SmallBusinessExecutiveInforming, Inspiring and Connecting Businesses
Employer survey forecasts higher pay, staffing
“The survey shows employers’ optimism both for the overall economy as well as their own businesses,” said Mary Lynn Fayoumi, president and CEO of the Management Association. “As executives continue to manage their organizations through the challenging economy, most plan to trim costs by focusing mainly on process improvement initiatives during 2012.”
Obama’s address short on small business
“NSBA had hoped that broad tax reform—and not just those taxes focusing primarily on large, multinational companies—would have been mentioned, given that the overwhelming majority of small business owners pay taxes at the individual income level.”
State of the Union addresses key small business concerns
“We’re also pleased the president focused on the need for small businesses to compete on a level playing field with big business. To thrive, small businesses need an economy that works for everybody.” — John Arensmeyer, Small Business Majority
How to avoid hurting your social media image
By Marsha Friedman Guest columnist – I remember when the Internet first gained prominence and it became apparent that having a website was essential for any commercial enterprise. Back then, web designers were not plentiful and few people thought to hire a professional to create a site. They felt that any web presence was better [...]
Why companies want customer complaints — and how to handle them
By John Tschohl Guest columnist No matter how good you are at what you do, what business you’re in or where it’s located, you will at some point find yourself facing an irate customer. Maybe a product was flawed, a delivery was late or a charge was inaccurate. How you deal with that customer [...]
Foreign-based IPOs on U.S. exchanges to face more scrutiny: BDO survey
Submitted by BDO USA LLP With Asian accounting scandals putting off some investors, fewer experts are predicting foreign-based initial public offerings will pick up in the coming year than in previous years, according to a survey by BDO USA, a leading accounting and consulting organization. About one-third of capital markets executives at leading investment banks said the percentage of foreign-based [...]
How to break through social media clutter
Consultant Suzanne Ross of the Aerie Group in Evanston offers tips on making social media communications more meaningful.
Five ways to focus on service
By John Tschohl Guest columnist If 2011 taught us anything, it’s that service is more important than ever. A small company must know that when it does less than customers expect, they perceive service to be bad. When the company does exactly what customers expect, service is good. And when a company does more than [...]
Bankers bearish on U.S. IPO market: BDO
While early projections for IPOs in 2012 aren’t promising, Lee Graul of BDO USA points out that investor confidence can change quickly. By Ann Meyer The bull IPO market that many were predicting a year ago might take a bit longer to materialize. While Groupon made headlines when it raised about $800 million in a [...]
Resolve to increase sales in 2012
By Ron Volper Guest columnist The most profitable companies are the ones that regularly re-examine their business assumptions and change their sales and marketing strategies based on what worked and didn’t work in the previous year. Here are five resolutions and action plans to help you grow your business in the new year. 1. Become [...]
