A small business quote keeps you thinking, inspired and entertained.

“What I don’t like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day.”

Phyllis Diller (b. 1917) US comedienne

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The top 5 tips weekly post is always full of hints and tips for small, home & micro business owners.

• If you are becoming fatigued or bored with your business, it may be time to start making big changes.
  
• Have you developed a resistance to adopting new ideas or taking risks?  It is possible that you may have been at the helm for too long.
• If you are no longer personally growing and learning in your role it can cause your business to stagnate.
• Try to surround yourself with people who will challenge your thinking about business matters.
• If you have been in charge over 10 years, consider becoming Chairman and appointing a new CEO to keep things fresh.

If you have additional tips, please share them in the comments section.

A small business quote keeps you thinking, inspired and entertained.

“Smaller businesses often say the words, but can’t get in on the act.”

Clare Short (b. 1946) British politcian, referring to the difficulty of maintaining ethical standards despite severe competition, Management Today (November 1999)

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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 around the world.

• Free tax help for small businesses: Thomas P. Ochsenschlager, vice president of taxation for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, will offer free, year-end tax planning and preparation tips in a Small Business Administration Web chat on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Log in to the…
• CIT rises from the ashes: After a 38-day trip through bankruptcy, small business lender CIT Group emerged on Thursday and says it’s ready to charge back into the lending fray. Its next challenge: Rebuilding relationships with customers damaged by the bank’s struggles.
• Buying the best insurance for your Business: It’s important to pay close attention to the kind of insurance you buy for your small business; otherwise you could face a shock when you file a claim.
• Business inventors rise unexpectedly in October: Businesses unexpectedly increased their inventories in October, halting a slide of 13 consecutive declines. The small gain, along with a fifth straight increase in sales, raised hopes that businesses will begin restocking their depleted shelves, helping…
• Most small businesses plan no ‘09 bonuses, survey shows: More small-business employees can expect no end-of-year bonuses or gifts for 2009. A recent survey of small-business owners or managers by American Express’ small-business division shows that fewer of them are planning to give gifts or cash.

• Small business mood positive in Alberta: Small and medium-sized businesses in Alberta are among the most optimistic about the economy for the coming year, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
• Canadian small business confidence slowly improving: Small business confidence in the Canadian economy is improving but it suggests that although the recovery is proceeding its pace is gradual. Businesses in Newfoundland & Labrador, New Brunswick, British Columbia and Alberta are the most optimistic for the coming year.
• Saskatchewan small business owners below national average in optimism rating: Small business owners in Saskatchewan continue to be in an upbeat mood but are now below the national average in an optimism rating, a survey released Wednesday indicates.
• Values and rates fairly steady, but tax bills set to soar: Many Vancouver taxpayers have already received heads-up notices that flag what they can expect when their formal property assessments arrive next month, so it’s possible now to reliably forecast what the actual tax bills will look like next summer.

• Sustainability and Passion to Succeed Drive SME Business Growth: Transparency and Smooth Processes Help Achieve Sustainability. – Success-Driven Management is a Prerequisite for SMEs to Turn Corporate – Good Ratings Enhance Credibility and Bring Better Prospects Taking a business from a one-man property to a corporate-type enterprise in India is no mean task.
• RBI draws flank from panel: The carte blanche given to private and foreign banks by the Reserve Bank of India to charge interest rates on credit cards at their whims and fancy has come in for severe criticism by the parliamentary standing committee on finance.
• Indian banks lent Rs 6,500cr: Amid the debt repayment crisis in Dubai, Indian banks on Friday said that they have an exposure of Rs 5,000-6,500 crore in the middle east city, but the bankers are not worried and said the development may not have major impact on their balance sheets.
• MSMEs may get procurement preference in PUSs soon: Most of the public sector units will have to source at least one-fifth of their purchases from the micro, small and medium enterprises, if the recommendation of a task force headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s top aide is accepted.

• Chancellor gives Scots little cheer: WILL a public sector squeeze combined with higher taxes for small businessmen and further restrictions on the pensions industry announced by Chancellor Alistair Darling in the
• SMEs hit out against NI hikes: The Chancellor’s decision to increase national insurance contributions by a further 0.5 per cent in April 2011 has angered small business owners.
• Darling pledges help for SMEs: The Chancellor announced proposals to help small businesses in his pre-Budget report.Alistair Darling committed £500 million for a capital growth fund to support small businesses and an extension to the Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme.
• FSB response to Chancellor’s Pre-Budget Report: The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) welcomed measures by the Chancellor to give small businesses a helping hand by extending finance to small firms and calling off a 1p rise in small companies’ Corporation Tax in his pre-budget report.
• Majority of SMEs have bad credit rating: Nearly two-thirds of small businesses have a bad credit score, says credit referencing agency Graydon UK.

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

A small business quote keeps you thinking, inspired and entertained.

“The important thing in life is not the victory but the contest; the essential thing is not to have won, but to have fought well.”

Pierre de Coubertin (1863-1937) French founder of the modern Olympic Games, Speech (July 1908)

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In an unprecedented weak budget spiked with half truths, Mr Darling is trying to ignite a class war in the UK in an attempt to boost the Labour Party election prospects – a dangerous game to play with our fragile economy at this time.

While any real and immediate public spending cuts are delayed until at least 2011, so not to disgruntle potential Labour voters, higher earners where hit hardest again. Labour is implying a ‘well-off association’ with bankers – who are to blame for this mess – to disguise it’s attempt to ignite a class war to hide it’s total failure on the economic & political front!

Not one word about Labour comp-licitness in our current problems – it was after all our current PM, then Chancellor Brown, who was warned over five years ago of the pending problems with the credit levels in the economy. Yet, the self-declared ’saviour of the world’, did nothing to stop this problem when it was first publicly discussed in the media.

Any attempt to help small business, can at best be described as window dressing, no deference of the re-introduction of the higher VAT rate to 17.5%, which will hit small business hard. It is worth mentioning that Labour is breaking another promise by withdrawing support for the economy before the economy has emerged from recession.

Darling announced another £500mio in an business development fund, another £500mio that will never reach those small businesses that really need this money to survive. His ‘lending guarantee’ signed with the ’state owned’ banks has also not come to anything.

As this government is running out of money and soon people it can squeeze for more tax, the outlook for our economy remains troubling at best. We need many more small business start-ups, which in time will create better and more secure jobs, than any of the big companies ever will.

Early indications via twitter and other online social media is that more and more people thinking about leaving the UK to set up shop abroad. Many saying if Labour is returned to power, they will leave next year!

The Shadow Chancellor Osbourne said ‘Britain is closed for business…!’, a sentiment echoed by more and more small business owners.

All in all this was not a Pre-Budget Report, the was a Pre-Election Manifesto.

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 around the world.

• Ringing in the Holiday but Sharing the Bill: For small businesses, shared office parties offer the feel of a big event at a lower cost — and without the planning headaches.
• Small business job losses continue: While the federal government’s relatively upbeat employment report for November is fueling optimism among restaurateurs and other businesses that the economy might be turning the corner, another study states that job loss continues to be a problem for small business owners.
• Senate bill won’t change small biz premiums: The Congressional Budget Office predicts the Senate health care reform bill would provide better, but more expensive, coverage in the individual insurance market, while having little impact on premiums for employer-based coverage.
• U.S. Small Business Loans in Areas Down: BOSTON–Delinquencies among small and medium-sized U.S. business borrowers fell in October for a third straight month, according to PayNet Inc, which provides risk-management tools to the commercial lending industry.
• Nevada ranks as second-best for small businesses: Nevada has the second-best public policy climate in the nation for small business, a report this week shows.

• Small business, big trouble: Big companies have recapitalised and recovered. As interest rates keep rising, however, small companies face a tricky future, writes Paddy Manning.
• Christmas lessons for small business: With Christmas fast approaching, business owners looking for inspiration need look no further than some messages from the festive season.
• Canberra cuts red tape: NOT-FOR-PROFIT organisations and some small businesses will no longer have to prepare detailed annual reports
• ;The definitive guide to the 2009 Christmas Public Holidays: Small businesses are busily preparing for the Christmas season, but one important topic might to be overlooked in the rush – the complicated business of public holidays. For several years…
• Accounting costs could soar under new accounting standards for SMEs: Accounting experts have warned that small- and medium-sized businesses could face increased costs and a much higher administrative burden under new accounting rules proposed by the Australian…

• Tory plea to help small businesses: The Tories have urged the Government to overhaul measures meant to improve the flow of credit to small businesses amid a continued decline in lending.
• Small businesses need better bank lending as well as new growth fund, says FPB: The FPB is calling for bank lending to be made more accessible and affordable following a report identifying a ‘permanent gap’ in small business finance.
• Innovation key to survival for SMEs: HALF of small businesses survived the worst of the recession by creating new products and services, while one in four actually increased their profits.
• Banks are not supportive say SMEs: Bank managers are among the least trusted group to approach when owner-managers are seeking financial advice, according to research from Close Invoice Finance.

• Small Firms are growing but still need support to sustain a full recovery: More than half of businesses have resisted the worst of the recession by innovating, creating new products and services, according to a new survey by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and ICM.

• Unleash The Power Of Your Web Browser With OnlineOffice: It can be annoying and time-consuming when software on your computer has to regularly download updates from the Internet in order to keep you up-to-date with the latest version.
• Market Research For Your Small Business: Shell LiveWIRE, the UK’s biggest online community for young entrepreneurs, offer the following tips when launching a new product or service.
• Dubai World – British Banks Building Castles In The Sand: I’m reading with some astonishment an article by the BBC’s Robert Preston about the 40% involvement of British banks in the £22bn debacle of Dubai World.
• How to Make This Recession Work For Your Small Home Business: On my blog I often talk about not spending money, bootstrapping and cash-flow planning. However a recession can be a excellent time to spend money too, providing you have the cash to spend – here are some tips on how to spend & save at the same time:

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

See more small business interviews @ winweb.tv

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 around the world.

• Even in Recession, Some Smell Businesses Grow: Several entrepreneurs have found ways to increase revenue by tailoring strategies to their unique strengths.
• Obama not small business-friendly: Congressman Parker Griffith said the Obama administration is not small business-friendly because it attempts to raise revenue by taxing small business owners.
• Stimulus cash runs out for loans: The stimulus cash that helped boost small business lending this year just ran out.
• The Latest Entrepreneurial Fantasy Is Selling Cupcakes: Move over restaurants and bed-and-breakfasts. A new fantasy seems to have taken hold for people who long to own their own business: the cupcakery.
• Business owners increasingly upset over credit card transaction fees: Card issuers contend their swipe charges don’t hurt and should remain the same.

• Emerson names expert panel for franchising and unconscionable conduct inquiry: The seemingly never-ending stream of inquires in the franchising sector is set to continue, with Small Business Minister Craig Emerson naming an expert panel to examine whether unconscionable conduct…
• No relief fro small business in new climate change deal – power bills tipped to jump $1,500: The Rudd Government’s new climate change deal, which has been endorsed by Federal Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull, does not contain any assistance for small businesses, despite increased…
• SMEs carrying losses forward targeted by ATO: SMEs intending to carry forward losses are being targeted by the Australian Taxation Office as part of its compliance program, fearing businesses could incorrectly calculate their tax liabilities.
• Courting new business: It’s often said that an entrepreneur is always on the lookout for an opportunity – and sometimes those opportunities emerge in the strangest ways

• Small businesses changing hands despite recession: Even in recession, entrepreneurs buy and sell local small businesses. Plenty of Indianapolis-area companies are for sale.
• Lessons from recession will help SMEs’ future roadmap courage and…: Learning lessons from recession important for future upswing SMEs should graduate from growth by default. … Addressing the need gap of SMEs’ needing small funding, R. Ganesh, Deputy General Manager of ICICI Bank, underlined the bank’s commitment to SMEs, which gets addressed by a separate dedicated SME unit, which addresses the needs of SMEs, which are not big enough to attract the attention of venture capital funds or angel …
• British airways launch business opportunity grants in India: British Airways today announced the launch of British Airways Business Opportunity Grants across India as part of the airline’s commitment to help the country’s more than 13 million Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and to help stimulate local business.
• Many India SMBs are turning to SaaS CIOL News Reports: KOLKATA, INDIA: India SMBs (Small and medium business or companies with up to 999 employees) are on track to spend US$30 million on accounting software in 2009, showing a 5 per cent growth over 2008. Small businesses (SBs or companies …

• RBS makes loan pledge to SMEs: Royal Bank of Scotland is setting up a small business charter, as it seeks to counter accusations that firms are getting a raw deal on loans
• Small businesses divided over environmental measures, according to FPB survey ahead of climate change meeting: More than one in five small firms are delaying embracing environmentally-friendly measures because of the recession but almost as many are being encouraged to implement them, a survey carried out by the FPB suggests.
• Give small firms as well as consumers protection from unfair bank charges says FPB: Ahead of the expected decision of the newly-formed Supreme Court to allow unfair bank charges to be investigated, the FPB is calling for protection for all small businesses as well as consumers.
• Small businesses look overseas for cash as UK lending remains scarce: AMERICAN financial giants and foreign-owned banks with a base in the City are to be targeted by a leading small business organisation which sees them as potential sources of funding as Britain moves out of recession.

• Marketing Tips For Your Small Business: David Paget, owner of UKSMF Ltd – a free sales and marketing advice site, has put together 5 top tips to consider with your business marketing
• And the £10,000 Finalists are….: Thursday the 26th November sees the finalists from WinWeb’s Business ‘09 campaign compete for the winning prize at the Business Startup Show in London. Each finalist will have 5 minutes to present their idea to our panel of judges for a chance to win £10,000 to invest in their business.
• Career Path: WinWeb Local Partner: During this recession many more people start a new business with WinWeb OnlineOffice or OnlineOffice ProEdition. Supporting these businesses with local services is in itself a great way to earn a living and help entrepreneurs in your local area to succeed.
• And The Winner Is….: The five finalists for WinWeb’s Business ‘09 gave their presentations at Olympia in London last Thursday to try and win the first prize of £10,000.

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

I’m reading with some astonishment an article by the BBC’s Robert Preston about the 40% involvement of British banks in the £22bn debacle of Dubai World.

Robert lets us all know that there is nothing to worry about, since the banks in question could easily “absorb” these loses, pointing to the fact that they have raised much more before from the Treasury’s Asset Protection Scheme – taxpayers money and guarantees to you and me.

It is somewhat shocking to see how parts of the British media establishment not only fail to lambast the banks and government for it’s failing and stupidity, no now the media seems to play down the seriousness of these development. We are talking about £8.8bn being lost and potentially having to be footed by the British taxpayer and Peter things we should not worry?

Nobody is going to get sacked over this mess and I guess the bonus payments to our favorite bankers are all on track too. We wouldn’t want to upset the geniuses who helped to build the “castles in the sand”.

While small business suffers at the hand of banks and governments, these banks are being protected to the n-th degree, with our money and our future. It’s time we – the tax payers – let some of these banks have a basic lesson in business reality, let them go bust.

The governments reckless behavior with our tax-money needs to be stopped and the established media needs to wake up and do their job properly.

Robert, you need to come out of your little world and see what is happening to real businesses run by the people who pay your wages. – ST.