The economy is beginning to recover, the Obama administration has proposed $30 billion fund for loans to small businesses: Is this the time to start your own business?

Distinguish Yourself From The Competition: Be Nice!

by Geri Stengel on May 4, 2010 - 8:45am

customer satisfaction employee satisfaction entrepreneur marketing Small Business small business owner

It's always gratifying when principles you've espoused for years are echoed by other, successful business people. As you know, I'm an advocate of treating your employees and your customers well. (Check out my eBook for more about that.)

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10 Tips for Sourcing Ethical Suppliers in Developing Countries

by Geri Stengel on Apr 27, 2010 - 8:45am

corporate social responsibility ethical sourcing quality control small business owner social audit Social Enterprise social enterprise workplace conditions

You want to be socially responsible, to buy from suppliers who treat their workers well and provide quality products. Very nice. But the practice is more complicated than the vision.

According to a study by the Chinese government and reported by Asia Inspections, nearly 80% of private Chinese firms violate employee rights and have not signed contracts with their employees.

There's Green Out There, Both Money To Be Had and Environmentally Friendly Technologies: Go Get It!

by Geri Stengel on Apr 8, 2010 - 8:15am

entrepreneur nonprofit leaders small business owner small business resource social enterprises Trends

It bears repeating: New York state, city, and county really want businesses to "go green." And they're putting their money where their mouth is. All levels of government, and some utilities, are offering big incentives if businesses implement energy-saving technology.

Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Social Enterprises Will Benefit From Ventureneer's Free eBook

by Geri Stengel on Mar 2, 2010 - 9:45am

business plan entrepreneur entrepreneurship small business small business owner tips Tips

As a teacher, consultant, nonprofit board member, and entrepreneur, I've learned a lot about starting and growing a business. I'm distilling the key points into a series of free ebooks for small businesses – that includes commercial businesses, nonprofits, and social enterprises.

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What does 2010 hold for small businesses? That Depends on Who You Believe.

by Geri Stengel on Jan 20, 2010 - 11:36am

Forecast / Prediction SBA small business owner

Officially, small business owners can expect good things in 2010:

The Small Business Administration has gotten more money for both staff and for loan guarantees with reduced fees.
America’s Recovery Capital (ARC) loan program will offer deferred-payment loans of up to $35,000, backed 100 percent by the SBA, to viable small businesses that need help making payments on an existing non-SBA loan.
The stimulus includes money for such thing as electronic medical records and the focus is on delivery of medical services. Consultants, IT experts, and hardware/software providers should benefit.
The Obama administration has been pressuring banks both large and small to loosen the purse strings.
There's some indication, according to Federal Reserve Board stats, that access to credit is just beginning to improve.

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Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs Can Contribute More Than Money to Causes They Support

by Geri Stengel on Oct 6, 2009 - 3:55pm

Commentary / Opinion entrepreneur nonprofit board volunteer service small business owner

By serving on the board of a nonprofit, you play a significant role in a cause you care about, whether it is a theater group or a homeless shelter, woman's issues or immigration. Boards have the ability to go beyond helping just one person; they impact the whole agency and, when they’re really successful, the entire community.

What Entrepreneurs/Nonprofits Execs Need to Succeed

by Geri Stengel on Sep 22, 2009 - 9:32am

entrepreneur entrepreneurial entrepreneurs entrepreneurship How To non profit nonprofit not for profit small business small business owner social enterprise social entrepreneur startup company Ventureneer

In order to succeed, entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders create support systems. The mix of resources you use is individual, but bottom line – everyone needs support. Watch the video and generate a name that captures the spirit of this video and win a $100 American Express gift certificate. Ventureneer mugs will also be given to five runners-up. Send the name to contest@ventureneer.com, along with your contact info by Friday, October 23, 2009.

Social Media: A New Way to Pass Wisdom on to Leaders

by Geri Stengel on Jun 9, 2009 - 10:43am

Commentary / Opinion entrepreneur education entrepreneur training leadership nonprofit leader education nonprofit leader training small business owner social learning social media

Did you know that only 20% of what is done on the job is learned formally? That’s a whole lot of learning – 80% -- that gets done socially or informally. Social learning happens frequently and happens a lot when colleagues get together, whether they be leaders of small businesses or nonprofits.

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What Does It Take to Lead a Small Business or Nonprofit?

by Geri Stengel on May 27, 2009 - 7:52am

Best Practice character traits Commentary / Opinion entrepreneur Small Business small business owner

There’s been some hubbub about a column David Brooks wrote in The New York Times about the character traits of CEOs.

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