It’s always the thing we think about after it’s too late: backup power.

Sitting in the dark with your home business locked up until the power comes back is never a fun situation.

But what can you do to protect your business? Generators aren’t an option for everyone as you need a place to put one outside. They also require fuel and spew emissions. UPS systems are nice, but essentially designed to give you 10 minutes to power down your computer system. 

  Well, Gaia Power Technologies has developed the PowerTower, a green unit that bridges the gap between generators and UPS systems. The PowerTower is a battery-based backup power unit that kicks in instantly in the event of a blackout. It also cleans and regulates your power to protect against dips and surges. Providing enough energy to power critical circuits through 95% of blackouts, the PowerTower is also quiet and can be installed easily indoors.
  For home offices that already have a generator, the PowerTower can actually work in conjunction with the generator and reduce fuel consumption by 75%. This reduces fuel costs and protects against blackouts that last for much longer periods of time. For more information, visit www.gaiapowertechnologies.com.

The XII Commandments for Small Business

Richard Sacks has built his career on the premise that no business ever fails because it runs out of money; rather, the owner runs out of the time needed to learn how to manage a business for success.
Since 1985 Richard Sacks has run The Sacks Group, which he founded to guide entrepreneurs in reaching their business objectives through sound planning and financial management. Additionally, he is creator of Incubator Plus, a training program for entrepreneurs and managers of small businesses.

Sacks targets small business owners, particularly owners of the “micro businesses” that have 10 or fewer employees but make up 75 percent of all companies. Earlier this year, Sacks put his observations about running a successful business into a breezy, informative, 141-page book titled “The XII Commandments for Small Business.” The book offers practical advice in straightforward terms, with chapter headings such as “Thou shalt be tax wise,” “Thou shalt keep excellent records,” “Thou shalt be well organized” and “Thou shalt balance thy life.” ISBN: 9780977930708, $19.95. HBM

The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Improving Your Credit Score

Lita Epstein, Poinciana, FL, who earned her MBA from Emory University's Goizueta Business School, enjoys helping people develop good financial, investing, and tax-planning skills. In her book, The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Improving Your Credit Score, she clearly explains what a credit score is and how it impacts life. Rather than putting the focus squarely on credit emergencies, it provides everything readers need to know to raise their score and keep it high, now and in the future. In The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Improving Your Credit Score, readers find information on:
• Busting credit myths that keep your credit score lower than it could be
• Setting up your score—establishing bank accounts and using credit the right way
• Why it's important to pay your bills on time—and what actually happens to your score when you're late
• How paying off or down your debt can raise your score
• Avoiding credit score mishaps, from avoiding scams to protecting your identity to knowing your credit rights. ISBN: 9781592576906, $12.95. HBM

United Virtual Office

It's a fact: In business, image matters. Your clients and customers think more highly of your business if it has a street address rather than a P.O. box. They notice when their calls are answered by a receptionist instead of a machine. They see you as the professional you are when you hold your meetings in a conference room rather than the local Starbucks.
United Virtual Office can help. United Virtual Office provides prime local and global mailing addresses and other mail services, an array of telecommunications services, easy access to conference rooms, and fully furnished offices and more.

"United Virtual Office helps owners of home-based businesses enjoy the perks of a traditional office without the overhead—letting them use their resources to grow their businesses," founder Eric Homme said. "The flexible packages we offer ensure that our clients only pay for what they need."
Start your virtual office with a world-class business address for as little as
$100 a month. Or support your growing business with a full-service package at a reasonable $400 per month. United Virtual Office can create a package to match  your current size and adapt to keep up with your ambition. For more information about how United Virtual Office can enhance your home-based business's image, go to www.UnitedVirtualOffice.com or call 1-888-45-OFFICE. HBM