Small Business Saturday, recently celebrated by shoppers throughout the U.S., was a lucrative event for both residents and local businesses. In Milford, Connecticut, many dedicated consumers ventured into boutiques late on Friday night to get a head start. The day was designated to support small businesses during the momentum of Black Friday, and has been… Continue Reading
According to a Bank of America survey, Boston-area small business owners are feeling optimistic, if cautious, about the upcoming fiscal year. Many expect to increase sales as well as workers throughout 2013. Though 9% of small businesses in the region expect revenue to fall in 2013, more than half of those polled project significant increases.… Continue Reading
Small business advocacy groups have been appealing to Washington to call off the $607 billion tax increases and spending cuts set to start in 2013 immediately. Aside from the fiscal cliff issue, many organizations have put forth complaints regarding federal contracting reform and the never-ending government investment into clean and renewable energies. The National Small… Continue Reading
USA Today’s Rhonda Abrams recently discussed a common problem among small business owners- the addiction to business adrenaline. Of course, the ability to handle crisis situations and challenges is a must when it comes to management, but Abrams claims the thrill may actually push entrepreneurs to create their own obstacles. She lists a few ways… Continue Reading
One of the most crippling problems amongst small businesses is the excessive number of overdue payments. The average SME receives payments from other businesses two months late, and many suffer greatly from the delay. The Guardian lists several tips for avoiding such situations: Don’t make credit management subordinate to sales– Make sure the incentives you… Continue Reading
‘Green’ technology and eco-friendly solutions are becoming more popular among small businesses, as they are cheaper, more easily managed and environmentally conscious. Edra Equipamentos, a Brazilian firm, is currently in the process of developing green ATM booths, which will be built from recycled materials and powered by solar panels. The company claims the ATMs are… Continue Reading
Though not covered by the Credit CARD Act of 2009, business rewards credit cards have a positive reputation amongst small businesses. According to the National Small Business Association, 37% of business owners are relying on credit to cover a portion of their costs. These credit cards feature expense-tracking tools that help organize and monitor company… Continue Reading
In an effort to provide a much-needed service to small businesses, PCWorld.com recently listed the top five social media management tools in the sector. Choosing only those suitable for smaller companies, every social media outlet listed meets criteria such as affordability; scalability; support for Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter; and update posting assistance. Each tool is… Continue Reading
The Council of Competitiveness and the National Association of Manufacturers recently unveiled its list of the top ten ‘business-friendly’ states in the U.S. this year. As mentioned before, Texas ranked #1 in several surveys. The most recent list ranks the states like this: Texas Utah Virginia North Carolina North Dakota Nebraska South Dakota Colorado Georgia… Continue Reading