News : Small Business Blogs

Right now I am stuck, sitting in a plane on the northern runway at Heathrow Airport waiting to go the US. At about 09:00 BST a British Airways plane bound for Oslo had to make an emergency landing following a technical fault, with witnesses describing flames coming from the engine. You can see some ...

Staying awake at work during a long shift can be difficult. Odds are, you are reading this because you have at least dozed off one or two times when you were supposed to be awake. Shhh… I won’t tell your boss.

It’s a fair question.  It’s one that he’s asking himself. So let’s find out why. It’s a Different World Grandpa (and/or grandma) may not be having the retirement experience that they thought they’d be having, especially if grandpa was the victim of a corporate downsizing a couple of ye...

The White House has yet to select a replacement for Karen Mills, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration. ...

Is your PR program helping your small business succeed?

If you just launched a new business and want to build buzz fast, or you are a struggling small business owner who needs to increase sales right away, try these…

The National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) is celebrating a milestone this year, marking 70 years of advocating for small business owners.

Read the full article here: Think ‘Small’ first- It’s more palatable! on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Read the full article here: Chinese slowdown hits global stock market on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Think the customer is always wrong? Here are a few lessons in entrepreneurship from the latest Kitchen Nightmares' season finale. ...

Like a successful hockey team, empower your employees and play to their strengths. ...

Read the full article here: Cloud Accounting no longer requires a subscription on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Advancement in design and programming technology makes for a perfect storm: Now is the best time to redo your website.

Staying on top of your competitor's marketing tactics is key if you want to be ahead of the game. But you don't need a big budget to do it. Here are six easy ways to stay in the know. ...

With the support of AOL Co-Founder Steve Case, new organization UP Global aims to accelerate startup communities around the world. ...

For tech entrepreneurs, raising a seed round is a critical milestone in the startup lifecycle. It provides external validation of the product and team, and a source of capital for team growth. But the difference between a strong, diverse seed investor syndicate and an indiscriminate source of capita...

Equity crowdfunding has a large and growing base of global supporters and advocates. Every few months we see new developments in securities-related legislation, and activity kicking off in countries around the world that are advancing crowdfunding for businesses....

In case any more evidence was needed that the way we do business has changed since the financial meltdown in 2008, take a look at the growing importance of business networking as a way of building new relationships and earning money. Whether it is networking through social media or even in person, o...

Get your products across the border more quickly with these tips from shipping experts. ...

The mobile app market is growing by the minute. But with more than a million apps available to consumers, how can you ensure your idea is successful? Here are four key factors to keep in mind. ...

Ride-sharing startup Lyft has raised $60 million in Series C financing led by Andreessen Horowitz....

Audrey MacLean has an unusual formula for winning: Think like an entrepreneur....

Hewlett-Packard is introducing a new HP Android tablet hybrid, the SlateBook x2, that’s aiming to rival the popular iPad2.

Patrick Morin is a partner with The Cross Partnership, a global consultancy that is engaged by private equity groups, boards of directors, and CEOs to improve the performance of their invested companies. The Cross Partnership works with select start-ups, growth companies, and turnarounds to stabilize operations and ramp up revenue and employee performance.

In the last of a four-part series on Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh's Downtown Project, we look at the city in the process of reinvention. ...

The European Banking Association last night released a consultation paper that seemingly threatens to derail the European CLO market’s revival. The paper seeks to clarify the risk retention requirements set out in Article 122(a) of the Capital Requirements Directive, and on initial readi...

Plan ahead for Obamacare to control costs and limit confusion. ...

There are people who will tell you that you should never, ever write business proposals. Proposals take a lot of time, the argument goes. There’s a lot of work involved. The very act of putting together strong business proposals draws heavily on your expertise and insight. You’re making an investment when you create a proposal – and if the client doesn’t close the deal with you, it’s an investment that returns nothing.

Despite some drawbacks, Google's futuristic eyewear can be an indispensable travel device. ...

As we have seen in the past week with the tragic scenes in Oklahoma, a natural disaster can hit at any time and cause devastation to your life, your business or sometimes even both. According to the BBC, the insurance claims for the tornado damage are likely to top $2bn. The 17 mile long and…R...

Sen. Mark Udall will be introducing the “Small Business Lending Enhancement Act of 2013″ as per Credit Union Trade Association. It will help to raise the lending cap to small business from 12.25% of assets to 27.5% of total assets.

If you haven’t heard of the E-Verify system yet, chances are you will in the future.  E-Verify is an online system used by employers to verify that a worker is eligible to work in the United States.

Beijing entrepreneur Alan Guo makes the point that today, big companies serve small companies rather than the other way around. And his four-year-old startup Light in the Box is a good example....

For a small business, the number of filings required in a given year can be overwhelming. Let’s take California as an example. A newly formed corporation must obtain a Federal Tax ID number, file an Initial Statement of Information, elect S Corporation status if desired, file a DBA (Doing Business As) if needed and file an annual statement of information on the anniversary date of the corporation’s filing date. Then, there’s other paperwork like meeting minutes or Articles of Amendment, if you make any changes.

The microblogging service has updated its safeguards to include two passwords when logging in. ...

Cook's appearance before the U.S. Senate on Tuesday was a master class in the art of negotiation. ...

Hi gang, Long time no talk. How are you? You’re looking good! How are the kids? How is your business doing? Did the doctor take care of that rash? Good. Good. Is your business growing? You hanging in there? How am I, you ask? Wow, is that a good question that does not have an easy answe...

More than one in 10 Americans were developing their own business in 2012, according to the U.S. Global Entrepreneurship Monitor released today. Here's a look at the demographics of the community. ...

Why companies like McDonald’s and Pizza Hut prefer red whereas Lowe’s opts for blue. ...

Ever wonder what makes an entrepreneur decide when to take a risk? Examples of entrepreneurial risk-taking range from the calculated to the fool-hardy....

Everyone who has any stake in creating virtual content, whether developing it, marketing it, producing it or simply writing about it, has one dream: That their content goes viral.

Start producing more professional YouTube videos with these four easy steps. ...

It's an often overlooked strategy, but Mobile Roadie CEO Michael Schneider says businesses can use apps to communicate with staff on their smart phones and tablets. ...

You can order just about anything on your smartphone, so why are you stuck in line for nachos at the ballpark? These three startups keep you in your seat and concession stands hopping. ...

A group of lawmakers and innovators press Congress to pass an immigration overhaul. ...

As consumers increasingly tune in to videos on their mobile devices, young entrepreneurs should consider how best to reach them. ...

New Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer has already made a few controversial decisions in her brief tenure, but the decision this week to purchase Tumblr – currently one of the most popular social networks – will likely be the most “make or break” moment in the history of the company. As...

Being successful at selling isn't about your product. It's about your personality. Here are three ways to harness the power of a great attitude to close even the toughest sale. ...

Cloud services are increasingly how people get work done in businesses, small and large....

The following guest post is by Nathan Whitehouse, an attorney representing high-growth tech and consumer goods startups in New York City, and Daniel O. Baumann, a recent graduate of University of Pittsburgh Law School....

DocStoc today launched ExpertCircle, a  site where you can find vendors and products for you business, recommended by your peers.  You can also suggest vendors and products to recommend them to others.

The great recession has been tough on light aircraft manufacturers. Deliveries of single-engine piston planes have plunged from 2,097 in 2007 to just 817 last year, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association....

Futurologists have revealed what they expect to be the most highly paid jobs in 2030. You’ve probably never heard of most of them because they don’t actually exist yet. Could one of your children or grandchildren be one of the very first “Vertical Farmers’, who makes the most...

Ten years ago, it was enough for a business to create a website, cast it out into the wild and merely sit back while the traffic rolled in. But in today’s increasingly technical world with big data seamlessly flowing, it has become essential for small businesses to study their website analytics in order to personalize the experience for visitors, compete with industry behemoths and improve overall business.

In the third of a four-part series, we take you behind the scenes for a first-hand look at Tony Hsieh's Downtown Project, which is counting on entrepreneurs to help revitalize Sin City. ...

Read the full article here: Run your business from anywhere in the world on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Cash flow is the key to keeping your small business thriving, and the way to get cash flow working for you is to consistently keep an eye on it. Having a cash flow monitor will make sure you keep it in the positive, or take the proper preventative steps if you see it dipping into the negative. Watching your cash flow is no easy task, but as technology always seems to do, you can turn to the digital world to take the pain out of this check on your to-do list. Here’s a list of the most effective cash flow monitoring tools out there for your small business.

The U.S. federal government owes 1,281 small businesses approximately $3 million collectively in termination fees. The small businesses are ones that were approved to sell to the government on the GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule, but had their contracts terminated.

Read the full article here: UK: Inflation leads to fall in pound on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

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In 2006, the concept of cloud computing was just beginning to gain ground. Siva Devaki saw the Cloud as a means to achieve his longtime dream of building a full-service IT company. He decided to leave his secure career working for large companies such as Oracle and VeriSign. Drawing upon his past experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) applications, Siva launched his venture that same year.

The government's small-business agency announces a pledge to support approximately 2,000 additional businesses. ...

Learn how the 26-year-old founder navigated the challenges of growing the business in the early days. ...

In 2007, Bijan Sabet, General Partner at Spark Capital, urged David Karp, to ditch his consulting firm, Davidville, and focus on building Tumblr. ...

A new tool is available to give users options when it comes to Google Hangout graphics. Hangout Magix was unveiled on May 4 by entrepreneurs Alex Kozak and Bertrand Diouly.

Do you define yourself as a micro business owner? If you employ less than ten people, the chances are that your business is not just small but is in fact a micro business. The majority of these businesses are content with remaining small and will also have a small but dedicated customer base that th...

Managing your company's digital brand is an important part of your success. Here is a detailed look at the right -- and wrong -- way to do it. ...

In business, as in life, your preconceived notions can wreck your future potential. To stamp them out, consider an attitude adjustment. ...

Investor Peter S. Cohan gives us the lowdown about scenarios when a young entrepreneur should turn to investors for funds. ...

Clearwire shares advanced this morning, though the company’s bonds are steady at inflated levels, after majority shareholder Sprint Nextel upped the takeover ante in the face of a competing bid by Dish Network. CLWR shares gained roughly 5%, to $3.42, though the company’s 14....

When you are planning to start your new business and become self-employed, you need to know about the things you need to do. But that is not all. You also need to know about the things you need NOT do.

A role-playing event at a New York City incubator shows what early-stage startups should look out for when trying to land their first big client. ...

How to make your product more attractive to young buyers. ...

If you are your own brand, it makes sense that you should employ your professional acumen when presenting yourself to potential clients. ...

After being arrested by Federal Protective Service yesterday, they were asked for their names.  Among the names that the arrested gave were  Jamie Dimon of JP Morgan Chase, Brian Moynihan of BOA, John Stumpf of Wells Fargo, Richard Davis of U.S. Bancorp and Lloyd B. Blankfein&nbs...

So you have a great idea for a new business venture.  You have a partner, the premise, the proposal, even a desired space to set up shop but there’s one area you’re coming up short…you don’t have the money to cover it.  If this is your first business you may be nervous about taking out a loan.  You may be sure your venture will be successful but you need to prove it to whomever is loaning you the money.  We are going to share 5 tips to get your loan approved and get the money you need for your start up.

Making endless to-do lists can be counterproductive. Try sitting down with a pen and paper to do one of these writing exercises to help you refocus on what's most important to you and your business. ...

In most acquisitions these days of say > $50-$100m, there will be 3-4 cash components, at least if you are a private tech company acquired by a large public company:...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Workaholics tend to live in extremes, with great job satisfaction and creativity on the one hand and high levels of frustration and exhaustion on the other hand.  Now, a new Florida State University study offers managers practical ways to help these employees stay healthy and effective on the job.

Is the main street bank becoming a thing of the past? Over the last three years, banks have been steadily closing branches around the country. Many small communities are finding themselves without a bank branch for the first time since the Great Depression. U.S. banks and thrifts shut 2,267 branches in 2012, according to SNL Financial, a Charlottesville, Va., research firm.

  Listen to our interview with Stephen Sheinbaum jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $('#wp_mep_1').mediaelementplayer({ m:1 ,features: ['playpause','current','progress','duration','volume','tracks','fullscreen'] ,audioWidth:400,audioHeight...

How you can make a company page that generates leads, sales and traffic back to your website. ...

Big data is big news in today’s digitized world. With the explosion of Internet usage and social media networks, there’s a massive cloud of data being generated about people all over the world, and it’s growing at an exponential rate.

How the Vegas Tech Fund plans to help transform the tech scene in Sin City, in part two of our series on Tony Hsieh's $350 million Downtown Project. ...

Read the full article here: The Four Phases of Constructing a Successful Team and How Team Building Activities Can Help on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

What are my short-term financing options? Many companies often need a short-term injection of cash, whether it’s to get a new business off the ground, maintain cash flow during a slow season, or launch a new venture or marketing scheme. Short-term financing provides that cash flow with shorter rep...

Young people take to the street to protest Wall Street's role in the financial crisis....

 I don't know if Occupy Wall Street has been quiet lately or if I have just not been paying attention.  Nonetheless, they have something going on right now.  The OWS Bring Justice to Justice rally was scheduled to begin at 1:oo PM with a march on the Department of Justice. Five years...

How important is your business signage? According to the infographic below, the answer is very. A massive 8 out of 10 American consumers have entered the premises of a business simply because the sign caught their interest. Take a closer look at the infographic to see the types of signs that will ke...

Getting good content is difficult enough. It often needs to come from a professional SEO writer, not just a professional writer, and that comes at a cost. However, what does a business do once the content’s there? It can’t promote itself, and this will take some Web savvy. Otherwise, it’s a complete waste of money and that’s something no business wants. Below are some tips.

At a press event, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer calls new design 'heart-stoppingly beautiful.' ...

Read the full article here: Your chance to pitch to a former “Dragon” on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

This is part two of a two-part series on domain names and startups; part 1 was “Should a Startup Spend VC Funding on a Domain Name?”. ...

The Business Quote topic for this week is, appropriately for a Monday, about starting new things. “It is always the start that requires the greatest effort.” – James Cash Penney J.C. Penney started one of the largest department store chains of the last century so he knew a thing or two...

The 'Pin It' button will also be available over mobile apps, the popular social network says. ...

Stephen Sheinbaum, CEO and President of Merchant Cash & Capital (MCC), of New York founded MCC in 2005 and has led the company to provide $500 million in loans of some 25,000 cash advances to approximately 12,500 customers so far. The company employees 100 people in New York, but provides advances to clients throughout all 50 contiguous U.S. states.Vast majority of small businesses have trouble obtaining working capital from traditional financing sources. At Merchant Cash and Capital, we offer alternative financing options that offer fast cash to businesses to pay bills, renovate, advertise, expand, pay taxes and more. It’s important for all business owners to be aware of alternative financing sources, especially in great times of need.

A recent study shows how reliant small businesses have become on mobile technology. The 2013 AT&T Small Business Technology Poll says 85 percent of small businesses now use some kind of smartphone. And 80 percent of small firms founded less than two years ago use tablets, the survey also showed...

Being a college student I tend to eat out more than I should. It is easier than ever to justify it when you have fast food restaurants with value menu’s. I have found Subway to be one of my favorite for lunch because it isn’t as bad for my body as the other fast food and it doesn’t hurt my wallet either.

Think creating the next iPhone is tough? Try making the perfect pocket or purse to hold one. ...

Getting employees involved in charity sporting events and volunteer work this spring is a great way to give back to the community and strengthen your team. Here's how Virgin's CEO does it. ...

On the day that David Beckham announced that he will be retiring from professional football, I felt compelled to put aside the theme I’d been planning and write this piece instead. My mum’s side of the family is from Salford, the Red part of Manchester, and my Grandad Sykes always brought me up ...

Pinterest is not just another copycat social networking site. It focuses on the age-old adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”  Who has time to read a thousand words all the time, anyway?  Sometimes a picture is all we have mindshare for.  Pinterest allows you to collaborate and to stimulate your audience by sharing images and visually engaging them.

Consider these essential details when deciding between disability insurance policies. ...

Use these mobile tools to find parking faster, navigate smarter and even locate more desirable airplane seats. ...

Starting a business can be an isolating experience. But there are a few ways to surround yourself with good people. ...

The blogging platform's 26-year-old founder, David Karp, will stay on as chief executive. ...

For a growing company, asking a recruiter to help you fill key jobs can be ideal, but how do you know the recruiter 'gets' your company? Here's how to vet a recruiter. ...

Read the full article here: Use the F word to ensure your business stands out on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

If you haven't put much thought into your business card, you're missing out on a great marketing opportunity. Here are six ways your business card design and delivery can get you noticed. ...

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a mega-millionaire with your next business idea? It’s a reality for 26-year-old David Karp. The founder of Tumblr, the popular social blogging platform, has become the latest tech tycoon almost overnight.

Spark Capital is located on Boston's swank Newbury Street. But in recent weeks it has taken up some very ritzy media real estate for the $450 million it raised in the first quarter of 2013 and its leading role in keeping Tumblr going long enough for Yahoo to pay $1.1 billion in cash according t...

Banks are required to notify taxpayers and the IRS about debt discharges by filing Form 1099-C.  It is less than crystal clear as to exactly when the banks are supposed to file 1099-C.  A recent bankruptcy decision in the case of William and Elaine Reed has made the issue even mo...

What business owners need to know about receiving the progressive digital currency. ...

Entrepreneurs: here’s something to add to the list of things academics have found will enhance the performance of your business.

How the serial entrepreneur is betting on startups to revitalize Las Vegas with his $350 million Downtown Project. ...

North Carolina has witnessed growth of active SBA lenders. Wells Fargo and BB&T are at the forefront of offering small business loans. It is not just limited to these banks. Other lenders such as Raleigh-based Vantage South and some other banks are working hard to make a place for themselves in the arena of small business lending.

The Q5 device, aimed at markets like Latin America, the Middle East, parts of Europe and Asia, will be available in July. The company has announced no plans to introduce the device in the U.S. thus far.

Have you updated your company’s Google+ page today? How about in the last week? Or month? … Year?

Read the full article here: Feisty Enterprise Tip #2: Get a Support Network Behind You, Say ‘I’ll Get Back To You’ and Then Phone a Friend on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

The most successful leaders know what they're good at and exploit it to the reach their fullest potential. Here's how to identify and reveal your hidden potential. ...

Keeping track of activity is a common challenge for small business owners. We wear many hats and are responsible for many things. One of the places where we fall down is with our sales process. I am a huge fan of systems because I believe systems keep us on track and focused.

Instead of just pumping out daily deals, the company wants to become a mobile, local commerce powerhouse. ...

“Gangnam Style” is a song and music video by South Korean musician Psy. The phrase has become a metaphor for having a unique and authentic style.

It was just a couple of years ago that I lamented about the lack of finance guides aimed at small business owners. Meanwhile, the number of non-traditional finance resources has increased, competing with traditional banking sources.  As a result, business owners have clamored for books outlining all finance options available.

Welcome to our latest curated list of events, contests and awards for small businesses, solo entrepreneurs and growing companies. To see a full list or to submit your own event, contest or award listing, visit the Small Business Events Calendar.

Of all the struggles you'll face as an entrepreneur, hiring, training and managing employees is one of the biggest. Here are some tips for clearing your startup's way of HR obstacles. ...

Since last week, lots of legitimate business accounts have been suspended and then unsuspended on Twitter. Here’s more on what’s been happening and what to do if you find yourself in the same situation.

These tools can enhance your mobile experience and make your iPhone more useful. ...

Read the full article here: Why I’d Choose a Woman Business Partner Every Time? on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

How business owners can keep a company moving forward, even when the boss is sick. ...

Have you ever “owned a room?” I don’t mean in terms of actual real estate, but rather in terms of mental real estate?

Those in the medical profession can really grow their business and skyrocket profits through medical equipment financing. No one loves to take on debt, but loans for doctors, including equipment financing, can be worth far more in the long term than the interest paid in the short term. Here are some ways that medical equipment financing can help grow an existing medical business beyond its current limits.

Everyone knows that the cost of commuting can be prohibitive to many small businesses, but are you aware of exactly how much it costs you on an annual basis? This infographic (based on US data) reveals how much the average person will spend on their annual commute. It shows that if the person is ear...

Meet the entrepreneurs who lined up to pitch to casting directors of the ABC reality TV show. ...

Read the full article here: Over half of all businesses do not survive 5 years on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

This week’s top small business news stories looked at the latest mobile technology, 3D printing, the future of the password, the latest in the battle over Obamacare and much more. The Small Business Trends editorial team doesn’t just bring you the headlines. These stories explain how the news of the week affects you.

Let's face it, Silicon Valley is still the mecca for startups, and every other city is playing catch up. ...

Read about new Google Glass apps, Yahoo's interest in buying Tumblr, Jelly's major investors and more social-media news. ...

Not happy about the dearth of women in engineering? Debbie Sterling thinks overly-girlie toys are to blame. ...

Still thinking of Groupon as a company that sends out daily deal emails all the while incurring the ire of small businesses that lose money on one-time customers? Well, think again.  That’s an old story. Groupon has a much more compelling small business story to tell in 2013.  It’s a ...

David Beckham certainly made a lasting impact on the world of professional football (or soccer, for our American readers) but he also taught us some valuable lessons that could be transferred to the world of business too. His bravery, ability to bounce back when almost everyone had written him off, ...

In a letter to chief executive Larry Page, lawmakers demand answers on how the tech giant plans to protect citizens' private data. ...

In a busy airport, independent lounges can give you the space you need to relax and get some work done. Some will even hand you a stiff drink. ...

Read the full article here: How to build an experiential campaign on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

You might have designs for your business to be around for a long time, but could you ever conceive of it outliving you by centuries? For one seventeenth century scissor-maker in China named Zhang Jiasi that’s exactly what happened, because the fruits of his labour are still very much alive tod...

We've combed the best commencement speeches from Steve Jobs to Oprah Winfrey to find invaluable entrepreneurial advice. ...

Read the best tips of the week from Entrepreneur.com, from why you should build a prototype early to why you need a team of "front stabbers." ...

Starting your own business often means thankless hours, measly pay and the stress of being at the helm. Yet entrepreneurs report greater job satisfaction than their employed counterparts. Here's why. ...

An app that helps you pick out high heels. An online service that sends you trendy socks. These tech startups aim to give the fashion industry a digital upgrade. ...

Times are changing for community banks, the places small business borrowers traditionally went for a small business loan. An article shared with me this morning by Lendio founder and CEO Brock Blake, might provide some insight. Andy Peters, writing for AmericanBanker.com, suggests that online lenders, who can often approve a small business loan in a day or less, are making it difficult for community banks to compete.

It’s likely that some of you have heard the old English proverb, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” It’s a phrase that aptly applies to the early beginnings of one small business, co-founded by Alexei Dunayev. Tune in as Alexei joins Brent Leary to discuss how necessity gave birth to the transcription service now known as TranscribeMe.

Nothing is better when you have a problem with a product or service a company provides and they not only take care of your issue, they exceed your expectations. Customer service is very important to any business because it’s such a great way to create loyal customers. These customers aren’t typical customers either. They will promote your business by word-of-mouth, keep coming back even if a competitor has the same product/service for cheaper, and will help build a positive brand for your company.

Hugh Tyzack is the founder of GBP Loans, where he is also the Managing Director. His firm specializes in providing consumers and business with no fee Guarantor Loans. More information about the loans he offers is available on his website. While not working, Hugh is an avid music fan and pianist. Keep up with Hugh on Twitter @GBPLoans and also on Google+.

Earlier this week, Linkedin introduced what they’re calling Channels. I’ve spent a little bit of time investigating and exploring to see what they’re up to and determine if this is relevant to our social media efforts at Lendio. When I stumbled upon the “Best Advice” section, I couldn’t help myself. There’s some great stuff from business leaders like Richard Branson, Naomi Simson, Nicholas Thompson, Martha Stewart, T. Boone Pickens and many, many others. Having spent a few years in Japan, it was Anand C., Entrepreneurial Product Leader at Yahoo! that caught my attention: Cultivate a Beginner’s Mind.

Health Reform's complexities have spurred some brokers to re-boot their approach to clients. ...

For a long time I deisgned my own websites. I could never code them, but I always felt like I could design one. I’d spent hours in Photoshop pushing pixels, choosing colors, finding fonts (and apparently alliterating), only to find myself irritable and frustrated.

Reflecting on the social media giant's highs and lows since going public. ...

There are many small business loans for veterans available, as well as tons of resources to help veterans get their startups off the ground. While many loans are specifically designed for those who have served our country, those same Americans are eligible for the same loans available to the rest of the country as well. This makes the pool they have to choose from much larger. Following are some resources designed specifically to help those eligible locate and apply for loans for veterans.

You may sometimes wonder whether Americans hate the rich.  With all the TV air time given to tax increases vs tax cuts for the wealthy that politicians love to argue over, it would not be surprising to get that impression.

Read the full article here: Top 5 Tips for Recent College Graduates on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Do you have a mentor, accountability partner, confidant and evangelist on your business team?

Google announced dozens of changes and upgrades to Google+, its social network, today. Google+, launched in 2011, is is a relative newcomer to the social media game. And Google has been known for launching things and then either not investing in them further or shutting them down. Not so with Googl...

Read the full article here: Infographic: Improving Customer Service on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Don't have time to make it to the gym? Try these tips to incorporate physical activity into your workday. ...

Read the full article here: Countdown to Independent Retailer Month on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

So your online business has always experienced praise for its crisp quality content from customers and admirers? But as of late, maybe you’ve noticed that your posts are facing a lot of stagnancy in reaching your perfect target audience? And after initial analysis, you may have realized that your social media messages somehow lacked the “visual magic” that is necessary for image success?  Below are some tips to get you back on track.

In Sir Mervyn King’s final quarterly inflation report as the governor of the Bank of England, he has predicted modest economic growth for the remainder of 2013 and also a fall in inflation. The rise in growth for the second quarter of 2013 is likely to be 0.5%, which will add to the 0.3% growt...

Seeking funding for your business shouldn't be a one-time endeavor. Here are four stages of business development that can serve as a road map for your funding strategy. ...

No matter how great your idea, if you don't have a solid market, you're wasting your time. Here are four ways to be more strategic about positioning your business idea for the right customers. ...

To mark the series finale of the popular NBC sitcom, here's a look back at a few of Michael Scott's not-so-shining moments as a boss. ...

The government’s ever-evolving response to the United States financial crisis has come full circle, as civil Justice Department Attorneys seek to rely on legislation enacted to protect financial institutions from fraud to sue those very same institutions.  Recently, the United States Attorney...

These 8 simple questions can help keep your merchandise safe from theft in transit. ...

Mike Gardener is one of the owners of TheOfficeProviders. He is a real estate investor with many interests in other sectors. Mike researches and contributes various written features for TheOfficeProviders in areas regarding real estate, including office space for rent and serviced offices, and general business and economy matters. Mike is experienced in the inner workings of both the traditional and flexible workspace industries and has developed close links with various figures in real estate circles, as well other circles.

Peter Slaugh is the president of Steelhead Capital who is heading upstream just like its namesake. They provide both commercial loans and apartment loans and Peter is excited to see investors and lenders, alike, getting back into the game after a long hiatus. As you can see, when he’s not pouring over spreadsheets, Peter lives for a healthy trout jumping on the end of his line.

Jeremy Kartchner is a Partner at Snapp Conner PR and has more than 15 years experience in both technology and sports PR.  In addition to his responsibilities with Snapp Conner PR, Kartchner also works with the Utah Jazz as a member of its Game Night public relations staff where he is responsible for tracking and providing game time statistics for local, national and international media and conducting pre and post game player and coach interviews. He’s a sports fan, golfer, father of three, husband to one hottie, partially bionic, cavity free, Olympics junkie and wanna be blogger.

Nokia will release a new Lumia 925 Windows phone in June.  This phone will have a metal case and upgrades to its camera technology.

From eliminating web search to streamlining email, how Google's computerized glasses can improve your productivity. ...

As a small business owner and also the person who is responsible for the sales for my company, it is important that I focus on sales tasks that generate revenue.

The decision of whether or not to have name badges as part of your staff uniform can seem like a trivial thing, but clever use of this tool could become part of your marketing as well as for the customer experience. An Honest and Open Approach Wearing a name badge can be used as a…Read the ful...

How long do I have to be in business to get a loan? How do I get a start-up loan? There is no minimum amount of time to be in business before you can get a small business loan.  Startup business loans are quite common. However, the older and more established a business is, the more likely it is t...

It’s a little strange to acknowledge that someone as famous and prolific as Stephen King is perhaps the ultimate ghostwriter. Then again, what about Stephen King and his writing isn’t strange? In 1977, King was frustrated with the industry standard that made it difficult to publish more than a single novel per year. Thus, King began publishing using the pen name Richard Bachman.

In major redesign, Google's popular tool will deliver maps that are tailored to a user's search history. ...

At its I/O developer's conference, Google said it is making more than 40 changes to its budding social network in an effort to simplify the design. ...

I think it’s safe to say that one of the most challenging things a small business owner must overcome is finding access to the capital he or she needs to finance growth or fun working capital. 90 percent of the small business owners that trudge from bank to bank looking for a loan come away empty handed, just like San Diego artist Olya Losina.

Who you know -- and who they know -- can be a powerful thing....

Last Saturday I had a fantastic day running a workshop on personal effectiveness with some software developers at BSkyB. The theme was Personal Effectiveness within an Agile environment. For the uninitiated Agile is a method of working developed in the software industry. The objective is to enable s...

Even experienced business owners can fall into counterproductive habits. The premier episode of CNBC's new small business reality show aims to solve them. ...

Read the full article here: UK: Unemployment ‘Reality Check’ on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Read the full article here: Infographic: US Small Business Confidence on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Some claim that email is dead. It is a familiar refrain that many marketers hear, and perhaps say, but it is not true. With over 95 million emails sent per day on average, MailChimp proves that email is still a viable way for small businesses to get the word out. This MailChimp review is for business owners looking for an easy-to-understand email marketing platform.

Avoid using jargon and dated sayings in your daily business communications. ...

It’s doubtful that American small businesses have ever been impacted by as many potential business interruption events as we’ve seen in the past 20 years: beginning with the Oklahoma City bombing, the events of 9-11, and now the Boston bombings; hurricanes like Katrina and Sandy; tornados like t...

May 2013 European Leveraged Loan Market Analysis...

When startup life gets tough, celebrity agent and psychology-book author Ken Lindner offers a few decisive tips for quelling your own killer emotions. ...

In his new book, angel investor Brian Cohen sounds off about the importance of getting smart money for your startup. ...

How you can harness your best business ideas and bring them to life. ...

Deciding whether to be transparent about employee compensation can be tricky. But if your office gets talking, the choice is out of your hands. Here are three ways to handle the issue with care. ...

Read the full article here: Don’t believe everything you see on TV on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Starting a business out of your garage? Check out these insights! You’ve heard about entrepreneurs who start their businesses in their garage and become true successes. What is their secret? Well, recently I found out about Pervaiz Lodhie. He started LEDtronics, Inc., www.ledtronics.com, in his ...

I spent last week on the road from the seat of my motorcycle. My daughter, an old friend, and myself were heading to the Grand Canyon for the week. I’m a big fan of abandoning the Interstate whenever I can (particularly when on the motorcycle), so we opted to visit the Canyon via Hwy 89—stopping at Bryce Canyon on the way down and Zion National Park on the way home.

Small businesses are borrowing less again. A March report from the U.S. Small Business Administration showed small business lending had increased for the first time in 10 quarters in the last part of 2012. But more recently the Thomson Reuters/PayNet Small Business Lending Index (SLBI) says that tr...

Need to communicate with your developers? Expert Nelly Yusupova offers these three tips on how to become more tech literate. ...

By Bryan Sullivan and Stephen Ma, attorneys with Early Sullivan Wright Gizer & McRae, an entertainment and business law firm in Los Angeles....

Storage startup PernixData has raised $20 million led by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers....

Drones cannot yet be flown commercially in the U.S., but that hasn't stopped entrepreneurs from moving into the sector....

Have you ever taken your car to get an oil change, only to decide four hours and forty dollars later that you would have been a lot better off doing it yourself? Well, you can get the same feeling in the pit of your stomach when you hire a copywriter.

The US Small Business Administration has found that Oregon small businesses received large number of taxpayer guaranteed loans for the second consecutive year. The trend of lending out to small businesses in Oregon is on an uptrend for two consecutive years now. The agency guaranteed $428 million in loans last year in Portland that included Oregon and Southwest Washington. In 2011, the same agency guaranteed $391 million in loans to Portland that included Oregon.

Read the full article here: How to… Increase Footfall by Utilising your Shop Window on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Google and Donald Trump have invested big money in crowdfunding projects, RocketHub and A&E are teaming up, and new CNBC reality show 'Crowd Rules' premieres tonight. ...

Congratulations for your new online store. As you now have an eCommerce website with a finely tuned check out process, you may want to know how to make your eCommerce platform more powerful. More importantly, how to make your customers trust your eCommerce store.

Outlook users will now be able to use Google Talk without ever using Gmail. ...

Starting this summer, non-BlackBerry smartphone users will be able to use the instant messaging tool. ...

Small business owners in states that did not establish healthcare exchanges in advance of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act will be harshly impacted by a recent rule enacted by the Internal Revenue Service. Some small business owners have filed a lawsuit in Federal court over it.

Read the full article here: Get people experienced in everything to do with SMEs! on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Read the full article here: Infographic: Small Business Time Management on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

  Listen to our interview with BBC Easy founders James Walter and Cory Ross jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $('#wp_mep_1').mediaelementplayer({ m:1 ,features: ['playpause','current','progress','duration','volume','tracks','fullscreen'] ...

A surprising number of college students don't use the professional-social network. Here's why that's a mistake -- especially for young entrepreneurs. ...

Three tips for how you can prepare your site for another big wave of changes to search. ...

Without taking the proper steps to protect your company, you could be putting it at risk in the event of personal issues like a divorce or a car accident. Here are steps to help you plan ahead. ...

It’s natural for you to want to know more about your customer base so that you are able to provide them with an even better service than before. The best way to do it is via customer surveys. Find out about a low-cost and effective way of providing surveys to your audience. Read the full…...

Read the full article here: Self-Employed Work / Life Balance Tips on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

No matter what they’re shopping for or where the transaction takes place, customers like to feel as though the experience takes their preferences into consideration. This includes online shopping. In fact, conversion rates are typically higher when online personalization is involved.

A vital step to success is believing in yourself. Here are three tips help you boost your confidence. ...

I have a long-standing love affair with Mexico. As a surfer who’s lived there in the past, I’ve come to love the culture, the people and the incredible countryside....

More than a third of adults in the U.S. recognize the Fair Trade logo. Here's a look at their best practices to help you sharpen your brand. ...

Barbara Corcoran, David Mintz and Fran Tarkenton reveal their biggest business mistakes and the lessons they learned. ...

Before you pack your bags and head off to Silicon Valley, check out how the top startup ecosystems rank when it comes to ease of starting a business. ...

Last week I described the painful reality of how we raised money and launched a business that quickly failed. This is the second part of the story, and describes how we "pivoted" and went from failure to exit in under a year....

Read the full article here: The Next Generation of Entrepreneurs on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Patrick Morin is a partner with The Cross Partnership, a global consultancy that is engaged by private equity groups, boards of directors, and CEOs to improve the performance of their invested companies. The Cross Partnership works with select start-ups, growth companies, and turnarounds to stabilize operations and ramp up revenue and employee performance.

A strong business name helps define your company in the market. Here is a guide to making yours meaningful and memorable. ...

These can be dangerous times, but thanks to these innovative, crime-fighting companies, we all might be a little safer. ...

In celebration of International Women's Day, 20 promising businesses built by 100% female founding teams....

Deal-spotting site Hukkster, led by cofounders Erica Bell and Katie Finnegan announced a $2 million seed round on Tuesday with participation from current investor Winklevoss Capital and new strategic investors including Lisa Blau, the wife of Related Companies president Jeff Blau and an  invest...

Dish DBS this morning unveiled a $2.5 billion offering of senior notes to support its proposed acquisition of Sprint. Investors will get the pitch via conference call at 11:30 a.m. EDT today, and pricing is expected either late today or tomorrow from bookrunners Barclays, Jefferies, Macquarie, ...

If your business website or blog is using WordPress as its content management system (CMS), you’re in good company. The majority of  the top 100 blogs are using WordPress, says a new study from Pingdom.

Bernanke presented the central bank's outlook on the U.S. economy to Congress amid signs of divisions among its policymakers over whether to offer fresh support to bolster the flagging recovery....

America’s ship is sinking, says David Stockman, former U.S. Congressman and the budget director under President Ronald Reagan, and it will be almost impossible for our economy to recover. “Today, we have two ‘free lunch’ parties,” he says. “One is cutting taxes and the other is defending...

We gather the week’s best small business stories and bring them to you here. May 2nd Week’s Best Small Business coverage from Around the Web Speed to Market Outweighs Cost For Small Biz Borrowers Says Biz2Credit The Second thing we did, especially for our Small Business Lending Index analysis, w...

Since its founding, Atlanta-based Kabbage, has been providing advanced capital to small online sellers. But today its announced that  it's partnered with Intuit to use Quickbooks data and extend its reach to offline businesses, too....

Interest among entrepreneurs and startups in Bitcoin, the mathematically-based digital currency, is steadily growing....

What do Millennials want? Flexibility and independence top the list, according to a new study, “Millennials and the Future of Work,” from oDesk and Millennial Branding that polled nearly 2,000 people aged 19 to 30. Here’s some of what the study found, and what it means for your business.

What are the interest rates for a business loan? How do I find a lower interest rate? Interest rates for business loans vary greatly based on variables such as credit score, loan amount, loan term, current prime rates, the type of loan, and the type of lender. For SBA loans, the rates consist of two...

Cloud retail can transform your business, no matter what its size. If you’re running a small to medium-sized retail company, you are all too familiar with the challenges: a tough economy, changing shopping patterns, more competition and higher costs.

Last week we talked about some of the personality types of the people who seem to be detractors online. Although some of them are easier to get along with than others, today I thought I’d share some additional insight from Andrea Weckerle, the founder of CiviliNation, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting online hostility and character assassination.

Chinese serial entrepreneur Jack Xu helped to craft the Facebook and Tumblr of China  -- Renren and Diandian -- and now he's put his tech mastery to work in developing a third startup based on a Chinese micro-innovation rather than a clone of U.S. bu...

For small business owners and staff who find remembering passwords challenging and find it difficult to manage the multitude of online passwords, a solution may be in the works beginning as soon as later this year.

Key factors about credit scores continue to be widely misunderstood, and the misconceptions are potentially costing consumers tens of thousands of dollars, according to a conference held today by the Consumer Federation of America and VantageScore Solutions, a FICO competitor....

In starting up, paying top dollar for the biggest and best tools, gadgets and the like could cost you even more in the long run. Instead, you should think smarter, not bigger. ...

It's a perennial question, but a tough one all the same. As early May marks the deadline for when many future young treps will need to decide if going to college is right for them, here are a few key considerations. ...

While college taught you many lessons, here are a few you should make a point to leave on campus. ...

In a credit market where yields are famously low and conditions are hot across the board, the BB segment may be the most sought after of all....

Last week we discussed the brave move by the New Zealand government to rule that software would not be subject to patent rulings. But why is this such a big deal? Well, it’s a big deal because there is big money involved in patent trolling and it is killing promising startups before they even ...

Read the full article here: Enterprise Rockers: Response to Lord Young’s Report on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Read the full article here: Lifetime Cloud Access without a Lifetime Subscription on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Running your own business and raising a family often go hand-in-hand, but finding a balance can be challenging. Virgin's CEO on how he managed to raise two kids while building a business. ...

Paris-based Danone has purchased a majority stake in Happy Family -- a deal reportedly worth hundreds of millions of dollars. ...

It’s time to hire your content marketing chief, a.ka. marketing maven, and you’ve got a big problem.

If you have ever worked in a large company you might be familiar with the scenario in today’s picture. Thankfully, once you become an entrepreneur and work for yourself this sort of thing becomes a thing of the past. Then the only meetings you have will either be with clients or suppliers. Eac...

When it comes to social media, men tend to spend more time one some sites, women on others. ...

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Last Wednesday, Donald Trump launched FundAnything, a crowd-funding company that many have called a rip-off of popular tech sites Kickstarter and Indiegogo. But The Donald explained to FORBES that those sites lack one thing: himself....

Read the full article here: Important new cloud collaboration research announced on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Effective networking involves more than just reaching out to people and showing your face at events. Here are four key ways to use networking as an effective growth strategy for your business. ...

Sure, it's easy to be loose with the rules as a startup. But once your company takes off, make sure you put these three practices in place. ...

A new survey shows that entrepreneurs in the U.S. are optimistic about domestic business growth. ...

James Walter and Corey Ross are the founders of Seattle-based BBC Easy, a provider of cloud-based automated loan management software for financial institutions and their borrowers. For more information, please visit www.bbceasy.com.

The iPhone has become ubiquitous in recent years. But as a business user, is it really the best choice for you?

A look at four types of devices that are pushing the boundaries of mobile capabilities. ...

Small business owners are an optimistic lot, with studies showing that they tend to have a rosier outlook than other people. Yet four years into the economic recovery, surveys show them in a relative funk.

In United States, the small business sector employs 60 million Americans. The small businesses are growth engines and the employees working for them are responsible for the expansion of the enterprise.

Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook enjoy huge popularity, but blogs are still an important tool for small business marketing.

Microsoft has joined the ranks for the top 5 tablet sellers according to research firm IDC.  The Redmond, Washington based tech giant sold 900,000 units and had 1.8% market share for the first quarter of 2013.

GOOD and TOMS are teaming up to help one lucky social entrepreneur turn her dream into a reality. ...

If you are a business owner that accepts credit cards for payment, you may be already familiar with the frustrations of the dreaded chargeback process. This is when a customer contacts their credit card company to dispute a charge or have a charge reversed. But have you ever stopped to look at them from the point of view of your customers?

Some moms want roses. Other moms would prefer an iPad. ...

In honor of Mother's Day, we spoke to a mother and daughter who are running a business together about how they maintain their both their personal and professional relationship. ...

3D printing is like having a small-scale manufacturing device right in your home or office. 3D printers are devices that can create three-dimensional objects.  Most 3D printers create objects in plastic. Some use ceramic, metal or other materials. There’s even a 3D printer that forms items o...

To me, the fun fact about famous people is not the TMZ-style stories of who-left-whom-for-who.  It’s the business end. I get a bit fascinated by musicians, and how they attempt to balance artistic statement with being accessible to the public – another way of saying, “Gimme enough sales so I can continue my artistic statements.”

We’re continuing with the return of the Business Quote of the Week for now, so appropriately the quote this week is on the topic of keeping things going: “Sometimes thinking too much can destroy your momentum.” This was a quote from the famous golfer Tom Watson and you have to take...

Even with its roller-coaster volatility, young entrepreneurs are banking on the digital currency. ...

Welcome to our latest curated list of events, contests and awards for small businesses, solo entrepreneurs and growing companies.

A look at Kevin Systrom's last 12 months -- by way of his Instagram photos. ...

This week’s once again focused on the Internet Sales Tax bill. Other topics were mobile trends, leadership and more. The Small Business Trends editorial team brings you not just the news– but the important context around the important small business news stories of the week.

Your top employee may not be a member of your family, but is almost certainly a key to your company's success. Are you doing enough to keep him or her happy? ...

Multi-functional work teams were a hot trend in the 1990’s. If you can remember back when American manufacturing was reeling from the onslaught of Japanese high-quality products hitting our shores, you’ll recall that the culture of American individualism was considered passé.  That’s when U....

Read the full article here: Feisty Enterprise Tip #1: Suck It and See – Find Out If This Is Your Right Time on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Entrepreneurs looking to grow quickly often exchange portions of their company for cash several times in their company's lifecycle. Here is a look at what that path can look like. ...

About two-thirds of small businesses use mobile technologies to conduct business, according to a new Constant Contact survey released this week.  Of the small businesses using mobile, they report using a mobile device, including smart phones and tablets, or a solution, like mobile-optimized websites and text message marketing.

Read about YouTube's paid channels, Facebook's international growth, LinkedIn's new 'Channels' and more social-media news. ...

Read the full article here: Infographic: Choosing an Ecommerce Platform on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

A federal appeals court has overturned a decision that would have required small business owners to display “right to unionize” posters in the workplace. The posters would have been extremely detailed. The consequences of not displaying posters could have been severe.

Accounting is a painstaking, resource-intensive process for businesses of any size. Luckily, the choices for low-cost and flexible accounting software are greater than ever before. ...

Tracy DiNunzio, the founder of online fashion marketplace Tradesy, shares her best advice for accessing startup funding when you are a statistical outlier. ...

An excess of demand marked the April market, with no signs of the supply/demand equation changing. Retail and institutional investors continue to embrace the asset class. CLO issuance has downshifted, however. Looking ahead, participants expect loans’ positive bias to persist....

Imagine being paid $100,000 at the age of eighteen, on the understanding that you would not be allowed to attend university (for awhile, at least)? For one British teenager, this is not a “What If?” scenario but actual reality. Andrew Brackin has won an Apprentice-type competition devise...

There are so many great benefits to working from home, especially if you are running a one-man (or woman) business all by yourself. Working from home is particularly suited to professions like consulting. By cutting out the waste of operating your own office in the city you perhaps lose some of the ...

Ahead of Mother's Day, lessons from managing a family that use can use to manage your employees. ...

The world's most glamorous industry is getting a digital overhaul as investors pour money into a wave of fashion-tech startups. ...

Dreaming up a business name is simple, but finding one that fits your long-term ambitions may not be so obvious. ...

Read the best tips of the week from Entrepreneur.com, from tapping into your innate wisdom to adapting to foreign customers. ...

It was a difficult year in 2012 for China investors, with just two IPOs in the U.S. for China companies. But Jenny Lee, a partner at GGV Capital in Shanghai who is number 36 on the 2013 Midas List, has had four exits over the past two years from China companies. We caught up with her ...

Abercrombie CEO's Mark Jeffries' recent claims that his brand is not made for "fat people" was a bold and controversial move, but offensive as his comments were, is he being savvy about target marketing? ...

Consider these options for making creative and inspiring presentations. ...

What a difference a decade can make.  Terry Jones, Founder of Travelocity.com and Chairman of Kayak.com, joins host, Brent Leary, to discuss adaptation to change and the differences between the early beginnings of Travelocity, founded in 1996, to the changes and opportunities that were in place when Kayak was founded in 2006. The end result is two companies of the same size in terms of visitors, yet one requires 3,000 employees while the other requires only 220.

From Jay Gatsby to J.C. Wiatt, we look at several of the most popular entrepreneurs from books, movies and TV shows. ...

Last week I had a dozen business founders over for beer and pizza to catch up and talk shop. It's one of my favorite things to do, because I think when you get a group of fellow founders in a room together, there's instant fraternity among them. People let their guards down. When surrounded by peers...

Read the full article here: How much money do you need to start a business? on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

The lack of tech knowledge among UK venture capitalists is costing the country dearly, according to a report by RealBusiness. Insufficient tech knowledge means venture capitalists in the UK are far more risk adverse and not prepared to offer money to tech businesses that they perceive to be risky, j...

I don’t tend to do a lot of musical jokes because I put a lot of pressure on myself to get music right. My mom was a piano teacher and I majored in music in college, so I take music seriously.

Kris Wittenberg vowed to put "Be Good to People" on a T-shirt after an unpleasant encounter. Five years later, she's ready to turn her sideline into a main event. ...

How do I get a business loan? What paperwork will I be required to submit to get a loan? Required materials for a loan application vary from lender to lender and state to state, but there are some basic documents that you should have prepared as you begin your search. A personal and business credit ...

This week Viber launched a desktop app to allow users to make video calls. The budding rival to Microsoft’s Skype calling service also announced it has reached 200 million users worldwide.

It might be tempting to seal a deal with a handshake. After all, formalities just slow things down and, as a small business owner, you’ve got countless other things to do with your time. However, when you make a contract, proper documentation will give you and your business solid legal protection should the need arise.

You may have heard that in February, Burger King’s twitter account got hacked. They’re not the only ones either. Jeep, Donald Trump and a score of other high profile people have had their accounts taken over. Even worse, a few weeks ago the Twitter account for the Associated Press was hacked and sent out a tweet claiming that two explosions had occurred in the White House and that President Barack Obama was injured. As a result of these recent hackings, Twitter has announced they’re looking into adding a two-step authentication process as a security measure.

Small business owners:  if you are opposed to the Internet Sales Tax bill, you may be able to breathe a sign of relief – for a while anyway.

The White House announced today that it will expand on its program to promote advanced manufacturing in the U.S., an effort to drive global competitiveness. ...

A look at Go Daddy's plan for growth and new offerings in an effort to target small businesses. ...

With a heightened emphasis on learning to code, Youth Digital wants to help the next generation of young entrepreneurs succeed. ...

Read the full article here: IoD: ‘Government shows poverty of ambition’ on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Even if your startup is the coolest in town, if it doesn't look the part, you may get misread or passed over. Consider these inexpensive, panache-boosting tips. ...

Read the full article here: Software-as-a-Service Minus the Subscription on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

We love stats about small businesses and these ones from the US Chamber of Commerce have made our day: 99.7% of America’s Businesses are “Small” Businesses 27% of Businesses Lost Employees Within the Past Year 90% of Customers are Influenced by Online Ratings and Reviews Nearly 40% of Our ...

As the SEO landscape continues to change in 2013, many tactics that had previously been low cost, easy to implement and effective are becoming less and less effective. For this reason, a lot of small businesses are struggling to choose the right areas of focus to get quality results from SEO on a limited budget. The truth is that things like comprehensive content marketing plans can be very expensive to execute, and for many small businesses a hefty monthly retainer to “do SEO right” might not be a legitimate possibility.

A look at the next wave of grant recipients in tech investor Peter Thiel's fellowship program. ...

Don't wait for associates or customers to give you their thumbs-up with personal testimonials and endorsements. Here's how to be proactive about asking for endorsements. ...

Before creating a brand experience for customers, be sure you've thought critically about how you're going to define your brand. Here are three ways to get you there. ...

Interested in the UK small business stats from 2012 regarding employment and turnover? Take a look below and you can see our very first infographic created via info.gram. It’s a cool way to easily make your own infographics that will promote your small business without having to involve a desi...

New changes to the law are scheduled to go into effect July 1st. Is your business ready? ...

If you want investors to be confident in financing your business, show them you know the risks your business is up against and are working to avoid them. Here are five ways to get started. ...

The worst thing a journalist can face is a boring subject. Those covering Quirky CEO Ben Kaufman need not worry. In my transcription of our hour-long chat, I bolded more fantastic quotes than I could possibly fit into the story. (Fantastic from my perspective at least.)...

PIK toggles are back, and a clear sign of hot market conditions. Following last week’s deals from R&R Ice Cream and Kloeckner Pentaplast, Europe has hosted four such transactions so far this year, compared with only three in the entire 2006-2012 period, according to LCD. More PI...

Quirky lets consumers vote on inventions. Will they come to a store to buy them?...

Read the full article here: New Zealand leads the way in patent reform on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Does your business need content marketing? There is a lot of buzz out there about “content marketing” and how it can make your business successful. But what is content marketing, anyway? It’s just a fancy name for using content to market to customers. And as I’ve said many times before, by ...

Scott Wagner, formerly of private investment firm, KKR Capstone, will stay on as a Go Daddy executive indefinitely. And that suggests that KKR Capstone, which bought 65% of Go Daddy in 2011 along with Silver Lake Partners and Technology Crossover Ventures, will be continuing the transformation of Go Daddy.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's weight loss, and Abercrombie & Fitch bias against plus-size customers place weight issues in the spotlight. Three tips on how to make sure your business is size-neutral. ...

Use Pinterest strategically and it could be a valuable marketing tool. Here are 10 ways to make the most of the platform. ...

Every year we see that few life science investors are represented on the Midas List.  We understand that it is difficult to compare IT venture capitalists with life science venture capitalists and that market dynamics are very different in the two industries.  As a result, this year we wou...

To no surprise, the Bay Area continues to dominate the Midas List, as 72% of the venture capitalists on the list are based out West.  The East Coast comes in second, with 15% representation on the List.  Three of the top twenty GPs are from the East Coast, which is consistent with the geog...

Continuing with our analysis on the education of venture capitalists from last year, we wanted to dive a little further into the education of this year’s Midas Listers.  In addition to noting the institutions that the venture capitalists attended, we also took a look at what type of degrees t...

A Strong First Quarter For Small Business
Just a year ago, the big banks were approving only slightly more than 10% of loan requests, while small banks gave less than 46% of applications the green light. We have seen a significant improvement. Certainly, the lending landscape has improved since the darkest days of the Great Recession in 2009. Read more (via Fox Business)

Telecommuting is increasingly becoming a way of business life.  According to the United States Census Bureau, an estimated 20 to 30 million people work at home at least one day a week. Worldwide, the numbers are even more impressive. The Citrix Workplace of the Future survey found that 24 percent of global companies allow their employees to work at times and locations of their choosing.

Initial impressions of Google's wearable technology revolution. ...

A half century ago older women put bluing in their hair and wouldn’t be caught without their white gloves when they went to town. Back then it was considered ‘common’ and impolite to ask about someone’s salary, finances, politics and religion. How things have changed! With Facebook and Twitter and foreign hackers, everyone knows everyone else’s business.

It’s only Wednesday, but it’s been a week of lessons, with two powerful ones forcibly reconfirmed for me this week:...

I don’t have much sympathy or patience for any entrepreneur who says they had the greatest idea,  but ran out of money. This is the life we signed up for and a big part of an entrepreneur’s job is to manage the chess game that is financing, product development and ...

The television personality and FUBU founder discusses his background and learnings as an entrepreneur. ...

Small-business owners react to a bill that mandates paid sick leave for companies with 20 or more employees. ...

Read the full article here: Industry Leaders to Discuss Collaboration on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Interacting with friends and family across long distances has been a concern of humans for centuries. As social animals, people have always relied on communication to strengthen their relationships. When face-to-face discussions are impossible or inconvenient, humans have dreamed up plenty of creative solutions. Avalaunch Media recently unveiled their Interactive Infographic entitled, “The Complete History of Social Media.”

On an IEEE panel last night an Intel Capital investor and I were asked to talk about this topic. The audience found the panel useful. Here's a summary....

The MountainWest Capital Network announced over $11 Billion in mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, private equity and venture capital financing transactions in Utah for 2012....

A recent study by researchers at Southern Methodist and Carnegie Mellon universities found Bitcoin exchanges pose considerable risk to users.

Experts explain when it’s time to buy or lease, and what else you'll need when building your fleet. ...

A ruling from the Small Business Administration lifts the cap on federal contracts set aside for women-owned small businesses. ...

It may sound difficult, but successful entrepreneurs like Guy Kawasaki swear by this time-saving method. Here's how to implement it in your daily life. ...

For decades, the air of secrecy that surrounded one of Silicon Valley’s most successful venture capital firms was simply called ‘the Kleiner mystique.’...

Continuing in the tradition of Dirty Bird To-Go, the On Deck Team took a trip to one of our local customers La Pasta Bistro Grill in the West Village last week. After dining on the authentic Italian food, we sat down with owner Nazmul Chowdhury to learn more about his experience as a restaurant owner. 

Detroit start-up Are You a Human hopes gamification will outsmart the spambots for good. ...

From scripting to shooting, these tips can help you produce professional looking videos on a budget. ...

The Spanx founder is the first self-made female billionaire to sign Warren Buffett's Giving Pledge. ...

You don't have to fork over thousands of dollars in legal fees to safeguard your business idea with a patent. Here are some affordable easy steps to help ensure you're protecting your ideas from theft. ...

It's tough but essential to respond to emails when you're on the go. Productivity expert Jason Womack says the autotext feature on your mobile device can help. ...

If you've long dreamed of writing a book that tells the story of your business -- or highlights your expertise -- here's a post for you. ...

Considering launching an app? Consider the negatives, and ask yourself these three key questions first. ...

Are your employees engaged in their jobs? A Gallup poll measured the growth of employee engagement and which of 12 different occupations tend to boast the highest engagement.

Chi-Hua Chien joined Kleiner Perkins in 2007 and has invested in companies including Path, Zaarly and Karma. Before joining Kleiner he was at Accel Partners where he was involved in investing in Facebook and prior to that was an entrepreneur....

In May 2011 we raised a seed round of financing. The day the money finally hit the bank I kept rushing back to the computer every 15 minutes or so to refresh our bank's website. Seeing $1,630,000 on the screen was exhilarating. We could not believe our good fortune. Investors believed in our idea, t...

My friend Tony Robinson OBE – joint Head Enterprise Rocker and Small Business Blog contributor – is also a well-respected business author. He has written seven books in total but his magnum opus has to be “Stripping For Freedom“. Along with his co-author Leonora Soculitherz h...

Greylock Partners' David Sze has invested in some of the top consumer Internet companies in recent years, including Facebook, LinkedIn and Pandora, placing Sze in the Midas List's top ten again this year. Moreover, Greylock as a firm has invested in three of the largest VC-backed IPOs in recent...

Read the full article here: Pic of the Day: Crime Doesn’t Pay? on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

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The just-released 2013 Midas List has 25 new names and returnees this year, compared to the 2012 Midas List which had 38 new names on the list of the top 100 venture capitalists.  IPOs and M&A deals since 2008 make up this year’s list (see the list's methodology), and because there is a n...

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This year, three women made the Midas List—Jenny Lee at GGV Capital, Mary Meeker at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and Theresia Gouw at Accel Partners.  Lee first broke onto the List last year at #94, and she made a big jump this year to #36, largely driven by the recent IPO of Sinosun...

Sequoia Capital is one of the famed Silicon Valley venture capital firms, with past investments in Apple, Cisco, Google, and Oracle....

The top 10 venture capital investors from the 2013 Forbes Midas List....

In this year's Midas List of top tech investors, the IPO of Facebook cast a large shadow over the rest of the venture industry in 2012....

Venture capitalists take big risks on the startups that could become the dominant companies of tomorrow....

These are the seven venture capitalists on the 2013 Midas List that maintain billion-dollar fortunes....

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To no surprise, Facebook is once again this year’s biggest driver of the Midas List rankings.  Behind Facebook, however, the list of companies has shuffled due to the emergence of enterprise companies.  Workday, in one of the most anticipated IPOs of the year other than Facebook, has not...

TrueBridge Capital and Forbes are now in our third year working together on the Midas List of tech's best investors. It's been long enough that we can share some insight into how the list has evolved and the data set has improved each year, and especially this year....

The make-up of this year’s Midas List indicates a concentration of top venture capitalists at elite firms that have been in the venture industry for years.  Accel Partners landed a whopping nine GPs on the list, led by Jim Breyer atop the List for the third straight year.  Along with Acc...

Read the full article here: Infographic: The Importance of Local Business on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Have you asked yourself, “What is responsive Web design?” Responsive Web design is an approach whereby a designer creates a Web page that “responds to” or resizes itself depending on the type of device it is being seen through.  That could be an oversized desktop computer monitor, a laptop, a 10-inch tablet, a 7-inch tablet, or a 4-inch smartphone screen.

Unless you’ve been living in a remote island for the last few years, you’ve heard about crowdfunding or stories of people raising thousands or millions of dollars online....

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Most articles are great at listing all the things you can spend your limited startup funds on.  But through experience, we’ve learned some lessons about wasting money and how to avoid the nonessential aspects of a startup.

When Myron (Mike) Ullman III returned to the helm of J.C.Penney on April 08, 2013, I knew that the near term outlook would be very murky. The just released preliminary 1Q13 figures certainly support our concern. Sales slumped an estimated 16.4% over the preceding year’s first quarter. That is a de...

Read the full article here: Self-employment – how to stay on a firm financial footing on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Can I get a loan if I’ve filed for bankruptcy? Getting a loan after you’ve filed for bankruptcy can be challenging, but it is not impossible. Generally you will have to wait 4 to 6 years from your bankruptcy before you can get a loan, and during that time your credit record needs to be c...

Aereo, a company that lets you watch live and recorded television on any device, is suing CBS in a David-and-Goliath-style battle. ...

Do you need a strategic business plan to begin a new venture? The answer depends on how you define a business plan. Every business must have a plan to begin with; but this does not mean that it has to be in a written format. Even a mental construction of a plan can serve as the foundation for your new business.

Smartphone shipments now outnumber those of “regular” cell phones worldwide. It’s the first time smartphones — that is, phones capable of computing and Web access — have outnumbered ordinary cell phones on a global scale.  Here in the United States, smartphone shipmen...

Before you think of incorporating your startup in a "tax haven" state, here is what young entrepreneurs need to know. ...

While "smart drug" Modafinil has recently been in the limelight, we wanted to provide tips on how to naturally get energized. ...

Crowdfunding -- whether through donated contributions or equity investments -- is coming of age as a game changer for startups. Here's how to create a persuasive pitch. ...

For the third year in a row, TrueBridge Capital has partnered with Forbes to cultivate the most exciting billing in venture capital, The 2013 Midas List, which rumor has it will be published shortly.  We have been gathering and analyzing data throughout the year, employing the same te...

It is natural that every etailer predicts future trends that fuel eCommerce growth. Some become successful in predicting the right trends while a few fail to do so. A healthy growth figure of eCommerce success can only be impacted by the integration of various strategies that can make online shopping more enjoyable and unique. However, these strategies are quick to implement.

Listening to customer feedback, the tech giant expects to roll out changes to its latest operating system later this year. ...

In this case study, Philadelphia's Buzz Marketing hired a pro to handle HR, saving the owner time and tension over family hires. ...

Franchising could be your next big strategy for expansion or it could send your growing business down the wrong path. Here are some key considerations before deciding if franchising is for you. ...

A bill which would end tax-free online shopping moves on to the House of Representatives, where it is likely to be met with resistance from anti-tax Republicans. ...

Expanding your business into new markets presents exiting opportunities. There is also a lot of potential for missteps. Here are things to consider in order to build a strong worldwide brand. ...

Why do some women-run business rise like helium balloons while others remain tethered to a short string?  Businesses with annual income of $1M+ are still only 1.8% women-run, though women own 30% of businesses in the U.S. This is poised to change, as women increasingly are taking part in Accele...

There are many myths surround venture capital markets, here are five of them, busted by Ernst & Young's VC team....

If you’re an entrepreneur with your head down, honing your product, actively stalking funding, inspiring your team, and generally getting your business off the ground; you may know all there is to know about jailbreaking money from the messenger bags of smoothie-sipping venture capitalists, or the...

What’s the difference between success and achieve? Webster is unable to define either word without the other....

Read the full article here: Make your Business Event Invitation a Golden Ticket with an Exciting Activity on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Read the full article here: Make your business a global success story on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

As a small business owner; dealing with all of the issues all of the time can make it very difficult to stay focused on the right target. Having run a number of my own businesses I know how easy it can be to think that you are focusing on the right things but what has…Read the full article her...

A few weeks ago we discussed how to make customers fall in love with your business to ensure their loyalty. As the infographic below demonstrates, customer loyalty can have a dramatic impact on your business. Loyalty plays a large part in the decision-making process. Things like loyalty schemes are ...

  Listen to Dick Cross’ interview jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $('#wp_mep_1').mediaelementplayer({ m:1 ,features: ['playpause','current','progress','duration','volume','tracks','fullscreen'] ,audioWidth:400,audioHeight:30 }); ...

If you're only using email and Twitter to reach new clients, you could be getting lost in the crowd. One solution could be to pick up the phone. ...

More than two-thirds of U.S. Senators voted in favor of the so-called Internet Sales Tax on Monday evening. Small business owners who do business online are divided on the measure.

Read the full article here: 5 Reasons Your Business Needs a Mission Statement on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Beyond the U.S., these are the places you'll find financial and other support for innovation in technology. ...

Mike Abbott and Megan Quinn are two of the newest partners at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byerss. They are charged with building the firm's digital practice and leading its next generation of investors. ...

Initiating a business is exciting, fun even. But startup dreamers shouldn’t forget the business of starting a business. Sure, it’s enjoyable to pick out a cool logo, a mission statement, a team of professionals to back your vision and a sweet office rental. But don’t let the looming, obligatory startup expenses involved in getting your startup off the ground get lost in the excitement.

This story appears in the May 27 issue of Forbes....

Michigan Innovation Corps (I-Corps) is a statewide program that was designed to foster and grow an innovation ecosystem.  The program was designed through partnerships between the National Science Foundation (NSF), several universities in Michigan, Michigan SmartZones, and multiple entrepreneur...

Some more time may still be required before things turn out better for small businesses. There are restrictions that Washington imposes on businesses. There are tax regulations, mandatory health care benefits for employees, immigration problems and so many other obstacles. They are still wrestling with ‘Affordable Care Act’ and other limitations imposed by financers.

Growth is exciting for a small business or startup — but it often comes with a lot of internal HR challenges, including the less-than-pleasant task of promoting or hiring the right person for the right management role (often to the disappointment of another employee). Done right, employee promotion can ensure growth. Done wrong, a promotion can lead to the kind of office politics that no CEO wants to deal with.

With graduation day just around the corner, find out the best places for new grads to live. ...

Small business manufacturing is growing, according to a recent analysis.  One big reason for the growth is the ability of small manufacturers to reinvent themselves to take advantage of new industries and new business opportunities.

A new lawsuit by Hewlett-Packard shareholders highlights the need to do due diligence when buying a company. ...

Being the little fish in a small pond can be advantageous for young entrepreneurs. ...

To celebrate the social media giant's 10th birthday, read about best practices for business owners. ...

I recently met with serial entrepreneur Marc Gorlin, co-founder of Kabbage, at the Milken Institute: Global Conference at the Beverly Hilton at the Trader Vic's lounge. I asked him some questions about his company which helps provide working capital to small and medium businesses. Here is what he ha...

Content marketing is helping small businesses generate website traffic, online visibility and ultimately, sales leads.  And a  business blog is key to content marketing. But if you’re like many in a small business, you may find yourself wondering, “What do I blog about today?”  If you have trouble coming up with blog ideas for posts, read on.

When Virgin's CEO has an idea, he doesn't keep quiet about it. Talking about your ideas, no matter how lofty they are, is one of the best ways to stay inspired and motivated to make them happen. Here's why. ...

Last week I attended a webinar with Andrea Weckerle, the founder of CiviliNation, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting online hostility and character assassination. I found many of the concepts she shared to be very interesting, so the next couple of Mondays I thought I’d share some of my thoughts based upon the notes I took during the presentation. I like the idea of trying to do something to increase the civility of dialog online (and in the workplace for that matter). In fact, many of her discussion points also apply offline.

Does your website look as good on a mobile device as it does on a TV? If not, digital design expert Janine Warner tells what changes you need to make and why. ...

When you attend entrepreneurial events, almost all of the talk is about funding: how to build your pitch “deck,” what your model needs to look like, which Angels and VCs are funding whom, and for how much. Almost no one talks about government grants, loans and other assistance, yet there is a lo...

How to break bad habits, become your best self, and trust your innate wisdom. ...

Entrepreneurs usually can't offer new hires the promise of a hefty salary. But there are ways to get A-list employees without breaking the bank. Here are five budget-friendly techniques to get you there. ...

The Senate will vote today to pass the Marketplace Fairness Act, an Internet sales tax bill. If this bill passes, online retailers will be required to collect sales taxes for the state where they ship goods. Previously, stores were only required to collect sales tax on goods shipped to states where ...

[Samsung 10" Galaxy Tab 2] Samsung is working on a new 8 inch tablet the company plans on launching in June. Samsung already has two other tablets in its Galaxy Tab 2 budget series, one bigger and one smaller. It’s easy to see how an 8 inch tablet would be more portable than the bigger 10.1 i...

Investors are pumping a lot of money into the daily fantasy sports game industry.  This is true despite the fact that many question the legality of the services provided by websites that own and operate such games.  In January, industry-leader FanDuel announced an $11 million round of fina...

Dick is the founder and Managing Principal of The Cross Partnership III, a twenty-year-old, Boston-based, “hands-on” consulting and turn-around firm focused on improving the operating and financial performance of businesses owned by financial sponsors. Over the past decade, Dick has served as an interim President/CEO, leading successful business transitions in eight companies over the past twelve years.

Housing prices are on the upswing, increasing 9.3 percent between February 2012 and February 2013, the Wall Street Journal reported last week.

All you need to know to improve your odds of raising money on the popular crowdfunding site. ...

How does your business manage its employee payroll? The size, complexity, and requirements of your workforce will determine what payroll solution is best for you and your employees. Investigate the possibilities, and choose the payroll processing method that promises you the most functionality for your budget.

Read the full article here: Top 5 Tips for Finding Work on LinkedIn on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

The Guardian newspaper set off a mini brouhaha last week when it reported that users were running (not walking) away from Facebook. It turns out that some of the numbers in that story were wrong.

The lack of women entrepreneurs in the tech industry, and the shortage of female tech employees, have been topics of much discussion. Now a new survey from Elance, Women in Technology, suggests virtual work might be the key to women finally achieving parity with men in tech roles.

The new U.S. economy has created more lawyers professional liability insurance exposures than would be commonly assumed.

Here's how you can use 'Photos of You.' ...

Content marketing is quickly becoming a primary focus on the Web. The expansion of blogs and websites that use content as a main format make it a hot topic for any marketer and content creator. But it is an adapting field like any other, and you might be worried that you’re not exploiting the method as much as you should be.

It’s the return of a popular TSBB feature after an absence of over three years – the Business Quote of the week! The quote this week is from American swimming gold medalist Mark Spitz and, appropriately, it concerns a comeback: “By making a comeback, I’m changing the attitude...

Each week we bring a hand-picked list of small business events, contests and awards.  We think it’s important to educate yourself and your teams, and be more visible among your peers. To see a full list or to submit your own event, contest or award listing, visit the Small Business Events Calendar.

This Sunday May 5, 2013 is National Lemonade Day in the United States. The day is designed to inspire and teach America’s youth how to become budding entrepreneurs.

As more consumers look for greener choices in the marketplace, it’s not surprising that marketers are focusing on the environmental benefits of their products. However, green claims, as with any other advertising claim, must be backed up by sound science.

The smartest entrepreneurs know when their time is up. ...

Raising money from family and friends to fund a business can be a complex situation to navigate, requiring both personal trust and a professional approach. ...

We bring you another small business news recap for this week.  Google was in the small business news a lot, as were announcements on jobs, loans and Federal agency appointments.  Here are the top small business news stories, put into perspective by the  Small Business Trends Editorial Team:

The Forum of Private Business announced this week that they would be supporting a campaign to raise awareness about the plight of pubs in the UK and to get as many people as possible involved in a potential government consultation. The consultation will hopefully stop the big pub companies abusing t...

Reading a book is likely to be a lot more valuable use of your time than spending the equivalent amount of hours on social media or watching television. The concepts and ideas that we pick up from books tend to stay with us far longer than conversations we have online or things that we watch,…...

Consumer goods manufacturers have coveted the African American consumer base.   But the landscape of the African American community is changing.

You have a well-prepared business plan written for small business funding and all the numbers add up nicely. You have scouted potential locations, know what your proposed cost per square foot will be for rent, dotted your i’s and crossed your t’s. You went to the bank where you have had your accounts for over 10 years and they turned you down for a small business loan. Their reasoning is that the loan is really too little for their portfolio plus your credit rating isn’t the best.

Read about LinkedIn's disappointing second-quarter forecast, Google's plans for your app activity data, Warren Buffett's new online presence, and more social-media news. ...

Mike Sisk’s dissatisfaction with his own experience treating a medical condition led him to startup a fast-growing empire of clinics that are generating about $4 million per month in revenue throughout seven states. Sisk was one of the 13 million men in the United States that suffer from lower ...

This week President Obama nominated billionaire hotel magnate Penny Pritzker (pictured, right) to be the next Commerce Secretary.  He als0 nominated longtime Obama confidant Michael Froman (left) as U.S. Trade Representative. Given these two nominations, some observers are suggesting that the Pr...

The best tips of the week from Entrepreneur.com, from defeating distorted thinking to scouting talent like Martha Stewart. ...

What is it about traveling to far-flung places that makes the imagination spin? ...

Here at The Small Business Blog we have long advised small businesses to start their own blog and use that medium to speak to the world about their products and services. But even experienced copywriters often find it difficult to keep coming up with fresh, relevant content for their readership. The...

Several indicators show the overall economy is on the upswing, but small-business hiring is down slightly. ...

If you're asking customers for feedback online, be prepared for the worst. Having a strategy about customer comments online is key in safeguarding your reputation. ...

Today’s dramatic steepening of the Treasury yield curve in the wake of a strong employment report showed corporate treasurers at the top of their game, after an who’s-who list of blue-chip borrowers swarmed the markets earlier this week with meaty transactions. Indeed, primary-market overdrive t...

One of the most intuitive ways to think about the experience of small business owners as they start, run and grow their businesses is to compare it to raising a teenager....

Good news for our North American readers today as the latest US nonfarm payrolls – the compiled name for all goods-producing, construction and manufacturing companies – revealed that 165,000 new jobs were created last month. That’s 20,000 more than expected by economists and means ...

Nearly all (98 percent) small businesses use wireless technologies in their operations, a 2013 AT&T small business technology poll says.

We try Neat's app and digital filing system and explain why you might want to wait until you try it, too. ...

Being successful doesn’t happen by luck, it’s by design. To make a success of your business you are going to need help, whether it comes from a great team of people surrounding you or from business software apps provided by experts that really understand your requirements and can customi...

A look at which major U.S. cities are the best for women business owners, and seven tips to help them get started. ...

An inside look at what can these diet fads do for your productivity, focus and overall well-being. ...

TBTF stands for too-big-to-fail, which refers to the de-facto reality that mega-universal banks are so large and systemically important that they will never be allowed to fail. But, there’s a new TBTF in town, and by town I mean Washington. The new TBTF stands for the Terminating Bailouts for Tax...

Earlier this week I stumbled upon a very helpful list from AllBusiness.com. Most Main Street business owners aren’t small business financing experts and chatting with their local banker about a small business loan probably isn’t on a list of favorite things to do. With that in mind, I thought I’d share this list of mistakes (with a little bit of my take tossed in for good measure) many small business owners make when applying for a loan in hopes that it might help you better prepare for your visit to the bank:

There is nothing like hearing a song you love for the first time. It resonates with you immediately. It creates a feeling of peace, joy, happiness, excitement, fun, or even sadness (yes, I like to listen to sad songs sometimes). I love music. I mean, who doesn’t?

How to steer clear of having your startup's account taken over by someone else. ...

With the U.S. spending $3 trillion on health care per year, the race is on to improve an inefficient system. We ask entrepreneurs at Blueprint Health accelerator to share their best tips for starting up. ...

Technology moves at the speed of sound and social media resides in the technological realm.  As a result, social management must be nimble and ready to evolve and adapt at the same speed in which technology moves. Justyn Howard, CEO and Founder of Sprout Social, joins Brent Leary to discuss changes in the way social management is being performed and what current social trends are revealing about the future of social management.

Insights on “Why ‘A’ Students Work for ‘C’ Students—and ‘B’ Students Work for the Government” In an exclusive for StartupNation, Robert Kiyosaki, successful entrepreneur, investor and author of the #1 Personal Finance book of all time, “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” offered his insight...

What’s a good name for a cute little business conference cartoon dog? It’s more work than you think.

Successful leaders know how to seek out advice. Having a board of advisors that can help you assess key decisions is important to the growth of your business. Here are three ways to build your board. ...

If you have been too busy to turn into the evening national news, certainly you have read all about it on the Internet. Unemployment is down to levels we have not seen in four years. The Dow has set records this year.. Investors believe we have turned the corner. New home construction is up. Those making and marketing “made in the USA” are adding employees and production. For those who have been waiting for ‘just the right time’ to buy a franchise or begin a new small business, this may be the opportunity to open as the economy is gaining strength.

Read the full article here: Big Ideas for a Bigger Society… on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Average balances in small-business retirement plans increased by 20 percent between 2007 and 2012, according to a study from Fidelity Investments. ...

People regularly tell me they want business results fast, like in 30 days, to grow new customers, get more referrals, have more LinkedIn or Twitter followers and get more likes or comments. Those things are all possible, as long as your “operating system” and certain strategies are in place, driving momentum.

Women Presidents Organization reveals its annual ranking of the top 50 women-led businesses in North America. We look at the leaders of the pack. ...

Are You Getting the PR Reports Necessary for Success? By Melanie Rembrandt For many years, it was very difficult to show the results of a public relations, or PR, campaign. After all, you could spend hours on the phone pitching media members and not see any results. Plus, due to the nature of public...

New Hampshire’s main-street is a major focus of economic development today. Across the state, small business owners can find resources at universities, economic development agencies, SBDC’s, chambers of commerce, and many other community organizations.

Nebraska’s main-street is a major focus of economic development today. Across the state, small business owners can find resources at universities, economic development agencies, SBDC’s, chambers of commerce, and many other community organizations.

Minnesota’s main-street is a major focus of economic development today. Across the state, small business owners can find resources at universities, economic development agencies, SBDC’s, chambers of commerce, and many other community organizations.

Silicon Valley, the biggest hub for startup innovation in America, has so inspired other startup centers around the country that many have gone as far as to adopt the "Silicon" moniker. ...

Iowa’s main-street is a major focus of economic development today. Across the state, small business owners can find resources at universities, economic development agencies, SBDC’s, chambers of commerce, and many other community organizations.

Connecticut’s main-street is a major focus of economic development today. Across the state, small business owners can find resources at universities, economic development agencies, SBDC’s, chambers of commerce, and many other community organizations.

Louisiana’s main-street is a major focus of economic development today. Across the state, small business owners can find resources at universities, economic development agencies, SBDC’s, chambers of commerce, and many other community organizations.

Nokia, the Finnish smartphone company, wants better cameras in its smartphones. Nokia Growth Partners, the manufacturer’s venture arm, is investing $20 million with other partners in California-based startup Pelican Images, which commercializes technology that improves on conventional camera technology including pixel size.