The Small Business Trends editorial team takes you behind the stories to find out what’s really important for your company today. Here are the top news stories you might have missed this past week:
Social Media
Facebook passes the 1.15 billion mark. There are plenty of doubters out there about the impact of both maintaining a Facebook presence and advertising there for your business. But when you look at the number of active users on the site, you have to think again.
Hashtags haven’t helped much so far. It’s been almost two months since Facebook rolled out hashtags similar to those used on rival site Twitter. Businesses have already upped their use to build engagement, but so far without success.
CNBC will air a “Twitter Revolution” documentary. The show, airing Wednesday, August 7th at 9pm ET/PT shares information about Twitter’s beginning and growth. But entrepreneurs will also find the analysis of Twitter’s impact as a transforming technology enlightening.
A survey shows the digital tools small businesses rely on. After a company website, the digital tools small businesses most rely on aren’t Twitter and Pinterest. They are Facebook and LinkedIn. Take a look at how social media channels stack up.
Startup
The tide could be turning. We’ve heard before about the decline of entrepreneurship. But signs suggest changes are on the way. Check out this data from Scott Shane, Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies at Case Western Reserve University.
Double check your small business plan. With many potentially thinking about starting a new business, it’s helpful to understand what’s involved. Here Megan Totka, Chief Editor for Chamber of Commerce, gives tips on what a small business plan must include.
Cut down on those startup costs. Starting a business takes resources. But there are ways to reduce costs you may not have even considered. Richard White, editor at Yellow Brick Path, takes a hard look at where to cut back.
Mobile
Starbucks mobile earnings have important implications. If you run a retail or food business and aren’t accepting mobile payments, you may be missing out big time. See what these quarterly reports say about public preference.
Google Plus Local for iOS is as good as gone. This is the iPhone app that helped users find local restaurants and other businesses and leave their reviews for others. No worries. Many of the same features are now packed into the Google Maps app.
Quip is reinventing word processing. No, it’s not hyperbole. Whether the new app catches on or not with small businesses is a whole other story. But the idea of bringing creation and collaboration on documents to the mobile world is pretty revolutionary.
Your next business tablet may not be an iPad. See how the tablet icon is faring in the mobile device wars. There could be better options out there for your company.
Operations
Your business probably spends too much money on the road. If so, you’re certainly not alone. A recent survey by integrated travel and expense management provider Concur suggests there could be a reason big companies pay less.
You should have automation driving sales. If not, Raghu Raghavan, CEO of marketing automation platform provider Act-On, has some suggestions. Read his interview with Brent Leary.
The right credit card for your business. It may change with your needs. Personal finance expert Odysseas Papadimitriou recommends the “island approach” with a different credit card for every need.
Human Resources
Employee benefits reality check. Benefits can be a big incentive when attracting the right talent. It’s time to examine whether your company’s benefits package is competitive. Rieva Lesonsky gives some insight.
The benefits of flexible work. A flexible work schedule is often popular with employees. But employers sometimes have concerns. This infographic from Your Better Business shared by David Wallace, co-founder and CEO of SearchRank, looks at how this new approach may benefit everyone.
Achieving balance in business and life. There may be another way to achieve success in business. In a word, we’re talking about balance. Ivana Taylor reviews Balance: The Business -Life Connection by Jim Cusumano and gives us her take.
Policy
Obama’s remarks on Amazon stir small biz anger. U.S. government officials often pay lip service to small businesses. But when President Obama recently praised Amazon, small publishers and booksellers were clearly upset. Anita Campbell reports.
Year end government spending spells opportunity. September 30 is the end of the U.S. government’s fiscal year. This post from the U.S. Small Business Administration tells you what that could mean to you as a small business.
Tech
Why you should start a small business podcast. If you want to get your message out to customers in a unique format, don’t forget the podcast. Subscribers already number in the billions on iTunes. This could be how to reach your audience.
Shutterstock: News image
Shawn,
An interesting week, as usual 🙂
To highlight, as an advocate to everything location independent, I only see flexible working as a great way to keep employees happy, as well as attracting great talents.
It can backfire, though… simply because not all people have all the traits suitable for flexible working.
Amazing week. It’s amazing how you got almost every aspect covered. For me, the most interesting ones are those from social media. After all, we cannot deny how powerful they can be. In fact, I think it is one of the best places to market to your target customers today.