Biz Tactics

Funding Options for Women-Led Businesses Offer Resources and Counsel

By Staff
Thursday, March 23, 2023 8:15 AM The growth in entrepreneur-led businesses has taken off, but women-led businesses still account for a minority of those enterprises even though the percentages have increased. In 2021, there were some 49 percent of entrepreneur-led businesses. But there are over a dozen government-led agencies and organizations out there to help female-led businesses. A great wrap-up on these can be found at CO - The Chamber of Commerce resource site for small business. A special article, recently posted to CO, explains 16 sources of funding and a brief summary of how they work as well as links.

Family Business to Spotlight Transformational Women of 2023 at its Special Event in Denver in June

By Staff
Thursday, March 9, 2023 2:30 PM NEW YORK—On March 8, International Women’s Day, the people at Family Business announced the women chosen by a panel of their staff members and advisors who will be featured in the May/June 2023 issue of Family Business Magazine, “Transformational Women of 2023.” As part of their Transformational Women in Family Business 2023 Event, the women will be celebrated at a special awards ceremony and dinner to be held in Denver, Colo. on June 7-8.

Getting Ready for July’s Independent Retailer Month

By Staff
Thursday, March 2, 2023 8:15 AM NEW YORK—Independent Retailer Month encourages consumers to shop local and celebrate indie retailers, creating more sustainable cities, towns and communities. Its organizers developed this “shop local” event that runs annually throughout July encouraging consumers to shop at independent retailers; highlighting their positive social and economic impact locally, nationally and globally. On the group’s website its team helps members around the country to encourage people to shop independent retail year-round and to use July as a time to celebrate the independent retailers that help build the country’s economy, creating more sustainable cities, towns and communities.

Main Street America Offers Small Businesses Resources and Tactics

By Staff
Thursday, February 23, 2023 8:15 AM NEW YORK—Thousands of small businesses from across the country have found inspiration, encouragement, resources and tactics by virtue of a network of programs under the umbrella of Main Street America—an initiative designed “to position Main Street as a leader locally, regionally and nationally. The organization Main Street America is based in Chicago, Illinois, with an office in Washington, DC, and field staff located throughout the country. There are many levels of membership for independent businesses and community planners and supporters to take part in Main Street America.

Realize Your Family Business Vision

By Staff
Tuesday, January 31, 2023 8:15 AM This new year, continue advancing your family enterprise with one of the upcoming family business programs at the John L. Ward Center for Family Enterprises at Kellogg. Running a family enterprise presents unique challenges and opportunities. Leverage 20 years of Kellogg expertise to define and realize your vision and achieve your goals. Hone the skills your ownership group, non-family executives and board members need to succeed. Learn more and apply for one of Kellogg’s upcoming programs below.

SCORE Offers an Army of Volunteers to Help Small Independent Businesses Grow and Thrive

By Staff
Wednesday, January 18, 2023 7:15 AM HERNDON, Va.—SCORE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Thanks to this generous support from the SBA and the selfless contributions of more than 10,000 dedicated volunteers, SCORE said it can deliver most of its offerings at no cost. SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals. Since 1964, the organization has provided education and mentorship to more than 11 million entrepreneurs.

Social Media Calendar Suggestions for Small Businesses

By Staff
Thursday, December 29, 2022 8:15 AM NEW YORK—Managing a range of daily tasks can be a challenge for any practice but the importance of keeping a business’ name out there on the range of social media platforms now available are no longer a “nice to have” but a “must have” for most small independent businesses. One resource in general is Small Business Trends, which offers a range of advisory articles, references and support for small businesses. One example is the website’s Social Media Calendar, available in a range of formats from Excel to PDF, can be found here and is also illustrated below.

Mastercard Offers a Range of Resources and Guidance for Small Businesses

By Staff
Wednesday, December 7, 2022 2:45 PM NEW YORK—Did you know that a range of helpful programs, articles and guides are available to small businesses through Mastercard? These span services that include ways to enhance mobile and contactless payments, but go beyond to help small businesses emerge from the COVID pandemic through the HelloAliceCovid19 Business Center of services. The company also works with Mastercard Business Card holders on special programs and assistance. You can learn more about those programs here. There are credits and promotions that can extend the reach of small business advertising. More details are found here.

National Federation of Independent Business Gives Small Businesses a Voice

By Staff
Tuesday, November 22, 2022 8:15 AM WASHINGTON D.C.—Who appeals to lawmakers and legislators about the needs of small independent business? The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is a trade group with over 325,000 members. It advocates and regularly lobbies state and federal governments on behalf of small independent business, with a website that regularly showcases news and other resources on a range of topics form finance to HR issues and marketing. There are many benefits to having a membership in the NFIB. You can also sign up here for free for the organization’s e-newsletter of small business insights and news.

A Multi-Faceted Resource for Small Businesses of All Types

By Staff
Monday, November 14, 2022 8:15 AM NEW YORK—Small Business Trends is an award-winning online resource that offers a range of helpful information from a wide array of areas to help guide small business owners. From marketing strategy to help in sifting through small business tools, apps and local/national news, the site has much to offer. Each day there is new material. A recent piece explores “How to Make a Deal in Uncertain Economic Times" with specific tactics and advice. A Calendar of Events targeting small businesses around the country, virtual or online is helpful. As is a related feature on 18 Event Planning Tips for those who are putting on their own events.

Eyes On 2023 Virtual Event Offers CE and Digital Exhibits Nov. 18-20, 2022

By Staff
Monday, October 31, 2022 8:15 AM SAN DIEGO—Practitioners looking to expand their professional horizons with education and training and who are searching for the latest technologies and products can still register for free for the upcoming Eyes On 2023 Virtual Event, to be held Nov. 18-20, 2022. Eyes On 2023 will feature nine hours of free COPE-accredited CE and CME exclusively curated for optometrists and ophthalmologists, over 20 hours of additional live education from world-class experts, a virtual Exhibit Hall stocked with leading ophthalmic brands, $5,000 in prizes and giveaways, and a dedication to elevating the future of eyecare with a focus on innovation, according to an announcement from Eyes On Eyecare.

Family Business Magazine Posts White Paper on ‘The Future of Family Enterprise’

By Staff
Thursday, October 13, 2022 8:15 AM NEW YORK—Family Business Magazine continues to be an excellent resource for those who are involved in family-run businesses, small or large. Articles, webinars and a free e-newsletter are all part of what's regularly offered. Recently the group posted a white paper from one of its partners, Citibank's Private Bank unit, on "The Future of Family Enterprise," free for download. The creators of the report pointed out, "If your family business is to survive and thrive in the coming years, we believe you should consider the 5 effective strategies from our year-long study, in which we interviewed many business-owning clients.”

October Is Office Manager/Administrator Appreciation Month; CareCredit Offers Social Media Tools to Help Celebrate Their Role

By Staff
Monday, September 26, 2022 8:15 AM NEW YORK—CareCredit, a leading provider of financing for health care purchases, is launching Office Manager/Administrator Appreciation Month on Oct. 1, 2022. Providers, teams and especially office managers and administrators are invited to celebrate and recognize everything these #AwesomeOMAs do for their teams, patients and practices. The centerpiece of the celebration is the new Office Manager/Administrator Appreciation Month (OMAAM) website, created by CareCredit. Here, providers and their teams can find ideas and resources to help make celebrating OMAAM festive, fun and easy.

Getting Advice From Others in Family Businesses

By Staff
Wednesday, September 14, 2022 8:15 AM NEW YORK—There are perhaps thousands of family-oriented eyecare practices and independent or regional optical retail businesses out there and they each face a unique set of business challenges due to the combination of personal and professional factors. One unique resource designed to provide a range of perspectives, tactics and assistance in these matters is Family Business, an e-magazine with content and events and guides geared to leaders and owners of multigenerational family businesses and C-suite executives.

Taking a Look at the Upcoming Holiday Season

By Staff
Wednesday, August 31, 2022 8:15 AM NEW YORK—Summer isn’t quite over yet, but with back-to-school season in full swing and Halloween candy already gracing the aisles of most grocery stores, it’s time to face the music: we have to start thinking about the 2022 holiday season. The holidays seem to creep up every year, and it never feels like there’s enough time to get prepared, so you can never start too early. This month, market research company Forrester released “A Retailer's Guide to the 2022 Holiday Season,” an analyst report that takes a look at what retailers might expect to see in the coming months.