The home is the new hotbed of entrepreneurial activity, boasts this Wall Street Journal article. In fact, the article explains, more than 52 percent of businesses are home-based.

Laid off? Start a business from home. Looking for a place to trim expenses? Stop paying rent and just work from home. It makes sense.

Even if your business has a physical location, working from home just works, but only if you have the tools necessary to get the work done (like a fast Internet connection).

Actually, there's a lot more to working remotely, which is why we wrote an entire manual on the topic in the current issue of MyBusiness. Check out the Essential Guide to Flexible Work Arrangements to maximize working from home (or a coffee shop or a hotel lobby) for yourself and your employees. The guide features tips for managing a virtual workforce, rules to follow when working from home, pointers for interviewing at-home workers and more.

Posted by Lena Anthony on January 11, 2010 03:48 PM

Owning and operating your own business is a major investment in time and money. When you are the driving force behind the work your company turns out you may often find yourself under great amounts of stress. In a New York Times article, Jay Goltz identifies six ways to stay sane in this unpredictable economy.

1. Identify the real problem
2. Separate fear from anxiety
3. Forgive yourself
4. Keep perspective
5. Accept responsibility
6. Be positive

Check out the article for more on each of his tips.

Posted by Lena Anthony on October 12, 2009 03:49 PM

Whether you're worried about crunching numbers, managing employees or nailing your next big sales pitch, let's face it: All small business owners grapple with anxiety. But the good news is you're not alone. Need proof? Check out this Entrepreneur.com article, which names the top five fears that entrepreneurs deal with--and how to overcome them. Here they are:

1. Failure. Ninety-five percent of small businesses fail within the first five years, but that doesn't mean you'll be one of them. Chances are, your fears of failing are worse in your head than they are in reality. Keep plowing through and you're sure to succeed.

2. Economic uncertainty. The recession is in the forefront of many entrepreneurs' minds, but many small businesses have launched or grown during tumultuous economic times.

3. Being your own boss. It can seem daunting when you launch your business and realize you are responsible for its success or failure--and that's why listing your goals is so important. Whether you identify your daily, weekly or long-term goals, it's important to work toward success rather than focus on the pressure of running the show.

4. Consuming your life. You have to make time for your own life, whether that means hiring an assistant, taking a lunch every day or leaving at 6 p.m.--no matter what is going on in the office.

5. Staying afloat. It takes a lot of money to maintain your business, and when money isn't flowing like you want it to, it can be hard to stay above water. The solution? Never stop putting yourself out there. Even if you get rejected 90 percent of the time, the times when you succeed will pay off.

Posted by Megan Pacella on July 2, 2009 10:56 AM

If you're like me, when things get stressful in your workplace, you find yourself hitting the drive-thru on your way home from the office every night and zoning out in front of the television for hours. All of a sudden, cooking healthy meals and squeezing exercise into your busy schedule seems impossible. Sound familiar?

These days, entrepreneurs are so worried about the health of their enterprises that they're putting their own health on the backburner. But did you know that neglecting your physical and mental health can have a seriously negative impact on your bottom line? I had never thought about it before either, until I read this report on Entrepreneur.com.

No matter how busy you get, the best thing you can do for yourself is make time for exercise--even if you just walk a few blocks during your lunch hour every day. It might sound simple, but your body will definitely thank you for it. Read on for tips from other entrepreneurs on you can improve your health--and your bottom line.

Posted by Megan Pacella on April 8, 2009 01:39 PM

Do you know any high school students who have started their own businesses? If so, encourage them to apply for the 2009 NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards, where winning students receive $1,000 - $10,000 in tuition assistance to attend the university, college, community college or career institute of their choice. The program was established to raise awareness among the nation's youth of the critical role that private enterprise and entrepreneurship play in growing America's economy, and since 2003 has awarded 1,954 scholarships to graduating high school seniors totaling $2,122,000.

Students can now visit NFIB.com/YEA to apply for a scholarship online or download an application to submit by mail. The deadline to apply is Dec. 15, 2008.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on October 17, 2008 05:16 PM

Baffled about how to balance your personal and professional responsibilities? If you're stumped by this question, just think about how your employees feel. Sure, experts say that companies that offer a good work-life balance do better with recruiting and retention, but the reality is few businesses actually have formal flexibility policies in place, according to a recent article in U.S. News & World Report. This is no surprise if you run a small shop and every person in your office is a crucial part of the whole. Maybe you can't afford to give yourself or your employees much time off, but flexibility is about more than a few hours away from the office; it's a state of mind. Check out the rest of the article for simple secrets to creating a better work-life balance and pass the tips on to your employees, too!

Posted by Emily McMackin on September 18, 2008 10:11 PM

Don't bring your problems to work with you. It may sound like your hope and dream for everyone who works for you--but it isn't realistic, especially if any of your employees have money troubles. That's why lots of small businesses are starting to offer free financial planning advice to their workers.

This MSNBC article explains how a Michigan-based plastics maker requires its 127 employees to get one-on-one advice from a financial advisor on company time. The experts aren't paid a commission based on the advice they offer, but they can answer detailed questions about company benefits, 401(k)s, college savings plans and other debt management tips.

A spokesperson for the small business says it's not only good for workers, it helps the company, too. Workers with financial problems are more likely to be distracted and unmotivated on the job.

Posted by Shannon McRae on September 2, 2008 01:57 PM

The old saying, "you are what you wear" is a cliche for a reason. While most people (including myself) like to think the way they dress doesn't directly reflect what kind of person they are, a recent Wall Street Journal article begs to differ. The article argues that a small business owner's fashion choice sends a message to employees, whether they like it or not.

Do you wear a dark suit and tie every day? Your employees might think you're inflexible and old-fashioned. Do you come to the office looking disheveled? Employees could have a hard time taking you seriously. The perfect outfit? A clean style that includes well-tailored shirts and blazers, and a nice pair of jeans.

Posted by Megan Pacella on August 12, 2008 04:28 PM

Kids aren't the only ones headed back to school this fall. Small business owners are learning valuable lessons themselves by enrolling in classes at local universities and community colleges according to this Reuters article. You don't have to give up a semester's worth of time to learn something new for your business. Many classes cost as little as $25 and last only a few hours.

Dave Horsley was confident that he would be successful at his business, Horsley Hot Rods in Boise, Idaho, when he opened it in 2007. But he quickly realized how little he knew about marketing. After a four-hour class, "Six Steps to Massive Growth in Your Business" at nearby Boise State University, Horsley is ready to conquer even more.

To find classes near you, contact your local Small Business Development Center, the Small Business Administration or SCORE (counselors to America's small business).

Posted by Shannon McRae on August 11, 2008 09:13 AM

When SuperGroup Creative Omnimedia, a Web site design firm, was first founded, employees didn't always have enough work to keep them busy, according to this article in the Wall Street Journal. But instead of sending employees home—or to the unemployment line—owner Chris Wallace and the company's co-founders decided to tell staff they could work on personal projects.

Whatever they wanted.

On the clock.

And instead of finding his employees passed out on couches or vegging out to Judge Judy, Wallace discovered that employees were using their spare time to pursue creative interests—interests that would come in handy later when the company was pitching ideas to potential clients. According to the WSJ, Wallace recalls "meetings with potential clients where 40 percent of the work he showed them was done by employees in their downtime."

Granted, this lax approach won't work for every company. But if you've got a talented group of self-starters with some time on their hands, it could be a useful motivation technique. For more ideas on employee motivation, visit NFIB.com's Tools and Tips section.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on July 31, 2008 11:15 AM

Do you ever feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to finish everything on your to-do list? Each day, small business owners face multiple demands—and the smaller your operation, the more you must juggle. How do you accomplish all you need to without going insane? You might find some good advice in this Entrepreneur article published on the U.S. News & World Report Web site. The biggest key to accomplishing more in less time is to stay in control of your environment—instead of letting it stress you out, writes Romanus Wolter, author of Kick Start Your Success and Kick Start Your Dream Business.

Other tips Wolter suggests include:
•Setting a 10- to 15-minute time frame to accomplish a specific task and eliminating any distractions
•Looking for alternative ways to work on tasks or achieve results
•Clearing your mind of obstacles by writing them down
•Managing interruptions by writing down your next action step
•Giving yourself time to regroup

For more time management tips, check out "Stress Management" in the "Growth and Planning" section of www.NFIB.com/toolsandtips.

Posted by Emily McMackin on July 3, 2008 12:41 PM

If you own a small business, chances are you don't always make it home for dinner. With so much to do and take care of before shutting your doors each day, how could you possibly find time to sit down and eat? If this is your logic, researchers at Brigham Young University have a message for you: Don't skip dinner.

According to a recent BYU study published in U.S. News & World Report, forgoing dinnertime on a regular basis to work longer hours causes more conflict at home. The study, which surveyed 1,500 U.S. workers with children under 18, found that work-family conflict associated with working longer hours dropped significantly for those who didn't miss dinnertime.

The moral of the story? Long hours may be a given for you and your employees sometimes, but if find a way to put in overtime without missing dinner, everyone will be happier—and probably healthier, too.

Posted by Emily McMackin on June 26, 2008 10:34 AM

Lots of small business owners consider it a major milestone when they move their startups from their homes into their own office space. But in a tough economy, some entrepreneurs are making the decision to go home again. This AP article profiles a young startup that returned to the founder's New York City apartment when cash flow became tight. But owner Robin Stein is staying positive: "We need to be cautious so that we can manage this stage in business," Stein said. "I think we'll be fine in the long run."

If you're considering downsizing office space or returning to your home-based roots, don't consider it a sign of failure. Some owners end up being even more productive at home after they cut out the wasted time commuting to and from the office.

Posted by Shannon McRae on June 23, 2008 09:28 AM

What does being an entrepreneur really mean? How do you make your work a meaningful part of your life without becoming consumed by it? How do you revive your own entrepreneurial spirit and even incorporate it into your workplace? Gregg Vanourek, co-author of Life Entrepreneurs: Ordinary People Creating Extraordinary Lives, answers these questions in a Q&A about his book published in U.S. News & World Report.

Some highlights:
•According to Vanourek, people confuse owning a small business with entrepreneurship, but these aren't exactly the same. Rather entrepreneurship is a state of mind that encompasses ingenuity and innovation. "You can't be entrepreneurial without being innovative," Vanourek says.

•Integrating your personal and professional life is not about working through the weekends; instead it's about "being the same person in your personal life that you are at work," Vanourek says. It's "knowing what your values are, what your strengths and passions are, and bringing those to bear in your work, and your personal life, so that you're the same person across all of those different roles," he says.

Posted by Emily McMackin on June 5, 2008 03:48 PM

Between record-high gas prices and airline industry woes, many small businesses are cutting business travel plans. But what happens when you can't cancel your trip--and you can't afford it either? According to this video on BusinessWeek.com, an increasing number of businesses are turning to virtual conferencing technology to simulate face to face meetings without stepping foot outside the office.

"There's all sorts of online collaboration tools; there's all sorts of ways to have online virtual meetings...and you can literally simulate the feeling of being in the same room," says Business Week's Michelle Conlin, who wrote this article about declining business travel.

While meeting with clients from the comfort of your own cubicle can save the company's bottom line, it also creates a healthy work-life balance to keep employees happy and reduces a business' carbon footprint. Who knows? Maybe you'll never send your employees on a business trip again.

Posted by Megan Pacella on June 3, 2008 01:10 PM

Do you feel chained to your business? Well, join the crowd. It's a proven fact that Americans take fewer vacations than people in any other industrialized country. For the small-business owners out there pursuing the American dream, that's an even greater reality. You're everything to your business. You can't afford to take off. Or can you?

According to a Fast Company article by David Roberts, you should. Because, as Roberts asserts, if you don't you could hurt your business in the long run. To prove his point, Roberts points to studies that show a strong link between fewer hours and greater productivity.

Just consider this:
•France creates more GDP per work hour than the United States ($37 versus $34, as of 2003), even with a 35-hour workweek. Norway has an even higher productivity rate ($39 per hour)—and Norwegians work 26 percent fewer hours per year than Americans.

"It's a myth of modern hypercapitalism that an overworked, sleep-deprived, stressed-out workforce is a necessity," Roberts writes. Hmm ... something to think about?

Posted by Emily McMackin on May 29, 2008 04:57 PM

With the long weekend and the official start of summer just a few days away, I've had the beach on my mind. According to a recent survey, most small business owners are planning a vacation this summer, too. American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor (a semi-annual survey of business owners) found that 59 percent of of small business owners are planning a trip away from the office this summer--the same percentage as last year despite the difficult economy.

When do business owner schedule their getaways? Thirty-four percent say it's when they're stressed or they've had enough.

If you're feeling overworked and stressed out, getting away from the office a few days is a good remedy. Even if you're not overly exhausted, a break will leave you refreshed and revived like this business owner we featured in a MyBusiness article a few years ago.

Posted by Shannon McRae on May 19, 2008 09:04 PM

When I used to tell people about my 80-mile round-trip commute to work and back, the typical response was that the traffic must drive me crazy (it does.) More recently, though, comments have turned to gas prices. While I can happily report that my little compact gets an average of 37 mpg, allowing me to fill up less frequently than some folks I know who live in town, it still hurts to go to the pump.

But no matter what—or how much—you drive, skyrocketing gas prices are affecting us all. And since it's not feasible for all of us to ditch our cars for bikes, today's Tools and Tips article on NFIB.com offers some hints on how to get the most out of your gas tank, including:

• Check your tires. Over- or under-inflating can greatly reduce your gas mileage and the life of your tires.


• Clean out the trunk. The FTC says that even an extra 100 pounds can drag your gas mileage down by 2 percent.


• Park in the shade. Some estimates say that running the air conditioner at full blast just to cool a heated car uses as much at 40 cents out of a gallon of gas.


• Watch your speed and accelerate with care. Be mindful of the gas you use when you put the pedal to the metal a little too hard. Even using your cruise control to help keep your speed constant while driving on the highway will keep your engine from needless revving.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on May 9, 2008 03:23 PM

Flight delays are the bane of any business traveler's existence. It's bad enough to be stuck when you're on vacation with family or friends. But when you've been in an all-day meeting and you're just trying to make it home in time for your child's t-ball game, sitting in the airport with other tired travelers is the last thing you want to do. As summer approaches, flight delays only seem to get worse. But now there's a new site that can help you avoid delays. Delaycast uses tools to predict the best days, times and airlines to choose for a trip, based on your airport preference. Right now the site includes the top 60 U.S. airports and 11 airlines.

Posted by Shannon McRae on April 21, 2008 08:17 AM

You know the drill: You're enjoying a wedding reception for a close friend and before you know it, some overzealous business owner has you cornered by the cake, trying to force his business card into your hand. Networking is necessary for running a successful business, but if you're the person cornering someone else by the cake, you might want to rethink your strategy.

So how do you know the proper etiquette for networking at social events? It's all about balance, says Maggie Flynn, author of this recent Tools and Tips article on NFIB.com. "If the other person seems more interested in talking about the friends you have in common or other socially-centered topics, don't try to keep turning the conversation back to business," she continues. "Just enjoy the fact that you're chatting with an interesting new person."

Check out the article to learn more about the proper time and place for networking.

Posted by Megan Pacella on April 15, 2008 09:50 AM

Your business can be more than just a way to pay the bills--it can be a way to give back to your community. Take Homeboy Industries, for example. Boasting a silkscreen business, a bakery and a cafe, the non-profit uses its businesses as a means to reach out to and employ former gang members and at-risk youth.

A New York Times article featured this philanthropic business recently, highlighting the budding non-profit's commitment to putting rehabilitation before revenue. According to the article, Homeboy Bakery refused a grant to buy an automatic dough mixer and opted to have employees knead by hand in order to employ more people.

Giving up free equipment sounds crazy, but Homeboy Industries is onto something. Using your revenue to contribute to your community could have a bigger payoff than you think: Many potential customers want to patronize businesses that give back.

To learn more about how giving back can give your business a leg up on the competition, read our "Like a Good Neighbor" feature from the December/January MyBusiness.

Posted by Megan Pacella on April 1, 2008 01:29 PM

My family loves inside jokes. Spend an hour with more than three of us and you'll likely be left wondering what we're laughing about half of the time. It's not that our jokes are private--they're just those "you had to be there" moments.

This article in a recent WSJ blog says inside jokes like that can be good for business. One company took the concept so far that they've created a fictional character, Bob Archer, who they refer to as the founder of the company. Not wanting to name the business after themselves, the real founders chose the name the Archer Group because it sounded creditable. "Bob Archer" was always thanked for paying the tab for client lunches. He even has own voice on the company's blog.

“When you’re in on a joke, it’s kind of like you’re special,” says Lee Mikles, one of the founders. “When our clients are able to feel like they’re in on this Bob Archer joke, and they can play along with it, you really feel them kind of light up, and that’s kind of neat.”

Though inside jokes are often thought to be exclusive, if you can come up with one inclusive enough for your entire client base, you might find yourself laughing all the way to the bank.

Posted by Shannon McRae on March 17, 2008 01:11 PM

Doing something that matters is probably on everyone's list of life goals. But when you're focused on meeting payroll, pleasing clients, organizing your desk and keeping your tires rotated, it's easy for years to slip by without really feeling like you've made a difference. For one of the features in the latest issue of MyBusiness, we talked to small-business owners who have found ways to merge their passions with their paychecks. They are finding fulfillment in the place where they spend a large chunk of their lives--their work.

When we started this story, I was a bit cynical. Of course I'd love to start a business that helps strays dogs, saves the earth and makes all children feel loved. But most people probably don't start businesses to do any of these things, I thought. Yet what we found in talking to these business owners is that fulfillment doesn't lie in what you do as much as how you do it. Check out our tips on how to love your work more.

Posted by Shannon McRae on February 4, 2008 12:06 PM

Never ones to shy away from new media technologies, some of us around the halls of MyBusiness have been experimenting with Twitter, a Web-based service that allows users to publish text-only messages (called "tweets") of up to 140 characters. But Twitter's not simply glorified text messaging. In fact, this article explores 17 ways small-business owners can use the service to boost their business, including finding new hires, directing (Web) traffic, getting feedback, setting up meetings and networking.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on January 17, 2008 03:30 PM

It's easy to get stressed out running your business. You might worry about making mistakes, fret over difficult choices or second-guess your creativity, but rest easy: Albert Einstein has some words of wisdom for you over at bspcn.com. Their list of the "10 Golden Lessons from Albert Einstein" includes advice like:

• "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."


• "Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value."


• "The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."

Read the rest at bspcn.com.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on January 10, 2008 01:28 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

The holiday season is upon us, and between baking cookies with the family, buying gifts and putting aside money for employee bonuses, small-business owners have a lot on their minds. With a hectic holiday schedule, it’s easy to forget about donating time or money to charitable causes, but failing to give back to those in need is bad for employee morale—and bad for your bottom line.

According to this New York Times article, donating on behalf of your company can “improve your financial performance, enhance brand image and reputation, increase sales and customer loyalty, and improve your ability to attract and retain employees.”

If you’ve never donated before, deciding where and how much to give can be an intimidating process that requires a lot of planning and research. Not sure where to start? Check out these tips to help you give effectively.

Posted by Megan Pacella on December 4, 2007 01:18 PM

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

I am your typical first-born child--responsible, punctual, an overachiever and a few people have told me I can be bossy. My younger brother is just the opposite. He's laid-back, kind-hearted and spends large parts of his days looking for stuff he misplaced. On the surface, I'd think would have a much better chance at business success than my brother. But this study says entrepreneurial success has nothing to do with birth order. Instead researchers found that your parents' career paths are more likely to influence your decision to start a business.

"Entrepreneurs are made, they are not born," says Michael Alter, president of SurePayroll which conducted the survey. "There's no DNA sequence that determines whether you will succeed or fail. But the earlier you start to think entrepreneurially, the bigger advantage you have. That's a gift that you receive naturally when you are fortunate enough to be raised by entrepreneurs."

Posted by Shannon McRae on November 18, 2007 07:33 AM

Feeling fatigued, helpless and frustrated? You could be suffering to burnout, which, according to this article from Management-Issues.com, occurs when your intense focus on a specific goal "fails to produce the expected reward." While your business is your passion, working unrelentingly and never giving yourself a break can have negative consequences that can affect you physically, emotionally and professionally. Read the full article to learn more, including how to find out if you're suffering from burnout and what you can do to recover.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on November 15, 2007 02:56 PM

According to the National Federation of Independent Business, nearly one-in-five small businesses are run by a husband-wife duo. While the idea of working side by side with your spouse might sound like a romantic paradise, many husband-wife business owners find that running a business together comes with a unique set of trials.

"You probably will have more arguments, for the simple reason you'll be spending more time together,” says psychologist and business consultant Kathy Marshack in this Businessweek.com article. “You have to be willing to get through those arguments.” Despite the possibility of disagreements, if couples can learn to separate work from home and share equal responsibility, neither their business nor their marriage will fail.

Ultimately, entrepreneurial couples can enjoy a thriving business and a healthy marriage. Check out this article for tips about launching a successful startup with your spouse.

Posted by Megan Pacella on November 7, 2007 02:22 PM

When I'm busy, working out is usually the first activity squeezed off my to-do list. I know that exercise relieves stress, and that it makes sense to make time for a jog when I've got a lot going on. But it rarely happens. I haven't purchased a treadmill for my office yet like the business owner we featured in this story. But the Wall Street Journal offers some other creative tips from busy entrepreneurs who have found ways to balance work and fitness, including:

• Exercise meetings--Go for a bike ride or a jog with fitness-minded vendors or employees. (We ran a story last year about how to hold walking meetings.)


• Financial incentives--If you invest in a personal trainer or expensive gym membership, you're more likely to not skip your workout.


• Set a schedule--Treat exercise like an important business meeting. Put it on your calendar and don't skip it.


• Make it convenient. Join a gym near the office and go during off-hours. Take advantage of the flexibility business ownership gives you.

Posted by Shannon McRae on October 15, 2007 06:44 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

If you're one of those people who likes to rearrange the furniture in your den every so often, you'll love this story. Located in Manhattan's Lower East Side, GrandOpening is a store that perpetually reinvents itself. Every three months, its owners reopen the store as an entirely new operation. A few months ago it housed an exhibit for an eco-community two hours outside of New York City. Right now it's a ping-pong parlor--no word on what's coming next.

While GrandOpening small-business owners Ben and Hall Smyth's concept might sound exhausting (and expensive), their creativity is inspiring. Even if you don't switch business concepts every quarter, continuing to find and implement new ideas is never a bad idea for business. The idea reminded me of a story we ran in MyBusiness earlier this year about how several entrepreneurs renew their passion for their businesses.

Posted by Shannon McRae on September 10, 2007 07:59 AM

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

I'm looking out the window of MyBusiness' office and all I see are dark clouds and rain. My first thought: I bet the roads—and the runways at the airport—are completely backed up. From bad weather to security threats at the nation's busiest airports, pretty much anything these days can delay a flight. But there are ways to minimize your risk for flight delays, says this Smart Money article.

Posted by Lena Anthony on August 1, 2007 02:26 PM

We have several grammar gods on the MyBusiness staff--which is a good thing since our business is words. On any given afternoon, we're likely waging deep discussions on the correct use of past participle phrases. We all have our pet peeves when it comes to proper use of the English language. Misuse of quotations is high on my list. I cringe when I see billboards that promise "We Have The Best Deals in Town." Do you really need the quotes? (or the capitalization, but that's another pet peeve...)

If you feel like whipping out your red pen every time you read a newspaper, you'll feel a kinship with this writer who is shocked when smart people use bad grammar. You might wonder why good grammar matters, but it really does contribute to others' perception of you (and your small business). So next time you're torn between using "lie" or "lay" or "that" or "which," check out the list of common grammar usage questions on this Web site.

Posted by Shannon McRae on July 30, 2007 08:16 AM

I hate to admit it, but it takes four alarms plus the cat stepping all over my head to get me out of bed on time in the morning. And on a day like today—the day after a holiday—I'm lucky to get up in enough time to even fix my hair. So when I read today's Tools & Tips on NFIB.com, I was excited to learn that there's help after all for those of us who just aren't "morning people," such as:

• A good morning begins the evening before. Avoid stress during the hours leading up to bedtime, as excessive evening stress diminishes a good night's sleep.


• Avoid heavy foods, alcohol and caffeine before bedtime. They inhibit good sleep and can make you groggy the next day.


• Since most people have an easier time rising when it's light, hook your alarm up to a light or dimmer switch that turns on as the day draws near.


• Try placing the alarm clock across the room or in the corridor to force yourself out of bed.

The article also offers helpful hints on boosting your energy level after you've managed to crawl out of bed, such as performing simple exercises like stretching or running in place. I thought I was a lost cause, but I'm willing to give these tips a try. They at least sound better than my current morning exercise—the alarm toss.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on July 5, 2007 03:35 PM

OK, I have a confession to make. Last Tuesday, I went into the kitchen here at work to refill my glass of water. But I didn't just refill my glass of water. I also inhaled a cupcake. A three-day old stale cupcake that, while delicious, had no business being in my mouth.

I tried to forget the cupcake incident, but this column in USA Today and then this article in London's The Guardian brought it all back to me.

Both articles are about health and fitness and how work—whether it's your generous colleagues who share their delicious cupcakes with you or a busy schedule that keeps you from working out regularly—can sabotage your health.

Do we really need something else sabotaging our attempt at healthy eating habits?

So next time you want to bring something in for your employees, consider their (and your) health and skip the donuts. And my advice to anyone who doesn't want to be the victim of a cupcake incident, buy a mini-refrigerator, put it under your desk and keep your water in there. Yes, really.

Posted by Lena Anthony on July 3, 2007 08:29 AM

Looking for a little summertime fun at your office? Why not let employees bring their dogs in to work? After all, tomorrow is Take Your Dog to Work Day. According to an article on Entrepreneur.com, a recent survey found that 44 percent of dog owners would be willing to part with 10 percent of their salary if they could bring their dog to work with them. While it might not be a good fit for every business--nor something you'd want to do every day--it could be a good morale boost for your employees. Just make sure no one brings a cat.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on June 21, 2007 01:37 PM

Do $3 gallons make you a little anxious about your financial situation? They should, seeing that the average person drives far enough to circumvent the globe two and a half times during their working life and that prices will most likely continue to rise throughout the summer.

But at least you’re not alone—this article states that only 41 percent of American workers feel that their finances are improving, down 3 percent from March and the lowest percentage recorded this year.

So now it’s up to employers to make a conscientious effort to help alleviate their employees’ worries by promoting “carpooling, flextime and telecommuting and it’s the employees’ responsibility to embrace such measures.”

Unfortunately, morale isn’t the only thing that gas prices are decreasing—the two-week vacations are being replaced by three-day weekends, partially due to rising gas prices. The Griswald family cross-country trip to Wally World has been replaced by weekend getaways to the lake. This USA Today article states that only 14 percent of Americans plan to take a two-week vacation, down 2 percent from last year.

Posted by Grant Thomas on June 13, 2007 02:12 PM

I've heard that taking a short power-nap in the afternoons can give you a jolt of much-needed energy when they day is dragging on—but meditating at work is a new one to me.

But the trend seems to be catching on, and the calm and collected folks at the Center for Leadership Performance held a conference Wednesday where CEOs and scientists gathered to discuss the growing trend of stress-reducing meditation in America's workplaces. According to the center, transcendental meditation, "a simple, effortless mental procedure practiced 15 to 20 minutes twice a day, sitting comfortably with the eyes closed," results in creativity, alertness and all-around better health.

Meditating for a few minutes at my desk to achieve "pure consciousness"? That definitely sounds more appealing—and practical—than trying to crawl under the breakroom table in an attempt to catch a few afternoon Zs.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on June 7, 2007 12:54 PM

Working late every night? Not going out as much you would like (if at all)? Sacrificing relationships with friends and family to put in extra hours at the office? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be a workaholic according to a USA Today article. In today’s world of Blackberries and non-stop networking, it can be nearly impossible to get away from work – you can work in the car, the restaurant, or even the bathtub. As such, workaholism has become a legitimate problem for some.

The article defines a workaholic, or an ‘extreme worker’ as someone who works “60 hours or more a week” and is accustomed to “unpredictable work flow, fast-paced work under a tight deadline, a large number of subordinates and a lot of travel”. But is there really anything wrong with working too hard? Experts say yes—as the 9 a.m. –5 p.m. day becomes a 7 a.m.–9 p.m. day, overworked people have less time to exercise and sleep, are more prone to burnout and anxiety and fall out of touch with their children and spouses.

So although the pressures and excitement of a heavy workload can be satisfying and lead to a sense of accomplishment, remember that working too hard can have negative effects and that balance in life is an achievement in itself.

Posted by Grant Thomas on June 5, 2007 08:40 AM

The weekend is over--do you feel rested? If you're already wondering how you'll muster the energy to make it through the week, join the club. We're a nation of walking zombies, according to an article on CareerJournal.com. Only 26 percent of adults get the recommended eight hours of sleep a night; compared with 38 percent in 2001. Most plan on making up for lost shut-eye on the weekends. But when Saturday rolls around, there's so much else to do--and for many busy Americans, extra sleep falls to the bottom of their to-do lists. But before you stifle a yawn or reach for another cup of coffee, consider how a lack of sleep might affect the way you run your business. Chronic fatigue dulls your senses and prevents you from concentrating. So do yourself a favor tonight and don't stay up for the late-night show.

Posted by Shannon McRae on June 3, 2007 06:31 PM

When I see something like this New York Times article, I'm always left in amazement.

The article, which is on wasting time at work, cites various experts, one of whom posits that the average American worker actually only work 1.5 hours a day. The average full-time worker doesn’t even start doing real work until 11:00 a.m.,” he writes, “and begins to wind down around 3:30 p.m.”

Seriously?

On the flipside, though, the article also refers to a study that found that "almost half of the small-business managers in the United States work during time meant for family, while 49 percent make business calls and check e-mail messages while behind the wheel; 18 percent read e-mail messages in the bathroom" and another that found that the average workweek for people at the top (that's you small-business owners) currently exceeds 70 hours.

The article says that we may be wasting more time because we are working harder. Everybody needs breaks, and if you're planning on burning the midnight oil, why not take a short break at 11 a.m., and another at 2 p.m, and another 4 p.m. No big deal, the article says. They're respites, that's all, and we need them to work most effectively.

Posted by Lena Anthony on June 1, 2007 08:39 AM

Any small-business owner knows how hard it can be to keep your work from spilling over into your personal life, and vice versa. While some companies might be OK with employees coming and going on an honor system, others may prefer to have in writing how many doctors' appointments or kids' soccer games they can leave for before considering it actual time off. Today's Tools & Tips on NFIB.com offers some advice on how to craft a policy that helps determine that line between work and life, which can help keep your employees happy--and your business booming.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on May 29, 2007 12:39 PM

If study findings showing that Americans take the fewest vacation days (14) on average than people in any other country sounds unbelievable, listen to this. Entrepreneurs take even less time off, an average of 5.5 days, according to a recent study by Information Strategies, Inc.

A survey of 234 small-business owners/presidents showed that:

•41 percent had not taken a vacation of more than seven days in the past two years and the same number said their businesses suffered when they've been on vacation in the past.
•33 percent had not taken a vacation in two years.
•27 percent said they did not expect to take a vacation this year.

And perhaps the saddest statistic of all: 44 percent said their families had taken vacations without them.

Focus group discussions with these entrepreneurs revealed that many worried that taking time off would adversely affect their business. But it doesn't have to be that way. If a beach somewhere is calling your name, or you just need to get away for a few hours, check out our Feb./March feature, "Beat Burnout." Find out how other business owners learned to step away from their businesses without losing control of their companies and came back reenergized.

Posted by Emily McMackin on May 25, 2007 02:50 PM

Does being a small-business owner give you an edge when it comes to balancing work and life? Yes, a new survey released by MasterCard Worldwide says. According to the report, more than half of small-business owners surveyed believe that being an owner enables greater work-life balance compared to other jobs. In fact, 83 percent say that they rarely miss important personal events due to work. Making enough money to meet or exceed business and personal needs and having flexible working hours were the top factors cited in helping them achieve that balance.

If juggling work demands with family commitments is still a struggle for you, however, get advice on creating effective work-life strategies in this MasterCard Small Business article. Thanks to a new partnership between MasterCard and Microsoft, you can also listen in on free online seminars given by industry experts on topics relating to small-business challenges. Seminars cover everything from making technology work for you to mastering the art of delegation. Access the seminars at www.mastercardbusiness.com or www.officeliveseminars.com.

Posted by Emily McMackin on May 11, 2007 08:58 AM

Tired of listening to everyone put in two cents about how you run your business? For many entrepreneurs, the plight of taking criticism from friends and family is almost too much to bear, but it is important to remember one thing: You have to make your own decisions about running your business. In fact, experienced businesswoman Gladys Edmunds says in her article, “There is no ‘best’ way to run a company, and there is no method to being a ‘real’ entrepreneur. You have to follow your own light.”

When running your company, you must consider what will help your business grow—and you are the only one with the authority to make those decisions.

Posted by Megan Pacella on May 2, 2007 01:42 PM

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

Do you ever feel like you don't have time to slow down or even get sick? When an illness or medical emergency catches you or your employees by surprise, it can throw you off— big time. When you or one of your employees needs to be out unexpectedly, it often means everyone else has to scramble to get things done. How do you cope? Check out this Smart Money article on taking sick time and hear what other small-business owners have to say about how they balance their responsibilities with recovery when they are under the weather.

Posted by Emily McMackin on April 27, 2007 09:08 AM

When Peter van Aartrijk started his own consulting group, he was prepared to take on the business of some spiteful clients—but that didn’t last long. "I decided after about a year that I wanted to work only for, and with, people I like,” says van Aartrijk in an interview with Startup Journal’s Sue Shellenbarger. “A lot of times in business you run into people who are smart, but also incredibly rude and condescending and treat people around them horribly. They create a lot of inefficiencies…I'd estimate I was spending an extra hour a day at work just trying to satisfy unreasonable, frustrating clients.”

While van Aartrijk admits that small businesses trying to get their feet on the ground can’t always afford the luxury of turning away clients, he believes that working with agreeable customers grows your business over time. "I probably turn away about 20 percent of the revenue we could be bringing in,” he admits. “But I think we gain over the long term, in relationships with clients; we're still growing 20 percent a year.”

The point: You don’t have to accept the business of every client to make a living. Read more about van Aartrijk and learn about how to make money while standing up for yourself, and your employees.

Posted by Megan Pacella on April 23, 2007 01:55 PM

When's the last time that you took a vacation? If you're like many small-business owners, it's been a while. In fact, even when many entrepreneurs do get away, they mix work with pleasure, toting laptops, cell phones and BlackBerries in their suitcases. According to a recent Smart Money article, one business owner even installed a headseat in her ski helment so she could take calls on the slopes.

If you're plagued by worries that your business will fall apart in your absence, taking a true "vacation" can be impossible. But a few business owners in the article offered ways to take creative breaks. After getting so burned out that she couldn't focus or make decisions, Barbara Bickham invited business associates on a company retreat—to Hawaii. Sans cell phones and BlackBerries, the group discovered that the diving, golfing, hiking and rock-carving activities they did together actually strengthened their professional relationship. Read on to learn how hiring a virtual assistant and making detailed lists can help you plan a work-free getaway.

Posted by Emily McMackin on April 20, 2007 01:46 PM

Many small-business owners wonder how they can keep employees motivated without a big budget to help entice performance level. In an article published on smartmoney.com, writer Colleen DeBiase gives tips on ways you can use the advantage of a small work environment to keep your workers inspired—without throwing money at them.

Challenger, Gray & Christmas’ John Challenger advises that “employees will perform best for a boss who can accommodate their needs,” which means a simple way to motivate your workers is to be more accommodating to their schedules and demands outside the office. That doesn’t mean you have to let them work from home indefinitely, but encouraging the occasional afternoon off to watch their child’s school play can speak volumes.

Read on for more ways to keep your employees happy, creative and motivated without scraping up extra money for promotions and bonuses.

Posted by Megan Pacella on March 26, 2007 01:36 PM

When you're your own boss, how much do you pay yourself? The New York Times, in an article published online today, found this to be a difficult question for entrepreneurs, especially those just starting up a business. Robert Chelle, director of the Crotty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the University of Dayton, tells the Times that "people who start small businesses should not expect any money that first year" unless, of course, they obtain venture capital or start making money right away. Andrew Corbett, professor of entrepreneurship and strategic management at the Lally School of Management and Technology in Troy, N.Y., says that once your business has started to make money, you can figure out what to pay yourself. Corbett discusses with the Times a formula he's created for determining a small-business owner's salary---a formula that suggests paying yourself about 50 percent more than what you'd make working for someone else.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on March 22, 2007 12:59 PM

Thanks to the Internet, never before has so much information been available to so many people. Problem is, that information doesn't do much good if you don't know how to find it. You probably visit Google several times a week (if not several times a day). As a busy small-business owner, wouldn't it be nice to find exactly what you're looking for faster? The Small Business Hub has posted 12 tips for searching Google like an expert.

Posted by Shannon McRae on March 7, 2007 10:24 AM

Do you shudder when you think about one of your employees asking for flexibility in their work schedule? If so, this article posted today on SHRM.org (the Web site for the Society of Human Resource Management) is a must-read.

If you haven't been around them, flexible work arrangements can seem like a scary situation. Visions of empty office desks and ghost pains of phones ringing off the hook may enter your mind. But how many businesses do you know that folded because they started offering flexible work arrangements to their employees? Exactly. Flexible work schedules don't wreck businesses; they help them, says the article.

The article offers several tips on how to put the welcome mat down for flexible work arrangements in your office.

Posted by Lena Anthony on March 6, 2007 01:56 PM

Do you ever wonder if your employees have "fun" at work? For old-school business owners and managers, having "fun" must mean that employees are goofing off and wasting company time. But that's not true, according to human resources experts. An article in a recent issue of Fast Company points to research at California State University Long Beach that showed that people who have fun at work are more creative, more productive, work better with others and call in sick less often. Check out these 10 (often crazy) tips for bringing fun to your office.

Sometimes it's easier to be light-hearted when the weather is nice. If cold weather and sunless days have you feeling cheerless, this article from the latest issue of MyBusiness magazine might help. Try implementing these creative ways to brighten spirits and beat the winter blues. Who knows, it may be fun.

Posted by Shannon McRae on February 20, 2007 03:02 PM

Steve Martin’s “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” is one of my favorite movies of all time. If your travel plans have ever gone worse than expected, you can relate to this movie. But instead of losing it at the ticket counter like Martin’s character, USA Today’s Business Traveler columnist Joe Brancatelli offers 12 tips for effective complaints when the airline, hotel or car rental company provides less than stellar service.

The first hint is to try to resolve it in person at the time of the problem. If that doesn’t work, try Brancatelli’s tips on writing a letter that will get read. The hardest piece of advice to follow: Be nice. Even though you’d rather use this time to vent and threaten and call the company a monkey’s uncle, doing so won’t help your case (even if it does make you feel a smidgen better).

Posted by Shannon McRae on February 5, 2007 08:28 AM

I've never been a morning person. Getting up early is an Olympic-like feat for me—even with my alarm set—and for the first hour I'm awake, I move (and probably look) like a zombie. I don't even start to feel alive until my first cup of coffee, and by then, I'm rushing to get where I need to go. Well, according to a recent Yahoo finance article, this is no way to start the day, especially if you're a busy business owner.

The article surveys 20 CEOs on their morning habits and reveals that most are early risers. Getting up early helps these executives maximize their time and attain the elusive work-life balance that challenges us all. Mornings are their most productive part of the day because they:

•Start early. Most executives say they are up at least by 6 a.m. because it's the time of day they have the most control over.
•Get a jump on e-mail. Going through their inbox while the office is quiet keeps it from overwhelming them later.
•Exercise. For some execs, this is the only time they can. And the endorphins that exercise releases is a better pick-me-up than coffee.

The CEOs surveyed cited other advantages to rising early, including time to catch up on the news, better clarity to solve problems and quality family time. Hmm, maybe the early bird really does get the worm...

Posted by Emily McMackin on February 2, 2007 08:31 AM

Many small-business owners toil long hours, take little vacation time and work during their time off.

That was the conclusion of a recently released survey conducted by Staples, Inc., which polled 300 leaders of companies with fewer than 20 employee on work-life habits.

More than half of small-business managers surveyed said they worked more than 40 hours a week, with one in five working a double week of 80 or more hours, to keep up with business growth and increasing responsibilities. Many admitted to logging the extra hours during personal time typically reserved for themselves or family. One in five said they worked while eating dinner, and more than a third couldn't remember their last vacation.

If this describes you and your work pace, find out how you can ease your load with a series of articles on stress management in the "managing growth" section of NFIB.com's Tools and Tips.

Posted by Emily McMackin on January 12, 2007 10:31 AM

Before the 109th Congress headed home, it passed legislation to greatly improve the benefits of health savings accounts for both employers and employees. The Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 makes several business- and employee-friendly changes to HSAs that increase the affordability and accessibility of health care for independent businesses.

Today's Tools & Tips article on NFIB.com gives an overview of the legislation, including the following highlights:

• Money from flexible spending accounts and health reimbursement accounts can be rolled over one time, penalty-free, into health savings accounts.


• There is no longer an annual plan deductible limitation on HSAs, meaning that in 2007, individuals will be able to contribute $2,850 to an HSA and families will be able to contribute up to $5,650, regardless of the size of their health insurance deductible.


• Allows people to fully fund their HSA account, regardless of when during the year they became covered under the plan.


• Employers may contribute more for lesser-compensated employees.


• Allows a one-time rollover from an IRA to a HSA.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on January 5, 2007 09:27 AM

My mom and dad have been married 33 years--and for the last 17 of those years, they've run a small business together. Staying happily married to the same person for more than three decades is a huge accomplishment in itself--working with that person day in and day out is close to miraculous. Only two years into marriage myself, I love my husband, but we both agree that newlywed feeling we still have would fade quickly if we started working together.

So what are the secrets to mixing love, marriage and business? This article on CNNMoney.com explores how running a business can be the best thing for your relationship. For my mom and dad, it's been about defining boundaries--both are good at different aspects of the business, so they stay out of each other's way most of the time. And when problems arise, they talk about them (or argue about them) until they're solved. Sounds like the recipe for most successful relationships--whether business, personal or both.

Posted by Shannon McRae on January 2, 2007 10:24 AM

Telecommuting is nothing new to the staff of MyBusiness. While most of us are based in Nashville, Tenn., we have one employee who has worked from Austin, Texas, for more than five years. And a few months ago, I headed West to set up shop in Portland, Ore. Even though we're the only two who actually live away from the Nashville office, all of our other colleagues are just as well-connected as we are--and could work from China if they needed to (Editorial Director Jamie Roberts loves to travel so much, she just might try it one day).

Our editor, Rex Hammock, travels a lot for business, but he stays so connected that on most days, I don't know if he's in Nashville or New York--and does it really matter? We all maintain our productivity because we're used to working as a virtual team. That's why I was so interested when TP Wire Service linked to this article from Web Worker Daily on "Seven Habits of Successful Virtual Teams." I won't bore you by tooting our horn about how we already follow most of this advice, but I will encourage you to consider cutting the ropes in your office.

Small businesses are the perfect place to experiment with virtual teams. Maybe you don't feel comfortable allowing employees to move across the country, but why not let them work from home one day a week, or even one day a month? By just barely changing the way your office operates now, you'll see a huge increase in overall productivity.

Posted by Shannon McRae on December 18, 2006 11:12 AM

Holidays are a hectic time for small businesses as they're focused on wrapping up projects for the year while juggling the countless disruptions like parties and other pre-holiday distractions. But did you also know that the holidays can give your business the opportunity to build teamwork skills, attract better employees and improve your chances of holding onto the great employees you already have? Workplace volunteer programs, which are much more prevalent during the holidays, are a great way to accomplish these goals and more.

Today's Tools & Tips on NFIB.com offers some ideas to inject that holiday spark throughout your business, such as holding a can drive, adopting an angel or making a monetary donation to a community organization.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on December 14, 2006 09:20 AM

Holiday scheduling--and having to balance the needs of your business with the needs of employees--can be your worst nightmare. Every worker, business owners included, wants time off during the holidays, but for some businesses, it's the busiest time of year. For other businesses, the holidays are dead. The phones don't ring and probably won't until after New Year's. But you probably still need a skeleton crew who can address anything that comes up. But how do you decide who's on that crew? Whatever decision you make, it's bound to make someone upset. So what's the best way to handle scheduling? Today's Tools & Tips on NFIB.com addresses this issue, offering advice for small-business owners trying to be as fair and accommodating as possible during the holiday season.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on December 5, 2006 10:42 AM

When I was in high school, I worked at my parents' small business some during the summer. I filed, answered phones, drove my little brother to swim practice--you know, important stuff. My dad did let me write a few press releases, but I can't remember if he ever sent them to anyone (hopefully not). When I compare my work in a small business to what the teenagers in this StartupJournal.com story do, I'm embarrassed. These young people are doing more than helping their parents--they're running small companies themselves. Far beyond your average lemonade stand, one 15-year-old is even in negotiations to have her product sold at Wal-Mart.

The cover story of the Dec./Jan. issue of MyBusiness explores the link between your childhood and your business. Some researchers suggest that genetics play an important role in whether someone "makes it" as an entrepreneur. But like the young people in the StartupJournal.com story, the small-business owners we spoke to told us hard work and dedication give you a better chance at success than having the perfect small-business genes.

The NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation works to help young people cultivate their entrepreneurial skills. Through programs like Entrepreneur-in-the-Classroom and the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards, the YEF is doing its part to ensure that young people have the tools they need to succeed in business—regardless of their DNA.

Posted by Shannon McRae on December 4, 2006 10:30 AM

On a recent flight out of Austin, Texas, I was stopped at the security checkpoint for violating the no liquids, gels or aerosols rule. The offender in my bag? Two jars of Austin-made peach salsa and jalapeño jelly given to me by my friend to take back home with me to Nashville. After my gifts were confiscated and the rest of my bag analyzed for other potentially explosive items, I was sent on my way and advised never to attempt to bring liquids in my carry-on again. (Hey, I didn't know Texans drank their salsa!) To help you avoid having grandma's figgy pudding seized on your visit to the airport this holiday season, today's Tools & Tips on NFIB.com offers a list of updated security regulations and other hints to make your travel experience more pleasant.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on December 1, 2006 09:47 AM

I was traveling recently when my cell phone died. It was my fault, I had forgotten to charge it the night before. I felt a little bit of that panic you feel when the power goes out--how was I supposed to deal with a few hours of no one being able to reach me?

Too bad I hadn't read this article about how to extend your battery's life. The tips aren't rocket science, they're basic things like disable your Bluetooth if you're not using it (apparently it sucks the juice up quick) and turn off keypad tones and vibrating alerts. The only tip I probably wouldn't follow is to turn off your phone when you're not using it (because then I might miss a really important call from my husband asking what we're doing for dinner).

Posted by Shannon McRae on November 29, 2006 02:51 PM

On Christmas Day a few years ago, my mom realized she was out of candles for the dining room table. With guests coming for a Christmas feast, she started calling local stores to see who was open (after all, ambience is everything). We found one Walgreen’s in our city that was open, and luckily they had the candles. My mom was happy, but I felt guilty for supporting a store that opened on Christmas Day.

Good thing my parents don't live in Massachusetts. An article in today's Boston Globe talks about how many of the state's retailers are angry over the government's enforcement of blue laws, which prohibit businesses from opening on holidays, including Thanksgiving. Held over from the 17th century, the strictly enforced laws are a throwback to the state's Puritanical roots. Pharmacies and small grocers with three or less employees are exempt.

For most businesses, work will wind down for the week this afternoon as you and your employees head out to family feasts. But to not even have the choice of whether to open tomorrow has some Massachusetts business owners feeling less than thankful.

"The blue laws are antiquated and silly," said David Lannon, North Atlantic regional president for Whole Foods Market Inc., which has decided not to break the law by opening stores in Massachusetts tomorrow. "Customers want us to be open and people lead such busy lives that they'll shop when it's convenient."

Last year, Super 88, a local Asian grocery store, decided to defy the laws--and promptly drew attention from the police who shut down the store. Undeterred, Super 88 and electronics retailer CompUSA say they'll open their doors for a few hours again tomorrow.

Better grab your ice, dinner rolls (and candles) tonight if you live in Massachusetts. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at MyBusiness!

Posted by Shannon McRae on November 22, 2006 10:57 AM

If your business requires you to travel frequently, it's probably inevitable that you've found yourself working out of your vehicle. While not an ideal office, there are ways that you can outfit your car or truck to encourage productivity--and safety. Today's Tools & Tips on NFIB.com offers several ideas on how to achieve this, including:

• Make sure your vehicle is mobile-office friendly. Do you have enough storage space? Will you have to take a seat out to make room for all your files and equipment? Do you usually have passengers or workers with you who would prohibit this? Depending on how much equipment you require, you may have to reconfigure seats in your car or van to make this work.


• Have the right equipment. The basic components of a mobile office are simple: You'll need a laptop computer, cell phone and a printer, all of which you probably already have. Most likely, you will also need wireless connection.
  
• Get organized. Having a mobile office means that all this stuff needs to be anchored down somehow, so it doesn't fly around the vehicle in case of a short stop or an accident. You also need to be very organized in such a small space.


• Make sure your vehicle is secure. With all this added equipment in your vehicle, all you need is to have a thief break in and take your vehicle, and you're done.


• Don't work and drive at the same time! In this age of multitasking while driving (and the sometimes tragic consequences of talking on a cell-phone and trying to change lanes), it should go without saying that if you have a mobile office, you don't work while the vehicle is moving.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on October 27, 2006 09:09 AM

What time did you leave home this morning? Most of us in the MyBusiness office are lucky. We live just a few minutes from work. But a new study released this week by the Transportation Research Board shows we're in the minority. The number of workers whose commute lasts more than a hour grew by 50 percent between 1990 and 2000. Men are more likely to be on the road before 7:30 a.m., while women commuters most likely leave home after 7:30.

The new commuter data shows once again that life in a small business is better than corporate America. NFIB's Research Foundation surveyed business owners and found that 60 percent take fewer than 15 minutes to reach work and 80 percent less than one-half hour.

Posted by Shannon McRae on October 17, 2006 10:06 AM

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

A small-business owner's life can be rewarding but hectic. When you're in charge of everything, from finances and management to sales and marketing, it can easily become all-consuming. Maybe you started your business to gain more control over your life, but find that your mind never leaves the office, even on weekends.

If this sounds familiar, Kristie Tamsevicius, author of "I Love My Life: A Mom's Guide to Working from Home," has some advice for you. On her Web site, she offers tips for "Taming the Small Business Beast," a.k.a. a growing business that has you drowning in a pool of mounting clients and endless work. Tamsevicius addresses the traps that rob many small-business owners of their lives and shows them how to gain control of their schedules again without hurting their business or profits.

Posted by Emily McMackin on October 6, 2006 10:57 AM

Bob Blue is staying put. Since March, the future was uncertain for his family-owned luggage shop on the posh corner of Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood, Calif.

We last spoke to Blue in the June/July 2006 issue of MyBusiness, when we featured him and other small-business owners who were caught in local eminent-domain battles. The story focused on a 2005 Supreme Court ruling that gave local governments the right to condemn and seize private property for outside private development.

Bernard Lugguage, founded by Blue's father in 1943, was targeted by some local council members who backed a neighborhood redevelopment project. Their project called for demolishing the historic building where Bernard Luggage was located to make room for high-end boutiques, restaurants and a hotel.

But thanks to Blue's determination, and help from the NFIB Legal Foundation, the city decided yesterday to include the Blue's building in the redevelopment plans.

"I am really proud of this decision and the agreement everyone was able to come to," Blue told this CBS affiliate. "I think this is a benefit, not only for Hollywood, but for all of L.A., and I think it's a plan that the rest of the state can look at as a way to do business."

Not all the surrounding business owners were as fortunate as Blue. Twenty will still be forced to relocate or shut down.

Posted by Shannon McRae on September 28, 2006 12:29 PM

Take a moment and watch "Small-Business Heroes," a five-minute documentary featuring independent business owners talking about their daily risks and sacrifices. In their own direct and unembellished words, they eloquently express why the small-business concept is a vital part of the American dream.

Posted by Jamie Roberts on September 27, 2006 05:18 PM

Getting involved in your community is a great way to step out of your role as a small-business owner and step into the role of active local citizen. Today's Tools & Tips article on NFIB.com provides some examples of volunteer opportunities that might be available in your community, such as:

• Donating your time and sweat to building a local home with Habitat for Humanity


• Reading and recording books for the blind in your community


• Volunteering at your local food bank or soup kitchen


• Tutoring local students in your favorite subject


• Participating in neighborhood adoption and cleanup opportunities


• Volunteering to walk dogs at your local shelter during your lunch hour once a week


• Becoming a tour guide at your local museum or visitors' center

Posted by Megan Goodchild on September 21, 2006 01:34 PM

At MyBusiness, we strongly believe the best experts on running a small business are the men and women who do it every day. Real small-business owners know exactly what it takes to be successful.

That being said, we still think this Nevada Appeal article on 10 common small-business mistakes is helpful. Writer William Creekbaum has been an investment management consultant for 15 years. During that time, he's witnessed business owners fall victim to common traps, such as not giving up on an idea that isn't working and trying to do everything yourself. Glance over his list and see if any of the common mistakes sound familiar--and quickly change your ways if they do!

Posted by Shannon McRae on September 18, 2006 01:26 PM

Five years and one day ago, Chuck Call, CEO of Albuquerque-based ICx MesoSystems, could have never guessed how his business would change. In the five years since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, the company has sold about 600 of its air-sampling devices, which are capable of sniffing out bioterrosim agents, to federal, state and local agencies, driving up ICx’s sales this year to $7 million.

According to a story in USA Today, the events of 9/11 caused the homeland security business to boom. The industry now accounts for more annual revenue than the movei-making or music industries.

Though corporations have been the big winners of government contracts, small businesses have gained their share of new business as well. In the last fiscal year (which ended in June) small businesses accountd for 33 percent of all contract dollars spent by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. That exceeds the U.S. Small Business Administration's goal of having 25 percent of all contracts go to small companies.

Posted by Shannon McRae on September 11, 2006 04:25 PM

Last week, we pointed to a story about business owners who were struggling to survive in New Orleans a year after Hurricane Katrina's devestating blow. Today, a story in the Salt Lake Tribune highlights a different kind of survival: In the weeks following the disaster, these owners packed up their businesses and got out of New Orleans. Though some had plans to return, all of them ended up finding permanent homes for their businesses in new cities.

The panic of the early days is still fresh on their minds. "You think, this can't be happening, when you slip and fall in the grime and you're covered with who knows what, and there's no running water to wash it off with," says Christine MCAtte, owner of Adventures in Adveritising/Insignia Marketing, which is now based in The Woodlands, Texas.

Greg Mangiaracina moved his business, A-Pro Home Inspection Services, to San Antonio, Texas, and hasn't looked back. "I can't put my family through this again," he says.

Relocating wasn't easy, but facing the choice of a city without basic services and sky-high real estate costs, these business owners say they made the only choice they had.

Posted by Shannon McRae on August 28, 2006 03:25 PM

I'm not someone who quotes movies a lot. But there is one line from "The Shawshank Redemption" that has always stuck with me: "Get busy living or get busy dying"--or something like that.

A recent post by Small Business CEO blogger Steve Rucinski reminds me a lot of that line. As Rucinski points out: Those in business have two alternatives--get better or get worse. "While the thought of status quo might seem comforting," he writes, "status quo is really decay in sheep’s clothing."

A lot of small-business owners (and their employees) are resistant to change. The familiar is safer, easier. But it's not always innovative. "We are on the threshold of an entirely new way of thinking about change. Soon, there will be a generation that will resist the lack of change. Are we ready to manage people who think that way?"

Posted by Shannon McRae on August 23, 2006 09:51 AM

Do you ever regret not getting that MBA you always wanted or sleeping through your business courses in college? Ever wish you could go back to school and glean more knowledge about how to run your business? It's not too late. While balancing coursework with running a company takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice, many business owners who are back in school to pursue graduate degrees say it's worth the effort, according to an Associated Press article in the Chicago Tribune (registration required).

Many note that going back to class has not only given them the skills they need to manage their companies better, it has also provided them with networking opportunities they would have never had otherwise. Many business schools offer programs tailored specifically for entrepreneurs and their busy schedules. Some schools have weekend classes; others have accelerated programs for law or accounting. If you don't live near a business school, you can find plenty of academic programs online that will allow you to pursue your degree from home.

Don't have the money for tuition right now? Many colleges and universities house Small Business Development Centers, sponsored by the Small Business Administration. These offer business owners a chance to take a few courses to ground themselves in areas such as marketing or management. For a list of SBDCs across the country, visit www.sba.gov/sbdc.

Posted by Emily McMackin on August 18, 2006 08:24 AM

Seeing the latest Gallup poll survey made me think of a hit country song by the legendary Alan Jackson (I can't help it, MyBusiness is published in Nashville). In the ballad, "I'd Love You All Over Again," Jackson promises his wife that if he had it to all over, he would still choose to spend his life with her. The Gallup poll finds small-business owners are crooning the same tune. A whopping 83 percent would still choose to become a small-business owner, despite the high stress and long hours. That's because business owners know all that hard work eventually pays off--nine in 10 say they feel successful, and 47 percent feel "extremeley successful" or "very successful."

Posted by Shannon McRae on August 14, 2006 10:31 AM

Is the other 25 percent really telling the truth? That's the first thing I thought when I saw this new Gallup poll that found 75 percent of American workers say they'd be happier if they made more money--exactly $33,000 more, according to the study. So what about the other 25 percent? Are there really employees out there who would say they wouldn't be just the slightest bit pleased with more money?

One of the study's more comforting finds for small-business owners: Though they might want more money, 63 percent of employees don't think they'd be happier in a different job. A more positive way to look at that stat? Employees are pretty satisfied. NFIB.com's Business Toolbox has an entire section on how to motivate and inspire employees. Check out the articles for ideas on how to maintain a happy (and productive) staff. And if the survey offers any insight into your workers, might as well browse the Business Toolbox category on employee compensation too.

Posted by Shannon McRae on August 7, 2006 11:02 AM

As a small-business owner, you've probably faced countless situations when you had to share some not-so-good news. No one looks forward to being the bearer of bad news, whether you're letting an employee go, telling your staff about a big account you've lost, or explaining a mistake you've made to a client.

Though you can't change the bad news, you can improve the way you deliver it. Check out these six ways to be good at giving bad news to learn dos and don'ts, such as never correct someone in front of others and always provide a strategy to help the person move on.

Posted by Shannon McRae on July 31, 2006 10:44 AM

Dream of having your product mentioned on Oprah? For some small businesses who lived through a mention on Oprah's Favorite Things, the dream becomes a reality--fast. An article on CNNMoney tracks a few to see what their instant success taught them.

Given just five days notice before its product appeared on the show, Pete Seltzer, CEO of Kashwére, anticipated a challenge. But after a Kashwere robe was mentioned on Oprah's Favorite Things, "for six consecutive weeks we could not get a call out, the phones were hammered and we did thousands and thousands of Internet orders."

MyBusiness tackled a similar topic when we found several businesses who'd spent 15 minutes in the spotlight. Read how fame affected their bottomline.

Posted by Shannon McRae on July 26, 2006 12:08 PM

What's your first reaction when employees ask to take vacation? Admit it, doesn't a little bit of you wish they wouldn't go, leaving you and other employees to do their work? In small businesses, fluff doesn't exist. Every person is important and needed every day.

But a story in the Triangle Business Journal proves once again that time off is good for us all--business owners and employees alike. At the Raleigh, N.C.-based accounting firm Hughes Pittman & Gupton, accountants work 10 percent to 20 percent fewer billable hours than at a typical large firm. Though that might make most bean counters gasp, these owners have a different approach: Cultivating a positive work environment is good for the bottomline. With 15 to 20 percent revenue growth rate over the past few years, the numbers add up.

As we enter the last month of summer, make sure everyone in your office (including yourself) feels comfortable enough to hit the beach for a long weekend. The results will be worth it.

Posted by Shannon McRae on July 24, 2006 05:34 PM

A seven-person Chicago company, 37signals, is making news today because Amazon.com's Jeff Bezos made a personal investment in it. We usually don't cover the comings and going of tech-company startups, but the owner of the seven-person firm, Jason Fried, happens to be the subject of a cover story in the next issue of MyBusiness. While the rest of the issue won't be posted until August 1, we wanted to share this article with you while the company is in the news.

Posted by Rex Hammock on July 21, 2006 12:03 PM

With the summer in full swing, keeping cool should be a priority for everyone--especially for those who work outdoors. If your business has employees who work outside, it's important to share with them some tips that will keep them safe from the sun and heat this season.

General safety tips include:

• Seek the shade whenever possible. Use lunchtime or even short breaks to get inside or into the shade


• Cover your body as much as possible with clothing, including a hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.


• Apply 1 oz. (two tablespoons) of SPF 15 or higher sunscreen to your body before starting your day outside. Reapply every two hours.


• Drink plenty of water. While the amount of water you should drink can depend on your body type, environment and health condition, the Institute of Medicine recommends that men drink approximately three liters (about 100 oz.) and women drink about 2.2 liters (about 75 oz.) per day. If you work outside in extreme heat and perspire a lot, you should consider taking in even more.


• Check your skin regularly for any unusual moles or discolored spots. If you find any that change shape, size or color, see your doctor as soon as possible.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on July 13, 2006 12:16 PM

Dream of the day you ride off into retirement? Even though an NFIB Research Foundation poll found that 46 percent of small-business owners say they never intend to fully retire, chances are, you've thought about what you'll do "someday." If you're planning your exit strategy, check out a new series on eVenturing, a resource from the Kauffman Foundation. "Ready to Sell Your Company?" is a collection of tools and articles that help business owners navigate the challenging road to retirement.

Posted by Shannon McRae on July 13, 2006 10:10 AM

Here's some fun for your Friday: An Ohio entrepreneur is cashing in on bat droppings--and not just any bat droppings. His bat waste (or guano, if you want to be technically correct) comes from bats who hang in attics and bell towers in area churches. Customers pay $2 a pound to use it as fertilize, and some swear by it: "Those bats were sleeping through all that church singing and praying, and it's in their droppings," says a retailer who sells the bat waste.

Posted by Shannon McRae on July 7, 2006 11:27 AM

Do your employees know how much you appreciate them? While simply paying the for doing their job is all that's legally required of your business, letting them know their hard work and dedication is noticed—and valued—can go a long way. Happy employees can lead to happy customers, which we all know leads to better business.

A recent Tools and Tips column on NFIB.com offers some suggestions for showing employee appreciation, such as:

Pick up the phone. So, last week a client calls you and extends his or her appreciation of an employee who went the extra mile for them on a project. Take two minutes, pick up the phone and call the employee. Share the story to let the person know that you are thankful of the work he or she does for your business. You could stop by the employee's desk or workstation to relay the gratitude, but a personal phone call might seem much more deliberate.

Write a note. Do you have an employee who has never taken a sick day, has just been promoted or has just reached the five-year mark with your business? Take a moment, grab your personal stationary and write three sentences of appreciation.

Take 'em to lunch. You have a busy schedule, and so do your employees. But an hour-long lunch might the perfect opportunity to show your appreciation to a certain team of employees. An hour away from your small business to simply relax and celebrate an accomplishment could be a great boost to productivity and loyalty.

Buy a cake. It sounds so simple, but taking 30 minutes each quarter to recognize the birthdays being celebrated during those months can be a very special treat. Employees can get so bogged down in the day-to-day routine of their work that even the sweetest of treats and a little down time with coworkers can mean a lot.

Acknowledge in front of others. Don't keep the appreciation to yourself. Make it a point once a month to thank an employee during your monthly staff meeting. Perhaps hearing your appreciation of one employee might inspire others to do the same.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on July 6, 2006 09:10 AM

Offering a retirement plan benefit can help you attract and retain employees, and provides tax savings for both your company and workers. However, there are several different types of plans to choose from. In her Tools & Tips column on NFIB.com, Kay Bell outlines the most common, including:

• SEP-IRA: The Simplified Employee Pension, commonly referred to as a SEP or SEP-IRA, is widely used because it is easy to establish and maintain. An employer contributes to a traditional individual retirement account set up by or for each eligible employee. The employee owns and controls the IRA, but does not put any money into the account.


• SIMPLE IRA: One of the easier plans to establish and maintain, a SIMPLE IRA is an acronym for Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees and includes contributions made directly to each eligible employee's IRA. A business with 100 or fewer employees can establish this type of plan, and a worker is eligible for a SIMPLE IRA if he or she earned $5,000 in any two previous calendar years and expects to make that much the year the plan is established.


• 401(k): These are familiar to anyone who has worked for a large company, but many smaller businesses also find that 401(k)s are an appropriate retirement option. Both company and employee contributions are allowed. As employer, you can contribute on behalf of all participants, match a portion of your employees' contributions or do both.


• Profit sharing: This plan allows you to share your company's success with your workers. There is no one model for a proft-sharing plan, and you will probably want help from a pension specialist to set up and maintain this benefit.
Posted by Megan Goodchild on June 27, 2006 10:00 AM

Susette Kelo may be evicted from her pink home soon, following a vote last week by New London, Conn.'s City Council. Kelo and her neighbors sparked a national debate last summer when their lawsuit against their hometown reached the Supreme Court. The homeowners claimed the city could not evoke eminent domain to seize their property and transfer ownership from one private owner to another. The City of New London is condemning Kelo's house (and others like it) to make room for a private health club, office space and other unspecified development projects. The Supreme Court outraged property owners by siding with the city. Now home and business owners must worry about being sent packing if local government decides an owner's property is better suited for bigger businesses.

The June/July issue of MyBusiness follows two small-business owners caught in eminent-domain battles keep their property. Though 47 states have introduced, considered or passed legislation reining in private-to-private eminent-domain abuse, it may be too late for Kelo. The Council's evication vote signaled Kelo's fight may soon be over--and she may be forced to move.

Posted by Shannon McRae on June 11, 2006 07:46 PM

Need a vacation, but don't think you can afford time away from your business? You're not alone. Many small-business owners are reluctant to plan vacations this summer, according to a USA Today article that references an April survey by American Express on the subject.

The biggest source of vacation anxiety? Business owners worry that time out of the office will mean jeopardizing a major client account or missing out on an important business opportunity. They also fear that employees won't be able to make the right judgement calls or handle customer demands that might arise during their absence.

If you're like most small-business owners, finding employees who can put out fires and make decisions while you're out is a big concern. The article cites NFIB research illustrating the challenge of finding qualified applicants to help owners grow and run their businesses and offers tips on how you can plan a stress-free vacation without neglecting your business.

Posted by Emily McMackin on June 9, 2006 09:31 AM

Do you ever notice people who just seem to light up the room, beaming with positive energy, and wonder how you can be like them? Today's Tools and Tips column on NFIB.com features Romanus Wolter, known as "The Kick Start Guy," who offers advice on how to let your inner brilliance shine--and how that can help your business.

"Without even realizing it sometimes," Wolter writes, "We sabotage new business relationships by thinking negatively."

Some of his hints for attracting success include:

• Bring the best of yourself. There is no reason to inflate your self-image by trying to turn self-doubt into a strength by joking about your weaknesses or covering them up. You may believe this projects success, but in reality, it lowers your self-esteem.


• Turn your "subconscious outcome meter" to positive. When you attempt something new, release your past failures and turn off any negative background noise that is automatically triggered.


• Be your positive self. Instead of feeling that you need to control how people think about you, just state your goals and discover common ground.


• Take action even if you are confused. The "but what ifs" you place on the end of our thought processes dampen your secret enthusiasm, even without you realizing it. Let reality throw obstacles in your way and resolve to discover the steps to overcome them.


• Keep silent, then speak. Fear often makes us want to impress others. While participating in a conversation, cancel any undetected weaknesses by conducting a quick internal check before speaking.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on May 26, 2006 08:55 AM

Carpooling is not only good for the environment (saves on gas comsumption, reduces smog), but can be beneficial for you, too. Today's Tools and Tips column on NFIB.com discusses some of the benefits of carpooling to work. Highlights include:

• Carpooling increases productivity. Employees who carpool find their stress levels lowered by the increase in camaraderie that comes from riding together. Lowered stress means better health, and better health means fewer health problems, illnesses and doctors' visits, a combination that benefits employees and their pocketbooks.


• Carpooling decreases the number of drivers on the road. This widens the possibilities for whom you might employ, and it eases matters for employees who encounter a car crisis.


• Carpooling decreases the amount of gas consumed. With gas prices riding a friendly rocket through the roof, carpoolers can combat this problem by splitting gasoline costs and the amount of gas used. Depending on the number of people in the carpool group, this could cut costs by half or more.


• Carpooling decreases car usage. Less car usage means less maintenance, a longer car life and fewer repairs. Rotating drivers every month or so will enable every carpooler to benefit from this usage decrease.


• Carpooling decreases the amount of parking needed. If you have to pay for parking or if you have limited parking spaces available around your small business, carpooling can decrease paid parking costs and increase the number of spaces available for customers.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on May 23, 2006 10:03 AM

Are you suffering from inbox overload? Both a necessity and headache at once, e-mail has infiltrated today's office. Online communication with employees, clients and vendors is one way to work faster. But when your inbox bogs you down, e-mail wastes more time than it saves. A story in today's StartUp Journal (from the Wall Street Journal's Center for Entrepreneurs) highlights new software tools designed to help small businesses manage their e-mail and online communications.

Posted by Shannon McRae on May 22, 2006 02:17 PM

Roundtable discussions are becoming increasingly popular at conventions, forums, summits or meetings. Unlike traditional lectures or seminars, roundtables are informal––and literally take place around a table. They do have someone in charge, but unlike seminar leaders, their primary role is to guide and encourage discussion.

If you've never been to a roundtable discussion before, you should prepare before going. NFIB.com today offers the ABCs of roundtables to help you understand a little better what you'll be getting yourself into. For example:

• Aims. Before you walk into the roundtable session, set a few aims for yourself--information you want to obtain or solutions to problems.


• Breaks. Because roundtable discussions are brief--often 45 minutes to an hour--they may not contain breaks. But if you do get a break, use the time to meet new people and make contacts.


• Cases. Be ready to discuss at least one real-life case study that demonstrates creativity or innovation on your part. And bring along one real-life problem that perplexes you.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on May 12, 2006 09:25 AM

World traveler Heinz Stucke made headlines today when his bicycle--which had taken him 335,000 miles across 211 countries and territories--was stolen in Portsmouth, England. (It was quickly found and returned.) In 1962 Stucke gave up a career as a tool and die-maker to pursue his dream of traveling the world and immersing himself in different cultures. Part of his remarkable life story is posted online. "All that matters to me is traveling on my bike, that's all I ever wanted to do," he said.

Do you know what it's like to take a leap of faith to pursue the life and career you love? Small-business owners like Dave Haness, president of Country Club Lanes in Sacramento, Calif., understand that gutsy philosophy. "If you're too scared or indecisive about the right plan of action, maybe you should rethink things," Haness says in the December/January 2006 issue of MyBusiness. "But if it makes sense, and you can't wait to do it, it's time to try."

Posted by Jamie Roberts on May 10, 2006 02:48 PM

The Christian Science Monitor today reports on an emerging trend in Afghanistan: entrepreneurship among women. Good news out of the Middle East is rare these days, and this article offers hope that conditions are improving for everyone in a country ruled by the oppressive Taliban until just a few years ago. The article points to a report from Microfinance Times that found 75 percent of all active microcredit borrowers in Afghanistan are now women, many of whom use their loans to start businesses.

Like their American counterparts, Afghan small-business owners—and women in particular—are leading the way in rebuilding their country’s shaky economy. Reports indicate some 10,000 women have started businesses in that country during the past few years. “Businesspeople are the ambassadors of peace in the world. If we've got women entrepreneurs, other women will feel that business can help them make a better life. This creates an atmosphere to create a factory or an industry, and brings in investors,” says Suraya Parlika, founder of All Afghan Women’s Union.

Posted by Shannon McRae on May 8, 2006 08:22 AM

by Emily McMackin

An article in the June/July issue of MyBusiness, "The Lure of Small," explored why employees are leaving corporate America to work for small businesses. According to a recent study from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton Center for Leadership, many women who have taken time off from the corporate world and want to return to work are finding more opportunity at small businesses.

The study, titled "Back in the Game," surveyed 100 female employees in senior management positions who took at least two years off from their corporate jobs and have or are trying to return to the workforce. More than half of the women surveyed accepted jobs at smaller companies the second time around.

"Small business is more inviting to women who want to come back," says Monica McGrath, co-author of the study and an adjunct professor of management at Wharton. The main reasons for this? Small businesses offer:

A family-friendly working environment. Many of the women surveyed left the corporate world to raise children or tend to families and returned to the workforce to find their values more in sync with a small-business environment, McGrath says. Small businesses offered them a better work-life balance. Though the corporations they came from had job sharing and flex-time policies in place, executives rarely enforced them, and the women "didn't feel like the policies were consistent with their experiences."

"The implication was that if they couldn't be there for all the meetings, they weren't serious enough about their career," McGrath says.

An open door. Women trying to reenter the corporate world often had trouble getting rehired into their old positions. Interviews with human resource executives revealed that corporations "were reluctant to hire them because if they stepped out once, they would do it again," and retraining and retaining them would cost too much. At smaller companies, "women felt they could get to the decisionmaker and show their capacity and competency to the organization," McGrath says.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on May 6, 2006 01:31 PM

Starting your own business can be scary, so it might seem reasonable that partnering with a friend would ease some of your worries. However, just because you get along socially with someone doesn't necessarily mean sharing a business venture would work.

Today's Tools and Tips column on NFIB.com offers some questions you should ask yourself and your friend before deciding to open a business together, including:

• What is your dream job?


• Why do you want to go into business?


• Would you do this without me?


• Would you be comfortable taking advice and constructive criticism from a friend?

Posted by Megan Goodchild on April 26, 2006 08:45 AM

As summer approaches, high-school and college students will be taking a break from the books. Why not put them to work in your small business? Whether you're planning to hire your next door neighbor's child or your own, there are rules that limit the number of hours and the type of job teenagers can work. The Department of Labor created YouthRules!, a Web site full of resources, tips and frequently asked questions to keep employers straight. The rules aren't too complicated, but penalties for breaking them are substantial. The time students spend in your small business might inspire them to start businesses themselves one day. Help teenagers you know get a jump on business ownership by introducing them to the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation scholarship awards program, created to help fuel the future of America's free enterprise system.

Posted by Shannon McRae on April 24, 2006 07:08 AM

According to Glenn Townes on NFIB.com today, yes.

"Entrepreneurs can push themselves so hard that it negatively affects stress levels and causes health issues," Townes writes. "Negative stress often creates chemical reactions in the body that lead to disease and other problems."

And since workaholics tend to come to work even when they're sick, that can lead to trouble for the rest of the employees, too.

Townes stresses giving your well-being top priority will be better for your business in the long run, and offers some suggestions for making time for yourself:

• Develop built-in, well-established safeguards in case of absences so if one person is out sick, another member of the team­­––not you––can assume the role and tasks in the absence of another.


• Lead by example. Employees watch and remember you say or do. If, as the leader/owner of the company, you take a sick day and are justified in doing so, this will send a message to your employees. Your staff will know that health is a priority and that, if they are truly sick and need to stay home, the action will not be frowned upon.


• Develop a well-advised, savvy team. Make sure that all of your employees know the basics and can cover for each other during times of crisis or company setbacks.


• Set limits and know the limits. Working when you're sick and not up to your best stifles and muddles creativity and depletes energy and stamina. Don't make hasty and rash decisions that may have lasting effects that could be detrimental to your business.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on April 17, 2006 10:25 AM

Today on NFIB.com, Steve Strauss offers some fundamentals for starting a business out of your home. Choosing to work from home is a good choice for two reasons, he writes: "It's less expensive and it's fun." According to Strauss, there are seven steps to starting your home-based company:

Personal evaluation

Analyze the plan

Draft a business plan

Make it legal

Get the money

Set up shop

Trial and error

Posted by Megan Goodchild on April 14, 2006 09:09 AM

Just in time for the first work day of daylight savings time, over at NFIB.com, Vicki Gerson has some suggestions for coping with the commuting blues:

Give yourself enough time for the commute. Wake up earlier to avoid heavy rush-hour traffic. Factor in extra time on holiday weekends or in bad weather. This will keep you from feeling pressed for time. It pays to look for other alternative routes as well (especially during construction periods).

Make sure your car is in good working condition. Make sure the air-conditioning unit and heater work well. Although it may be freezing outside, don't stay bundled up in the car. Open up your jacket or take it off. Wear comfortable driving shoes, too.

Most people find music relaxing. Find your favorite radio station or put in tapes or CDs. Audio books are a great alternative as well. You can listen to everything from mysteries to classics while you drive. You will be amazed at how many books you “read” while on the road.

If you share the car with family members, make sure the front and back of the driver’s seat are adjusted to a comfortable position before you start driving. When the seat is pushed back too far, it’s difficult to reach the pedals. When it’s too close to the steering wheel, you'll feel squashed and uncomfortable.

When you're stuck in a traffic jam, breathe deeply. This will help your body to relax and not feel so tense. If you're tense, chances are your muscles are tightening, and a headache is on the way.

Posted by Harvey King on April 3, 2006 10:41 AM