On the bus. To the 1960’s “Love Generation,” the phrase referred to Ken Kesey’s infamous drug-addled cross-country trip with the self-proclaimed Merry Pranksters. Today anyone using the phrase is more likely referring to the StartupBus which takes groups of entrepreneurs, software developers, and designers on a once-a-year journey of designing products and business models. The […]
This post brought to you by MetLife. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Susan Solovic. I’ve been chronicling the ups and downs of small business optimism for many months and sometimes it resembles one of those championship prize fights where the spunky challenger refuses to be beaten by the champ: He’s […]
Small business owners are eager and optimistic, so they are naturally inclined to say “yes” to all kinds of opportunities. However, learning to say “no” can ultimately be the difference between success and failure. Consider this Steve Jobs quote: “People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s […]
Firing an employee is never easy for anyone involved. Not only are there emotional entanglements, there is the potential for legal entanglements – small business owners need to conduct themselves wisely on both accounts. State laws vary, so before you even hire your first employee, get legal advice on firing; as soon as you have […]
Whenever it looks like we’re in an economic downturn, a handful of optimistic and hard-working small business owners and entrepreneurs charge ahead behind the rallying cry: I refuse to participate in a recession! We aren’t currently in a recession, but according to the most reliable economic indicators, we aren’t in a boom cycle either. However, […]