Liquidity and risk management for corporations



When creating an LLC or planning to incorporate in California, there are a host of issues about which to be concerned - financing the operation, complying with local and federal laws, attracting new customers, and maintaining a steady cash flow, to name ...
Posted: May 16th, 2012
Retirement presents challenges for female entrepreneurs



The prospect of retirement may seem far off for female entrepreneurs who are planning to form an LLC in Arizona, Texas or elsewhere, but a recent study indicates they should start thinking about the inherent challenges soon.According to the ING Retiremen...
Posted: May 15th, 2012
Financial stability essential for LLC survival, sustainability



Business owners with a New York LLC filing, especially those who transact or deal with partners and vendors around the world, will need to pay greater attention to the financial volatility inherent to a global economy. These threats can range from disrup...
Posted: Apr 24th, 2012
Electronics repair startup in Texas receives funding



An El Paso, Texas-based startup that offers repairs for electronics such as Xboxes, MP3 players, iPads and Apple notebooks recently received a $500,000 venture investment, El Paso Inc. reports.CherryFusion hopes to use the funds from Austin-based EDCO Ve...
Posted: Feb 7th, 2012
Private sector slowed job creation in January



The private sector continued to add jobs in January, although at a shorter pace than in the previous month, according to data released Wednesday by ADP Employer Services. Businesses added some 170,000 jobs last month, but the gain was less than forecaste...
Posted: Feb 1st, 2012
New York region enjoys uptick in manufacturing activity



Manufacturing professionals looking to form an LLC in New York may be aided by an uptick in regional activity. According to a report released Tuesday by the New York Federal Reserve, 51 percent of manufacturers expect to add staff over the next six to 12...
Posted: Jan 17th, 2012
Small business optimism climbs to highest level since February



An uptick in sales and hiring projections drove up confidence among U.S. small businesses in November, according to a report released Tuesday by the National Federation of Independent Business.The NFIB's Small Business Optimism Index climbed 1.8 poin...
Posted: Dec 13th, 2011
Private sector added 206,000 new jobs in November



Private sector payrolls added an estimated 206,000 jobs in November, according to the ADP Employment Report, surpassing many analysts' projections and offering hope for a recovery in the much-ailed U.S. job market.As usual, small businesses accounted...
Posted: Dec 1st, 2011
A few bright spots remain for small businesses



The current economy has been anything but a playground for entrepreneurs looking to form an LLC. While high unemployment has racked worker sentiment and driven up turnover rates, a weak credit market has made financing a challenge.With market conditions ...
Posted: Nov 22nd, 2011
Gallup: Americans trust local figures for job creation



While Congress continues to struggle reaching an agreement over how to address the nation's looming employment crisis, Americans appear to hold the most faith in small or local enterprises.According to a new Gallup poll, approximately eight in 10 sur...
Posted: Nov 7th, 2011
Economy adds 80,000 jobs in October as unemployment dips to 9 percent



The employment situation improved slightly, albeit unenthusiastically, in October, as payrolls added 80,000 jobs on the month, according to data released Friday by the Labor Department. Only the private sector showed net job gains with 104,000 new positi...
Posted: Nov 4th, 2011
ADP: 110,000 new jobs in October surpass expectations



The U.S. private sector added 110,000 jobs last month, according to the most recent ADP National Employment Report.The data surpass many economists' expectations and provide a few rays of hope ahead of Friday's employment report from the Departme...
Posted: Nov 2nd, 2011
Twice as many U.S. workers afraid of layoffs than pay cuts



Unemployment is at 9.1 percent, and the economy needs to create 125,000 jobs per month just to keep up with population growth - it has not done so since April. Meanwhile, economists project the jobless rate will stay north of 8 percent through next year....
Posted: Oct 27th, 2011
September hiring improves among small firms



September may have been a good month for small business - at least in comparison to other recent months. Hiring in the sector expanded 0.3 percent over August, equating to roughly 55,000 new jobs, according to the most recent Small Business Employment In...
Posted: Oct 3rd, 2011
States, business groups challenging healthcare reform



A number of states and business organizations are challenging the legality of last year's healthcare reform law. This week, the Obama administration is expected to respond to the appeals, which were tendered by 26 states and the National Federation o...
Posted: Sep 28th, 2011
Five misguided leadership mantras



Leadership is the pinnacle of business management. But what is leadership? How is it defined, and who exemplifies it? In many ways, a leader is someone who defies business norms and sets his organization on a separate path. Yes, that path is usually a mo...
Posted: Sep 15th, 2011
Survey queries small businesses on jobs act



Politicians, political players and media pundits all seek to leverage the voice of the unemployed to progress their own agendas, but the more heated the debate gets, the more jobseekers seem to be ignored.A new survey by Job.com aims to put the spotlight...
Posted: Sep 15th, 2011
Confidence sinks as Jobs Act emerges as final hope



Small businesses in the U.S. continue to reel from adverse conditions. Aside from sporadic pockets of credit availability and widespread consumer pessimism, there are few signs of hope on the horizon.Lately, business owners have begun looking to Presiden...
Posted: Sep 14th, 2011
To make better decisions, delegate



Creativity is often defined as a series of decisions. In an ideal environment, brainstorming generates the initial concepts and ideas for a project, and then the creative process filters down and enhances those primary ideas. But both practices are elusi...
Posted: Sep 13th, 2011
A few notes on outsourcing a supply team



When a business begins to expand, the pressure to outsource certain processes or services becomes immense. While some small firms may be able to manage handling everything in-house, a large enterprise demands a diverse and decentralized series of operati...
Posted: Sep 9th, 2011
Managing a work-life balance and promoting happiness



Everyone knows the age-old mantra "work hard, play harder," but few people actually adhere to its timeless wisdom. It's not so much about gunning that exchange until you're running on fumes as it is about striking a balance - a work-lif...
Posted: Sep 8th, 2011
The ins and outs of government contracting



Despite reeling from a slew of fiscal difficulties in recent months, the government is an ideal business customer to many small firms. For one, federal agencies actively seek out relationships with certified small businesses - a policy that is not often ...
Posted: Aug 30th, 2011
Small business hiring slows in August



Small businesses added few jobs to their payrolls in August, according to the latest Small Business Employment Index from Intuit. The slowdown was attributed to market uncertainty, which discouraged U.S. employers from hiring or making significant expans...
Posted: Aug 29th, 2011
To rejuvenate your brain, take a break



Technology is both a curse and a blessing. While innovations such as smartphones, tablet computers, social media and email have allowed for instant communication, they have also raised our expectations for such interactions. In other words, if you're...
Posted: Aug 26th, 2011
How to develop a rock solid hiring strategy in a weak job market



The state of the job market might be summed up in this headline from the satirical news site The Onion: "Dept. Of Labor reports it could be nothing, but they may have spotted job in Iowa strip mall."While we all hope the U.S. economy never reac...
Posted: Aug 25th, 2011
Small business survey offers different picture of economy



In something of a contrast to the slew of recent dismal economic reports, a quarterly survey from Capital One offers a slightly more optimistic depiction of the U.S. economy.The second quarter Small Business Barometer shows gradual improvement in financi...
Posted: Aug 25th, 2011
Introduce a telecommuting policy gradually



A remote workforce is a subject of controversy in certain business circles. Some managers dislike the idea of a decentralized staff, while others argue it helps reduce costs, alleviate employee stress, and even benefit the environment through the lack of...
Posted: Aug 24th, 2011
White House to launch red tape reduction initiative



A few weeks after the vexing debt ceiling negotiations, the Obama administration has turned its sights toward job creation and, more recently, red tape. This week, the White House unveiled a plan to reduce burdensome regulations for businesses and promot...
Posted: Aug 24th, 2011
Study: Ambition breeds happiness



Are business conditions getting you down? Are you unsatisfied with what your company has accomplished? Even worse, are you unhappy? If so, it may help to set the bar a bit higher.According to a recent study to be published in the December edition of the ...
Posted: Aug 23rd, 2011
Small businesses: What to do in a difficult economy



It's been a challenge to find a single source of encouraging economic news in recent weeks. While stocks rebounded somewhat this week, volatility seems to be the norm. Meanwhile, confidence among consumers and businesses continues to wane alongside h...
Posted: Aug 23rd, 2011
A few thoughts on workplace productivity and how to manage it



What makes workers tick? What makes them pour their soul into a project? What makes them give up? College courses have been taught exploring these questions and their elusive answers. While business owners can read up all they want, the issue ultimately ...
Posted: Aug 22nd, 2011
Tips for driving customer loyalty



With competition for sales more intense than they've been in decades as a result of low consumer activity, businesses need to do what they can to build brand loyalty and customer retention.Of course, it's easier said than done, so it's import...
Posted: Aug 22nd, 2011
Tips for building a strong customer service record



As a small business begins to expand, the need to incorporate some sort of customer service strategy may become urgent. While in some cases businesses, especially small ones, handle their customer service themselves, others rely on outsourcing services t...
Posted: Aug 19th, 2011
Advice for securing government contracts



Even as governments continue to scale back their budgets and companies struggle to hold their sales figures, public agencies and contracts are still viable sources of business. However, the market is competitive, so firms should make a few considerations...
Posted: Aug 19th, 2011
How emotional intelligence may be more important than IQ



In a slow economy with weak consumer sentiment, businesses can't afford to make bad hires. For that reason, employers and HR teams need to develop a hiring strategy that accurately and effectively evaluates a candidate's various strengths and wea...
Posted: Aug 18th, 2011
Startup tips for building effective PR



Building PR is essentially about brand exposure. The more customers and prospects come into contact with your company - even if only through the sight of a logo - the greater their chances of remembering it.Of course, with the advent of new media and mar...
Posted: Aug 18th, 2011
Green construction to see surge in coming years



As clean energy and green policies continue to become more economically feasible for businesses and homeowners alike, the construction industry is beginning to note a much-needed surge in demand in so-called "green building."According to the En...
Posted: Aug 17th, 2011
Tips for implementing a workplace sleeping policy



The knee-jerk reaction goes something like this: Sleeping on the job is grounds for being fired. If this is your initial response to the idea of napping employees, take a step back and review the cause for such a situation. It may be that your employees ...
Posted: Aug 17th, 2011
Obama visits rural Iowa small businesses



President Barack Obama met with a number of small businesses in rural Iowa Tuesday to discuss issues facing owners and entrepreneurs while also promoting new initiatives aimed at stimulating growth in the sector.Among the Obama administration's new a...
Posted: Aug 17th, 2011
How to attract hires when the job market improves



There's no way around it: Hiring is slow and it will likely remain so for some time to come. Earlier this month, the Labor Department reported the addition of only 114,000 jobs in July, while the unemployment rate dipped to 9.1 percent.Although figur...
Posted: Aug 16th, 2011
Tips for becoming a better leader



What does it mean to be a leader? Invariably, the answer to this depends on the organization in question, but there are some basic traits that most leaders share. In developing a company or launching a new project, it may help to work on some of these po...
Posted: Aug 16th, 2011
Is bootstrap marketing in the cards?



With small business lending at a standstill and consumer spending also beginning to wane, the capital needed to maintain a business' marketing budget is hard to find. Accordingly, many owners are panicking that they'll have to cut one of the most...
Posted: Aug 16th, 2011
AmEx report shows absence of small business recovery



News of the economy has been rife with pessimism in recent weeks, with analysts struggling to find any source of optimism amid market volatility, decaying business confidence, and weak hiring trends.American Express OPEN recently amalgamated data from 18...
Posted: Aug 16th, 2011
Tips for making good decisions



Artists often say creativity is essentially a series of decisions. The same is true when it comes to running a business. Whether handling a project or overseeing an entire company, you need to be quick and decisive while also not sacrificing deliberation...
Posted: Aug 12th, 2011
NY Fed: Credit not a problem for tri-state small businesseses



Small businesses in the tri-state area seem to reflect national trends when it comes to credit demand. A report released Thursday by the New York Federal Reserve found one-third of small firms applied for credit in the first quarter and two-thirds were a...
Posted: Aug 12th, 2011
Finance tip: Only borrow when necessary



Small business owners, particularly first-time entrepreneurs, can make mistakes when it comes to finances. Capital is fickle, especially in a high-growth company where payables and receivables seem to fly about, so it's important for owners to adhere...
Posted: Aug 11th, 2011
Varying economic reports perpetuate market uncertainty



The National Federation of Independent Business reported earlier this week that confidence among small businesses dipped for the third consecutive month. Similarly, a new survey by Financial Executives International and Baruch College found optimism slip...
Posted: Aug 11th, 2011
Don't take downsizing lightly in a weak economy



Economic downturns are an inevitable aspect of running a business. While there are plenty of strategies owners can embrace to mitigate the effects of a recession, it's nearly impossible to avoid them entirely.In many cases, businesses will move to do...
Posted: Aug 11th, 2011
Building trust in the workplace



Trust can be an elusive concept in a business environment. While everyone has their own idea of trust that they apply to friends and family, it's less defined, yet still critical, in the workplace. So how can a business build a culture of trust among...
Posted: Aug 10th, 2011
Embrace risk and calm doubters through debate



Entrepreneurs are natural risk-takers. The process of developing a business idea, investing mountains of capital into it, and building it into a viable business service is anything but a safe bet.But while entrepreneurs and founders may feel comfortable ...
Posted: Aug 10th, 2011
Involve yourself in the training of new hires



One of the most daunting tasks of bringing new talent into your business is the process of effectively training new hires. While HR executives are often relied on to handle this task, it's a good idea for business owners to step in and become directl...
Posted: Aug 10th, 2011
The job market and its effect on young professionals



In the chaotic reactions to the employment figures coming out of Washington each month, the conversation often seems to be centered around how to get Americans back to work. However, a few analysts have turned national attention toward a more narrow, yet...
Posted: Aug 10th, 2011
Encourage happiness through work flexibility



Whether you're planning to incorporate in California or New York, you'll need to maintain optimal productivity levels among your employees. This, most managers agree, is the key to sustaining a growing enterprise.Of course, the tactics for optimi...
Posted: Aug 9th, 2011
Small businesses less enthusiastic about social realm



Social media doesn't appear to be as revolutionary among small businesses in the U.S., as a recent survey by insurance firm Hiscox found as many as 64 percent of small business owners and decision-makers claimed they were ambivalent about social medi...
Posted: Aug 9th, 2011
Small business optimism dips in July



After Monday's dismal showing on Wall Street, investors were looking for any sign of hope in the economy. While the true effects of the debt settlement and Friday's credit downgrade remain to be seen, it appears as though hope may not come from t...
Posted: Aug 9th, 2011
Business owners should keep their hands out of the books



Most entrepreneurs are creative or right-brained individuals - that is, they rely on conceptualization, vision, and ingenuity to advance their ideas, as opposed to logical, left-brained professionals whose strengths tend to be reason, mathematics, and fa...
Posted: Aug 8th, 2011
Women business owners confident in growth prospects



Women account for more than a quarter of service sector businesses in the U.S., according to the National Women's Business Council, generating roughly $1.2 trillion in receipts each year.While the sector is expanding, many analysts are paying close a...
Posted: Aug 8th, 2011
Tips for developing a business website



In this day and age, there's no excuse to not have a fully functional website for your business. A website is more than just a marketing tool - it's a payment platform, customer service channel, lead generator and organizational device.Of course,...
Posted: Aug 8th, 2011
Why small businesses may lead the recovery



While the U.S. Labor Department reported a slight decrease in the national unemployment rate last Friday, recovery remains slow and many of the most pressing challenges facing the economy are also the most difficult ones.However, in a recent column for U...
Posted: Aug 8th, 2011
Fed: Borrowing among consumers skyrocketed in June



With the Commerce Department's report earlier this week showing June marked the first monthly decline in consumer spending since 2009, many analysts have grown wary of news regarding consumer activity.However, the Federal Reserve released a report Fr...
Posted: Aug 5th, 2011
How can an employer find creative minds?



Regardless of your background or industry, it's likely your company could use some creative input. Whether for marketing, product development, design, or expansion strategies, ideas are the lifeblood of a business and the quality of them determines h...
Posted: Aug 5th, 2011
Economists breathe sigh of relief on jobs report



The labor market experienced a significant upturn last month, as the economy added 117,000 jobs and saw the unemployment rate decrease to 9.1 percent. The news has been received as a source of relief to many investors and business leaders who have been r...
Posted: Aug 5th, 2011
NSBA: Small business optimism down from December



Right in time for the heated culmination of the months-long debt ceiling debate, the National Small Business Association released its 2011 Mid-Year Economic Report, finding confidence among small businesses in the U.S. is on the decline.According to the ...
Posted: Aug 4th, 2011
How does the debt agreement affect small businesses?



The debt-reduction deal reached by Congress this week has not been without its share of controversy or criticism.While leading parties in Washington have trumpeted the deal, which raises the debt ceiling by $2.4 trillion and calls for an equal amount of ...
Posted: Aug 4th, 2011
Basic considerations for launching a social media campaign



In developing a social media marketing plan, it's important to have a plan. This may seem obvious, but many companies spring into a Twitter or Facebook campaign without giving thought to an overall message or theme.By adhering to a central concept, b...
Posted: Aug 4th, 2011
Google releases AdWords credit card to select clients



The world's top search engine and leading technology innovator has entered the world of vendor financing. Google announced last month that it has released a credit card for small business owners to be used entirely for purchasing search advertising.T...
Posted: Aug 3rd, 2011
Ethics, regulatory compliance and company culture



Regardless of how a business owner feels about government regulations, they're the law and  need to be followed. But as a business grows and responsibilities become more compartmentalized, it's easy for compliance to be placed on the back bu...
Posted: Aug 3rd, 2011
How to maintain productivity during the lazy summer months



The summer can be a challenging time to maintain effective engagement levels among employees. It's usually the time of year businesses scale back their operations, take some time off and generally recharge.Of course, relaxing too much can be disastro...
Posted: Aug 3rd, 2011
Private firms added 114,000 jobs last month



Private businesses continued to add to their payrolls last month, as the most recent National Employment Report from ADP shows employment in the sector grew by 114,000 in July. The 121,000 positions added in the services sector marks the 19th consecutive...
Posted: Aug 3rd, 2011
Human capital becoming a top strategic concern



Businesses may be noting improvements in the credit markets - they may even be experiencing sales growth, but the fact remains that the labor market is expected to heavily favor employers for some time.However, this does not mean businesses can afford to...
Posted: Aug 2nd, 2011
Borrowing rates on the rise in the U.S.



Entrepreneurs and small business owners may be finding it easier to access a line of credit, suggesting the time may be good to invest in expansion or hiring initiatives. While conditions are still tough, with consumer activity meager and federal policie...
Posted: Aug 2nd, 2011
What makes marketing content go viral?



When it comes to marketing on the web, viral content may be the Holy Grail. It's rare and difficult to achieve among business marketing strategies, but the brand exposure such a campaign offers is unrivalled.More often than not, viral content is humo...
Posted: Aug 1st, 2011
Tips for managing a global supply chain



Today's globalized economy shows few signs of letting up any time soon. As manufacturing, construction, and even new markets such as IT and business process outsourcing continue to create millions of jobs in developing economies, the pressure is on s...
Posted: Aug 1st, 2011
Job market poses challenges to small businesses



Small employers throughout the country continue to be mired by weak sales, a strapped credit market, and a general hesitancy when it comes to launching substantial growth or spending initiatives. The slowdown has been frustrating and seems stuck in a vic...
Posted: Aug 1st, 2011
A few tips on streamlining business operations



Running a business on one's own is a daunting task for a number of reasons. Even as a startup begins to expand and bring in new talent, challenges can begin to emerge from every corner, underscoring the need for managers to implement strategies to st...
Posted: Aug 1st, 2011
Conducting layoffs in a rough economy



In today's gloomy job market, layoffs seem to be everywhere, with businesses large and small forced to cut staff to maintain profit margins. The sad thing about such layoffs is that they're usually not the fault of the workers being fired - often...
Posted: Jul 22nd, 2011
Unemployment, debt crisis reflected in businesses expansion trends



The ongoing debt crisis in Washington - namely the inability of parties to come to an agreement - has been frustrating to investors, bond holders, and businesses throughout the nation.While some organizations have been ardently pushing for legislators to...
Posted: Jul 22nd, 2011
Optimism is a good thing, but too much can be damaging



It's true that in today's economy most business professionals find few reasons to be optimistic. Not only are sales weak and hiring low, but prospects of substantial improvements are slim and far off.For this reason, many small business owners an...
Posted: Jul 22nd, 2011
Tips for reaching millennials on the social web



When it comes to marketing, the millennial generation is notoriously difficult to reach. Because they've grown up surrounded by technology and advertising, they're extremely adept at recognizing promotional attempts and spurning them where they s...
Posted: Jul 21st, 2011
Tips for acquiring a bank loan



The ability to secure a line of credit may be a challenge in today's market, depending on the type of business in demand, but there are a number of strategies borrowers can employ to maximize their chances of approval.To begin, find the right bank an...
Posted: Jul 21st, 2011
Remote workforce management tips



Forrester Research recently projected the cloud computing industry to reach a market value of $241 billion by 2020. Over the same period, business leaders expect cloud services to inundate markets and contribute increasingly toward an office-less busines...
Posted: Jul 20th, 2011
Small businesses should expect CARD Act provisions



With the credit disparity between consumers and small businesses growing, companies need to do what they can to ensure their debts don't further damage their individual scores and hamper their ability to borrow.While surveys find demand for credit to...
Posted: Jul 20th, 2011
Open wi-fi can be costly for small retailers



Small retailers such as coffee shops and bookstores are often expected to provide free wi-fi service for customers. In fact, not providing such an amenity can even place businesses at a loss next to competitors.However, the National Federation of Indepen...
Posted: Jul 20th, 2011
How to fire a customer



When the decision has been made to fire a customer, the easy part is over. Now, owners and account managers must determine a strategy to let the troublesome client go.First of all, timing is crucial. The moment managers decide to fire a customer isn'...
Posted: Jul 19th, 2011
Accept entrepreneurship as a natural risk



Entrepreneurs may be more common in a weak job market, but that doesn't mean there's an abundance of good ideas. Even so, successful businesspeople argue that entrepreneurship is about trying out a number of different ideas, learning from mistake...
Posted: Jul 19th, 2011
Build motivation through teamwork



In a state like California - with an unemployment rate of 11.7 percent, as of May - the issue of employee satisfaction is likely more pressing than in states with stronger job markets. With so few job opportunities, employees are prone to grow discourage...
Posted: Jul 18th, 2011
Is it time to fire that annoying client?



At one point or another, a business will likely be forced into a corner by an overly rude of domineering client. Whether it's his or her sheer volume of demands, a rude attitude or a history of slow payment, it may be time to considering firing the c...
Posted: Jul 18th, 2011
Take CFO input with a grain of salt



Corporate executives have likely been turning to their chief financial officers more often, as economic conditions continue to hamper company budgets and dominate the decision-making process.However, it's important for leaders to maintain a balance b...
Posted: Jul 18th, 2011
Private sector pay on the rise, BNA report suggests



Private sector firms may be dishing out pay increases in coming months, according to a recent report from research firm BNA, suggesting businesses are expanding their working capital budgets.The most recent BNA Wage Trend Indicator showed an increase of ...
Posted: Jul 15th, 2011
Treasury releases first round of Small Business Lending Fund



After months of regulatory procedures that stalled allocation of the Small Business Lending Fund, the U.S. Treasury Department announced it has released the first $123 million of the $30 billion lending pool.The SBLF was passed last fall as part of the S...
Posted: Jul 15th, 2011
The growing divide between small and large businesses



A divide has emerged between small and large businesses, with growth prospects and sales figures parting the way.According to the Business Roundtable, corporate CEOs are expressing greater confidence than they were before the recession. However, small bu...
Posted: Jul 14th, 2011
Be direct and forthright in marketing strategies



Marketing is such a complex and ever-changing field that even the most experienced professionals can be rendered ineffective when it comes to new promotional channels. However, by recalling a few basic truths, businesses can apply their understanding to ...
Posted: Jul 14th, 2011
Credit expected to worsen for small businesses



Even as major banks such as Bank of America and Chase promise to increase their lending to small businesses in coming months, most bankers in the U.S. expect conditions to worsen, as credit-worthiness remains elusive and smaller institutions struggle wit...
Posted: Jul 13th, 2011
Keep a strong marketing budget in light of weak customer sales



While many entrepreneurs have been seeking alternative financing options to meet their credit needs, many hold that the real problem facing small businesses is not a dearth of lending but a lack of sales.In fact, the most recent Small Business Optimism I...
Posted: Jul 12th, 2011
Managing employees with 'dirty work'



Every business has dirty work - the job responsibilities that nobody wants and are left to new hires or positions created entirely for those purposes. Fortunately, for employers, there's no shortage of people willing to fill those positions. With une...
Posted: Jul 12th, 2011
U.S. still strong entrepreneurial power, study finds



Despite facing a number of challenges in recent months, the U.S. economy remains one of the strongest in the world for entrepreneurship, small business, and general startup activity, according to a report released Monday by the Organization for Economic ...
Posted: Jul 11th, 2011
Chamber of Commerce: Small businesses not planning to hire



Despite a recent study from Manta that found a majority of small business owners plan to hire this year, more recent reports seem to have put a damper on those prospects.The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reported Monday that nearly two-thirds of surveyed smal...
Posted: Jul 11th, 2011
Take advantage of the credit market



With the credit market in a rut, many businesses are finding it difficult to access a loan to keep their payrolls flowing and their expansion plans rolling. While conditions have clearly improved since the low points of the recession, small businesses sh...
Posted: Jul 11th, 2011
More economic mixed signals: Small business employment up



While the private sector has been slow to recover from the recession, it has nonetheless been growing over the past several months. The public sector, on the other hand, has been laying off workers en masse, contributing to a high unemployment rate and w...
Posted: Jul 8th, 2011
In poor job sector, marketing may be your only weapon



Unemployment is one of the leading causes of the recent economic slowdown, as a lack of job opportunities tends to curb consumer spending and rack businesses' revenue streams. This makes it important that companies strive to complete every possible s...
Posted: Jul 8th, 2011
Small business hiring grew in June



The same week as the ADP released its strong private sector employment report, software giant Intuit released its Small Business Employment Index, showing a slight monthly gain in June but a stronger increase from a year ago.According to the report, smal...
Posted: Jul 7th, 2011
ADP: Private sector added 157,000 jobs in June



While the economic recovery seemed to have hit a speed bump this spring, the market may beginning to take a turn for the better, with the most recent employment report from ADP providing convincing evidence.According to the June ADP Employment Report, th...
Posted: Jul 7th, 2011
Can entrepreneurship be taught?



Can entrepreneurship be taught - or is it a quality people are born with? That's the question investigated in a recent study by professors at Babson College in Massachusetts.Business leaders and professionals have long pondered how to teach something...
Posted: Jul 6th, 2011
Service sector expands for 19th straight month



The U.S. service sector, which essentially refers to all non-farm and non-manufacturing industries, expanded in June for the 19th consecutive month, according to a report released Wednesday by the Institute for Supply Management.The ISM Non-Manufacturing...
Posted: Jul 6th, 2011
Women business owners reflect similar economic concerns



A survey released this week by the National Association of Women Business Owners finds women business owners remain concerned about the state of the U.S. economy and believe it's the most important issue for Congress to focus on.According to the stud...
Posted: Jul 6th, 2011
Financial statements create hassles



Most small business owners do not have the time to sift through mountains of financial statements and paperwork. This is a problem that has been compounded in recent months by growing debit card "swipe fees."The problem is that small companies ...
Posted: Jul 5th, 2011
Small companies less enthusiastic about cloud computing



Technology and business intelligence are increasingly becoming budget priorities among businesses and entrepreneurial ventures. Driving the trend is a general decrease in cost for efficient data storage and cloud computing programs.However, new research ...
Posted: Jul 1st, 2011
Local businesses flock to social media for cost-savings



While a couple years ago small businesses seemed to be on the fence regarding the use of social media in their marketing strategies, it now appears that networks such as Facebook and Twitter are deemed necessary.According to a report released this week b...
Posted: Jul 1st, 2011
Financing tip: Rework vendor relations



While the PayNet and Thomson Reuters reported this week that lending to small businesses grew to the highest level since July 2008 last month, suggesting a strengthening of the credit market, the economy is by no means mended.Accordingly, small businesse...
Posted: Jun 30th, 2011
Small business lending reaches highest level since before recession



Despite some less encouraging signs of job growth in May, Paynet reported Thursday that borrowing among small businesses grew at a record pace last month.The Thomson Reuters/PayNet Small Business Lending Index grew 26 percent year-over-year in May, reach...
Posted: Jun 30th, 2011
Find the courage to launch your business idea



Entrepreneurship tends to flourish in communities that promote, encourage or value such endeavors. However, startup activity is also more common in areas ravaged plagued by high unemployment, as fewer work opportunities often inspire professionals to cre...
Posted: Jun 29th, 2011
Virginia the best state for business



Entrepreneurs deciding on a location to launch their ventures may want to consider forming an LLC in Texas, Virgina or North Carolina, as those states took the top spots on CNBC's most recent rankings of the best states for business.While the Lone St...
Posted: Jun 29th, 2011
Report addresses lack of federal small business contracts



A new report on federal contracting among small businesses undermines the Obama administration's claim that nearly 23 percent of all government contracts allocated in 2010 were granted to small companies.According to a report released Tuesday by the ...
Posted: Jun 28th, 2011
DOHS to release program to help protect small businesses' websites



After a number of recent cyberattacks on corporate and government websites, including a breach last week that brought the CIA's site down for several hours, the Department of Homeland Security announced Monday it will roll out a program to protect sm...
Posted: Jun 28th, 2011
Survey shows improvements in small business projections



Small businesses in the U.S. may be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, as a recent survey from TD Bank shows expectations for revenue growth and hiring plans are much more optimistic than current market conditions may suggest.According to the rep...
Posted: Jun 27th, 2011
Weak consumer spending seems to be slowing employment



Consumer activity accounts for roughly 70 percent of the overall U.S. economy - a fact that prompts economists to consider monthly spending figures to be harbingers of business activity, investment and hiring.With May's unemployment rate rising to 9....
Posted: Jun 27th, 2011
How the weak job market is affecting employee engagement



One doesn't have to look far to note examples of the dismal state of the U.S. job market. Why exactly hiring is so low and employment opportunities so sparse are some of the topic subjects of economic discourse, but the general assessment is that bus...
Posted: Jun 24th, 2011
Entrepreneurs are driven by passion



Most entrepreneurs are driven by a desire to create a useful and profitable service for the market, but to achieve that end, passion is almost always a necessity. Whether one is incorporating in California or Texas, if he or she lacks a strong and passio...
Posted: Jun 24th, 2011
Involve all business departments in strategy decisions



When small businesses first start to expand, they naturally begin to delegate responsibilities to certain individuals and create job titles to match those duties. Chief financial officers, for example, typically oversee all matters related to accounting,...
Posted: Jun 24th, 2011
Small business outlook stronger than last year



While the outlook of small businesses has seemed to fluctuate in recent months, conditions are undoubtedly showing improvement compared to last year, despite a frustrating slowdown in the economic recovery.This year's U.S. Bank Small Business Annual ...
Posted: Jun 23rd, 2011
Slow IPO activity may be stalling global VC investment



National Venture Capital Association president Mark Heesen recently told Entrepreneur magazine that he expects to see noted gains in the U.S. VC market either later this year or early next.However, the NVCA, along with international consulting firm Deloi...
Posted: Jun 22nd, 2011
SB Authority: Small firms refusing to invest



May was somewhat of a dismal month for the recovering economy, indications show. While job gains slowed tremendously, so did consumer activity, factory output and a number of small business confidence reports.This week, the Small Business Authority Index...
Posted: Jun 22nd, 2011
Small Business Lending Fund barely tapped by banks



Last fall, Congress passed the Small Business Lending Fund - a $30 billion source of capital for community banks to spur lending to small companies and entrepreneurs forming an LLC in Texas and around the country. However, so far not even half of the fun...
Posted: Jun 22nd, 2011
Credit-hungry small business should consider venture capital



With the economy in a state of uncertainty, with fluctuating credit conditions, job growth, and consumer activity, many small business owners and entrepreneurs are holding off on expansion and hiring plans.At the core of entrepreneurs' hesitation, th...
Posted: Jun 21st, 2011
International small business sales to reach $2 trillion



More small firms are looking towards international markets to increase sales and promote growth, as a recent survey published on Portfolio.com shows the market is only projected to expand in coming months.According to the survey, which was conducted by t...
Posted: Jun 21st, 2011
Many startups launch as a result of layoffs



It has long been asserted that entrepreneurship flourishes in areas with fewer employment opportunities. A recent CNN poll supported this theory by finding some of the states with the highest unemployment rates - California, Nevada and Georgia - are amon...
Posted: Jun 21st, 2011
Texans: Education is No.1 problem



While the Texas state government has managed to pass a biennial budget plan that doesn't raise taxes and instead relies on spending cuts to plug a $27 billion shortfall, the strategy may come back to haunt them.A recent poll by the non-partisan state...
Posted: Jun 20th, 2011
Don't get discouraged or confused by conflicting market reports



A number of recent surveys and reports have depicted an economic recovery that is slowing and facing a number of challenges.Two recent polls of economists from Bloomberg and the Associated Press serve as good examples of the conflicting and disputed stat...
Posted: Jun 20th, 2011
Large banks scale back lending while small ones increase



U.S. small businesses received fewer loans in the first quarter of 2011, as the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy reported this week that banks continued to experience an ongoing decline in lending trends.According to CNN Money,...
Posted: Jun 17th, 2011
Optimize employee engagement amidst economic challenges



With unemployment at stubbornly high rates - hitting 9.1 percent nationwide last month - many professionals find themselves in the middle of a nearly desolate job market, while those fortunate enough to have employment find few opportunities for career a...
Posted: Jun 15th, 2011
SMB confidence tumbles in May



Owners of small companies in the U.S. were less confident regarding the state of their businesses and the overall economy last month, as the most recent Small Business Optimism Index from the National Federation of Independent Business dropped slightly i...
Posted: Jun 14th, 2011
Avoid expansion for the sake of expansion



While the economy is unquestionably better than it was a year ago, many small business owners remain frustrated by the nauseatingly slow pace of recovery. Unemployment remains high, job growth is fumbling, GDP is dreary and the credit market is in questi...
Posted: Jun 10th, 2011
Survey points to value of less-expensive marketing options



Local merchants looking to form an LLC in New York City, California and other regions around the country seem to be embracing novel marketing channels with greater enthusiasm, albeit with tighter budgets.According to a report released this week by Mercha...
Posted: Jun 9th, 2011
Marketing departments set to add staff, survey suggests



As businesses emerge from the economic downturn, many are looking to rejuvenate their marketing budgets to attract new customers and sales leads.A number of recent studies from FedEx Office and Capital One have suggested this trend is beginning to unfold...
Posted: Jun 8th, 2011
Small businesses want to hire, but capital is slim



A survey released this week by business network Manta finds a majority - 57 percent - of small businesses plan to hire this year, providing something of a contrast to recent not-so-cheery employment figures.However, the survey also noted that the top hir...
Posted: Jun 7th, 2011
Trust produces nearly half of all customer loyalty



Texas' business climate has consistently proven to be one of the strongest in the nation. Although retailers looking to form an LLC in Texas benefit from one of the least adverse climates for entrepreneurship, it is important to understand some funda...
Posted: Jun 7th, 2011
For many, slow job market renews entrepreneurial aspirations



A recent survey by General Electric found approximately 80 percent of small businesses plan to hire within the coming year, and nearly two-thirds have already begun doing so, according to Bloomberg. It's clear that employers want to add positions, bu...
Posted: Jun 3rd, 2011
Strong website design indicates professionalism



Most small business owners and entrepreneurs understand the importance of having a website, but many fail to recognize the importance of site design - not only in attracting consumers but in retaining them as well.Understandably, entrepreneurs can be sid...
Posted: Jun 3rd, 2011
Weigh national studies with a grain of salt



With so many varying reports on the state of the economy, consumer sentiment and business outlooks, it can be difficult for entrepreneurs to accurately gauge conditions, especially considering how market trends vary greatly from sector to sector.For exam...
Posted: Jun 2nd, 2011
Weigh the benefits of mobile technology



During the fragile and stubborn economic recovery, it has been consistently difficult for small businesses to get their finances in order such that spending on hiring, marketing or equipment would be warranted.However, many entrepreneurs have turned to r...
Posted: Jun 2nd, 2011
Tips for protecting digital content from piracy and plagiarism



While ideally the web can be an endless stream of free information and instant communication, these liberties can allow for less principled individuals to pirate content, infringe copyrights and even plagiarize written material.For professionals who look...
Posted: Jun 1st, 2011
The role of credit in a growing business



Whether entrepreneurs are looking to incorporate in California or New York, they have likely put major spending and expansion plans on hold during the recession.While many government officials and economists have argued that the need to stimulate lending...
Posted: May 31st, 2011
Texas craft breweries lose crucial pro-business bill



Craft beer entrepreneurs looking to form an LLC in Texas may want to reconsider their choice of location, as a bill aimed at helping small breweries died in the state Senate this week.The bill would have allowed breweries to sell beer directly to guests ...
Posted: May 27th, 2011
Businesses should weigh industry prospects against marketing plans



Entrepreneurs looking to form an LLC in Arizona, Texas or elsewhere are facing an economy that is fragile and only gradually improving. At its heart is consumer activity, and with recent signs showing gains in that sector - including confidence and retai...
Posted: May 26th, 2011
Tips for generating word-of-mouth marketing



Word-of-mouth is often considered to be the holy grail of marketing, as consumers tend to trust the opinions of their friends and family much more than advertising or promotional pleas. But recent data have shown that consumers are speaking and sharing o...
Posted: May 24th, 2011
SMBs need not rely on banks for working capital



Forming an LLC in New York has become a difficult task in recent years, what with financing difficulties and tighter credit incentives among banks and alternative lenders. While debate continues to unfold as to the state of the credit market and its impa...
Posted: May 23rd, 2011
Demand for sustainable printing on the rise



For entrepreneurs looking to incorporate in California, New York or elsewhere, it is important to establish a marketing plan. But as consumers become more and more conscious of environmental practices - both by the brands they trust and in their own live...
Posted: May 23rd, 2011
Small businesses should weigh their marketing prospects



With small businesses nationwide boosting their marketing initiatives in order to take advantage of improving consumer sentiment and sales conditions, it may be important to consider which marketing channels are most effective.A survey released this week...
Posted: May 20th, 2011
Technology may be a necessary investment



With the economy as it is, it's certainly understandable that small business owners are a bit hesitant to make huge investments in technology, hiring or other operational tasks.The fact remains that sales have been slow, and although consumer confide...
Posted: May 19th, 2011
Hiring strategy: Where to look



The U.S. job market is gradually beginning to improve. Although unemployment grew to 9 percent in April, the economy noted the addition of some 268,000 private sector jobs.As conditions improve, employers will observe an increasingly competitive market f...
Posted: May 19th, 2011
Businesses need to consider credit card trends and policies



For entrepreneurs forming an LLC in New York, California or anywhere else, it may tempting to seek out a business credit card to help finance your growth. However, it is important to take in a few considerations regarding recent credit card legislation.T...
Posted: May 18th, 2011
What is content in the social web?



Content is increasingly becoming the Holy Grail of marketing. Especially as social media, email and mobile technology come to dominate the media landscape, those respective marketing channels are becoming the primary means through which businesses reach ...
Posted: May 18th, 2011
Entrepreneurs may want to seek alternative credit options



Financing a business in this economy - regardless of its supposed state of recovery - is a difficult endeavor.Entrepreneurs forming an LLC in New York may read about the lending initiatives of major financial institutions like Bank of America or JP Morga...
Posted: May 17th, 2011
Hiring prospects underscore importance of recruiting strategy



While the Golden State remains one of the most unemployed regions in the country, entrepreneurs looking to incorporate in California and elsewhere seem to have greater plans for hiring, according to a survey released this week by General Electric.Bloombe...
Posted: May 17th, 2011
Content marketing and consumer control



Entrepreneurs forming an LLC in New York City are hopefully familiar with the constant barrage of advertising and marketing. It is an intensely competitive city where standing out among rivals requires promotional innovation, quality products and innovat...
Posted: May 17th, 2011
President highlights role of small businesses



President Barack Obama spoke in honor of the nation's small businesses Friday, praising the sector's contributions to entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation in spite of less than desirable circumstances throughout the country.The occasion ...
Posted: May 13th, 2011
Leveraging both creativity and science in marketing



When it comes down to it, marketing is both creative and scientific. Professionals must ultimately rely on ideas for campaigns, but they are still tied to the need to know what works, what doesn't and why.For these reasons, marketing firms are prone ...
Posted: May 13th, 2011
Recovery 101: Optimize your operations



A recent survey by CNN Money found Nevada and California to be among the most active states for startup activity, reasoning that their massive unemployment rates - 13.2 and 12.3 percent, respectively - have encouraged many laid-off workers to form their ...
Posted: May 11th, 2011
Craft beer debate continues with new opposition from Anheuser-Busch



The state of Texas is known for its pro-business economic landscape, but when it comes to the liquor industry, it is anything but. Aside from retaining a number of laws that inhibit the distribution of beer by microbreweries, the state prohibits the sale...
Posted: May 11th, 2011
Texas sales tax gains offer confidence for state budget crisis



A recent proposal by Texas lawmakers to enact a tax break on purchases of yachts that cost more than $250,000 was met with a stir of debate and controversy, especially as the state continues to make draconian budget cuts to education, public safety and h...
Posted: May 11th, 2011
Green business tips: Printing



The world of marketing is a constantly evolving practice, with new trends, platforms and techniques being voiced on a seemingly routine basis.Now, recent calls for greener practices by consumers have added a whole new element to the contemporary marketin...
Posted: May 11th, 2011
Small business optimism dips, NFIB reports



Providing stark contrast to a number of recent surveys on the state of the U.S. small business sector, the National Federation of Independent Business reported Tuesday that confidence in the sector fell to a seven-month low in April.According to the NFIB...
Posted: May 10th, 2011
Three tips for acquiring brand advocates



A recent study by social marketing firm BzzAgent found brand advocates are 83 percent more likely to share information about a product or service than typical web users, suggesting small businesses should focus a substantial portion of their marketing ef...
Posted: May 6th, 2011
Unemployment grows for April, points to slow recovery



Texas has maintained one of the strongest job markets of any major state economy, boasting a well below-average state unemployment rate of 8.1 percent, as of March. And according to recent data, entrepreneurs looking to form an LLC in Texas may continue ...
Posted: May 6th, 2011
Leverage brand advocates and word-of-mouth



A survey released this week by FedEx Office found 55 percent of U.S. small businesses are considering increasing their marketing budgets this year, compared to a mere 42 percent last year.The report confirms a trend suggesting that as the economy continu...
Posted: May 5th, 2011
Texas budget debate continues unresolved



State budget crises are seemingly being addressed according to the economic philosophies of the parties they are dominated by.In Democrat-led California, for example, lawmakers have largely agreed to a 50-50 split between spending cuts and tax revenue in...
Posted: Apr 29th, 2011
Texas House passes bill to close online sales tax loophole



As debates continues to wage in Illinois, Tennessee, Texas, California and New York over whether or not online retailers should be obligated to collect sales tax from customers, one of those states, Texas, moved this week to firmly declare such entities ...
Posted: Apr 28th, 2011
Texas moves to extend small business tax break



The state of Texas took a step closer to extending a tax cut for small businesses last week at a time when budget cuts to education, healthcare and other programs are widespread in the state, according to the Associated Press.If passed, the measure ...
Posted: Apr 26th, 2011
Texas manufacturing: slower but steady in April



Factory activity in Texas continued its months-long expansion trend in April, albeit at a slower pace, according to Monday's Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.The index fell to 8 in April - down from 24 in Mar...
Posted: Apr 25th, 2011
ComScore: 'Green' websites see highest growth in March



A company's website serves as the portal through which consumers engage with the business, learning about its products and services and finding additional methods of contact. In many ways, a website is like putting power in the hands of consumers, of...
Posted: Apr 25th, 2011
Marketing 101: Content is king



Whether one is planning to form an LLC in New York or sell a new product, any major sort of transition in the history of a business will require some sort of marketing strategy to promote it or raise brand awareness.Recent surveys by BtoB magazine and Ma...
Posted: Apr 21st, 2011
Report: U.S. small businesses seeing normalization of credit



After some tight years, credit requirements for small business borrowing have begun to relax again, according to research released last week by Greenwich Associates.The recent recession exacted a serious toll on the credit availability for medium and sma...
Posted: Apr 19th, 2011
Austin, Texas, best city for small businesses, study finds



Entrepreneurs looking to form an LLC in Texas may want to look to the city of Austin, as it took the No. 1 spot on a recent ranking of the best cities to launch a small business.The Business Journals' On Numbers list cited Austin's rapid populati...
Posted: Apr 11th, 2011
Kauffman report points out challenges in small business sector



In regards to U.S. small businesses, the Obama administration has maintained that access to credit is paramount in lifting the sector, which employs nearly half of all private sector workers, out of the recession's grasp.Both Federal Reserve Chairman...
Posted: Apr 11th, 2011
What a government shutdown means for small businesses



Ongoing Congressional debate over budget and spending cuts has reflected in many ways what's going on at the state level across the country. But as lawmakers struggle to reach an agreement this week, the federal debate is becoming an increasingly dan...
Posted: Apr 6th, 2011
North Texas small businesses to receive $1.1 million grant



Last month, the U.S. Small Business Administration moved to broaden its definition of small businesses in order to incorporate thousands more companies under the category of "small business," providing them with access to government contracts a...
Posted: Apr 1st, 2011
Report: Consumer confidence fell to three-month low in March



Consumer confidence slipped in March to reach a three-month low of 63.4 - down from February's three-year high of 72, according to a report released this week by the Conference Board.The decline in confidence is likely due to rising commodity prices ...
Posted: Mar 29th, 2011
States' tax collection falls in Texas and rest of nation



Tax collection in the state of Texas, as well as the nation as a whole, fell during the 2010 fiscal year, according to a report released last week by the U.S. Census Bureau, providing a glimpse into one of the key reasons for ongoing states' and fede...
Posted: Mar 29th, 2011
In business-friendly Texas, lawmakers debate fate of margin tax



Small businesses considering a move to incorporate in Texas have likely been encouraged by the state's relatively strong emergence from the recession, and for those currently located in Washington or California, they may be intrigued by Governor Rick...
Posted: Mar 25th, 2011
Texas budget officials consider schools' rainy day funds



After months of hesitation, Texas Governor Rick Perry agreed with state lawmakers last week to tap the Texas' Rainy Day Fund in order to meet the current year's deficit of some $4 billion. While the measure essentially extends the budget until th...
Posted: Mar 23rd, 2011
Obama officials renew commitment to spur small business lending



Both Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Small Business Administration head Karen Mills declared Tuesday that a lack of available credit is the biggest problem facing small businesses and is stymieing job creation and innovation as well.At a conferen...
Posted: Mar 22nd, 2011
Texas winemakers facing elimination of crucial funding



Texas is no stranger to free markets, but when it comes to the sale of alcohol, there may be an exception.State lawmakers have proposed opening liquor stores on Sundays, which is currently illegal, as a means of generating further tax revenue from source...
Posted: Mar 21st, 2011
Considerations to make when signing a business property lease



The vast majority of companies rent the properties on which they do business - a condition that would do business owners well to understand.Regardless of a lease structure, there are certain obligations and responsibilities on behalf of both the tenant a...
Posted: Mar 18th, 2011
Texas economy in a different state than its public sector



Entrepreneurs seeking Texas LLC formation may find the business environment of their dreams, complete with low unemployment, low taxes and limited government, but the state is something of a two-face when it comes to its bustling private sector and ailin...
Posted: Mar 17th, 2011
Texas governor renews call to extend small business tax cuts



Speaking to a crowd of small business owners Tuesday, Texas Governor Rick Perry called upon his state to extend a tax credit for businesses earning less than $1 million in revenue per year, adding that the rest of the nation needs to join Texas in cuttin...
Posted: Mar 1st, 2011
Texas factory output grew substantially in February, study finds



The state of Texas contributes more than 9.5 percent of all manufactured goods in the United States - a figure that tends to earn the attention of economists when news of the sector's viability is released.Accordingly, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dal...
Posted: Feb 28th, 2011
Discover: Small business confidence flat



Small business confidence fell slightly this month, as business owners noted continued trouble in accessing credit or generating sales, despite recent improvements in consumers spending and private lending, according to the most recent Discover Small Bus...
Posted: Feb 28th, 2011
Business through western world express their concerns in new study



Despite varying economic philosophies and cultures, countries throughout the western hemisphere are united in their struggles to control massive budget crises - a situation that threatens social programs and public spending on a scale previously unseen a...
Posted: Feb 23rd, 2011
FDIC announced major banks' profits for 2010



The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation announced Wednesday that its insured banks recorded a collective profit of $21.7 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010, a substantial increase from the $1.8 billion losses reported in the fourth quarter of 2009.A...
Posted: Feb 23rd, 2011
Small business lending fell in 2010; debate over credit crunch remains



Small business lending fell by 6.2 percent in 2010, according to a recent report by the U.S. Small Business Administration, suggesting that the economic recovery may continue to lag for some time.Contrastingly, the report also found lending to large firm...
Posted: Feb 21st, 2011
Report: Texas is the top exporting state



A few weeks after the White House reinvigorated plans to double total U.S. exports by 2015, the Commerce Department released figures showing Texas to be the top exporting state in the nation.With an exporting volume of more than $206 billion in 2010, the...
Posted: Feb 17th, 2011
Texas Governor seeks to extend small business tax cuts



In a move designed to spur private investment and job creation, Texas Governor Rick Perry announced Wednesday his aim to extend a number of small business tax cuts that were introduced in the last legislative session."The real drivers of job creatio...
Posted: Feb 16th, 2011
Confidence among small business continues to climb



Confidence among the nation's small businesses continues to climb, amid reports of improving credit opportunities, private sector employment and manufacturing activity.Local business network MerchantCircle reported this week that its optimism baromet...
Posted: Feb 15th, 2011
Women-owned firms to benefit from new SBA program



A new program launched by the U.S. Small Business Administration last week will seek to provide women-owned small businesses with greater opportunities to receive federal contracts. The Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program will be implemen...
Posted: Feb 7th, 2011
Senate votes to repeal 1099 provision



The U.S. Senate voted 81-17 to repeal a controversial provision in last year's healthcare reform bill after several appeals from small business advocacy groups. It will face a vote in the House next week, where it is expected to pass.The disputed &qu...
Posted: Feb 3rd, 2011
Texas small businesses honored by NFL



With only days to go before Super Bowl XLV, the NFL is honoring a number of local small businesses and entrepreneurs this week as part of its push to boost business in Dallas, Texas, and the surrounding area.The North Texas Small Business Alliance has te...
Posted: Feb 2nd, 2011
Obama administration announces several new small business initiatives



The White House announced a number of plans Monday to help boost private sector investment, entrepreneurship and small business growth. The announcement comes less than a week after President Barack Obama's State of the Union address, which touted th...
Posted: Jan 31st, 2011
Trust in U.S. businesses fell last year, as global rates surged



Americans' trust in businesses fell last year, according to the annual Edelman Trust Barometer released this week. A day after President Barack Obama outlined his steps to "winning the future" in Tuesday's State of the Union address, th...
Posted: Jan 26th, 2011
A business recap of the president's State of the Union



President Barack Obama delivered his State of the Union address Tuesday night - a speech that tackled some of the most urgent concerns currently facing the United States. Immigration, foreign policy, energy, the federal deficit and healthcare were all on...
Posted: Jan 26th, 2011
SBA-backed loans a popular financing option in recession



Since the recession began, banks and traditional lenders have tightened their credit policies, leading to a significant drought of financing opportunities for small businesses.Consequently, loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration have grow...
Posted: Jan 24th, 2011
Confidence among businesses on the rise



Employers' hiring plans are improving drastically, as economic confidence among businesses reached a 12 year high, according to a new survey.The National Association for Business Economics reported Monday that 38 percent of surveyed firms have larger...
Posted: Jan 24th, 2011
Lawmakers on both sides targeting disputed 1099 provision



Congressional Republicans and Democrats are targeting a tax stipulation in last year's healthcare reform bill this week, as three Senate Democrats signed a letter to House Speaker John Boehner, requesting the House to repeal the contested 1099 provis...
Posted: Jan 21st, 2011
Business sales improve in Q4 2010, but at lower valuations



The fourth quarter of 2010 saw a slight but significant improvement in small business sales, according to a report released this month by BizBuySell - an online marketplace of for-sale businesses.Adding to a number of recent positive economic indicators,...
Posted: Jan 17th, 2011
Export-Import bank announces pledge to double small business exports



The Export-Import Bank of the United States rolled out a plan this week to help boost exports over the next four years - a measure that will focus on helping some 5,000 small businesses become exporters.Global Access for Small Business, which is part of ...
Posted: Jan 14th, 2011
Healthcare repeal will hurt Texas small businesses, report says



While Texas faces a budget shortfall reaching upwards of $25 billion, the state is looking for any new sources of revenue to compensate for the massive shortage.Currently, the state receives the vast majority of its revenue from sales tax, but as small b...
Posted: Jan 11th, 2011
A few key predictions for small business in 2011



Entrepreneurs looking to incorporate in New York may want to consider a few small business predictions for 2011, as a number of economic indicators suggest there will be a more extensive recovery next year.Writing in The Street, Jonathan Blum projects th...
Posted: Dec 30th, 2010
Entrepreneur makes use of hiring the 'unemployable'



While much of the country struggles with stubbornly high unemployment rates and projections of continued job woes over the next few years, many entrepreneurs and small businesses are free to choose from an extensive pool of job candidates.But one segment...
Posted: Dec 29th, 2010
Dallas small businesses to receive boost from Super Bowl XLV



Entrepreneurs planning to incorporate in Texas should launch now, as this February's Super Bowl XLV in Dallas is expected to bring some relief to the region's small businesses.Already many owners have noticed a slight boost in the sector, and act...
Posted: Dec 28th, 2010
Small businesses need demand, not tax credits, argue owners



Following Thursday night's passage of President Barack Obama's tax credit plan, some small businesses are asserting that it is not tax credits that they need, so much as a boost in demand.The bill, which passed swiftly through the Senate on Wedne...
Posted: Dec 17th, 2010
Small businesses less vital in U.S. than in Europe



The fact that small businesses account for nearly 50 percent of the private sector workforce is a statistic often stated to illustrate the tremendous value of the sector in motivating the economy. However, a different take on that statistic will show how...
Posted: Dec 10th, 2010
Texas businesses to face slight jump in unemployment benefits tax



Many small businesses looking to incorporate in Texas may face a slight hike in the state's unemployment benefits tax next year.In 2011, approximately two-thirds of businesses in the Lone Star State will be expected to pay $70 per employee, a jump fr...
Posted: Dec 9th, 2010
Small companies may be benefiting from healthcare reform, reports show



Small firms looking to incorporate in New York may actually be benefiting from the healthcare reform bill signed into law earlier this year. According to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation and research by Bernstein Research, more small businesses hav...
Posted: Dec 6th, 2010
Congress continues to debate Bush tax cuts' effects on small business



With the days counting down to the end of the year, lawmakers are also marking the days until the expiration of the Bush tax cuts - an event that will impose new tax liabilities on top-tier earners.President Barack Obama, along with most Democrats, have ...
Posted: Dec 6th, 2010
Survey finds small businesses surpassed expectations for 2010



A slew of recent reports on confidence among small business owners has provided a much needed source of reassurance for the economic outlook. The Discover Small Business Watch confidence index for October reached 11 points higher than its figure from a y...
Posted: Dec 2nd, 2010
Economic expansion projected to remain slow through next year



The U.S. economic recovery is expected to continue at a slow pace, according to a new report from the National Association for Business Economics. Expansion is expected to reach a growth of 2.7 percent over 2010 - up slightly from the original projection...
Posted: Nov 22nd, 2010
Business Bank of Texas to offer resource center for small businesses



Entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to file for an LLC, corporation or other business entity in Texas may find help from the Business Bank of Texas.The online banking and financial services provider announced Tuesday that it will launch its B...
Posted: Nov 9th, 2010
New York slots No. 21 in magazine's business climate index



Site Selection magazine has released its annual ranking of the top state business climates, placing New York down at No. 21 in a tie with Mississippi. North Carolina took the top spot, followed by Tennessee and Texas, respectively.The rankings factored w...
Posted: Nov 2nd, 2010
Intel to invest $8 billion in new plants in Arizona and Oregon



Intel, the world's largest producer of computer chips, announced Tuesday its plan to spend $8 billion to upgrade and expand the company's massive manufacturing facilities in Arizona and Oregon.The investments will primarily focus on renovating pl...
Posted: Oct 19th, 2010
Study purports to measure 'collective intelligence'



Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that groups which collaborate with a more even distribution of participation tend to do better in solving problems and completing tasks - a measure one research leader calls “collective intelligence.&...
Posted: Oct 4th, 2010
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