Here is what I have been reading this week. An article on protecting your money-maker, one on how not to suck as a leader, and one about protecting your business from snake oil salesmen that are looking to partner with you. Of course, that isn’t all! Below is more good small biz reading.

Employees

• Employment Taxes: The True Cost of Hiring an Employee – Yes, it does cost more than $10 an hour to have an employee whose hourly rate is $10 an hour. Understand the true cost of employees before you go on a hiring spree.
• 10 Steps To Great Leadership – Being the person at the top of your company’s totem pole means you have to lead those below you. This isn’t always an easy job, but here are some suggestions on how to shine as a leader.

Finances

• Top 7 Money-Related Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make – Some good pearls of wisdom in this one!
• Paying Bills with Company Stock – If your company is short on cash, but long on bills, consider this option…
• 3 Essential Financial Goals for Any Business – Most of us are familiar with the financial words of advice such as don’t spend more than you make, so we won’t rehash those. But, here are 3 bits of financial advice you might not be familiar with.
• 6 Tips for Organizing Your Small Business Finances – Being a small business owner doesn’t automatically make you a financial wizard. Unless you are a CPA, it may be a wise move to consider this advice.

General

• Best Career Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs – Despite the fact that many very successful entrepreneurs didn’t go to, or finish, college, some say aspiring entrepreneurs should attend a school of higher learning. Do you agree?
• 7 Smart Things Donald Trump Told Me – Is one of the smart things related to perfecting the combover?
• Challenges of Working from Home – Yes, working from home brings its own set of unique challenges, but there can be nothing more satisfying than working out of the house.
• Beware of Shady Partnership Pitches – Everyone who wants to partner with your small biz and bring value to your company doesn’t necessarily have your best interest in mind. I know, shocking isn’t it?!?!
• 4 Best Education Tips for Home-Based Entrepreneurs – Work from home? Wanna work from home? Here are four tips related to being a better home-based entrepreneur.
• How to Meet Deadlines Every Time: 6 Tips – You face deadlines in every aspect of your life, whether on a personal or business level. Don’t fear them – learn how to deal with them!

Insurance

• What Every Small Business Needs to Know About Liability – Every entrepreneur needs to understand the liabilities they face and how to cover their behinds. This includes choosing the right business structure and purchasing general liability insurance coverage as required.

Legal

• How to Protect Your Money-Maker – Not to be confused with how to shake your money-maker.

Networking

• 7 Tips for Networking – Being an introvert may have benefited you when you lived in your mom’s basement, but it isn’t a good trait for an entrepreneur.

Startups

• Great Product? That’s Just the Start – Having a brilliant product is just part of the battle. Build it and they will come only works in the movies!
• The Business Plan that Always Works – Use your heart, not your head, when it comes time to develop your business plan.
• 3 Things That Make A Startup Work – Everyone has advice on what steps an entrepreneur should take in order to be a success. Here is some more pretty good advice that you can digest.