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From Small Business Administration Blog
August 23, 2012 - 7:43am
Thinking of exporting your products or services? Want to expand your existing exporting business? The U.S. government can help.
The SBA, for example, is making it a priority to help small business owners develop or expand their exporting activities through initiatives such as its Export Loan Programs and free online informational videos.
What else does Uncle Sam offer? Well, did you know the U.S. government can help target and facilitate meetings with potential international partners and buyers? Or that it provides U.S.
From Small Business Administration Blog
August 22, 2012 - 8:41am
Online buzz about social media for business owners seems to be moving from “Should I” to “How do I?” I’ve been working on this a lot lately as part of my work on planning, and I’ve developed this process for a specific social media plan for small business:
Start with strategy
Define how your social media serves your business. Usually that’s in the marketing area of the business related to branding and awareness at the top of the marketing funnel, but it can also be focused on other business functions.
From Small Business Administration Blog
August 22, 2012 - 7:19am
Ever wondered if you can legally re-use or reproduce copy or content created by someone else? Whether you’re writing a blog, creating copy for your website, or using an image in your marketing materials – here are some tips to help understand what the law allows:
The Lowdown on Copyright
Intellectual property law is an interesting area. For example, did you know that copyright is granted the moment a piece of work is written, recorded or created? Copyright, unlike trademarks or patents, does not typically need to be formally applied for and is a general right provided by U.S.
Acting Secretary Blank Applauds Steamfitters’ Job Training as Key to Building a 21st Century Economy
From Department of Commerce Blog
August 21, 2012 - 5:30pm
This
morning, Acting Secretary Rebecca Blank joined U.S. Representatives Chaka Fattah and Allyson
Schwartz on a tour of the job training facilities of Steamfitters Local 420 in
Philadelphia, where classes are held for
apprentices and journeyworkers to develop and improve their skills so they can
better serve clients and become qualified for a broader range of employment
opportunities.
The
rigorous training and education being offered at the facility has made a
difference in the lives of hundreds of people throughout the region.
From Department of Commerce Blog
August 21, 2012 - 4:45pm
Guest blog post by Matt Erskine, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic DevelopmentBy helping regions plan for their economic future, and by giving businesses access to the advanced tools they need to compete in the 21st century, we can make sure that the U.S. economy grows and creates the well-paying jobs that are key to our long-term prosperity.
From Department of Commerce Blog
August 21, 2012 - 11:30am
Innovation is thriving in Maine, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the Department of Commerce, and the administration are working hard to further foster that environment, Under Secretary of Commerce and USPTO Director David Kappos told the Regional Chamber of Commerce of Penobscot Bay, Maine, on Tuesday. From 2009 to 2010, the number of patent filings in the Portland, Maine, region nearly doubled, Kappos said.
From Department of Commerce Blog
August 20, 2012 - 4:00pm
Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank was in Minneapolis, MN, today to address attendees at the Opening General Session of the 78th Annual Conference and Expo hosted by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International.
From Small Business Administration Blog
August 20, 2012 - 7:44am
Credit cards are a common online payment option for small businesses, but what about other services like PayPal, Bill Me Later and Google Wallet?
These now ubiquitous tools make it easier than ever for anyone – not just e-tailers – to buy and sell goods online and via mobile devices. However, as with all business tools, they have their pros and cons. Here’s what you need to know.
What Are Online Payment Services?
Online payment services allow businesses to receive payment from any customer with an existing PayPal, Bill Me Later or Google Wallet account.
From Small Business Administration Blog
August 17, 2012 - 1:28pm
The health and success of the construction industry is critical to our nation’s economy. SBA knows that we must do all we can to make sure this sector grows, compete for contracting opportunities and create jobs. That is why SBA is proud to announce our new “Quick App” for surety bonds. This new application process combines two applications into one to make it easier and faster for small businesses and contractors to compete for contracts.
The new application allows the SBA to evaluate risk by asking the contractor to submit a list of the three largest jobs completed in the last five years.
From Department of Commerce Blog
August 17, 2012 - 11:15am
By August, summertime will be winding down and vacations will be coming to an end, signaling that back-to-school time is near. It's a time that many children eagerly anticipate—catching up with old friends and making new ones, and settling into a new daily routine. Parents and children alike scan the newspapers and websites looking for sales to shop for a multitude of school supplies and the latest clothing fads and essentials.
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