Government and Economy

Would a Payroll Tax Holiday Boost Employment and Spending?
Taking a six-month holiday from the federal government's 6.2% payroll tax would reduce labor costs to small businesses and help prevent layoffs, says a major small business organization in a recent pitch to Congress.

Consumer Price Drop Greater Than Expected
A record plunge in consumer prices in November puts pressure on the Federal Reserve to act decisively to guard against a debilitating bout of deflation.

Probe: Small Business Funds Squandered by Veteran's Corp.
The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship has called for an end to funding for the National Veterans Business Development Corp., saying that Veterans Corp. squandered its funds and that they should be redirected to the Small Business Administration.

Fed Cuts Bring Key Rate to Record Low
The Federal Reserve has cut its target for a key interest rate to the lowest level on record and pledged to use "all available tools" to combat a severe financial crisis and prolonged recession.

Regulators: Illegal Monopoly for Baby Meds
Federal regulators alleged that an Illinois-based company bought the only two medicines approved to treat premature babies born with a potentially life-threatening congenital heart defect, and then increased prices nearly 1,300 percent.

Management and Financial Issues

Successful Business Partnerships

Use the following seven strategies for a partnership that starts strong and stays strong.

From QuickBooks to ERP: A Road Map for Growing Small Businesses
The accounting programs you've relied on until now won't help your growing business eliminate decision-making bottlenecks, reduce IT costs, increase productivity, or improve the customer experience; but an enterprise-wide, integrated software system. Learn how an integrated system can help your business, and how to ensure you get the right system for you.

Take Care of Yourself, It's Good for Your Business

Here are three reasons why you should take a break to take care of yourself if you want your business to thrive.

Benefits and Labor Issues

Recession Hiring
With companies shedding jobs, the pickings just got plumper. Just make sure to find the right fit.

Enhancing Productivity
Sound advice for keeping pace in a downturn--from meaningful measurement to nifty software.

Sales and Marketing

Email Can Improve Customer Relations
Here are four ideas for creating closer ties to customers who may feel overwhelmed by their e-mail, including asking customers how you can help them, creating ways they can respond to newsletters, co-hosting an event with a related business and teaming up with a local charity to generate goodwill.

Innovative Small Companies
These three seemingly mundane businesses are living proof that small business is an engine of innovation.