If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times: Cause marketing is a great way for small businesses to build their brands, increase customers loyalty, and grow. Successful entrepreneurs know this.

3 Rules for Surviving as a Brick-and-Mortar Store in a Cyber World

by Geri Stengel on Jan 24, 2012 - 12:20am

e-commerce online marketing Small Business small business customer service small business marketing Trends

With online stores offering how-to videos, discussion groups, and a homey, we’re-among-friends shopping experience, how can small brick-and-mortar businesses compete?

New Paradigm for Customer Service: Information, Sharing, and Being Yourself

by Geri Stengel on Jan 17, 2012 - 12:20am

e-commerce online customer service Small Business small business online marketing Social Media Trends

Talking to Gen Xers and Gen Ys lately, I realize how dramatically e-commerce is changing retail business and customer service.

Opening up a store used to require renting space, furnishing the store, and working arduous hours. The last is still true but not the first two. Businesses are thriving without a physical location. In fact, many are able to exist because they skip the fixed costs and upfront investment of a brick-and-mortar store.

A Social Enterprise Learns, Grows From Its Mistakes

by Geri Stengel on Jan 12, 2012 - 12:20am

Case Studies marketing for social good Profile: Company Small Business small business marketing social enterprise Social Entrepreneurship

Editor’s note: To help social entrepreneurs anticipate and avoid some of the problems of starting a social-good business, Ventureneer is doing a series of blogs about the progress of Greenway Grameen Infra, a social enterprise in India.

When last I wrote about Greenway Grameen Infra, its non-polluting stove, fuel efficient stove for rural homes in India was just on the market and hopes were high that 50,000 units would be sold by March 2012.

Are Government Contracts a Way UP for Women Entrepreneurs?

by Geri Stengel on Jan 10, 2012 - 12:20am

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Government contracting is a big chunk o’ change for businesses both large and small. Last year federal government contracts alone -- never mind state and local -- gave $477 billion to private businesses. And 5% of those contracts are supposed to go to women-owned businesses.

The Grinch Really Did Try to Steal Christmas This Year!

by Geri Stengel on Dec 20, 2011 - 12:20am

Commentary / Opinion Small Business small business holiday sales small business marketing small business saturday

Wow! The Grinch really did try to steal Christmas this year … from small businesses at least … but in life as in fiction, he failed.

Good holidays from Ventureneer

by Geri Stengel on Dec 16, 2011 - 12:20am

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Put Out the Welcome Mat and Opportunity Will Come Knocking

by Geri Stengel on Dec 1, 2011 - 12:20am

Commentary / Opinion lucky break for businesses Small Business small business growth strategy small business planning the road to business success

Some people have all the luck, so the old lament goes, but those lucky folks were ready when opportunity came knocking. Their business vision was clear and their minds open to new ideas so they could throw the door wide open and say “Come on in.”

Book Shows Businesses How Social Responsibility Can Improve Profits

by Geri Stengel on Nov 29, 2011 - 12:20am

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Despite what Gordon Gekko of Wall Street fame said, greed isn’t good. Not for the planet, not for communities, and not for the corporate bottom line.

Forget Black Friday! Put a Big Green Circle Around Nov. 26, the Real Start of Holiday Shopping

by Geri Stengel on Nov 15, 2011 - 12:20am

Commentary / Opinion holiday shopping deals holiday shopping discounts local holiday shopping Small Business small business saturday

If your shopping plans revolve around mosh pits at the big box stores, you are cheating yourself.

Relax on the day after Thanksgiving. Give up the elbowing crowds at the big stores that have been knocking you eyes out with full page ads.