Archive for the 'Trends' Category

On MarketWatch today, Irwin Kellner notes some signs that the US Economy may be turning around.
I’ve had other friends believe we’ll recover sooner than some have feared.
Right now, as Kellner shows, there are signs of life that you’d see as a market begins to adjust and turn around…that is if there’s a breather before more [...]

What businesses are recession proof? There are a variety of ways to approach this such as current trends during the present recession.
While Starbucks is cutting back, McDonalds’ business is picking up and profits are thriving? In fact, as a number of headlines indicate, the purveyors of “cheap eats” are doing well right now, such [...]

When I saw the headline: 15 Companies That Might Not Make It In 2009 I reacted as if someone had thrown raw meat in front of a hungry dog. I expected something really good, but once I got there I frankly wondered “is this news?”
Chrysler was on the list… didn’t need lots of research to [...]

The other day I blogged about a lawyer telling people to demand the original note.
It seems that’s becoming the watchword of the day according to the article: Homeowners’ rallying cry: Produce the note
Some judges “buy” the argument. Others don’t. But it’s free to try. Here’s a “how to guide” from the Consumer Warning Network
The process [...]

Does Recession lead to small business formation?
I won’t quote them but I will summarize their thoughts…
1. Recessions tend to encourage small business formation because what has been called a “refugee” effect but as far as sole proprietorships, there’s only data from 1997.
2. But as far as the cost of starting a business goes, the cost [...]

Right now, the Wall Street Journal is saying that small businesses are cutting costs through renegotiation.
I think the article is worth reading and trying. For instance, I heard of a home business person who planned to save money by slashing an extra phone line. When she called to cut off the line entirely they said [...]

Should you start a business now instead of waiting to get the axe?
Nick Sturge who runs a business incubation project in the UK says it’s less risky to start your own business using the resources of a business incubator than to stay in the corporate world! Is that true or is he just looking for [...]

The website “Cartridge Save” has done an analysis of the best cities for people who make their living as telecommuters.
Click through for the full list of 20 cities the rationale behind the picks…
Top 10
1. San Francisco, CA
2. Austin, TX
3. Raleigh-Durham, NC
4. Vancouver, Canada
5. Seattle, WA
6. Copenhagen, Denmark
7. Phoenix, AZ
8. Seoul, South Korea
9. Syracuse, NY
10. Anchorage, [...]

Though the image of President Obama is in the public domain, Associated Press is trying to get money from an artist whom they say “stole” their version of Obama’s image.
Evidently millions of copies of the derived image were downloaded for free so even if they got a percentage, 100% of nothing is nothing.
Given that [...]

Did you notice this story in the LA Times? The subheading reads: “Some owners say the cost of testing for toxic lead and phthalates will shut their businesses. The law goes into effect Feb. 10.”
It could have dramatic effects on your business if you have a consignment shop reselling children’s products, sell such products on [...]