Today’s roundup starts with news that the skilled worker visa debate is still a hot topic in Washington and includes a piece on how to get your emails read and why Vice President Joe Biden is a friend to small business.
Skilled worker visa debate rages on in Washington
Even though the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act, which allocates a greater portion of work visas to countries with large populations (read: India and China)—it may never become law. That’s because, as The Washington Post’s Steven Overly writes, some legislators are worried it will take skilled jobs away from U.S. workers at a time of high unemployment. Others disagree, saying that allowing skilled immigrants to stay and start companies will boost economic growth. What’s your opinion on the topic?
Small biz has a friend in Joe Biden
It’s nice to know that The White House loves us. As Amy Dudley writes on The White House Blog, on Sunday Mr. Vice President spoke to a group in Istanbul, Turkey about the merits of entrepreneurship. Among other great quotes, he told the crowd that entrepreneurship has the ability to “transform lives and lift up entire communities and nations.” Nice!
There are few things more annoying than creating an e-mail newsletter just to get a scant number of click-throughs. What’s the secret to attention capture? As Karen Taylor writes on Taylored Solutions, small business owners are smart to put their point in the first sentence of the e-mail, limit one idea per paragraph and bold deadlines.
In-store customer service isn’t enough to keep clients coming back. As Ron Consolino writes in the Houston Chronicle, small business owners should write thank you notes, give freebies, anticipate customer needs, and get their feedback via postage-paid response cards.
Microbrews expand while trying to ‘stay small’
Thanks in part to Kim Jordan, Fat Tire Amber Ale is a staple among most beer drinkers. But as Devin Leonard of Bloomberg Businessweek writes, Jordan, who is CEO of New Belgium Brewing in Colorado, is struggling to expand her company while keeping it’s charm intact. Jordan’s challenge isn’t a solitary one. The craft beer industry is booming and now produces 4.9 percent of the beer in the U.S.—a number that could soon rise to 10 percent. Will this amount of growth hurt small breweries? What do you think?
Tax rule extensions may help SBOs
With tax day a measly five months away, it’s time to look at applicable trends that will affect your business. As Barbara Weltman writes on Small Business Trends, extended tax rules include 100 percent bonus depreciation and up to $500,000 of first-year expensing, research credit and work opportunity credit for hiring people in specific groups. A not-so-favorable trend: audits are on the rise. These are all good reasons to start sorting your financials now.
Why aren’t all Millennials starting businesses?
Yes, Gen Y has been labeled the entrepreneurial generation. But as Jared O’Toole of Under30CEO writes, some in the group are a little skittish to dive into business ownership. Why? About 22 percent cite personal doubts, 20 percent blame personal debt and 15 percent say they can’t find mentors to help. If you fall into the latter category, check out the U.S. Small Business Administration—they can team you up with business veterans regardless of where you live.
11 tips for painless holiday travel
Here’s a little Tuesday treat. How many of you are hitting the road right around Dec. 22-23 and coming back around the 28th? Me too. And like you, I’m dreading long lines at the airport, flight delays and bad airport food. Thankfully, as marketing guru Peter Shankman writes on his blog, there are several ways to lessen the pain this season. Try booking the first flight out in the morning—yes, the 5 a.m. flight—, don’t check bags (send them FedEx) and try not to lose your temper (deep breathing helps).
