By Jon Swanson Being individually responsive can be challenging. We talk about the idea, but how do you specifically customize things that are not part of your core service but help create the environment? Let me give you a very concrete example. I drink coffee. Often. I like when businesses provide coffee, but shudder when…
A “fam” tour, or familiarization tour, is a common tool in the tourism industry, but almost no one takes time to explain the idea. Let’s go through the basics of fam tours for small business. Bloggers on a fam tour in Hutchinson, KS.That’s me and Jeanne on the left. Tourism expert Sarah Page explained that…
One reality of software is that sometimes it goes away. Microsoft Office Accounting was discontinued in November of 2009. Microsoft Money (for personal accounting) was also discontinued. I have no idea how many small businesses were using MS Accounting or MS Money, but Sage Accounting just sent out a press release about their options for “where…
On November 1, 2010, a group of small town advocates and technology geeks will convene at the Fox Theater in Hutchinson, Kansas, for the first 140 Characters Conference Small Town. Entrepreneur Jeff Pulver is the driving force behind the 140 Character Conference, or 140Conf for short. It’s not about Twitter. It’s about the ways real time online communication is…
Even though I call this the Brag Basket, it’s not really about bragging. It’s about sharing. I started this so you can introduce yourself, share some good news, or congratulate a friend. The basket is open all weekend, from August 6-8, 2010. Speak up and add yourself or another deserving soul in the comments. We…
Last week, I listened in on the National Rural Assembly Webinar Series: Exploring Rural Policy Opportunities. Speaker Anita Brown-Graham, Director of the Institute for Emerging Issues at North Carolina State University, lead us through some of the opportunities for rural issues in the current policy environment. Tuesday, we covered the tourism opportunities. Today, I want to…
It’s coming. We’re bringing the 140Conference to a small town. We’re very, very early in the process, so I want you to get involved. Jeff Pulver and me at the 140 Conference in London Entrepreneur Jeff Pulver is the driving force behind the 140 Character Conference, or 140Conf for short. It’s not about Twitter. It’s about…
[If you are interested in training for social media marketing in tourism, look at the online courses Sheila Scarborough and I developed at Tourism Currents. Enrollment is now open. –Becky] Conservation is big on the national policy agenda, and that may spell opportunity for rural tourism. Last week, I listened in on the National Rural Assembly Webinar…
Since 2006, this site has been helping people like you in small towns move forward without waiting on outside experts, big budgets, or perfect plans. You don’t need any of that to get started.
If you care about your business, your downtown, or your community, you’ll find ideas here you can actually use. Take one. Try it out. Let me know how it goes for you.
Want to search our past articles? Catch up with the latest stories? Browse through the categories? All the good stuff is on the Front Page.
We partner with campaigns and organizations that we think best benefit rural small businesses.
Copyright © 2006–2026 Becky McCray • Site by Webdancers