NASE Staff Blog

Labor Day Links

NASE Staff — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Posted by Molly Nelson - Here's hoping everyone has a great (and uneventful) Labor Day weekend!

Before you fire up the grill, here is some news from the past week.

The SBA scorecard notes that small businesses received $3 billion more in federal contracts in fiscal year 2009 than in fiscal year 2008, for a record $96.8 billion in contacts. OPEN Forum highlights some tax rules you should be aware of for 2011, and the NYT shares tips on finding a mentor and what you can do as a mentee to get the most out of the relationship. And just in time for the last official weekend of summer, FreelanceFolder makes a convincing case for how important exercise is to the health of your business.

[Small Businesses Receiving More Federal Contracts]
[Tax Rules You Should Know About for 2011]
[How to Choose and Work With a Mentor]
[Why & How Freelancers Should Exercise]

Shoestring Budget Success

NASE Staff — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:06:58 GMT

Posted by Molly Nelson - The WSJ profiles three small-business owners who started their businesses on shoestring budgets of less than $150. If you have questions about starting a business on a shoestring budget, be sure to ask the experts at Shop Talk for advice, and check out an article on shoestring's cousin, bootstrapping, in the September/October issue of Self-Employed magazine.

Did you start your business on a shoestring budget? Share your experience and any advice in the comments!

[Start-Ups on a Shoestring]

Baggage Fee Refunds

NASE Staff — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:56:20 GMT

Posted by Molly Nelson - Hate paying airline bag checking fees? If you're traveling between Sept. 1 and Dec. 30 and use a Visa card to book a weekend stay at any Holiday Inn or IHG-brand hotel, they will pay up to $50 of your checked baggage fees.

The deal applies to weekend stays at: Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites hotels.

To claim your reimbursement, you'll need your hotel bill (or third-party booking receipt) showing Visa payment method and travel dates, and your receipt (with travel dates) for your checked luggage.

Find more information on the deal here.

[Via Consumerist - Holiday Inn Will Pay Your Baggage Fees If You Stay With Them]

Creating Your Logo – Tips For Startups And Established Small Businesses

NASE Staff — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:19:52 GMT

Posted by Maureen Petron -- Looking to create – or recreate – your business brand with a logo? This article from Mashable gives 4 things to consider when creating your own logo, or outsourcing the design.

If you do look for a logo designer, the article suggests finding a recommendation from a colleague, or making sure to browse the designer’s work before engaging them for your project.

An NASE Member benefit lets you go a step further than just browsing a designer’s portfolio. CrowdSPRING lets you work with dozens of designers, see hundreds of concepts – for your specific project – set your own price, and select your perfect match.

At the crowdSPRING website, you describe your project and the price you want to pay, and then watch as graphic designers across the world offer you their ideas. You’re guaranteed to like the logo – or website design or stationary package or tshirt concept – that you commission, because you only pay for the one you want to purchase.

How do I know crowdSPRING really works? Because the NASE tested it out ourselves before bringing them into the NASE benefits package. When publishing the latest edition of Schedule C: from A to Z, I bid out the creation of the book’s cover design on crowdSPRING.

Learn more about crowdSPRING and the NASE discount of $25 off any project you post. And if you use crowdSPRING for your design needs, tell us about the experience!

Hot Links (8/23 – 8/27)

NASE Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Posted by Rosemary Hambright – Hello, NASE Members and NASE Staff Blog readers! But, alas, now is also the time to say goodbye. This will be the last of my weekly Hot Links because it is the final week of my internship at the NASE. It’s been really fun for me to scour the web for interesting articles and relevant small biz news, not to mention educational.

Speaking of the internet, social media has been a popular topic this week (as per usual!). Philadelphia might start taxing bloggers. Entrepreneur.com gave advice for making merchandise sites Mobile-friendly. Google explained how to use Google Places. Smallbiztrends.com weighed in on the new Facebook Places.

If you read my blog entry about attending a hearing on the Durbin Amendment, you may be interested to know that the restrictions on credit card transaction costs have taken effect.

Businessweek.com presented a very optimistic story about the adaptability of a small guitar-making business. The New York Times blog also showcased a tale on a small company's second life.

And last, but not least, Freelancefolder.com compiled a list of 10 resources to acquire new clients.

Take care and enjoy Autumn!

[Could E-Commerce Sales Tax Become a Reality?]
[How to Create a Mobile-friendly Shopping Website]
[Getting Started with Places and Sites]
[Facebook Places To Replace Your Local Fan Page]
[The Talk of the Town]
[New credit card restrictions take effect]
[A Second Product Line Revives a Struggling Guitar Maker]
[How I Saved My Company: Vital Wave Consulting]
[The Best of FreelanceFolder: Our Top 10 Resources for Getting Clients]

Taking A Break From Screens

NASE Staff — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:41:52 GMT

Posted by Molly Nelson - You're probably reading this on the screen of some digital device, but when you're finished you may want to (gasp!) leave all of the screens in your life alone for a few minutes.

According to an article in the New York Times, scientists are concerned that the constant checking of computers and smartphones is harmful to the brain. While downtime allows the brain to go over past experiences and solidify them into permanent long-term memories, constant stimulation of the brain prevents this learning process, according to scientists.

The article describes a study that "found that people learned significantly better after a walk in nature than after a walk in a dense urban environment, suggesting that processing a barrage of information leaves people fatigued."

So, go enjoy a few moments in the waning days of summer, and ignore the beeping and pinging of the devices clamoring for your attention.

[Digital Devices Deprive Brain of Needed Downtime]

Will Focusing Cure Forgetfulness?

NASE Staff — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 20:58:54 GMT

Posted by Molly Nelson - Have you been feeling forgetful lately? Chief Home Officer shares a few tips to help deal with all of the competing demands on your attention.

The main takeaway seems to be cultivating focus. Meaning, the reason you didn't remember that you had already turned off the stove was because you were thinking about that email you needed to send, instead of the action of turning the stove off.

Share your suggestions for combating forgetfulness in the comments!

UPDATED: Check out these ideas from OPEN Forum as well.

[Multi-tasking Madness: Don’t Play Games]

Go Team Green! Hot Links (8/16 – 8/20)

NASE Staff — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Are you seeing green—by going green? It’s no secret that many efforts to make businesses eco-friendly are also eco-nomically friendly to the wallets of small-business owners and the self-employed. But is that all there is to the buzz?

Natural resources and other aspects of environmentally aware business practices such as sustainable development or natural disaster recovery provide fertile launching pads for adaptable entrepreneurs. Small Biz Survival pointed out that natural resources could be the next wave of opportunity. Making an even bigger splash is the New Orleans’ push for renewed economic development through public-private partnerships.

Business Week urged the business world to learn from nature's example; namely, how to work as a team. What better way to create jobs right here in the U.S. by ruralsourcing?

Feeling inspired to save the planet and generate an income in the process? Well, then it’s a good thing that CNN reported that now banks are offering more loans to small biz!

How could your business go green and make some green?

[The next wave of opportunity]
[NOLA Mayor Launches Economic Development Public-Private Partnership]
[Extrapolating Business Lessons from Nature]
[Ruralsourcing: A Win-Win Idea for Small Businesses]
[Banks finally lending more to small biz]

Bank Going Dutch On SBA Loan Fees

NASE Staff — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 19:00:00 GMT

Posted by Molly Nelson - If you're near a City National Bank branch, you may want to head in for a chat about starting the SBA Loan process. According to smallbuzinessnewz, City National has announced that it will pay half of the standard loan guarantee fees up to $3,000 for SBA 504, 7(a) and SBAExpress loans to help encourage small business lending.

Standard loan fees typically range from 2 percent to 3.75 percent of the guaranteed portion of the loan. Hopefully City National's offer will spur other banks to do the same!

[Bank Offers To Pay SBA Loan Fees]

Geotags: What You Should Know

NASE Staff — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:01:00 GMT

Posted by Molly Nelson - Are your (supposedly) innocuous tweets and shared photos actually making you a target for hackers and thieves? If you haven't been careful with the settings related to your location data, then maybe.

This New York Times article explains how geotags (small amounts of information embedded by GPS-enabled phones and digital cameras that provide the latitude and longitude of where a photo was taken) can potentially allow hackers with even the most basic programming skills to find out that you're on vacation and your brand new flat-screen television is unattended.

Read the whole article for more information on how to turn off geotagging of your photos, and remember that using other services like Twitter also broadcasts your location (you can adjust whether your tweets contain location information under "settings" from your Twitter homepage).

[Web Photos That Reveal Secrets, Like Where You Live]

Small Biz Jobs Bill Update: Congress On Recess

NASE Staff — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 16:00:00 GMT

The Small Business Jobs Act (H.R. 5297) would create a $30 billion lending fund for small businesses, offer $12 billion in tax breaks and strengthen SBA outreach and lending programs. The NASE supports this legislation, as does the White House.

Due to a short window of opportunity and partisan wrangling, the Small Business Jobs Act has been put on the back burner until the Senate returns next month. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) set the stage for mid-September votes on Democratic and Republican proposals to repeal increased 1099 reporting that was passed under the health care law. Senator George Voinovich (R-Ohio) has agreed to be a swing vote (giving Democrats the coveted 60) as long as the Republican-offered option is voted upon first.

At odds are Sens. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), both of whom wish to have an amendment attached to H.R. 5297 targeting the 1099 provision.

Senator Johanns’ amendment would do away with the provision completely while borrowing money from a preventative care fund and lowering the standard required for the individual mandate to purchase health coverage. Currently, the 1099 proposal is expected to net the federal government an additional $19.2 billion and, thus, required an offset to comply with pay-as-you-go rules in Congress. Senator Nelson's amendment would exempt from the law businesses with fewer than 25 employees and purchases made by credit card. It would also raise the reporting threshold from $600 to $5,000.

The NASE is urging members to contact their legislators this month to ask for their support of the Small Business Jobs Act. For more information, please click here.

Hot Links (8/9 – 8/13)

NASE Staff — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Posted by Rosemary Hambright – Variety is the spice of life, and small business is proof! Whether they are in the middle of conception, implementation or transformation, small businesses as a whole always reveal a cornucopia of entrepreneurs’ creative ideas. What are you thinking about doing?

…Starting?

Loans still may be hard to find, but the interest rate is low if you receive one from the Small Business Administration (SBA).

…Upgrading?

Entrepreneur.com describes how to run a successful family business from home, and Freelance Folder provides tips on staying motivated. They also describe how to utilize Twitter to find more business.

…Multiplying?

Discord may be gnawing at Burger King and franchise owners, but Naked Pizza’s amorous supporters spread their love through viral wildfire and set an example for great marketing.

[Small Business Lending: The Squeeze Goes On]

[SBA Offering Low Interest 504 Loans ]

[Running a Successful Family Business From Home]

[Staying Motivated Through the Years]

[How to Really Use Twitter to Find More Freelance Work]

[Conflict Shouldn’t Surprise Franchisors and Franchisees]

[The Stripped Down Strategy Behind Naked Pizza]

Marriott Contest For Frequent Small Biz Travelers

NASE Staff — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 20:08:31 GMT

Posted by Molly Nelson - If you travel frequently for your small business, Marriott's Fairfield Inn & Suites is holding a contest that could reward you for all of that traveling (in addition to your frequent flier miles and those little hotel soaps, of course).

The Small Business Road to Success Challenge will select 10 finalists who will receive 15 free nights at Fairfield Inn & Suites to travel the country building their business. The finalists will share their journey through blogging, tweeting and photos, and after working through business challenges, one finalist will be awarded the $20,000 grand prize by the judging panel.

To enter the contest, small business owners must register before August 20, 2010. Check out the contest's website for more information.

[Small Business Road To Success Challenge]

Marketing Adventures To Learn From

NASE Staff — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:59:04 GMT

Posted by Molly Nelson - In the fourth-season opener of AMC's Mad Men, Pete Campbell expresses his frustration at the unwillingness of his client, Sugarberry Hams, to increase their advertising budget to fellow advertising executive Peggy Olson. Olson hatches a plan to hire two actresses to fight over one of Sugarberry's canned hams, in hopes that the stunt will draw some interest, and so prompt Sugarberry to buy more ads.

While in the end Sugarberry does increase their ad budget, I'm not sure this ploy can fully be classified as a success. Not only is Don Draper, Campbell and Olson's boss, upset that neither of them consulted him about the plan, one of the actresses ends up pressing assault charges against the other.

Similar to the canned ham scheme, Entrepreneur looks at a few recent marketing stunts - some that were successful, and some that didn't quite make the cut.

What's the craziest thing you've ever done to market your product? Did it work? Let us know in the comments!

Hot Links (8/2 – 8/6)

NASE Staff — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Posted by Rosemary Hambright – A muse surely inspired small business bloggers and reporters this week! New ideas and intriguing dialogue abounded:

Joel Libava painted a portrait of the potential for senior care franchise development in coming years. Entrepreneur Solomon Choi showcased her creative push to turn her frozen yogurt shop into a franchise.

Small Business Trends outlined a black and white picture of government issued small business loans, and Dawn Rivers Baker thoughtfully articulated the implications of NSBA’s 2010 Mid-Year Economic Report .

Google revealed an innovation in Google Maps—businesses may now publically express their responses to reviews on their Google Place Page. Small Biz Bee extolled the values of team-building in a small office and supplied a basic blueprint of activities (personal favorites include paintball and laser tag).

[Will The Numbers Keep Adding Up for Senior Care Franchise Owners?]
[Franchising to Expand the Business]
[Getting Beyond the Myths: Government Small Business Loans, Grants Explained]
[Research Roundup: Where’s the Recovery?]
[Respond to reviews for your business on Google Place Page]
[Why Leadership and Team Building Exercises Should not be Ignored by Small Businesses]