WASHINGTON – Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today made the following comments after President Barack Obama released his budget proposal for the Small Business Administration (SBA). The President’s proposal if enacted would responsibly fund the SBA’s core lending and disaster programs with adequate funding for FY2013.
“The President’s budget for the Small Business Administration reaffirms his pledge to help support the engines of the economy and be ready to help businesses and home owners in the aftermath of disasters,” said Senator Landrieu. “This is a very strong budget, in tough budgetary times. However, I am very concerned when it comes to reducing the budget for our counseling and technical assistance programs and the negative impact such cuts could have on critical core services for America’s entrepreneurs. We must ensure that small business have the necessary tools and resources to keep their businesses thriving, while working to find reasonable avenues to reduce the budget. ”
The Pr
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The Burnett agency has accomplished something that has eluded so many other businesses: It has managed to keep the spirit and drive of its founder alive and well almost two decades after the founder himself passed on. Rita Koselka of Forbes
The original film of Mr. Burnetts speech is still required viewing for all new Burnett employees as part of their induction.
We chose to create a short film that looked straight from the 50s/60s, the modern age of cartoons, from the graphic style to the slightly worn, flickering picture quality, to the jazzy soundtrack. The main character is a cartoon version of Mr. B
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The Internet has made it easier than ever for even small businesses to expand into international markets; however that doesnt mean that its easy to trade on a global stage. If you want to succeed internationally, youll need to do your homework first, and understand the many challenges that international businesses face. Heres a short checklist to help you avoid the most common international trading pitfalls:
- Check time zones: When youre networking at international events, the idea of working with a company based on the other side of the ocean seems like a brilliant one. The team are easy to work with, friendly, and incredibly talented. However, when you urgently need to speak to their tech team, and its midnight where theyre based, youll quickly wonder what you were thinking. Iron out service level agreements, and consider time zone differences, before you commit.
- Accept the language barrier: Its true that in many industries, most people speak at least some English, and for those that dont, some German or French might help you get by. A basic course in English at high-school level wont prepare you for the real world with all its slang, sarcasm, and strange idioms. If youre planning on dealing with a lot of foreign companies, understand that wires will get crossed from time to time. They may miss-understand your jokes, and you might think theyre being terse or rude when theyre trying to be formal and polite. Always, always, give people the benefit of the doubt.
- Fully research tax laws: Granted, taxation doesnt make much sense at the best of times, but when youre entering the world of international trade it gets even fuzzier. Make sure you hire a good accountant, and understand how trading with foreign countries will impact your bottom line.
- Budget for travel expenses: You probably wont be able to afford to do site visits for your new international suppliers or clients, but you will want to start attending more international events. Make sure you have room in your budget for keeping your new relationships alive.
- Get an international bank account: If youre buying things in Euros, getting paid in US Dollars, and paying your employees in British Pounds, then youll have a hard enough time keeping up with exchange rates, let alone getting charged exchange fees by your bank. Try to find an account that doesnt charge a fortune for international transactions.
Succeeding on the international market can be challenging, but it is possible. Make sure that you carefully manage the expectations of your international clients, and that they know when they can reach you, and when you are likely to try to reach them.
Its a good idea to try to touch base with current and prospective clients as often as possible. Attending international events is a good way to meet as many people as possible without having to spend a fortune rushing from site to site. Consider getting business cards made up with a description of your company in a couple of different languages, as appropriate for the business youre in.
Written by Amy Fowler on behalf of AMA Events, experts in organizing national and international events.
Some of the biggest financial strains on a family come when an unexpected crisis occurs that requires a large amount of money–fast. Many life situations can lead to this kind of a crisis, but medical emergencies are among the most common. A patient who unexpectedly requires surgery may need to find funds in a hurry to cover the many uncovered medical costs that come along with a surgical procedure. The whole process can be incredibly daunting, especially as it involves health, as well as financial issues. What can families due to cope with covering the costs for an unexpected surgery? Let’s take a look at some of the possible options.
Pay With a Credit Card
Image via Wikipedia
A credit card is one option for covering medical expenses. T Read full post…
Ted Bankert answers the door at his East Berlin home with bleary eyes and a weary smile, worn from the previous night’s work and tired of an uncooperative propane floor buffer.
“It works most of the time … until it doesn’t,” he sighs, before his wit allows an observation.
“Kinda like me,” Bankert says, laughing.
After 14 years of owning T&W Floor Care with his wife, Wendy, Bankert values an enduring sense of humor to ameliorate a trying business environment. And perhaps copious amounts of caffeine to help him bear his nocturnal work schedule?
“Not anymore,” Bankert answers, with weight concerns leading him to lose the once staple of soda.
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WASHINGTON – Following the release of the National Defense Authorization Conference Report, Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Mary L. Landrieu, D-La. and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, along with committee members Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Scott Brown, R-Mass., and Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., made the following remarks in regard to the reauthorization of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs for another six years. Prior to this reauthorization, the SBIR program survived through 14 temporary extensions since September 2008 and the STTR program was extended 11 times since September 2009.
“This has been an uphill battle, but we made it,” Senator Landrieu said. “First, thanks to Senators Levin and McCain. With their help, we successfully got a long-term extension included in the version of the National Defense Authorization Act that passed the Senate. Then, l
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