Business Blogs: Trends, tips, and real-life anecdotes from industry experts.

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For the last few weeks, it seems like there has been nothing but bad news. All of the radio and television reporters blast the latest unemployment stats, stock market dips and unrest in the world.
It’s enough to turn you into a Scrooge this holiday season or make you cower in a corner with a [...]

This is always a difficult one.  Every year no mater what business I’m in, the holiday party is always drapped in a delima.  Do you invite their spouse/significant other? Do you have an open bar or cash bar? do you rent a private room or have it at your office?  We have done it all.  [...]

Wondering if now is the time for you to start up? Intimidated by all the complexity and confused by the possible options at hand?
Here’s my simple advice today: Start taking steps, even baby steps, but just start…

On Tuesday, we talked to Bruce Freeman. He’s the Small Business Professor for Scripps Howard News Service at www.smallbusinessprof.com, founder of ProLine Communications, and the author of the new book, “Birthing the Elephant.”

If you’d like to approach Bruce to get some publicity for your business, here are his words of advice:

What is your pet [...]

The National Retail Federation announced holiday sales are up 7.2% from last year.  While these numbers are encouraging, here’s the real question: “Is Anyone Making Money?”
As the dark cloud of Recession looms over the economy, retailers are showing their desperation as they drastically slash prices to compete for consumer dollars.  The end result is [...]

I’m finding that in business people tell you what they want.  In order to get what you want, sometimes all you have to do is ask.  Especially in times like these most people are eager for your business.  Therefore learning the art of negotiation is essential.  First and foremost though you have to know what you want.�
I’ll give [...]

After working with Bruce Freeman over the course of several years, I finally caught up with him for an interview to share his expertise as a journalist, entrepreneur and the author of the successful new book, “Birthing The Elephant.”
Bruce is nationally known as the Small Business Professor via his syndicated column for Scripps Howard News [...]

I am passing through the Amsterdam airport and wanted to share some perspectives about India from my exposure over the past week, a couple of days touring around the city and the Franchise India Conference where I spoke.
First of all, the Indian people I met and observed were incredibly kind and warm. The ideas of [...]

I had a good friend of mine, and a very successful vendor at QVC who makes about $50 million a year successful….tell me sister, fake it till you make it! Boy, take her advice.
I am all about making it…BIG…but what happens if you’re not quite there yet? Well you know FAKE IT!
Everyone to some degree [...]

Looking at the current financial crisis creates such a negative picture for everyone.  Have you checked your 401K lately? Have you looked at your bank statement? Everywhere you turn there is more bad news.  In Michigan its been like this for three years and no hope of it getting better soon.  If you have this feeling then, how [...]