Government, Politics and the Economy
Small Business Owners See Signs of Hope
Surveys are showing that the owners of small companies do believe that the economy is starting to turn around. However, they are not ready to start spending yet. BusinessWeek.com
Washington Sees Small Business as Instrumental to Recovery
According to SBA head Karen Mills, Washington is looking to small businesses to lead the economic recovery. CNNMoney.com
Management and Operations
Are Women Better Managers?
According to one New York Times column, they are. But anyone who has worked for a fair assortment of men and women over the years will tell you it’s hard to make a flat statement that one sex is clearly better at managing and leading than the other. Workforce.com
Three Great Leadership Traits That can Kill Employee Commitment
Sure, strategic vision, supreme confidence and top-notch communication skills are all necessary for an effective business leader, but uncontrolled, they can be toxic to employee commitment. Here is how. Workforce.com
Legal Issues
Know the Law Before Searching the Web for Applicant Info
More and more employers believe that if job applicant information is available online, they have an obligation to look. However, several laws may restrict the way you conduct the search or how you use the information. BusinessManagementDaily.com
Taxes and Financial Issues
Small Retailers Limiting Stock Over Credit Concerns
The back-to-school season is usually right behind Christmas in terms of retail-sales, but this year, tight credit has made it difficult for some small businesses to stock their full range of merchandise. WSJ.com
Technology Issues
Virtual Office for Small Business by 5050BIZ
5050BIZ has released a new, all-in-one Web platform that melds collaboration, intranet, communication, social community and other tools into a single site. SmallBusinessComputing.com
Health, Benefits and Labor Issues
401(k) Fee Disclosure Law
Legislation approved by the House Education and Labor Committee gives employees in 401(k) plans more specific information on their quarterly statements about the fees they pay while other changes could help employers choose among retirement-plan providers. WSJ.com
Branding, Sales and Marketing
Online Marketing: 10 Ways to Build Media and Engagement Plans
Creating an online ad is one thing, creating an effective online ad is something else. Here are 10 approaches for creating online ads that will engage people with your brand. ClickZ.com
The 10 Most Common Direct Mail Mistakes
You want your direct mail campaign to be a success, so it’s important to get it right. Mistakes in your copy, your list, or even in what you put on your envelope can sabotage your efforts. Here are the top ten mistakes people make with their direct mail campaigns. BusinessKnowHow.com
In-Store Sampling Connected with Repeat Purchases
According to a new study, in-store sampling has a long-term effect in addition to being a boost to short-term sales. ManageSmarter.com
