Government, Politics and the Economy Small Business Job Losses Continue The mass-layoffs in the economy may have slowed, but small companies are still dropping employees to stay afloat. CNNMoney.com SBA's Mills Has the Answers for Small Business SBA chief Karen Mills discusses the challenges facing small business as well as her role in getting struggling companies the help they need. WSJ.com US Unemployment Slows Unemployment slowed last month and the overall un... [Read Full Article]

  Government, Politics and the Economy Three Things to Watch in the Second Half of '09 Halfway through the year is a good time to pause, reflect, and take inventory. We have probably survived the worst of the recession but the question is, what's next? Here are three things to keep an eye on. NYTimes.com Tyson: More Stimulus Needed According to Obama advisor Laura Tyson, the US should consider a second stimulus package focusing on infrastructure projects because the $787 billion approved in February was “a bit too small.” Bloomberg.com Management and Operations [Read Full Article]

  Government, Politics and the Economy Little Hope and Less Hiring on Main Street Some may see signs of economic recovery on the horizon, but that news doesn't seem to have made it to the shops on Main Street. According to payroll processor ADP, small businesses shed more than four times as many employees as larger businesses did over the last month. CNNMoney.com Inflation: Are the Fears Overstated? We have been hearing warnings that President Obama's economic policies will lead to a terrible outbreak of inflation, and they may, but an immediate outbreak is improbable. WSJ.com Management, Taxes and Fin... [Read Full Article]

  Government and Economy Emergency SBA Loans to be Available in June According to the SBA, a new emergency loan program to help struggling-but-viable small businesses will be open for applications in mid-June. CNNMoney.com Merced County: Desperate for Small Business With a staggering 22% unemployment rate and ranking Number Two in the nation in foreclosures, Merced County in California is now pinning its economic hopes on small business. BusinessWeek.com [Read Full Article]

  Government and Economy Obama Doubles Tax Law Enforcement Budget President Obama has proposed a near doubling of the funds to enforce U.S. tax laws next year, with an aim of more than quadrupling funding for tax compliance to $2.1 billion within five years. Reuters.com Stress Test: Banks Need More Money, Taxpayers May Not Have to Pay True, the stress tests show that the banks need more funds, but that does not necessarily mean they will get that money from the government as the Obama administration is suggesting that the rescue money that Congress has already approved will be enough to fill the gaps. NYTimes.com [Read Full Article]

Tips from Friday, May 1, 2009 The Small Business tips today will be about how to use social networking to market your business. The top 3 places to represent most businesses are on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Maintain consistent presence. Don’t solicit. If you wouldn’t like it, don’t do it to others. Social networking is about being social. Do that instead. Being trustworthy and adding value will add value to your brand and your business: increasing conversions. Have contests, giveaways or special discounts. Encourage interaction. Incentives go a long way. Daily Overview:  Participate in the social networks in a way that isn’t off putting and give your network a reason to talk about you. [Read Full Article]

  Government and Economy IMF Sees Parallels Between Today and the Great Depression In spite the unprecedented steps already taken by central banks and governments across the globe, the International Monetary Fund is warning world leaders of "worrisome parallels" between the current global economic crisis and the Great Depression. Telegraph.co.uk Is Bland Affluence Giving Way to Authenticity Chic? Americans seem to be looking for simpler—and cheaper—ways to live. Columnist Peggy Noonan explores what may be a growing trend toward an easier way of life. WSJ.com Management and... [Read Full Article]

  Government and Economy 2009 Small Business Outlook Business Know-How ran a survey last month to find out how business owners think their businesses will do this year compared to last year, how they view the recession, how they are coping with it, and how they think the government should help. Here are the results. BusinessKnowHow.com TARP Panel: Economic Crisis is “Far From Over” Though some economic measures are improving; with billions spent and more on the way, on the... [Read Full Article]