► New York Times: "Small Business Faces Sharp Rise in Costs of Health Care," October 24, 2009
According to insurers, the weak economy and rising medical costs are contributing to increases in health insurance premiums. These rising health care costs are of pressing concern to small businesses, micro businesses, and non-employer businesses because they increase operational expenses and jeopardize their ability to provide health insurance for employees. Find out more here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/25/business/smallbusiness/25health.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=business&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1256482817-wmCt4nAvxHHzVJJRJIftCw
► Business Week: "Why PowerPoint Isn't Enough," October 20, 2009
Entrepreneurs can use PowerPoint presentations to promote their ideas, services, and products, but not if they are dull and monotonous. This article contains suggestions for making PowerPoint presentations more interesting and memorable. http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/oct2009/sb20091020_228161.htm
► Entrepreneur: "6 Startup Friendly Industries," July 15, 2009
Even though it may not seem like the best time to start a business, some entrepreneurs are making their own opportunities. If you are thinking off becoming your own boss, one of the "startup friendly industries" mentioned in this article may be right for you. http://www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/startupbasics/article202636.html
► AFP: "Recession or not? US economy likely to be in limbo," October 25, 2009
Businesses rebuilding their inventories and growth spurred by temporary government stimulus are contributing to economic growth. But does economic growth equal economic strength? See this article for more details: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091025/ts_alt_afp/useconomygrowthrecession
► Entreprenuer.com: "Choose the Right Domain Name," January 13, 2009
The domain name plays a large role in a small business' cyberspace identity. So here are a few suggestions that will help you choose the right domain name for your business. http://www.entrepreneur.com/ebusiness/gettingstarted/article199478.html
► New York Times: "U.S. Home Prices Continue to Stabilize," October 27, 2009
"There's nothing negative" in the new housing figures. But it is not all good news. Find out more here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/28/business/economy/28home.html?_r=1&ref=business
► The Wall Street Journal: “Political Uncertainty Puts Freeze on Small Businesses,” October 28, 2009
The uncertainty about health care and energy costs, unclear fate of Bush-era tax cuts, and unavailability of credit — among other factors — is causing small businesses to contract rather than expand. This spells trouble for the economy. Find out more here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125659324579108943.html.
► The Washington Post: “The big business of a doctor’s close look,” October 26, 2009
Health care marketing such as networking at hospitals and public speaking, hard work, some good luck, and the pooling of resources with other professionals helped a doctor build a lucrative practice. See this article for more information on his practice: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/25/AR2009102502393.html.
► The Wall Street Journal: “Three Best Ways to Win Community Support,” October 29, 2009
By reaching out to local consumers, small and micro businesses can increase sales. Find ideas for winning new customers here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703363704574503573498581220.html
► Business Week: “Why Your Advertising Isn't Working,” September 11, 2009
Most ads just don’t click with consumers. This article offers seven reasons why a lot of small business advertising just does not work. http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/sep2009/sb20090911_201004.htm
► New York Times: “Building a Company on Government Contracts,” October 7, 2009
Business management training, information about government resources, and perseverance helped this entrepreneur land government contracts and grow her business. But she has a word of caution: if a small business cannot deliver, they will not win government contracts. Read more of her interview here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/08/business/smallbusiness/08contractsside.html?_r=1&ref=smallbusiness
► Entrepreneur: “Create a Business Plan in 4 Easy Steps,” August 3, 2009
Looking to start a home-based business? Well, the first thing to do is to develop a plan. This article provides a framework for developing a business plan. http://www.womenentrepreneur.com/2009/08/create-a-business-plan-in-4-easy-steps.html
► CNN Money: “How Build-a-Bear invented a bear market,” November 3, 2009
Maxine Clark created Build-A-Bear Workshop with the idea of making the retail experience “fun.” In her own words, she tells how she did it. http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/02/smallbusiness/how_build_a_bear_got_started.fsb/index.htm?postversion=2009110306
► SBA: “SBA ARC Loan Program”
The Small Business Administration is sponsoring a loan program to help small businesses that are having trouble meeting their expenses. Click here for more information: http://www.sba.gov/recovery/arcloanprogram/index.html
► Business Week: “The Art of the Soft Sell,” October 9, 2009
Forget about the hard sell and focus on customer service. This soft sell approach involves many techniques including giving out free samples and information, creating a pleasant environment, and giving customers space. Read this article for real-life examples of small businesses that specialize in the soft sell. http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_70/s0910048462472.htm
► New York Times: “Small Businesses Hunker Down to Survive,” November 7, 2009
Reductions in operating expenses are helping small businesses stay afloat in this recession. This article briefly lists the expenses that have been cut the most. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/business/smallbusiness/08count.html?adxnnl=1&ref=smallbusiness&adxnnlx=1257793253-jPpsdsDFt2vMmkFVXBmuhA
► USA Today: “Six Steps to a Successful Small Business”
On this web page, aspiring entrepreneurs can: “Learn how to think like an entrepreneur, take advantage of ideas and opportunity, and explore whether owning your own business is for you.” Check it out here: http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/startup/week1.htm
► New York Times: “For Entrepreneurs, a Crash Course in Accounting,” February 11, 2007
Sometimes entrepreneurs and micro business owners are so focused on obtaining clients or customers that they neglect other important responsibilities. But reporting business income and paying taxes should be right at the top of a business person’s to-do list. This article explores the topic in more detail. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/11/business/yourtaxes/11small.html
► Wall Street Journal: “It Just Isn't Working? Some File for Customer Divorce,” November 9, 2009
Letting go of “high maintenance” customers/clients can be scary because this can decrease profits. But, if a small business owner is devoting precious time and resources to collecting past due invoices, giving discounts to customers/clients, and putting more work into an account than they are being paid for, how much profit are they really making? Learn more about this emerging trend here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704328104574520112839377366.html
► Yahoo! Small Business: “Harness the Power of 'Freemium'”
“The longer something is free, the less it is worth.” This is the advice of one small business owner. So, when deciding to offer free products or services to entice potential customers, consider the strategy carefully to avoid financial headaches. This article provides more information about developing a “freemium.” http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/r-article-a-114172-m-3-sc-14-harness_the_power_of_freemium-i
► Entrepreneur: “Steer Clear of Work-at-Home Scams,” November 12, 2009
Unemployed individuals or budding entrepreneurs might find work-from-home opportunities very enticing. But they should beware of the myriad of work-from-home scams. Find out more here: http://www.entrepreneur.com/homebasedbiz/gettingstarted/article203966.html
► Business Week, “How to Discount (If You Insist),” August 14, 2009
To remain competitive some small business owners might turn to a discount pricing strategy. But, in the long-run, discount pricing can damage a business’ reputation by cheapening its brand. This pricing strategy should be used with caution because it can forever diminish the value of a business. This article provides ideas for using discount pricing without permanently damaging a business’ “pricing power.” http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/aug2009/sb20090814_425078.htm
► Entrepreneur: “Grow Big by Selling Small,” November 10, 2009
Entrepreneur to entrepreneur that is what this article advocates. Instead of spending resources going after the “big fish,” this article suggests that small businesses focus on not just selling themselves to other small businesses but building relationships with them as well. Find out more here: http://www.entrepreneur.com/sales/salestechniques/article203948.html
► Wall Street Journal: “To Find Best Hires, Firms Become Creative,” November 17, 2009
Personality tests, speed interviewing, and workplace evaluation are some of the methods that small businesses are using to identify and hire the best candidate for the job. Find out more here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704538404574539971535489470.html#articleTabs%3Dcomments
