Small Business News World Round-up – 2009/12/08

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.

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