ABC Small Business Brief - America's Best Companies

Business Owners Look to Extend Tax Time

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:08:09 GMT

Employers Weigh Costs of Keeping, Dropping Health Coverage
The hidden costs of dropping their health care plans could far outweigh the fine that employers would face for not offering health care coverage, experts say. Workforce.com

Financial Issues
Gencorp Restores 401(k) Match; Report Cites Growing Trend
Defense and aerospace company GenCorp Inc. said it was reinstating its 401(k) plan matching contribution, the latest in a growing number of employers that have done so or will be doing the same. Workforce.com

Financial Issues
Bank of America Extends CARD Act Protections to Small Biz
Bank of America will give small business credit card customers many of the same protections that consumers now enjoy under Washington’s stricter regulations, including an agreement not to raise interest rates on existing balances, the bank announced last week. BusinessWeek.com

Financial Issues
SBA Small Biz Lending Doubles
The lending market for Main Street remains pretty jammed up, but one segment of the credit landscape is recovering thanks to stimulus efforts. CNNmoney.com

Tax Issues
Business Owners Look to Extend Tax Time
Many small business owners will file for an extension from the April 15 IRS deadline. Some are simply too busy to file on time, others can't afford to pay what they owe. Either way, there are deadlines and penalties to consider. WSJ.com

Operations & Management
Growth of Unpaid Internships May Be Illegal, Officials Say
With job openings scarce for young people, the number of unpaid internships has climbed in recent years, leading federal and state regulators to worry that more employers are illegally using such internships for free labor. NYTimes.com

Technology Issues
iPad = iPain for Media Planners?
Apple's latest launch, the iPad touch screen tablet computer, began shipping this past weekend, making news everywhere as reviews, expectations, and new announcements continue to stream in. Because it has a larger screen and its own built-in Safari browser, it theoretically presents more and better advertising opportunities. For media planners, however, it also presents multiple hurdles. Here's why. ClickZ.com

Technology Issues
Yelp Answers Extortion Claims With Major Site Changes
The big news you need to know today is this: In the face of February’s class action lawsuit and claims of extortion, Yelp is rolling out a number of major site changes to increase transparency and remove any question of impropriety once and for all. SmallBizTrends.com

Companies Begin Work on Health Care Plans

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:22:16 GMT

Companies Begin Work to Make Plans Comply With Landmark Health Care Reform Law
While legislators’ work is done, employers’ is just beginning. Nearly all employers will have to move quickly to redesign their health care plans to comply with requirements in the landmark health care reform legislation that Congress approved last week. Workforce.com

Health Care Reform
Speaking Out on Health Care
The Wall Street Journal recently talked to members of two national organizations with opposing views on the legislation: James Gelfand, senior manager of health policy for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and David Borris, a member of the national executive committee of Main Street Alliance. WSJ.com

Health Care Reform
Health Care Costs Climb for Retiring Couples
Significant drivers of increases in retiree health care costs include higher provider charges and increased expenses associated with new technology, Fidelity Investments reports. Workforce.com

Health Care Reform
Health Reform Expected to Untether Job-Locked Entrepreneurs
As the health reforms signed into law this week begin to take effect over the next four years, one consequence to watch is to what extent would-be entrepreneurs feel comfortable leaving their jobs to start businesses. BusinessWeek.com

Financial Issues
When Employees Sell Private Company Stock
New online marketplaces SharesPost and SecondMarket make it easier to trade private company stock. BusinessWeek.com

Financial Issues
Capital Investment and Hiring Plans Showing Hints Of Recovery
This spring, some hopeful signs are emerging among small business owners, who remain skittish about the overall economic climate. OpenForum.com

Financial Issues
Auditors Crack Down on 'Independent Contractors'
If your business uses independent contractors, get ready for new scrutiny. Hoping to boost tax revenue, the IRS and many state governments are cracking down on how companies classify their workers. CNNmoney.com

Financial Issues
Dell Spurs Sales by Lending to Hard-Hit Small Businesses
For years, Dell Inc. has relied on sales to small businesses for a big chunk of its revenue. It sells more personal computers to small companies than any tech supplier. Now, it is offering more credit to spur small business purchases. WSJ.com

What Health Care Reform Means for Your Business

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:05:51 GMT

ABC Online and On Your Side
Check out our NEW EZlocal Premium listing! Receive a featured listing on EZlocal.com, enhanced business profile, top search engine submission, and local SEO consultation to get your business found online with our new EZlocal Premium. Are you listed yet?

Health Care Reform
What Health Care Reform Means for Your Business
The sweeping health-care bill passed by the House of Representatives Sunday, and now headed for President Obama's desk, promises a sea change in the way that small business owners purchase and provide health insurance for themselves and their employees. CNNmoney.com

Health Care Reform
Health Reform's Winners And Losers
The historic House vote will mean big changes for small businesses, HMOs and many workers. Forbes.com

Health Care Reform
Understanding Key Provisions in Federal Health Care Reform Legislation
For the first time, employers will be subjected to taxes if they do not offer coverage to employees or if the coverage fails an affordability test. Workforce.com

Economy
The Biggest Roadblock to Upping Exports
The Obama Administration wants to double U.S. exports in five years by enlisting small business. First, entrepreneurs must overcome concerns about getting paid. BusinessWeek.com

Economy
ADP: Small Employers May Be Signaling Recovery
Automatic Data Processing CEO Gary Butler says companies with 50 employees or fewer have been increasing their use of ADP's payroll services. BusinessWeek.com

Financial Issues
Loans and Resources for Disabled Entrepreneurs
The SBA no longer provides Disabled Assistance Loans, but consider its other loan programs, your state's resources, and a private advocacy group's offerings . BusinessWeek.com

Financial Issues
More People Roll Over Their 401(k) Assets
Of the assets that were moved, 80 percent were rolled over into IRAs, 10 percent were taken in cash distributions, 8 percent were moved into new employer plans, and 2 percent were taken in other forms of distributions. Workforce.com

Going Green
Are We Headed Toward a Green Bubble?
Billions of dollars are pouring into clean-tech companies--with little results. Is this an intelligent investment or the beginning of another bubble? Entrepreneur.com

Technology Issues
Foursquare Introduces New Tools for Businesses
Foursquare, a location-based social network, plans to distribute a free analytics tool and dashboard in the coming weeks that will give business owners access to a range of information and statistics about visitors to their establishments.NYtimes.com

Cybercriminals Target Local Governments

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:47:47 GMT

ABC Online and On Your Side
Check out our NEW EZlocal Premium listing! Receive a featured listing on EZlocal.com, enhanced business profile, top search engine submission, and local SEO consultation to get your business found online with our new EZlocal Premium. Are you listed yet?

In the News
Cybercriminals Target Local Governments
A new trend has local governments on guard: global computer hackers stealing their money.

Legal Issues
Senate May Take Up Another Pay Bill Before End of Term
Proponents say the bill would help women pull even with men in compensation levels, asserting that women make only 77 cents for every dollar that men earn. The issue takes on more urgency during a recession, they say, because women are the sole breadwinners in many households.

Economy
Fed to Keep Rates Low for ‘Extended Period’
The Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate near zero on Tuesday, affirming its view that job growth and other economic indicators remained weak as the United States slowly pulls itself out of recession.

Economy
Bank Failures Threaten Small-Business Lending
The U.S. Treasury Department is concerned the steady pace of bank failures could keep many small businesses from gaining access to new credit as the economy rebounds and companies seek to expand.

Employment
Pushing for More High-Growth Startups
A new study finds the top-performing 1% of young companies account for roughly 40% of the new jobs created annually. Here are ideas for encouraging more.

Financial Issues
Nearly 25 Percent of Workers Put Retirement Plans on Hold
Key reasons include a change in employment status, 22 percent; inadequate finances, 16 percent; and the need to make up stock market losses, 12 percent.

Technology Issues
Internet TV's New Ad Medium Is an Old One: Live Sponsor Ads
In a development reminiscent of the early days of television, when the familiar hosts read sponsor messages on the air, many shows running on a range of Internet TV networks feature hosts that read live ads, and those ads are valued highly by both the video creators and advertisers.

Technology Issues
U.S. Users Don't Mind Ads, Don't Click On Them Either
The majority of online news users in the U.S. are accepting of online advertising, but most also claim to ignore it, according to data from the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism and its Internet and American Life Project.

Hiring by Smallest Employers May Signal Job Recovery

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:36:29 GMT

ABC Online and On Your Side
Check out our NEW EZlocal Premium listing! Receive a featured listing on EZlocal.com, enhanced business profile, top search engine submission, and local SEO consultation to get your business found online with our new EZlocal Premium. Are you listed yet?

In the News
Compliance Science: What Workforce Managers Need to Know About Immigration Enforcement
Among the administration's top priorities, immigration remains on track largely due to bipartisan interest in Congress. While an immigration reform bill may be out of the question this year—major expansion of aggressive enforcement efforts is well underway. ManageSmarter.com

In the News
Walmart Places a Mega Buy with Yahoo
Those tie-ins are part of an ad deal between Walmart and Yahoo is the largest the Bentonville, AR-based company has made to date with a single online publisher, according to Yahoo. ClickZ.com

In the News
Beware of Fraudulent Census Takers
Although the 2010 Census does not officially begin until April, the Miami-Dade Police Department’s Economic Crimes Bureau is reporting that residents in their part of Florida have been targeted by crooks who pose as Census takers. BusinessKnowHow.com

Economy
U.S. Stocks Advance on Anniversary of 2009 Bear-Market Low
U.S. stocks rose on the anniversary of the 2009 bear-market low for the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index amid speculation the economy will continue to recover from the worst contraction since the Great Depression. Bloomberg.com

Employment
Hiring by Smallest Employers May Signal Job Recovery
As Congress continues to shape a jobs bill, data from payroll companies suggest that small businesses have started to hire. BusinessWeek.com

Employment
Domestic Hiring Plans Improve From a Year Ago
U.S. manufacturing and service-sector employers’ hiring plans for March are improved compared with the same month a year ago, according to a report on leading indicators of national employment released Friday, March 5, by the Society for Human Resource Management. Workforce.com

Employment
What States and Cities Are Doing to Help Small Businesses
While Washington debates how to help the country’s struggling small businesses, states and municipalities have stepped up with an array of initiatives to stanch closings and save jobs. NYtimes.com

Financial Issues
Regulators Ease Up On Small Business Loans
It's a chicken-and-egg problem that's plagued the credit markets for a year: Small businesses become riskier lending bets in a downturn, prompting banks to slash their lending. But tight credit cuts off the financing companies need to hire and grow, which in turn drags on the economy and causes more businesses to fail. CNNmoney.com

Financial Issues
TALF, Kickstarter for Small-Business Loans, Departs
This month, one of the initial recovery efforts aimed at the small-business lending market is set to expire. WSJ.com

Technology
Cisco Systems Releases $90,000 Router Tested by AT&T in 'Successful' Trial
Cisco Systems Inc., the world’s biggest network-equipment maker, will start selling a router that it says will accelerate the speed of data and video downloads on the Internet. Bloomberg.com

Operations & Management
Despite Growing Social Media Activity, U.S. Latinos Ignored by Big Brands
Seventy-eight percent of Fortune 1000 companies are not employing social media sites to market to Latinos, according to survey results released yesterday by Hispanics-focused agency Orci. ClickZ.com

Choosing a Marketing Plan: Traditional or Social Media?

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:34:49 GMT

Management & Operations
How To Develop Your Global Leadership Pipeline
To stay competitive in your industry and accomplish your goals, it is important to have strong leadership. This stems from executives, managers, and even entry-level employees, as they develop skills for improving the future of your company. Follow these tips to develop your global leadership. ManageSmarter.com

Management & Operations
Creating a Culture of Excellence
Culture is essential to the success of every company, but it all starts out with one individual. Entrepreneur.com

Management & Operations
Choosing a Marketing Plan: Traditional or Social Media?
With the Internet and social media a large part of marketing, many small businesses are still uneasy of switching to a new campaign strategy. Take a look at a case study with EPC Cigar and how their marketing campaign fared. NYtimes.com

Success Story
First Lesson: Trust Your Gut
By listening to his instincts, and his customers, one father has created a successful business and inspired his son to start his own business. Check out this success story to see how instincts, lessons, and listening pay off. Entrepreneur.com

Technology Issues
Why Online Video Is Key For Small Business
The second most-used search engine to Google is YouTube. Small businesses can utilize YouTube by creating online videos. SmallBizTrends.com

Technology Issues
Five Tips for Using Syndicated Content Effectively
Syndicated content on your web site is a great idea for your business - if used properly. Some benefits include high-quality content, enhancing your site's value to visitors, and consistent updates for your website. But, be cautious. Read on to find out how to minimize the risks of using syndicated content on your site. BusinessKnowHow.com

Financial Issues
A Federal Tax Credit for Startup Investors
The success of high-growth start-ups, which generate jobs and tax revenue, are in part thanks to private investors. Take a new, innovative way to encourage these powerful investors. BusinessWeek.com

Financial Issues
Business Owners' Credit-Card Conundrum
Take note of the new credit laws and the new protections. Personal credit cards for your business expenses allow for new consumer-credit protections, but the business cards are not covered by the new laws. What should you do for your business? Entrpreneur.com

Tax Issues
Get Tax Breaks on Home Office, Cell
Do you work from home? Don't miss out on these deductions this tax season. FoxSmallBusinessCenter.com

Legal Issues
Labor Department’s 401(k) Proposal Could Rock Pension Advice Business
The proposed regulations will make it more difficult for advisers affiliated with broker-dealers and insurance companies to provide advice to plan participants. Workforce.com

Health Care Issues
Mandatory Health Care a Bitter Pill for Massachusetts Low-Wage Workers
Massachusetts’ health insurance mandate has more workers getting coverage through their employers but has left many low-wage earners in a financial quandary—and it hasn’t put a dent in rising health care costs. The state’s health care experiment offers a cautionary tale for federal health reform efforts. Workforce.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
7 Habits of Less Successful Salespeople
In some cases, the best way to know how to do your job is by learning from others' mistakes. Take a look at these examples that could prove to be detrimental to your business. BusinessKnowHow.com

New Credit Card Rules' Double Standard

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:22:15 GMT

Management & Operations
5 Free Tools That Make You Look More Professional
Anything that you can do for free that will keep your business looking professional to your customers and not affect your bottom line is a good thing. Here are four services that all businesses need from time to time, but if you can avoid paying for them, then that’s all the better. These are: faxing, conference calling, videoconferencing, and PDF document creation. BusinessKnowHow.com

Management & Operations
Happy Employees Make Thriving Companies
Create programs that promote a healthy work-life balance and enrich your employees' lives. Entrepreneur.com

Management & Operations
Rid Yourself of These 10 Damaging Word-Habits
Perhaps you have convinced yourself that your speech is not a problem. You are getting by fine because you can hide behind email and supervisors or managers. Perhaps, you have continued to advance in your career despite your less than eloquent elocution. Why have you procrastinated this work? Clearly people with excellent phrasing and superior vocabularies are impressive. Why wouldn’t you want to join their leagues and meet a new level of success in your career? Here are some quick-tips that will elevate your elocution immensely. BusinessKnowHow.com

Management & Operations
Fire Your Relatives. Scare Your Employees. And Stop Whining.
It's not the economy, stupid, it’s you. So says George Cloutier, author of “Profits Aren’t Everything, They’re the Only Thing” (HarperBusiness, 2009). NYtimes.com

Start-Up Issues
10 Tips for a Strong Start
Make sure you have a clear vision and plan--and that you stick to them. Entrepreneur.com

Technology Issues
Better Business Bureau’s Data Security – Made Simpler Program Will Help Small Business Owners Protect Their Sensitive Data
“The FBI considers the cyber threat against our nation to be one of the greatest concerns of the 21st Century,” said Steven R. Chabinsky, the FBI’s Deputy Assistant Director in charge of the Cyber Division. BusinessKnowHow.com

Financial Issues
Get Back in the Black
Strategies to help struggling entrepreneurs dig out of debt. Entrepreneur.com

Financial Issues
SBA Loan Proposals Will Help Few Small Businesses
The Small Business Administration's loan guarantee programs can't revive credit access because most small businesses use other types of credit. BusinessWeek.com

Financial Issues
New Credit Card Rules' Double Standard
A batch of new restrictions aimed at curbing the most egregious credit card practices kick in Monday, but business owners will need to stay alert -- the new rules don't cover cards used for corporate purposes. CNNmoney.com

Financial Issues
The Lending Crunch: 'It is Very Hard to Survive'
Small business loans continue to dry up at the nation's biggest banks. Eleven top TARP recipients -- including Wells Fargo, by far the nation's largest lender to small companies -- cut their collective small business loan balance by more than $2.3 billion in December, according to a Treasury report released late Tuesday. CNNmoney.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Using E-mail During a Blizzard to Drive Sales and Build Goodwill
Did you use e-mail during the snow storm of 2010 to drive traffic to your Web site or create goodwill? If you didn't, here are some good examples to follow next time. ClickZ.com

Get a Head Start on Taxes

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:29:41 GMT

ABC Online and On Your Side
As an ABC member, we offer you your very own website through myABCspace. We just went through a full redesign to make creating your own website sweet and simple so that you can be easily found online. Update or create your page today at myABCspace!

Government & Politics
Small Business Incentives Face a Hard Road in Congress
President Obama’s incentives for small business to create jobs appear to be foundering at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue. Those proposals — tax credits for hiring and investment and initiatives to spur lending to small firms — all face strong resistance, and not all of it comes from the Senate. Each chamber has embraced separate elements of the administration’s agenda, and, for the moment, none of those elements overlap.

Government & Politics
U.S. Salary-Increase Budgets Hit 25-Year Low
Changes to salary structures to account for changes in cost of living and other factors aren’t expected to top 2 percent, according to The Conference Board’s survey. That’s below the board’s forecast of a 2.6 percent inflation rate. Workforce.com

Management & Operations
Building Lessons Learned in 2009: What Highly-Successful Small Business Owners Are Doing that You Can Do Too
I've talked to plenty of entrepreneurs who are just barely eking by right now. One of the most common complaints I hear from long-time business owners is "referrals alone are just not enough anymore." BusinessKnowHow.com

Management & Operations
Harnessing the Power of Community to Grow Your Business
It is safe to assume the vast majority of Web-based businesses are using myriad tools and tactics designed to build brand, drive customer acquisition, and increase sales. Yet, when it comes to the term, "community," most sales-driven companies roll their virtual eyes. ManageSmarter.com

Management & Operations
How Employers Should Handle Workplace Romance
Don't establish a policy prohibiting it, and don't ignore gossip that it exists. Do provide sexual harassment training—and buy employment liability insurance. BusinessWeek.com

Management & Operations
Rise in Home-Based Businesses Tests Neighborliness
Local officials search for ways to support economically squeezed entrepreneurs while keeping noise, traffic in check. WSJ.com

Start-Up Issues
10 Tips for a Strong Start
Make sure you have a clear vision and plan--and that you stick to them. Entrepreneur.com

Technology Issues
Focus on 'User Experience Optimization'
Driving traffic to your homepage is important, but making the destination worthwhile is vital. Entrepreneur.com

Financial Issues
Today’s Market: Securing Credit For Your Small Business
If there’s any doubt that small businesses and access to credit are still a very hot topic in this almost-post recession economy, just read the headlines. SmallBizTrends.com

Financial Issues
AIG Overhauls Its System for Incentive Pay
Those ranked in the top 10 percent of employees will receive the greatest incentive pay, followed by those ranked in the next 20 percent, the next 50 percent and the remaining 20 percent. Workforce.com

Financial Issues
Does Your Small Business Need a Bailout?
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (better known as the Stimulus Plan or Recovery Act) – the Small Business Administration (SBA) was awarded some $225 million to help small business owners who find themselves in financial trouble. This program was termed America’s Recovery Capital (ARC) program. BusinessKnowHow.com

Tax Issues
Get a Head Start on Taxes
Tips for getting your records in order and preparing for the tax season. Entrepreneur.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Sales Lessons Learned From Selling in a Recession
The past year was definitely interesting. Some sales professionals prospered while others suffered. I spoke to one person who doubled his income—and he works in automotive sales! Yet, another well-established person experienced a decline of more than fifty percent in their sales. BusinessKnowHow.com

A Small Business Owner Takes His Case to the Top

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:04:37 GMT

Government and Politics
Obama's Small Business Plans: Where They Stand
President Obama has been talking -- a lot -- about what Washington needs to do to help save small businesses. Over the past week, he's introduced a half-dozen different initiatives aimed at unlocking credit, creating jobs and expanding the Small Business Administration's loan programs. CNNmoney.com

Technology Issues
What's on the Horizon for Microsoft Office 2010?
As Microsoft prepares the next release of its Office suite, here's what's in store for the mobile worker. Entrepreneur.com

Technology Issues
Think Twice Before Handing Out Smart Phones to Your Employees
If you are a small business owner and you have non-exempt employees on staff, beware. There’s a danger lurking that makes sense but almost no one saw it coming. BusinessKnowHow.com

Technology Issues
Will the iPad Wow Business Owners?
Apple's new tablet could soon prove both a vital launch pad and productivity tool for entrepreneurs. Entrepreneur.com

Technological Issues
Turn You iPhone Into a Credit Card Terminal
Now, photographers, contractors, limo drivers and dog trainers -- any business that operates remotely -- can find a wealth of new software to process credit cards on mobile phones. CNNmoney.com

Legal Issues
Analysis Finds Defined-Benefit Plans Outpace 401(k) Returns
A Towers Watson analysis finds that defined-contribution plans don’t replicate the advantage of defined-benefit pension plans and thus are unlikely to perform DB plans. Workforce.com

Tax Issues
The Latest on the Estate Tax Lapse
A certified financial planner explains why the IRS isn't collecting the estate tax in 2010 and offers advice to family business owners preparing succession plans. BusinessWeek.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
How to Set Up a Customer Reference Program
Is your company doing everything it can to generate customer referrals and positive word-of-mouth? If you suspect the answer is "no," then you should consider setting up a formal customer reference program. ManageSmarter.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Musician Makes over $18k in 5 Days with Social Media
Here is an example of a business that was started with social media. It was started, get this: over this Christmas and New Year’s, by a musician in Sweden who has never had a business online. SmallBizTrends.com

2010 IRS Tax Calendar for Small Businesses

al@gowithabc.com (Al Lifchultz) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:40:27 GMT

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), "Small firms with fewer than 500 employees represent 99.9 percent of the 29.6 million businesses" in the United States. Conversely, large businesses numbered only 18,000 as of 2006. Small businesses and the self-employed truly are the backbone of America.

With tax season fast approaching, make sure your small business is well prepared for April 15th by downloading the 2010 IRS tax calendar for small businesses and the self-employed. (Click the below picture to download this handy small business resource in convenient PDF form).

Main Street Frustration: 'Everything is Going to Banks'

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:18:36 GMT

Management and Operations
10 Trends to Test CEOs
CEOs who made it through the last year-and-a-half already have been tested, but it looks like the tests are just beginning. Healthy Companies identified 10 trends it believes are creating an adverse environment for corporate leadership. ManageSmarter.com

Management and Operations
Learning in a New World
It is time to revolutionize the way we approach learning in the business world. For too long we have settled for dispensing tips, techniques, information, and motivational pabulum. If we are going to be the world's source of innovation, regain our competitive prominence, and rebuild our economy, we need to completely overhaul the standard practices for learning, as they are clearly not up to the task. Why do I say that? ManageSmarter.com

Tax Issues
The Best-Kept Tax Secret for Small Businesses
For two years, Dr. James Smouse of Atlanta Oral and Facial Surgery tried to convince his younger partners to participate in a cash balance pension plan, a unique defined-benefit plan that offers business owners the opportunity to make hefty, tax-deferred contributions toward their retirement savings. But until the recession hit, they weren't interested. CNNmoney.com

Legal Issues
Employees Texting While Driving Can Jeopardize a Business
According to risk prevention specialists at Zurich Services Corp., employers could be held ‘vicariously liable’ if they permit employees to use particular technologies while driving. This could include operating a company-owned cell phone or mobile device while driving. Workforce.com

Financial Issues
Almost Half of Wall Streeters to Get Bigger Bonuses This Year
A survey firm official says the public often thinks of bonuses as a ‘four-letter word,’ but points out the bonuses are based on performance. Workforce.com

Financial Issues
Merchant Accounts: Compare and Save
If you’ve ever seen a minimum sale price for credit card purchases posted near a cash register, you know that accepting credit cards is expensive. With an ecommerce Web site, your business will suffer if you don’t accept credit card payments. Credit card companies know that you’ll gain more in sales by accepting their cards than you’ll lose in fees, so you can’t avoid them completely. But with some research, you can find the best deal for your business. BusinessKnowHow.com

Financial Issues
Is It Really That Tough to Get Credit?
The Times just published an article about small businesses, desperate for credit, who turn to purchase-order financing to keep their operations running. NYtimes.com

Technology Issues
Those Absurdly Irrelevent Gmail Ads? They May Get Better
Gmail users love to kvetch about how bad ads on the service are. Ostensibly targeted to the content of an e-mail message, these placements are typically off the mark in terms of matching a person's interests, her purchase intent, or even the context of a message she is reading. ClickZ.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
What Apple's iPad Means for Marketers
When the iPad was announced, I was more than a little disappointed. I had expected this thing could replace my laptop but instead it seemed like it was nothing more than an oversized iPod Touch (not an iPhone like some are saying...there's no microphone or camera. But more on that in a minute). ClickZ.com

Small Business Owners to Shoppers: Stay Put

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:44:06 GMT

Management and Operations
Resolving Employee Complaints Before They Hit the Internet
The question is what to do about employee complaints about the workplace. It's more than a matter of damage control. Trying to repair the harm to internal morale, recruitment efforts, and corporate reputations after the fact is not as effective as preventing the damage in the first place. ManageSmarter.com

Management and Operations
Time to Audit Your Image
It's all in the details--from the friendliness of reception to your office decor. Entrepreneur.com

Management and Operations
Small Business Owners to Shoppers: Stay Put
The "buy local" movement is popular among small-business owners, but does it really work? WSJ.com

Legal Issues
Vulgarity Justifies Hostile Work Environment Suit
After complaints to management went unheeded, Ingrid Reeves resigned and filed suit, alleging she had been subjected to a hostile work environment in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Workforce.com

Financial Issues
A 'Systemic Shift' in Small Business Lending
As banks cut back on lending directly to small businesses, CDFIs are expanding their role and tapping recently formed bank holding companies for capital. BusinessWeek.com

Financial Issues
An Emergency Small Business
A stimulus measure crafted to get emergency funding to Main Street businesses has turned out to be such a flop that even its Congressional advocate wants the program killed. But for the 5,000 business owners who have jumped through all the hoops to land loans, even a flawed lifeline is better than none at all. CNNmoney.com

Technology Issues
Marketers to Spend More on Social Media as Usage Skyrockets
Rumors of a Facebook decline have been greatly exaggerated, according to a new Nielsen report that says the average person spent five and a half hours on social media sites in December 2009, up 82 percent from December 2008. Significant traffic increases for Facebook and Twitter led the way. ClickZ.com

Technology Issues
Microsoft Media Fastest Growing U.S. Ad Network in 2009
Microsoft Media Network was the fastest growing major ad network in the U.S. in 2009, according to data from comScore's Media Metrix panel. The measurement firm estimates the network's reach was 31 percent greater in December 2009 than it was during the same period in 2008. ClickZ.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Global Sales Training's Balancing Act
A one-size-fits-all global sales strategy that fails to take into account the cultural, regulatory, geographic, and economic differences that exist across borders is a blueprint for failure. ManageSmarter.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
3 Ways to Talk so Clients Listen
If you want your clients to really hear what you have to say, you have to know how to say it in the most effective manner possible. In any given situation- business or otherwise-a person's main motivation is, "What's in it for me?" That means whatever you say has to be geared towards answering that very question for your listener. BusinessKnowHow.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Eight Steps to Attracting Clients
There’s a logical sequence to building a business, whether it’s online or offline. There are certain things that must be done in order to see your business grow. By committing to follow these eight steps, you can attract more clients and have the kind of income you want. BusinessKnowHow.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
How to Boost Sales in a Deflated Economy
Introduce new products or services to help your small business beat the recession in ways that cost-cutting can't. Entrepreneur.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
3 Sales Lessons from the Massachusetts Senate Race
It seems that no matter who we are or where we live, those of us in the United States were watching the Senate special election on January 19, 2010. I know I was watching and learning. SmallBizTrends.com

Banks Pull Another $1 Billion From Small Business Lending

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:23:55 GMT

Management and Operations
21st Century Career Development and Its Implications for Learning and Development
There has been a significant change between what career development means in the 21st century and what it meant when our parents' generation, or even when my fellow Boomers, entered the workforce. ManageSmarter.com

Management and Operations
First Lady Michelle Obama Promotes Work/Life Balance
During her visit with 400 employees, Obama touched on an issue that has been central to her professional life—simultaneously managing the demands of home and the workplace. Workforce.com

Management and Operations
Can Main Street Win Business Plan Competitions?
Business plan competitions tend to emphasize technology. NYtimes.com

Legal Issues
Law Protecting Gay, Transgender Workers Vowed in 2010
The measure would prohibit basing hiring, firing, promotion and compensation decisions on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Workforce.com

Financial Issues
Feds Approve $187 Million to Better Fuel Economy
Most of the money goes to heavy-duty truck makers, but auto companies will get a third. Entrepreneur.com

Financial Issues
Banks Pull Another $1 Billion From Small Business Lending
The nation's biggest banks cut their collective small business lending balance by another $1 billion in November, according to a Treasury report released late Friday. The drop marked the seventh straight month of declines. CNNmoney.com

Technology Issues
Google Adds New Features to Place Pages, Is It Enough?
In September Google released Google Place Pages in its effort to create a Web page for every business on the Web (and, of course, take away a little steam from Yelp). Last week they offered up two new features to help make the service a bit more interactive and useful for users and business owners. SmallBizTrends.com

Technology Issues
Next Little Thing 2010
Wireless electricity, invisible speakers, a mind-reading headset -- see what America's entrepreneurs are creating for release in 2010. CNNmoney.com

Technology Issues
Techs Working for $54B From Small Business
From specialized product launches to lower-cost financing options, Dell and Hewlett Packard are among the PC makers courting the little guys. FoxSmallBusiness.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
How to Target a Local Audience Online
A good local search strategy is important to any business looking to reach out to customers in their area whether they sell online or not. Here are four tips for getting your business in front of local customers on the Internet. BusinessKnowHow.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Buy-Local Campaigns Deliver Above-Average Holiday Sales
Supporters of buy-local campaigns say shopping at independent retailers benefits the community more than shopping at national chains or big-boxes. BusinessWeek.com

A Jump Start for Stalled Small Business Lenders

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:17:21 GMT

Management and Operations
Marketing Lowdown: Five Steps To Better Retail Displays
A recent poll asked average Americans which of their five senses they would least be willing to lose. The result? Overwhelmingly, the eyes have it. But before we can learn anything with our eyes, we must be interested enough to look. Our attention must be captured. ManageSmarter.com

Management and Operations
Managing the Direct Marketing Supply Chain
A direct marketing offer can reach its potential customers through print mailings, e-mail blasts, Website offerings, television advertising, Internet promotions, social media, and the rest of the traditional and new media channels. ManageSmarter.com

Management and Operations
Is Your Introduction Ready?
Learn how to sell yourself to prospects in 6 simple steps. Entrepreneur.com

Management and Operations
12 Questions to Measure Employee Engagement
Do your opinions seem to count? Does the mission/purpose of your company make you feel your job is important? Have you had opportunities at work to learn and grow? Workforce.com

Marketing and Operations
Boring Meetings? Get Out the Water Guns
Small-Business Owners Find Creative Ways to Make the Most of Conference-Room Time as Downturn Demands Efficiency. WSJ.com

Legal Issues
Four Legal Pitfalls Loom in 2010
Attorneys identify employee lawsuits, immigration audits, improper insurance, and Internet security as risks this year and offer their advice. BusinessWeek.com

Financial Issues
A Jump Start for Stalled Small Business Lenders
A program to revive the secondary market for Small Business Administration 504 loans could unlock credit for companies trying to expand. BusinessWeek.com

Financial & Tax Issues
Tax Strategies for the Newly Self-Employed
If you're a staffer turned contingent worker, you need to rethink your business status, retirement funding, and deductions. BusinessWeek.com

Technology Issues
Plug In or Tune Out?
Discover which of the year's hottest gadgets, trends and technologies make sense for your small business, and the high-tech shape of things to come. Entrepreneur.com

Technology Issues
Facebook Doubles, MySpace Visitors Down in November
Facebook saw the number of visitors more than double in November 2009 compared to the same month in 2008. The social network had 102.8 million unique visitors in November 2009, making it the largest social network, according tocomScore data. ClickZ.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
How to Achieve Your Sales Targets in 2010
I’m sure by now that you have established your sales targets for 2010. If you haven’t I suggest that you get cracking and do it now. Time is slipping past! If you have set your targets, congratulations! Here are 10 things you can do to achieve those goals. BusinessKnowHow.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
5 Tips to Attract More Blog Comments
Do what you can to attract more comments on your company blog as more people are noticing updates on Facebook or Twitter. Following are five tips for attracting more blog comments on your company blog. Entrepreneur.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Firms Hold Fast to Snail Mail Marketing
Despite the prevalence of digital media, entrepreneurs find old fashioned direct mailings are still a key to winning customers. WSJ.com

Three Best Ways to Sell Excess Holiday Merchandise

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:46:41 GMT

Management and Operations
Ten Worst Communication Blunders of 2009
From a steady review of major news events, here are the ten worst communication blunders of 2009. BusinessKnowHow.com

Management and Operations
Productivity Coach's Corner: Clear the Clutter, Create Opportunity
The following is a specific key to success in lightening the load on your body and mind. This is a practical activity, one you can do to reduce the unnecessary physical and psychological stress you may be carrying around right now. Wouldn't it be worth it to invest less than one half of an hour to regain some confidence and control? ManageSmarter.com

Management and Operations
Keeping Laid-Off Workers Close
I've spoken to so many business owners and consultants this year about how to survive the downturn--how to save money, operate more cheaply, find free resources, start up on a shoestring. Everyone's looking for anything that can help them hold on until the economy turns. Entrepreneur.com

Management and Operations
For More Workers, Home Is Where the Office Is
So maybe 2010 will be the year that you finally break out on your own. Voluntarily or not. WSJ.com

Financial Issues
How to Get Unstuck From Debt
Short of not getting into it to begin with, here's a way to manage your business debt. WomenEntrepreneur.com

Technology Issues
Five Can’t-Miss Mobile Marketing Trends For 2010
Marketing to consumers’ cellphones has long been viewed as something of a holy grail by businesses – prized but always beyond reach. Recently however, new mobile technologies have gone mainstream, making the elusive goal of an always-on connection with customers firmly within reach of even the smallest business. SmallBizTrends.com

Technology Issues
SEO Trends to Watch for in 2010
A new year means another chance to capture rankings, to try out new marketing strategies and to take advantage of the areas where the search engines are looking to expand and place new importance. Because, despite what some may think, SEO for small business is not becoming less important. It’s more important than ever. SmallBizTrends.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Three Best Ways to Sell Excess Holiday Merchandise
What happens when your sweaters or electronics aren't sold before the Christmas holiday? Instead of drastically marking down merchandise for post-holiday sales, there are a few ways to unload excess inventory without severely hurting your bottom line. Here's how. WSJ.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Customer Loyalty: Knowing When to Move On
Everyone knows that this economy has taken a huge toll on just about every industry, every size company, and every type of workforce. Businesses may need to be ready to let some customers go as their natural migration to a cheaper/lesser service or product in this economy and stick to our guns. BusinessKnowHow.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Networking and Selling Using Body Language Secrets
Networking events. Association meetings. Conferences. Regional meetings. Trade shows. Each of these events represents an opportunity for you and your company, whether you want to make the sale, make the right connection, or exchange business cards with the right person. ManageSmarter.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
The 10 Customer Service Trends for 2010
In 2010, customer service makes a big comeback. It becomes the new marketing. Forget about paying lip service to offering “great customer service”. Let go all of those “the customer is always right” myths. It’s time to offer outstanding customer service only because it makes economic sense for your small business. It is the only truly sustainable competitive advantage. SmallBizTrends.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
7 Ways to Get More From Social Media in 2010
The numbers show that companies will invest more resources into social media in 2010 as a way to market themselves and find new customers. And that trend won’t exclude small business owners. Small business owners who have previously ignored the medium completely will find themselves entering the fold. And those with history in social media will be looking for new ways to increase value. SmallBizTrends.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Why E-mail Marketing Is in Need of a Makeover
As technology and consumer use of technology both evolve, access to information changes. We as marketers -- as we leverage each channel, including e-mail -- must also evolve. ClickZ.com

Need to Teach Employees How to Break Out of Jail?

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:39:44 GMT

ABC Online and On Your Side
We're working on refining old partnerships so that we can better help members find benefits in our discount program. We're also continually working to create new partnerships. Check out our current partners and the discounts they have for you! We're also working on some major changes to a few of our core products. We hope to be able to roll them out in the next month or so. Stay tuned!

Management and Operations
“Enlightened” Profit. A Better Way To Build A Business.
Values are the key to building value. More and more of today’s CEO’s now see a three tiered metric of profit as essential to building a strong and sustainable company. TheWisdomGuy.com

Management and Operations
When Bad Things Happen to Good Business Owners and Entrepreneurs
Stuff happens. As a business owner and entrepreneur, the more successful you become, the more you open yourself up to criticism, negative feedback or just plain being attacked. BusinessKnowHow.com

Management and Operations
Do You Need to Teach Employees How to Break Out of Jail?
Your employees aren't always the best workplace performers, but you haven't placed any of them in jail for it, probably. An author of a newly-released book says you may nevertheless need to teach them how to break out of prison. ManageSmarter.com

Management and Operations
200 Questions Job Candidates May Ask Your Company
Here are some questions that applicants may ask recruiters, managers, HR pros, and others. Some of them you may start hearing more often as the balance of power continues to tilt toward employees. Workforce.com

Management and Operations
Tis the Season to be Charitable, But Don’t Fall for Charity Scams
Despite the poor economy, many small business people continue to contribute generously to charitable causes, particularly during the holiday season. BusinessKnowHow.com

Legal Issues
Caution: Blogging Lawsuits Ahead
Every marketing expert you've ever met has probably encouraged you to start a blog on your website to help drive traffic and get your company site good search rankings. But be warned that you'll want to watch what you say on both your own and others' sites, as new laws governing online speech took effect last week. Entrepreneur.com

Financial Issues
Small Business Accounting Software: 17 Targeted Choices
Are you still keeping your books using a spreadsheet — or worse, a time-consuming paper accounting ledger? Make 2010 the year you get your books organized and in tip-top shape. Let technology help make it easy. SmallBizTrends.com

Technology Issues
Increase PPC Returns with a Custom Landing Page
Pay per click (PPC) advertising continues to be one of the most cost effective and measurable marketing mediums available. Campaigns are becoming more sophisticated to increase the return on investment. BusinessKnowHow.com

Health, Benefits, and Labor Issues
Will Small Business See Health-Care Cost Relief?
Yes, insurers are price-gouging small companies. Bills in the House and Senate would help them fight back. BusinessWeek.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
4 Strategies to Break Through the Marketing Noise This Holiday Season
The holidays are here: the most important time of the year for retailers, as they hope that huge sales bring them to profitability for 2009. Big box retailers will use millions of dollars to flex their marketing muscle to bring attention to their products and sales. It gives them a huge advantage over small retailers, but the little guys do have an equalizing arrow in their quiver: email marketing campaigns. BusinessKnowHow.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
So Many People, So Many Doors - Successfully Navigate with a Sales Map
When trying to access the right people in an organization to advance your sales efforts, you may struggle to chart a successful course. How do you make sure you—or the people you manage—recognize and identify the key players as soon as possible to optimize your chances of winning? ManageSmarter.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Get Rich Off Your Million-Dollar Idea
It's not geniuses who come up with inventions. It's normal people who see a better way to do things. WomenEntrepreneur.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Time to Ask Customers Tough Questions
Most small business owners and sales managers avoid conversations that could result in negative feedback. But sales guru Scott Messer says unpleasant truths are essential for planning. BusinessWeek.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Social Media Checklist for Small and Medium Size Businesses
With the goals of raising awareness, expanding market share, and improving customer loyalty, it's critical to be creative in how your business engages and participates in the social media arena. ClickZ.com

Fending Off Empty Holiday Shelves

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:17:33 GMT

Government, Politics, and the Economy
No Rebound Yet For Smallest Businesses
Confidence among America’s smallest business owners fell to the lowest level since February, according to the latest Discover-Small Business Watch. BusinessWeek.com

Management and Operations
Disaster Protection: The Need for Small Business Continuity
BusinessKnowHow has reprinted the latest edition (Fall 2009) of Disaster Recovery Journal and the article “The Need for Small Business, Business Continuity” by Mark R. Lupo. BusinessKnowHow.com

Management and Operations
Survey Says Retail Customer Service Stinks
Associates do well telling basic information, but fail to go the extra mile when having to identify and respond to indirect signals. The positive aspect? They can be trained. ManageSmarter.com

Management and Operations
So What's Next?
Sometimes this is the most important question to ask yourself. Entrepreneur.com

Management and Operations
Fending Off Empty Holiday Shelves
With sales slow and credit tight, small merchants are scrambling to stock their shelves for the year's biggest shopping season. CNNmoney.com

Management and Operations
How to Write an Operations Manual
Every business, no matter how small, needs to have standards, and developing your own set of policies and procedures (often called an operations manual) will help your business run more smoothly— especially when you can't be there. WSJ.com

Financial Issues
Greed, Money, And Its Effect On Managing: The Problem With Greed
Just take a look at the economic crash of 2009 and one will see the impact of greed on the economic system. Nowadays it seems enough is not enough. BusinessKnowHow.com

Technology Issues
6 Ways To Create Opportunities on LinkedIn
Life is so unfair. Just because they’re shinier, Twitter and Facebook often scoop up the attention for being social networking powerhouses. And they are! However, if you’re a small business owner, you also need to be paying attention to LinkedIn. SmallBizTrends.com

Technology Issues
Email Newsletter Design Guide
You’ve been collecting customer email addresses for a while, but haven’t quite made the time to design your first customer newsletter. The good news is that it’s not very hard to get started. We’ll walk you through the process of designing your newsletter. BusinessKnowHow.com

Technology Issues
Launch Your Site on Schedule
If you want a website that's both on time and on point, you'll have to plan accordingly. Entrepreneur.com

Health, Benefits, and Labor Issues
Americans Clueless About Paying for Long-Term Care, Report Concludes
Survey respondents think they can rely on Social Security, Medicare and regular health insurance to cover their bills. Workforce.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
The Power of Video In Business Marketing
What's the fastest way to capture customer attention? Video. What's a new powerful tool to arm your sales team with to help differentiate you from your competitors? Video. What can you do to reduce turnover, instill fun, and increase loyalty of your workers? Video. ManageSmarter.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
How Disney Works to Win Repeat Customers
Owners of retail shops and service businesses can borrow Disney's "secondary-guest" strategy to convince customers to keep returning. BusinessWeek.com

Consumers Do Homework Before Buying This Holiday Season

kim@gowithabc.com (Kim Fenolio) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:30:15 GMT

Government, Politics, and the Economy
Is It Too Early to Start Thinking About a Rebound?
It may not feel like it yet in your town or in your industry, but there are indications that things are getting better. NYtimes.com

Management and Operations
How to Not Go Out of Business
Start by studying how your best customers interact with your brand and its competitors, then brainstorm ways to address any shortcomings. BusinessWeek.com

Management and Operations
Creating Real and Lasting Performance Improvement Through Behavior Change
In most medium or large companies there exists a training or learning program. Unfortunately in most circumstances, when the "training" session is over, the learning stops. ManageSmarter.com

Management and Operations
Dress Up Your Online Store for the Holidays
These tips will give your customers--and your business--plenty of reasons to celebrate the season. Entrepreneur.com

Management and Operations
When Your Spouse Is Your Business Partner
If you have to be a little crazy to be an entrepreneur, going into business with your spouse must represent a special kind of lunacy. NYtimes.com

Management and Operations
How to Work ON Your Business, Not IN it
We get so caught up in the daily life of running a business, it’s easy to miss the forest for the trees. SmallBizTrends.com

Management and Operations
To Find Best Hires, Firms Become Creative
'Speed Dating' Interviews and Personality Tests Help Winnow Deep Applicant Pools, Improve Matches. WSJ.com

Financial Issues
For SBA Loans, Stimulus Well Runs Dry
Two popular stimulus provisions that drew hundreds of banks back to the small-business lending arena ran out of funding Monday, setting the stage for a potential new credit squeeze for business owners. WSJ.com

Financial Issues
Supporting Underserved Entrepreneurs
Goldman Sachs' initiative to help small business has drawn headlines. Here are some programs targeting microenterprises and inner-city entrepreneurs. BusinessWeek.com

Financial Issues
Quiet Black Friday on Main Street
No frenzy in Red Bank, N.J., where merchants expect bigger sales as Christmas draws closer. A group of artists in Iowa gets an enthusiastic turnout at their buy-local market. CNNmoney.com

Health, Benefits, and Labor Issues
Environmental Sustainability and You: 4 Myths about Going Green
Now, the phrase “Going Green” has been replaced by the more business-like “Environmental Sustainability.” BusinessKnowHow.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
4 Secrets for Selling Value Instead of Price
Do you find that your prospects are focused on the price of your products and services and often pressure you to give them discounts? BusinessKnowHow.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Consumers Do Homework Before Buying This Holiday Season
Analysts say consumer's money will be spent carefully by putting more time into research before making their purchases. ClickZ.com

Who Needs Santa When You Have Social Media?

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:25:21 GMT

ABC Online and On Your Side
Our social media expert, Kim Fenolio, was invited to speak at the 140 Character Conference in L.A., the largest Twitter conference of the year. She was one of 140 people asked to explain how Twitter is revolutionizing communication within small business. Watch the video to learn some useful tips for your business.

Government, Politics, and the Economy

U.S. Stocks Extend Global Rally on Retail Sales, APEC Pledge
U.S. stocks added to a global rally, sending the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index to a 13-month high, after retail sales increased more than forecast and Asian government leaders pledged to maintain economic stimulus spending. Bloomberg.com

The Economy
6 Steps for Surviving the Recession
The news today just is not very good. Every time we think we are on the upside of the downturn, we get thrown for another loop, hit with another tax, told it will be just a few more months before all this turns around. BusinessKnowHow.com

Management and Operations
A Home Office That Does the Job
Here's how one BusinessWeek reporter figured out what setup he needed so he could best work from home. BusinessWeek.com

Management and Operations
7 Ways To Make Your Site More Dynamic
What types of content should small business owners be producing or aggregating to attract users, increase time spent on site and to help create a community? Find out here. SmallBizTrends.com

Management and Operations
Three Best Ways to Make Sure Customers Pay
If you're having a tough time getting customers to pay, you're certainly not alone. WSJ.com

Management and Operations
It Just Isn't Working? Some File for Customer Divorce
As weak economy exerts financial pressure, firms shred their "high-maintenance" or delinquent clients. WSJ.com

Employee Issues
Employee or Independent Contractor?
If you run a business and plan to have people working for you, it is important to properly classify them as either employees or independent contractors because your decision will have payroll tax implications. BusinessKnowHow.com

Financial Issues
Companies Cut Back on Holiday Gift Giving
Expect a dearth of holiday gift baskets and other goodies next month, as the tough economy forces companies to cut back on holiday gift giving. USAtoday.com

Financial Issues
Franchise Owners Could Be Getting Some Love In 2010
As this year starts to wind down, small business owners and executives are working on their sales goals and projections for next year. In my industry, franchising, executives are undoubtedly looking at how the credit crunch will affect their new franchise sales. SmalBizTrends.com

Technology Issues
Who Needs Santa When You Have Social Media?
Consumers enlist social media and mobile devices to help with holiday gifts. ManageSmarter.com

Technology Issues
At Checkout, More Ways to Avoid Cash or Plastic
For almost as long as Americans have been hearing about jetpacks and picturephones, they have been hearing that money — bills, coins and plastic cards — might cease to exist, or at least become a novelty. NYtimes.com

Technology Issues
Apple Tablet: One Tech Gadget for All
The rumored and much-hyped tablet computer from Apple could lay waste to the markets for countless other gadgets. CNN.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Training Salespeople to Stop Choking and Start Selling:The Secret to Building Sales Confidence
Today we're going to talk about muscle memory and how it applies to sales performance. But since the biggest muscle involved in sales seems to be the mouth muscle, you're going to be skeptical from the outset. That's okay. To be a successful manager or CEO, your skepticism muscle needs a daily workout, too. BusinessKnowHow.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Gender Bender: Rolling with a Woman's New Buying Habits
When it comes to selling to women, be reassured that once you know about their new buying habits, you'll be able to keep going—no matter what. ManageSmarter.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Three Ways to Use Content to Engage Your Audience
Marketers face a never-ending challenge trying to get more and more people to come to their Web sites. ClickZ.com

Business Know-How Start-Up Cost Calculator

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:00:22 GMT

Workplace Shootings in Florida, Texas Again Put Focus on Violence on the Job
The two shootings are the highest-profile incidents of workplace violence since a Yale University student’s strangled body was found in the university laboratory where she conducted research. A co-worker, Raymond J. Clark III, was later charged with the murder. Workforce.com

Management and Operations
How to Resolve Workplace Conflict
Conflict in the workplace is a painful reality and a key reason for poor productivity and frustration. Do you have people in your workplace that cause problems for everyone else? Do they create additional work for others? One point is clear--conflict does not magically go away and only gets worse when ignored. BusinessKnowHow.com

Management and Operations
Seven Ways to Boost Productivity
For many small-business owners, the recession created unprecedented pressure to cut costs, trim their staffs or enact hiring freezes. Slow sales and a tight lending environment left human capital at a high premium. WSJ.com

Financial Issues
Business Know-How Start-Up Cost Calculator
Do you have enough money to start the business of your dreams? Use our Business Know-How Start-Up Cost Calculator below to estimate the money you'll need to get your business started and keep it operating in the first few months. BusinessKnowHow.com

Financial Issues
6 Facts to Know Before Renting an Email List
Data can make you or break you in Direct Marketing, whether it is postal, email or telemarketing! BusinessKnowHow.com

Technology Issues
Online Retailers Get Social for the Holidays
To combat a slow sales forecast, many online retailers will be looking to boost their digital presence this holiday season, per Shop.org's annual eHoliday Study conducted by BIGresearch. ManageSmarter.com

Health, Benefits, and Labor Issues
New IRS Site Simplifies Small-Business Retirement Plans
The average American’s retirement plan isn’t worth as much as it was a few years ago — but offering such plans is still a huge perk that helps small businesses attract potential employees. No longer are retirement plans just for big companies. You’ll find a good selection of plans out there for companies with only a few employees and even for sole proprietors. SmallBizTrends.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Shops Restructure Ways to Go Local
Media agency networks are taking steps to reinvent the $5.5 billion local buying process as they seek leverage and efficiencies. ManageSmarter.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
4 Sure Ways to Get Publicity
There are more channels for exposure than ever, but it takes diligence to keep your business in front of the right ones. Entrepreneur.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
SEO for Twitter Content
The major search engines have a history of evolving their indexing capabilities to keep up with new types of digital content. First it was HTML text, then blog content, then multimedia files like videos, and more recently it was flash content. Now the search engines are indexing another type of content -- tweets! ClickZ.com

10 Things You Can Do in the Next 60 Days to Market Your Business and Close More Sales

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:31:53 GMT

Economy Jumps 3.5 Percent to Largest Growth in Two Years
Consumer spending, exports and investments experience greatest gains. ManagerSmarter.com

Management and Operations
Small Shops Make Big Play for Holiday Shoppers
Merchants roll out Christmas wares weeks in advance to lure customers away from large discount retailers. WSJ.com

Management and Operations
The Rise of the 'Homepreneur'
New research shows the economic importance of home-based businesses: They account for more than half of all U.S. businesses and employ more people than venture-backed companies. BusinessWeek.com

Financial Issues
Accounting 101: How to Keep Financial Records
Comprehend your company's overall performance and health by keeping and understanding your financial records. WSJ.com

Financial Issues
Microloan Program
The microloan program from the Small Business Administration, as the name implies, is targeted towards very small businesses. BusinessKnowHow.com

Technology Issues
Nielsen, DataLogix Partner for Better Online Ad Targeting
The Nielsen Co. has joined forces with the Westminster, CO-based direct marketing firm DataLogix in a partnership that the research giant believes will go a long way toward fulfilling the promise of online ad targeting. ManageSmarter.com

Technology Issues
Quickbooks 2010: Accounting Software Review
It is hard to imagine big shifts in accounting software. After all, not much has changed in how you count money coming in or going out. SmallBizTrends.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
10 Things You Can Do in the Next 60 Days to Market Your Business and Close More Sales
Every small business marketer wants to be intentional about their marketing — ideally, marketers should have a marketing calendar. Truth is, many organizations do not. SmallBizTrends.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
11 Monstrous Small Business Marketing Mistakes and How To Avoid Them
Small business owners and self-employed professionals can increase marketing success by avoiding these business-sabotaging errors. BusinessKnowHow.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
When Talking to Strangers: 3 Reasons Potential Customers May Distrust You
Consider these three reasons potential customers may distrust you or your team members. BusinessKnowHow.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
What Does It Take To Be A Marketing Leader?
People recognize change cannot be managed without the right leadership, and more change demands more leadership. ManageSmarter.com

Can Main Street Catch Up with Wall Street?

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:52:43 GMT

ABC Online and On Your Side
ABC's own Social Media Expert, Kim Fenolio, is speaking at the 140 Characters Conference this week where she's going to talk about how Facebook and Twitter (social media) are helping your business in the current state of the world and economy. The entire conference will be broadcast live on the internet via the conference website. If you’d like to tune in live for Kim's panel, you can visit http://lax.140conf.com/ on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 1:55pm PST. Catch Kim Fenolio, on Twitter, via a DM or @message.

Government, Politics, and the Economy

Can Main Street Catch Up with Wall Street?
The Dow is up and many economists see an end to the recession. Try telling that to the rising ranks of those losing their jobs and houses. BusinessWeek.com

Management and Operations
Why Change is Necessary: Is Temporary Insanity Keeping You From Growing Your Small Business?
Successful people, and businesses, recognize the need for change early. They embrace it. And they go looking for it. BusinessKnowHow.com

Management and Operations
Look Before You Leap at Change
Ask these 8 crucial questions to make sure everyone's on board before you act. Entrepreneur.com

Management and Operations
Focus on Core Customers
Be committed to them, and they'll deliver new clients to you. Entrepreneur.com

Taxes and Financial Issues
Things to Consider When Taking Out a Business Loan
Here are some useful tips you can use to be better prepared when seeking a business loan. BusinessKnowHow.com

Technology Issues
ROI Is the New Ranking
It's not all about SEO anymore; it's about ROI and associated metrics that get you there. ClickZ.com

Technology Issues
The Future of Email
Where is email going in the future? Dave Lewis, CMO of Message Systems, gave his input and opinions. ClickZ.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Who's in Charge of Social Media?
Marketing's latest 'must-have' mixes up traditional matches between shops and clients. Find out more about social media. ManageSmarter.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Actions Speak Louder Than Words in B2B Sales
In making predictions, buying decision-makers have learned words are not enough; every salesperson is well-armed with those. ManageSmarter.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
How to Network – Live & In Person
In business, as they say, it's not what you know but who you know. WSJ.com

Forget Your Big Idea. Be Simple.

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:00:08 GMT

ABC Online and On Your Side
Our social media expert, Kim Fenolio will be speaking at the prestigious 140 Characters Conference on October 28, 2009. Kim will be leading the panel discussion about the effects of real-time internet usage on small business. Learn more about social media, Twitter and other mediums and their effects on your business by watching the panel live from the website as it happens.

Government, Politics, and the Economy

Retail Sales Rebound Into Xmas as Shares Show Consumer Not Dead
From the recent spike in sales, it's beginning to look a lot like the retail holiday season will be happier than predicted. Bloomberg.com

Management and Operations
Why Unemployed College Grads Should Channel Their Inner Entrepreneur
Recent college graduates who are unemployed should think about taking to their entrepreneurial skills and start their own business. BusinessKnowHow.com

Management and Operations
Forget Your Big Idea. Be Simple.
Take a lesson from silly cat pictures with witty captions from ICanHasCheezburger.com and see why simple ideas are the best ideas. SmallBizTrends.com

Legal Issues
Malicious Banners: What's Old Is New Again
The recent alarm about malicious display ads began slowly, but has rapidly gained steam. ClickZ.com

Taxes and Financial Issues
How To Get A Business Loan
A simple step-by-step process in how to receive a business loan for your small business. BusinessKnowHow.com

Technology Issues
Web-Based E-Mail: Businesses Beware
Microsoft, Google, Yahoo!, and lots of others offer these free or low-cost services, but if there's a snafu or important emails are lost, you're likely to be out of luck. BusinessWeek.com

Technology Issues
Windows 7, Like It Or Not
Four ways Microsoft will make it increasingly difficult to stick with Windows XP. CNNmoney.com

Health, Benefits, and Labor Issues
Entrepreneurs Unsure About Health Care Reform
Survey: Many small-biz owners think the reform will make for a more complex system. Entrepreneur.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Four Ways To Guarantee Your Customer Will Always Love You
With the tough economic times, there are a few things the small business owner can do to ensure they keep their customer base and make sure they love you and your business. BusinessKnowHow.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Turning Customers Into Repeat Buyers
Sales don't just wander in your front door. Here's how to cultivate up a steady stream of shoppers. CNNmoney.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Is Your Sales Force Ready for the Dip and the Bounce?
How do salespeople maintain relationships so they are well-positioned when the bounce does come? ManageSmarter.com

Break Bad Habits, Make More Money

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:45:56 GMT

ABC Online and On Your Side
While we're working away here at ABC to expand and improve our services, there have been some other exciting developments taking place. Our social media expert, Kim Fenolio, has been invited to speak at the prestigious 140 Characters Conference that is taking place October 27-28, 2009. Kim will be leading the October 28 panel discussion about the effects of real-time Internet usage on small business. If you're interested in hearing more about social media, Twitter and other mediums and their effects on your business, then stay tuned! We'll have more to tell you as time gets closer.

Government, Politics, and the Economy

U.S. Chain Sales up 0.1 Percent in September
Chain sales increased in the United States for the first time in 14 months, according to ICSC. ManageSmarter.com

Management and Operations
Dealing With Demanding Customers
We all experience it, customers who are over-demanding. Figure out how to deal with these customers and still show respect. BusinessKnowHow.com

Management and Operations
Break Bad Habits, Make More Money
Working for change pays off. Here's how to break through psychological barriers. CNNmoney.com

Management and Operations
The Nightmare Employee
He seemed like the perfect hire ... at first. Find out what you can do to prevent a bad hire, and what you can do after the fact. CNNmoney.com

Taxes and Financial Issues
The Government's Fuzzy Small Biz Math
The Small Business Administration's count of federal money spent with small businesses isn't adding up. CNNmoney.com

Technology Issues
Three Best Ways to Improve Your Online Reputation
Have a damaged reputation on the Internet? Here are three of the best ways to improve it to get your name out there positively. WSJ.com

Health, Benefits, and Labor Issues
5 Tips to Keep Your Mind Sharp
Constant learning is the foundation of a successful business owner. Here are 5 tips to keep your mind sharp & ready for business. Enterpreneur.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
9 Ways to Improve Your Direct Mail Brochure
Improve the pulling power of your next brochure with these 9 simple tips. BusinessKnowHow.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Six Ways to Integrate Twitter into Your Site
Twitter is a great social media tool for your small business. Find out how you can integrate it into your business website. SmallBizTrends.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Entrepreneurs Create Their Own Recovery
Hardy business owners are running uphill, growing their companies despite the recession. CNNmoney.com

How to Ruin Your Business Reputation

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:56:07 GMT

ABC Online and On Your Side

While we're working away here at ABC to expand and improve our services, there have been some other exciting developments taking place. Our social media expert, Kim Fenolio, has been invited to speak at the prestigious 140 Characters Conference that is taking place October 27-28, 2009. Kim will be leading the October 28 panel discussion about the effects of real-time internet usage on small business. If you're interested in hearing more about social media, Twitter and other mediums and their effects on your business, then stay tuned! We'll have more to tell you as time gets closer.

Government, Politics, and the Economy

U.S. Economy: Service Industries Grow for First Time in a Year
Thanks to the emerging recovery in housing and factories, service industries in the United States expanded in September for the first time in a year. Bloomberg.com

Management and Operations
Anchor Your Networking with Strong Relationships
Your corporate associations are important to keep your business striving during these tough economic times. Entrepreneur.com

Management and Operations
Versatile Communication: Avoiding the Hidden Costs of Communication Misalignment
Communication is essential for business. Find out what it is costing you for a communication mistake. ManageSmarter.com

Taxes and Financial Issues
How to Calculate Start-Up Costs
Opening a business without figuring out your costs is a poor move. Plan ahead, and start by making a list. WSJ.com

Taxes and Financial Issues
How to Trim the Online Ad Budget
Advertising online is becoming increasingly popular during the age of the Internet. Lean how to advertise online on a budget, and even save some money. ClickZ.com

Technology Issues
Hiring 2.0
Both potential employees and employers can use the Internet to enhance their hiring experiences. Find out how. ManageSmarter.com

Technology Issues
Just a Touch Away, the Elusive Tablet PC
Engineers and developers have quietly been creating a keyboard-free, touch-screen portable machines which are on track to be revealed within the next few months. NYtimes.com

Health, Benefits, and Labor Issues
Get the Lowdown on Insurance
Six tips to finding the best insurance for yourself and your small business. Entrepreneur.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
How to Ruin Your Business Reputation
Find out how to keep your reputation strong regardless of how your business is doing. BusinessKnowHow.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
10 Telephone Sales Tactics That Work

Follow these tips to get your call past the gatekeeper and to connect to someone to make your pitch. WomenEntrepreneur.com

Tech: The Return of Risk-Taking

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:26:49 GMT

Tech: The Return of Risk-Taking
Suddenly, there are mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, and investors galore. Will the reenergized industry lead the U.S. out of the Great Recession? BusinessWeek.com

Management and Operations
33 Highly Useful Presentation Tools
Use these tools for presentations to engage your audience, and get your point across using the latest technology. SmallBizTrends.com

Management and Operations
Top Small Workplaces 2009
In a difficult economic year, these companies managed to keep their employees a priority. WSJ.com

Management and Operations
In a Rut? Why Not Expand?
While others take shelter from the economic storm, these entrepreneurs are out splashing in the puddles. Entrepreneur.com

Legal Issues
Time for a Business Divorce
From outstanding tax liability to unearthed financial irregularities, biz breakups can be every bit as emotional and complicated as a marital split. BusinessWeek.com

Taxes and Financial Issues
Getting Money For Your Business In The Current Marketplace
Small business loans are hard to get, and recent reports show that business are not getting the funding they need to stay open. How can you get money for your business? BusinessKnowHow.com

Taxes and Financial Issues
20 Tips to Save Time and Money
Strapped for cash in your small business? And at home? Try these tips! SmallBizTrends.com

Technology Issues
Web Watch
Check out these sites for various websites to find ways to jump start you business, get information on funding, and more. WSJ.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Double Your Income by Warming Up Those Cold Calls
The majority of salespeople dread making cold calls. By being warm, friendly, and courteous will help you make the sale and increase your income. ManagerSmarter.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
9 Free Advertising Solutions
When the going gets tough, the tough advertise. Here's how to to use free advertising to solve business problems. Entrepreneur.com

Obama Takes Health-Care Pitch to the Young

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:40:21 GMT

Government, Politics, and the Economy
U.S. Stocks Advance, Extending Global Rally, as Dollar Weakens
The global rally is predicted to stick around, as the dollar fell, while oil and copper advanced and Treasuries were little changed. Bloomberg.com

Management and Operations
Ten Tips to Help Create More Time in Your Day
Have a problem with time management? Learn how to earn the most out of your time, and even add more time to your day to get more accomplished. BusinessKnowHow.com

Management and Operations
Article Marketing Do's and Don'ts
Writing articles for your business can increase publicity, help you get found on the Internet, as well as increase search engine rankings. BusinessKnowHow.com

Management and Operations
Work-At-Home Franchises: Real Opportunities or Scams?
Businesses that offer working from home are very convenient for both the employer and the employee, but before accepting the job, make sure it is a real opportunity. SmallBizTrends.com

Legal Issues
Top Five Employer Mistakes Under the FLSA
Many businesses make mistakes regarding The Fair Labor Standards Act. Learn what they are so you can avoid unnecessary lawsuits. Workforce.com

Taxes and Financial Issues
The Venture Capital Infusions
Small business received $2 billion in federal funds set aside solely for them. Find out what changes will happen thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Entrepreneur.com

Technology Issues
Unlock the Secrets of Successful Websites
Creating a website for your business and promoting it at the same time is important for growth and online traffic. Find out how to do both in 8 easy steps. Entrepreneur.com

Health, Benefits, and Labor Issues
Obama Takes Health-Care Pitch to the Young
Obama is promoting his health care legislation to students at the University of Maryland, trying to gain an audience with a younger crowd. WSJ.com

Health, Benefits, and Labor Issues
Key Senator Says He Will Alter Health Proposal
The Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee wants to provide more generous assistance to moderate-income Americans to help them buy insurance. WSJ.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Coca-Cola and IBM Still Top Brands
What brands are prosperous during the global economic crisis? What are they doing different? Find out! ManageSmarter.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Today's Lean Office: Smart and Stylish, Not Just Smaller
Branding a business office is important to establish workplace environment, and furnishing future success at the same time. Find out how to do both. ManageSmarter.com

Creative Support with Local Businesses

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:11:58 GMT

Retail Sales in U.S. Jump 2.7%, Most in Three Years
Thanks to the government's Cash for Clunkers program, retailers in the U.S. surged in August - the most in three years. Bloomberg.com

Management and Operations
Be Ready and Prepared for Disasters: September is National Preparedness Month
Fire, flood, hurricane, or tornado, you need to be prepared to protect yourself, your family, and your business from mother nature. BusinessKnowHow.com

Management and Operations
How To Kill Your Small Business
While there are dozens of tips on how to make sure your small business succeeds, there is one sure fire way to ensure that you kill your small business. SmallBizTrends.com

Legal Issues
What to Do When an HR Employee Sues
If an member of the HR staff alleges employment discrimination, it is a different situation than most other lawsuits. Here's how to proceed. Workforce.com

Taxes and Financial Issues
8 Tips and Resources for Managing Your Business Finances
Taking care of your business' finances is a demanding responsibility. Learn how to handle your finances. SmallBizTrends.com

Technology Issues
Can Chrome Help Your Startup Shine?
Google Chrome announces a new operating system that has the potential to help small businesses succeed - check it out! Entrepreneur.com

Health, Benefits, and Labor Issues
Three Best Ways to Insure Your Business
Insuring your small business is no easy task; figure out what will work for you and your company. WSJ.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
4 Myths That Cost You Sales
Professional service providers have been on the rise and the latest trend for marketing. Unfortunately, that trend is fading fast. Find out the truths about myths for marketing that are hindering your sales. BusinessKnowHow.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Creative Support with Local Businesses
Entrepreneurs are turning to their communities during these tough economic times for support. Get inspiration from these great small business stories. CNNmoney.com

Are Your Sales Questions Holding You Back?

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:38:00 GMT

ABC Online and On Your Side
ABC is proud to announce two new partners! G1 Graphics (formally Vital Signs) designs, manufactures, and installs signs, banners, and vinyl graphics, as well as print various items. As an ABC member, save 15% off their already low pricing. Thread Logic provides logo embroidered apparel with fast turnaround and uncompromised value. ABC members receive a 10% discount on any purchase of logo apparel.

Government, Politics, and the Economy

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125233977333690447.html
Key Week for Obama Starts on Feisty Note
President Obama starts off the Tuesday after Labor Day by stressing the importance of his new government-run-health-insurance program, while key senators collaborated for a bipartisan deal. WSJ.com

Management and Operations
http://www.womenentrepreneur.com/2009/09/hiring-without-the-headaches.html
Hiring Without the Headaches
Salary, taxes, and benefits are just some of the worries that arise for entrepreneurs when they decide to add on to their workforce. Small businesses need to have a hiring process in place to effectively hire employees for their small businesses. WomenEntrepreneur.com

Management and Operations
http://entrepreneur.com/sales/customerservicecolumnistsydneybarrows/article203136.html
Prioritize the Customer Experience
Every employee is a representative of a business. Without clear communication between upper management and employees, the standards of the company might not be upheld. Entrepreneur.com

Legal Issues
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125236538620490881.html
Cases Pile Up in Georgia Courts
A tight budget in Georgia has forced significant cuts in spending for the judiciary, which has led to monthly delays and frustrations across the state. WSJ.com

Taxes and Financial Issues
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2009/09/08/five-lessons-from-the-financial-crisis/?mod=rss_WSJBlog?mod=marketbeat
Five Lessons From the Financial Crisis
Learn five quick lessons of economics from Richard Berner of Morgan Stanley as he looks back on the economy in the past year while the one-year anniversary of the collapse of the Lehman Brothers. WSJ.com

Technology Issues
http://www.managesmarter.com/msg/content_display/marketing/e3i295a6fb278def938ee874906fc019527
Twitter, Facebook Pinch-Hit During Gmail Outage
While Gmail was out for over an hour last week, many Gmail turned to social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, to find information about the situation. ManageSmarter.com

Technology Issues
http://www.businessknowhow.com/technology/computer.htm
Desktop, Laptop, or Netbook: What’s the Best Solution for Your Needs?
Unsure about what type of computer is best for your small business? Find out the different pro's and con's about each to get your money's worth. BusinessKnowHow.com

Technology Issues
http://www.businessknowhow.com/internet/seo-copywriting.htm
Top 10 Don'ts for SEO Copywriting
SEO copywriting is important to drive traffic to your business's website. Unfortunately, as SEO became popular, many people misinterpreted how to write copy and began spreading the wrong information. Here are the Top 10 Don'ts for SEO Copywriting. BusinessKnowHow.com

Health, Benefits, and Labor Issues
http://money.cnn.com/2009/09/08/news/economy/manpower_hiring_fourth_quarter/index.htm?postversion=2009090808
Hiring to Remain 'Stable' Yet 'Sluggish'
In the final quarter of 2009, hiring levels are predicted to decline in the United States. On the other hand, other countries around the world are seeing the opposite effect as their labor markets are predicted to rebound sooner. CNNmoney.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
http://www.managesmarter.com/msg/content_display/sales/e3i2c507d0227252714119508272e656cfd
Are Your Sales Questions Holding You Back?
Salespeople need to ask questions to find out what their potential customers need, as well as which angle to pitch at. These questions are essential to closing a deal, and also could be what is holding you back from success. ManageSmarter.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
http://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/horrible.htm
7 Habits of Highly Horrible Networkers
Networking is important to the success of any small business. Learn the art of how to network successfully to get the most out of your connections. BusinessKnowHow.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/09/can-you-hire-people-to-be-social-for-you.html
Can You Hire People to be Social for You?
Social media is a popular trend that businesses are benefiting from. Unfortunately, small business owners might not have the time or the energy to put in the time that social media requires. Is hiring people the right move? SmallBizTrends.com

What Are Small Businesses Afraid Of?

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:57:12 GMT

ABC Online and On Your Side
ABC is proud to announce new partners! Assurant offers an average of a 42% discount on group and individual health insurance programs which include Group HSAs, PPO plans, Short Term, and Student Medical Plans. Recreation Connection offers savings of up to 50% on tickets to movie theaters, amusement parks, ski resorts, water parks, zoos, and aquariums nationwide. Supported by a 24/7 customer support team, Phone.com offers local or toll-free phone services for small and home offices at $9.88/month with two months free as an ABC member. For security information, idBUSINESS provides compliance tools, a library of policies and handbooks, as well as easy contact and guidance for incidents, all at a discount for ABC members.

Check out the new ABC partners! http://www.americasbestcompanies.com/partners/Default.aspx

Government, Politics, and the Economy

Inflation Will Accelerate Next Decade, Economists Say
According to a poll taken by the National Association for Business Economics, the Federal Reserve cannot prevent the trillions of dollars from the stimulus package from inflation over the next decade, rising an average of 3% per year from 2014 through 2018. Bloomberg.com

Government, Politics, and the Economy
What's North Dakota Doing Right?
As the rest of the nation painfully struggles with balancing the budget and rising unemployment, the state of North Dakota is thriving. North Dakota has a huge surplus, and the state capital of Bismark has the lowest jobless rate in America. Find out what "The Peace Garden State" is doing right. BusinessWeek.com

Management and Operations
What Are Small Businesses Afraid Of?
Warrillow & Co. conducted a study to find out what small businesses owners are really scared of. The Warrillow study also examined the difference between fears and pain points of small business owners. BusinessKnowHow.com

Management and Operations
Commit to Superior Customer Service
By dedicating himself and his business to provide exceptional customer service, Hank has changed his career and outlook on life. A "regular Joe," Hank's story is an inspiration to businesses who want to excel and can do so by perfecting their customer service. ManagerSmarter.com

Legal Issues
Labor Laws Got You Lost? How to Play by the New Employment Rules
In just the few months that Obama has been in office, he has implemented new laws which change the way employers deal with their employees. Make sure you take a look to ensure you are complying with the new laws. Workforce.com

Taxes and Financial Issues
Stocks: Beware the September Slump!
September is always a shaky month for the stock market, and investors are preparing as the dreadful month approaches. Also, Disney buys Marvel for $4 billion. How will that affect the stock market? CNNmoney.com

Technology Issues
Social Networking Tricks and Tweets
Social media, such as blogs, Facebook, and Twitter, are becoming very popular in the business world. Do you know what is work appropriate and what is not? BusinessManagementDaily.com

Health, Benefits, and Labor Issues
Seven Ways to Contain Business Health-Care Costs
In the next year, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers survey, employers are expected to see about a 9% increase in their health-care costs. This does not take into account the health-care reform proposed by Obama, and that would not go into effect for another few years. Find out more. WSJ.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
3 Steps to Be More Than Just Another Salesperson
Perception is crucial for prospective clients and customers. Learn how to position yourself to stand out in a crowd of competitors to rise above and not be recognized as just another salesperson. BusinessKnowHow.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
"I'm Gonna Be On TV!"
Thinking about direct-response advertising for your business? Beware. Take a look at how direct-response companies lure in their consumers and what you should do to prevent trouble. Entrepreneur.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Blogging: The Best SEO Tool for Small Businesses
Want search engine optimization for your small business? According to a new study by Hubspot, blogging is the best SEO tool for small businesses. Find out why. SmallBizTrends.com

Consumer Confidence Soars

cheryl@gowithabc.com (Cheryl Sowa) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:57:05 GMT

Government, Politics, and the Economy
Consumer Confidence Soars
A step towards the right direction, consumers are now looking positively towards the future in regards to spending, housing, employment, and the economy. CNNmoney.com

Management and Operations
3 Vital Business Lessons from Tiger Woods' PGA Loss
The big upset of Tiger Woods losing the prestigious PGA tournament has not only created a buzz in the sports world, but in the business world as well. See how Woods' loss translates into business lessons. BusinessKnowHow.com

Management and Operations
10 Ways to Run a Risky Business
In the rough business situation America is in today, some are gambling with finances and their future to run a risky business. Here are 10 ways to do so. Entrepreneur.com

Legal Issues
McCann Sues Bank of America Seeking to Void Non-Compete Clause
After firing him without reason and rejecting his resignation, Robert McCann is trying to change his exit terms by suing Bank of America Corporation that are preventing him from taking another job. Bloomberg.com

Taxes and Financial Issues
Six Ways to Speed up SBA Loan Approval
The government is quickly running out of money for a small business loan, and the money could run out within the next two months. Here is how to get approval fast. WSJ.com

Technology Issues
Wikipedia to Limit Changes to Articles on People
Once allowing anyone to freely edit articles on the Internet, Wikipedia is going to implement a new technique to review all edits to ensure validity and protection. NYtimes.com

Health, Benefits, and Labor Issues
Turning Medical Errors to Good Use
Thousands of medical errors happen each year to unsuspecting victims of doctor error. Now, the medical field is turning a new leaf to learn from these mistakes for the future. WSJ.com

Health, Benefits, and Labor Issues
Aitken Guides HR Organization Through Policy, Politics
Human Resources is a complex part of any business, and Mike Aitken describes how to organize and manage HR responsibilities through hard work. Workforce.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
The Five Biggest Mistakes in Measuring Social Media
Businesses are actively posting on Facebook, blogging, tweeting, and digging to get their names out there in the social media world. But what actions are good to take, and which are mistakes? ClickZ.com

Branding, Sales, and Marketing
Email Marketing Success is About Relevance
Email marketing is effective and a low-cost way for small businesses to reach out to their customers, but it is essential to cater your customers' needs to keep them on your side. SmallBizTrends.com

Ten Things Never to Say to a Customer

charles@gowithabc.com (Charles Cooper) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:53:52 GMT

ABC Online and On Your Side

New ABC Partners: 7Search.com and T-Mobile

7Search.com provides online advertising and is excited to give an exclusive discount to ABC members for Pay-Per-Click advertising, an affordable online advertising option that enables you to see fast results. With T-Mobile, your employees will receive discounts off their monthly wireless service charges if they sign up for T-Mobile wireless service. The more employees to sign up with T-Mobile, the more the discount will grow!

Government, Politics and the Economy

Democatic Senators: Climate-Change Legislation Should Be Dropped This Year

Four Democratic senators as calling for the Senate to abandon efforts to pass legislation curbing greenhouse-gas emissions this year and concentrate on a narrower bill to require use of renewable energy. Bloomberg.com

Management and Operations

10 Things Not to Say to Customers

There are great things to say to a customer, and then there are things that will drive that same customer into the arms of the competition. Here are the top 10 things not to say to a customer and what you and your people should say instead. BusinessKnowHow.com

3 Positive Steps to Handling Problems

As a manager or a business owner, you have a choice in the way you handle problems. You can deal with them in a way that exacerbates the trouble or you can do it in a way that helps and preserves relationships. ManageSmarter.com

4 Ways to Garner Customer Loyalty

Customer service is the one sure way to stand out from the crowd. Here are four ways to build customer loyalty and it all begins with a frank self-evaluation. Entrepreneur.com

Legal Issues

Smoker’s Discrimination Lawsuit Dismissed

The case of a prospective employee who was not hired after testing positive for nicotine highlights the need for caution among employers but is likely to have minimal impact on the types of wellness plan incentives employers use to encourage healthier behaviors. Workforce.com

Website Privacy Policies Matter

While the number of businesses with websites has expanded greatly over the years, along with the sophistication of these websites, the level of disclosure of data practices has not significantly improved and that can prove a very costly mistake. BusinessWeek.com

Taxes and Financial Issues

Your Home Should Be Just That—Your Home

People see their homes and home ownership in two ways: As a home, yes, but also as an investment. The problem is that this particular investment may not be as good as you think for you or your business. NYTimes.com

Determining Which Report is the Important One

Your accountants and lawyers and inhouse people generate reports, but ow do you know which report is important? Which report for your company’s results needs to be reviewed? Which need a quick summary review and which do you need to examine in detail? Here are the answers. SmallBizTrends.com

Technology Issues

Running for the Space Elevator Prize

NASA is offering $4 million for inventors and entrepreneurs creating the technology that could one day link Earth to the stars—by an elevator. CNNMoney.com

Health, Benefits and Labor Issues

Temp Workers Experience More Mental Health Issues
According to research from Montreal's McGill University, temporary and contract workers tend to face a higher risk of developing mental health problems than their steadily employed counterparts. Workforce.com

Can You Really Afford to Hire?

The economy may be on the road to recovery, but before you put out the “Help Wanted” sign—no matter how bad you need new people—run the numbers to see if you can really afford it. WSJ.com

Branding, Sales and Marketing

Get the Most Out of Your Communications

Regardless of the medium, there have never been more outlets available to companies looking to dialogue with their stakeholders and it has never been so important. BusinessWeek.com

ROI Marketing: Is Landing Page Optimization Enough?
There may be issues other than a non-optimized landing page lowering your conversion rate and a chance to have your site reviewed. ClickZ.com

B2B Marketing: Print or Online?

A new survey by BBI of 741 small and mid-size businesses (SMBs) revealed that SMBs still prefer print over the Internet as a source of product information. BusinessManagementDaily.com

Leadership: It's Vision, Not Bullying

charles@gowithabc.com (Charles Cooper) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:33:30 GMT

ABC Online and On Your Side

New ABC Partners: 7Search.com and T-Mobile

Government, Politics and the Economy

Jobless Claims Rise

There was an unexpected jump in first-time unemployment claims even as continuing claims drop. FoxBusiness.com

Management and Operations

The Most Annoying People to Work With: The Top 13 Irritations

Wherever you work, even in your own business, you find people who have turned the merely annoying into high art. Now that art has been classified and here are the top 13 offenders. ManageSmarter.com

Leadership: Vision, not Bullying Needed

As many people will tolerate superaggressive leaders as long as their visions are exceptionally strong, as will not, making aggressive leadership a dicey proposition at best. You don't want to tip over into being a bully. BusinessManagementDaily.com

Legal Issues

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
Signed into law in 2008, GINA goes into effect on November 21, 2009. You need to be familiar with its requirements to ensure that your business is in compliance. Workforce.com

Taxes and Financial Issues

The Self-Employed: Repeal 'Health Care Tax'

We don't hear much about it, but nine million self-employed workers already pay a tax on health insurance premiums, and it hurts their business. The fix would be simple, but tough to sell as the tax nets billions in federal revenue. BusinessWeek.com

Want an A.R.C. Loan? Look in the Heartland

It is an interesting statistic: More banks in Iowa have made these emergency small business loans than the banks in California, New York and Florida combined. NYTimes.com

Technology Issues

Introducing ViewSonic's VPC100 Desktop PC
This is ViewSonic's first PC, an all-in-one desktop that could work for your business just as long as you don’t need high-powered performance. SmallBusinessComputing.com

Health, Benefits and Labor Issues

Remember the Midyear Performance Reviews

Even in the grips of a recession, it's still important to evaluate your employees and keep them motivated. One way to do that is with the midyear review. WSJ.com

Counselling Employees with Attitude Problems

The problem for some employees isn't their ability, it's their attitude. Whether it is quiet disobedience or outright insubordination, how should you respond? Address the situation strictly as a behavioral problem. BusinessManagemenDaily.com

Branding, Sales and Marketing

Email Marketing: Timing Your Back-to-School Specials
With school starting soon, what's the best timing for your back-to-school email campaign? Here are some ideas. ClickZ.com

Niche Marketing: Where Lefties are Always Right

By catering to a much-overlooked niche market, Lefty's San Francisco is profiting in spite of the recession. CNNMoney.com

Bad Service May be Killing Your Sales

Have you ever considered how much in sales your company may be losing due to poor customer service? Have a look, you may be surprised. BizJournals.com

The Cardinal Social Media No-Nos

You might know what to do in your social media efforts, but do you know what not to do? Here are some of the most common social media mistakes. Others have made them so you don’t have to. SmallBizTrends.com

Poor Sales Leading to Small Business Closures

charles@gowithabc.com (Charles Cooper) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:22:56 GMT

ABC Online and On Your Side

New ABC Partners: 7Search.com and T-Mobile

Government, Politics and the Economy

Survey: Poor Sales Lead to Business Closings

According to a recent NFIB survey, poor sales are the number-one problem afflicting America's small businesses. Moreover, few small business owners expect consumers to start spending again any time soon. CNNMoney.com

Fed to Keep Rates Steady and Slow Bond Purchases

The Federal Reserve is holding interest rates steady and intends to "slow the pace" of its emergency bond-buying program. USAToday.com

Management and Operations

Just Survive or Come Out On Top? Your Choice
Here are the hows and whys that will teach you why the right workforce management means the difference between surviving the recession and reaping big rewards in the recovery. ManageSmarter.com

Can We S.A.V.E. Customer Service?

Sure, it's tempting to think that customer service in America is irrevocably broken, but here is one plan that may breathe new life into it. NYTimes.com

Legal Issues

4 Defenses Against Employee Disloyalty

Many states recognize that employees owe a certain level of duty to their employers, but the North Carolina Supreme Court has specifically rejected any independent liability for breaching such duty. So, how do you defend your business against taitors? BusinessManagementDaily.com

Things to Know If Immigration Knocks at Your Door

AlphaStaff's Aleicia Latimer has some advice for all small business people on avoiding immigration audits—not to mention lawsuits—and what to do if immigration officers do pay a visit. BusinessWeek.com

Taxes and Financial Issues

Small Business and Big Stimulus Money

Hard hit by the recession, small businesses are eager to win the government as a new customer and now, five months after the recovery bill's passage, opportunities abound. WSJ.com

Technology Issues

Microsoft Backs Out of Free Small Business Domain Promise

Microsoft Corp. will no longer offer free domain renewals to small business as part of Office Live. Instead, they plan on charging what they call a “competitive” price. FoxBusiness.com

Health, Benefits and Labor Issues

Obama: Healthcare Debate Must Avoid `Scare Tactics'

President Obama, running into angry protests and slumping public approval over his health reform plan, urged Americans to ignore opposition “scare tactics”. Bloomberg.com

Branding, Sales and Marketing

E-Marketing Strategies: Time to Think in the Long-Term
With the recession, many businesses have put their long-term brand-building plans on hold, but now may be the time to return to them. ClickZ.com

Use Small Sales to Get Rolling

People often see risk in dealing with a new, small business, particularly when there is a lot of money involved. One way to overcome that is to take small steps to get customers to trust you and the quality of your products and services. BusinessKnowHow.com

Email Marketing: Increase Your Holiday Email Frequency
Here are some tactics you can use to improve your holiday email strategy and increase your mailing frequency, all without losing subscribers. ClickZ.com

Stay Afloat by Going Green

charles@gowithabc.com (Charles Cooper) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:25:12 GMT

ABC Online and On Your Side

New ABC Partners: 7Search.com and T-Mobile

Government, Politics and the Economy

Congress Urged to Raise Debt Limit

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner has saddled Congress with the task—for the second time this year—of quickly increasing the maximum amount of money the federal government can borrow, something increasingly unpopular with the American people. WSJ.com

Management and Operations

Are Your Employees Ever Really Off?
n the age of online social networking, when the goings-on in your business tweeted or written on Facebook walls, the after-hours activities of your employees may count as much as what they're doing "on-the-job." ManageSmarter.com

Staying Afloat by Going Green

With the products they sell, small businesses have been at the forefront of the environmental revolution, but now they are turning into eco-friendly operations specifically to cut waste and save money. BusinessWeek.com

Overcoming the Unexpected to Build a Business of Your Own

When building your business, sometimes all the careful planning in the world is simply not enough to overcome the unexpected. NYTimes.com

5 Steps to a Solid Niche Business

Niche products and services have the potential to generate big bucks if they capture the hearts, minds and wallets of a dedicated consumer base, which is, after all, the trick. Here are 5 steps to make your niche business a hit. FoxBusiness.com

Legal Issues

Pennsylvania District Attorney on Fraud and other Economic Crimes Against Small Business

In May, the Delaware County, Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Office presented their first business security seminar for small business people after an increase in the number of embezzlements and other financial crimes the prosecutors have recently seen. BusinessKnowHow.com

Taxes and Financial Issues

The Price and Profit of Giving It Away

With the economy in deep recession, free goods and services online are more attractive than ever. The question is how can the suppliers of these freebies make a business model out of nothing? WSJ.com

Technology Issues

Customer Data Analysis: Integrating Web Analytics and Optimization
Here are four factors to consider when integrating web analytics and SEO into your business. ClickZ.com

Stimulus Money to Grow Rural Broadband Internet

Businesses in rural America have been stuck in the dial-up era for a long time, but a $7 billion stimulus program aims to change that. CNNMoney.com

Health, Benefits and Labor Issues

On Pensions, Sotomayor Expected to Stay Mainstream
According to ERISA attorneys, newly confirmed associate Supreme Court justice Sonia Sotomayor isn’t expected to shatter precedent with her rulings on high court pension cases. Workforce.com

Obama to Push Healthcare Plan in New Hampshire Town Hall

After other Democrats were confronted by angry protesters across the country, President Obama will face voters in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to push his plan to overhaul the US healthcare system during a town hall today. Bloomberg.com

Branding, Sales and Marketing

Social Media: Eroding Advertising Barriers
Forecasters say social network ad spending doesn't look very good, but here are some reasons why these sites should be grabbing your attention as an advertiser anyway. ClickZ.com

Getting Customer Reviews...and Using Them

There are many ways to leverage happy customers in a way that achieves your business goals, but one of the most straightforward ways is with customer reviews and the information you can glean from them. ManageSmarter.com

Working to Make That First Sale

It's finally happened: You've gone into business for yourself. Once your shingle is up, you are faced with the first real milestone: Landing your first customer. USAToday.com

Obama's Small Business Promises: Kept and Broken

charles@gowithabc.com (Charles Cooper) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:54:00 GMT

ABC Online and On Your Side

New ABC Partners: 7Search.com and T-Mobile

Government, Politics and the Economy

Obama: Small Business Promises Kept and Broken

President Obama promised to help Main Street where, but has he kept that promise? Here's a look at where he's followed through -- and where he hasn't. CNNMoney.com

Survey Suggests Recession to End This Quarter

With recent data suggesting that the recession has bottomed-out, the Blue Chip Economic Indicators survey of private economists showed about 90% of the respondents believe the recession will be declared over this quarter. FoxBusiness.com

Management and Operations

Your Power to Lead

The power behind real leadership is a paradox, one that both sets you apart from others and draws you to them, a power to inspire, engage, and serve others; to make a real difference in a team, an organization, a community, and even the world. ManageSmarter.com

Legal Issues

Denying ERISA Benefits Just Got Easier

Thanks to a federal appeals court, it is now more difficult for employees to challenge your decision to deny a benefit covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). BusinessManagementDaily.com

Taxes and Financial Issues

Study: Credit Card Debt Hurts Startups

A new study of 5,000 small firms indicates that those that relied on credit cards to get going are less likely to survive. BusinessWeek.com

Six Ways to Win-over Investors

If you are turning to venture capital for funding, you know that the competition is fierce. Here are six tips on how you can stand out and appeal to investors. WSJ.com

Technology Issues

Twitter Attack Shows Vulnerability of Social Networks

The denial-of-service attacks that shut down Twitter and disrupted Facebook and LiveJournal were intended to silence an anti-Russian blogger. However, they highlighted the fragility of social networks. USAToday.com

Health, Benefits and Labor Issues

Small Biz Health Insurance: The Practice of Purging

A small business may have been with the same insurance company for years, but when a worker becomes gravely ill, more and more of those insurance providers wind up dumping the company, and that is a practice that healthcare reform may not address. BusinessWeek.com

Exempt, Non-Exempt? Learn all About Overtime Exemptions From Classic TV
The best way to explain exempt versus nonexempt rules is by pointing to specific employees and then describing exactly what about their jobs requires them to be paid salary or overtime. The problem is common frames of reference. The answer, of course, is television. Workforce.com

Branding, Sales and Marketing

Email Marketing: Selling Ads in E-Newsletters
If you want to sell ads on an Email newsletter, you need to understand that it is a different animal from selling ads for print publications. Here are some keys to success. ClickZ.com

Color in Your Personal Brand

In branding, color helps express attributes and create emotional connections with your audience. MarketingProfs.com

Online Marketing: Active Home Internet Users

Effective marketing means knowing your demographics, who your audience is, where they are and so on. For online marketers, that means knowing who is online. ClickZ.com

Small Business Jobs Continue to Decline

charles@gowithabc.com (Charles Cooper) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:25:13 GMT

ABC Online and On Your Side

New ABC Partners: 7Search.com and T-Mobile

Government, Politics and the Economy

Small Business Job Losses Continue

The mass-layoffs in the economy may have slowed, but small companies are still dropping employees to stay afloat. CNNMoney.com

SBA's Mills Has the Answers for Small Business

SBA chief Karen Mills discusses the challenges facing small business as well as her role in getting struggling companies the help they need. WSJ.com

US Unemployment Slows

Unemployment slowed last month and the overall unemployment rate dropped for the first time in more than a year, signs that the recession may be easing. Bloomberg.com

Management and Operations

Take Care of Your Best Customers in a Recession

Smart companies focus on their best, high-margin customers since it helps to boost profits, improve retention, and it offers an opportunity to poach customers from stingier rivals. BusinessWeek.com

Legal Issues

Does a Pot Prescription Shield an Employee from Drug Test Policies?

Does a law like California’s Compassionate Use Act of 1996 override an employer’s policy against drug use? Not according to the California Supreme Court. Workforce.com

Conducting a Lawsuit Post-Mortem

While unpleasant, an employment lawsuit offers a valuable opportunity to prevent future problems by conducting an “autopsy” of the claim. BusinessManagementDaily.com

Taxes and Financial Issues

COBRA Requirements for Laid-off Workers

If your company is forced to lay off some employees, do you have to subsidize COBRA payments for married ex-workers? We have the answer. BusinessManagementDaily.com

Technology Issues

Minimize Acrobat PDF Bloat

It always pays to keep your IT management tools light-weight and low cost, just as long as they get the job done, and this is especially true when it comes to working with PDF documents. BusinessKnowHow.com

Technology and Customer Awareness

There are two kinds of retailers: those that have some capability to regularly, consistently and accurately identify shoppers to their transactions and those that do not. ManageSmarter.com

Obama Strains Power Grid With Renewables Push

President Obama’s push for wind and solar energy to wean the US from foreign oil carries a hidden cost: an overburdening of the nation’s electrical grid and an increasing the threat of blackouts. Bloomberg.com

Health, Benefits and Labor Issues

Hiring Practices: Only the Employed Need Apply

When it comes to jobs, it is certainly a buyer’s market. Many employers are bypassing the jobless in favor of those still working, believing that these are the top performers, but is that an effective strategy? WSJ.com

Keep an Eye on Your Staff With GPS Phones

Small business owners can shave costs from both payroll and logistics with these new, low-cost tracking tools. CNNMoney.com

Branding, Sales and Marketing

5 Ways to Neutralize the Competition

With so much access to information, is it still possible to keep the attention of your audience and make the buying decision easier? Here are five things you can do to make the competition irrelevant. BusinessKnowHow.com

Social Networking: A Few Simple Rules
Reap the rewards of following these principles when out in the social networks championing your brand. ClickZ.com

PPC Ads: Guilty Until Proven Innocent?
Ads accuseded of having poor Quality Scores face overblown cost-per-clicks to remain in the search engine results page or banishment. Learn what you can do. ClickZ.com

Small Business Under Obama: Still Struggling

charles@gowithabc.com (Charles Cooper) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:42:28 GMT

ABC Online and On Your Side

New ABC Partners: 7Search.com and T-Mobile

Government, Politics and the Economy

Small Business Still Struggling Under Obama's Programs

President Obama may have kept some of his promises to small business owners, but the credit crunch continues and it still has far too many small companies trapped in a death spiral. CNNMoney.com

Romer: Stimulus Working

In a recent speech, Council of Economic Advisers Chair Christina Romer defended the Obama stimulus package and left the door open to a possible second stimulus. FoxBusiness.com

Management and Operations

True Leadership: Execute Plans Without Fail
Plan all you want, but if you don't execute those plans, you've accomplished nothing because that is what separates the dreamers from the winners. ManageSmarter.com

Increase Your Influence

The key to effective leadership is understanding the behavior of the people you lead. If you attribute the wrong causes to it, then any attempts you make to change that behavior is doomed to failure. BusinessWeek.com

Legal Issues

Intellectual Property: A Small-Business Guide

Establishing and protecting your intellectual property rights is essential. Here is what you need to know. NYTimes.com

Taxes and Financial Issues

Coffee Shops Pulling the Plug on Customer Laptops

To combat the rising cost of energy, small coffee houses in New York are beginning to lock-up electrical outlets and impose other restrictions on laptop use, hoping the savings will help them stay afloat. WSJ.com

Technology Issues

Instant Google Store for Your Small Business

Google has released a gadget sure to warm the hearts of small business owners. The Google Checkout store gadget essentially allows you to use Google Checkout and Google Docs to quickly and easily create your own online store. SmallBizTrends.com

Health, Benefits and Labor Issues

Diversity: Dealing with Racial Tensions Head-On
The new owners of Gilreath Manufacturing Inc. in Howell, Michigan, knew they would face racial issues with their employees and the community. Here is how they handled it. Workforce.com

Small Business Pivotal in Healthcare Debate

President Obama and congressional leaders have promised relief to small firms struggling to cover their workers, but how will they manage it? LATimes.com

Branding, Sales and Marketing

Email Marketing: Building Your E-mail List
If you market through email, you have to ensure that your customers have both a reason and an opportunity to sign up for your email list. ClickZ.com

Study: Most Consumers Will Pay More for a Positive Experience
According to a new study released by the Strativity Group, even in the midst of a recession, consumers will pay more for better customer service. Over 70% of respondents would be willing to spend an additional 10% or more if a company exceeded their expectations. ManageSmarter.com

Service Industries Contract—When Will Consumers Start Spending?

charles@gowithabc.com (Charles Cooper) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:36:47 GMT

ABC Online and On Your Side

New ABC Partners: 7Search.com and T-Mobile

Government, Politics and the Economy

When Will Consumer Spending Begin Again?

Economists say they see signs of an economic recovery, but given the weak job market and high debt levels, they don't see consumers opening their wallets again anytime soon. BusinessWeek.com

US Service Industries Contracted Faster Than Expected in July

In another sign that the recovery will be a slow one, US service industries unexpectedly contracted at a faster pace in July as unemployment continued to rise. Bloomberg.com

Management and Operations

Emotional Intelligence and Competitive Advantage
Methodical skills are all very important, but they won't save your company if your employees lack emotional intelligence. Here are some ideas on helping them develop it. ManageSmarter.com

Whatever Happened to Customer Service?

Especially in today's recession, there are a lot of explanations for why customer service is so bad, but it ultimately comes down to three things and the first is health insurance. NYTimes.com

Lessons From the Fallen

As an entrepreneur, learning from mistakes is a necessity. Of course, nobody says they have to be your mistakes and the recession is providing many mistakes from which to learn; and with it currently costing some $3 trillion, somebody should be getting something out of this. FoxBusiness.com

Legal Issues

Hoop Dreams: Is the ADA a Road to the NBA?
Can a 59-year-old lawyer make it to the NBA? Maybe! Using the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and some recent cases involving accommodations for disabled workers as a basis, Attorney Alan Rupe thinks he has it all mapped out. Workforce.com

Taxes and Financial Issues

7 Ways to Lower Your Business Cellphone Bills

You live or die by your cellphone. It keeps you in touch with your office, your clients, your email—without it you would be lost. Here are seven ways to save money lasso cellphone savings for your small business. WSJ.com

Technology Issues

Windows' Blue Screen of Death Being Used in New Scareware Scam

Hackers are now using that infamous icon of the Windows operating system, the Blue Screen of Death, to trick computer users into downloading fake security software. Don't fall for it! ZDNet.com

Health, Benefits and Labor Issues

Flexible Hours for Nonexempt Workers
Traditionally, flexible work arrangements have been a perk of exempt, salaried employees, but these days more companies are using them for their nonexempt, hourly workers as well. Workforce.com

Gibbs: Healthcare Opponents `Manufacturing' Outrage

Reacting to the opposition, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs accused a group opposing President Obama’s healthcare overhaul of “manufacturing” outrage. Bloomberg.com

Branding, Sales and Marketing

B2B Email Marketing: Finding the Right Email Frequency
Are you sending too much too fast, or not enough and not frequently enough? Somewhere between these two extremes is the sweet-spot of email frequency, where its just right. Here are two ways to think about email cadence. ClickZ.com

Social Media Marketing: Building a Community
Learn how four brands developed their online communities, giving visitors a reason to engage and do more. ClickZ.com

Washington Looks to Small Business to Lead Recovery

charles@gowithabc.com (Charles Cooper) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:31:00 GMT

ABC Online and On Your Side

New ABC Partners: 7Search.com and T-Mobile

Government, Politics and the Economy

Small Business Owners See Signs of Hope

Surveys are showing that the owners of small companies do believe that the economy is starting to turn around. However, they are not ready to start spending yet. BusinessWeek.com

Washington Sees Small Business as Instrumental to Recovery

According to SBA head Karen Mills, Washington is looking to small businesses to lead the economic recovery. CNNMoney.com

Management and Operations

Are Women Better Managers?

According to one New York Times column, they are. But anyone who has worked for a fair assortment of men and women over the years will tell you it’s hard to make a flat statement that one sex is clearly better at managing and leading than the other. Workforce.com

Three Great Leadership Traits That can Kill Employee Commitment
Sure, strategic vision, supreme confidence and top-notch communication skills are all necessary for an effective business leader, but uncontrolled, they can be toxic to employee commitment. Here is how. Workforce.com

Legal Issues

Know the Law Before Searching the Web for Applicant Info

More and more employers believe that if job applicant information is available online, they have an obligation to look. However, several laws may restrict the way you conduct the search or how you use the information. BusinessManagementDaily.com

Taxes and Financial Issues

Small Retailers Limiting Stock Over Credit Concerns

The back-to-school season is usually right behind Christmas in terms of retail-sales, but this year, tight credit has made it difficult for some small businesses to stock their full range of merchandise. WSJ.com

Technology Issues

Virtual Office for Small Business by 5050BIZ
5050BIZ has released a new, all-in-one Web platform that melds collaboration, intranet, communication, social community and other tools into a single site. SmallBusinessComputing.com

Health, Benefits and Labor Issues

401(k) Fee Disclosure Law

Legislation approved by the House Education and Labor Committee gives employees in 401(k) plans more specific information on their quarterly statements about the fees they pay while other changes could help employers choose among retirement-plan providers. WSJ.com

Branding, Sales and Marketing

Online Marketing: 10 Ways to Build Media and Engagement Plans
Creating an online ad is one thing, creating an effective online ad is something else. Here are 10 approaches for creating online ads that will engage people with your brand. ClickZ.com

The 10 Most Common Direct Mail Mistakes

You want your direct mail campaign to be a success, so it’s important to get it right. Mistakes in your copy, your list, or even in what you put on your envelope can sabotage your efforts. Here are the top ten mistakes people make with their direct mail campaigns. BusinessKnowHow.com

In-Store Sampling Connected with Repeat Purchases
According to a new study, in-store sampling has a long-term effect in addition to being a boost to short-term sales. ManageSmarter.com