New York SBDC Research Network

By now, if you are paying any attention at all to small business publications, you know that social networking and Internet communication skills are essential. Tools like Twitter, Facebook, and LISTSERVS can help a business bring in new clients and remind old clients to come back for more business. Sometimes it may seem that the media is bombarding us with tips on how to use these and other tools more effectively and I know at times even I become overwhelmed. Regardless, the barrage of information is quite useful, once you get past the feeling of "Oh no, not another networking article". I have learned so much this summer from actually reading every article I come across on social networking and Internet tools that I feel that I must once again, share. Below are links to articles that I have read recently. Social Media 101: Use Twitter to Attract Prospects and Engage Customers - Must sign up to read full article. Signing up is free. Facebook, Twitter and More: The New R

I am not the biggest tomato fan but I was nevertheless looking forward to tomatoes from my garden and was very disappointed to learn that my tomatoes had succumbed to late blight. In trying to figure out what had happened, I discovered that this is a widespread problem this year throughout the Northeast. I have real sympathy for people who depend on their crops for income. Here is one of many stories on how late blight is affecting retailers in the region and also, what you backyard gardeners can do to prevent its spread. Op-Ed Contributor You Say Tomato, I Say Agricultural Disaster The New York Times By DAN BARBER Published: August 8, 2009

Your new hire may have a Facebook account (you searched for them before the interview, right? No crazy frat party photos?), but do they know how to use social media for business purposes? It can be tricky to transition from the personal to the professional on the web, and new employees, no matter what their comfort level, could probably use some social media training. In “ How to Train New Employees in Social Media ,” Ben Parr of Mashable suggests writing a social media policy, testing employees knowledge of social media tools, making a list of required reading, and then handing over the reins without policing their activity. Ready to write your company's social media policy? Read 10 Must-Haves for Your Social Media Policy first.

From the U.S. PIRG press release: Small business owners are being crushed by rising health care costs, and feel left out of the current health care debate in Washington, according to a new report released by U.S. Public Interest Research Group this month. The new report, The Small Business Dilemma , which surveyed hundreds of small business owners and managers across the country, makes clear that small business owners want and need health care reform. According to the 14-page report: •Small businesses value health insurance as a key to business success because it allows them to attract better employees. •78% of small business owners surveyed who do not offer coverage would like to do so. •80% of those who would like to offer coverage cite the expense of coverage as a reason why they don't *** Also, Small Businesses Struggle to Offer Healthcare from Black Enterprise cites a survey commissioned by Aflac, "the largest provider of supplemental insurance in the United States"

Every day, new information about the stimulus package and how the money is being distributed is talked about in print, online, and television media outlets. The information is overwhelming and confusing and will continue to remain that way until all of the stimulus money has been spent. Over time, recovery websites have tried to make information about the stimulus available in the easy to use maps, charts, and webcasts. Below are links to a few websites that will help provide information on how the money is being spent and where the money is going, as well as a few random articles that deal with other aspects of the stimulus. Site Maps Stimulus Spending - Information about maps available on the national recovery webpage that help show how much funding is being distributed to each state, how much funding is being provided to each state by each federal department, how the funding is flowing to individual contractors, and how many jobs are being created in the locations. NYWORKS Webca

Here on the blog we’ve been talking about Twitter and have offered some reasons that small businesses might want to participate in the world of 140 character messages. Now Twitter itself is telling you why your business should be tweeting, and what you can get out of the service. Check out Twitter 101 , a collection of how-to information, best practices and case studies for the business twitterer. Why the new info? It looks like Twitter will be rolling out commercial applications for Twitter users , including fee-based analytics and account verification tools in the next few months. Before they ask you to pay for a Twitter service, they want to make sure you understand its value. While we’re on the subject of social media and why you should care, here are a couple of lists on using Facebook and LinkedIn for your business: 32 Ways to Use Facebook for Business 33 Ways to Use LinkedIn for Business

While there are a few obvious rules regarding the application of copyright law, reasonable people may disagree about some situations. I tend to take a more liberal approach, so I am recommending these more rigidly positioned entities. Copyright Clearance Center deals with different licensing packages. Ask Before You Act is hot on getting permission for copyrighted material, even things others might consider fair use. The site's put together by the Software & Information Industry Association , the principal trade association for the software and digital content industry, who run a vigorous anti-piracy campaign. Also, Deciding What Information Is Fair to Use .