| August 15, 2012 | News for women business owners |
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- Key stats on women-owned firms
More than 7 million people work for women-owned companies, and these businesses bring in about $1.3 trillion in revenue. The number of women-owned firms in the U.S. has increased to 8.3 million, and industries such as educational services and health care are seeing some of the fastest growth. Mashable/OPEN Forum
(8/14)     
| Business Trends | | |
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- Goodbye Hotmail; hello Outlook
Microsoft is revamping Hotmail by offering a new Outlook.com e-mail service, Stephanie Faris writes. The site features a clean design and can help users keep track of their contacts' social media activity, she notes. SmallBizTechnology.com
(8/14)
| Small Business Spotlight | | |
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- Business owners look into the future
Beth Shaw wants her company, YogaFit, to be purchased by or partner with a bigger company, allowing her business to "accelerate at a much faster pace in terms of better technology, better global channels of distribution, and more systems." She is also considering the possibility of building her business through a franchise model. Meanwhile, Deirdre Lord, owner of Megawatt Hour, wants her business to become a key part of other companies' decisions on energy use. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/You're the Boss blog
(8/9)
| Social Media Buzz | | |
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- Should brands be political players?
Executives from Chick-fil-A and Papa John's recently made disastrous forays into political debates over gay marriage and health care -- but their pain can be other brands' gain, writes Murray Newlands. Learn from their mistakes and vow never to engage in political discussions that could adversely impact your brand, he advises. "Rather than potentially alienating a large percentage of your customer base, instead choose to maintain distance between your brand and any debate over politics." SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Social Media
(8/14)
| NAWBO (R) News | | |
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U.S. Chamber releases small-business survey
Small-business owners’ concerns about the future are impacting their hiring, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s fifth quarterly small business survey.
| Weekly Poll | | |
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Who runs your business' social media?
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I do. |
50.00%
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We don't use social media. |
25.00%
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It's a team effort. |
10.71%
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A 30-something employee. |
8.93%
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An over-40 employee. |
3.57%
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A 20-something employee. |
1.79%
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| Technology | | |
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| Best Practices | | |
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- Why every business needs its own website
It's not enough to set up shop on websites such as Yelp, Google Places and Facebook; your company needs its own Web presence, Jeanne Rossomme of RoadMap Marketing writes. "Your website is your main cyber storefront, the hub where you direct all your other marketing messages." However, setting up a website doesn't have to be a major headache, she explains. Your site only needs a few elements, including an "About" page, a contact form and a blog. SCORE Small Business Success Blog
(8/13)
- How to convert prospects into customers
If you're having a hard time building your business, you should make sure that you are addressing prospects' needs, writes Liz Lynch. "Your service must be positioned as a 'need to have' not a 'nice to have' for your target audience in their eyes." You should also ensure that you are going after the right prospects, she writes. The Secrets of Success blog
(8/12)
- Keep it simple to build an effective loyalty program
To build a successful loyalty program for customers, keep it simple, writes Stephanie Miles. Customers won't participate if it's complicated. Also, get cashiers to promote the program and reward people when they sign up. Encourage customers to share their experience online and use the data collected to learn more about your customers and their buying habits. Street Fight
(8/14)
| Policy Update | | |
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- Some merchants dissatisfied with credit card class-action settlement
Some merchants say the recent settlement of a class-action lawsuit involving some of the largest credit card companies has done little to address underlying issues with processing cards. Under the settlement, the card companies and banks agreed to return several billion dollars to merchants and to allow them to add surcharges when customers pay with credit cards. "The merchants don't think this is going far enough, it is not only about surcharging for them, it is also about the system and what they see as collusion and price fixing and the way the system works," analyst Madeline Aufseeser said. Inc. online
(8/14)
| Lifestyle | | |
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- Boost your health and your energy level
Many people rush through their days, eating unhealthy food, getting too little sleep and not doing any exercise, writes Natalie Peace. You can get a little healthier by sipping water throughout the day, going outside when possible, and getting the necessary dosage of vitamin D and omega 3s, she writes. Forbes
(8/15)
| Editor's Note | | |
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Have you figured out Google+ yet?
NAWBO® SmartBrief is proud to share an exclusive chapter from best-selling author Guy Kawasaki’s new book, “What the Plus! Google+ for the rest of us.” In return for updating your SmartBrief profile, we will give you Chapter 2 of Kawasaki’s book on Google+ – “How To Get Started” – and Chapter 11+ –“How to Thrive in the All-Boys’ Club,” absolutely free. Learn more here.
| SmartQuote | | |
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 | Websites are now essential. ... [Without one, you] signal to the marketplace that you are not a 'real' business."
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Tom O'Brien 212-450-1679
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| About NAWBO® |
Founded in 1975, NAWBO® propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social
and political spheres of power worldwide. Thirty years later, NAWBO® is
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entrepreneurs in all industries. NAWBO® and Women Mean BusinessTM are
registered trademarks of the National Association of Women Business
Owners. For more information, please visit www.nawbo.org.
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| | Recent Nawbo® SmartBrief Issues:
- Monday, August 13, 2012
- Friday, August 10, 2012
- Wednesday, August 08, 2012
- Monday, August 06, 2012
- Friday, August 03, 2012
| | | Lead Editor: Brooke Howell
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