Small Business BlogABC Small Business Blog - News, reviews, and opinions from ABC's editors

Charles M Cooper
Charles M Cooper

Fall Filing Deadline Looms for Special Small Business Refund Claims

Time is running out for many small businesses wishing to take advantage of the expanded business loss carryback option included in this year’s recovery law.

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Charles M Cooper
Charles M Cooper

Unemployment and Consumer Spend Highlight Stimulus Policy Failures

We keep hearing Washington tell us that the recession is coming to an end, citing signs of wonder but always with the caveat that the economy could still get worse, and a look at unemployment, retail sales and the opinions of corporate CFOs—who have to work with the economy every day—assures us that it will.

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Charles M Cooper
Charles M Cooper

Poor Sales Leading to Small Business Closures

Today: Poor sales are driving many small businesses out of business. Also, saving customer service, defending agains employee disloyalty, e-marketing strategies and so much more.

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Charles M Cooper
Charles M Cooper

Changes to Illinois Sales and Use Taxes

As of September 1st, 2009, Illinois merchants will see changes in the sales and use taxes associated with candy, personal grooming and hygiene products and soft drinks.

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Charles M Cooper
Charles M Cooper

Why Customer Service is Terrible

Jay Goltz came up with three reasons for the terrible state of customer service. He blames health insurance, crazy pricing and the lack of a real merchant class in this country. Is he right? We want to hear your opinions!

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Charles M Cooper
Charles M Cooper

Small Business Under Obama: Still Struggling

Today: Even after all the stimulus and bailouts, small businesses are still struggling to stay afloat. Also: True leadership and plan execution, protecting your intellectual property, building an instant Google store, and so much more.

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Charles M Cooper
Charles M Cooper

Government Procurement and Small Business

To many small business owners, the dream of a nice, lucrative government contract is enticing to say the least. Sure, the process is long and arduous, there are stacks of forms that have to be filled out, you have to comply with a variety of regulations, etc., but the playing field is level and you have a fair chance to compete with other small businesses for those government contracts set aside by law for small businesses, right? Maybe not.

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Charles M Cooper
Charles M Cooper

Washington Looks to Small Business to Lead Recovery

Today: Washington is depending on small business to lead the economic recovery. Also, the question of whether women better managers, a new virtual office for small business, common direct mail mistakes and so much more.

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Charles M Cooper
Charles M Cooper

Who Gets Credit?

There is a lot of talk about small business and the need it has for credit to survive the recession. We hear that small businesses are having trouble, yet we also get news of small businesses successfully finding the credit they need. A new report from the SBA Office of Advocacy has the answers.

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