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
Government and Economy
Obama Takes a Fresh Look at Small Business
After much criticism, the Obama administration is taking another look at its stimulus plan for small businesses and is expected to announce changes to the plan directly targeting small business lending and community banks. Allbusiness.com
Texas Governor Rejects Stimulus Funds for Unemployment
Framing his decision as a stand for state sovereignty, Governor Rick Perry said Washington politicians are trying to push their values on Texas. "Again and again, we hear the purpose of the federal stimulus legislation is to create jobs,” he said, “but this portion will ac...
By Charles M Cooper · March 13 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
Government and Economy
Can Small Businesses be Exempted from Card Check Unionization?
While small business groups are readying their opposition to new card check legislation, many are hopeful that after compromise negotiations in Congress, small business will be exempt. WSJ.com
Local Economies Seeking Their Own Stimulus
Cities, counties and states across the nation are launching home-grown economic-stimulus plans aimed at spurring local spending and keeping small businesses afloat during the recession. WSJ.com
By Charles M Cooper · March 12 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
Government and Economy
Small Business Cries Foul on Tax Hikes
Small business owners and their Washington advocates are coming out against President Obama’s plan to raise income tax rates for America’s wealthiest in 2011, calling it is an ill-timed attack on small businesses that will stymie job growth. Politico.com
Card Check Far From Decided
Both sides argue it’s a matter of fairness. According to Labor, the secret-ballot system invites employer intimidation. For the employers, an open card check system means more union pressure on their employees. Both sides are gearing up for a fight. Bloomberg.com
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By Charles M Cooper · March 11 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
The title of the study by University of Michigan researchers Hyunjin Song and Norbert Schwarz says it all: If It's Difficult to Pronounce, It Must Be Risky--Fluency, Familiarity, and Risk Perception. They base their conclusion, that the harder it is to pronounce something, the less familiar it seems and, therefore, the greater the risk it presents, on three studies. In Studies 1 and 2, food additives were rated as more harmful when their names were difficult to pronounce than when their names were easy to pronounce. Analyses of the data indicated that this was due to the perceived novelty of the substance. In Study 3, amusement-park rides were rated as more likely to make one sick (an undesirable risk) and also as more exciting and adventurous (a desirable risk) when their names were difficult to pronounce than when their names were easy to pronounce.
Here is how the research was done: Subjects were asked to rat...
By Charles M Cooper · March 11 2009
small business, Advertising, words, risk
