SmallBusinessExecutiveInforming, Inspiring and Connecting Businesses
Steep slowdown in startups impacts economy
Submitted by the Kauffman Foundation (KANSAS CITY, MO.), May 2, 2012 – Building on a long-term trend, the nation’s business startup rate fell below 8 percent for the first time in 2010, marking the lowest point on record for new firm births. New firms as a percentage of all firms continued a steady downward trend [...]
Panzanzee incubator targets social enterprises
One of Chicago’s newest incubators is aimed at social enterprises. Panzanzee offers co-working spots in its 2,200-square-foot space as well as the opportunity for social entrepreneurs to address a group of professionals with a specific problem and receive advice, according to a Forbes story. Unlike startup accelerators designed to prepare young technology firms for venture [...]
Judge rules Illinois use tax law unconstitutional
The Illinois use tax law that spurred CouponCabin and FatWallet to leave the state last year was ruled unconstitutional Wednesday by a Cook County Circuit Court judge who said it violates the Interstate Commerce Clause and Internet Tax Freedom Act, according to the Performance Marketing Association, which had filed a lawsuit challenging the use tax’s constitutionality. Cook County Circuit Court Judge [...]
How to manage nasty word-of-mouth reviews
Ideally we would all love to avoid negative reviews in the first place. To defray them, be sure to post positive reviews. Ask the happy customers to write a review, but never pay for it.
Obama Signs JOBS Act Opening Door to Up to $1 Million in Crowdfunding
President Barack Obama Thursday signed into law the bipartisan JOBS Act, short for Jumpstart Our Business Startups, which is designed to create jobs over time by easing access to capital for businesses. Citing the success of American inventors and entrepreneurs such as Graham Bell and Henry Ford, Obama predicted the act will be a “game [...]
Business owners optimistic, but slow to hire
Submitted by SurePayroll Nationwide, SurePayroll Scorecard data shows hiring in March was down 0.2 percent from the prior month, but paycheck size remained flat. Despite this, optimism among small business owners was 70 percent, the first time optimism has reached 70 percent since May 2011. When small business owners were asked about their hiring plans moving forward in 2012, the SurePayroll’s [...]
Women-owned businesses outpacing most in job, revenue growth: Amex report
The growth in the number (up 54 percent), employment (up 9 percent) and revenues (up 58 percent) of women-owned firms over the past 15 years exceeds the growth rates of all but the largest, publicly-traded firms. As of 2012, it is estimated that there are more than 8.3 million women-owned businesses in the United States, generating nearly $1.3 trillion in revenues and employing nearly 7.7 million people, according to the second annual “State of Women-Owned Businesses Report,” commissioned by American Express OPEN.
How to avoid the curse of complacency
By Darryl Rosen Guest columnist Change isn’t easy, nor is it comfortable. But it is a fact of life — and a requirement of business. The expansion of Binny’s Beverage Depot outside greater Chicago offers a good opportunity to talk about why businesses need to change once in a while — and how they can [...]
How to run more productive meetings
By Mike Richardson Guest columnist Technology is constantly speeding up the pace of business. Decisions once delayed for weeks are now made in seconds thanks to Internet communication. Computer analytics puts real-time market information at our fingertips. Transactions can occur anywhere, any time. Just to keep pace, businesses must develop organizational agility, or the ability [...]
Commentary: Tax reform must include small businesses
By the National Small Business Association WASHINGTON – Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner announced Wednesday a broad plan to reform corporate taxes that includes lowering the corporate rate to 28 percent from 35 percent, while eliminating myriad business tax breaks and credits. Unfortunately, the proposal fails to ensure parity between small business and large business, and [...]
