2011 | Small Business Trends

Read The End of Business as Usual for Social Media Insights, Research and Trends

By Ivana Taylor - Dec 31, 2011 - 6 Comments

At the end of each year and into the beginning of the next, we take stock of where we’ve been and where we are about to go. TV shows and magazines look back on the significant events of the year, and then prognosticators predict what’s yet to come. One of the best prognosticators out … Read More

Specify Targets

By Larry Janesky - Dec 30, 2011 - Leave a Comment

Specifically, what things do you want to accomplish in 2012? Will you write them down? Read More

Confusion Doesn’t Look Good On You: Profile Your Way To Clarity

By Jamillah Warner - Dec 30, 2011 - 2 Comments

If confusion and overwhelm was an outfit, I would tell you to take it off, because it doesn’t look good on you. If it’s old, worn out and faded, then let it go. What you wear should enhance what you have instead of playing up your weakness. In fashion, the goal is to wear what looks good on … Read More

FitDesk Pedal Desk Turns Sedentary Computer Work Into A Healthy Exercise Option

By Marie Hernan - Dec 30, 2011 - Leave a Comment

Nashville, Tennessee (Press Release - December 20, 2011) - It’s a unique product that combines two seemingly polar opposite activities – exercise & computer work – into one productive and efficient activity. The FitDesk Pedal Desk is an innovative product that allows a person to … Read More

Small Business Story of the Year: The Rise of Alternative Lending

By Rohit Arora - Dec 30, 2011 - 9 Comments

Supporting small business was among the top economic stories of the year, and the rise in lending to those growing companies was the most important development in 2011. It's a story we saw developing since the credit crunch tightened the spigots on funding for small businesses. When the big … Read More

Restructuring Over the Downturn

By Mark Anderson - Dec 30, 2011 - 2 Comments

Flowcharts are fun. You've got all your little boxes and arrows and symbols and colors...fun! This cartoon started out as a take on an overly complex flowchart that had symbols and lines here, there and everywhere, and it was okay, but it was when I put in one simple little box at the very … Read More

Staples Offers Small Businesses Free Shipping January 1 To January 28

By Marie Hernan - Dec 30, 2011 - Leave a Comment

What: Free shipping on any size order on Staples.com When: Sunday, January 1, 2012 – Saturday, January 28, 2012 Why: Staples, the world’s largest office products company and a trusted source for office solutions, is making it easy for small businesses to make the most of the New Year, … Read More

Small Business Marketing Ideas for Us All

By Small Business Edito… - Dec 30, 2011 - 4 Comments

You'll probably never get enough small business marketing tips since marketing remains the most important part of what your small business does. Here are some ideas you won't want to be without to make customers take a second look at who you are and what you do. Tips & Inspiration 20 content … Read More

Think Creatively

By Larry Janesky - Dec 29, 2011 - Leave a Comment

If we think like the crowd then, by definition, we aren't creative. Only if we are independent thinkers can we break from the pack and come up with creative ideas. Are you following, or thinking? Read More

Review: AWeber Email Marketing Service for Small Business

By TJ McCue - Dec 29, 2011 - 8 Comments

Most email providers offer a free trial, but AWeber does not. That's not a negative. In fact, by putting a value on their service, I believe that many people equate it with greater value. Charging for the service sends the message that AWeber is completely confident that you will love their service … Read More

“Franchising Gives Back” to Support Orlando Veterans Facility

By Marie Hernan - Dec 29, 2011 - Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON (Press Release - Dec. 16, 2011) - The International Franchise Association today announced the Orlando Health & Rehabilitation Center, a nursing facility home to veterans, will receive the support of the inaugural "Franchising Gives Back" event ahead of IFA's 52nd Annual Convention, … Read More

Should You Do It Yourself (DIY) or Pay the Experts (PTE)?

By Jamillah Warner - Dec 29, 2011 - 6 Comments

It’s the big mistake that we have the power to fix. But it’s also the kind of thing that we could spend a lifetime getting wrong—without intervention. When should you do it yourself (DIY) and when should you pay the experts (PTE) to do it for you? Small business owners are the kings … Read More