Small Business Trends

Regardless of what poll you happen to read about how small business leaders, economists or anyone else feels about the economy, the plain fact is that there are signs of growth. Whether that growth is in your business or in your neighbors and whether it represents the kind of growth you would like to see is another matter. Take a few minutes to check out this roundup and get a broader perspective of both what’s happening out there and how you can make things better for your business today. Got something to add? Leave a comment below.

Holiday Tips

Small business lessons from Santa. What can your small business learn from the jolly, plump red suited elf with a penchant for making naughty or nice lists? Quite a lot actually. It turns out Santa’s got a lot to teach us all about a business model based on helping others and providing customer service that would shame many a chamber of commerce members. TheStreet

High Tech SMB

No limit on the scope of small business accomplishment. Small businesses are responsible for a wide range of accomplishments in the private sector and in a wide range of technologies. From the small mom and pop retail business to innovative biotech firms developing cutting edge protein-based therapeutic solutions like the one described in this article, the reach of small business is vast. Globes

Taxes

Taxes on small business owners represent considerable revenue. Though few small business owners are rich, the few that are represent a significant chunk of income tax revenue in the U.S., says Scott Shane, Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies at Case Western Reserve University. Small businesses also contribute in other significant ways to the economy. It’s sobering to remember that, no matter what happens on Wall Street, small businesses still are a major player in the wealth the economy generates. Small Business Trends

Roundup

Whew! Talk about a week for small business news. For a small business roundup within a small business roundup, here’s blogger and business owner Gene Marks with a comprehensive view of small business and small business related stories from around the world this week. From tax breaks to holiday season buying trends, the good news is that not all the news is bad. You’re the Boss

Finance

Small business loans on tap for veterans. The U.S. Small Business Association is extending a program offering small business financing assistance to veterans for at least another three years. To date, the program has provided loan guarantees in excess of $560 million to almost 7,000 veteran small business owners with more to come. PilotOnline.com

Mobile

In ever greater numbers, small businesses are getting mobile. In fact, according to a recent survey from Discover’s business credit card division, a third of small business owners are using the devices although much of this use is for business only. While fewer small business owners seem to be using smartphones themselves (sorry, B2B marketers) many are scrambling to make sure their businesses are more accessible to mobile device users. TradingMarkets.com

Opinion

Nothing to fear but fear itself. Could the conservative, even pessimistic, attitude of some small business owners around the world be at least partially responsible for an ongoing economic recession? As Jeff Cornwall suggests, in this sober post, these small business owners are indeed taking a prudent approach, but a fear of the future and of any expansion could also be stalling recovery and progress. The Christian Science Monitor

Your Business

Deal of the day sites may be great for some small businesses. But not every small business wants to be on Groupon and this fact is what ultimately makes such tools less prevalent and less imperative to most small businesses than, say, Google search or social media. That said, Groupon will continue to be big. The only question is whether it’s really that important to your business. Business Insider

Revitalizing your small business: A five step approach. If your small business is not performing in the way you had hoped, it’s time to look at some steps designed to make a significant change. These five steps are the basics when it comes to improving your existing operation and tweaking what isn’t working. Connie Edwards, business consultant for the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center has more. SavannahNow.com

Policy

Fed may set limit on credit card “swipe” fees. The limit on credit card processing or interchange fees is being touted as a triumph for small businesses impacted by deep cuts into revenue. The fees have even prompted some small businesses to offer discounts when customers pay cash. But in a post published last year around this time when the issue was already brewing, Small Business Trends editor Anita Campbell asked whether such government interference would eventually lead to more trouble than it is worth. Business News Daily