Apply now for financial support and mentorship! Elevate your small business with expert guidance. Deadline: August 7, 2023. [Read Full Article]

Management and Operations Ten Worst Communication Blunders of 2009 From a steady review of major news events, here are the ten worst communication blunders of 2009. BusinessKnowHow.com Management and OperationsProductivity Coach's Corner: Clear the Clutter, Create OpportunityThe following is a specific key to success in lightening the load on your body and mind. This is a practical activity, one you can do to reduce the unnecessary physical and psychological stress you may be carrying around right now. Wouldn't it be worth it to invest less than one half of an hour to regain some confidence and control? M... [Read Full Article]

In The News Workplace Shootings in Florida, Texas Again Put Focus on Violence on the Job The two shootings are the highest-profile incidents of workplace violence since a Yale University student’s strangled body was found in the university laboratory where she conducted research. A co-worker, Raymond J. Clark III, was later charged with the murder. Workforce.comManagement and OperationsHow to Resolve Workplace Conflict Conflict in the workplace is a painful reality and a key reason for poor productivity and frustration. Do you have people in your workplace that cause problems for everyone else? Do they create additional work for o... [Read Full Article]

  Government, Politics and the Economy Treasury to Buy SBA Loans The Treasury Department is finalizing its plans for a $15 billion initiative to stimulate SBA lending by using federal bailout money to buy up SBA loans. WashingtonPost.com Global Warming Bill Will Hit Homeowners and Small Business the Hardest A Heritage Foundation analysis of the Waxman-Markey global warming bill predicts the bill will result in sky-high costs averaging $393 billion annually and destroying over a million jobs from 2012 to 2035. Heritage.org Management and Operations [Read Full Article]

  Government, Politics and the Economy The Obama Financial Plan: Let the Games Begin The sides are drawn-up and the combatants are set, ready to do battle over Obama's proposals for the Fed, financial regulation and much more. Poll: Too Much Intervention? BusinessWeek.com Should the Government Back High-Potential Start-Ups? If the answer is 'yes', then venture-backed companies across the country should be eligible for federal innovation grants. NYTi... [Read Full Article]

  Government and Economy The Stimulus Bill: Small Business Tax Provisions Experts explain how the new law will provide tax relief to small companies. BusinessWeek.com Problems With Small Business Loans The erosion of small business lending is threatening the recovery of the US economy, and will load banks with greater losses over the next year. Wall Street Journal Making It In America [Read Full Article]

Government and Economy Ledbetter Wage Bill Passes Senate The Lilly Ledbetter Bill, a wage discrimination bill that presages the pro-labor stance of the Democratic-controlled Congress and White House, has cleared the Senate and could be signed by President Obama within days. Unions vs. Business: An Early Test for Obama President Obama is facing an early important test—card-check—the Employee Free Choice Act. It is a key goal for Labor, which is hoping for action this spring; but that has some other Obama allies—seeing the reaction of business interests—very wor... [Read Full Article]

Government and Economy Would a Payroll Tax Holiday Boost Employment and Spending? Taking a six-month holiday from the federal government's 6.2% payroll tax would reduce labor costs to small businesses and help prevent layoffs, says a major small business organization in a recent pitch to Congress. Consumer Price Drop Greater Than ExpectedA record plunge in consumer prices in November puts pressure on the Federal Reserve to act decisively to guard against a debilitating bout of deflation. Probe: Small Business Funds Squandered... [Read Full Article]