This Week In Review: Small Business Blog

Here is what we were talking about this week:

Small Firms Need a Healthcare Checkup as Laws Evolve

Robert Rogers’ Miami Herald article on the impact of Health Care Reform on Small Businesses.

International and Small Business Events in South Florida: Week of April 19, 2010

A sampling of events and resources that are on the horizon for Miami small businesses.

5 Ways to Improve Your Small Business Operations

Some times for all small business owners, start-ups and seasoned, that will help improve operations.

International Articles and Resources for Global Small Businesses

Some great places to go in order to get information for international small business success.

South Florida Small Business Spotlight: SOLUTIONS Insurance Services

This week’s Small Business Spotlight.

 

Enjoy and share!

Miami-Dade Mayor’s Microenterprise Workshop

The Mayor’s Micro-Enterprise Workshop
Thursday, March 25, 2010
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
University of Phoenix Learning Center
11410 Northwest 20th Street, Miami 33172
Meet and connect with governmental purchasing
professionals from Miami-Dade County departments,
other municipalities, and various economic
development agencies.
Learn more about:
• Alternative Financing
• Business and Financial Plan Preparation
• Community Based Programs & Other Technical Assistance
• Education in the Business World
• Financial Opportunities & Information
• How to Be Green & Be Profitable
• How to Do Business with Miami-Dade County
• How to Market Your Business
• Legal Requirements of Owning and Operating a Business
• Pre-Qualification/Technical Certification & Contracting Opportunities
• Small Business Certification & Contracting Opportunities
Registration is required & space is limited. RSVP before March 22, 2010
to Lawanda Wright-Robinson at wlawand@miamidade.gov.
For more information call (305) 375-3186

Examine Pricing

Here is a timely article about what companies should do to evaluate pricing.  This is important for the coming year as the market is still adjusting.  Enjoy the read:

http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/tips/archives/2009/11/examine_pricing.html

Is Offshore Business Right for you?

The link below is for an article that helps business owners navigate the pros and cons of offshore businesses.  The key to starting any new venture successfully is investigation, information and adaptation.  You need to learn about the industry and see if your skills fit the venture well.  Enjoy the read:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Is-Offshore-Business-the-Right-Business-For-You?&id=3239608

Establish Daily Forecasting

Managing labor and resources is especially important to small business owners in this economy.  Here is a good article on things to do to establish daily forecasts:

http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/tips/archives/2009/11/establish_daily.html

Can States Save Their Small Businesses:

Entrepreneur.com has an interesting article about the things that states are doing in order to assist their small businesses.  Read here:

http://blog.entrepreneur.com/2009/10/can-states-save-their-small-businesses.php

Event Helping Businesses Connect to the Global Marketplace:

Shelling Out to Keep Your Business Alive

What are you doing to keep your business afloat?  Here is an interesting article from Entrepreneur.com that discusses the lengths that certain small business owners are going to in order to keep their businesses operating.  Feel free to comment about some of the things you are doing in order to maintain your operations.  Here is the article:

http://blog.entrepreneur.com/2009/10/shelling-out-to-keep-your-business-alive.php

10 Things You Can Do in the Next 60 Days to Market Your Business and Close More Sales

Here is an excellent article on marketing from Small Business Trends.  The holiday season offers both challenges and opportunities for marketing.  This list is a great summary of alternatives that will allow you to take advantage of the climate and build your client base.  Enjoy!

http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/11/10-things-to-market-your-business-close-more-sales.html

Miami Finance Forum Event

Here is information on an upcoming Miami Finance Forum Event:

The Miami Finance Forum is proud to present the $250 Million Florida Growth Fund with Greg Baty, Vice President of Hamilton Lane

Please join us Tuesday November 10^th 7:30 am untill 9:30 am at Bankers Club where Greg Bety will present future plans in managing the $250 million Florida Growth Fund and investing in Florida

Bankers Club is located at 1 Biscayne Tower on the 14^th floor.

Miami Finance Forum would like to thank our sponsor HOGAN & HARTSON LLP for making this event happen!

Don’t pass up this great opportunities to meet other financial professionals, learn about the Florida Growth Fund investment plan, discuss the topic of the day, and enjoy full breakfast

Please see the full invitation below

You MUST RSVP by November 8^th to attend this event as space is limited!

Please contact Elena Djakonova at rsvp@miamifinanceforum.com or

call 877-FF-MIAMI/877-336-4264

Parking is available inside the building!

Admission is always complimentary for Miami Finance Forum Members! For our guests it is $40.00 if paid in advance and $50.00 if paid at the event

A Twitter Contest That Allows Businesses to Make Their Pitch to Venture Capitalists

Everyone wants access to funds.  Here is a unique contest that will allow business owners their 140 characters or less to pitch their idea.  I love when companies buy in to new media!  Here is the article:

http://blog.entrepreneur.com/2009/10/contest-lets-winners-pitch-vcs.php

Small Business Lending Workshop:

Information is key in a recession and now is a great time to get information about how your company can get access to funds.  Here is some information on an upcoming event:

 

BUSINESS WORKSHOP
JOIN OUR SURVIVE & THRIVE
WORKSHOP FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
CO-SPONSORED BY:
Reach Local
Thursday, Nov 12th
6:00pm-8:00pm
CITIBANK
899 W. Cypress Creek Rd,
Suite 8 Ft. Lauderdale,
FL , 33309.
(Inside the Citrix Building)
To Register:
Call (305) 807-5782
ACCION USA is a nonprofit
organization that has provided
loans and small business training
since 1991. Learn more at
www.accionusa.org
Get personalized business advice at this FREE
event sponsored by Citibank & ACCION USA.
RECEIVE FREE COACHING FROM PROFESSIONALS IN THE
AREAS OF:
• Banking for Small Businesses
• Boost sales with e-marketing
• Alternative Financing for Small Business

Upcoming Toy Drive

Business is about community.  I am a firm advocate of businesses doing what they can to commit to their communities in a broader way.  Here is an upcoming opportunity:

Live Business Radio Show Event

Please join us this Thursday, October 29^th from 6pm-8pm for a special live remote broadcast of “The Ron Mann         show” and the VIP with Tony Calatayud and Jorge Guevara

This week’s show will be broadcast live from the fabulous and always fun - Crazy Piano’s in Coconut Grove

Enjoy great entertainment, complimentary cocktails from Chivas 18 and an array of Chef’s Specialties…. 

Special Guests include:

City of Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff

former Miami Heat Player and Current Game Day Analyst – John Crotty

and as always, a few surprises..

Please join myself and my illustrious co-host – Adam (“Little Lubby”) Lubkin as we discuss the current state of the city in which we live

You can also tune into “The Ron Mann Show” live on the radio at 880AM or stream live on the Internet at www.880thebiz.com

Thursday, October 29^th 2009 6-8pm

“The Biz” is the only station in South Florida strictly dedicated to business and is quickly growing a cult-like following in the city. You can expect to hear about local and national business issues, politics, sports and as always - opinionated commentary.

Please reply with unsubscribe in the subject box to be removed from this list. We apologize for the inconvenience

Work With Firms That Are Similar to Yours

Joint venturing is an excellent way for small businesses to compete as if they were “bigger.”  A couple key elements to consider when contemplating joint venturing: 1) How healthy is the match and what are the collective goals?, 2) What protections are needed related to collective and individual liabilities or expenses?, and 3) What is the length of time and what are the conditions of the joint venture?  These elements should be thoroughly discussed by both parties in order to determine whether or not to venture together.  Here is a great article from BusinessWeek that gives further information in that regard:

http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/tips/archives/2009/10/work_with_firms.html

Asia Business Expo: South Florida

A great opportunity for FL businesses to learn about doing business with Asia.  Spread the word to business owners that you know that may be interested:

Webinar on How Small Businesses Can Do Business With the Government

The Fiscal Year is Over... Now What?

Join us for a Webinar on October 28 Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/254845027 Please join us for our free webinar on coming year spending. If you did not get your GSA contract yet, you missed out on millions of year end dollars.  Let our presenter explain how the government literally gives away millions the last week of the fiscal year. Think we are kidding, it has happened to us before.  Do not despair though; the next buying season is starting NOW.  It is not as big as the one you just missed, but it is a lot of money. Learn: 1. Why you missed opportunities 2. How you can prevent this in the future 3. Open market vs. contract 4. Solo vs. assisted vs. full service 5. Contract financing 6. Let’s make a deal We cannot emphasize strongly enough for you to ‘get in the game’, and soon. Bring your questions when you register and we will try to get them answered during the session. Already have a contract?  Share your experience with us.   Title:   The Fiscal Year is Over... Now What?       Date:   Wednesday, October 28, 2009       Time:   1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT   After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.   System Requirements PC-based attendees Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista   Macintosh®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer   Click HERE for immediate removal. MarketUS, Inc. 1314 E. Las Olas Blvd, Suite 1000, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301 email ID= 33750

17 Resources to Improve Your Small Businesses

Here is a good article in the OPEN forum about resources that small businesses can use to improve operations, increase profitability and manage marketing.  The article focuses on online resources but does outline some beneficial offline sources as well.  As with any resource, keep it simple.  Don’t feel like you need to get caught up in everything, but instead find what works for you and utilize it.  Here is the link:

http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/money/article/17-resources-to-improve-your-small-business-gregory-go

Web Resources for Small Businesses

On my law firm website,  I am compiling a list of small business resources.  If you or someone you know is a small business resource, especially for small business and international business, please comment and I can add your information to the site.  Also feel free to link to the list of resources.  Check back frequently as the site will be updated with regularity.  Here is the link:

http://www.corallaw.com/Small%20Business%20Resources.htm

Obama’s Small Bank Plan

Here is an article from Forbes.com that describes President Obama’s proposal to use some TARP money to assist community banks so that they can lend to small businesses.  This is a promising prospect to all small businesses access to capital.  Hopefully they do something that will incentivize lending so that the money will actually be lent to small businesses.  Access to capital is critical to a small business' success.  Here’s the information:

http://www.forbes.com/2009/10/21/loans-banking-obama-entrepreneurs-finance-obama.html