympics Prep
2010’s biggies were the bandana-wearing speed skater Apolo Ohno, the enigmatic figure skater Johnny Weir, the flame-haired snowboarder Shaun White and the fearless alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn. As you start readying your TV for the Sochi 2014 Olympics in Sochi Russia Feb. 7-23, study......
If you’re a regular devotee to Google Trends, you may have noticed that a “Top Charts” feature was recently unveiled. If you put a large emphasis on your website, your blog and your web traffic, this new feature is certainly worth exploring. Top Charts allows......
22 Jan Get PCI DSS Compliant
Though many of you are already aware of the importance and necessity of becoming Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard (DDS) compliant, CoCard wants to remind you that these industry regulations are absolutely required both for the security of your business and that of......
07 Jan On Target
Many of us are still rattled by Target’s recent security breach, affecting 40 million credit and debit cards nationwide between November 27 and December 15, 2013. Now that these stolen cards have popped up everywhere on the black market, this isn’t just a national problem,......
07 Jan Give a Little Bit
You surely stocked up on your fair share of gift cards over the last few months (both as a giver and as a receiver). If that’s gotten you thinking about offering electronic gift cards at your own business (honestly, they make for great presents for......
07 Jan Fight the Flu
If you forgot to get your flu shot this winter, it’s not too late to get inoculated against this season’s strand. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu season typically hits its peak in January and February, but can continue as......
Perhaps you’re looking to pen your first cookbook but don’t have the extra funds to self-publish or to hire a professional photographer. Or, maybe you’re working on launching your first clothing line but can’t afford airfare to take much-needed buying trips to score that luxe......
26 Nov Credit? Check!
Aside from the convenience it offers to your customers, accepting credit and debit cards can work wonders for your business. A few points you may not have considered about credit card acceptance: Did you know that 83% of small businesses that accept credit cards not......
25 Nov Smart Seasonal Marketing
While your thoughts inevitably tend to drift during this time of year (that forthcoming ski trip, reuniting with distanced relatives), the holidays can potentially serve as a prime time for attracting new customers, too, if you take advantage of smart marketing options. The U.S. Small Business......
If you’re a consummate traveler and are constantly hopping from one major city to the next, you’ll be interested in learning about the warp-speed travel break-through from Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla Motors. As CNN reported on Aug. 12, Musk’s proposed Hyperloop transportation......
You may wonder how your competitors maintain a seemingly constant presence across social media platforms. They tweet, pin and post to Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook at all hours of the day. And, while some social media addicts do stay glued to their smartphones 24/7,......
28 Oct Trick or Treat!
Raging bonfires and sugary sweets are all the rage this weekend. Go all out this year and win a costume contest—or just dress up your yard and stock up on the “good” candy and score your kids’ admiration. Scare yourself silly and explore a haunted......
As October comes to a close, we’re also celebrating the 10th anniversary of National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Administered by the Department of Homeland Security, the program strives to protect the country from online incidents and to raise awareness by hosting programs and events nationwide.......
Summer’s coming to an end, and the kids are back in school, which means many of us have cashed in those vacation days or soon will. As you consider your holiday plans and think about that all-inclusive resort in Cozumel remember to take advantage, turn......
29 Sep Finding Your Feng Shui
You’ve avoided using harsh lighting in your business and painted your walls in soothing colors, but since opening several years ago, you’ve done little to change your office’s appeal—both to yourself, your employees and to potential clients. Improve your office’s productivity, and lend your business......
13 Aug Forecasting Growth
The Global Electronic Fund Transfer Point-of-sale Systems Market (EFTPOS) is expected to grow by 8.4 % between now and 2016, according to recent findings from researchandmarkets.com. Part of this growth can be attributed to an increased usage of Europay, MasterCard and Visa. With growth, of......
09 Aug Grow Your Small Business
Your small business has made it through the recession and is holding steady. Congratulations! But, now that you’re half-way through 2013 and prepping for fall, what next? Inevitably, you’ve been brainstorming ways to grow your business. Here, a few smart ideas for increasing your business......
January is quickly approaching! If your business accepts credit cards and the business tax identification information is incorrect on your merchant account, you could be subject to a federal withholding of 30%. If you have received any messages from your credit card processor regarding incorrect......
