Growing Business

Main Street vs. Wall Street
A year after the financial meltdown, small businesses are still being alienated by their banks.
The Recession’s Winners and Losers Not everyone suffered during the financial crisis. A look at those who won and lost big during Wall Street’s meltdown.

By Kevin Kelly | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Sep 16, 2009

One year ago this week, Lehman Brothers closed its doors. Financial panic, obvious from the rapid decline of stock markets, spread like a contagion. The meltdown obviously hurt me, like many people who had much of their retirement savings loaded into equities. Of course, the panic spread when the federal government effectively took over the insurer American International Group and its mind-boggling debts a day later. But the impact the unfolding financial debacle might have on our family-run plastic packaging manufacturer didn’t hit home until a day or two later, when I called our banker at Wells Fargo & Co. and asked for an increase in our credit line. Read more…

Improving Foot Traffic Appeal
Tips for Sprucing Up Business Curb Appeal This Spring
Jan 30, 2010 Katelyn Thomas
As weather begins to warm and foot traffic increases, many small business owners are realizing that it is time to give their offices or stores a face lift to make their businesses more appealing to all those potential customers strolling by. Businesses with a renovation budget will repaint, replace all the furniture or make other big changes. Does this mean that businesses that are struggling to make ends meet aren’t able to improve their building’s appearance this spring? Not at all. For those that don’t have money in their budgets for a big makeover, there are still plenty of small things that can be done to spruce up the building or office. Read more…

Are You Brand Worthy?

Branding is one hot topic, although it is wildly misunderstood. To make things even ore confusing, branding is often tossed in the same basket as marketing which makes its application to an entrepreneur or sole-practioner even more unclear.

While out speaking on branding, the question that I hear most is “How do I know if my business or service is brand material?” With businesses opening left and right, and more and more closing each year, I’m glad there are smart business owners open to understanding the issue.

If you’ve found yourself asking the same thing, don’t worry you’re not alone. Perhaps, this can shed some light. Read more…

7 Tips for Online Success
by: John Baker

In this article we mention 7 tips for your success. That’s not to say these are the only ones, nor will every successful person use all these. But using these tips will help you succeed.
1- Set Goals: A set of goals or goal in writing enables you to have a purpose each day to work toward. Without a goal you may feel you have no purpose. You may have short term goals to achieve each day as well as long term (1 or more years). We are all individuals so we all have different goals. With goals you have something to aim for. Once you have developed a goal, keep negative thoughts like failure, fear, anger and envy from your mind. Read more…

5 Simple Rules for A Great Job Interview
by: Donna Monday
Many years ago, when I was a young job-searching greenhorn, I ventured to New York City to take a bite out of the big apple of opportunity.
When it came to finding a job in a crowded city of millions, I quickly learned that it’s much easier on one’s sanity to sign up with one of the many employment agencies which helps job seekers looking for work. Read more…