Tips, Trends and Market Intelligence for Entrepreneurs
Change in Leadership at SBA
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is losing a seasoned entrepreneur and strong small business advocate at the helm. SBA Administrator Linda McMahon announced her resignation effective April 12. A few days later, President Trump announced that he plans to nominate Jovita Carranza to replace Administrator McMahon. Ms. Carranza is a former Deputy SBA Administrator during George W. Bush’s administration and currently serves as U.S. Treasurer. As I noted in a media statement:
“Jovita will effectively represent entrepreneurs as a member of the President’s Cabinet and understands the many challenges and opportunities facing small businesses.”
Administrator McMahon has done a fabulous job leading the SBA for the past two years. I highlighted her great work in a media statement, which touched upon the inspirational role she also played while traveling the country:
“Whether personally meeting with the hundreds of entrepreneurs and small business owners during her extensive travels across the United States, or advocating on issues that matter to the growth and success of their firms, Administrator McMahon’s energy and actions have made a difference in improving the health of this vital sector. She inspired many small business owners by sharing her own struggles building a business, and women entrepreneurs especially enjoyed hearing how grit, perseverance and being her authentic self were key factors to her success.”
The latest Forbes-SBE Council Radio Network podcast (listen here) touches upon the future of the SBA, but also on the many presidential nominations that have not been acted upon by the U.S. Senate over the past two years. The slow pace of confirmation (some say obstruction) has kept important positions unfilled and harms the operation of the federal government, and by extension the business community. Hopefully, with a rule change recently passed by the Senate, more of these key positions – like the Chief Counsel for Advocacy (who is the small business advocate in the federal government) will be confirmed more quickly so they can get to work for small business.
One key thing that SBA Administrator McMahon during her tenure is increase small business awareness of the SBA’s services, which include training and educational programs. On that note, this week’s Small Business Accelerator is once again packed with some good advice, solutions and ideas to help your startup or small business succeed. Remember: The more you learn, the more you earn!
Karen Kerrigan, President & CEO
@KarenKerrigan
Branding, Marketing & Sales
Why Visual Content Marketing is Important for Small Business, Small Biz Daily. “Did you know that the brain processes visual content about 60,000x faster than text and more than 80% of the information that gets transmitted to the brain is visual?”
7 Outstanding (and FREE) Stock Photography Sites Your Marketing Team Should Know About, CrowdSpring. “Stock photography and art can’t be used to replace an authentic, consistent visual brand identity. But, stock photos can supplement an already established brand identity. Just choose photos that don’t contradict your existing brand.”
7 Winning Steps to a Winning Social Media Marketing Campaign, Startup Professionals. “The depth in which connections can be made with the ‘audience’ or ‘customers’ is far greater than it possibly can be with any other medium. The very nature of influence at this level means that values and vision must be in tune.”
5 Mobile Payment Processing Trends: Increase Your Sales and Keep Customers, Bplans. “While these mobile payment trends are generally great for customer convenience, there are also some potential wins as far as customer retention and even reduced costs for small businesses and startups.”
3 Reasons to Stay Easily Reachable to Your Customers, Small Biz Daily. “In this hyperconnected and competitive environment, keeping your customers satisfied is non-negotiable.”
Startups & Entrepreneurship
How to Start a Business: A Step-by-Step Guide, Business News Daily. “Tasks like naming the business and creating a logo are obvious, but what about the less-heralded, equally important steps? Whether it’s determining your business structure or crafting a detailed marketing strategy, the workload can quickly pile up.”
Succeeding in the Gig Economy
April 9, 2019 1:00 p.m. ET
SCORE Webinar
More people have become gig workers, or short-term contractors, than ever before. Some freelance in addition to a full-time job, while some manage multiple gigs to make a living.
So, where do you find gigs? How should you best manage them? And what about job security? The gig economy has many benefits, freedom and opportunity chief among them, but there are also plenty of challenges.
In this informative webinar, USA TODAY small business columnist Steve Strauss shows you how to stay competitive in the gig economy.
You’ll learn how to:
● Find high-paying gigs
● Avoid the gig treadmill
● Create job security
● Manage time, stress and money
For more information or to register for FREE, please click here.
The Best Small Business Ideas to Know in 2019, Fundera. “These 43 small business ideas suit soon-to-be entrepreneurs in a range of industries, and with a variety of interests, but there’s a need in the modern market for all of these services. So, if you’re qualified to start a small business in any of the following fields, you just might find some serious success by striking out on your own.”
Business Ideas: Which of these 75+ Startup Ideas Will Make You Rich?, Digital.com. “To help get you started we’ve come up with a list of ‘online’ and ‘offline’ based business ideas that are easy to start, in demand, and can be profitable.”
Using LinkedIn to Pitch Your New Product Ideas? Don’t Overlook These Simple Tips, Inc. “Your LinkedIn profile is like a digital handshake in that it’s a sales and marketing tool. Nowadays, your profile is where most first impressions are being formed. A properly crafted profile is like a perfect handshake with just the right amount of squeeze, duration, and eye contact.”
Operations, Management & Strategic Planning
6 Changes to Your Hiring Process to Attract the Best, Startup Professionals. “Focus on a key set of hiring principles.”
Everything You Need to Know About Summer Interns, Big Ideas for Small Business. “Now is the time that businesses typically seek out summer interns. If you are thinking of doing this, be sure you know the benefits and burdens that using interns entail.”
Planning Your Exit Strategy for Your Small Business or Startup, Bplans. “Many people start businesses with the goal of seeking acquisition. But others decide later that it’s time to move on—they’d like to pull their time and money out of a particular venture. It’s never too early (or too late) to start planning your exit strategy.”