The Small Business Blog'The definitive Blog for Small Businesses.'A Unified Theory of VC Suckage- March 23, 2005 A Unified Theory of VC Suckage "A couple months ago I got an email from a recruiter asking if I was interested in being a 'technologist in residence' at a new venture capital fund. I think the idea was to play Karl Rove to the VCs' George Bush. I considered it for about four seconds. Work for a VC fund Ick. One of my most vivid memories from our startup is going to visit Greylock, the famous Boston VCs. 1 They were the most arrogant people I've met in my life. And I've met a lot of arrogant.http://www.sbblog.com/sbbloghome/2005/03/unified-theory-of-vc-suckage.asp How to Battle the Coming Brain Drain- March 22, 2005 How to Battle the Coming Brain Drain"How to Battle the Coming Brain DrainOlder workers are retiring in droves. How do you prevent their crucial knowledge from leaving with them By Anne FisherIf you scan the reams of "best advice" in the preceding pages, you'll notice a pattern: Many of the key advice givers are older and wiser bosses. No surprise there. It's the managers in their 50s and 60s who have had time to develop the most valuable knowledge and experience. But few large companies seem..http://www.sbblog.com/sbbloghome/2005/03/how-to-battle-coming-brain-drain.asp Enter to Win the NFIBDell Small Business Excellence in Customer Experience Award!- March 22, 2005 Enter to Win the NFIBDell Small Business Excellence in Customer Experience Award! "Does Your Small Business Put Customers First Sixty-two years ago, the National Federation of Independent Business started with a sole mission: to give small and independent businesses a voice in governmental decision making. Twenty years ago, Dell, then a small business, revolutionized the personal computing industry with the introduction of the direct-sales model - a model, which starts and ends with the...http://www.sbblog.com/sbbloghome/2005/03/enter-to-win-nfibdell-small-business.asp It's a Small-Business World After All- March 18, 2005 It's a Small-Business World After All"The challenges of navigating a foreign terrain are large, but the potential rewards make it worth it."by Joe Mullich"Lou Hoffman used to share the common misperception that overseas markets are only open to the big guys like McDonalds, Coca-Cola and Proctor & Gamble. In the past eight years, though, hes proved his own theory wrong, as his 105-person public relations company, The Hoffman Agency ( http:www.hoffman.com ), has built thriving offices in China,...http://www.sbblog.com/sbbloghome/2005/03/its-small-business-world-after-all.asp The Small Business Blog passes One Million Hits!- March 16, 2005 The Small Business Blog passes One Million Hits! Yeehaa!! What can I say, it feels good! We just went over a million hits!! It's been a exciting and incredible journey and it's not over! There are some exciting changes coming so make sure you stick around for the next million! -ed.http://www.sbblog.com/sbbloghome/2005/03/small-business-blog-passes-one-million.asp Banks Expand Services, Perks for Small Outfits- March 15, 2005 Banks Expand Services, Perks for Small Outfits By GWENDOLYN BOUNDS "After a Chicago newspaper featured her small pet-food company, Holly Sher was showered with flowers, congratulatory calls and candy. But the attention didn't come from friends or clients -- it came from banks that wanted her business. 'They promised everything,' says Ms. Sher, who had just purchased Evanger's Dog & Cat Food Co., a pet food manufacturer with $6 million in annual revenue. The ultimate winner was Harris Bank, a.http://www.sbblog.com/sbbloghome/2005/03/banks-expand-services-perks-for-small.asp Inflation Is Everywhere- March 14, 2005 Inflation Is Everywhere "AT THIS POINT I'D probably dislocate a shoulder if I tried to pat myself on the back for my terrific bear call on bonds which have gotten absolutely trashed as long-term interest rates have risen from 3.97% less than a month ago to over 4.5% this week. I have to be modest about this because I've been bearish on bonds for so long, you'd be justified in saying that I'm nothing but a broken clock that's right twice a day. On the other hand, it would be equally fair to...http://www.sbblog.com/sbbloghome/2005/03/inflation-is-everywhere.asp Mixing Friendship With Business Is a Mixed Blessing- March 8, 2005 Mixing Friendship With Business Is a Mixed Blessing by Judy Artunian "Most of us have formed friendships with people we have met through work. But when those friends are also your customers, the work-friendship mix can become toxic. It is tempting to take on friends as customers. You have an easy rapport with each other. They could be a source of new business referrals. But when your friend is also your customer, emotions may get the best of you when you least expect it. That can be the...http://www.sbblog.com/sbbloghome/2005/03/mixing-friendship-with-business-is.asp Logos: What Makes Them Work (Part 1 of 2)- March 3, 2005 Logos: What Makes Them Work (Part 1 of 2) by Jared McCarthy Developing a great logo is a strange mix of art, science, psychology and (in most cases) a good amount of luck. In this, the first of this two-part series, we'll Explain what a logo really is Offer a word of caution and ask a few questions you'll need to answer before you start Suggest how to start the process Advise on shape, style and color selection Next week, in the second installment, you'll learn ...http://www.sbblog.com/sbbloghome/2005/03/logos-what-makes-them-work-part-1-of-2.asp Strategies for Creating A Catchy Business Name- March 1, 2005 Strategies for Creating A Catchy Business NameBy PAULETTE THOMAS"Question: I would love to start a small business selling the beaded jewelry I make. I'm thinking of calling it 'Dress Me Up with Beaded Jewelry.' How does that sound What would a good business plan look like for someone starting out small"- Well I guess The Small Business Blog (TM) is not the fanciest name. Recognizing that people might hate typing in http:www.thesmallbusinessblog.com I shortened it to http:www.sbblog.com and it..http://www.sbblog.com/sbbloghome/2005/02/strategies-for-creating-catchy.asp |