Selling to Small Businesses

A common perception of home-based businesses is that they are temporary situations.  One belief is that the business owner is just killing time pending getting a “real” job.  Another belief is that home-based businesses are startups and as soon as possible the business will move into a “real” office. But a recent survey says “au contraire.”  Running a business from home tends [...]

There’s a good book out called Fool’s Gold that gives a snapshot of the typical angel investor. The book also describes the kinds of businesses that angels invest in (along with characteristics and demographics of the entrepreneurs / business owners that run them). The book, by Professor Scott Shane, debunks a lot of myths about [...]

Have you ever wondered which industries the small businesses of the United States are represented in? For one thing, small businesses increasingly are becoming service businesses. They’re also getting out of retail. When I say service businesses, I don’t mean flipping burgers.  Instead, I mean accountants, lawyers, doctors, consultants, hair dressers, IT professionals, Web designers, [...]

Last week’s Warrillow Weekly has the following stunning chart, showing how membership in local Chambers of Commerce is dropping. Their numbers are based on a survey of over 2,000 small businesses. According to the Warrillow Weekly, which is an email newsletter report: “There’s no doubt that the US Chamber of Commerce, an affiliation of thousands [...]

Recently when I’ve visited my LinkedIn profile to approve connection requests and handle other business, I’ve noticed a medium rectangle ad displayed on my profile. The two ads showing up most often are an ad for AT&T and one for Bank of America. (Previously I believe Google AdSense ads were displayed. ) Being the curious [...]

NetBanker has an interesting overview of the small business community sites of banks and financial services companies. Jim Bruene, the author, gives a summary of these communities: Advanta’s Ideablob American Express’s OpenForum Bank of America’s Small Business Online Community, Capital One’s Slingshot, HSBC’s (UK) Business Network Intuit’s Quickbooks Group: VISA’s Business Network on Facebook is [...]