The National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) Index of Small Business Optimism indicates that the recession is still going strong. According to September’s report, small business owners have been pessimistic since January 2008, when the index dropped below 93. The report examined various factors, including employment, capital spending, sales, earnings, and credit. In most areas, […]
Monthly Archives: October 2010
Five Tips to Avoid Burnout on the Job
As any small business owner will tell you, the onus of responsibility for the business’ success or failure falls squarely on his or her shoulders. Stress seems to come with the territory when you are trying to set up your own company, particularly when the general economic environment is uncertain. How can you avoid […]
Using Social Media to Hire? Watch Out or You May Get Sued!
As we all know, people post highly personal information about themselves on Facebook and other Social Media without thinking twice. Religion, sexual orientation, race relationship status and other personal issues are all part and parcel of the Facebook profile. Social Networks would seem to be the ideal platform to find qualified candidates for jobs. […]
Five Creative Strategies to Improve Cash Flow with Limited Business Credit
Remember the good old days when credit lines flowed like water and all you needed to do was call the bank to get set up with short-term financing when you needed it? Those days are long gone and small business owners are being forced to find other ways to free up much-needed capital. Here […]
Shoddy Paperwork in the Race to Foreclose; Now Big Banks Face Nationwide Moratorium
The spate of foreclosures in the U.S. might be coming to a halt. Homeowners have long been complaining that banks use improper documentation to seize their homes. Their clamoring became so loud that lawmakers and banks have finally taken notice. Now, several of the big guns in banking have declared a nation-wide moratorium on foreclosure […]
18 Famous College Dorm Room Businesses that Made Millions
While the name “dorm room start-up” may seem somewhat subdued, eliciting the image of a cash-strapped, ramon noodle-eating student trying to scrape together a little extra income, for those of more enterprising natures, college provides the fertile ground on which to develop and expand some pretty hefty business ideas. From their humble student quarters, a […]
Tips for Writing a Killer Press Release
One common and free way to generate publicity for your business is to send out a well-written and targeted press release. Small businesses can send newsworthy information to reporters and media people, who then write or report about the business. How can you ensure that your press release is eye-catching enough for a reporter to open […]
Repairing Your Business’ Reputation: Learning from J&J’s Product Recall
Whether you take Johnson & Johnson CEO William Weldon’s public mea culpa over the recent spate of drug recalls at face value or with a cynical grain of salt, the event highlights several important points in brand image damage control. Johnson & Johnson is no stranger to corporate crisis management and large scale product […]
At-Will Employment: Still a Risky Business
In the United States, “at-will” employment relationships have become quite popular as businesses big and small seek to cover their bases and avoid any legal headaches down the road. But what many employers don’t know is that “at-will” may not be the safety net they think it is. The term “at-will employment” means that […]