Government and Economy
Local Economies – Local Currencies
Borrowing from a Depression-era idea, more and more communities are aiming to help consumers make ends meet and support struggling local businesses by printing and circulating their own currencies. USAToday.com
Energy Tax Breaks to Benefit Small Businesses...Eventually
It may take a little while, but most of the small business energy incentives in the economic-stimulus plan will eventually trickle down from state and local governments. WSJ.com
Management and Financial Issues
The Peter Principle: Alive and Well in the 21 st Century
It may be forty years old, but The Peter Principle, with its simple message that in any organization, people rise to the level of their own incompetence, resonates even more today, when a lust for accomplishment has led to what many call an unprecedented level of incompetence. BusinessWeek.com
Technology Issues
Understanding the Impact of Twitter
If mom's tweeting more than her son, what does that mean for online businesses? ClickZ.com
Benefits and Labor Issues
The Card Check Debate Continues
Opponents say the EFCA—Card Check—is bad for employees, employers and consumers. This discussion, however, focuses on one area of the debate, employer intimidation. HRCapitalist.com
Businesses Turn to Twitter to Cut Recruitment Costs
The value of Twitter as a platform for finding new employees, however, remains unproven. ClickZ.com
Work-Sharing Programs Could Help Stem Layoffs
According to a new report, work-sharing programs could help limit U.S. Layoffs, allowing workers to stay on the job and employers to retain valuable talent. Workforce.com
Sales and Marketing
CRM Still Tops for B2B Sales
According to a recent study by ES Research Group, Inc., social media tools don't really help sales teams close many B2B deals. Based upon ESR's research, sales methodologies used in conjunction with CRM systems are proving far more effective. ManageSmarter.com
Turn up the Heat on Cold Prospects
Do you have prospects that seem to give you the run-around, expressing interest at first but later refusing to take your calls or reply to your emails in your product or service when you first contacted them but now they don't return your calls, reply to your emails or seem interested in making a buying decision. BusinessKnowHow.com
Improve Sales Through a Motivated Staff
With so many no-cost and low-cost staff behaviors that can make all the difference in how a customer feels about your store, a motivated staff is the most cost-effective way to stand out from the competition. SmallBizTrends.com
