Is it getting worse?

So far (December of 2008) it appears that the small business climate is stabilizing if just a bit. This is not of course true for the construction industry, or auto dealers. But many small business are actually doing quite well. Most of these are the types of business you would expect to do well in a recession, plumbers, mechanics, welders, and other trades that generally do better when people decide to maintain things as opposed to replacing them. Obama's early cabinet decisions appear to reflect a move towards the center, and this is giving a short term confidence boost to many. But standing pat won't be enough. If taxes are cut, and oil is drilled domestically, we may just get out of this with nothing more than a recession..

Times are tough, you may need to find a new job, here is some help..
When the labor market tightens even a little jobs become more competitive, and business owners begin to look at potential candidates a little harder before making a decision. Your resume gets you in the door, but the interview process makes or breaks the case..
Interview answers for tough questions.
Resume formats

Starting the sales process.
If you've just landed your first sales job, or you are a business owner and want to jumpstart the sales, we'll get you started on the right foot. .
Getting started in sales.

The pros and cons of working for a small business.
We devote so much of our site to small business owners, and yet most people actually working in small businesses, so we thought we'd start put a little more emphasis on thse working for a smaller company.
Pros and cons of working in small business.

The John Galt approach to running a business.
If you are a fan of Atlas Shrugged, or the Ayn Rand philosophy you'll like this. We've created a business approach based onthe popular characters in her novels.. The John Galt approach to business.

Is it ethical for your business to go green?
Or are you doing more harm than good? Your first responsibility is to your customers and your employees. While helping the environment is a noble goal, starving people with good intentions is not.
Business ethics and the enironment.

Will the new minimum wage laws hurt your business?
Even if you have no employees who make minimum wage you can rest assure your labor costs will rise. They always have in the past, and they always will in the future. Read our opinion article on how the new minimum wage will affect you and your business (and won't do a thing for the working poor).

Custom written business software or buy of the shelf?
In the short run things may smooth out,and the recession could be mild. But in the long run, things are going get rough. The first of eighty million baby boomers became eligible for social security in 2008. It's not just the social security and medicare costs that will effect your business, the changing dynamic in spending patterns will have an effect as well. Custom software or off the shelf full article.

Great businesses start with great leaders.
Operations, sales, production, it all begins and grows the effective leadership.
If you're a new manager you'll want to start here .
If you want to become a great director, VP, or CEO start here.

Business diversity strategy.
Diversity is good. It can lead to vertical growth (but don't count on it) and increase profits by increasing the breadth of your business. But a poorly constructed strategy can hurt the bottom line as easily as help .
Read our entire article on creating a business diversification strategy

Business operations.
One of the biggest struggles of the small (and big) business is creating an effective balance between back end operations and production operations. This article will walk you through a process to get a handle on things and increase efficiency .
Read effective business operations

Starting a business? Here's a step by step guide.
This is not a fluff piece, giving you advice on how to motivate yourself. It's the nuts and bolts, and real world, practical advice to get you started in your own business.
Read the step by step guide to starting a business

Tips and real advice for small business entrepreneurs.
Making the transition from entrepreneur to small business owner can be difficult. It doesn't have to be. Most of the problem comes with taking advice about dumping your entrepreneruial spirit, but this is wrong, and you don't need to change who you are..
Tips for small business entrepreneurs>>.

Having trouble keeping good people?
For the next couple of months we'll be running a series of articles aimed at finding and effectively managing highly intelligent and highly motivated employees.
Read the small business management article .

Starting a computer consulting business.
Things are as rough inside as they are outside. Is now the time to go off on your own? We'll give you practical advice and real world experience.
Starting a computer consulting business article.

Economic Indicator meter.

Depression meter

At -200 we are in a Great Depression, Whitle - 50 we are in a recession (two quarters of negative GDP)

Read the entire aricle.

Why go to college?
how to become a CEO
Business continuity planning
Business productivity
Business leadership training
Business acquisition
Long term business planning
We need younger CEOs
Interviewing for executive jobs

Starting a business with no money

A 30 minute business education.

Business process management

100 best business articles in 100 categories.

Business Education Colleges

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