Lots of people say that in the world of social media it’s your job to engage with customers. You have to talk to them, be accessible and give them something about yourself to hold on to. I guess that’s true. However, I think businesses have to go even further than that. I think if you want customers to evangelize your brand and be loyal to you, you have to...

Small business is not for the faint of heart. And, while we’re on the subject, it’s not for those who want a predictable existence where everything stays the same. Making your small business work and then grow will require sharp thinking and decisive action. But most importantly, it will require a competitive edge. For any small business, survival...

August was crowded, as far as small business research goes. So, without further ado, here’s a good sampling: Devil in The Details Verizon released a survey late last month which found that larger-revenue small businesses are more likely to have Web sites than smaller- revenue firms — at least, within limits. They found that 56 percent of firms with...

August was crowded, as far as small business research goes. So, without further ado, here’s a good sampling: Devil in The Details Verizon released a survey late last month which found that larger-revenue small businesses are more likely to have Web sites than smaller- revenue firms — at least, within limits. They found that 56 percent of firms with...

Are you a local small business retailer? If so, Google made an announcement last week that you should pay attention to. Are you listening? A few months ago Google began experimenting with Google Local Shopping, a service that lets customers find and buy products that are in stock nearby. Whether it’s a certain kind of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream or a special...

The real key to economic recovery isn’t in the form of a piece of legislation waiting for passage in Congress or on the President’s desk awaiting signature. In fact, the real key to economic recovery doesn’t lie in the hands of any legislature or government entity on the face of the Earth. The real key to economic recovery lies in the hands of...