Getting better by getting bigger, having a greater impact on more people: Funders, social impact investors, and philanthropists will be putting their heads together June 15 and 16 to discuss these topics at the 2011 Social Impact Exchange Conference on Scaling Impact (SIEX 2011).

Corporations Team Up To Give Small Businesses A Leg Up

by Geri Stengel on May 24, 2011 - 7:42am

Analysis Small Business small business mentoring Startup America

Small businesses, take note: The Big Guys, both corporate and government, want to give you a hand.

I know, I know. Heard that one before, haven’t you?

Small Business Support Isn’t Just One Week Each Year

by Geri Stengel on May 19, 2011 - 9:52am

Analysis Small Business small business support Small Business Week small businesses

It’s almost over. Small Business Week will end tomorrow and with it, many of the promotions and much of the hype. The conference will be over, the Twitter feeds will fade away. Back to business as usual.

The Cloud: Not As Airy As You Thought

by Geri Stengel on May 17, 2011 - 1:58pm

Nonprofit nonprofit cloud computing Small Business small business cloud computing Tips

Let’s start with the basics. “Cloud computing” isn’t really a cloud. It’s a bunch of servers in a far-off, climate-controlled locked room, watched over by some serious techies. It’s just not your own server in your own room with your own techie. And the server holds your information right next to information from a whole lot of other people.

Teen’s Philosophy of Business Is Essence of Social Entrepreneurship

by Geri Stengel on May 12, 2011 - 9:59am

Motivated by Purpose Social Entrepreneurship Social Responsibility

From his mouth, to God’s ear!

Noah Fradin at the age of 18, has a philosophy of life and commerce that I can only hope will catch on. It would be good for nonprofits and good for small businesses.

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Social Media Best Practices For Nonprofits Can Guide Small Businesses, Too

by Geri Stengel on May 10, 2011 - 12:00am

How To Small Business small business marketing small business owner small businesses Social Media social media Tips

My recent emphasis on social media for nonprofits is really an emphasis on best practices, guidelines, and why-bother-with-it for small businesses as well.

Small businesses face many of the same problems that nonprofits do:

small staff
not much money for marketing
need to expand customer (for nonprofits, donor) base

Get Ready For Startup America: Make a Plan

by Geri Stengel on May 5, 2011 - 12:05am

business plan entrepreneurs Small Business Startup America strategic plan

Hundreds of millions of dollars in funding, training, mentoring, contacts with venture capitalists, online resources ... it's all coming your way if you are an entrepreneur or small business owner. The Startup America Partnership, now in its own startup stage, will bring cross-sector and high-octane help to small businesses.

Why Are Those People Happy?

by Geri Stengel on May 3, 2011 - 12:11am

Commentary / Opinion job satisfaction self-employed Small Business small business owner

Yes and no: That’s how I feel about the findings of an article in Business Week about the job satisfaction of the self-employed and small business owner. The gist of the article was that despite lower wages, greater stress, and longer hours, self-employed people are happier with their jobs.

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