Government and Economy
Top SBA Lenders Dropping Small Business Loans
As new government programs are poised to inject more liquidity into the credit market, several of the SBA's most active lenders have sharply reduced their loan volume, refusing new applications or lowering volume to a trickle. CNNMoney.com
Business Forward: A Liberal Business Group
High-powered Democratic consultants, well-connected with the Obama Administration, are recruiting for a new trade group called “Business Forward.” They are doing this to drum-up support for Obama's program...
By Charles M Cooper · March 24 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
Government and Economy
The SBA Loan-Relief Program: Does Your Business Qualify?
The Small Business Administration's upcoming loan-relief program can't be used to pay down existing SBA loans, but past borrowers are still be eligible for help with other debts. CNNMoney.com
US Aid Agency Throws US Workers Under the Bus
While the federal government is spending trillions of stimulus dollars to stop the rising tide of US layoffs, that same government has decided to put even more Americans out of work by buying cheaper foreign products—Chinese condoms. McClatchydc.com
By Charles M Cooper · March 23 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
We have all seen those ads on TV where the four-hundred pound couch potato is turned into the svelte, chiseled bodybuilder-type with this latest and greatest green miracle at home exercise device that stores easily in a shoebox, is not only fun but actually exciting to use, takes 3 minutes every other day and harnesses the power of rubber bands, springs, dynamic tension, gravity, your own weight, someone else's weight, ball bearings in a swivel, a Chilean brush-tail rat in a runny-wheel—whatever, only to tell you at the bottom of the screen in print so fine that you need a hi-def TV and a magnifying glass to read it: “Results not typical, your results may vary.”
What? My results may vary? You mean I am not guaranteed to look like Michaelangelo's David made flesh after my first week of using the miracle exercise product? Apparently not. Apparently, the advertiser is trying to put one over on me—me, and enough other people for the government to take some action.
Wh...
By Charles M Cooper · March 23 2009
Advertising, typical results, misleading advertising, ftc
Government and Economy
Bill Could Make Healthcare Cheaper for the Self-Employed
The measure under consideration would put an end to the FICA tax on health insurance premiums for the self-employed, making them more affordable and leveling the playing field with other businesses. WRN.com
Startups May Get Big Tax Break
New, bipartisan legislation proposes to amend the IRS code to allow new businesses to write off more of their operating costs. The Small Business Formation and Job Creation Act, would raise the start-up business deduction from the current $5,000 to $20,000. WSJ.com
By Charles M Cooper · March 20 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
Government and Economy
Small Business Stimulus Loan Scams
The SBA doesn't give stimulus package loans directly to small businesses, but that hasn't stopped scammers from trying to make you believe otherwise. BusinessWeek.com
Auto Suppliers to Receive $5 billion Bailout
The Treasury Department is trying to stabilize the auto industry by providing as much as $5 billion in financing to troubled auto parts suppliers linked to Detroit's car makers. Yahoo.com/AP
By Charles M Cooper · March 19 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
Government and Economy
Obama's Perplexing Tax Hikes
There is general agreement that it's not a good idea to raise taxes during a severe recession. Yet, here we are in a long, deep recession, and President Obama's budget includes a large number of tax increases. What's the deal? SBECouncil.org
Can Obama's Plan Stimulate Small Business Lending?
The Obama Administration offered a plan to spur lending and help for small businesses, but the program carries some real risks for the government. BusinessWeek.com
Management and Financial Issues
By Charles M Cooper · March 18 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
Government and Economy
Is This a Token Effort to Help Small Business?
Small business was lukewarm to the Government's new plans to unlock credit since the proposal only targets a small segment of the small business sector, leaving many to struggle alone. WSJ.com
Innovations in Small Business: A New Report
"Innovation in Small Business: Drivers of Change and Value" is another installment in the discussion of the patent activity of small businesses, widening the scope of the debate by focusing on the effects of innovation drivers (employee headcount, sales, and R&D expenditures) on small business value. SBA.gov
Management and Financial Issues
By Charles M Cooper · March 17 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
Government and Economy
Solis Vows to Bolster Job Training, Enforcement
New Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis won’t waste time making her presence felt by companies that her agency determines are subjecting employees to dangerous working conditions or are shorting their pay. Workforce.com
How to Spot the Recovery
Tech consultant Gene Marks describes the tools and bellwethers he uses to estimate when business will pick up. BusinessWeek.com
Management and Financial Issues
By Charles M Cooper · March 16 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
