Today’s roundup starts with Facebook’s plan to help marketers with engagement measuring and continues with a discussion on whether tax hikes hurt SBOs, the latest on hiring numbers and the idea that art can help business.
Facebook introduces new ad and measurement tool for marketers
Phew. It looks like Facebook is finally getting something right. As Cotton Delo of Advertising Age reports, the social media giant will soon unveil a new premium ad offering—that will include a video clip—with the hopes of engaging more potential customers. In addition, Facebook is now adding a new tool titled ‘Insights,’ where brands will have the ability to view and track consumer engagement. Time to start measuring.
NY firm receives millions for small business capital
In a financial bind? Consider asking for a cash advance. Angus Loten of the The Wall Street Journal blogs that New York-based Merchant Cash & Capital recently received $25 million to help boost small businesses. This news is especially interesting to those of you who are coming up short with loan-denying banks. Just be careful if you go the advance route—there are risks involved.
Big companies saving small businesses: a good idea?
Today’s citizens are pretty much fed up with corporate America (i.e. Wall Street protests) and it looks like big business is taking note. As Reuters reports, earlier this week Starbucks announced plans to help fund small business, and, at an Ohio conference tomorrow, General Electric is expected to chat about the positives of small business growth. But what does this mean? Is this just a PR campaign to get on the good side of consumers? What do you think?
SB hiring on the rise as of late
Less than 9 percent unemployment, here we come! As Mia Lamar of the The Wall Street Journal blogs, small business employment was up 0.3 percent from August 23 to September 23—an annual growth of 3.3 percent. This info comes from the Intuit Small Business Employment Index, which measures 70,000 businesses with 20 or less employees.
Studying the arts can boost small business success
Turns out that a simple visit to an art gallery can significantly benefit SBOs—even if you own a un-artsy establishment such as an auto shop or a baby toy store. Erik Michielsen interviews business expert Simon Sinek on Capture Your Flag about how studying the arts can open the minds of small business owners. Take this as an excuse to get out of the office and explore. You never know what brilliant business ideas may surface.
Taxing the rich: a problem for SBOs?
Small businesses are widely regarded as the saviors of our struggling economy. But as Debra Rosenberg of NPR writes, there is some debate over whether tax hikes for the rich could actually hurt SBOs. Rep. Paul Ryan, a critic of the hikes, says they would cause problems for SBOs who make more than $250,000 per year. Hmm; most SBOs would love to make that kind of money. Further analysis reveals that only about 10 percent of them (with 14 employees or less) make more than $175,000.
Sleep-starved SBO shares her story
Sometimes it’s just nice to know you that are not alone swimming through your mountains of to-do and too-little-time lists. Eileen P. Gunn, founder of FamilesGo!, blogs for Inc. magazine on wishing her day could be extended by three hours, and how she still finds time to watch her Mad Men DVDs and go to yoga. Savor the inspiration.
Image credit: paz.ca