America’s SBDC Blog

A “Forbes 100 Best Websites for Entrepreneurs”

Never stop learning – tips for being a lifelong student

September 10, 2012

Businessman Henry L. Doherty once said, “Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life.” We probably would all nod our heads in agreement over the truth of this statement, but if we’re honest with ourselves, many of us may also confess to not being the students we aspire to be.

Probably the biggest obstacle keeping us from prioritizing our continuing education is time. None of us seems to have enough of it and though we have all good intentions of getting back into reading notable biographies or taking that evening class at the local community college, it’s all too easy for the demands of life and work to interfere and for being a student to take a backseat until it’s more convenient.

However, as we find ourselves in the midst of back-to-school season, let’s use this as an impetus to actually take some action when it comes to lifelong learning. Doing so will benefit us not only personally but also professionally. For example, keeping our minds fit will help us be more inquisitive and open to new possibilities in the workplace and. As you consider ways you can take yourself “back-to-school,” here are a few ideas you might want to incorporate in your curriculum: (more…)

Three Important Technical Skills Veterans Can Bring to Your Business

September 7, 2012

The compelling reasons for hiring veterans cover the gamut, from the benefits veterans can bring to your company to the tax credits you might receive if you complete a little paperwork. Employees exuding qualities like leadership, adaptability and working well under stress can help any business achieve greater heights.

Yet considering veterans for those qualities alone is only tapping into a small portion of their potential. Many veterans can enlist in your workforce with technical skills that can be a boost to your business. But, in many instances, you have to dig to discover what technical skills lie under the surface. As you interview and evaluate veteran candidates, see if they possess any of these important skills.

1. Mechanical skills. What the military uses, the military repairs. If you’re an entrepreneur in a mechanical field—or own a business with many mechanical assets, like a warehouse or towing company— see what mechanical skills vet applicants can bring to your shop. Some skills may not be listed because they’re not within the scope of a veteran’s former assignment. (more…)

Jumpstarting Growth from The Legal Edge, SmartCEO Magazine

September 5, 2012
By Jack Garson

The JOBS Act promotes investments in small businesses

On April 5, 2012, the new Jumpstart Our Business Start-ups Act became law. The primary purpose of the JOBS Act is to reduce the legal burdens that small businesses face in raising capital.

With this new law, the pendulum has now swung once again toward deregulation, and rather quickly at that. In the wake of the Enron scandal and, later, the financial meltdown on Wall Street in 2008, Congress passed a variety of restrictions on the financial world. First the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and then the Dodd-Frank Act imposed new regulations, including burdensome disclosure requirements for publicly traded companies. These laws were layered on top of the securities acts passed in the 1930s, largely as a consequence of another couple of economic boo-boos: the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression. (more…)

What is a Freight Forwarder? Part 2

September 3, 2012

The Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about the nation’s people and economy. We honor privacy, protect confidentiality, share our expertise globally, and conduct our work openly. We are guided on this mission by our strong and capable workforce, our readiness to innovate, and our abiding commitment to our customers.

Finance Your Venture’s Exporting with the Government’s Help

August 31, 2012

A record $184.4 billion in goods and services were exported by U.S. businesses in March 2012, according to U.S. Commerce Department figures.  If you’re ready to join this growing export community, chances are you will need financing resources to take your small business to the international level.  Consider the SmallBusiness Administration (SBA) and its partners for loan programs to assist you with the various financial needs involved in beginning your exporting endeavor.

Export Express Loan Program. Financing is available for export transactions including support for standby letters of credit and export development expenses such as product literature translation.  The financing can be a term loan or a revolving line of credit.

To find the simplest and quickest financing avenue offered by the SBA, check with your existing lender to see if they participate—if so, you can apply directly with them—or go to the list of participating lenders by state which can be found on the SBA’sExpress Loan site. (more…)