Small Business Trends

Apply For An Award, Competition or Contest Today

Apply for a contest or award today — there are good business reasons to do so. First, you get recognition and publicity for your business — and that’s just good marketing. On top of that, it’s good for employees. You give your team something to excite them and to rally ...

Our Black Year: Supporting Conscious Consumerism And Small Business

I find it funny when people from all walks of life speak on how a business is run, but few thoroughly examine a business’ relationship with a community.  A family’s experiment shows the importance of that relationship more than any words could express.

Our Black Year, One Family’s ...

How to Pump Up the Volume on Your Online Marketing – Twitter Chat

Save the date!  In honor of Small Business Week, we’re holding a Twitter chat on May 23 at 3:00 pm Eastern time, on the topic of online marketing.   I am thrilled to partner again with Stephanie Chandler on this event.

We’re going to cover some of your favorite topics ...

JPMorgan Chase-d After Risky Foreign Investments

The manner in which J. P. Morgan Chase lost more than $2 billion is particularly appalling. It’s even more insulting when one takes into account that risky foreign bets were made in lieu of investing in American companies.

For months, JPMorgan Chase has been one of the ...

Ben Watson of Hootsuite: Managing Twitter Chatter

Tweet, Tweet. Who’s there? Millions of people. The power of social media is helping small businesses make great strides getting the word out about their business, products and services. But one area where it’s specifically making it’s mark is in better customer relations and service. The amount of information flowing ...

Lights, Camera, Action!

Summer’s here and I’m excited about movies!

In addition to the regular action blockbusters and goofy comedies, there’s a whole slew of sci-fi and superhero films I can’t wait to settle into with my popcorn and a box of Whoppers.

Still, as much as I’m looking forward to these films, I’m already tiring of some of the accompanying merchandising and co-branding.

Soda? OK. Toys? Sure. Lunch meat? Really?!

So one day while musing on the old “lights, camera…” phrase, the idea of modernizing that trope came out in this cartoon.

Laptops: How Thin Can You Get?

With people going gaga over tablets in 2011 into 2012, what has happened with the laptop? For one thing, it’s getting thinner and thinner. With Apple leading the way, look for new laptops to really shed the pounds in coming months. We’ve got some tech reviews and some other cool ...

Is Your Brand Helping Or Hurting Your Small Business? Chat Recap

Didn’t get a chance to participate in the FedEx Office Twitter chat on May 15? No worries – we have a recap of the highlights below.

The topic was branding:  Is your brand helping or hurting your small business?  Let’s take a look at some of the responses and comments ...

Small Business Owners And The Estimated Tax Payment

For new small business owners, meeting your tax obligations is a big adjustment – particularly when you’ve been used to having an employer take out income tax withholdings with each paycheck. When you have your own business though, tax time isn’t just once a year; rather you have to make ...

The “Belong Subscribe And Engage” Marketing Plan

A sound and holistic marketing plan has always  combined these areas: