I've always loved a good quote (even before I became a writer), so I was excited when I saw this slideshow on Entrepreneur.com: The best business quotes of all time.

What is it about sayings like these that inspire us to go out and work a little harder—or just feel better about where we are? I'm not sure, but these 10 quotes do the trick. The Donald, Steve Jobs and "Coco" Chanel all chime in.

Jot one or two down and stick them to your desk for those moments when you could use a little pick-me-up.

Posted by Lena Anthony on June 8, 2009 03:24 PM

Temperatures are heating up, and you know what that means: It's time to start putting together your summer reading list. Whether you're looking for easy beach reading or a more strenuous read to enhance your entrepreneur skills, this New York Times book list has something for you. Here are the highlights:

Book: Dance With Chance
Authors: Spyros Makridakis, Robin M. Hogarth and Anil Gaba
Message: There are a lot of things in the world--and especially in the business world--that you can't control. Learn to accept that you can't change everything and focus on the things you can.

Book: Rules of Thumb
Author: Alan M. Webber
Message: The book provides 52 rules of thumb that actually work--and can help your business. Example: The difference between a crisis and an opportunity is when you learn about it; when the going gets tough, the tough relax; and change happens when the cost of the status quo is greater than the risk of change.

Book: Instant Turnaround!
Authors: Henry Paul and Ross Reck
Message: The better you treat your employees, the harder they'll work. They harder your employees work, the more money your company makes. The best management tactic? Be honest; be appreciative; be nice.

Posted by Megan Pacella on June 2, 2009 03:57 PM

Last week, the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation announced the winners of its annual Young Entrepreneur Awards scholarship competition. NFIB awarded more than $600,000 in scholarships to more than 200 high-school students across the country—many of whom already own their own businesses.

What would drive someone so young, so weighed down with the demands of schoolwork, extracurricular activities, after-school jobs and college applications to start their own business? Passion, probably, and the knowledge that they can. Sound like you before you started your own business?

These young entrepreneurs probably looked to the already seasoned business owners in their lives, whether a parent, grandparent or family friend, for inspiration when starting their businesses. But what they (and you) might not realize is that seasoned business owners can gain a lot from looking at them, too.

Reading about these winners (which you can do in the August/September issue of MyBusiness) makes you appreciate all the wonderful reasons why you started your own business in the first place, even if slow sales, a growing tax burden and all of the other pitfalls of business ownership are trying to convince you otherwise.

So take a moment this week to forget sales or payroll and focus on all the reasons owning your business is so great.

Posted by Lena Anthony on May 20, 2009 01:23 PM

After I bought an iPhone last year, one of the first things I did was download BeJeweled, a game that robbed me of countless hours in college. Countless mindless hours, mind you.

Now that I've remastered BeJeweled, I've decided if I'm going to spend an hour at a time playing a game on my phone, by golly it better be good for me. And that's why I'm proud to say I'm currently hooked on Wurdle, which challenges me to spell as many words as I possibly can in under two minutes with a set of letters they give me. Thanks to Wurdle, my lexicon now includes words like "limm" and "quay"—words I'm sure are going to come in handy any minute now. But more important, I've been as sharp as a whip lately, and I think I have Wurdle to thank.

At least, that's what the founders of Vibrant Brains would tell me. Open since 2007, the San Francisco-based business is a gym for your brain. You can read all about it—and its purported effects—in this Wall Street Journal article.

I'm a strong believer of challenging our brains to do the things it did every day in school. I'm no scientist, but I think an occasional brain workout probably translates into better performance at work, higher productivity and more creative ideas. If that's the case, why wouldn't it be worth a try? Wouldn't you like to be more productive and have better ideas?

You don't need to run to the nearest brain gym, either (unless you really wanted to). Things like doing a crossword puzzle, playing along with Jeopardy and getting brain games for your phone (Wurdle cost me 99 cents) will do the trick.

Posted by Lena Anthony on April 1, 2009 12:00 PM

Struggle to find employees who are as passionate about your business as you are? Well, you're not alone. According to a study conducted by the online payroll service PayCycle and published in the Charlotte Business Journal, finding good employees is the top concern of nearly 500 small business owners surveyed. Other concerns included (No. 2) dealing with legal and accounting issues, (No. 3) finding customers and (No. 4) finding funding.

But here's the silver lining: A majority of the business owners surveyed said they started their business because they craved the freedom to work for themselves. A quarter of them cited reasons such as needing to spend more time with family or supplementing income with a side business. A few even chose entrepreneurship because they had been laid off or were trying to keep a family business alive. Whatever their reasons for starting a business, though, 87 percent said they didn't regret their decision and—despite the economic downturn—most agreed they would still do it all over again.

Posted by Emily McMackin on February 27, 2009 11:43 AM

According to Paul Facella, author of Everything I Know About Business I Learned at McDonalds, "You want to build a culture that fosters teamwork, motivation, initiative and performance" in your business. And to do this, you need a good employee recognition program. In this recent Tools and Tips column, Facella discusses four facets of a successful employee recognition program, which include:

1. Creating clear, measurable expectations consisting of objective performance metrics.


2. Acknowledging both individual and team effort.


3. Staying meaningful (Too many awards dilute effectiveness, especially if given for minor achievements).


4. Occuring at set intervals

Posted by Megan Morris on February 24, 2009 05:02 PM

Since it's almost Valentine's Day, we thought we'd share something we probably don't say enough on this blog. So here goes: We love small business.

Here are just a few of the reasons why:

• Customer service is so much better at a small business. You greet your regulars by name and remember things about us (like how we like our steak cooked). The people behind your counter actually takes time to smile and get to know us. We know when we call, a real person will answer. And the list goes on…
• You took a risk when you opened your business and you take additional risks every day. We can't help but be impressed by that.
• Your name is cooler and more creative than those of any of your big-box competitors. And the inside of your store is, too. Nothing about you is ever cookie-cutter.
• You can grow and prosper (and adapt and survive) in the worst of economic climates. You didn't ask for a government bailout check (even though we think you deserve a piece of that pie).

There are so many more reasons, but we're not here to embarrass anyone. We'll just continue to do what we can to help provide you with the knowledge to operate and grow your business. Happy Valentine's Day, everybody!

Posted by Lena Anthony on February 13, 2009 01:08 PM

Ever wish you could be more innovative? Well, the truth is, you probably already are. Small business owners often underestimate their ability to innovate, says a recent article on Forbes.com, but just because they aren't inventing the iPod doesn't mean that they aren't putting their own ingenious ideas into action. The most important driver of innovation is understanding customers—an area that small business owners know as well, if not better, than major corporations. When it comes to being responsive to changes in the market, small businesses also come out on top. And most importantly? Entrepreneurs have the gumption to try the unthinkable. Check out the article for more.

Posted by Emily McMackin on February 5, 2009 08:30 PM

Quick, what four-letter word could describes your office decor? If you're thinking "drab," it might be time for an office makeover.

According to this smSmallBiz.com article, blah surroundings (think white walls and gray office furniture) could be keeping your employees from thinking outside the box. On the other hand, a setting that stimulates the eye can foster creativity.

Making your office space more inspiring is as easy as painting a single wall a different color. The article has more budget-friendly ideas and some other things to consider before sprucing up your space (such as what your customers and prospective employees will think of it).

For more inspiration, check out this MyBusiness article from 2008.

Posted by Lena Anthony on January 21, 2009 02:49 PM

Positive thinking is easy when everything is going your way—when the economy is booming, your market is hot and clients and customers are calling. But what happens when factors beyond your control interfere and burst your bubble? Staying optimistic isn't easy in an economic downturn, an industry slowdown or a business drought—but it's not impossible. In an article posted on smallbiztrends.com, entrepreneur Clate Mask offers advice on how to stay "in the zone" no matter what blows you face. Read and be inspired!

Posted by Emily McMackin on November 20, 2008 11:33 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

It's obvious that as a business owner, you need to always be on your toes and thinking of ways to compete with other companies in your niche. But what if you were to think of yourself as a competitor? This recent Tools and Tips article notes that some of the most successful small businesses often treat their own company as their competitor, and analyze it through the same eyes they use to size up their rivals. The article suggests:

• Define your weaknesses: Get together with your staff and pinpoint your business' top three to five weaknesses.


• Better your strengths: If you rest on your laurels, then your competitors will surely find ways to catch up with you.


• Don't fix what isn't broken: If you add a new service or product to your offering, make sure it's something that your customers really want and not just innovation for innovation's sake.


• Be open to criticism: If you're truly going to compete against yourself, you need to start viewing criticism as an opportunity.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on September 26, 2008 06:03 PM

It's the universal rule that most businesses live by: The customer is always right. But when is it time to stop stroking and start holding customers/clients accountable when they fail to live up to their end of the bargain? That's the question John Jantsch explores in today's Duct Tape Marketing blog post.

Sure, some people or companies may hire you to hold them accountable or give them the push they need to do their best work, Jatsch says. But if they don't give you what you need to do your job, should there be consequences? Jantsch suggests several possibilities for how to hold a customer's feet to the fire, but he makes one point clear: If customers don't allow you to do what they hired you to do, ultimately it will only damage your reputation and success.

Posted by Emily McMackin on September 12, 2008 12:18 PM

If you're like most Americans, you've spent the past two weeks glued to the television watching everything from gymnastics competitions to beach volleyball matches in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. So what can you take away from all that couch time besides some truly thrilling sports moments?

According to business coach Susan L. Reid, each Olympic game offers an inspirational lesson that can apply to small business owners striving to reach their "gold." From examples of consistency and discipline to stories of how to make a comeback and leave a legacy, this year's Olympians have valuable insights to share, Reid says. Check out her post on Small Business Trends.com for more.

Posted by Emily McMackin on August 21, 2008 01:31 PM

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

Many small businesses are a lot like a family--tight-knit, understanding and friendly. But at some point or another, you might have to deal with an employee who is not performing his or her job as expected, which can be difficult. To avoid a potentially awkward confrontation, this Tools and Tips article from NFIB.com offers some suggestions on how to approach the employee and work toward improving his or her job performance. Steps include:

• Reviewing the job standard with the employee to make certain it's known and understood


• Counseling the employee by implementing a plan that specifies what must be done to attain standard performance—and a reasonable timetable for doing so


• Regularly monitoring the individual's progress against the plan, and provide support and assistance


• Removing apparent obstacles to the employee's success, and make any reasonable accommodations needed to enhance employee performance

Posted by Megan Goodchild on July 22, 2008 04:20 PM

With most employees spending a minimum of eight hours a day at work, it's important to have clean, comfortable and secure working conditions. How happy employees are in their workspace can correlate with their job performance, which in turn reflects on the company as a whole. A recent Tools and Tips article on NFIB.com explores some of the top issues small business workplaces face, and offers questions small business owners should ask themselves when reflecting on the workplace they have created for their employees, including:

• Is the overall appearance of the building shabby or well maintained both inside and out? What conditions are the grounds in?


• Are there any maintenance issues, such as leaky plumbing, gaps in ceiling tiles, etc? (And don't forget those bathrooms).


• Have you taken measures to provide safety and security?

Posted by Megan Goodchild on June 6, 2008 02:07 PM

As an editor, I get a lot of books in the mail to review. Unfortunately, we don't get to use them very often in MyBusiness. Book reviews generally aren't our thing, and when we need an expert to quote, we usually just go to the best experts we know: small business owners with experience running their own operations.

I give the books a quick glance before filing them away on the shelf for future use, and I think this New York Times column sums up the impression I get from the business book genre as a whole:

"Books aimed at the small business and entrepreneur audience far too often fall into two categories," writes Paul Brown. "There is the 'how I made $27 trillion in business, and you can too,' genre or the ones that say you only need to take care of customers (or cash flow or sales or something else) and you will be the envy of Warren Buffet and Bill Gates."

Brown doesn't leave us with just that wisdom. He goes on to mention four business books that are worth your time (if for no other reason than they don't fall into one of the two aforementioned categories.

Take a look at one or all of his picks (at least one of which is sitting on my desk as I type). Who knows, you might take away a tip or two to help you run your business better.

Posted by Lena Anthony on June 4, 2008 02:50 PM

You might pay your employees well and offer competitive benefits, but if you're not creating a work environment that your employees take pride in, your retention percentage might not be as high as it could be, according to today's Tools and Tips article on NFIB.com.

The article give several tips on how you can improve retention at your small business, and discusses the PRIDE model:
P - Provide a positive working environment.
R - Recognize, reinforce and reward individual efforts.
I - Involve and engage everyone.
D - Develop the potential of your workforce.
E - Evaluate and hold managers accountable.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on February 21, 2008 03:49 PM

Do you find yourself leaving work early when you don't feel like pushing yourself to work until the office closes? Or do you have a hard time putting in extra hours on evenings or weekends when you're on a tight deadline? If so, you're simply facing the same challenges that every small-business owner faces--but it's harder to stay on task when you don't have a boss to hold you accountable.

Of course there will always be days when it's impossible to get everything done, but following these tips on today's Tools and Tips article on NFIB.com can help you stay on track even on the slowest days.

Posted by Megan Pacella on February 5, 2008 07:49 PM

Failure seems so bad, but according to this New York Times article, it's actually an important component of lasting success.

So the next time you feel like a failure, be thankful. Constant success breeds complacency, the article says, while failing causes you to rethink how you do business.

Still not convinced? Check out this 2006 MyBusiness feature on small-business owners whose failures helped them find success.

Posted by Lena Anthony on January 23, 2008 03:26 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

A two-night stay in a hotel last week left me less than impressed. I'm sort of a neat-freak (my bare foot has never touched a hotel-room floor), but what I found when I checked into my room was outright disgusting. The hotel wasn't a budget brand, so why was the housekeeping staff so bad?, I thought to myself on several ocassions. Too bad I didn't have this article on hand to recommend to the manager when I checked out.

There are lots of articles written on how to retain workers. Offering perks like time off for family events, flexible hours and training opportunities are touted as good ways to retain key employees. But most of the ideas I read about seem geared to salaried employees. This article focuses on what one San Francisco hotel did to satisfy more of its hourly staff. Since two-thirds of hotel and restaurant staff turnover each year, finding ways to keep them around is a good idea for the industry--and any other that employs lower-income workers.

Posted by Shannon McRae on December 17, 2007 07:32 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

Where do you go to get inspired? When you run a small business, it's easy to get stuck in a rut and forget what motivated you to start your business in the first place. Work piles up, customers/clients/employees complain, bills get out of control, crises erupt—and creativity gets squelched while you're trying to put out fire after fire. But to solve any kind of problem, whether it is staff, budget or business-related, creativity is crucial, says John Jantsch of the Duct Tape Marketing Blog. Nature helps boost his creativity. When Jantsch needs inspiration, he rejuvenates by taking a walk at Kansas City's Loose Park. See what other small-business owners who read his blog say about how they get "unstuck."

Posted by Emily McMackin on October 12, 2007 09:38 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

With ever-present changes in technology, it seems like businesses are dying everywhere you look. If your company is facing this danger and you’re thinking of closing the doors for good, then it’s time to get creative and keep your business afloat—or just take a page from the Wick family’s book.

After owning their business for almost a century, the demand for pipe organs rapidly declined and the Wick family realized their company’s survival was on the line. Instead of backing out, they rose to the challenge and diversified their company, adding airplane parts and home furniture to the production line to boost their revenue.

Dalia Fahmy’s article for the New York Times (registration required) gives more examples of how creativity and innovation will keep your business alive in almost any circumstance.

Posted by Megan Pacella on August 31, 2007 01:09 PM

Have you felt a need to take your business to the next level, but aren't sure how or when to proceed? Expansion Plans, a feature story in the current issue of MyBusiness, profiles small-business owners who sought more—and found it. If you're not sure when the time is right to grow your business, this article has signs to look for, as well as tips to get you on your way once you make the decision to expand.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on August 2, 2007 03:54 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

Growing up, I thought my dad was so cool because he owned his own business. For me, that meant he could go on all of my school field trips or come home mid-day to join me and my mom for a backyard picnic. I got to tag along on some of his sales calls or visit his office—where I would swing around in his swivel chair and pretend like I was his secretary—anytime I wanted.

One thing I learned from being the daughter of a small-business owner: The ideas never stop. My dad was always coming up with new sales tactics and marketing strategies. Often these epiphanies hit in the car while he was driving my sisters and me to school or some other activity or during our annual 8-hour road trip to the beach. It wasn't just his business he was thinking about. He was always conjuring up new ventures to try and inviting my mom, my sisters and me join in the brainstorming.

This kind of constant creativity isn't unusual for small-business owners, according to the latest Small Business Monitor report by American Express OPEN. One-third of entrepreneurs use down time to come up with ideas for their business, the poll shows. Male business owners are more likely to come up with their best ideas on the way to work, while female business owners often wake up in the middle of the night with theirs.

The logic behind this is simple, Small Business Trends editor Anita Campbell says. Business owners are so occupied with phone calls, e-mails, meetings, writing and other tasks that inspiration can be hard to find during the work day, Campell says. It makes sense that entrepreneurs would seize upon their breakthrough ideas and their "Ah, ha" moments during the most unlikely times.

So, what does this mean for a small-business owner's family? Take it from me: Life or road trips, for that matter, are never boring.

Posted by Emily McMackin on June 29, 2007 10:03 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

According to a study by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, referenced in a recent article in The New York Times, the United States "was unusual among developed countries in having a higher business start-up rate among its 18- to 24-year-olds than its 35- to 44-year-olds." But how do so many young people get their start here vs. in other countries? What is so special about the United States? The Times looks to a book by young entrepreneur Ben Casnocha to shed some light on the subject, and concludes that "American youths are so successful at entrepreneurship in part because so many older and wealthier people are willing to help them."

Among other societal reasons, the article discusses how the philanthropic spirit of Americans fosters the entrepreneurial spirit, something NFIB is very actively involved with. The NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation works to educate young people about the role of small business, and helps students interested in pursuing their dreams as an entrepreneur further their education. The foundation recently announced 422 scholarship winners for the Young Entrepreneur Awards, including four $5,000 winners and one top $10,000 winner.

Learn more about how NFIB is helping tomorrow's small-business owners at the Young Entrepreneur Foundation Web site.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on June 14, 2007 02:10 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

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

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

I was surprised to read the statistic that one-third of online shoppers between the ages of 18 and 34 plan to buy gifts for themselves this Christmas. Only 14 percent said they enjoyed buying for their parents, while 25 percent planned to spend on gifts for their pets.

I'll admit--I'm a member of Generation Y (though, for the record, I love shopping for my parents. My mom is the easiest person on my list.). But this article made me wonder about the future of business. What are companies doing to prepare this self-focused generation for future leadership roles?

This article in Harvard Business School's Working Knowledge newsletter helps answer that question. According to advice from Harvard Business School Professor W. Earl Sasser, talented young people thirst for challenging assignments and just want to be listend to. Smart business owners looking for possible exit-strategy scenarios, or just looking to scale back over the next few years, ought to check out these helpful tips on how to teach leadership to a younger--and much different--generation.

Posted by Shannon McRae on December 20, 2006 12:41 PM

Looking for some inspiration to jump start your business in the New Year? Look no further than "Moby Dick," says this BusinessWeek article. That's right, Herman Melville's tale of a whaling voyage can help you run your business better.

"It's the story of an entrepreneur who violates the trust of all the constituencies that support him…financial backers, employees, and customers. It's the original story of how not to do it," Scott Meadow, a clinical professor of entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, told BusinessWeek.

Hearing that kind of makes all those self-help business books seem a lot less exciting, doesn't it? So as the holidays set in and you get some downtime, find creative ways to get inspired for your business—and then take those lesson back to the office in 2007.

Posted by Lena Anthony on December 19, 2006 12:23 PM

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

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

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

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

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

Though unpleasant, conflict in the workplace is inevitable when two or more people are present. Today's Tools & Tips article on NFIB.com offers several strategies appropriate for dealing with conflict in your small business, such as:

• Avoidance. Though it can be an escape mechanism, avoidance can be appropriate when: It isn't your problem; there's nothing you can do about it; it's inconsequential and not worth the effort; the disruption of facing it outweighs the benefits of resolution; or you see that the situation will correct itself if you wait it out. And temporary avoidance can be a correct call when at least one party is emotionally upset.


• Fight. There's often the temptation to fight, but doing so can be dangerous. A fighting posture often sparks retaliation and starts a "war." But an instant decision to fight can be appropriate when safety is at stake, or apparent ethical or legal violations occur.


• Surrender. Surrender may be the wisest course of action when: You know the other party is right; you have no stake in the issue; giving on a small item can mean winning a more important one later; harmony and stability can be achieved; or your chance of winning is slim to none.


• Compromise. This is the partial win strategy we all have to settle for on occasion. This allows all parties to get part of what they want, so there's some satisfaction for all. Union-management disputes, even international disputes, are settled by compromise. The downside is that no participants get everything they want.


• Collaboration. The basis for collaboration is established when the parties to the conflict agree to attack the problem rather than each other, and difficulty is approached through honest and open discussion. This true win-win approach to conflict resolution usually requires more creative solutions, but it often reveals that the best answer is one that neither side had thought to demand.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on September 28, 2006 10:01 AM

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

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

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

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

Every Monday morning, members of the MyBusiness staff gather with the rest of our publishing company to discuss the week ahead. We each give a brief report on where our projects stand. It's a good way to discern which jobs are hot and what's coming down the pipeline (as well as which new movie is worth seeing).

While once a week works for us, Marty Linsky of the Cambridge Leadership Associates thinks daily meetings are effective at some companies. This article in a recent Harvard Business School Working Knowledge newsletter lays out Linksy's formula for The Morning Meeting. Why daily? "When communication is stifled and turf protection the order of the day, an organization's senior leadership team is less than the sum of its parts and cannot grapple with strategic and operational challenges most effectively," Linsky says.

Check out the article for tips on conducting effective check-in sessions, including how to overcome the "we're too busy to meet" argument.

Posted by Shannon McRae on July 10, 2006 07:20 AM

The Land of Opportunity provides a pathway to business ownership for many immigrants, according to a Kauffman Foundation study highlighted in this American City Business Journals article. The study found that immigrants are more likely to be entrepreneurs than native-born Americans, an interesting stat to consider regardless of which side of the fence you fall on in the immigration debate.

An article in the current issue of MyBusiness profiles a business owner born in Vietnam who followed her dream of entrepreneurship when she came to the United States at the age of 17. Today, Luna Howard runs a successful salon on Capitol Hill and was even tapped by the First Family to style hair during Bush's most recent inauguration.

Posted by Shannon McRae on June 5, 2006 08:55 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

If you make a glaring mistake, your customers will most likely tell you immediately. However, some mistakes, while big, may never be brought to your attention--until it's too late.

Today's Tools and Tips column on NFIB.com discusses nine mistakes or negative aspects about your business that your customers will almost never alert you to. For example:

• You patronize me. I don't like the oversimplistic way you describe your product. I feel as if you're talking down to me. Lesson: Always ask your customer whether he or she wants more or less detail.
• I'd buy more if you asked me. I have so many needs, but you don't seem to recognize them. Maybe you offer products that would make my life easier, but I have no way of knowing. Lesson: Instead of simply describing your products to your customers, ask how you can help satisfy their needs.
• You're inconsistent. 90 percent of the time I know you'll do exactly what you promised. But it's the other 10 percent that I'm never sure about. Lesson: Aim for 100 percent consistency. If you're not going to be able to meet the customers' terms, let them know the minute you realize there might be a problem.
• I'm talking to the competition all the time. Face it: It's a dog-eat-dog world out there. I want to save money and time and get the best deal I can, so it's only natural that I keep looking for other suppliers of goods and services. Lesson: Ask your customers to provide regular feedback to you.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on May 18, 2006 01:53 PM

Having a well thought out plan can be essential to your business' survival. If you're not ready to look 10 years into the future, don't worry: planning can include thinking about any period of time in the future. On NFIB.com today, Charles R. McConnell describes business planning as encompassing six essential elements:

1. Vision. A vision statement can be a simple statement that serves as a rallying point for all employees.


2. Mission. An effective mission statement must be expressed clearly in a brief paragraph of simple language and cause people to understand why the organization exists and what its work is all about.


3. Goals. Goal statements encompass ends or conclusions.


4. Objectives. Objectives relate to milestones achieved on the way toward reaching a goal.


5. Strategy. Strategy is most simply described as a pattern of moves structured in a particular manner to take advantage of certain circumstances or avoid certain potential obstacles.


6. Action plans. An action plan describes the nuts-and-bolts process of how, step by detailed step, a particular objective is pursued.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on May 11, 2006 08:43 AM

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

Timing is extremely important in starting a new business venture. Some people have ideas but are still gathering resources, others know the markets just aren't ready for them. But what do you do in the waiting period before you launch your company?

Rob from BusinessPundit.com offers 11 things he either did or wish he had done before starting his first business:

1. Become an "intrapreneur": Learn entrepreneurial skills from working at a corporation


2. Save money


3. Network (but wisely)


4. Learn the industry


5. Learn about entrepreneurship


6. Read the books Starting Something and You Have to Be a Little Crazy


7. Test the waters


8. Learn to sell


9. Study financial statements


10. Line up your resources


11. Write a letter to the future

Posted by Megan Goodchild on April 20, 2006 09:56 AM

Many managers feel that employees exist only to serve them, but good managers often recognize that a give-and-take style of management works best. In order for employees to do their jobs well, they must be treated with respect and given what they need to get the job done.

On NFIB.com today, Charles R. McConnell writes that clients and/or customers can't be served efficiently or effectively "when the manager wastes employees' time with unclear direction and inefficient meetings. Nor can it happen when employees are treated as tools for the manager to use from time to time."

Posted by Megan Goodchild on April 20, 2006 09:09 AM

In a recent blog entry, "10 Stupid Mistakes Made By the Newly Self-Employed," Steve Pavlina takes his 14 years of stupid mistakes, ahem, experience, and outlines 10 things to avoid as a start-up business owner. Some words of wisdom: "It’s a mistake to be too stingy with your cash. Don’t let frugality get in the way of efficiency. Take advantage of skilled contractors who can do certain tasks more efficiently than you can...It takes time to develop the wisdom to know when you’re being too tight or too loose with your cash, so if you’re just starting out, get a second opinion."

Posted by Jamie Roberts on April 19, 2006 03:03 PM

One-hundred years ago tomorrow, the Great San Francisco Earthquake struck, touching off fires that burned for three days and destroyed more than 500 blocks of the city. Damage was estimated at $8.2 billion by today’s standards.

Small-business owners in this century certainly have witnessed their share of disasters in recent years. Yet a recent study by MasterCard found that the majority of small-business owners don’t believe a natural disaster will affect their business in the next 12 months. You know the old Boy Scout adage: Be prepared. Take a few minutes to check out the Small Business Administration’s disaster preparedness site to make sure you're covered.

Posted by Shannon McRae on April 17, 2006 07:21 AM

Today on NFIB.com, Charles R. McConnell discusses how unhappy employees often lead to unhappy customers. "Improvement in customer satisfaction is a direct consequence of improvement in employee satisfaction," he writes. "To begin boosting employee satisfaction, employers must learn how employees feel about their jobs and the company. The principal causes of employee dissatisfaction are:

inconsistent management practices

benefits

communication

advancement opportunity

workload

pay

Posted by Megan Goodchild on April 5, 2006 08:40 AM

A novelist I know says all stories worth telling have a failure to overcome. And so, when I talk to small-business owners and hear about their great successes, I often ask about their failures, too. I want to hear about a low point in their business-how they handled the experience, and what they learned from it. Almost every time I ask, I hear an inspiring tale told from the heart. As a small-business owner myself, I learn more from the conversations about failing than from hearing about the chain of fortuitous events that led to someone's success. For the April-May issue of MyBusiness Magazine, we talked with small-business owners around the country who have journeyed through failing without letting the experience label them a failure. Their stories will sound familiar. We hope it will help you realize such experiences can make your small- business story much more interesting to tell.

Posted by Rex Hammock on March 31, 2006 11:35 AM