Check out this from the Internal Revenue Service: The Internal Revenue Service today alerted taxpayers about Internet scams in which fraudulent e-mails are sent that appear to be from the IRS. The e-mails direct the consumer to a Web link that requests personal and financial information, such as Social Security, bank account or credit card…
It takes a comprehensive approach – don’t work alone! From Lancaster Farming. A new, place-based approach to rural policy is needed, according to “Strengthening Rural Pennsylvania: An Integrated Approach to a Prosperous Commonwealth,” by the Brookings Institution in collaboration with Penn State, the Pennsylvania Economy League, and the Campaign to Renew Pennsylvania. “We have never…
Lots of small town small businesses are food related. Think farms, wineries, farmers’ markets, roadside stands, local restaurants, and all those homemade salsas, pickles, and barbecue sauces. Together, these businesses can promote themselves as an entire region of delicious experiences. Our Friend Jack Schultz found a local food guide and an artisan bread festival. You…
UPDATE: Read Heidi Miller’s great news, below! Want to feel more connected in the online community? Share something good from your week in the Brag Basket. We promise to applaud for you. What can you share? Anything good about you, your community, your business. It can be an accomplishment, a goal reached, a positive change,…
Exclusivity is a terrific motivator for your customers. Reader Robert Ellis is taking full advantage of that with his tax firm. He is not advertising, not accepting any new walk in clients, not keeping pain in the neck clients, and only taking referrals from existing clients. And the firm is growing. Read about his Liberating…
Remember Nairobi Paul’s business idea of importing Kenyan handicrafts to the USA? He (and you) could get started by talking to someone successfully importing from the developing world, like Kristen Evans. Evans is importing crafts from Bolivia, like the angel pictured to the right. She’s succeeding in spite of increasing political difficulties and the constant…
Small business people in rural areas and small towns often feel overlooked. Here’s a roundup of some recent rural-urban conflict news stories. What’s the right way to divide transportation dollars between rural and urban? Should you go by road miles or by people? Rural areas have more road miles, but urban areas have more people….
Alfredo Tjiurimo Hengari is encouraging his country’s political leaders to start using New Media and technology, in Namibia: Youtube, E-Mail, Skype And MPs. Hengari points out that it is easy for leaders to talk about the importance of technology, even if they have no knowledge of it. If leaders actually use wikis, blogs, and even…
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