Businesses make hundreds or thousands of decisions every year, many of which seem inconsequential. But the smallest details can have business-changing or even business-ending consequences. Here are 11 of my favorites to watch out for:

1. The lowly extension cord. People get cold feet. They get a space heater. They plug it into a two-pronged extension cord. They forget to unplug it when they leave work. That night, while you are sleeping, your entire business burns down. Your brilliant marketing plan, your three-year projections, all of your records, your new product samples … . You get the idea. This is not something that most business owners think about, but insurance companies know that extension cords and space heaters are major fire hazards. It is good practice not to allow any extension cords in your business that aren’t three-pronged.

Hitting a career plateau can be unsettling and disappointing. You know you've hit a plateau when you've gone as far as you can in your job and you find it unchallenging and well below your earning expectations.

Continuing education can be a real tonic. By adding a certification or advanced degree in your field, you can become more competitive for advancement or find fresh interest in a profession that has gone stale. Online career training or college degree programs can take as little as a year, while some educational pathways take a little longer. But the flexibility of online learning means you can meet your work commitments or family obligations while injecting fresh energy into your professional life.

If you love your field, take a look at these fast-growing careers and advanced training that can boost your challenges, responsibilities, and earnings.

KUALA LUMPUR — It is lunchtime at the Wangsa Ukay restaurant in suburban Kuala Lumpur, and regulars are coming in for local favorites like roti canai, chicken curry and tea tarik, the sweet, milky drink that is ubiquitous across Malaysia.

The owner, Muneandy Nalepan, has time to stop and talk for now, but when peak times hit on weekends, he and his wife must pitch in to help clear tables.

He used to have a staff of 120 — almost all foreigners — working in his five restaurants across the city. But after the government made it more difficult for businesses to hire workers from abroad, he is down to 80 because he has been unable to replace the 40 employees who had to return home after the maximum work period of five years.

Unable to find Malaysians willing to work as cooks, waiters or dishwashers, he is awaiting approval to employ more foreigners. But if he cannot get more workers soon, he says, he may close one of his outlets. Mr. Muneandy, an 18-year veteran of the industry, is even considering other business ventures.

“To run a restaurant, it’s becoming impossible,” he said.

It is not just restaurateurs complaining. Many business owners, from furniture producers to rubber glove manufacturers, say a labor shortage is harming productivity.

More often that not, it's the latter. Which is why it's time to change your professional philosophy. Why settle for a career you dread, when there are so many opportunites for you to transition into an exciting industry at which you can prosper and find your passion?

Thanks to online programs easily accessible via your home computer, on your own time -- such as those offered by >Kaplan College -- you can indulge your interests and follow your heart's pathway for professional success. Take a look...

Business With a Heart
Why practice traditional business when you can apply your individual talents to a booming industry that intrigues you? Whether that's information technology, law, healthcare, or others, Kaplan College's associate's and bachelor's management programs stress leadership development and provide the latest strategies to get you to the head of the boardroom.

Need to enhance the skills you've already acquired and increase your intellectual capitol? Then build upon what you know and advance through Kaplan College's innovative 2+2 Option for Bachelor of Science in Business (Accounting, Finance, or Management of Information Systems), or 2+2 Option for Bachelor of Science in Management (E-Business, Health Care Management, or Sales and Marketing). Each allow you to skip a step if you already have your associate's degree, or earn both by giving you a boost of markeability in between.

such a business can be an exciting way to spend your time on the clock and a prosperous way to develop your familial relationships. With the potential for long histories, rich in tradition, successful family businesses thrive because everyone involved enjoys learning and working with relatives with whom they are comfortable. These businesses can also be lucrative for parents due to the tax breaks that can be incurred from having their children work for them.

At the same time, there are several challenges associated with family businesses. Family disputes, unbalanced employee treatment and lack of planning for the future are a few of the most common issues.

As the operator of your family business, you need to know how to walk the tightrope between family employees and non-family employees, all while keeping your eye on the bottom line. Here are some tips to give your family business the foundation that it needs to succeed.