Small Business World News Round-up – 2009/09/08

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.

• Washington to receive $34.7M in fed funds for small-business insurance: Washington will get $34.7 million in federal money over the next five years that will help some small businesses in the state provide health insurance, state officials said Friday.
• Health car: Scenes from town halls: Congressional efforts to revamp the country’s healthcare system have sparked a fierce debate within the small business community, pitting owners who believe that reform would curb rising healthcare costs against neighbors who fear higher taxes. All sides of the debate were on display this summer as legislators met with their constituents around the country.
• Auto dealers in financing hell: Most small businesses are having trouble finding loans and credit lines these days, but auto dealers are in their own special financing hell. Their inventory is expensive, their industry is in shambles, and their largest lenders are in tatters.
• Tackling Business Stress in Trying Times: The economic downturn has been especially hard on small businesses, and owners seek ways to ease the tension.

• Canadian small business bullish on recovery: Count the small- and medium-sized business sector among those jumping on the bandwagon of pundits believing the Canadian economy is recovering. In B.C., though, optimism is taking a slight hit.
• Sweet dreams are made of geoengineering:Farming plankton, sending solar panels into orbit, remodelling hydrogen — for the latest wave of entrepreneurs suggesting easier ways out of climate change, it’s all in a day’s pitching.
• Sask.’s young entrepreneurs taking root in province: As the Saskatchewan Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs’ (SYPE) 400 members prepare to celebrate the organization’s 10th anniversary this year, the group continues to look to the future to ensure the province’s young people can meet their career and lifestyle dreams in Saskatchewan.

• Chasing debts could keep you afloat:TIME-POOR small businesses have been urged to make time to chase debts, and it just might save them says one expert.
• Planning ‘more important than a budget’: ONLY about 5 per cent of small businesses operate from a business plan – but without one you could be in for a world of pain.
• Exports the key as small firms thrive: An eye further afield has helped one part of the economy succeed where others are floundering, writes Keeli Cambourne.
• Low inventories mean companies should ramp up marketing to win sales: Companies that let their inventories run low are now importing stock and getting ready for a much better Christmas, report experts in the SME sector.
• Employers fail to grasp new flexible work arrangement rules: SMEs are badly unprepared for the introduction of new workplace laws on 1 January 2010 that will allow employees to negotiate flexible workplace arrangement, a new survey shows.

• Small businesses back Lisbon Treaty:The majority of small businesses believe a Yes vote in the Lisbon Treaty is vital to boost exports across the EU, it emerged today.
• Warning on higher cost of lending: The cost of lending for small businesses could rise under plans aimed at making it easier for firms in trouble to get financial help
• Debtor sorrows for SMEs: Late payments are continuing to hurt small businesses, with many having to wait up to four months before balances are settled, claims the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
• Post office ’should be a hub for all small businesses’: Post offices should be transformed into small business hubs, offering services such as banking and advice to companies in a bid to secure the future of the branch network, an industry group has said.
• Small firms now waiting up to four months to be paid, FSB revels: Small firms are waiting up to four months for invoices to be paid by several big brand names, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) research has revealed.

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

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