In small business, our main product should be success. That may sound obvious, but remember that any business, no matter what product or service it may offer, must first have a successful business model before it can really be a business at all. Here from Small Business Trends are some links that may give you a clue for developing a successful business model in your next venture. Remember, regardless of other factors, developing a successful business model is the key to moving forward with your small business.

Collaboration & Competition

Some thoughts on collaboration. In fact, Carol Roth has collected an impressive “46 Insights On Partnering And Collaborating In Business” from her equally impressive network of associates and colleagues. Some of the tips shared include making sure you have a shared value system and that the level of expected participation from all quarters is clearly understood. There are plenty of other great tips to glean. And heeeeere we go! CarolRoth.com

How do you stay ahead of the competition? Hear 22 opinions from a range of small business owners and entrepreneurs via blogger Sarah Shaw. Learn more about the tools you can use to figure out how you rank with others in your industry and market enabling you to think strategically and plan your moves to stay ahead of the pack. Don’t miss any of these tips when considering a strategy for your small business. You may be surprised with the results. Entreprenette Gazette

Tools & Strategies

You’ve no doubt heard about the trouble with Facebook. Concerns over the sharing and availability of personal information entered into your profile with other users and regular advertisers using the social network has caused a considerable stir. We’re presuming that as a small business owner you use social media largely for business purposes, so the amount of personal material you share is no doubt limited. However, here are some tips for using this powerful social networking tool safely. Yahoo! Finance

The key to success is the questions you ask. Entrepreneur Penelope Trunk has some thoughts about why you can sometimes get further with questions than with answers. For one thing, questions lead you in the right direction eventually. And in small business, especially one you start yourself, there will always be more of the former than the latter. Brazen Careerist

Planning & Execution

Keep your small business planning simple. You’ll hear lots about planning in just about every aspect of small business. But, of course, the simplest plans are the easiest to implement. Obviously a complicated plan no one ever looks at again is not worth the paper it’s printed on. In this post and video Becky McCray highlights this by suggesting a simplified marketing plan (just four steps) that should be easy enough for any small business to follow. Small Biz Survival

What is needed for your business to take action? This interview with author and entrepreneur Gary Harpst looks at helping businesses take the necessary steps to survive, grow and innovate but it is also about empowering small business with existing technology that can change the way they do business. Read the summary of the interview then listen to the podcast and figure out how to improve your small business execution. Zane Safrit

Communications & Marketing

Are you talking to your customers? As opposed to talking at them? Though this post is specifically about engaging your potential clients and customers through your business blog, the same goes for most of your marketing and communications. Talking to potential clients and customers about how great you are probably won’t win you much business. On the other hand, focusing on their wants, desires and interests may lead to more orders, jobs or sales. NikkiPilkington.com

Keep innovating in your marketing approach. For instance, Travis Campbell has this post about the ways in which online video can transform your e-mail marketing efforts immediately. When it comes to getting and keeping a potential client or customer’s attention, don’t make the mistake of trying the same old thing that hasn’t been working in the hopes things will turn around. (They probably won’t unless you take action.) Marketing Professor

Resources & Policy

A SCORE consortium is working to bring broadband and other tools to small business. Partnering with the FCC and other private and public organizations, SCORE will work to show small businesses in underserved rural and urban markets how to use broadband, software and other tools to grow their business. SCORE

Is government truly on the side of small business? In this video from the National Small Business Week festivities in Washington D.C., U.S. President Barack Obama portrayed a government intent upon helping small businesses with planned elimination of the capital gains tax for some while funding increased bank lending for others. But with looming costs for mandatory health care and possibly higher taxes to pay for new programs, government may be creating obstacles for what small businesses need most. More customers with money to spend. WH.Gov

From Small Business Trends

Small Business News: Our Product Is Success!