It’s Small Business Week and we begin with news related to this celebration of the most important part of our economy. We then move on to resources with some important links we hope readers will find useful. Please bookmark and share our roundup and enjoy the benefits of an enhanced and expanding network. Enjoy!
Events
President Obama announces Small Business Week. We have the full press release and you can read it here. In it, Obama said, “Our country started as an idea, and it took hard-working, dedicated, and visionary patriots to make it a reality. A successful business starts much the same way—ideas realized by entrepreneurs who dream of a better world and work until they see it through.” Small Business Trends
An agenda of small business week events. An agenda involving some small business listening sessions has been laid out for the week by U.S. House of Representatives members. Here’s a look at the entire schedule for the week including what’s happened thus far. There is also other important information on the committee and how small business owners can get in touch. House Committee on Small Business
Policy
Politics continues to interfere. Of course, while events like National Small Business Week are intended to show Washington’s support, political wrangling continues to cause interference even with bills both sides seem to agree will benefit small businesses in the long-run. Do you feel Washington should pay more than just lip service to small business in the U.S.? Why not let your legislator know? You’re the Boss
White House releases report on small business aid. But candidly admits its efforts haven’t been sufficient. While clearly timed to coincide with the beginning of National Small Business Week, the document is another reminder of how policy has not improved the prospects of small business in the U.S. Do small business owners have a better perspective on what policy makers could really do to help? Bloomberg BusinessWeek
Read the full report here. The Small Business Administration has posted a complete copy of the report by the National Economic Council under the optimistic banner “The Small Business Agenda: Growing America’s Small Businesses to Win the Future,” but some say the document is hardly a cataloging of success in any government policy so far. SBA.gov
Resources
10 ways to build a small business that lasts. Small Business Trends co-founder Anita Campbell will host an exciting Twitter chat in honor of National Small Business Week. The event is planned for today (May 18) from 8 -9 pm Eastern US time. You can join in or follow along using the hashtag #smallbizchat to participate. Anita Campbell on Twitter
Win an iPad and follow guests for National Small Business Week. You can do it all in one place. John Jantsch has asked a group of small business bloggers (including our own Anita Campbell) to contribute a week’s worth of content on the subject and you’ll be able to access it all as it is published. You can also check out John’s tech giveaway contest at the same link above. Duct Tape Marketing
Get a free business valuation while supplies last. In addition to a free iPad, how about a free business valuation? One business-for-sale Website is giving 250 away free on a first come first serve basis. The offer is being made to coincide with National Small Business Week and can be used to establish a fair value for your business using other similar recently sold businesses for comparison. BizBuySell.com
Tech
Small Business Week sees new innovations. New features in accounting and payment software will revolutionize the way small businesses, particularly small contractors, will operate moving into the future. Can you imagine accounting software that helps you more closely monitor profits and make smarter decisions? How about technology that allows payments to be made through a cell phone with no credit card required? If you can dream it, someone may be designing a new feature for you. Constructech
FCC launches new Website for small business security. Citing data suggesting that small businesses loose billions annually and that a high percentage have reported falling victim to cyber attacks, the federal agency announced resources Monday that will help small businesses cope. The announcement was made in conjunction with the beginning of National Small Business Week. A variety of resources are suggested to help small businesses limit their security exposure online. Read more. BusinessNewsDaily
