Business Success Strategies

By Karen Kerrigan- There’s been a boom in new business startups and side hustles, which is good news for the economy given the massive number of business closures resulting from the pandemic. In this week’s roundup of great content and resources, we found some solid tips and advice for new business owners and current entrepreneurs […]

Selling to consumers hunkering down at home this holiday season By Rieva Lesonsky- As the coronavirus ramps up across the country (and globally), it looks like the winter holidays will be particularly challenging for small businesses. But in her blog on the Mintel site, Marcia Mogelonsky, Ph. D., Mintel’s director of Insight, Food & Drink, says […]

Biz Tech Magazine recently compiled a solid list of experts, entrepreneurs, trend watchers and policy influencers for its 2020 list of “Small Business IT Influencers to Follow.”  SBE Council president & CEO Karen Kerrigan is among the list of terrific experts including our longtime friends and supporters: Smart Hustle’s Ramon Ray, Small Biz Daily’s Rieva […]

by Karen Kerrigan- RIEVA’s Trendcast: Holiday Spending Trends 2020 NPD calls Holiday 2020 “more of a renovation than a rebuild” and expects it to “accentuate underlying trends that have been developing over the past few years,” according to a Trendcast blog by Rieva Lesonsky. “And, ‘free shipping is the number-one factor influencing where consumers will […]

How “abnormal” of a holiday season can small business owners expect? by Rieva Lesonsky – NPD Group in its NOW IN RETAIL: 2020 U.S. Holiday Purchase Intentions report makes two holiday projections: ● They expect “traditional holiday” sales to be up 2.5–3.4%. This encompasses general merchandise categories occurring in November and December. ● The “new holiday” […]

by Karen Kerrigan- This week’s Business Intelligence focuses on small business resiliency and growth during the COVID-19 economy, and how to leverage “being small” this holiday season. The shopping has already started, but it’s not too late to strengthen your online presence and meet customers where they are! As noted by one of the articles […]

by Raymond J. Keating- The “side hustle” was originally defined as “a job or a business in addition to your full-time job.” But during this pandemic economy, with high levels of unemployment, typically included in the “side hustle” definition is “work done while looking for a full-time job.” Initially, the side hustle was emblematic of […]

UPDATED October 13, 2020 By Karen Kerrigan- The effects of the COVID-19 have hit small businesses very hard. Of course, many governments continue to place restrictions on business activity and public mobility. Sluggish demand continues to impact revenues, which is taking a toll on jobs and business viability. Let’s hope that mitigation strategies and state-based […]

By Barbara Weltman- Social commerce is the activity of using social media platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, to promote your products and services. Social commerce is growing and it’s likely that online shopping habits formed by customers during the pandemic won’t change once the ability to revisit bricks-and-mortar stores becomes safe. More consumers are […]

BY BARBARA WELTMAN As a business owner, you may want to use independent contractors for various work you need to get done. It’s less costly than hiring employees. And during this pandemic period when businesses are trying to recover, the promise of permanent employment may be beyond the ability of owners to make. However, federal […]