While small businesses represent the majority of United States exporters, their export sales represent less than a third of the overall value of exports. And while 95 percent of the world’s consumers live outside of our borders, only 1 percent of U.S. small businesses sell to them. Small businesses make up nearly 98 percent of […]
Most business professionals have heard of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and know it’s unlawful to discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin or religion. In recent years, other categories of people have found protections for age, disabilities, political affiliation or beliefs and sexual orientation. While it should […]
As spring nears, the Western Colorado Conservation Corps ramps up for another busy year. One of three programs operated under Mesa County Partners, the WCCC offers training, education and employment on our public lands to young adults ages 16 to 25. In 2015, the WCCC brought on 124 paid and trained youth and young adults […]
A business plan includes a brief industry overview that helps readers understand the history of your firm in the context of recent industry trends and leads into an analysis of your strategies for the future. Coming as it does the beginning of the plan, if you cut and paste boiler plate language, you’ll likely lose […]
So what’s happening in March? There’s March Madness, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter and … National Nutrition Month. Bet you didn’t see that one coming. This year’s theme is “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right.” The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics wants you to enjoy the food you eat and where you eat it, developing mindful […]
Business owners and managers sometimes feel as though they’re being “held hostage” by one or more team members who play key roles in operations. Owners and managers believe these individuals possess sensitive information; perform vital functions; and letting them go or, in fact, taking any action that might upset them would leave the company in […]
Think about the age-old question: How do you eat an elephant? Now think about the answer: One bite at a time. Some things in life can seem overwhelming considered as a whole component. Breaking things down into small steps to achieve, change or address something is much easier in bite-size pieces. This same approach holds […]
In my previous column, I illuminated 12 primary ways people sabotage their listening, the downside of doing so and some of the major benefits of learning to listen with integrity. I suggested that listening effectively to others offers the most fundamental and powerful communication tool of all. Building the powerful habit of truly listening is […]
Starting a new business can be challenging. Navigating the maze of rules, regulations and licensing requirements and the constant lack of resources constitute some of the reasons why more Americans don’t follow their entrepreneurial dreams. Small business drives our economy, though, so finding ways to promote new business development is vital. Fortunately, there are creative […]
You can’t win a hockey game playing by football rules. You have to know the rules of the game. Similarly, those who didn’t grow up in poverty could remain unaware of the hidden rules that affect many aspects of life for the poor. Hidden rules are the unspoken cues or habits of a social circle. […]