Business is easy (and even fun) when you have a product or service that everyone wants. But what happens when what you're selling fades in popularity? How do you market products that are no longer popular? That's the focus of this Knowledge@Wharton article which chronicles the trials of a Hummer dealership as well some real estate investors in down markets.

Even if your product isn't considered unpopular, some business owners must overcome consumers' hesitation to buy a new product when the old one they have still works. If that's the case, offering trade-in discounts are a good idea, according to some of these examples.

Posted by Shannon McRae on May 5, 2008 08:33 AM

You might be tired of hearing constant talk about global warming, buying a hybrid and anything else eco-friendly, but that doesn't mean the green trend is going away any time soon. In fact, America's emphasis on all things green can help your small business weather the current economic downturn--but only if you're willing to take steps to create a more environmental business.

Think "greening" your business sounds too difficult? Think again. According to this USA Today columnist, all it takes is a few easy steps. For example, shutting down computers, printers, fax machines and other electronic office equipment at the end of day can drastically cut your energy consumption--and your electric bill. Ready to take on a greener challenge? The market for green products is exploding, making it the perfect time for your business to start selling an environmental product or service.

The bottom line is this: Now is the perfect time to make money by saving the planet. Check out the column for more ways to make your enterprise--and your bottom line--a little greener.

Posted by Megan Pacella on April 29, 2008 10:27 AM

Not sure how to boost your sales during a slow period? According to this Wall Street Journal article, you have to set yourself apart from your competitors in order to stay on top--and in most cases that means finding a niche in your industry.

Not sure how to find your niche? It might be easier than you think. According to Gayle Clark, owner of Detriot-based Motor City Sales and Services, an automotive repair shop that created a niche by catering to women, finding your niche is as easy as paying attention to your customers' needs. “Don’t just offer whatever your service is," Clark says. “Interact with them and get to know them. They are your foundation and the reason you’re doing what you’re doing.” By taking your clients’ suggestions seriously, you can find a unique place in your industry.

Check out this MyBusiness article to learn more about how Clark created a niche for her business--and how you can find a niche for your business, too.

Posted by Megan Pacella on April 8, 2008 03:16 PM

This past weekend I traveled to Ohio to visit my family for Easter. During a family party on Saturday night, the conversation inevitably turned to the jobless economy of the small rust belt town where I grew up. if only I had read this Wall Street Journal article before going to visit.

Small industrial towns all over America are suffering the same job losses as my hometown, but it's not time to throw in the towel just yet. According to the article, environmental jobs could be the future for small towns like Hayfork, Calif., which capitalized on green logging in order to bring jobs back to its residents.

Read on to learn more about how green jobs can boost a struggling town's economy.

Posted by Megan Pacella on March 25, 2008 09:30 AM

If you're in real estate, you felt the pinch of a slowing economy months ago. But for many other small business owners, the only indication of a slowdown is in the news. Yet owners like Carol Yenne, who is profiled in this San Francisco Chronicle article, are thinking ahead and taking small steps to protect themselves from any potential setbacks.

For Yenne, it meant waiting to fill shifts left vacant by employees who cut back their hours. Not a drastic move--just one that makes Yenne feel more cautious. Check out these other commonsense tips on how to be smart in times of economic uncertainty.

Posted by Shannon McRae on March 24, 2008 09:17 AM

With every nightly newscast leading with a story about the nation's imminent economic doom, it's hard not to be discouraged about the coming months. If your industry has started to feel the pinch, your initial reaction as a business owner may be to scrap all unnecessary spending--starting with marketing and advertising.

But this article from Harvard Business School's Working Knowledge newsletter discourages that approach. Instead, it emphasizes retooling your campaigns with a more recession-friendly strategy. The eight tips offered here cover ideas like how it's more important than ever to research your customer (don't waste money marketing to the wrong person) and the need to emphasize family values (since we all tend to cozy up at home when we feel uncertain about our economic futures).

Posted by Shannon McRae on March 10, 2008 06:39 PM

You have to spend money to make money--and, it turns out, to save money too. As the economy slows, you're probably looking for some belt-tightening measures in your small business. This AP article offers several ideas--the catch is that all of them require you to spend a little upfront.

The Russo Group, a marketing firm in Lafayette, La., hired a CFO whose strict rules reduced expenses by 18 percent in one year. A PR firm in California outsourced all its HR duties to a professional employer organization--a move that saved both time and money. By outsourcing these time-consuming functions, executives could spend more time on their PR business--the best bet for a business trying to stay ahead of a recession.

Posted by Shannon McRae on February 18, 2008 09:06 AM

Maybe your business is booming, but that doesn't mean your employees aren't affected by the continued housing woes or the country's potential economic recession. And, chances are, when your employees are experiencing financial problems in their personal lives, the anxiety and emotional overload that sets in can hurt your business—and your bottom line.

When employees at Schaumburg, Ill.-based Quality Float Works, Inc., start to look stressed, vice president Jason Speer offers interest-free loans to help employees get back on track, says this CNN story. By improving their employees' personal lives, Quality Float Works, Inc., makes their home lives easier—and ultimately, that makes for happier, more productive employees.

Are your employees looking worn out or distracted? Check out the article for more information on how you can tell your employees are in financial trouble and what you can do to keep economic problems from intruding into your workplace.

Posted by Megan Pacella on January 31, 2008 06:29 PM

Despite the woeful tales of real estate crisis, skyrocketing oil prices and tight credit lines surrounding the end of 2007, experts report that the forecast for 2008 is looking slightly brighter—especially for small-business owners. While some small businesses might feel the pressure of a failing housing market and expensive gas prices, few small-business owners have reported problems with credit conditions, says this Entrepreneur.com article.

Gerald Celente, director of the Trends Research Institute, reports that now is the perfect time for small-business owners and entrepreneurs to find their niche, especially with alternative energy poised for a breakthrough.

Having the flexibility to tailor your business to market trends is one great perk of owning your own business. Check out this article for more information on the 2008 forecast and how it will affect your bottom line.

Posted by Megan Pacella on January 4, 2008 03:04 PM

If doing more good was one of your resolutions this year, here's your chance. Kiva is an organization that lets you make microloans to entrepreneurs in the world's poorest countries. You get to pick the business yourself and then loan the money via a credit card. Kiva handles getting the money to partners in the various countries who distribute the money to the business owners. Throughout the payback period, usually six to 12 months, you can receive email journal updates from the business you're helping. Loaning a little can earn great rewards--mostly in the form of a reality check. Because even though owning a small business is the world's hardest job, aren't we lucky to be doing it in the world's greatest country?

Posted by Shannon McRae on January 2, 2008 11:55 AM

I interviewed the most interesting NFIB member a few weeks ago. The story I was working on was about the rising cost of health care, but during the interview, I spent lots of time learning about this woman's business, the oldest commercial river touring company in the Grand Canyon. Doesn't that sound like a fun business? I immediately envisioned rafting trips and star gazing and being one with nature. Turns out Joy Staveley and her husband, Gaylord, get to do all that--but they also face the same headaches every other business owner faces--affording health insurance, retaining key employees and dealing with government regulations. If you ever daydream of a business you think might be more adventurous than yours, check out this Q&A with the owner of an Alaska tour operation on the WSJ's small-business blog. It gives some great insight on the ups and downs of seasonal businesses.

Posted by Shannon McRae on November 26, 2007 11:34 AM

In the face of plunging stock prices, a faltering housing market and the soaring cost of gasoline, the fate of the business world does not look promising—unless you’re a small-business owner. According to this New York Times article, a report released by Automatic Data Processing, Inc., and Macroeconomic Advisers reveals that private sector employment is booming, despite the gloom and doom surrounding America’s economic conditions.

Read on to learn how small businesses are keeping the economy afloat and outdoing box stores and large businesses.

Posted by Megan Pacella on November 13, 2007 12:11 PM

We've been living in a rental house for a few months while we're doing some renovations to our home, and I'm embarrassed to admit it--but renting is different. You don't care as much about the carpet, or the yard, or if it takes three tries to hang a picture as you do when it's your house. (Hope my landlord isn't reading this!) I'm confident that I'm a good renter, but having a stake in something changes your perspective. That's exactly what researchers in a new study on consumer-driven health care found, too.

According to a paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, CDHPs are "working as intended." The group Consumers for Health Care Choices, which funded the study, says that "all of the empirical evidence shows they are changing patient behavior, which is lowering costs and improving care, and resulting in a sizzling rate of adoption in the market."

That's good news for small-business owners, who have suffered rising health-insurance costs for years. Learn more about all NFIB is doing to help lower costs here.

Posted by Shannon McRae on November 5, 2007 02:10 PM

Do you know who your high potential workers are today and who your future leaders will be tomorrow? That's the question this CNet News article asks as it explores how businesses can beat the predicted talent crisis our country faces. "The U.S. is estimated to face a 10 million worker shortage in 2010; the 500 largest companies are expected to lose 50 percent of their senior management in five years and the average tenure at one employer for U.S. employees is only three years," Tod Loofbourrow writes.

"Total rewards" packages (which don’t focus exclusively on monetary compensation) are considered one of the best ways to attract and retain star employees. Using benefits to attract talent might depress some small-business owners, whose sky rocketing health-care costs have forced them to cut back--or cut out--health-insurance offerings. But chin up: The article also touches on several ways companies can use culture to instill loyalty among employees.

Posted by Shannon McRae on October 29, 2007 06:14 AM

Doesn't it feel good to be appreciated? For years global companies have touted their strategies to lure small-business customers like you. Last week when IBM announced stronger-than-expected third quarter earnings, the company said its sales to small business are making a big difference, according to USA Today's Small Business blog. "I think that took some people by surprise, since IBM is not really known as a small-business vendor," said analyst Charles King, a researcher at Pund-IT. "But they could really get a toe into this market."

Posted by Shannon McRae on October 22, 2007 08:17 AM

Men and women are different--and driving across the country with my husband only reinforced that idea. While I wanted to turn around as soon as we thought we were headed in the wrong direction, make hotel reservations before we arrived in a town, and stop to use the restroom more than once a day--he didn't. Both of our methods for cross-country travel would take one from point A to point B--just in different ways.

So I wasn't surprised at all to see a study released last week from the SBA Office of Advocacy that found while gender doesn't affect new venture performance in a small business, several factors vary between men and women business owners, including expectations, motivations and reasons for starting a business.

Posted by Shannon McRae on September 17, 2007 08:06 AM

Every month, the Discover Small Business Watch compiles information gathered from telephone interviews and surveys with small-business owners and consumers of small-business products and services. This data helps gauge the levels of economic confidence and the status of business growth and spending according to small-business owners. Such information can help you make informed decisions that will help your business grow and withstand adverse economic conditions. Here are some highlights of August's results:

• 35 percent said recent changes in the housing market have had a significant impact on their business.
• 69 percent of small-business owners said they prefer to have their business remain small.
• 41 percent said they have experienced cash-flow issues in the last 90 days, an increase over last month’s 35 percent.
• 36 percent of small-business owners feel that economic conditions for their businesses are getting better, a significant decrease from 41 percent in July.

Visit Discover's business Web site to learn more about the August survey.

Posted by Megan Pacella on August 28, 2007 10:28 AM

My mom and dad have owned a staffing firm for almost 20 years. They're some of the few small-business owners who benefit from extremely low unemployment rates (when businesses have trouble filling open jobs, they're more likely to use a recruiting service). It sounds like the owner of this McDonald's franchise in Helena, Mont., could use my mom and dad's help. According to the AP story, John Francis had such trouble finding workers that he outsourced the drive-thru window to a telemarketing service in Texas.

The NFIB Research Foundation's monthly Small-Business Economic Trends survey (which has tracked small-business hiring plans since its inception in 1986) found that 23 percent of business owners had unfilled jobs in August.

Posted by Shannon McRae on August 26, 2007 05:47 PM

Two thousand fewer people applied for unemployment insurance for the week ending Aug. 18, according to this BusinessWeek article. According to the Department of Labor, this marks the first drop in new unemployment claims in about a month.

The NFIB Research Foundation recently released results of a poll measuring unemployment compensation, also finding fewer workers leaving their place of employment. The poll found that during the last year, nearly half of all small businesses experienced no employee turnover. Seventy-three percent of the small businesses did not fire any workers, and 87 percent did not have to lay anyone off for economic reasons.

Read more about the results, or access the complete poll at NFIB.com/research.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on August 23, 2007 02:54 PM

As school starts around the country for many this week, the realization that summer is almost over sets in. Around this time of year, I always wish I'd have taken just a few more trips--to the lake, to the beach, to anywhere really. For a growing number of Americans, the desire to get away has inspired them to do what most of us just dream about: Pack it all up and move to somewhere fun and fabulous.

This New York Times article (subscription required) explains that "as technology enables people to live and work wherever they want, increasingly they are clustering in resort playgrounds that have natural amenities, good weather--and, now, lots of people like themselves."

The advantages to living in a resort town are endless, I'm sure. Yet the realist in me knows the cost of living can be crazy expensive in a lot of these places. It's an interesting spin on an exit strategy though. And if your small business is portable and your banking account supports it, why not?

Posted by Shannon McRae on August 20, 2007 07:28 AM

So, sales are slow? You've hit a dead end with your business? If either of these concerns have been weighing on your mind lately, it might be time to reinvent your business. Easier said than done, right? According to a Newsday article by Jamie Herzlich, pulling off this magic trick isn't as difficult as it might seem—as long as you take the proper steps and don't go changing your business willy-nilly. Herzlich recommends this strategy:

•Keep your eyes and ears open in the marketplace for signs about which direction to go
•Talk to employees, customers and suppliers to isolate the growth opportunities in your business/industry
•Evaluate your weaknesses and play your strengths, looking for joint ventures and strategic partnerships with complementary businesses
•Test new products/services on existing customers, then look for ways to expand your reach

Glean more insight on how to reinvent your business in our Dec./Jan feature, "Changing Lanes." We explore how owners of a bowling alley, a deli and a document storage and retrieval business took their companies from bust to boom.

Posted by Emily McMackin on August 10, 2007 09:17 AM

With so many corporate manufacturing plants moving overseas, it seems hard to believe that there is much room for small-business growth in the manufacturing sector. But a recent survey by the Kauffman Foundation proves otherwise. The survey found that manufacturing sales have risen 20 percent between 2002 and 2006 and 70 percent of all U.S. manufacturers have 20 employees or fewer.

So how are they managing to grow despite the overseas competition? According to this article by Phaedra Hines for Fortune Small Business, many successful small manufacturers are coming up with creative ways to produce products rapidly and keep customers happy.

Posted by Lena Basha on May 16, 2007 10:15 AM

When I worked in New York City for a few years after college, one of my colleagues (who was born and raised in Brooklyn) was fascinated by my Southern roots. She'd never been south of Washington, D.C., and often asked me questions like, "Do you have stores in your town?" I'm sure she was imagining a land of cows pastures and dirt roads. While both of those exist in my hometown, so does a lot of booming industry--which is why for the second year in a row, the Southeast dominated the top 10 list of Forbes magazine's best places for business. Raleigh, N.C., snagged the No. 1 spot, while four other Southern cities ranking in the top 10 as well (including Nashville, Tenn., home of MyBusiness headquarters). Lower business costs, a highly educated workforce and affordable housing are just some of the criteria researchers used to rank the cities. Y'all are welcome to visit any time to see what all the fuss is about.

Posted by Shannon McRae on April 30, 2007 11:17 AM

The month of April is in full swing, and one dreadful word is on everyone’s mind—taxes. With the deadline looming, many small-business owners find themselves adding extra stress to their load.

According to the March Discover Small Business Watch survey, 77 percent of small-business owners find keeping up with taxes a stressful and time-consuming ordeal. In order to avoid the distractions, 73 percent hire a tax professional to take care of the hassle instead.

The survey also mentions how small business owners prefer to find a trustworthy accounting firm to file their taxes. For an overview on the survey, check out Andrea Coombes’ article on StartupJournal.com.

Posted by Megan Pacella on April 3, 2007 01:27 PM

Small business is all the rage these days, especially on college campuses. Ten years ago, business programs at most universities were preparing students to work for large corporations, but all that has changed, says this article in the Startup Journal. Many institutions are revamping their business programs to appeal to the desires of a new entrepreneurial-minded generation. So what sparked the shift in business education?

“We’ve got a generation coming up that has a very different outlook on life than the one before it,” Belmont University’s Jeffrey Cornwall told the Startup Journal. “They’re more interested in balancing their work with their family life, and that makes entrepreneurship attractive to them.”

Want to help future entrepreneurs with their studies? Consider sponsoring a scholarship or a student for NFIB’s Young Entrepreneur Awards, given annually each spring to set future small-business owners on the path to entrepreneurship. Find out about other ways NFIB is encouraging young entrepreneurs—and ways you can help—at NFIB.com/YEF.

Posted by Megan Pacella on March 29, 2007 01:18 PM

While running errands downtown this weekend, I found a five-dollar bill on the sidewalk. I hesitated when I saw it--should I pick it up? Am I being watched by some sort of hidden-camera show to see what people will do when they don't know they're being watched? Since it was only five dollars and since no one around seemed to have lost any money, I picked up, chalking it up to a lucky day for me.

Unfortunately for small-business owners, finding capital isn't as easy. But the good news is that funding is available--if you know where to look. Check out SmartMoney.com's special section on the six best places to find capital for your business.

If you know you just need a loan, then this article from a past issue of MyBusiness can help. We break down the difference in the loans available from the Small Business Administration.

Posted by Shannon McRae on February 18, 2007 08:51 PM

Eighty-two percent of business owners surveyed in the most recent NFIB Small-Business Economic Conditions poll said there were few or no qualified applicants to fill open positions within their businesses. Such a tight labor market forces owners to come up with creative recruitment methods.

Some start with proven success stories: star employees. Why not ask them if they have friends or family looking for a job? While this Arizona Republic article points out a few situations to avoid (don't hire someone's aunt just because she "needs a job"), asking reliable employees for applicant referrals might help you fill that open position faster.

Posted by Shannon McRae on February 12, 2007 08:54 AM

Small-business owners beware: The IRS is watching you. An article in American Business Daily explains that members of the Senate Finance Committee recently asked the IRS to come up with a plan for closing the estimated $290 million tax gap (the difference between what federal taxpayers owe and what they actually pay). Upon hearing its assignment, the agency pointed to business owners as the biggest source of the problem, claiming that underreported business income makes up one-third of the tax gap.

This issue has NFIB written all over it--the small-business advocacy group refuses to stand by and let the government balance its books on the backs of independent-business owners. A story in the current issue of MyBusiness magazine explains why the IRS is barking up the wrong tree.

Posted by Shannon McRae on February 7, 2007 09:01 AM

"What did you do this weekend?" "Oh, raised $4.1 million in venture funding for my new Web site." I don't know about you, but I didn't have too many conversations like this in high school. Yet last week, investors announced they were sinking cash--and lots of it--into myYearbook.com, a site created by 17-year-old Catherine Cook that lets teens create their own digital yearbooks.

Teenagers today are proving that age isn't a barrier to the business world if you have a good idea and know how to execute it. The NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation hears stories of amazing young businesspeople all the time. Joe Pascaretta, a former winner of the Foundation's annual scholarship award, didn't waste his first semester of college skipping class and eating pizza. Instead, the University of Michigan freshman's landscaping firm grew more than 239 percent to gross more than $1 million in 2006. Kind of puts to shame that "B" in biology that I was so proud to earn my freshman semester.

Posted by Shannon McRae on January 29, 2007 10:48 AM

Last night was one of those rare occasions in my house where we ate dinner in front of the television. I usually make my husband turn off whatever ball game is on so that we can have a civilized discussion about our days. But we broke the rule last night so that we could watch the president's State of the Union address (we live on the West Coast, so it was on during our dinner time).

In addition to hearing what Bush had to say, it was also fun to watch the sideshows: Obama was seated directly in front of Clinton. Did you notice how that basketball player towered over Laura Bush?! And how cool that the president pointed to a successful small-business owner--the founder of Baby Einstein. Even more impressive: NFIB member Joe Balsarotti and his employee Dan Jones were among the guests included in the first lady's viewing box.

Bush outlined a lot of important initiatives, but none hit as close to home for small businesses as his health-insurance plans. Independent-business owners don't have to be told there's a crisis in this country. Maybe this Congress will finally solve it instead of fighting about it. In case you missed it, here's his speech in its entirety. And check out NFIB's response to the president's health-care plans.

Posted by Shannon McRae on January 24, 2007 09:00 AM

Small-business owners ended 2006 on a serious note, according to the latest NFIB Research Foundation Small-Business Economic Trends Report. Declines in job-creation plans as well as a drop in the number of business owners who expected the economy to improve sent the Small-Business Optimism level down 3.2 points to 96.5 (1986=100).

October readings showed near record-high rates of business owners planning to create new jobs. But by December, that number dropped sharply to just 10 percent. Ten percent of the owners reported that the availability of qualified labor was their top business problem, down two points from November and five points from October, indicating that labor market conditions may be easing.

Read more about what the survey predicts about the first quarter of this year here.

Posted by Shannon McRae on January 11, 2007 08:31 AM

The U.S. military thinks your business may hold some secrets about how to win the war on terror. A recent USA Today article suggests that it's not off base to think the solutions for winning the war on terrorism may be found within our country's capitalist society--ironically, the very values terrorists purport to hate.

Why is the military looking to businesses, especially small businesses? Because, as the article explains, "the world of geopolitics has discovered itself to be on the same road that business has been on for some time. That road is flatter, more networked and more decentralized than ever."

By looking at how small companies like YouTube, Skype and Wikipedia are giving old giants in their industries a run for their money, the military hopes to gain some ideas it can use to fight al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations.

Posted by Shannon McRae on January 8, 2007 01:46 PM

No matter how great of a boss you think you are, chances are, lots of your employees would take a better offer if it came along. Two-thirds of all employed U.S. working adults are open to changing jobs in 2007, according to a new Yahoo/Hot Jobs survey. Low unemployment rates and rising wages were the main reasons why 70 percent of those surveyed think 2007 is an ideal time to find a new opportunity.

For small businesses, replacing employees is extremely time consuming. Every position counts--small employers don't have a lot of fluff in their staffs. If replacing a few employees sounds like the last thing you want to do this year, find ways to keep them satisfied before they actually pursue new jobs. We've all read the surveys on how salary isn't necessarily the No. 1 reason people are happy with their jobs, but check out this article from the latest issue of MyBusiness to make sure that money isn't the reason your employees start checking out the want ads.

Posted by Shannon McRae on January 3, 2007 10:59 AM

Small-business owners around the world may have different views of the current business climate and different challenges to face in the new year, but there is one thing that they all share: optimism.

MasterCard's annual Global Small Business Survey revealed that small-business owners feel hopeful about the upcoming year and confident they will meet financial goals in 2007. While 27 percent named competition as the biggest challenge ahead, more than half believe that globilizing their business will help them overcome this and acheive even more success. One interesting finding: the number of hours that business owners spend on administration is often proportional to the number of employees they manage, with most spending about 18 hours (in a 50-hour week). The survey, which polled 4,000 small-business owners worldwide, also details how regional differences affect small business around the world.

As for us here at MyBusinessmag.com, it's been a great year. Thanks for sticking with us through the changes to our Web site and, as always, thank you for your continued readership. Check back with us on January 2 for more of the latest news, tips and resources to help you run your small business. Until then, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Posted by Emily McMackin on December 22, 2006 09:56 AM

I keep thinking I'm done with my holiday shopping--and then I remember a few more things on my list. My goal is to knock it all out this weekend so that I can relax and actually enjoy the last week before Christmas. When I head out on Saturday morning, I'm going to make sure to shop first at locally owned stores. Not only will I avoid the parking-lot madness and massive crowds that overtake the mall and big-box stores, I'll also be supporting a small-business owner who contributes to my community. Need more convincing? Check out NFIB's five reasons you should shop local businesses this holiday season.

Posted by Shannon McRae on December 14, 2006 04:08 PM

None of us can see into the future (and that's not a bad thing when you think about it). But if you're working hard, yet feel like you're not getting anywhere with your business, good news. Forget about predicting the future. New research from Six Disciplines Corporation finds that success might can be boiled down to just five attributes.

Small Business Trends Blog editor Anita Campbell recently revealed the traits most often shared by successful businesses with 10 to 100 employees. The first four are no surprise: a strong leadership team, the ability to attract and retain quality employees, a disciplined approach to business and strategic use of technology. But like Campbell, you might be surprised by the fifth: the wise use of trusted outside providers.

If you're trying to do it all yourself, relax--and seek help. The smartest businesspeople know that no one knows everything. Find advisors you trust and tap into their knowledge. Your future will look brighter.

Posted by Shannon McRae on December 13, 2006 02:39 PM

Small-business owners are full of holiday cheer as we enter the last month of 2006. Two recently released surveys show small-business owners' confidence in the U.S. economy continues to rise.

The Discover Small Business Watch survey saw an increase for the fourth straight month, with almost half of respondents rating the U.S. economy as "excellent" or "good." November's spike came from a substantial spike in the number of owners who think economic conditions for their businesses will improve during the next six months.

The latest Small-Business Economic Trends report from NFIB's Research Foundation also measured an uptick in confidence last month, rising 1.3 points to 100.7 (which is close the 30-year average of 100.2). "The domestic economy is hardly on the ropes, even with a weak housing market," the Foundation says.

Posted by Shannon McRae on November 27, 2006 09:57 AM

I'm already tired of Christmas music, and that makes me sad. For the past few weeks, I've heard Bing Crosby crooning in most of my local retail shops. Can't we eat the leftover turkey before we pull out the Christmas lights? Guess not.

The music, the decorations and the crowds mean one thing: Holiday shoppers are coming. Each year, retailers set their sights (and sites) on topping their previous year's sales records, and the 2006 holiday shopping season is no exception.

The good news for small business is that online shoppers aren't only drawn to national retailers. In fact, 75 percent of holiday shoppers said they are likely to purchase gifts online this year from small businesses, according to a Yahoo Small Business survey conducted by Harris Interactive (press release link). Topping shoppers' wish lists: secure payment systems, easy customer checkout and free shipping.

If you want to find tips on increasing your ecommerce, visit this section of the NFIB.com's Business Toolbox. Better get started soon before Valentine candy boxes fill stores.

Posted by Shannon McRae on November 20, 2006 02:22 PM

The Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research organization that monitors tax policy, recently named the best--and worst--states for business in its 2007 State Business Tax Climate Index. Wyoming topped the "business-friendly" list, while Rhode Island came in as the worst in the rankings. The foundation measured the competitiveness of each state’s tax system in five different sectors: corporate tax, individual income tax, sales tax, unemployment tax and property tax.

According to the foundation, the 10 best states for business are: Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska, Nevada, Florida, Texas, New Hampshire, Montana, Delaware and Oregon. The 10 worst states are: Minnesota, Maine, Iowa, Nebraska, California, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Ohio and Rhode Island. Read the full report here.

With Election Day less than a week away, NFIB is fighting for candidates who can deliver tax relief for small business. Read more about the tax issues that matter most to small-business owners here.

Posted by Jamie Roberts on November 1, 2006 10:26 AM

With elections just a few days away, one issue that doesn't seem to be bothering small-business owners is the economy. A Discover Small Business Watch survey released today found that during the past month business owners reported big jumps in cash flow and a greater willingness to invest in business development. Forty-four percent rated the economy as "excellent" or "good." Sixty-one percent reported they had no cash-flow issues.

This survey is a little more upbeat than the most recent numbers available from NFIB's Small-Business Optimism Index. In September, NFIB reported that while the labor market was very strong, small-business owners were less confident about the overall economy. The Optimism Index rose from the August reading, but NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg remained cautious.

Now with the stock market experiencing robust growth in recent weeks and the Fed keeping inflation in check, business owners seem to be responding with greater certainty about their economic futures.

Posted by Shannon McRae on October 30, 2006 03:07 PM

Belt-tightening at the pump takes on a whole new meaning thanks to a study released by the University of Illinois. Researchers found that Americans are using nearly 1 billion more gallons of gasoline each year than they did in 1960 because of expanding waistlines, according to this AP article. More weight makes for lower gas mileage, so your arteries aren't the only thing you'll save if you pass on that super-sized burger combo.

"The bottom line is that our hunger for food and our hunger for oil are not independent," says study co-author Sheldon Jacobson. "There is a relationship between the two."

Recent trends in consumer-driven health plans have some small businesses looking at the value of promoting wellness habits among employees. As gas prices continue to rise, healthy eating habits might not only affect your insurance premiums--they could affect your fleet's fuel bills as well.

Posted by Shannon McRae on October 26, 2006 01:04 PM

Are you more worried about the cost of a tank of gas or a visit to the doctor's office? According to a new study by PNC Financial Services, energy has overtaken health-insurance costs as the No. 1 problem small- and mid-sized business owners want to see addressed in the miderm elections.

USA Today's blog points out that the survey was conducted before energy prices fell (before they started to rise again). But as cold weather sets in (and as prices likely continue to rise) energy-cost concerns won't be going away any time soon.

NFIB monitors what small-business owners are thinking in its Problems and Priorities surveys. In the most recent edition, health-care costs still topped the list (while energy came in at No. 4). But the top spots on this survey are a lot like the college football top 25--any number of teams deserve the No. 1 spot (except, unfortunately, my Auburn Tigers).

Posted by Shannon McRae on October 11, 2006 12:41 PM

Small business hopes rebounded in September as the NFIB Small-Business Optimism Index rose 3.5 points to a more normal level of 99.4. "This confirms the slowdown in the economy anticipated in the July survey – down, but not out," said NFIB Chief Economist and MyBusiness magazine columnist William Dunkelberg. The Index, bouncing back to near its 30-year average, was lifted by positive movement among six components including the outlook for an improved economy, favorable earnings and higher sales. Inflation pressure also eased.

Posted by Rex Hammock on October 10, 2006 10:45 AM

Finally, something from the federal government that is useful for small-business owners. Business.gov, dubbed as "the official business link to the U.S. government," relaunches today, providing one-stop shopping for business owners looking for information on how to comply with government regulations.

Managed by the Small Business Administration, Business.gov compiles information from 21 federal agencies in an effort to improve the way the federal government serves citizens and businesses.

First launched in 2004, Business.gov originally focused on resources for starting, growing and managing a business. But focus groups revealed that what business owners really wanted was help dealing with the all the paperwork and rules about running a business. The easy-to-navigate site is divided into topics and industries.

Posted by Shannon McRae on October 2, 2006 10:09 AM

As the weather cools off, so does the optimism of America's small-business owners. In August, NFIB's Small-Business Optimism Index fell more than two points to 95.9, the lowest reading recorded since March 2003.

Borrowing difficulites seem to be the main trigger of the downward turn. Regular borrowing activity was reported by 46 percent of owners, up eight points from July, and the highest level recorded in the survey's 20-year history.

"Credit has become more expensive. It's significant that more owners want it and a higher percentage of owners are having a tougher time getting it," said Bill Dunkelberg, NFIB's chief economist. "Owners expect the coming months to bring increased borrowing difficulties."

Two positive signs in the monthly survey: the percent of firms with unfilled job openings and the percent of owners planning to create new jobs.

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