June 2011
45 posts
5 tags
Does Increased Bank Regulation Mean Less Capital... →
Is government regulation hampering small businesses’ access to capital? That’s one conclusion you could draw from a recent study.
9 Questions: Dan Kim, Founder Of Red Mango
Executive Editor Jason Del Rey recently spoke with Dan Kim, founder of Red Mango, the frozen yogurt phenomena. Here’s what he had to say about his experience as CEO:
“It’s difficult because it’s emotional, and it challenges your ego. I think entrepreneurs take a lot of pride in their own capabilities, and giving up a leadership position seems like you’re...
5 tags
5 Things To Know About Healthcare Reform :... →
Thirty percent of employers say they’re likely to stop offering health plans in 2014—what should your company do?
The Rise Of The Wingman: A Social Media Success...
An idea as simple as needing a wingman can turn into a flourishing business. Here’s how Thomas Edwards Jr. used social media to capitalize on his idea.
6 tags
Does Your Online Reputation Measure Up?
Ninety-two percent of consumers read reviews online, and a mere 3 percent say those reviews have no affect on their purchasing decisions…that leaves a whopping 89 percent who will either welcome or wave off your business depending on what they dig up online.
Make sure your reputation isn’t at risk with these tips from Chris Birk.
5 tags
“Too often brands execute cause marketing or corporate social responsibility...”
– Read more about how social responsibility fosters business success on OPEN Forum.
3 tags
10 Ways To Weed Out The Bad Ideas →
How do you take all the ideas from brainstorming sessions and turn them into actionable solutions? Helen Jane Hearn has the answers.
4 tags
Do You Know How Much Small Biz CEOs Make?
4 tags
Why Those Over 50 Make Better Entrepreneurs :... →
You don’t have to be Mark Zuckerberg’s age to make an entrepreneurial mark. In fact, it works in your favor to be older.
5 tags
Is Your Business Leaking?
What you’re looking for, as a small business owner, are all the ways you can continue to grow your business and keep the quality high while cutting down on costs. Despite your best efforts to plug the gaps, you may be overlooking some money leaks—some obvious and some not-so-obvious.
Read more on OPEN Forum.
OPEN Forum Guide: How To Use Twitter For Business →
Not sure how to execute running your Twitter handle? OPEN Forum experts give their best advice on how to optimize use to grow your business.
5 tags
In The Midst Of A PR Crisis?
When a public relations disaster strikes, companies must act swiftly and precisely to douse the flames. There’s no cure-all for every PR crisis, but past mistakes show that there are some consistencies in what to avoid. Whether you’re dealing with bungled distribution channels, a spokesperson scandal, or an environmental disaster, the way you respond has a direct—financial and...
4 tags
7 Ways To Create A Flood Of Social Engagement At...
Live events, either online or face-to-face, are tremendous tools for building trust, gaining credibility and even closing deals. Whether you host these kinds of educational events for your business, produce conferences or simply present information at the request of a sponsor, the tools below offer some advanced ways to create social engagement during your events and allow...
5 Inexpensive Ways To Make Your Business Greener :... →
Going green doesn’t mean spending a lot of green. Here are some easy and cheap ways to get eco-friendly.
5 tags
“Ask entrepreneurs who left corporate America what they don’t miss and they’ll...”
– Successful entrepreneurs are creatures of habit (and routine). Find out if you’re doing what it takes on OPEN Forum.
5 tags
OPEN Forum Wants Your Feedback!
Last month we introduced the redesigned OPEN Forum and asked for your feedback on the new look and features. It has been great to hear from you, our community, to understand what you are looking for and how you feel about the changes we’ve made so far.
Do you want to share more, and get paid for it?
We are seeking a broad cross-section of small business owners and OPEN Forum community members to...
4 tags
The Food Truck Phenomena
Food Trucks are all the rage these days—and with restaurant rent being so high (along with several other cost factors), they seem like a smart money-saving option. But are they?
Read Serious Eats’ analysis on OPEN Forum.
6 tags
“Crafting a new user experience was the easy part; we have loads of data on how...”
– Read more on why VillageVines decided to rebrand from co-founder Daniel Leahy on OPEN Forum.
4 tags
The 6 Investments You Must Make In Your Business :... →
When it comes to growing your business, you already know you’re going to have to invest—but where should you?
7 tags
4 Gigantic Companies That Started From Nothing
We’re all familiar with the story about Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniack building a computer in a garage, but what about other entrepreneurs like them that started with nothing more than a few thousand dollars and an idea?
Check out the stories of Hewlett-Packard, Starbucks, Subway and Mattel on OPEN Forum.
4 tags
“Don’t we all want to do more worldwide business? After all, if you have access...”
– 5 Must-Haves That Make An International Sale Happen : The World :: American Express OPEN Forum
So, You Want To Be CEO...
The launch stage is also an ideal time for you to decide whether you are suited to the CEO position. While entrepreneurs have the dynamism to get something started, and often create opportunity where there was none, not all of them are good at running businesses. Recognizing your own weaknesses is essential to your company’s future. Once your business matures, it will likely become...
3 Ways To Build Good Business Credit With Bad... →
Credit bureaus can perform more than 2,000 checks on a borrower before giving a small business loan. What does your report say?
Q&A With The Big Lead's Jason McIntyre
Jason Del Rey: What’s your advice for anyone thinking about selling their blog?
Jason McIntyre: Make sure that you are working with reputable people who will give you the ability to grow. There are very few sales these days and more and more people want something for nothing or next to nothing. If you have a good business with good original content and have respect for others in the space,...
Social Media Is Not Bad: 4 Lessons From Weinergate →
When Congressman Weiner sent the tweet read round the world small businesses shunned social media. But maybe it’s not so bad.
6 tags
Employee Engagement Tips From JetBlue Co-Founder...
“Southwest doesn’t give monetary rewards. Instead, the CEO sends letters to your home thanking you for your behavior. I know of maintenance workers who, after many years on the job, put that letter in the pocket of their uniform every day. When people are rewarded, they stand up straighter and get excited.”
Read more of Katie Morell’s Q&A with Ann on...
4 tags
“Sometimes the smartest decision a business owner can make is to know when to...”
– OPEN Forum Executive Editor Jason Del Rey shares this, and 28 more things he learned at this week’s New York Times Small Business Summit.
3 tags
Disruptor Of The Day: Getaround
Americans love their cars. But the truth is that we don’t really use them all that much. At least that’s the premise put forth by an exciting new startup called Getaround, whose goal is to create a peer-to-peer network where anyone who owns a car can rent it to anyone who needs a car. Getaround, which is based in San Francisco, has been earning some serious buzz since winning the prestigious...
4 tags
How To Get Insanely Loyal Brand Fanatics For Your... →
Successfully branding your company is easier said than done. Expert Mike Michalowicz suggests enlisting the help of your fans, and also shares how to make them “fanatics.”
3 tags
9 Questions: Tony Hsieh, Zappos
Bonus content from our Q&A with Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh on OPENForum.com:
“We have more financial flexibility than we did before the acquisition, which allows us to think even more long-term. While it’s not a surprise because we agreed to it before the acquisition, I’m happy to report that Amazon has left us independent, and we’re continuing to grow the Zappos brand...
4 tags
4 tags
Using Green Practices To Market Your Business :... →
Everyone seems to going green these days - even business owners. Do you know the best green practices to market your business?
5 tags
Reinventing The Town Square: The Brooklyn Flea...
OPEN Forum Editors are heading to the Brooklyn Flea this weekend - a favorite for those of us living the borough life - thanks to founders (and entrepreneurs) Jonathan Butler and Eric Demby.
“I think within the first 48 hours of that blog post going up we had 80 or 90 vendors apply,” Butler said. “I just thought, ‘Jesus. We’re kind of on to...
3 tags
New York Times Small Business Summit
This Monday, June 13, is the sixth annual New York Times Small Business Summit. OPEN Editors will be there and are looking forward to rubbing elbows with successful mall business owners from all over the the Tri-state area.
Are you planning on attending? Let us know, and be sure to come find us!
4 tags
“…Lefkofsky and his family have already cashed out $382 million from...”
– from The checkered past of Groupon’s Chairman
4 tags
“Last September, Mike Ragsdale and his family boarded a plane for Asia. They...”
– Do you also want to take a sabbatical without losing your job, business (or mind)? Check out Mike’s tips at openforum.com.
4 tags
5 tags
“Many people start blogs—whether for personal or business reasons—and then...”
– Click through to find out how to build an audience for your business blog. (OPEN Forum)
4 tags
3 tags
“A persistent stereotype exists that men identify more with their work and women...”
– Six Myths About Men And Women In The Workplace (OPEN Forum)
4 tags
9 Questions: Josh James, Co-founder Of Omniture
Q: What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
A: I know this is about business, but the predominant thought would be, “You are going to eventually get married and have five daughters, so be nice to women so karma is on your side when you start worrying about all of those little babies.” Also, I would tell myself that the older folks don’t really know what they are...
3 tags
4 tags
3 tags
