Politics
and Government
Small
Business Groups Press for Quick Healthcare Reform
Small
business advocacy
groups are joining together to press President-elect Barack Obama
into making healthcare reform a top priority.
Democratic
Gains Increase Chances of Union Card-Check Bill Passage
A
bill at the top of organized labor's agenda, the Card-Check Bill, now
has a much better chance at passage with President-elect Obama bound
for the White House and larger Democratic majorities on Capitol Hill.
Economics
and Labor Issues
Small
Banks Consider Local Economy When Making Loans
Small
community banks and credit unions are seen by small businesses as
more willing to give them loans, now that lending has become tight,
because they are more familiar with the local business environment
and are more willing to examine business plans.
A
Crisis Brings Great Opportunities and Responsibilities For All of Us
If
Karl Marx were alive today, he’d maintain that greed destroyed the
capital market, easing the way for the triumph of socialism. Peter
Drucker, the father of modern management and champion of responsible
business, might reply, “Not so fast. The roots of democratic
capitalism are strong. Unexpected results create great
opportunities.”
Law
and Regulation Enforcement
Voters
Approve Mandatory Paid Sick Leave
The
idea of mandatory paid sick leave is spreading. Following
San Francisco and Washington, D.C., Milwaukee voters have also
approved paid sick leave. The new law mandates up to nine days of
paid sick leave a year for larger businesses, while small businesses
with fewer than 10 employees must pay for five sick days.
Doing
Business
Finding
a Willing Lender
Credit
may be tougher to get, but it is not impossible. According to Marilyn
J. Holt, CEO of Holt Capital in Seattle, It is important to develop a
relationship with a lender, interview potential lenders, be prepared
to guarantee the loan, and consider credit unions.
Get
Your Employees to Speak Up and Lose Their Fear of Being Fired
Do your employees hesitate to share
their ideas, take initiative, or speak openly and honestly for fear
of being labeled or even losing their jobs? Here are ten things you
can do to manage their fears and help them find their courage.
Six
Things You Might Be Doing Wrong with Your Website (And How to Fix
Them)!
When
you look at what is and isn't working for a small business Web site,
you'll find that the most frequent issues fall within six categories.
Some are flaws in site architecture, while others are the result of
poor planning or marketing discipline. All are fixable, if you know
what to look for.
Sales
and Marketing
10
Characteristics of Successful Salespeople
What separates successful
sales people from everyone else? Is it their people skills? Their
determination? Find out what ten qualities successful salespeople
possess.
Barter
Exchanges Catch On as Credit Tightens
Small businesses find that
trading for goods and services not only conserves cash; it can also
substitute for borrowing and rack up savings.
Don't
Let Hard Times Derail Your Advertising
Life is not a zero-sum
game. O.K., maybe in politics it is. If your candidate wins, the
other guy loses.
How
Small Stores Can Lure Holiday Shoppers
Call it a customer service
Christmas. Consumers are expected to rein in spending this year, and
the retail climate favors big-box stores that can offer bargains.
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