Small Business Owner Becomes Government Contractor

Six years ago Jacki Simoni juggled a flashlight, dog leash, poop bags, and animal repellant before her nightly walk and thought to herself, "There has to be an easier way to do this." So Jacki set out to rectify the problem and ended up inventing the
PupLight, a light that attaches to the collar of dogs and makes it possible for the dogs to see in the dark.

Jacki has sold quite a few units at 150,000. Her biggest retailer is Petco. Jacki also sells through Amazon.com. While these figures aren't bad for something she invented for herself, Jacki always thought that her product would sell a little better. Recently, her luck has started to change. Jacki's product got picked up by the Secret Service to be used on their dogs. Even better, a few weeks back Jacki signed a contract with the General Service Administration, or GSA, worth $125,000 and making Jacki able to offer her product to over 1,000 different government departments.

"The process that Jacki had to go through is thorough and substantial. The federal government evaluates the product offering and then negotiates for best pricing from the company," said Rita Haake, program manager of the Center for Entrepreneurship at the College of DuPage in Illinois, who helped Simoni with her GSA application.

All Jacki has to do is contact government agencies that use dogs and see if they are interested in her product, and then they negotiate for a price they can both agree on. Considering that the PupLight was originally for herself and her two golden retrievers, Jacki Simoni has created a product that can potentially help service dogs, drug dogs, and cadaver dogs do their job to the best of their ability.

Jacki had to do a lot of research for her product to make it work for all dog breeds. Poodles had different necks than dachshunds, and those dogs were infinitely different from something like a Saint Bernard. After 15 prototypes, Jacki had a product she was happy with and made her canine customers happy as well. The PupLight gets rave reviews from its users, and the Petco gave it four out of four stars. Jacki built her small business from the ground up and is now the hero for many government officials, especially those with four legs.

Small Business Loans Jump Despite Unsteady Economy

It is no surprise to anybody that small business lending hasn't returned to the same glory it had pre-recession, but despite a rocky year, the number of loans backed by the Small Business Administration increased by nearly 30% in 2010.

The Agency, whose fiscal year ended on September 30, reports that it approved $16.84 billion in loans in the past 12 months which can roughly be translated into 54,286 small business loans. This is an increase from fiscal 2009 when the Small Business Administration approved nearly $13.03 billion in loans during the depths of the credit crunch. The agency backed nearly $20.61 billion in 2007.

This boost comes, in part, from measures incorporated into last year's stimulus package. These measures eliminated fees and increased the maximum guarantee of the government to 90% which is up from 75%-85%. Banks make the SBA loans, and not the SBA but the U.S. government provides a guarantee to minimize the risk to the financial institution in case the borrower defaults.

Between the time the stimulus was signed in February of 2009 and the last round of funding for the provisions was exhausted in May 2010, the SBA's average weekly dollar volume was $300 million which is a significant increase from the $172 million weekly average in the seven weeks prior to the Recovery Act.

According to Tony Wilkinson, President and CEO of the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders, a trade group out of Stillwater, Oklahoma, "The stimulus provisions work. This is the main avenue for small business lending today. A number of borrowers in SBA programs would have been eligible for conventional lending years ago."

The stimulus provisions, which have undergone four extensions in the SBA's fiscal 2010 year, were shut off in May. However, the recent Small Business Jobs Act allows the program to continue throughout the 2010 calendar year.

The volume of SBA loans fluctuated intensely during the agency's fiscal 2010 year. This is largely due in part to the stimulus provisions' pre-set expiration dates. Each time lenders were notified by the SBA that the program was about to end, lenders would rush to push their loans through. This would, in turn, cause an upward surge in volume.

Loans that didn't make the cut would then queue up on a waiting list until Congress agreed to allocate more money and extend the end-dates. Volume would drop off during this time.

During the summer months, many loan applicants waited for Congress to continue the program. The extension through the Small Business Jobs Act, which was signed in last week, cost taxpayers $505 million and could very well provide a possible $14 billion in loans. On Monday the SBA had cleared the queue and approved nearly $970 million or 1,939 loans.

Mr. Wilkinson is happy that Congress addressed the need to help the program. However, he worries that lenders as well as small business owners will be forced to sit and wait again when this program expires come this January.

"It will be difficult to spend all that money between now and the end of the year," says Wilkinson. "We hope after the election in November Congress will make the funds available until they run out. Borrowers are going to need it."

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Tips to Securing Your Business Network

There are a countless number of threats out there that are ready to compromise your company’s network, but thankfully, there are plenty of precautionary steps that can be taken to keep this from happening.

SMBs are particularly prone to the plague of cybercrime. Sometimes SMB networks simply do not have the necessary network security. This is normally due to the fact that most SMBs do not have the resources or expertise to ensure their network’s security. In many small office settings, an office administrator with only basic IT skills is in charge of network security. This can leave your company’s network open to numerous threats. Paulette Altmaier, VP of Dell Solutions, has said that 92 percent of businesses suffer some sort of computer attack in any given year.

All of these SMB network threats cause some serious concerns. In response to some of these SMB needs Dell has just recently announced their partnerships with Trend Micro and Juniper. They hope to collaborate in an attempt to present some SMB security solutions. Altmaier stated that Dell has decided to focus on SMB security because they “have the same complexity of security problems as bigger companies but lack the resources.”

One of the huge problems with security threats is realizing how they evolve to attack your network. Threats aren’t just delivered by spam anymore. They are everywhere. There are limitless ways that your network could be compromised. If you’re a small business owner and you don’t have the protection that your network truly needs, here are some tips to keep your business safe and secure.

1.Layered Security
This is absolutely necessary. You must have an anti-virus program running on every desktop in the office, but you must also make sure that every aspect of your network is protected. You must have something that manages and protects data at rest and in transit. Security methods like encryption can help you deal with things like this. You must also make sure to control mobile devices that utilize your network at all. The security simply must be layered.

2.Security Policy
The size of the company doesn’t matter; it is a good idea to have a security plan. Any business with a network could benefit from a security policy. If you educate your employees on your plan and update your plan for the newest technology, many security issues can be avoided.

3.Unified Threat Management (UTM)
These devices can really help with your security layering. A UTM will contain a firewall, content filtering, VPN, and intrusion detection technologies. Many of the UTMs now available are designed for easy use and do not need IT support.

4.Secure Endpoints
This is essential. An endpoint is anything that can attach to your network like a server or a USB drive. Threats can sneak right into your network through these means. There are plenty of different products available that can help secure your endpoints.

5.User Security
Companies must make sure to restrict the content that their users can see and not see. This really cuts down on the possibility of security threats. Don’t allow a free-for-all network at your workplace. If you monitor and control what is being viewed through your network, you can eliminate many security issues.

6.Mobile Device Security
Although security threats are not as serious on smartphones and mobile devices like the iPad, there is no reason that you should leave these devices unsecured. You should treat them like any other endpoint and make sure that they follow any of your company’s security policies.

7.Software Updates
You should always make sure that all of your programs and software are up-to-date at all times. This helps to make sure that you have the best possible protection.

Keeping your company’s network secure should be your top priority. No one wants to deal with the hassle and costs of cybercrime. With these tips you can easily boost your network’s security and keep your computers, information, and network safe.

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5 Ways To Stay Motivated At Work

Running a small business can be a daunting task for anyone. The pressure to be in complete control and keep a little business above water can wear anyone down. Subsequently, stressed out, overwhelmed workers and bosses can make for an incredibly unpleasant environment for employees and customers alike. With the holidays quickly approaching it is even more important to keep cool under pressure. Here are five tips that anyone from the business owner to the janitor can use to relax a little and enjoy their job.

Break Down Goals Into Smaller Steps
Goals can be hard to achieve, whether it be a goal for the end of the day, week, or year. The knowledge that something must be done at a certain time can drive a person crazy, so naturally a goal that must be completed can cause mass amounts of stress. The best way to complete a goal in a timely manner is to break it down into manageable chunks. It is a bad idea to try and complete something all at once. By breaking down a goal into steps there is time to reflect on the work and make sure everything is well thought out. Keep the steps small and easy to accomplish in the given time frame, but at the same time big enough so that progress is made every day.

Set Public Expectation
The biggest motivator for almost every worker is not falling behind in the eyes of their peers. By making public what you plan to have accomplished, you not only have the pressure of letting yourself down, there is the added facet of disappointing your coworkers. Public pressure can be an incredible motivator because everyone loves praise and dreads criticism. The possibility of seeming less productive than people in the same position can create a drive that was not there previously, and sometimes a little push is all that is needed.

Find Support
Some aspects of a small business can be more overwhelming than others. If your job is to send invoices to other employees, then it is unlikely there is a need for tons of positive support. On the other hand, if the business belongs to you and it is your responsibility to keep it productive, then it is a terrible idea to go it alone. While not necessarily asking other people to help directly in your job, it is always good to have family and friends that support what you do. Let people know when you need help and don't bury yourself with things that are impossible to handle alone. Find support in coworkers, family, and friends. Sometimes an extra set of hands can make all the difference.

Get Away For Awhile
Jobs can be suffocating at times, and it is important to take advantage of little breaks from the workday. Avoid having lunch in the same place as where you work. Don't simply microwave a Hot Pocket at your computer. A new surrounding can lighten the most foul mood. Eat something healthy and enjoyable on your break and stretch your legs whenever possible. Don't overload on caffeine or press too hard throughout the day, or you could become burned out much too quickly. By changing it up throughout the day and making the most of the time away that you have, you can stay productive even at the worst times.

Remain Positive At All Costs
This is probably the toughest tip of all. When things get really ugly, it is almost impossible to keep a positive outlook, but it is essential. When things pile up and begin to weigh on you, you may begin to feel unmotivated and get less done than ever before. To keep positive don't dwell on work outside of work and think of all the good things your business has given you. Keep in the forefront of your mind exactly what made you fall in love with this business in the first place and continuously think of what you want this business to become. Other people will follow your example, and eventually things will again become good.

With these steps and many others it is possible to keep motivated in your work space, at least most of the time. Don't be critical of yourself if you drag some days, just focus on how you will do better tomorrow. Before you know it, you will have a routine based on positive motivation and when you have it down to a science, you can share your personal method with everyone around you.

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Obama Criticizes Republicans Over Small-Business Tax Legislation

President Obama derided Republicans Wednesday for what he called "foot-dragging" on a legislation that would supposedly extend "billions of dollars in tax cuts to the middle class and enhance lending to small businesses". Speaking from the White House Rose Garden, Obama stated that even though he was grateful two Republicans have sided with the Democrats on allowing a small-business bill to come up to a final vote, "it should not have taken this long".

With November elections approaching fast the battle between the Republicans and the Democrats has only escalated over small-business legislation and extending tax cuts for Americans. Typically, Obama has accused Republicans of holding up work on the two pieces of legislation which he said would hold the economy "hostage".

"For months the Republican leadership in the Senate has said no. All the while, small-business owners kept waiting for help," Obama said. Obama then thanked Republican Senators George Voinovich of Ohio and George LeMieux of Florida for voting to allow the small-business legislation to move forward.

"I want to thank them for their efforts because they understand we simply don't have enough time anymore to play games," Obama said.

Obama also called out Congress telling them to act "right now" on extending tax cuts for the middle-class. Obama has called the debate over taxes a prime example of the differences between Republicans and Democrats in the run-up to the November midterm elections. Most Democrats want tax cuts for the middle class only (real fair for everybody else), defined as individuals making less than $200,000 or families making below $250,000.

Republicans, on the other hand, want tax breaks for everybody across the board saying that raising taxes on anybody during poor economic times could create severe problems. On this debate several Democrats are taking the Republicans' side. Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky stated that "tax hikes aren't good to grow the economy. The good news is that a growing chorus of Democrats, here in the Senate and out on the campaign trail, are opposing the tax hikes the administration is proposing."

Senate Democratic leaders said on Wednesday that they were working to vote on the tax cuts for the middle class only before the November election. The tax cuts, enacted under former President George W. Bush, are set to expire at the end of the year. Obama failed to comment on whether or not he would sign legislation that includes extending the tax cuts across the board. Obama has said the country can not afford extending tax cuts for the wealthy, noting that it would add around $700 billion over a 10 year time span to the deficit.

"It's a tax cut economists say would do little to add momentum to our economy," Obama said.

Somewhere around 97% of Americans make less than $250,000 a year according to Obama. He also stated that the people making more money than that would still get a tax break on their first $200,000 or $250,000 depending on whether or not they are individuals or families.

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What To Give So You Can Recieve

It is almost that time again. Holiday season will soon be upon us. With that being said, this is the time where many businesses can make the most money of the whole year. To be a successful business during the holidays it is essential to get into the holiday spirit. Decorations and good cheer can only go so far to bring the clientele in, so in order to make your business stand out, the best way is to give away before selling. Now I know product is not cheap, so free samples may sound counter intuitive, when in fact they can be the exact opposite. Here are three ways to turn giving a tiny bit into receiving major profit.

Make it small but useful.

Everyone has been to the store has eaten a free cracker with a touch of fantastic topping, and sometimes you get hooked, landing a jar of some sort of jelly in your grocery cart. The store probably will go through two jars a day max of the spread but sell fifty in the process. A good product will sell, but the consumer has to know that the product exists and how it works. If your business is food-based, then sampling is easy. Cut up one yummy piece of food and offer it to the masses. What about other types of businesses? Take the smallest possible bit of the product that can stand alone and offer it either free or free with purchase. Trying to sell a computer? A free 2 gig flash drive could do the trick. Selling clothes? The perfect necklace to go with the perfect Christmas sweater. Customers love to feel like they're getting a deal. The more expensive the product you want to sell is, the more fun and useful your freebie has to be.

Be clever.

While everyone has had the delicious free food experience, a lot of us have also had the tiny, completely useless sample experience. As a woman, I am familiar with tiny pointless pieces of plastic that are supposed to smell like a certain perfume. What do I smell instead of seduction and raindrops? I smell plastic. Even if I get a whiff of the fragrance, it's not as if I could wear it for a few hours and have it on my wrist to remember later. Recently I went into an expensive lingerie store that was offering perfume samples in an incredibly clever way. There was a sample bottle of the perfume and next to it a bowl of long, black ribbons to be spritzed and tied around the wrist like a bracelet. In a store famous for silk and lace a small black ribbon fit perfectly with the atmosphere and lent the wearers a chic accessory that conveniently smelled of a certain fragrance. Guess what? Later that day I returned and bought a bottle. This is a perfect example of clever advertising that lures the customer in with something free but also serves as a reminder for the store itself even if the customer doesn't buy the intended product. A tangible item is much more effective at getting your point across than an ad in the paper.

Put your best foot forward.

It is easy to set out a tray of stickers that were ripped out of a children's coloring book and call it a free sample, but this will get you nowhere. Sampling is your time to shine. When you pass something tiny into a customer's hand, you don't want it shoved into a pocket. Make your freebie something that connects with your store and displays its absolute best in the smallest, most inexpensive package. One of the best ways to stick in a customer's memory is to make your freebie wearable. A small plastic bracelet will have to be slipped on but at the end of the day at home will also have to be taken off again, therefore reminding the customer of where the bracelet came from. Same goes for things like t-shirts and other types of things that can be worn. The whole point of giving something away is to remind the consumer at least one more time of your store or product. Don't give away gaudy bumper stickers or something that is clearly just an advertisement. Small things that can be used more than once can jog the memory of a customer and bring the bigger memory of the store or product to the forefront of their mind.

They say that the best things in life are free, but usually that isn't true. Because every little thing has a cost, the ability to gain something free of charge is exhilarating for most people. By offering tiny reminders of your business to consumers, it is possible to receive tenfold the cost of whatever little thing you gave away. So this holiday season try to give just a bit before you focus solely on receiving.

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Going Green, Without Going Broke

The signs are everywhere; green is the new gold. A Prius on every corner, an energy saving bulb in every streetlight. The world is truly changing for the better as people become more and more conscience about their mother earth. As a society we are trying to make the healthiest choices for our plant. We recycle, we reuse, we compost, among many other things, but as a small business owner is it really possible to uphold a green image without going broke? Luckily, the answer is yes. While the prices of hybrid cars might make someone clutch their wallet in fear, a few simple steps can be taken to guarantee that your business will be environmentally friendly, therefore still attracting the nature-conscious crowds, without spending all of your own hard earned money.

Open the window, or light a fire

It may blazing outside, or maybe your toes have gone numb from the cold, but the answer is not to crank up the air or the heat, but instead to utilize a more natural source of temperature control. Open a window and let the breeze blow in, and add a little atmosphere at the same time by hanging a windchime by the open window. Indoor air is oftentimes more polluted than the air outside! Of course there is the chance that the business is in a smoggy, stinky area. In that case there are other alternatives to chill out. A great way to cool off and save energy is to use a ceiling fan. A normal fan will use only as much energy as a 60-watt light bulb, and this averages out to be 98 percent more efficient than an air conditioner. In the winter the problem changes, and you need to keep your customers warm and toasty. The first step is to make sure that the building is well insulated, this is crucial to cut down on your energy bills. Make certain that all windows and doors are sealed, and that there are no places that the frigid air can sneak in. If you really want to cut down the costs, invest in a wood furnace. Oftentimes they cost less than a used car, and can cut your energy costs down to nearly nothing. There are plenty of companies that offer wood burning furnaces as alternatives to gas. Boot up the computer and do a search, the answers are everywhere.

Save a tree, save a dollar

While trees are a renewable resource, the human population clear cuts forests so fast that the trees have no time to recover. There are hundreds of ways to save paper in a small business, most of which are completely overlooked during day to day life. When you use the printer, print on both sides of the paper, and while you're on the computer go ahead and pay your bills online. Keep flash drives or CD's handy to keep your records on. Not only will you save filing space, but you will also save on paper costs. Make sure that all employees have an email address, and email important company news instead of printing and mailing. If your business is food related, use cloth napkins instead of paper. You can wash and reuse cloth napkins hundreds of times without ever having to order replacements. Lastly, offer reusable cloth bags for a small price as an alternative to paper or plastic. These reusable bags not only help the environment, but if they have your company logo, they also act as free advertising for your business.

Get together to go green

A large part of having a successful green company is making sure everyone in the company is participating. Carpooling is a simple measure that has been popular for years, and if done correctly, it can save everyone vast amounts of gasoline and money, while helping to not pollute. Make sure everyone has their tires inflated correctly, as it saves on gas mileage, and have the carpool cars maintained regularly, to prevent emissions. Make a company phone list, and let everyone decide whether or not they'd like be be included. This makes it easier for employees to keep track of schedules and policy changes without having to drive to work.

Keep it simple

Going green isn't all about the hybrid car or solar panel energy. The simplest ways to to be friendly to nature are often the ones that do the most good. Instead of buying cleaning supplies, make your own with ingredients like baking soda or vinegar. When your old computer starts to wear out, recycle it or donate it to your local Salvation Army, don't throw it away. Printer cartridges can also be refilled, instead of buying new ones. These steps may seem new, but there are other things that are encountered in everyday life that can make a difference as well. Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, and only use the dishwasher or washing machine when they are completely full. Simple things like this are what going green is really all about.

Going green may seem like a fad at times, just something that everyone does to look cool. In reality, this may be true for some people, but for others it's a lifestyle that will help to save the planet. Small choices can help save the world, and if handled right going green can also help a small business not only be good to the environment, but save money too.

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You want me to buy you what? The Silly Bandz effect.

Today’s economy is anything but silly, but a success story everyone has most likely heard about by now is the Silly Bandz phenomenon. Where did it come from? More importantly, in an economy that is just starting to struggle back to its feet, how does one man make a fortune off of silicone rubber bands? For every genius invention that goes unnoticed, there is another that turns the market on its head with its simplicity. While parents are scratching their heads as their children scream for more rubber bracelets, and other small business owners look on in confused awe, creator Robert Croak is probably smiling smugly. The good news is there are a few simple steps that can be taken to make your small business a success, even if your product is more complicated than a hippopotamus shaped rubber band.

Every smart business owner knows that while the adult is the money maker, it is the child that is the spender. One look from those big eyes, and there is no hope for Daddy or Mommy. With a lip pout and a pleading note in the voice almost any child can coerce their parent into buying whatever they please. No parent wants their child to look less hip or popular next to their peers. Let’s have a look at a few enormous fads of the past few years and their similarities.

• Silly Bandz
o Small silicone arm bracelets, that when not being worn form different shapes. They come in many different colors and shapes, such as: Animal, Vehicle, Garden, and Music. Highly collectible and are traded among children.

• Beanie Babies
o Soft, bean-filled stuffed animals. Beanie Babies were the brainchild of Ty company, and while their popularity has waned, they had a long run, culminating in parents buying hundreds of happy meals to find the specific bean and cloth animal that Junior demanded. Another collectors item that seemed to capture the imagination of children, as well as the imagination of a few not-so-well-adjusted adults.

• Pokeman
o While Pokeman came in many forms, ranging from action figures to computer games, the card game was easily the biggest cash cow for creator Satoshi Tajir. Packs of cards would sell for around five dollars, and the goal was to, by the luck of the draw, garner the much-prized holographic cards. Leagues were formed for the card games, with much of the 1990’s child population claiming to be “Trainers”.

Now after we’re done rolling our eyes about the silliness of all of this, anyone will grudgingly admit that the creators of these products were marketing geniuses. The question is now what do these products have in common, and how can a product-based small business create a product that will capture the imagination of children while also capturing the contents of their parents wallets? As far as uniting factors in the aforementioned products, a few characteristics stick out.

• Collectibility

• Small price
• Possibility of finding the rare card/band/stuffed animal.

With these factors in place, you create not only a demand, but a comfort for parents in the fact that the product, in its singular form, doesn’t cost over ten dollars. It is easier to stomach dumping ten dollars ten times over one month than it is to dump one hundred dollars at one time. The reigning king of fads, Silly Bandz, incorporates all three of these factors. They are easy to collect in enormous amounts, they are inexpensive at three to five dollars a pack, and one child is always going to have a certain shape or color that another child desires, therefore sparking the demand for a certain silly band. When you look at the broad spectrum of possibilities for money making that these little rubber bracelets offer, it suddenly doesn’t seem so silly.
Clearly a few simple factors can turn your product from a dud into the next Silly Bandz. If Robert Croak can make a fortune out of something I find wrapped around my morning newspaper, it is most definitely possible. Any one person is only one incredibly simple idea away from having hoards of salivating children and exasperated parents lining up around the block from the boutique, waiting for the newest release of the latest fabulous product. Good luck!

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3 Trends Currently Driving New SMBs

Let's face it, the American economy is still far from perfect. Even so, people are still starting small- and medium-sized businesses and some of those businesses are still thriving. Why? Simply because there are some business trends that are hot right now, even in this economy. The reasons vary, so let's take a look at a few of them.

1. Going Green. Going green is big business right now. Many companies now include some kind of environmentally friendly incentives in their sales pitch for their products and services. What can this be attributed to? Government incentives are one reason companies are clamoring to be green. From automakers to the electric industry companies are receiving millions of stimulus dollars that revolve around creating and using renewable energy. Also, people are now understanding the importance of clean energy. Overall, the public sentiment about saving the environment has changed over the last decade or so.

2. Senior Citizens. Our population is getting older. Baby boomers are becoming senior citizens. Right now there are over 37 million seniors and in twenty years they'll make up 20% of the United States population. They'll also be looking to spend over $1 trillion. If that's not incentive enough to get into the business of seniors, I don't know what is. From anti-aging cosmetics and senior dating services to nursing homes and technical assistance if you're thinking of starting a business, you may want to turn to your elders for guidance. As a matter of fact, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics says aging-services - home health care, elderly and disabled services, and community care facilities - make up three of the top ten fastest growing businesses.

3. Buying Local. There's a desire to buy locally grown and made products sweeping the nation. That means more mom-and-pop stores. Farmers' markets seem to be at the heart of this movement; there are currently about 5,000 across the United States and over the past five years that number has been growing at a 5% rate. Almost 60% of consumers say they try to shop locally. National chain stores like Wal-mart have tried to gain more business by adding "locally grown" sections to their grocery departments. The USDA has launched a program called "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food," which encourages people to buy locally, and several cities, such as Orlando, Florida have been starting "buy local" campaigns.

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If You Can't Find A Job, Try Creating One

Cheese!

It seems that everyone is trying to stretch a penny these days, and for small businesses that can lead to cutbacks or layoffs. Losing a job in a recession is a devastating thing, especially when jobs are scarce. Unemployment will only last for so long and the bills keep coming in. Statistics show that there are 6 unemployed people to every available job. In small towns it can be as many as 20 unemployed to each available position. So what is a person to do?

If you are one of those many Americans who are having trouble finding a job, how about creating your own? This isn’t a strange idea in the face of a recession. Micro-businesses are businesses that have 10 people or less and over half of small businesses in the United States are home based.  According to Startupnation, you can not only survive, but thrive in this economy.

Inc Magazine printed a story about CEO Paul Mann who was looking for a responsible dog sitter in a bind. After taking some observations of the people who responded to his ad, he felt a little discouraged in finding someone he could trust. That is when a light went on in Paul Mann’s head. He ended up leaving his corporate position for the comforts of working from home and started Fetch! Pet Care, a local network of pet sitters and dog walkers. If you asked him today if he would go back out into the world of glass doors and windows, his answer would be a very enthusiastic "no!"

The advantages of a home business include low over-head, tax deductions, shoe-string start up capabilities, and you can work in your pajamas. All you need is a phone line, high-speed internet, a place to keep records and a really great idea for a product or service that people need even if there is an economic downturn. While no one will tell you that starting a home business is easy, with a little research and a lot of hard work you might be able to give yourself a job.

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Help for Florida SMBs Affected by Oil Spill

On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded, killing eleven workers and injuring several others. It also caused a sea-floor oil gusher, which has caused a massive oil spill. The spill, which has been called the largest offshore spill in United States history, resulted in hundreds of millions of gallons of oil polluting the Gulf of Mexico. Several governors of states along the Gulf Coast declared a state of emergency, as did the federal government. Marine life and wildlife habitats have been harmed, as have many small businesses.

Fishing was banned in about one-third of the Gulf by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and people canceled their vacations. BP gave the state of Florida $25 million to help promote their beaches, which were said to be unaffected by the oil spill. Hotels offered discounts and free deals and packages. Even so, a University of Central Florida economist called the spill, "the worst disaster in the history of Florida tourism." It is estimated that Florida's Paradise Coast could lose $3 billion in revenue this year.

However, the United States Small Business Administration has announced that it will be helping several of Florida's small businesses. The SBA is offering loans and loan defermention options to fishing-related businesses who were shut down due to the oil spill. Hope is that the loans and deferments will provide temporary assistance to "overcome the loss of revenue" they have experienced this spring and summer.

Many Florida counties are included: Bay, Citrus, Collier, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Monroe, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Taylor and Walton. The adjacent counties of Alachua, Broward, Calhoun, Charlotte, Desoto, Gilchrist, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Holmes, Jackson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Marion, Miami-Dade, Polk, Sumter, Wakulla, and Washington. Some Alabama and Georgia counties are included, as well.

The program will offer working capital loans for up to $2 million at 3% interest for non-profit organizations and 4% for businesses with terms up to 30 years. Loans can be used to make payroll, pay debts, accounts payable, and other bills that have been impacted by the oil spill. The SBA is also encouraging small businesses to file claims with BP.

Fishing, shrimping, crabbing, and oyster fishing who fish in the waters that have been shut down are among the main businesses being targeted. Other small businesses that are dependent on shrimp, crabs, and oysters are included, too. Also, businesses who supply fishing gear and fuel, docks, boatyards, processors, wholesalers, shippers, retailers, and other businesses that rely on recreational and sports fishing can get involved.

If you're a small business in any of the Florida counties mentioned above and you think you may qualify for assistance, contact the SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. The deadline to return applications is February 14, 2011.

Check out these related stories:
1. Florida Computer Rentals
2. Independent Oil Producer Leader Says Senate Vote Sends Signal To Political Opportunists

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Looking for a GeoVison Security Camera System to help secure your small or medium business? Call www.CameraSecurityNow.com today at 877-422-1907 for a free phone consultation. Ask about the new Hybrid DVR/NVR surveillance solutions.

A SMB Life Preserver in an Economic Storm

The rebound of recovery efforts in today's economy is crawling like a 35g download on a dial up connection. It seems politicians are playing tug o war and in the meantime small business owners are struggling to keep things balanced and seeking new ways to sell to a penny pinching market. Some business owners may even feel that they have no other choice but to hold on and wait out the storm. Although it can be discouraging, you are not stuck in a ditch spinning your tires, you can be proactive in building the kind of life preserver that will help keep your small business afloat.

1. Communication
– Keeping tabs on how everyone is doing from your partners, your venders and others on your team is vital. Also, return information to them as to where the company stands and problems that need to be addressed. Get everyone involved in trouble shooting and the anticipation of hot spots or potential problem areas.

- Resolve conflicts within the company through mediation and compromise.

- Survey areas that can be improved and what is needed to do so as well as simplify areas that are bogged down and non productive. The survival of the company is in everyone's best interest and feedback from others can help clean up areas and prevent other problems.

2. Organization
- Put the mission statement and rules and regulations in writing so your team has a map of where they are going. Positions within the company should also have a written description of duties and responsibilities.

- Make sure that technology is working for you. Is it a good work-flow or is it creating traffic jams within the office or when you travel. For example: it might be helpful  to rent technology to cover a big business trip rather than to drag everything with you through customs in the airport. It takes time to check everything in, time to set up and make sure everything is working correctly, and time to tear down and check it all in for the trip back and time is money!

3. Accountability
- Meet complaints head on and compensate for inconvenience. Accidents happen and going out of the way to make things right builds on the integrity of your business and that is going to keep people coming back and recommend your company to others.

4.The Internet
- Social networks and blogging are vital to any company to make connections and to keep your business in the limelight. Writing blogs is a good way to offer information about products and service and link back to your website. Take the time to get to know Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, they are the super highway to advertising and networking. Some companies have departments dedicated to just this alone!

- Don't let your website go stale. Keep adding new information, and keep contact information updated. It is, after all, your company's virtual business card.

5. Pricing
- While price increases across the board might not make a whole lot of sense, it is important to have a good blueprint of finances. Strategically placing small increases can give your company a competitive edge but it takes research and planning.

I hope these tips have offered you some inspiration into a plan to help your company not only stay afloat but to flourish under the pressure!

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Looking for a GeoVison Security Camera System to help secure your small or medium business? Call www.CameraSecurityNow.com today at 877-422-1907 for a free phone consultation. Ask about the new Hybrid DVR/NVR surveillance solutions.

3 iPhone Apps Every SMB Owner Must Have

More and more business-owners are relying on their smartphones to conduct business these days and as you can imagine, there are a million apps for that! But how do you know which ones will actually help you run your business effectively? To get you started, here are three that every small- and medium-sized business owner should look into for their iPhone.

1. Scanner Pro - $6.99

With this app, you simply use your iPhone camera to take a picture of a document and scan it into an PDF file. Once you take the picture of the document, you simply mark where the corners are and the app does the rest of the work for you. You can then email the PDF file to anyone who needs to see the document.

2. Good for Enterprise - Free

If you're looking to sync your iPhone to Microsoft Exchange in a secure environment, this is the app for you. While iPhone normally supports Exchange, this app offers some added security. Features include the ability to keep data exchanged over a network encrypted and the ability to access your email, contacts, and calendar over a secure connection. It's a great way to keep your company protected.

3. Recorder - $.99

For less than a dollar, this little app allows you to record outgoing calls. Ever forget what was discussed during an important phone call? This app can record for hours and provide you with the opportunity to play those calls back over and over again. You can also record voice memos. The best feature of all is that you can send those recordings via email to anyone. So, if your business partner missed an important call or a customer can't remember what you told them, all you have to do is send them the entire phone conversation.

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Looking for a GeoVison Security Camera System to help secure your small or medium business? Call www.CameraSecurityNow.com today at 877-422-1907 for a free phone consultation. Ask about the new Hybrid DVR/NVR surveillance solutions.

Top Blackberry Apps for SMBs

Throughout the last decade, the Blackberry has made its mark as the leading business smartphone. E-mail capabilities, robust security, and Blackberry Enterprise Server are just a few of the reasons the device has heavily impacted the business world.

But in the last year, with new designs and marketing, nearly half of 32 million Blackberry users aren't from the corporate world. They are consumers, pro-sumers, and small businesses. The Blackberry App store has over 3,000 apps, but it's hard to know which ones are specifically SMB-oriented. Recently, bMighty.com teamed with Research In Motion to choose the top ten SMB Blackberry Apps. Here is a look at what they chose:

1. Blackberry Messenger - Connect with friends and co-workers by using a secure PIN or barcode password. Chat, share pictures and videos, or even hold a business meeting with the group chat feature. The app is free but it only works if the other people you are talking to have a Blackberry, as well.

2. Google Talk - Another great (free) way to connect but your friends and colleagues won't need a Blackberry to respond. Have single or group chats, use emoticons, customize your status, and set up custom alerts for messages that come through while you're not available. Google Talk is open and allows any third-party client to use its network. It's also compatible with other Instant Messengers.

3. Yahoo Messenger - This one is relatively new to Blackberry but is just as popular as the computer version. It's free, and allows you to check who is and isn't online, customize your status message, create chat areas to talk with several people at once, and personalize your status with avatars, ringtone alerts, and emoticons. Talk with people who have Hotmail, Lotus Notes, and Windows Live accounts, as well as AIM or Google Talk with free account activation.

4. Documents to Go - Considered to be one of the ultimate business apps for Blackberry, this one lets you view and edit documents without changing the file's format. If you like the free trial version, you can purchase the program for $70, but many business-owners say the price is well worth it. Especially if you need to read, create, and edit Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents and PDF files on your Blackberry.

5. Exgis Mileage Tracker - If you travel a lot for your business, this app is a must-have. It makes record-keeping a little easier as it records your vehicle's mileage and locations quickly and let's you record travel time directly against specific clients. You can also export your data in a spreadsheet to send to to your office. The app is easy to use and costs a mere $4.99.

6. Google Maps - This is another great free app for the SMB travellers and it's more than likely something you already know how to use. Get maps, directions and even mileage to and from any destination. Find out where you are with the "My Location" feature, should you get lost. In some areas, you can even get traffic and transit information. Just like with the web version, you can use Street View, to help you get a visual idea of many areas.

7. Intuit GoPayment - Several SMBs need the ability to accept credit card payments but don't always have one. This app processes any major credit card and emails the receipt directly to the handset. Transactions can be transferred into most financial software applications. Security is tight and trustworthy with this app which is free, but charges a monthly service of $19.95.

8. Poynt - Blackberry users have ranked this among their favorites, claiming it's better than the Yellow Pages when looking for a particular place. This app points you to the nearest movie theater, restaurant, or any business or person you're looking for, using GPS and cell tower technology to provide you with the phone number, website, maps, and directions. Book tickets or make reservations, and even use it to invite colleagues to a specific location. And yes, it's free, too.

9. Viigo - This app is a free content gathering tool that lets you access information and content from Twitter to podcasts and everything in between. Get your news, sports, weather, stock reports, movie reviews and anything else you might look for online, in one place. Not only can you customize your content collection, but you will also have access to content from Business Week, and Website magazine, vendor resources such as white papers and from companies such as Oracle and Microsoft.

10. Worldmate Live - This is a free App and a favorite among business travelers (it's even earned a five-star rating at Blackberry App World). Forward your travel confirmation emails to Worldmate and they build your online travel itinerary, making it available to access via your Blackberry. Synchronise your work calendar, to make that part of the database, as well. The app is integrated with Google Maps, Blackberry maps, TeleNav, MapQuest, OAG, Yelp, Expedia, Hotels.com, Flighstats.com and many more.

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Looking for a GeoVison Security Camera System to help secure your small or medium business? Call www.CameraSecurityNow.com today at 877-422-1907 for a free phone consultation. Ask about the new Hybrid DVR/NVR surveillance solutions.

Security Cameras in Business

Here's another good tip about placing security cameras: Place security cameras in your document center where records are being copied or documents are being shredded. Do you think I am being over cautious? Well two points if I may: The first point is to refer to my story on March 29 2010: Why you should treat the temp well or the $14,465.63 postage stamp.

Here’s another true story I encountered in my business career. I did not see this one first hand, but arrived shortly after the incident and had this story related to me by people in the know. A few years ago, a local clinical lab had some disgruntled employees. It seems that a well liked employee was terminated for stealing some toilet paper (seriously she was stealing T.P.). This greatly enraged some of her friends. It also seems that this clinical lab was not playing completely by the Medicare rule book. One practice was that doctors (and only doctors) could assign a diagnoses code or ICD 9 code. In order to speed the process, this lab had employees that either rewrote or added missing codes. The disgruntled employees were made aware that the government gave out large cash rewards for cases that it could prosecute for violations. One night under the excuse of “working late to process some claims” a team of disgruntled employees who had been collecting records for a number of months used the companies own copying and mailing facilities to reproduce and send out the “doctored records.” This company lost millions of dollars in fines from the government. The team of disgruntled employees became millionaires including the woman terminated for stealing toilet paper! If you would like to learn more about security cameras for your business try this fine firm for your business security camera needs or call 877-422-1907 to learn more about it.

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Looking for a GeoVison Security Camera System to help secure your small or medium business? Call www.CameraSecurityNow.com today at 877-422-1907 for a free phone consultation. Ask about the new Hybrid DVR/NVR surveillance solutions.

Camera Secuity for excellent customer service

Here’s a follow up to John Beagle’s excellent article about closed circuit cameras providing security against theft. Closed circuit TV’s allows, you the owner, to monitor your customer service employees.

I once was privileged to hear a true American success story by a guy known as “Kenney the Printer.” Kenny Fisher was looking to own his own business and had an idea that he might like to start a chain of dry cleaning shops, but was prompted by an idea when his son came home upset about the poor service he observed at a quick print shop where he worked. This give Fisher an idea. He went around scouting quick print shops in his area and found them to be sadly wanting in terms of cleanliness and courtesy. He started his quick print shops with a fanaticism to customer satisfaction. In his first year his shop reached the annual sales average for quick shops and now his revenue is SEVEN times that of a normal quick print shop. One tool he uses is closed circuit TV to monitor customer service. He cites many statistics about how poor customer service can absolutely sink your small businesses reputation. Also Kenny states how many marketing dollars it takes to bring one customer into your shop, a very eye opening figure. If you would like to learn more about what Kenny thinks is a vital tool for your small business, take a look at the site map of this fine business: Camera Security Now Site Map or call 877-422-1907.

Security cameras can not only be a vital tool for anti theft protection but can also be a powerful tool in ensuring that your customers are given world class service each time they enter your establishment.

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Looking for a GeoVison Security Camera System to help secure your small or medium business? Call www.CameraSecurityNow.com today at 877-422-1907 for a free phone consultation. Ask about the new Hybrid DVR/NVR surveillance solutions.

Protect Your Small Business with Camera Security Now

Though property crime rates are on the decline, more than 1 in 8 households were victims of property crime in 2008. Small businesses are prone to theft and other property crime like households, because there is the perception that they are more likely to get away with burglarizing a small business than a larger business. There are many ways to protect your business from property crime, like criminal conviction checks, past employment verification, and employee education (more theft protection tips), but security cameras are often the most effective method.

CameraSecurityNow offers surveillance solutions to businesses of all sizes. You can secure your small business with a CCTV or IP system for less than $5000. To learn more, read the full article on camera security.

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Looking for a GeoVison Security Camera System to help secure your small or medium business? Call www.CameraSecurityNow.com today at 877-422-1907 for a free phone consultation. Ask about the new Hybrid DVR/NVR surveillance solutions.

How sales can help finance in your small business

Every once in a while many company finance teams evaluate the profitability of your customer base. One of the important criteria is a measure called days sales outstanding or DSO. The calculation measures how long it takes an invoice to be collected once the product is shipped or service is preformed. There are certain customers who gain some measure of infamy with the finance department credit analysts and A/R collectors. If the situation continues long enough, the finance department will ear mark this customer to be dropped. Because this can affect company market share, the marketing department and the sales team generally have adverse reactions to this measure. So how does a good owner or president/CEO resolve the issue?

A good way to assist the finance group is to get the support of the sales team. Give them laptops so that when they are on sales calls they may access the invoices for the customer. If there are any invoices over a certain delta, the sales team should be involved in helping to collect the delinquent invoices. If you business can not afford to buy laptops for the sales team you could consider renting them from a source like www.rentacomputer.com who can assist your business in their temporary needs.

If the sales team works in conjunction with the finance department, then there wont be any surprises when its time to review the customer list. Both departments will have a part of keeping the customer with in financial limits. On the other hand, by keeping the customer within proscribed limits, the sales department keeps its hard earned customer and market share. In this case both departments and the company as a whole wins, and if in the unfortunate event a customer does need to find a new source, then there is buyoff from everyone that this unfortunate measure must be taken.

Have sales and finance view each other as a team and your company’s DSO will drop, and that is a very, very good thing!

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Looking for a GeoVison Security Camera System to help secure your small or medium business? Call www.CameraSecurityNow.com today at 877-422-1907 for a free phone consultation. Ask about the new Hybrid DVR/NVR surveillance solutions.

America's Return to Financial Greatness-some straight talk

Ford Motor company in the early 80’s came up with the slogan “Quality is job one.” This statement really evolved out of its production manual called total quality management. It was implemented to combat the foreign car invasion of America as American’s were increasingly put off by the poor quality and highly plasticized cars coming out of Detroit in that time period.

In my last article, I reviewed Stanley C. Allyns extraordinary booklet about his life in Dayton and work career at NCR, rising to be president and CEO. In his booklet, Allyn gave his 4 big jobs for management teams. I would like to look at point number three: Earn the enthusiastic support of all employees. Sounds good right, but the problem is that many companies today have fallen victim to employing Temporaries, Contractors, Casual Hires, and Short term hires, and then expecting that they are gong to get the same attention to quality as the company would receive from an employee. This is pure fantasy!

Let me define each of the categories: Temporary (or temp) a person who comes in to substitute for a permanent employee. These people usually work 8-12 weeks, but some times as much as 6 months. Usually they do grunt work (although many these days are highly skilled and impressively experienced). A casual hire is much like a temp except he or she works directly for the company. A casual hire is not offered benefits or company perks and usually does routine work. Sometimes retirees fill out their income as casual hires. A short term employee does not usually know that they are what they are. These people are fully benefited and work for the company, but the company management knows that they are hired to work a certain project and then layed off or terminated. Sometimes working conditions become so bad that they leave of their own accord (and this is fine with the company). Contractor’s either can work for themselves or a contracting company (you will find Contractors in engineering and accounting very often).

The problem with this group is that they probably are being under paid and looking for the minimum they can do and then go home. The second is that these people are looking for another, better full time gig. If they figure out that this greener pasture is not with your firm, then you only have this employee’s partial attention, and they might leave at ANY time, some times not giving any or little notice. Some temporary agencies, try to tell temps that this job is “temp to perm” but experienced temps know that this is generally “the agency sales pitch to do a good jab and maybe you will get hired (but is rarely true).” Finally some companies still in down sizing mode (or their ridiculous term “right sizing”) even encourage employees to search on monster job or some related site! You will never have what Mr. Allyn states as point three: earn the enthusiastic support of all employees!

If in your small business, quality is job one, then you can not populate your work force with Temps, Casual Hires, Contractors, and short term hires. What you need from your employees is that they do everything that is both explicit and intrinsic to “doing a good job!” Your small business needs people who want to work for your success (and their own).

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Looking for a GeoVison Security Camera System to help secure your small or medium business? Call www.CameraSecurityNow.com today at 877-422-1907 for a free phone consultation. Ask about the new Hybrid DVR/NVR surveillance solutions.

Timeless Advice-Book Review My 50 years in Dayton

Book Review: My 50 years in Dayton by Stanley C. Allyn

You probably won’t find this in Google search, I didn’t. It is in booklet form, not perfect bound, and is only 31 pages long, but the business advice from it is timeless. I think the Carillon Park book store still has copies. It is My First 50 years in Dayton by Stanley C. Allyn (former CEO of NCR corporation).

In chapter 4 Mr. Allyn gives his 4 big jobs for management teams (These ideas were written in 1963! They are timeless and far seeing):

1) See to it that the company makes a satisfactory profit.
2) Keep the company's products up to date, whether they are material goods or services.
3) Earn the enthusiastic support of all employees.
4) Make certain that the company is good citizen of the community in which it operates.

Point one is very obvious, a company that can not make a satisfactory profit will not last, and Mr. Allyn states that managers do not have to be defensive about this goal. Frankly, at the end of things, if the company can not make a profit then all members of the company are looking for new work!

Point two is also almost taken for granted and it is given lip service in about every company that is in existence, but far seeing companies never taken this for granted they change and evolve over time, no matter what their form of business endeavor.

Point three is rarely found is today’s business, frankly I have had more than one manager tell me “who cares what the front line employee thinks. If I can get buy off from other managers, so be it, they have to keep their employees in line not me.” Companies that regard their employees this way are doomed to fail. Here is a bit of my own advice, call if prophecy if you wish: “America will not return to economic greatness without 2 important components of American business: One, America will not return to economic prominence as long as its businesses employ in its labor force: temporaries, short term hires, casual hires (throw away employees) and contractors. I will address this more in my next article.

The second is that America needs another technological innovation like the internet or personnel computer.

Point four, doesn’t BP wish they had followed this advice? How many American companies wish they had followed this advice (they are legion!)?


In all, if you are a small to medium business owner spend the $4.00 and 30 minutes of your valuable time and buy the book. It is an interesting read and the business advice is wonderful from a guy that definitely succeeded!

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Looking for a GeoVison Security Camera System to help secure your small or medium business? Call www.CameraSecurityNow.com today at 877-422-1907 for a free phone consultation. Ask about the new Hybrid DVR/NVR surveillance solutions.