Government, Politics and the Economy
The People's Stimulus
It's not what Congress or the President had in mind, but towns are using $2 bills and "buy local" promotions to launch their own stimulus efforts to keep local merchants in business. CNNMoney.com
Obama and the Entrepreneur: The Story Behind the Photo
When President Obama made his way out of a town-hall event, there was one persistent small business owner pressed him on the issue of taxes. NYTimes.com
Government Spending Masks Sharp Fall in Consumer Spending
The US economy shrank at a better-than-forecast 1% annual pace during the second quarter of 2009 as a rise in government spending masked a steep drop in consumer spending. Bloomberg.com
Management and Operations
Reach Peak Performance with a Competitiveness Audit
It’s more important than ever to ensure your company remains competitive, that it is operating at peak productivity. An audit can help you determine this and you can get started by asking your employees two simple questions. BusinessManagementDaily.com
Your Online Reputation: Develop a Social Media Policy and Think Before You React
You can avoid a great many headaches, legal and otherwise, if you develop a sound social media policy for your company and then, if something untoward does happen, think before you act. SmallBizTrends.com
Legal Issues
Should You Form An LLC or Incorporate When Taxes Rise?
Small Business Editor Colleen DeBaise answers a reader's question about business types as they relate to taxes and her answer may surprise you. BusinessWeek.com
Buying Another Company's Assets? Look out for Liabilities
Your company is in good fiscal shape and you think this might be the time to snap up the assets of a failed company, at fire sale prices, of course. Just be sure you do it right so you don't snap up that company's liabilities as well. BusinessManagementDaily.com
Taxes and Financial Issues
Starting Up: 7 Tax Tips For New Small Businesses
Many people have turned their career woes into business startup opportunities. If you are one of those people, consider these seven startup tax tips to keep yourself out of trouble with the IRS. BusinessKnowHow.com
Technology Issues
The Ford Transit Connect
Here it is: a compact cargo van that really performs and, if properly optioned, could just about serve as the family bus. USAToday.com
Health, Benefits and Labor Issues
The Healthcare Debate: Lobbying Groups and Companies Raise the Stakes
Federal records reveal how several prominent employers and their lobbying groups increased their lobbying budgets in the second quarter of 2009. It is believed that the spike in spending targets the national healthcare reform agenda. Workforce.com
Dealing with Disruptive Professionals
They may be brilliant, they may be essential to your company, but disruptive employees are costly in ways other than salary and they can even lead to legal problems. Here is how to deal with them. ManageSmarter.com
Branding, Sales and Marketing
The Dark Side of Branding
Why do advertisers still do "branding"? According to Augustie Fou, it's probably because they're trying to drive sales, not realizing that branding as it is done today is irrelevant, ineffective, irritating, and impotent. ClickZ.com
Sales: Cost vs. Worth
You have made your pitch and then the potential customer asks that all-important question, “How much does it cost?” If you get a little nervous at this point, maybe you need to establish the worth of the product or service you are selling before discussing the cost. ManageSmarter.com
B2B Marketing: Untapped Potential
At last month's MarketingProfs B2B Forum in Boston, Bob Collins put this question to some of the attendees: "What do you see as number-one untapped marketing opportunity for business-to-business marketers today?" Check out their answers MarketingProfs.com
