Posts Tagged ‘economy’

Rhonda Abrams, USA TODAY:

You don’t have to go it alone. You can find a great deal of help — much of it free — whether you’re transitioning to self-employment (sorry about your layoff!), facing new challenges in your existing business (sorry about the economy!) or hoping to start or expand a company (yes, you can do it!).

Over the years, I’ve noticed one big difference between successful entrepreneurs and those who fail is that successful people seek out good advice and listen to it.

Small Business Development Centers:
I’m listing these first, because I think SBDCs are one of the country’s best-kept secrets and a terrific source of excellent quality help. In fact, I was once a client.

Trade Associations:
If you’re looking for information about your specific industry — and who isn’t? — one of the best sources is your own industry association. No matter what type of business you’re in, I’m betting there’s an association for it, especially since there are nearly 40,000 trade associations. Whether you’re a caterer, consultant, cartoonist, or canine cosmetologist, there’s an association for you.

Local entrepreneurs and business organizations:
In most communities, you’ll find a whole range of business groups with opportunities for you to meet with your fellow entrepreneurs and build your business. I met the contact that eventually led to my first book contract from a local entrepreneurs group!

Community colleges, extension courses:
Want to learn necessary business software programs? Management skills? You’ll find a range of short courses, certification programs, or one-day workshops at your local community colleges and university extension programs. These programs are typically very affordable and instructors are usually practicing professionals in their fields.

SCORE:
Standing for the “Service Corps of Retired Executives,” SCORE is a non-profit organization. SCORE has over 10,000 volunteers who are retired business owners or executives. They offer free counseling and have an extensive website.

Photo by tandemracer.

From Business Opportunities Weblog.

Reuters:

U.S. output per worker rose at its fastest pace in six years during the second quarter as businesses wrung more productivity from fewer staff in a sign that a recovery from recession will be slow and unlikely to create a surge in hiring.

A Labor Department report showed non-farm productivity, a gauge of hourly output per worker, jumped at a 6.4 percent annual rate, the sharpest since the third quarter of 2003 after a 0.3 percent gain in the January-March quarter.

“The bounce in productivity is another indication that the nasty U.S. recession is drawing to a close. The bad news is, however, that firms are still reluctant to hire,” said Harm Bandholz, an economist at UniCredit Markets and Investment Banking in New York.

Photo by washingtoncitypaper.

From Business Opportunities Weblog.

photo credit: macroninja

I recently came across an article listing U.S. economic trends that had no chance of lasting forever in this economy. The article argues that the current recession and economic downturn is causing the need for realignment between our U.S. Government and private sector’s. It is no shock that with the way the economy has been that there would be some drastic changes even in thing’s we never thought would fall. Below is a short list of the 8 U.S. economic trends that couldn’t last forever.

• Home Ownership levels.
• Low energy prices.
• Trade deficit levels.
• Consumer Savings.
• Consumer spending.

For the complete list of U.S. economic trends that are falling and a description about each one, please visit Small Business Labs.

From Business Opportunities Weblog.