Cashing out: An entrepreneur’s dream or nightmare?
Some would say Larry Howald accomplished every small-business owner’s dream: Selling his company to a big competitor for “good” money.
Small Biz Advice
WOJTOWICZ: Character always counts—even in loan decisions
During these difficult times, small-business lenders are looking harder at intangibles—including a borrower’s character.
WOJTOWICZ: Missed tax payments could affect business loans
Property tax billing and collection were at their most confusing during the recession, when businesses were experiencing lost revenue, poor projections and, in general, toughing it out as best they could.
WOJTOWICZ: Relief available for firms with falling real estate values
New law allows banks to refinance existing real estate and equipment debt through the U.S. Small Business Administration 504 loan program.
SHEPHERD: Credit cards hurting too many businesses
Expensive personal credit undermines credit scores and ultimately the odds of more traditional lending.
Indianapolis tech experts talk about the local industry
In a question-and-answer forum, leaders weigh in on topics ranging from tech transfer to the future of Aprimo.
Business Ownership Initiative hires executive director
Julie Grice, a 10-year veteran of the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce and former business owner, began her tenure as executive director of the not-for-profit Business Ownership Initiative of Indiana on Sunday.
WOJTOWICZ: How to lay your hands on working capital
Small-business owners looking for working capital would be well-served to do their research in advance and can ask their bankers about several approaches, including financing based on assets.
INSIDE DISH: Irvington favorite breaks off slice for Greenwood
The owners of Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza had seen other local eateries sink after expanding. They weighed many risks before pulling the trigger.
Twitter tool winner of Startup Weekend event
The winner, StatsSquared, now will compete against other winners from cities worldwide in an online contest for the overall top prize.
Latest Startup Weekend offers twist for entrepreneurs
Unlike past events in Indianapolis, this one features a panel of judges who will select a winning business idea, enabling a team to compete in a global online contest against other winners from cities worldwide.
WOJTOWICZ: Be careful when locking in low loan rate
This may be a golden opportunity for small-business owners to lock in a low rate to finance expansion. But make sure you understand
the loan agreement.
LEADING QUESTIONS: Small-biz tips from finance whiz
Jean Wojtowicz, whose firm has helped fund more than 1,200 Indiana companies, recommends the "front-page test,"
looking seriously at expanding, and pulling the trigger quickly on toxic employees.
LEADING QUESTIONS: Small biz whiz talks taking risks
Marketing
pro Lorraine Ball suggests a test for when it's time to ditch the corporate gig, plus tips for networking
and
public speaking.
McCLANAHAN: Does e-mail boost or bust productivity?
The more I deal with e-mail, the more I believe that, despite these extremely valuable benefits, e-mail is hurting our ability
to effectively grow our businesses.
MARKETING: Do you know what keeps your customer up at night?
As the year winds down, it is a great time to think about your marketing plan and budget for 2010. For small-business owners,
this is particularly important, because we do not have the marketing budgets of large firms.
WOJTOWICZ: Is it time to buy rather than lease space?
Buying a building for your business is still possible in a tight lending market, but bankers will review real estate purchases
carefully.
LEADERSHIP: Use objective measures to evaluate employees
To improve the productivity of your management team, it’s critical to have an objective plan for measuring performance.
That means clear job descriptions, goals, and key performance indicators to track progress.
MARKETING: Why Discount Tire gets my vote, again and again
There are plenty of “low-tech” companies exploring ways to build social media into their marketing strategies
with outstanding results.
WOJTOWICZ: Stimulus is expanding small-biz lending
The economic stimulus package allocated $375 million to the U.S. Small
Business Administration so it could offer more generous terms to small-business borrowers.