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TwitterThere is a new publication in town called Jacksonville Advantage, and it is targeting small businesses. Below is their first newsletter. It looks like this is going to be a nice asset to the Northeast Florida business community. Here is a little on the publisher of Jacksonville Advantage, Brian Barquilla. Brian Barquilla, founder and publisher of Advantage: the Handbook for Small Business, is an expert in privately owned small businesses.
Archive for May, 2009
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CEOs, the UN and Emissions
May 26th, 2009 
admin The May 26 Wall Street Journal ran one of those news articles that tells the world – in this case, the business world – to give up. Specifically, emissions caps are coming in the name of fighting so-called manmade global warming, so either get on board or be left behind.Naturally, some business executives are more than willing to get onboard for various reasons, ranging from fear to politics to foiling current and/or future competitors to calculation they can make some money off of government dictates.The Journal article declared:Chiefs of some of the world’s largest companies are urging global leaders to cut a strong deal this December to curb pollution, saying they need certainty on emissions targets to be able to make long-term investment decisions.The World Business Summit on Climate Change, which brought together more than 500 business leaders, is being seen as a crucial milestone on the road to December’s meeting here, at which governments will try to hammer out a successor agreement to the United Nations’ Kyoto Protocol.
What Criteria Should Be Used To Measure Whether A Business Is Successful??
May 26th, 2009 admin A business is successful if it meets the goals of the business owner. It may or may not not be successful by my measure of success – net profit, competitive advantage, equity growth, efficiencies etc., but I don’t matter in this equation. A business owner may want enough to live on, low stress and plenty of flexibility while another may want to build a business to pass on to the next generation. Different goals – each having different measures of success.
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61% of Americans Have Started a Business or are Considering Doing So.
May 24th, 2009 admin We see lots of people who are considering a business startup. They are either creating a business out of a hobby they love, desire to get out of the rat race and spend more time at home, have discovered a better way to do something, or are “accidental entrepreneurs” who lost their job and feel the need to create something for themselves. This Wall Street Journal article from their Reinvent section, shows the increasing popularity of entrepreneurship. Ready to be the Boss?Becoming an entrepreneur seems to be in vogue in this downturn.
Successful Entrepreneurs Give Advice
May 22nd, 2009 admin Each year the SBDC at UNF asks the winners of the annual Small Business Week Awards to share their tips for success. This year, our winners had these thoughts to share: Mary Tappouni, Breaking Ground Contracting CompanyFlorida Small Business Person of the Year Have a Vision that Infuses Every Day: Everyone needs something to aspire to. Have a vision that you and all of your staff can believe in. Enjoy every day of the ‘getting there’. Don’t wait for the achievement of that next goal to make you happy. Be Passionate and Purposeful: It is easier said than done, but if you craft your career to fit your passion, dreams begin to come true! One of my favorite sayings is “You have two choices, you can make a living or you can design a life.” This quote is from Jim Ruhn; but, you will find there are many ways that others have voiced a similar sentiment. Design your life and have a purpose for what you do! Be Intentional: My Mother gets all the credit here. On my desk are the “Ten Qualities of an Intentional Life with Self, Work, Family and Community” as she defines them to me. Many are included in other parts of this list. Be true, purposeful, conscious, playful and open. Being purposeful and conscious also applies to financial matters. Be smart with your cash and re-invest in your business and your vision. Breathe: Take a moment to pause, close your eyes and take deep breaths when things get tough. It only takes a moment and can make all the difference in moving forward positively or with regret. Help Other Small Businesses: You may think running your business is all you can handle; however, you can always find a way to assist another small business or that sales person who stood by you when you were not so successful and who continued to believe in you. Community is Critical: Two more of my favorite quotes, “Be the change you want to see in the world” by Ghandi and “There is no experience better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up,” from John Andrew Holmes.
ESPN, Boating and Ethanol
May 22nd, 2009 admin The reach of government mandates sometimes surprises people – too often including the politicians and appointees doing the mandating.Consider the current debate over ethanol subsidies and mandates. It got some coverage by ESPN.An ESPN.com article covered various angles of the ethanol debate, but the unique aspect of the report was its reference to the impact on boating and the boating industry.The entire piece should be read, but it’s worthwhile to note the following here:Most gas-operated engines are designed and calibrated to handle E10.
The Best Business Resources For Professional Services Strategy, Marketing & Sales
May 22nd, 2009 admin Ian Brodie has created a portal site for professional services strategy, marketing & sales at Rainmaker Resources The site has links to the best resources Ian could find for professional services business development – including websites, blogs, podcasts, video, books etc.Ian has tried to include general professional services sites (e.g. David Maister and Ford Harding’s sites) ….. along with sites specific to Law (e.g. Larry Bodine’s Law Firm Marketing), Accounting (e.g. Michelle Golden’s Golden Practices) and Consulting (e.g.
Small Business Lending Improving
May 21st, 2009 admin Florida First Capital Finance Corporation (FFCFC) posted this release today as sent by the SBA. The winds of capital access are blowing better.Small Business Lending Beginning to See Upswing It’s finally happening. Efforts to get money to capital-strapped small businesses are beginning to work as banks have returned to making loans backed by the federal government, according to Karen Mills, the new Small Business Administration (SBA) head.
