Here is this week’s news round-up for home business, micro business, sole-traders, freelancers, self-employed and any one who is interested in small business news from India:

• RBI to issue final guidelines on mobile banking - Business Standard: TI / Mumbai July 25, 2008, 15:23 IST Reserve bank is likely to finalise guidelines on mobile banking within two weeks that would enable banks to roll-out mobile-based payment services to their customers, a senior RBI official said today.
• UK to tap NRIs to build bridges towards India: Britain’s trade officials have announced plans to recruit NRI businessmen to open and pursue trade opportunities in India.
• Valley industrialist feels inflation heat: A well know industrialist from Valley ended his life as he was unable to pay of his debt. The Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir has expressed shock and anguish over the rising attempts of suicides by the local entrepreneurs who had suffered immense losses due to inflation and unprecedented price hike in steel and other items.
  andnbsp;In an urgently called meeting of steel fabrication units held under the Chairmanship of President FCIK Shakeel Qalander.
• FCIK seeks total IT exemption for Valleyites: The Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has demanded total income tax exemption to the entrepreneurs, traders and service class of Kashmir valley and other backward districts of the state for a period of 15 years on the pattern of Ladakh.
  andnbsp;The demand was made at a meeting between the senior officials of income tax department comprising chief commissioner Mr Chopra, commissioner Jandamp;K state Virendra Singh, Additional Commissioner Kashmir
• Proto.in SE, An Event for Indian Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Proto.in will witness a rare amalgamation of the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem. In keeping with its mantra of being a platform for start-ups, Proto.in, has moved to a different level of experience altogether in this edition.
• IndiaMART.com nominated among the top three at Emerging India Awards 2008: - IndiaMART.com nominated for India’s Biggest Business Awards for Small and Medium Enterprises - Stands tall amongst the top three positions in the Trading (non-retail) category - India’s largest initiative for Small and Medium Enterprises goes to London for the first time

As always this list is not exhaustive, but I hope it will give you a little overview. — ST.

A small business quote a day keeps you thinking, inspired and entertained 

“Dear, never forget one little point. It’s my business. You just work here.”

Elizabeth Arden (1884-1966) US entrepreneur & cosmetics manufacturer 

To find previous Quotes of the Day look here 

Here is this week’s news round-up for home business, micro business, sole-traders, freelancers, self-employed and any one who is interested in small business news from Australia and New Zealand:

• Westpac CDOs: ‘no earnings impact‘: WESTPAC today confirmed its small, collateralised debt obligation (CDO) portfolio has had no measurable impact on earnings.
• TomorrowNow confusion Down Under: A lack of information from the global headquarters of software giants Oracle and SAP has left the pairs’ Australian divisions completely in the dark about what actions to take in the wake of the closure of SAP’s Oracle services subsidiary TomorrowNow.
• Linkedin retrieves Australian domain: US-based business social networking company LinkedIn has taken action to retrieve the Australian version of its internet address from local digital marketing agency Clear Blue Day.
• Probationary periods: a storm in a teacup: National recently announced that it will bring in a 90 day voluntary probationary period for new employees. This would apply to businesses with less than 20 employees, and would allow employers to dismiss a new employee within 90 days, without the risk of an unjustified dismissal claim.
• It’s looking a bit down: BANKS and other lenders to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be the first to feel the negative effects of a sudden steep fall in business confidence.
• Think big, says Kochie: SMALL business owners need to focus more on the big issues affecting the economy, says TV personality and financial commentator David Koch.

As always this list is not exhaustive, but I hope it will give you a little overview. — ST.

A small business quote a day keeps you thinking, inspired and entertained 

“If the government is big enough to give you everything you want, it is big enough to take away everything you have.”

Gerald Ford (b. 1913-2006) US former president 

To find previous Quotes of the Day look here 

Association management refers to the handling of administrative functions such as bookkeeping and accounting, or more mundane tasks such as taking minutes at meetings or distributing newsletters. These are repetitive tasks which do not take up large amounts of time so if you are well organised it will be possible to have a number of clients without a negative impact on your quality of work.  

Skills needed: The most important skill you will need is the ability to stay extremely well organised when dealing with multiple clients. In addition, it is important that you are able to communicate well with all your clients. Some basic administration skills would be helpful.  

Business environment and set-up cost:  There is not a lot of potential for international business because you will need to work closely with clients. It is likely that only firms in the local area will be your customer. This is an inexpensive business to set-up as no inventory is needed to begin. The overall start-up cost will range from £500 to £5,000 (650 - 6,500 EUR, 1,000-10,000 AUD/USD).  

Marketing Techniques:  

• Make sure your website is easy to find by using search engine optimisation (SEO)
• Participate in the pay-per-click schemes of the popular search engines
• Use strategic banner advertising to target appropriate businesses in your local area
• Become actively involved in mailing lists and discussion groups for business in your local area, remembering to include an eye-catching signature linking to your website
• Use OnlineOffice to set up web-site, blog and online shop to promote your business online

Complimentary business ideas: You could also offer to handle promotional services for your clients such as newsletters. If you can attract advertisers to the newsletter then you will generate extra revenue.  

Notes: To avoid confusion or disputes you will need to have a clear contract with each client detailing the services that you will provide and the timeframe in which they must be completed.  

Online examples & resources:  

• Association Management Resources
• Virtual, Inc
• LoBue & Majdalany Management

For previous SME start-up ideas, look through the archive here  

Here is this week’s news round-up for home business, micro business, sole-traders, freelancers, self-employed and any one who is interested in small business news from Canada:

• Advisory Board: No business is too small to benefit from an Advisory Board and an Advisory Board can be a powerful management tool for your small business. Here’s how to set up and use an Advisory Board.
• Forms of Business Canada: Choosing the right form of business or business structure for your business is important because the form of business you choose will govern how your business is organized, how the money that flows in and out of your business is handled, and how your business is taxed. These resources will help you choose a business structure when you’re starting a small business in Canada.
• Business Financing Program: Whether you’re looking for new business financing or for financing for your established small business, the Canada Small Business Financing Program is a good deal. Here are the details of this federal small business loan program and how your Canadian small business can apply.
• Income Tax Deductions: What income tax deductions can you claim for business expenses relating to travel and attending conventions? See this page of this four part article on small business tax deductions for the answer.
• Airline disables credit card kiosks: Spurred by concerns over credit-card fraud, WestJet Airlines Ltd. said it will no longer allow travellers to use credit cards to check in at self-serve kiosks across the country.
• Color Laser Multifunctions: Multifunction color laser printers have long been only a dream to small and home businesses. Sure, being able to buy (and maintain) just one office machine, that would scan, copy, fax and print in quality color would be great - but who could afford it? But now multifunction color laser printers are finally affordable. Here are the best multifunction color laser printers for small businesses.

As always this list is not exhaustive, but I hope it will give you a little overview. — ST.

A small business quote a day keeps you thinking, inspired and entertained 

“We feel the spear of the marketplace in our back.”

Tony O’Reilly (b. 1936) Irish former CEO of Heinz 

To find previous Quotes of the Day look here 

Here is this week’s news round-up for home business, micro business, sole-traders, freelancers, self-employed and any one who is interested in small business news from the United States:

• Impact firms create Oregon’s jobs and growth: “High-impact” firms create Oregon’s new jobs and growth, according to a study released by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
• Minimum Wage Rises 70 Cents: About 2 million Americans get a raise as the federal minimum wage rises 70 cents. The bad news: Higher gas and food prices are swallowing it up, and some small businesses will pass the cost of the wage hike to consumers.
• Reports Find Errors and Fraud in Small Business Administration Contracts: Millions of dollars in federal contracts intended for small businesses reportedly were awarded to companies that had not qualified or had won the contracts fraudulently.
• Shifting Careers: Venture Financing With a Mission Beyond Profit: Ray Leach leads a nonprofit called Jumpstart that aims to boost growth in the Cleveland area by providing seed money to promising local ventures.
• SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available to Wisconsin Businesses: ATLANTA, July 24, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announces today that small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes in Wisconsin impacted by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred on June 5, 2008, and continuing are eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs).
• IFA Supports Small Business “Choice” Act To Bring Healthcare Options To Small Businesses: Bill is Positive Step Forward to Affordable Access to Health Insurance for Employees of Small Franchised Businesses. WASHINGTON, D.C.— The International Franchise Association (IFA) today applauded House Small Business Committee Chair Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) and Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-PA) for introducing the bipartisan Small Business “CHOICE” Act of 2008 to help small franchised businesses offer affordable health insurance to employees.
• Should My Business Have a Toll-Free Number?: Consider getting a toll-free number for your small business. These numbers can be a powerful sales and marketing tool. Consumer research shows:

As always this list is not exhaustive, but I hope it will give you a little overview. — ST.

A small business quote a day keeps you thinking, inspired and entertained 

“If a man is producing nothing, nobody can be the worse for a reduction of his incentive to produce.”

George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) Irish writer & critic 

To find previous Quotes of the Day look here 

Here is this week’s news round-up for home business, micro business, sole-traders, freelancers, self-employed and any one who is interested in small business news from the United Kingdom and Ireland:

• SFA worried about more stealth taxes on small firms: The Small Firms Association says its members should not be asked to bear any further costs as a result of spending cutbacks by the Government.
• Age of cheap utilities is over says business lobby group: The FPB is warning small firms to prepare for higher fuel costs as the era of cheap utilities looks set to end. The FPB is concerned that the Government has missed an opportunity to better prepare the country for the energy crisis.
• Post office fears for small firms: POST office closures in Scotland will have a serious effect on small businesses, the Forum of Private Business has warned.
• SME Wins Victory Over Boots Payment Terms: A small business that employs just two people has forced multinational retail store Alliance Boots into back tracking on its payment terms.
• Income tax changes will ’cause chaos for small businesses’: The changes, designed to get Labour rebels to back the abolition of the 10p tax rate, will see personal allowances – the amount each individual can earn before income tax is due – being raised by £600 for basic-rate taxpayers.
• Small business victory over late payments: A husband-and-wife business has won a rare victory in the battle against multinational companies that drag their heels when settling bills with small suppliers.
• Small Business To Benefit From Changes Governing Out Of Town Shopping: Government proposals that new out of town supermarkets should be prevented if they negatively impact on smaller shops, have been welcomed by small business groups.
• Teledata start-up jobs boost: DATA and disaster recovery specialist Teledata is to create 40 jobs at a new centre in Wythenshawe.
• HBOS Looking For SME Business: UK bank HBOS has announced that it is to set up a single business division in an attempt to move itself into the SME banking market place.
• ISME Let workers earn first €25k tax-free: A business group representing small firms has called on the Government to allow workers earn up to €25,000 before they are caught in the tax net.
• DMGT’s B@B arm offsets newspaper fall: The publisher of the Daily Mail reported 5% rise in third-quarter revenue, as as growth in its business-to-business division offset further falls in newspaper advertising

As always this list is not exhaustive, but I hope it will give you a little overview. — ST.