SmallBusinessExecutiveInforming, Inspiring and Connecting Businesses
Illinois funding gap sends startups out of state for capital
By Ann Meyer – Story updated at 10 a.m. Tuesday. When Jabber Jury officially goes live with its online programming, it will be largely due to out-of-state venture capital that funded the Chicago startup. The company had little more than a concept to show investors last November when it attracted $1.2 million from Everett Palmer, [...]
Five reasons to develop a plan for your business
By Lorene Kennard, Guest Columnist “Have a plan. Follow the plan. And you’ll be surprised how successful you can be.” – Paul “Bear” Bryant, former football coach, University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide. Even with the abundance of evidence about the importance of planning, many people still do not do it. Many entrepreneurs have great [...]
Corrections and clarifications
The Illinois Technology Association’s Monday Morning Meeting on mobile technology was held Monday, Jan. 24, and its public relations roundtable met Wednesday, Jan. 26. The dates of the events were erroneously listed on SmallBusinessChicago as Wednesday, Jan. 19 and Tuesday, Jan. 18. The surname of China’s Commerce Minister Chen Deming is Chen. An article posted [...]
Obama’s address stresses innovation, jobs
By Ann Meyer – In a State of the Union speech Tuesday evening that emphasized the importance of innovation in job creation, President Barack Obama called on Americans to “think bigger” and try new ideas. He introduced Michigan brothers Gary and Robert Allen in the audience, who “reinvented themselves” by starting a roofing company. “That’s what [...]
Chinese delegates focus on small business
By Hallie Busta Chinese business executives and government officials are looking to set up shop in the Midwest, China’s Commerce Minister Chen Deming said in a speech Friday in Chicago. Calling the region a window of opportunity for Chinese investment, Chen announced a new focus on partnerships with U.S. small and medium enterprises at the U.S.-China [...]
China’s growth brings opportunities, concerns
By Hallie Busta – Chinese and American business executives will do more than shake hands when the visiting state’s delegation wraps up this week’s official visit with a stop in Chicago. A number will be signing off on business deals intended to nurture an economic partnership between the two global powers, observers said. Earlier this [...]
OpinionLab CEO: Listen to the customer to improve business
By Rand Nickerson, Guest Columnist With consumers readily discussing their brand experiences on blogs, review sites, and social-media platforms, the voice of the customer has never been stronger than it is today. The word-of-mouth impact of one negative experience, communicated through a few clicks and keystrokes, can start a firestorm with far-reaching impact on [...]
News digest: Health reform, its impact, and stubborn unemployment
Health care repeal gains ground. The U.S. House voted 245-189 Wednesday evening to repeal the health care reform legislation, but what Republicans might offer as an alternative remains a question, The Wall Street Journal reported. Any proposals, according to House Speaker John Boehner, would be “common-sense reforms that bring down the cost of health insurance [...]
Illinois Technology Alliance forms for more `fire power’ in Springfield
Four organizations have launched the Illinois Technology Alliance to lobby for innovation and economic growth in Illinois. The alliance will work to advance the public policy interests of high-tech manufacturing, information technology, biotech and life sciences. “We’re trying to corral the independent fire power of our groups,” said Maura O’Hara, executive director of the Illinois Venture Capital Association. [...]
Affiliates, merchants debate Internet Tax Act
By Ann Meyer – The Internet Tax debate isn’t over yet, and Scott Kluth, president of CouponCabin, is among as many as 9,000 Illinois Internet affiliates hoping Gov. Pat Quinn will veto the measure that passed the Illinois General Assembly earlier this month. Kluth said 500 to 600 Internet retailers might stop doing business with [...]
