In The News
Workplace Shootings in Florida, Texas Again Put Focus on Violence on the Job The two shootings are the highest-profile incidents of workplace violence since a Yale University student’s strangled body was found in the university laboratory where she conducted research. A co-worker, Raymond J. Clark III, was later charged with the murder. Workforce.comManagement and OperationsHow to Resolve Workplace Conflict Conflict in the workplace is a painful reality and a key reason for poor productivity and frustration. Do you have people in your workplace that cause problems for everyone else? Do they create additional work for o...
By Cheryl Sowa · November 10 2009
small business brief, small business, conflict, productivity
You know, a 140 character limit really isn't a lot to share something significant in. Neither is 15 minutes though, especially not between three people trying to convey the effects of social media on an industry. Fortunately, a collection of some of the best minds in small business were able to do just that at the 140 Characters Conference in LA this past October. I was lucky enough to have been one of the 140 people asked to speak and represent the state of now. I wasn't alone in this. This conference was Jeff Pulver's baby. Jeff is a globally renowned thought leader, author and entrepreneur. He contacted Becky McCray of Small Biz Survival and asked her to put together a panel of people who could effectively speak on behalf of small business...
By Kim Fenolio · November 06 2009
social media, twitter, kim fenolio, characters
This week I am leading the small business panel at the 140 Characters Conference in Los Angeles, California. This is pretty significant for our company, and for each of you, in that I will be sharing how small business is being effected by the real-time internet. Basically, I’m going to talk about how Facebook and Twitter (social media) are helping your business in the current state of the world, even in this economy.
This panel and conference isn’t all about me. I’ll be sharing the stage with some fantastic co-panelists: Scott Townsend of United Linen and Neal Rohrbach of Idea Anglers. Together we hope to give you a rounded view of how small business works with these medias from beginning to end. We’re calling our panel Small as a Tweet. We’re taking a few questions up front. If there’s anything specific that you’d...
By Kim Fenolio · October 26 2009
small business, twitter, facebook, kim fenolio
Tips from October 14, 2009 The Small Business tips today will talk about how turning to social media will improve customer service.
Twitter allows for up to the minute updates for openings, new products, sales, and limited time offers.
Customers talk about experiences on Twitter: provide exceptional service and personalize to get great buzz.
Use Twitter to build up your small businesses by retweeting testimonials & customer satisfaction stories.
Build a community of customers with a Facebook Fan page. Ask for feedback & give new Fans coupons.
Daily Overview: Social media is an excellent way to keep up in real time and positivity about your biz.
By Cheryl Sowa · October 14 2009
small business tips, small business, customer service, social media
Government, Politics, and the Economy
U.S. Chain Sales up 0.1 Percent in September Chain sales increased in the United States for the first time in 14 months, according to ICSC. ManageSmarter.comManagement and OperationsDealing With Demanding Customers We all experience it, customers who are over-demanding. Figure out how to deal with these customers and still show respect. BusinessKnowHow.com Management and Operations
By Cheryl Sowa · October 13 2009
small business brief, sba, recovery, business
Tips from October 1, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss how to leverage a bit of social media for your business.
Create a LinkedIn profile & page for your small business. Join entrepreneur/small business groups. Get your business networked.
Use Twitter and it's searchable database to find your target audience. Begin networking, talking, being social and offer out some special deals.
Facebook Fan Pages for business: tell your story, get members, upload pictures/videos. If your business has a blog, import your RSS feed using one of the Facebook applications for that purpose.
Can't afford commercials? Create viral videos for YouTube. Create a channel for your business, post to Facebook Fan pages and share on all the other social networks you're a part of.
Daily Overview: Find the areas of social media that are going to be able to do the most for your business. Network, get social and connect with both c...
By Cheryl Sowa · October 01 2009
small business tips, small business, social media, linkedin
Government, Politics, and the Economyhttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB125233977333690447.html Key Week for Obama Starts on Feisty Note President Obama starts off the Tuesday after Labor Day by stressing the importance of his new government-run-health-insurance program, while key senators collaborated for a bipartisan deal. WSJ.com Management and Operationshttp://www.womenentrepreneur.com/2009/09/hiring-without-the-headaches.html Hiring Without the Headaches Salary, taxes, and benefits are just some of the worries that arise for entrepreneurs when they decide to add on to their workforce. Small businesses need to have a hiring process in place to effectively hire employees for their small businesses. WomenEntrepreneur.com Management and Operationshttp://entrepreneur.com/sales/customerservicecolumnistsydneybarrows/article203136.html Prioritize the Customer Experien...
By Cheryl Sowa · September 08 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, sales
Government, Politics, and the EconomyInflation Will Accelerate Next Decade, Economists Say According to a poll taken by the National Association for Business Economics, the Federal Reserve cannot prevent the trillions of dollars from the stimulus package from inflation over the next decade, rising an average of 3% per year from 2014 through 2018. Bloomberg.comGovernment, Politics, and the Economy What's North Dakota Doing Right? As the rest of the nation painfully struggles with balancing the budget and rising unemployment, the state of North...
By Cheryl Sowa · September 01 2009
small business brief, small business, customer service, sales
