small
More small businesses use Twitter, Facebook to promote
By Jon Swartz, USA TODAYSAN FRANCISCO — A surge in social-media use by small businesses reflects a shift in how they operate and their comfort with increasingly easy-to-use technology.
In growing numbers, small-business owners are adopting social-networking services, location-based services, Twitter and online video to promote products and services, according to a new study by MerchantCircle, a social network for small businesses. It polled › Continue reading
Small banks worry about impact of new financial rules
By Paul Davidson, USA TODAYThe massive overhaul of financial regulations is largely aimed at the nation’s “too big to fail” banks, but small institutions say they’ll be affected as well — in some cases more profoundly than their larger rivals.
Backed by less revenue and fewer resources, some community banks say the historic revamp will burden them with new rules and compliance costs, constrain their ability to lend and eat into their revenue.
Bailout loans hurt small banks, hamper recovery
By Paul Wiseman, USA TODAYSmall banks that took federal bailout money are struggling to repay the government, and “a growing number could default on their obligations to taxpayers” or go out of business, a congressional watchdog warns.
The Congressional Oversight Panel reports today that fewer than 10% of small banks that participated in the bailout have repaid Uncle Sam and that one in seven have missed making dividend payments.
When › Continue reading
Small-stock index Russell 2000 in bear market
By Matt Krantz, USA TODAYOn the outer fringe of the stock market, there’s no longer a debate over if we’re headed for a bear market. We’re already here.
The Russell 2000, a key measure of small-company stocks, on Tuesday fell 1.5%, leaving it 20.5% below its recent high in April. While Tuesday’s drop was minor, a decline of 20% or more is an attention-grabber because it meets the unofficial definition of a bear market.
Seeing small › Continue reading
Bernanke: Fed is working to get credit to small business
By Jeannine Aversa, AP Economics WriterWASHINGTON — Regulators must do all they can to help banks make loans to creditworthy borrowers, especially small businesses, a development critical to strengthening the economic recovery, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Thursday.
It’s a delicate dance for the Fed and other banking regulators. As regulators encourage banks to make loans to sound borrowers, they are also working to make sure › Continue reading
Starting a small business? Use these tips to find funding
By Steve Strauss for USA TODAYQ: Steve — This USA TODAY Small Business Challenge makes me want to start a business too, but my question is, where does one find the money to start a business? — Stephen
A: This question reminds me of a quote by Benjamin Franklin: “If you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow some.” No, finding the money is not easy — but the good news is, if others did it, so can you. › Continue reading
Starting a small business? Use these tips to find funding
By Steve Strauss for USA TODAYQ: Steve — This USA TODAY Small Business Challenge makes me want to start a business too, but my question is, where does one find the money to start a business? — Stephen
A: This question reminds me of a quote by Benjamin Franklin: “If you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow some.” No, finding the money is not easy — but the good news is, if others did it, so can you. › Continue reading
Start your small business by making sales
By Rhonda Abrams, USA TODAYWhenever I speak to a group of entrepreneurs or business school class on the topic of financing a new business, I ask the same question, “What’s the best way to raise money to start or grow a business?”
Hands go up, suggesting answers: “Other people’s money.” “Loans from friends or family.” “Venture capitalists.” “Savings.” “Refinancing your house.”
Yes, all those are ways to finance a business, but I’ve › Continue reading
In the face of change, reinvent your small business
By Rhonda Abrams, USA TODAYWhat do you do when everything in your industry turns upside down? When your consumers dramatically change? When new technology pushes out traditional business methods?
Now is a time of great transformation for most industries. Some changes have been brought about by economic conditions; some by technology; some by new competition.
I’m currently facing this dilemma — I’m in the book publishing business. › Continue reading
Small business owners: Sometimes you gotta be a jerk
By Steve Strauss for USA TODAYQ: I have an employee who seems to be taking advantage of me. Now, granted, I run a loose ship, but he comes in late, sometimes focuses on things that don’t really matter, calls in sick too much, etc. The problem is, he makes me a lot of money and he knows it. What do I do? — Amy
A: I am all for creating a harmonious workplace, for propping employees up instead of beating them down and for catching more bees › Continue reading