The Center for Economic and Policy Research, a liberal research organization in Washington, recently published a study looking at the rates of small business employment around the world.
The finding: “By every measure of small-business employment, the United States has among the world’s smallest small-business sectors.” This is the chart they published showing the self-employment rates in industrialized countries: (more…)
Disappointing sales are the number-one problem afflicting America's small businesses, and few business owners expect consumers to start spending again any time soon, according to the National Federation of Independent Business's latest monthly survey of its membership. As we know, sales declines have also forced businesses to shut down. In…
Judging from a survey by the Boston Consulting Group, your best bet is a business that knows how to cater to women. According to BCG, women today are driving $12 trillion of the overall $18.4 trillion in global consumer spending and will contribute an incremental $5 trillion in earnings over…
Small businesses have become more pessimistic about the chance for economic recovery in the next six months, according to a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business. The indicator fell 1.3 points in July to 86.5. "Now they are expected to finance the new experiments of Congress and the…
The Obama Administration is considering additional assistance for struggling small businesses. A large part of the focus is on creating additional liquidity for small businesses. Among the ideas is a direct underwriting program to support loans to small business. You can read more about it here.
“Where are we” is a question I hear all the time.
Usually, the questioner is looking for some answers about the business landscape and where we might be in the trough between recession and recovery.
A challenging question but one that usually prompts a series of my questions:
Where are you, and how well are you and your company prepared for the rest of this journey?
Make sure that you have a foolproof system that holds your team accountable so that they know … that you know … what they need to get done, and that you’re measuring and tracking those initiatives to make sure they don’t slip through the cracks.
How have you gotten this far? (more…)
In our CEO Round Table meetings, we have discussed on several occasions the Work Sharing Unemployment Insurance program available through the California Economic Development Dept., which provides a temporary and practical alternative to layoffs. In short, the program allows for the payment of benefits to individuals whose wages and hours…
As you know, I have long advocated the value of independent directors in the middle market. They bring perspective and diversity to family businesses in particular, and more subtly, help keep the conversation focused on business issues rather than emotional ones.
The SEC is now proposing for comment, landmark changes that will allow small groups of shareholders to force the addition of independent directors. (more…)
On Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. PDT and on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. PDT, we are hosting a FREE Live Webcast for CEO's and business leaders in the middle market.I believe middle market businesses need to do 2 things immediately:Evade the distractions of contradictory economic…