Posts tagged economy

The Trouble with Measuring Innovation Measuring innovation—how much is taking place and the value it’s producing—remains a challenge for many companies. The metrics they use to evaluate innovation can sometimes be misleading. Some metrics, such as the number of new ideas in various stages of development, can overestimate the innovation that is actually taking place inside a company. Other metrics, such as revenue derived from innovations, may not pick up the indirect business value certain ideas create. Read More (via The Trouble with Measuring Innovation - Deloitte CIO - WSJ - Image source)

The Trouble with Measuring Innovation

Measuring innovation—how much is taking place and the value it’s producing—remains a challenge for many companies. The metrics they use to evaluate innovation can sometimes be misleading.

Some metrics, such as the number of new ideas in various stages of development, can overestimate the innovation that is actually taking place inside a company. Other metrics, such as revenue derived from innovations, may not pick up the indirect business value certain ideas create. Read More

(via The Trouble with Measuring Innovation - Deloitte CIO - WSJ - Image source)

The Economy’s Improving? Tell Small BusinessOne survey following another shows that Americans feel better about the economy than they have since before the 2008 financial crisis. Plus the housing market appears to finally be recovering. All this should make small business owners who are coming off a rough couple of years feel pretty good, right?Not so, according to a Gallup poll out Friday from Wells Fargo (WFC), showing the biggest drop in small business owners’ confidence since the fall of 2008. The quarterly index, based on responses from 600 business owners, dropped 28 points as more businesses reported declining revenues, payrolls, and capital investment, both in the last 12 months and in their expectations for the year ahead. Read More (via The Economy’s Improving? Tell Small Business - Businessweek)
The Economy’s Improving? Tell Small Business

One survey following another shows that Americans feel better about the economy than they have since before the 2008 financial crisis. Plus the housing market appears to finally be recovering. All this should make small business owners who are coming off a rough couple of years feel pretty good, right?

Not so, according to a Gallup poll out Friday from Wells Fargo (WFC), showing the biggest drop in small business owners’ confidence since the fall of 2008. The quarterly index, based on responses from 600 business owners, dropped 28 points as more businesses reported declining revenues, payrolls, and capital investment, both in the last 12 months and in their expectations for the year ahead. Read More

(via The Economy’s Improving? Tell Small Business - Businessweek)

Small Business Saturday by the NumbersThis year, about 500,000 small businesses around the country participated in the event, which attracted some 100 million consumers; the National Federation of Independent Businesses reported that 67 percent of consumers planned to shop small. And although American Express is notoriously tight-lipped about the incremental revenue generated by the promotion, anecdotally, at least, it seems business owners around the country are enjoying a modest windfall from the event. Read More (via Small Business Saturday by the Numbers - US Business News - CNBC)
Small Business Saturday by the Numbers

This year, about 500,000 small businesses around the country participated in the event, which attracted some 100 million consumers; the National Federation of Independent Businesses reported that 67 percent of consumers planned to shop small. And although American Express is notoriously tight-lipped about the incremental revenue generated by the promotion, anecdotally, at least, it seems business owners around the country are enjoying a modest windfall from the event. Read More

(via Small Business Saturday by the Numbers - US Business News - CNBC)

Cyber Monday Gaining On Black Friday for Many Businesses Move over Black Friday. Cyber Monday is here! With online shopping steadily rising, it’s clear that businesses with a strong online component incorporating e-commerce will be the best placed to take advantage of what experts say could be the new contender for busiest shopping day of the year. The online shopping trend is good news for retailers of all sizes. Even small to mid-sized businesses have a chance to reach a larger customer base not limited by physical location or number of stores. Read more about how your company can benefit too. Read More (via Cyber Monday Gaining On Black Friday for Many Businesses | Small Business Trends - Image source)

Cyber Monday Gaining On Black Friday for Many Businesses

Move over Black Friday. Cyber Monday is here! With online shopping steadily rising, it’s clear that businesses with a strong online component incorporating e-commerce will be the best placed to take advantage of what experts say could be the new contender for busiest shopping day of the year. The online shopping trend is good news for retailers of all sizes. Even small to mid-sized businesses have a chance to reach a larger customer base not limited by physical location or number of stores. Read more about how your company can benefit too. Read More

(via Cyber Monday Gaining On Black Friday for Many Businesses | Small Business Trends - Image source)

Welcome to Small Business Saturday! Are you participating? (via #SmallBizSat on Twitpic)

Welcome to Small Business Saturday! Are you participating?

(via #SmallBizSat on Twitpic)

Small Business Saturday Checklist Are you ready? (via Small Business Saturday by American Express)

Small Business Saturday Checklist

Are you ready?

(via Small Business Saturday by American Express)

Click to embiggen. What Do Small Businesses Mean to You? (via Infographic: What Do Small Businesses Mean to You? | Business on GOOD)

Click to embiggen.

What Do Small Businesses Mean to You?

(via Infographic: What Do Small Businesses Mean to You? | Business on GOOD)

The 100 Most Creative People in Business 2012 [Click Here] (via The 100 Most Creative People in Business 2012 | Fast Company)

The 100 Most Creative People in Business 2012 [Click Here]

(via The 100 Most Creative People in Business 2012 | Fast Company)

What Is ‘Made in America’ Worth? Probably more than you think. As more manufacturing returns to U.S. shores, early signs show that a “Made in America” label is a serious competitive advantage. International perceptions of “Made in America,” are rooted in global perceptions of the country itself—and that news is surprisingly favorable for domestic manufacturers. Simon Anholt is a British branding consultant and creator of the Anholt-GfK Roper Nation Brands Index, which measures a nation’s international reputation. In the market-research company’s most recent survey, released in late October, the U.S. ranked first—for the fourth year in a row. Read More (via What Is ‘Made in America’ Worth? | Inc.com)

What Is ‘Made in America’ Worth?

Probably more than you think. As more manufacturing returns to U.S. shores, early signs show that a “Made in America” label is a serious competitive advantage.

International perceptions of “Made in America,” are rooted in global perceptions of the country itself—and that news is surprisingly favorable for domestic manufacturers. Simon Anholt is a British branding consultant and creator of the Anholt-GfK Roper Nation Brands Index, which measures a nation’s international reputation. In the market-research company’s most recent survey, released in late October, the U.S. ranked first—for the fourth year in a row. Read More

(via What Is ‘Made in America’ Worth? | Inc.com)

How to Start a Small Business in a Few Hours - In 9 Steps 1. Get over the company-name thing.2. Get your Employer Identification number (EIN).3. Register your trade name.4. Get your business license.5. Complete a business personal-property tax form (if necessary).6. Ask your locality about other permits.7. Get a certificate of resale (if necessary).8. Get a business bank account.9. Set up a simple accounting spreadsheet.Read More (via How to Start a Small Business in a Few Hours | Inc.com)

How to Start a Small Business in a Few Hours - In 9 Steps

1. Get over the company-name thing.
2. Get your Employer Identification number (EIN).
3. Register your trade name.
4. Get your business license.
5. Complete a business personal-property tax form (if necessary).
6. Ask your locality about other permits.
7. Get a certificate of resale (if necessary).
8. Get a business bank account.
9. Set up a simple accounting spreadsheet.
Read More

(via How to Start a Small Business in a Few Hours | Inc.com)