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

When times are tough and money is tight, many savvy business owners look to outsource work to contractors. Using a reliable contractor can help you control costs and give you time to focus on marketing and business growth. But outsourcing is effective only if you can get the results you want at the price you [...]

Trust Congress?
Sorry, that institution got among the lowest ratings in a Pew Research Center study that was recently released. The Pew Center polled Americans to determine who they trusted least and who they trusted most.
Small business owners - you should be proud. America trusts YOU most.
More than churches, our President, labor unions, the Federal Government, small [...]

You’ve probably read our StartupNation advice about how to leverage the value of social media to benefit your business. (You can listen to a first and second podcast on this subject, too.)
But a word of warning: What you may not know–and should be prepared to overcome–is that just like there are squatters on website domain [...]

Just learned about EveryBlock, is a new way to keep track of what’s happening on your block, in your neighborhood and all over. You can choose your city and get a citywide overview of news by category. I might never eat in my own neighborhood again given the amount of violations reported….
The site is one [...]

Simple question: Does having a social agenda — a “cause” — attached to your business ultimately help you become more profitable (in a financial sense strictly)?

Vote and comment in this simple Poll at StartupNation.

Late last year (as if it was so long ago) I attended a keynote presentation featuring Larry Brilliant of Google.org and Malcolm Gladwell author of The Tipping Point. Larry Brilliant shared his inspirational story of leading the first organization of doctors to rid the world of smallpox and how it eventually lead him to his [...]

It’s possible if you manufacture or sell products for children under 12 years old.  The phrase “National Bankruptcy Day” was coined by toy manufacturer Rick Woldenberg, President/CEO of Learning Resources, in reference to the new CPSIA legislation that passed on October 18, 2008.  The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) is a direct response to [...]

On Tuesday, Katie Yeakle, executive director of American Writers & Artists, Inc., shared her small-business wisdom with us. Today, she provides valuable advice on seeking legitimate training for a new career.
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Katie Yeakle,
American Writers & Artists, Inc.
Executive Director
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What are some things to be aware of when looking for the appropriate training to start a new business or [...]

I just returned from a visit to Detroit. My Aunt Margaret died unexpectedly, and I wanted to pay my respects to this wonderful woman who touched the lives of everyone she met.
It just goes to show you that things can happen when you least expect it…whether you are ready or not.
With this in mind, [...]

It’s Sunday, September 6, and Linda and I are in Philadelphia. We stand in a pouring deluge – the brunt of tropical storm Hanna is upon us – as we wait to enter Independence Hall, located in the city’s Historic District. Drenched despite our umbrellas, 30 of us enter the annex of the building. We [...]