2011 Trends

5 Hot Industries Every Small Business Owner Should Know About

By Rieva Lesonsky - Jun 29, 2011 - 6 Comments

Want to know what industries are heating up? Industry analyst IBISWorld just released its picks for the 5 hottest startup industries for the next five years. The company analyzed revenues, growth trends and profitability levels of more than 700 industries to determine which ones are best poised to … Read More

4 Trends Your Business Should Take Advantage of Now

By Rieva Lesonsky - Mar 30, 2011 - 6 Comments

Every once in a while it’s a good idea to sit back, take stock and assess how some of today’s current trends could benefit your business. Here are four to consider that have both marketing and operations implications for your company. 1. Going mobile. Mobile marketing is becoming … Read More

Selling Luxury in 2011

By Rieva Lesonsky - Feb 16, 2011 - 2 Comments

Remember, oh, say 2007, when luxury was the hottest buzzword in consumer retailing or services? From high-end spa treatments to luxury campouts (yes, campouts) to bling-laden sunglasses and mink dog beds, Americans of all ages (and almost all income brackets) couldn’t get enough … Read More

Five Green Business Trends for 2011

By Kelly Spors - Jan 7, 2011 - 4 Comments

It's wasn’t so easy being “green” when the economy was blue. But as the U.S. economy looks brighter in 2011 – as most hope and expect it will -- businesses will be more focused on long-term sustainability. A key part of that is environmental sustainability. Environmentally responsible … Read More

5 Steps to Help Your Small Business Save Money in 2011

By Prasad Thammineni - Jan 6, 2011 - 15 Comments

It’s the New Year! Time to make all those resolutions about losing weight and walking the dog… but how about taking some quick steps early in January that might save your business money throughout the entire year? Here are five steps my management team is taking to save us money in 2011: 1. … Read More

Top 10 Tax Trends for 2011

By Barbara Weltman - Jan 4, 2011 - 7 Comments

Taxes, and taxes for small business in particular, were headline news for a good part of 2010. This is because of the pending expiration of the Bush-era tax cuts, the extension of those cuts, and legislation creating incentives for hiring and improving the economy. In 2011, taxes will continue to … Read More

2011 Trends Driving Rural Small Business

By Becky McCray - Jan 2, 2011 - 29 Comments

Local, government and economic development are the three key factors shaping rural small business in the coming year. Within each of these factors are smaller subtrends. Here's a closer look at what to expect for rural businesses in 2011. Local Movement Local foods, shop local, local … Read More

Top 5 Microbusiness Opportunities for 2011

By Dawn R. Rivers - Dec 31, 2010 - 8 Comments

How can you tell a real business opportunity, one with staying power, from last year's opportunity? Some fields might seem hot right now but, for many, there's a good chance that the real opportunity was over five months ago and the field will be totally glutted by February. Then, too, the … Read More

Top Website and Website Design Trends for 2011

By Shashi Bellamkonda - Dec 30, 2010 - 25 Comments

Last year we published the Top Web Design Trends For Small Business in 2010 and as I reflect on the Top Website and Website Design Trends for 2011, I know for certain that technology is moving so fast that many new technologies will probably be introduced by the time I finish this … Read More

Hottest Food Trends for 2011

By Rieva Lesonsky - Dec 29, 2010 - 7 Comments

Even in a tough economy, Americans like to eat out making food one of the bright spots in the past few years, with new food and restaurant concepts cropping up fairly often. To help foodservice entrepreneurs get a jump on the future, research and consulting firm Technomic recently announced its 11 … Read More

11 Customer Service Trends to Watch in 2011

By Barry Moltz - Dec 29, 2010 - 26 Comments

Customer service is a perennial issue that is critical to all small business owners. Although it is included in every company mission statement, no one wants to focus on it. But some key customer service trends for 2011 make this phase of your business even more critical in the coming year. Here … Read More

2011 Outlook: Small Businesses Optimistic About Economy, Ready to Reinvest and Hire

By Rieva Lesonsky - Dec 23, 2010 - 7 Comments

How are entrepreneurs feeling about the economy as we head into the new year? I’m happy to have some good news to report on that front. Recently my company, GrowBiz Media, collaborated with Zoomerang, the world’s first Web-based survey tool, to survey small business owners about their business … Read More