Guide to Giving Your Business an Annual Checkup

Are your financial systems outdated?

For most small businesses the answer is a resounding "yes." Outdated systems can hurt profits. If you're still using manual systems, make the jump to popular small business financial management software such as QuickBooks or Microsoft Accounting for Small Business.

I recommend: Visit www.quickbooks.com or www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness.

Do you have a 3-, 5- and 10-year business plan?

Or maybe we should ask: do you have any kind of plan at all? A purely short-term focus won't yield the long-term results you want. Develop a plan for where you want your business to go.

I recommend: A great place for ideas, sample plans and expert business plan advice is www.bplans.com.

Is your business secure?

It's easy to put this one off - that is, until your computers are hit with a crippling virus. Data theft, unauthorized system access, email viruses and worms are just a few of the threats facing small business. Good computer security requires vigilance from you and your employees.

I recommend: Symantec, a computer security leader, has helpful products, services and information on securing your technology.

Are your health benefit costs out of control?

The cost of offering employee health benefits has jumped in recent years. If you offer a health plan, review it (and alternative plans) for ways to save money.

I recommend: HealthDecisions.org, a site developed by an insurance industry group called America's Health Insurance Plans, has insight on health plan choices.

Are you keeping your best people?

Labor is tight. Review your pay scale, your sales incentives or commissions and any non-cash employee incentives that you offer.

I recommend: Snowfly offers a clever way to motivate employees with casino-like games played on computers. LoyaltyWorks.com is a Web-based service that offers employee recognition, reward and performance improvement services.

Has your business been victimized by fraud?

While small businesses are not required to perform internal audits, some occasionally bring in outside auditors to implement checks and balances.

I recommend: Visit the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Web site for information.