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Join Us on ... Twitter Facebook LinkedIn YouTube | This Week's Highlight Census Data Can Impact Your Business Strategy – Make Sure Your Community Is Counted
April 1 is National Census Day and by now we should all have received, completed, and returned our 2010 Census forms. Because just by answering 10 simple questions, we can all directly affect the quality of life, services, and job creation in our communities. To help ensure communities are counted, the U.S. Census Bureau is asking small businesses to voluntarily raise awareness and advocate the importance of the 2010 Census with its 2010 Census Partner Program. Read more... The EPA's New Lead-Based Paint Hazard Regulations for Businesses
New regulations are in effect for some paid renovators and businesses to help protect against the lead-based paint hazards associated with renovation, repair and painting activities for residential houses, apartments, and child-occupied facilities such as schools and daycare centers. The EPA’s Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RPP) program has issued a regulation that affects contractors, property managers, and others who disturb painted surfaces in facilities built before 1978. Read more...
Recent Articles in the Community Small Business Matters Are You Ready to Grow Your Business? Five Tips to Help You Prepare for Growth
Growth isn't easy and it doesn't happen overnight. Whether you feel your business is ready to diversify its service offerings, enter new markets, or branch into new territory, a strategic and operational plan for growth is a must. Here are five tips for preparing your small business for growth from MD SBDC's Carey Wilson. Read more... Turning your Handyman Skills into a Profession: Starting a Construction or Home Improvement Business
The construction industry is one of the nation's largest industries, and it's not all heavy-construction. 64% of these jobs fall in the specialty trade contractors sector. If you are interested in starting or growing a construction, home improvement or general contracting business, here are some business and regulatory basics that you need to be aware of. Read more... Business Law Advisor NAICS Codes 101
As a small business owner, you probably have heard of the NAICS code, but may not know what it means and what it is used for. Some federal and state agencies require businesses to have a NAICS code for administrative, contracting, and tax purposes. Here is a quick overview of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and how to obtain your business's NAICS code. Read more... In the Loop State Issues that Affect the Survival of your Small Business
Aside from the economy and your knowledge and operational skills as a business owner, certain outside factors will affect your business's success - some of which are based purely on your business's location. In the coming weeks we'll provide you with a guide that shows which and how state and local regulations and issues affect small business survival across the country. Read more... The Industry Word 5 Steps to Plan Any Part of Your Business
I think most of us plan all the time. Not just the whole big plan for our business, called "the business plan," but also, the pieces of business that make it work. Planning your marketing, product or service mix, social media or web strategy, post-recession recovery growth plan, or anything else in your business can boil down to five standard steps. These can apply to any part of your business. Read more...
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