Good Employment News, Companies Hiring at Fastest Pace Since 2006
Posted by admin in Employment on May 27, 2011
Signaling good news in the employment market for the first time in years, American companies have begun hiring new employees at a pace that is the fastest since 2006, a time when the economy was humming along nicely. In April, 286,000 new jobs were created in a wide variety of industries. It marked the third consecutive month of gains over 200,000 and the 14th consecutive month of added jobs. The growth was a pleasant surprise for economists, who referred to a “virtuous cycle” that includes consumer spending, increased corporate earnings and, of course, additional hiring.
Said Joel Naroff, president of Naroff Economic Advisors, “This was really a good report because ultimately it is all about jobs. More and more, it is looking as if the recovery is back on track despite the headwinds it is facing.” Among the negatives that Naroff refers to are rising oil and gas prices, as well as a still-battered housing industry. Analysts, however, are now saying that gasoline prices may likely have peaked for the summer at around $4 per gallon, meaning that whatever damage is occurring on that front has already been factored in.
Getting in on the good news, the broad stock market indexes rose last Friday, with the Dow up 55 points for the day after a big increase in the morning. Noted President Obama, “We’ve made this progress at a time when our economy’s facing some serious headwinds. There will undoubtedly be some more challenges ahead, but the fact is that we are still making progress. Read the rest of this entry »
Small Business Networking
Posted by admin in Business Financing on May 25, 2011
Starting up any business first requires a customer base. What is it that you are going to sell? Every business sells something, be it a product or a service. Either way, you need that audience that is going to make your business the huge success it is meant to be. Targeting that audience and convincing them to be your client in whatever manner requires you to adhere to some very important networking tips for small businesses. In effect, no business is too small to work without the help of other professionals. Assuming that you can single-handedly survive in your small business is not feasible. You need a network of people who will make your business more efficient so that you can deliver results.
Tips on Small Business Networking
Before we start on the tips for small business networking, you should know that the rule of networking revolves around developing a trustworthy business relationship at the end of it all. Following up on referrals and delivering what you have promised will ensure that your networking endeavors are truly rewarded. So here are a few tips from around the business world to help you carry out small business networking to make it a success.
Know Your Business Well
Have a thorough understanding of what the goal of your business is, so that when you meet people, you can explain it to them thoroughly. Knowledge of your business also makes you more confident and enables people to have faith in you. Be prepared for all sorts of questions that will be posed regarding the feasibility and all other aspects of your business. It is only then that people will know that you are a serious entrepreneur who has thought things through, and not someone who just had a fleeting business idea and is out to implement it without considering its potential.
Prepare Business Cards
Business cards are the first mark of professionalism. They show that you have already established yourself as an entrepreneur and are serious about making your business work. Have a simple but professional business card that you can give out at various networking events, or generally to those who you think may need to contact you in the near future. However, just giving business cards is not enough. You have to supplement the process by having a meaningful conversation with the person regarding your business, understanding what that professional’s business revolves around, and how you can collaborate to make a difference to both businesses.
Start with People you Know
Start spreading the word among your peers, colleagues, and others who know you well. These are the people who can actually spread the word for you. In fact, involve those who are willing to join you so that your circle of influence expands and you are able to reach out to more people.
Go Where the Crowd Is
Recognize your potential contacts and network, and make sure you are present wherever your audience is. Be it at an expo, a restaurant, or the general Internet user; ensure that you are around to introduce yourself. When you do communicate with them, exude confidence and passion. Use language that you know will engage the listener rather than using simple, boring language. When introducing your business, speak of the concept behind it before you actually talk about what you do. This will help explain your business idea better and develop the necessary contacts to build your business. Even if you develop a few good contacts, it is likely to be of great help to start off with. Read the rest of this entry »