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How To Pick the Right Enterprise Collaboration Vendor

Chess Media Group has released its latest whitepaper on how to select an enterprise collaboration software vendor. Instead of providing a review of various technologies which would most likely be outdated by the time it was published, CMG decided to focus on providing a guide to help YOU figure out which vendor is the best for your company. In other words Chess wants to give you the tools you need. The whitepaper is focused on two key things in order to help you accomplish this evaluation. The first is a breakdown of the 8 common variables that most companies use to evaluate vendors; these include things such as features, price, support, and others. The second is a framework for how to evaluate vendors based on those variables. CMG created a simple four-step process which is both easy to understand yet highly customizable to the needs of your company. Download the whitepaper on how to select an enterprise collaboration vendor .

25 Common Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs

Regardless of your definition of success, there are, oddly enough, a great number of common characteristics that are shared by successful businesspeople. You can place a check beside each characteristic that you feel that you possess. This way, you can see how you stack up. Even if you don't have all of these characteristics, don't fret. Most can be learned with practice and by developing a winning attitude, especially if you set goals and apply yourself, through strategic planning, to reach those goals in incremental and measurable stages. 1. Do what you enjoy. How many of the 25 characteristics do you have?

How To Analyze And Invest In An Emerging Market [Infographic]

Half of companies say that at least thirty percent of global revenues will come from emerging markets by 2017. According to the International Monetary Fund, emerging markets can expect two to three times as much growth as developed economies. It’s not surprising then, that many companies and individuals are becoming increasingly motivated to invest in emerging markets around the globe. Brazil, India, China, and Russia are four of the top ten emerging markets that many companies plan to invest in at some point in the next five years. Individuals (or companies) who are interested in investing in emerging markets should educate themselves before making decisions about how to invest their money. The following infographic offers information on emerging markets by country and industry, and also outlines a few “best practice” tips that every individual should be familiar with before investing in emerging markets. MORE HERE .

3 Things Entrepreneurs Get Wrong When Negotiating

"Show me the money!" -- the famous line from the movie Jerry Maguire -- carries the sort of gusto and optimism that is ear candy to entrepreneurs. But as a professional negotiation coach with nearly three decades' in the trenches, I associate that catchy phrase with something else entirely. The reality is most entrepreneurs begin to think about negotiation -- this includes the word "negotiation," setting up a meeting, and the overall negotiation process -- only when it's time to be shown the cash. In other words, in the minds of just about every small business owner, a negotiation is when the money talks. Nothing could be further from the truth, and I can't imagine the millions of dollars entrepreneurs have lost, over the lifespan of their businesses, by defining negotiation in such a limited way. Negotiation is the effort to bring about agreement between two or more parties, with all parties having the right to veto. Here's what you're pro

Business, Higher Education R&D and Innovation Surveys

From the National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development Survey, FY 2011 Universities reported that 4.9%, or $3.2 billion, of their $65 billion total in research and development expenditures in FY 2011 was funded by businesses, according to the National Science Foundation’s (NSF’s) Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey. This percentage has remained very stable since the late 1970s (between 5% and 7% of total R&D expenditures) Funds Spent for Business R&D Performed in the United States: 2011 Companies spent $294 billion on research and development performed in the United States during 2011, compared with $279 billion during 2010 (table 1). Funding from the companies’ own sources was $222 billion during 2010 and $239 billion during 2011; funding from other sources was $57 billion in 2010 and $55 billion in 2011.

Starting a Business? 10 Steps Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know

By: Caron_Beesley Starting a business? Confused about the planning, legal and regulatory steps you should follow? Did you know that home-based businesses are required to hold permits to operate legally in most states? What about incorporation? Many new businesses assume they need to incorporate or become an LLC from the get-go – but the truth is, more than 70 percent of small businesses are owned by un-incorporated sole proprietors (although even this group is required to register their businesses). So, variables aside, there are still some fundamental steps that any business needs to follow to get started. SBA has compiled 10 steps that can help you plan, prepare, and manage your business – while taking care of the startup legalities. Not all these steps will apply to all businesses, but working through them will give you a sense of what needs your attention and what you can check off. Step 1 – Write a Business Plan Start Your Business

RESPONSE TO THE 2012 ECONOMIC CENSUS IS PAST DUE

The 2012 Economic Census, the U.S. Government's official five-year measure of American business and the economy, is entering its final days of data collection. Many businesses have shared with the Census Bureau the challenges of responding with fewer resources. It has listened, and have provided time extensions and other considerations in allowing businesses additional time to respond. For businesses that received Economic Census forms but have not yet responded, it is very important to do so now. Keep in mind that the Economic Census is required by law. In this economic climate, it is necessary to have the most accurate measure of our economy. Response to the Economic Census allows the Bureau to provide exactly that. Thank you very much for your participation. To assist you, the Census Bureau is prepared to discuss your compliance via phone. Please call 877) 790-1876. Due to timing, it also encourages you to use electronic reporting available at: econhelp.census.gov

Consumer Expenditures (Annual) News Release

From the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Rules to improve employment of people with disabilities and veterans published

The U.S. Department of Labor announced two final rules to improve hiring and employment of veterans and for people with disabilities. One rule updates requirements under the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974; the other updates those under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For more than 40 years these laws have required federal contractors and subcontractors to affirmatively recruit, hire, train and promote qualified veterans and people with disabilities respectively. "In a competitive job market, employers need access to the best possible employees," said Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "These rules make it easier for employers to tap into a large, diverse pool of qualified candidates." "Strengthening these regulations is an important step toward reducing barriers to real opportunities for veterans and individuals with disabilities," said Patricia A. Shiu, director of the department's Office of Federal C

Young employees don't know how to act in the office

Dear Evil HR Lady, I work for a government organization, so we get a lot of newcomers for whom this is their first job. They range from people straight out of high school to fresh college graduates. Either way, the majority tend to be horrible workers. In addition to teaching these newcomers their job, which I have no problem with, we end up having to teach them life lessons: chip in for the candy jar; if the bathroom stall is closed, that means someone is in there; the private bathroom isn't your phone booth; asking you to do your job shouldn't be the world's hugest inconvenience (aka "I'm sorry to tear you away from Facebook/candy crush/Internet."); wipe your feet when walking into the building.... I could go on forever!! I bring some of these issues up to my boss, but I think he thinks I'm a tattletale. He's not the best manager, and there is a ton of stuff that goes on at our level that he has no idea about. So the blatantly obscene stuff I

14 Rules Of The New Workplace That Millennials Need To Master

"Today’s workplace doesn’t tolerate slackers,” says Gen Y career expert Dan Schawbel in his new book "Promote Yourself: The New Rules For Career Success." In a rapidly changing economy, young people either rise to the top or don’t survive. To navigate the new workplace, Schawbel says millennials need to master a new set of rules that aren’t taught in school. Advances in technology, the rise of social media, and 24/7 connectivity mean young people have to promote themselves and take ownership of their careers in ways that previous generations wouldn’t or couldn’t have imagined. What to know in an evolving work place

Five Reasons Why Entrepreneurs Fail

While a lot of the entrepreneurs I've met and mentored in the past decade have been successful, I've probably met as many, if not more, unsuccessful entrepreneurs. Each of them seemed to make a lot of the same mistakes — ones that could be easily remedied, but when left unaddressed, could mean the difference between success and failure. Here are five signs you're getting in your own way to success and how to move over and let yourself be the best you can be: The five signals revealed here.

Business Valuations webinar: NYS SBDC on YouTube

The September 18, 2013 webinar Business Valuation: Definitions, Multiples, and Resources by Alexis Mokler of the NYS Small Business Development Center is now available on YouTube. Click on video or use this link . (23:29)

Sad talk at business

"How was your weekend?" the banker asked me. "Very nice," I said. "And yours?" "Not long enough," she said. (so much mediocrity ... so little time) I looked around to see if my wife, kids, or colleagues at work might be watching. I thought perhaps this was staged to watch the springs pop out of my head. I understand not everyone enjoys their work. I understand small talk clichés. But no one should complain about work to their customer or suggest to a customer that they'd like to be doing anything other than helping them. Ever. (customer = whoever you're paid to serve) More sad talk to avoid with your customers... • I'm so ready for the weekend. • Thank God it's Friday. • I've got a bad case of the Monday's. • Only a few more hours... • I'm ready for this day to be over. • Can't wait to be off. • I'll be better when my shift/ this day is over/ I get my coffee. • Hump Day! Only two days '

Delegate your work, not your business

Delegating is one of the oldest management principles around. But experts have pushed the concept so hard that it often seems like the best leaders delegate literally everything. In my career I've met more than a few managers who do just that -- they hand off or dump so much on others that the delegators lose touch with too much of what's going on in their business. Managers who stay too close to people and their projects are often thought of as unproductive and inefficient, micromanaging, old-school. But it's important to know the difference between handing-off and being hands-off. More from CBS News Moneywatch .

The 4 Dimensions of the Entrepreneur's Personality

Within every entrepreneur’s personality there exist four distinct dimensions that drive and fuel the creation and vision of enterprise: The Dreamer, The Thinker, The Storyteller, and The Leader. No doubt some of these aspects are more developed in you than others – for we each have our own strengths – but in order to successfully launch your own enterprise, all four characteristics are must be present. Those that are lacking must be developed if you are to succeed. More information from Michael Gerber

Fur Flies Over Lost Mink Census as Cuts Hit U.S. Economic Data

The mink industry in the U.S. is a mom-and-pop business that has gone global, making 80 percent of its sales to status-conscious Chinese fashionistas who find the fur chic. Sapphire and black pelts are in vogue this season. Or so American breeders are left to believe from anecdotal evidence after U.S. budget cuts eliminated the mink census this year. To save $60,000, the Department of Agriculture halted the annual survey that helped inform decisions on breeding and color, along with reports on commodities such as flowers, hops, catfish and rice costing $8.4 million to compile. Without the data, farmers have to guess about what’s selling. Read more here .

Infographics: How to Make them and Why They're Invading Classrooms, Blogs and Businesses

Classrooms today are encouraged to use verbal, visual "integrated text"(combining verbal text with visual elements - graphs, charts, diagrams, videos) with, when available and appropriate - digital (Internet) links in such a way that the text, image, and links support and enrich each other when relaying content information. The rationale behind this integration is that these elements reinforce each other while creating additional memory associations and helping to involve, reach, and even inspire all kinds of learners. Visual texts typically consist of two - and sometimes three-dimensional representations of information or events that geometrically and symbolically relate a lot of specific information in a given space. Read more from Departing the Text

6 Step Guide- How to Get a Business Loan

Money is the lifeline of any business, so whether you’re starting a business or running an existing one, securing financing is a major factor, especially for small businesses. Many budding entrepreneurs find the task daunting and don’t even know where to begin. Here’s a simple yet practical guide on how to go about preparing to apply for a small business loan. 1. What criteria do banks look for in making small business loans? More from the Small Business Administration

The Small Business Advocate – September 2013

North Carolina: Home to Solution-Driven Entrepreneurs The RFA + Advocacy = Small Business’s Voice in Federal Rulemaking Do Trade Restrictions Affect Your Business? Link to newsletter