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Tomorrow, parents across the country will celebrate National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day – or Take Your Kids to Work Day, as the occasion is more commonly known. More than an opportunity for young children to skip school or daycare for the day, it’s a chance for kids to learn important life lessons. In fact, they may learn something that school or daycare can’t teach them. Taking…read more →
How green is your small business? As Earth Day approaches, it’s natural to start thinking about eco-friendly changes you can make to your business model – but going green is more than a mid-April gimmick. As it turns out, 66 percent of consumers are willing to pay more for products and services that come from companies that are committed to making a positive social and environmental impact, according to Nielsen….read more →
Originally appeared on Business.com. As a small business owner, you take big risks and face even bigger competition, but you don’t have to do it alone. Main Street organizations, including small business associations, downtown improvement districts and Local First programs all support small businesses with everything from promotional resources to networking opportunities. They’re often led by small business owners themselves, putting the organization in the best position to support your…read more →
This year’s Employee Appreciation Day will take place on March 2. Do your employees feel appreciated? As it turns out, most small business employees do feel appreciated. According to a 2017 study by Aflac, 84 percent of small business employees say they are happy with their current job. More than two-thirds – 67 percent – of small business employees report that feeling appreciated is a benefit to working for a…read more →
By now, you’ve heard about the change to Facebook’s News Feed algorithm. You may have seen it on Bloomberg.com, USA Today, or even Fortune. Maybe you were like us and it started blowing up your breaking news apps on your phone, then you got home and couldn’t find an outlet NOT talking about Mark Zuckerberg’s decision. Everyone was giving the headlines, but no one was really saying what it means…read more →
This year, small businesses across the country faced changes in technology, regulation, competition and more. In some places, small businesses even weathered real storms, from wildfires to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. As challenging as storm surges and market consolidation may seem, this year’s ups and downs created a series of important learning opportunities for local and independently owned businesses. The Small Business Spirit Remains Intact. When Amazon announced its…read more →
With Small Business Saturday just around the corner, small businesses across the country are preparing to kick off the official holiday shopping season in a big way. On Nov. 25, millions of Americans will spend their hard-earned dollars at their local and independently owned businesses. It’s perhaps the biggest event of the year for the small business community, but the celebration can actually continue all year long. Small Business Saturday…read more →
Small, locally owned businesses have a reputation for customer service. From auto body shops to sporting goods stores, small businesses are often known for friendly faces, specialized expertise and quality service. Their welcoming atmospheres help these businesses stand out from their big-box and national chain counterparts. Now, at a time when businesses big and small are increasingly leveraging new technologies, it may be more important than ever for small businesses…read more →
School is back in session this time of year – but it’s not just kids who could use a lesson. Being successful in small business takes continued learning. It’s important to keep up with industry trends, regulation changes and new tools to leverage for your business. In fact, taking time to learn may be one of the best ways that small businesses can gain an edge over their big-box competition….read more →
These days, research shows that consumers would rather spend money on experiences than on stuff. Shoppers may not need a new picture frame, but they may want to learn to make one on their own. Similarly, they may have a fridge full of food and drinks, but they might prefer to leave that at home and head to the local restaurant or brewery hosting trivia night with their friends. As…read more →
