Tips from October 26, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss why it is important for small businesses to network. Create and develop relationships with others who share your same passions for business. Gain contacts and resources. Battles are best fought with a companion. Networking gives businesses a support system for when times are rough. Expand your clientele. Networking with others allows for new customers to hear about your business and check it out. Build your community and local economy by networking in your area. Support other small businesses; they will support you! Daily Overview: Networking gives your business contacts, builds the buzz, and opportunities to grow. [Read Full Article]

Government, Politics, and the Economy Retail Sales Rebound Into Xmas as Shares Show Consumer Not Dead From the recent spike in sales, it's beginning to look a lot like the retail holiday season will be happier than predicted. Bloomberg.comManagement and OperationsWhy Unemployed College Grads Should Channel Their Inner Entrepreneur Recent college graduates who are unemployed should think about taking to their entrepreneurial skills and start their own business. BusinessKnowHow.comManagement and Operations [Read Full Article]

Government, Politics, and the Economy U.S. Economy: Service Industries Grow for First Time in a Year Thanks to the emerging recovery in housing and factories, service industries in the United States expanded in September for the first time in a year. Bloomberg.comManagement and OperationsAnchor Your Networking with Strong Relationships Your corporate associations are important to keep your business striving during these tough economic times. Entrepreneur.com Management and Operations [Read Full Article]

Social media tools create a means by which a business can engage their audience with communication and start a conversation that they may not have had the opportunity to otherwise. The consumers can ask questions, comment and receive feedback. This allows the business to use these tools to better reach and understand their customers where the focus is on the conversation rather than the tools used to make the connection. Use the same tools in the same ways and for the same reasons that your customer would.  RelationshipTraditionally companies don’t get to start a relationship with a customer until that customer comes to their business. Social media gives the customer the ability to get to know the person representing the business, thus evaluating the business ahead of time. Relationships and communication are ultimately the be-all and end-all of good business. Effective marketing is done by word of mouth. The business should have the intent of creating... [Read Full Article]