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TwitterA great push is under way to get government more involved in health care, with taxpayers picking up ever larger portions of the tab. This path, however, will only lead to higher costs, and eventual rationing of care and price controls.But in the marketplace, many businesses are capitalizing on positive health care reforms. The May 29 Charlotte Observer, for example, reported on the use of health savings accounts.
Archive for May, 2009
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Workshop: Learn Small Business use of Facebook,Linkedin,Twitter etc.
May 29th, 2009 
admin Learn about:Social networkingCreate a brand in the new mediaAcquire the tools to stay ahead of the ever-changing webWhen you embrace Social Media you have to learn how to plant your magic beans and watch your business grow!DetailsJune 26 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.University Club1301 Riverplace Blvd., Jacksonville, FLAdvanced Purchase Pricing:$160 for a Corporate Table of 8$25 per person / $20 for University Club Members*Advanced purchases must be made by June 23rdContinental Breakfast is includedEach attendee will receive a free E-Book of the presentationFor more information or to register here or call 904.240.4910Presented by CIME4,NewMediaJax and the Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida
How Do You Keep Your Customers Happy?
May 29th, 2009 admin Keeping customers happy is a one by one task, there’s no mold or formula. What keeps one customer happy most likely will not keep another one happy. I find it best to listen and understand what makes your customer tick and then addressing their needs individually. Always understand and be able to view the big picture ….. their side vs your side. Remember, when Communication breaks down so do relationships.
Forecast from Business Economists
May 28th, 2009 admin On May 27, the National Association of Business Economics came out with its latest survey results of economists on where they see the economy heading.Key points:• Economic activity is expected to continue to decline during the second (current) quarter, “making for the most severe economic contraction in over half a century.”• “The near-term weakness is largely due to a sharp retrenchment in business investment.”• Positive growth generally is expected in the second half of 2009, but at a sub-par rate.• The unemployment rate is expected to climb to 9.8 percent by the end of the year.• Real GDP growth is expected to return to its historical trend in 2010, and “inflation is expected to moderate.”Economic growth should resume sometime in the second half of 2009 or in early 2010.
Phil Geist, UNF SBDC:Don’t Panic!
May 27th, 2009 admin Check out Phil’s presentation from May 14, 2009 “Dont panic over where the economy is right now.” Dr. Philip R. Geist, a Certified Business Analyst with the Small Business Development Center of the University of North Florida, in Ocala, Florida, discusses the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009, the Recovery Act, funding for small businesses with stories and information for easy understanding. This edited recording is a portion of a speech presented at the Citrus Lodge, in Herando, Florida, funded by the Recovery Act.Video produced and edited by Jannet Walsh, Workforce Connection, Ocala, Florida Workforce Connection © 2009
Software Mandates?
May 27th, 2009 admin It’s striking how often presumably swashbuckling, freedom-loving leaders of high-tech companies wind up going to the government with their hands out.There is, of course, the periodic cry for government antitrust action from companies that fail to compete with bigger rivals in the marketplace. Just consider that AMD went to European Union antitrust regulators, with chip competitor Intel getting socked with a $1.45 billion fine as a result earlier this month.
Is The Economy Recovering And The Recession Almost Over?
May 27th, 2009 admin I am an optimist by nature, but also a pragmatist. And so I am still a bear on this market. While a 25% bear market rally is not unheard of, I think this is simply irrational exuberance gone mad again. Share prices bear no relation to expected future earnings when you still have the likes of Microsoft laying people off. Also, with US unemployment at 8.9% and rising, the real jobless rate in US is about 16%, according to Labor Dept.
Small Business Link of the Week:City-Data.com
May 27th, 2009 admin We promised we would start doing this on our 100th post(which was loaded with links), and here it is. Our featured link this week is City-Data.com. It is an invaluable data base that anyone who is involved in business planning can appreciate. Here is what they have in store for you as summarized by their staff:We’ve collected and analyzed data from numerous sources to create as complete and interesting profiles of all U.S.
