Business Week ► How Minority-Owned Businesses Can Catch a Break, December 4, 2009 This special report lists a number of resources that can help minority-owned businesses flourish. http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/dec2009/sb2009122_972643.htm?chan=smallbiz_special+report+-+diversity+2009_special+report+--+diversity+2009 ► Land a Business Loan Despite Bad Personal Credit, March 5, 2010 A solid business is simply not enough to qualify for a bank loan. What should small business owners do if poor personal financial histories make it difficult for them to secure a loan for their businesses? Seeking assistance from a microfinance organization is one option. Learn about more options here:   http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/mar2010/sb2010034_487880.htm	CNN Money ► The nightmare employee, October 5, 2009 If an employee seems "too good to be true," then he probably is. This small business owner found out just how true this statement can be. http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/05/smallbusiness/nightmare_employee.fsb/index.htm ► First spark of a jobs recovery, March, 3, 2010 Is the worst over? There is evidence that small businesses are starting to hire new employees. Small businesses are generally the first cut employees when an economic downturn hits and the first to hire employees when the economy improves. Learn more about this economic indicator here: http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/03/smallbusiness/small_business_jobs/index.htm
Entrepreneur ► Get Your Service Business off the Ground, January 28, 2010 This article gives professional service providers suggestions for building their markets and growing their businesses. http://www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/findingcustomers/article204846.html ► 101 People Problems Solved This resource offers solutions for personnel issues involving motivation, benefits, hiring, firing, and company culture.  http://www.entrepreneur.com/101peopleproblems/index.html ► 7 Ways to Get Great Referrals, February 4, 2010 Word of mouth communication is the ultimate form of marketing, but it can be difficult achieve. This article lists ways that small business owners can generate referrals. http://www.entrepreneur.com/advertising/advertising101/article204888.html ► Internet Power Marketing, January 26, 2010 Small business owners can use social media to expand their markets and connect with customers. This article provides an outline for creating social media marketing that works. http://blog.entrepreneur.com/2010/01/internet-power-marketing.php ► 7 Steps to a Life You Love, March 3, 2010 Of course, being an entrepreneur requires an enormous amount of time and an abundance of hard work. But it is absolutely essential to take time to nurture one's self and find out what really matters to you. This article provides some advice on doing just that.  http://www.womenentrepreneur.com/2010/03/7-steps-to-a-life-you-love.html	New York Times ► The Places They Go When Banks Say No, January 30, 2010 When banks are routinely rejecting loan applications that they would have approved just two years ago, what are small business owners in need of financing to do? Purchase-order lending is an option, but it has disadvantages – namely very high interest rates. Learn more about this practice and the growth of these lenders here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/business/smallbusiness/31order.html?pagewanted=1&ref=smallbusiness ► How to Register a Start-Up, March 31, 2010 Are you starting a small business? Developing the foundation of your business before you start will help you avoid potentially costly legal troubles down the road. Researching and choosing a name, developing a business structure, and registering your business are important steps to creating and maintaining a solid business. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/01/business/smallbusiness/01sbiz.html?pagewanted=2&ref=smallbusiness ► How Do Lawyers Get Away With This Stuff? April 26, 2010 As small business owners and consumers of services, this article provides an example about how not to treat, bill, or communicate with clients. http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/26/how-do-lawyers-get-away-with-this-stuff/ ►Text-Message Marketing, September 23, 2009 Have you ever thought about using text messages to market your business? According to this article, text message marketing or short message service (SMS) is a fairly untapped medium. For more information about SMS, check out this article:  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/24/business/smallbusiness/24texting.html