New York SBDC Research Network

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 Instead of providing a review of various technologies which would most likely be outdated by the time it was published, CMG decided to focus on providing a guide to help YOU figure out which vendor is the best for your company.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 .

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?

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 .

"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

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.

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

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