CrossCheck Blog

We’re throwing a huge party today – did you receive your invitation? We’re celebrating the 28 million small businesses that operate in the country. (That’s a lot of balloons!) Today is officially National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day. Anyone running his own business knows it’s far from “small:” over 50% of the population works in small business, and small businesses are responsible for 65% of the net new jobs created since 1995. Seems like a great reason for a party! And what’s a party without party favors? Read on for some ideas to keep your small business in the party spirits.

Checks have been a preferred method of payment for so long that it’s no secret that they’re one of the quickest ways to get or give some greenbacks. But what you may not have considered is just how “green” checks are, in eco-friendly ways. In honor of International Earth Day, we offer a few tips on just how easy it is to be green with checks.

Cyndi Lauper… in a business blog? You know it! The “She’s So Unusual” singer had a hit with her song, “Money Changes Everything.” With her crazy shaved hair and colorful outfits, Ms. Lauper represented the 1980s perfectly. But who would have guessed she was actually quite retro, echoing a statement from way back in 1861? Today, the anniversary of the United States officially issuing cash currency, we want to celebrate the fact that money did change everything and share some interesting things that have happened in money's strange history.

The paycheck you provide employees may be considered appreciation enough for the work they put in at your store, but in honor of employee appreciation day, we encourage you to explore some options to take things a little further. Showing appreciation to those who toil behind your counters and on your floors doesn’t require a huge investment of time or money, but the payoff (that ROI you need) can be huge.

It’s March, and if you feel like it’s madness that you’ll never find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, don’t lose faith. You don’t have to be Irish, a leprechaun, or even particularly lucky to feel shades of green this month. March is unofficially money month, so come along with us as we see why this time of the year is officially paved with dough.

Your day may be so crunched that you barely have time to sip a morning coffee before tossing the cup aside, much less keep up on the slew of facts, figures, and fiction that the auto industry publishes throughout the year. Let us save you some time. We distilled down the Department of Energy's most current Vehicle Technologies Market Report into some bite-sized statistics you can use to sell more cars today.

Quick: Picture Hawaii. This activity may conjure up beaches, PGA-caliber golfing, and pina coladas… to an auto dealer, Hawaii is one thing only: far away. You’re far too busy to envision actually getting away to the land of leis and grass skirts, much less plan the actual trip. Allow us to whisk you off on a virtual vacation to Hawaii, courtesy of the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association, where auto dealers are projecting a banner year for sales. Find out how you can take your own dealership to the luau.

Clogged arteries, unbelievable work strain, preservative-filled diets, family stress. The people who come through your medical practice’s doors are up against a war field of attackers soldiering up to wreak havoc on their hearts. While some may feel that having to pay for all the poking, prodding, and testing is a major pain point, others have a financial heart attack when they get their bills. In honor of the 50th anniversary of American Heart Month, we provide some insight into ways that you can help patients’ hearts stay on the beating path.

Collecting payment for your goods and services may often feel like you’re in the midst of a constant battle. You’ve got to swipe high-value paper cash with security markers, and you eyeball credit card machines for “Declined” messages, but what are you doing to combat counterfeit checks? In many cases, the most merchants do is write down a driver’s license number, but once your goods are gone and that check bounces, you’re out the money. The bad news is, counterfeit and bad checks aren’t going away anytime soon. The good news? Read on...

Swarovski crystal collars. Caviar-infused kibble. Specialized safety seat belts to ensure precious cargo lives to its fullest for all nine lives. Pet people know the drill – whatever it takes to keep a favorite feathered, furry, fuzzy friend alive and happy. We’ll go to the ends of the earth for our pets, and we know you will too, so we invite you to help us celebrate National Love Your Pet Day today.