04/26/2011
Ten of the nations top 20 markets for small business are in the South, according to the report.

The rankings were derived from a formula that considered such factors as local concentrations of small business, population growth and employment gains or losses.

complete article

04/25/2011
When Congress revamped food-safety laws last year, small farmers and food producers won a victory when they were excluded from many of the new rules.

Now, as the Food and Drug Administration implements the new Food Safety Modernization Act, the small businesses are hoping they are not snagged by the new rules anyway.

The legislation, which updates 100-year-old food-safety regulations, does not apply to meat, eggs or dairy products, which are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

complete article

04/19/2011
Small-business owners on the go appreciate access to the free Wi-Fi networks popping up almost everywhere.

They are not alone: According to a recent poll conducted by Wakefield Research and the Wi-Fi Alliance, 32 percent of respondents said they have tried to get on a Wi-Fi network that was not their own.

The Better Business Bureau, along with the Federal Trade Commission urges all people - business owners and their customers - to take precautions before using a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Wi-Fi Security Tips

04/18/2011
One very good way is to participate in Lemonade Day on Sunday, May 1. This is a free communitywide program dedicated to teaching children how to start, own and operate small businesses through the time-honored act of building and running a lemonade stand.

Lemonade Day pairs an adult with a child and provides free materials and support, thanks to local sponsors who recognize the significant benefits of teaching youth business skills early. Imperial Sugar, as a longtime company in Texas, and BBVA Compass continue to be the leaders in supporting Lemonade Day.

Lemonade Stands

04/12/2011
For an increasing number of entrepreneurs, employing a family member has been a boost to business, new research shows. According to a recent survey of 1,000 small-business owners conducted by specialty insurance firm Hiscox, 21 percent employ a family member. Of those who do, 94 percent said the family hire benefits their business. When asked about the reasons for employing family members, 57 percent said it had to do with trust, followed by 45 percent who cited reliability as an advantage. An additional 44 percent also said they were confident that their family members would work hard.

04/11/2011
Many small business owners support a government shutdown and believe that it will have little effect on them, according to a new study.

The study from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management reports that 48 percent of small private business owners and those who lend to small businesses said they supported a government shutdown. Thirty-nine percent said they opposed a shutdown.

The survey also showed 62.4% of supporters said they would support a shutdown even if it lasted a month or more.

04/07/2011
Question and answer websites have popped up all over the Internet. These interactive sites are designed to connect individuals, and help them get answers to questions. We have compiled a list of some of the more popular Question & Answers websites...

Question and Answer Websites

04/06/2011
The new guide, called the ADA Update: A Primer for Small Business, describes how the ADA applies to employees and customers in situations many small businesses encounter every day. It includes recent changes and clarifications that went into effect on March 15th of this year.

04/05/2011
The workplace is changing. Gone are the days when people in your organization needed only a computer and a desk to do their jobs. Now, they may need that computer, but they do not always need that desk. Instead, they need smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices that help them perform the days tasks wherever they are. This is particularly the case for small businesses, according to a study from wireless carrier AT&T. The Small Business Technology Poll, which surveyed 2,000 respondents, reveals how small business are making use of smartphone apps. While some organizations are readily embracing cloud-based and software-as-a-service mobile solutions, an equal number admit to having no idea what such solutions are all about.

04/04/2011
recent report from American Express OPEN, called the State of Women-Owned Businesses Report, is showing that small business startup news has never been better for women.

According to the study, the number of women-owned businesses has increased from 5.4 million in 1997 to 8.1 million in 2011. Furthermore, revenue generated by these firms is expected to grow to approximately $1.2 billion this year.

04/01/2011
Your business is rolling along and you think your brand strategy is working. But is it? Are your marketing messages and materials driving the results you need? If not, it might be time for a marketing makeover.

Five Signs You Need a Marketing Makeover

04/01/2011
When speaking at a conference or a seminar, it is important that your presentation convey professionalism. A PowerPoint presentation can be used to visually represent your material. The presentation should be polished and consistent throughout. The visual presentation should supplement your speech, not distract or detract from your oral presentation. Rarely should PowerPoint be used without an accompanying explanation of the slides. Here are a few tips for making your PowerPoint presentation better and more professional...

Great PowerPoint Presentation Tips

03/30/2011
Small-business owners may think they will not be targeted by cyber criminals the way a big company or military contractor might, so it is natural to become lax about cyber security.

That is the mindset a local program wants to change by raising awareness and educating entrepreneurs that they are also vulnerable to cyber attacks.

complete article

03/28/2011
Assuming you can get a connection, here are some time-saving tips I have come up with, along with others that fellow Gadlingers suggested to keep me from pulling my hair out at the local Internet cafe.

complete article

03/23/2011
Philosophies regarding social media networks, such as Twitter, can vary greatly. But similar to email, an unspoken etiquette has emerged for these social websites as well. The etiquette for these social sites does not consist of hard and fast rules, but is simply a list of guidelines for posting. The following is a set of Twitter etiquette guidelines, but can also be applied to other social networks...

Twitequitte