ReferenceUSA Workshop

Thursday, November 15, 1 pm, Community Meeting Room, Main Library

Learn how to use this valuable reference tool to create mailing lists, identify prospective employers, find lifestyle demographics, and more. Registration is requested, but not required. Walk-ins are always welcome. Register online, or call the Reference Desk at 847-448-8630.

New Business Titles

Breakthrough Branding: How Smart Entrepreneurs and Intrapreneurs Transform A Small Idea into A Big Brand Kaputa, Catherine, c2012. [On order by EPL]
A "how-to-brand" book, in which the author points out that the small idea is best. She describes simple approaches to the brand promise, positioning, verbal and visual identities, and marketing, all of which can help a small business owner position his or her enterprise.

By Invitation Only : How We Built Gilt Groupe and Changed the Way Millions Shop.

Maybank, Alexis and Alexandra Wilkis, c2012  [381.142 Mayba.A]
Maybank and Wilson started the online business, Gilt.com.  In this book, they discuss how they solved practical and strategic problems, including choosing the right new hires for their growing business and appealing to male consumers. The authors provide helpful checklists, as well as concise overviews of their respective leadership styles. Their combined expertise can help any budding entrepreneur launch a new business.

Entrepreneurship Quizzes: 12 Easy tests to Help You Become Successfully Self-Employed.  Liptak, John J., c2012.   [658.1141 Lipta.J]
The book takes readers through a four-step self-reflection process assessing readiness, determining a business type, overcoming barriers, and maintaining momentum designed to help readers find their own path to self-employment success. The appendix includes an extensive list of self-employment resources for readers to explore that are tied to their responses. (Amazon.com)

The Loyalty Leap Turning Customer Information into Customer Intimacy.  Pearson, Bryan, c2012. [ 658.8343 Pears.B]
The author discusses components of the loyalty bond, how to engender it, and the roadblocks one may encounter in the process. Additionally, he outlines tactics to avoid--such as the creepy and the invasive--since data acquisition and mining are such crucial elements of loyalty development.

Language skills for business owners and others

If you do business in or need to communicate with other countries, you will be interested in Mango Languages, a language learning tool that you can access with your Evanston Public Library card.  The interactive software allows you to practice speaking another language in the comfort and privacy of your own home or office.  Choose from Spanish, French, German, Arabic and many other languages.  Mango uses real-life situations and actual conversations to teach a new language more effectively .  Or, if you or your employees are non-native English speakers, you can take advantage of the "English as a Second Language" options that Mango offers.  English courses for speakers of French, Chinese, Polish, Spanish and a number of other languages are also available.

New titles for Small Business

All Business is Local: Why Place Matters More than Ever in a Global, Virtual World, Quelch, John A. and Katherine E. Jocz.  c2012. (658.8 Quelc.J)
The authors examine how and why place should be an important part of strategic decision making, and how even global businesses are often the leading local brand.


Creating a Bu$iness You'll Love: Top entrepreneurs share their secrets.  Chimsky-Lustig, Mark, ed.  c 2011. (658.421 Creatin)
27 entrepreneurs, including Howard Schultz of Starbucks, and Craig Newmark, of craigslist, reveal decisions, and sometimes, the mistakes, they have made that helped them to start and grow successful businesses.

The First-Time Manager, Belker, Loren B., Jim McCormick, and Gary S. Topchik.  c2012. (658.302 Belke.L)
The sixth edition of this management classic includes new material on increasing employee engagement, encouraging innovation and initiative, improving outcomes, and more.


Guide to Successful Consulting, Stryker, Steven C.  c2012.  (658.46 Stryk.S)
This book provides an essential introduction  to the fundamental concepts of consulting, and contains a number of valuable tools, such as checklists, forms and letters

Recent Small Business Financing Titles

The Evanston Public Library has a number of books about financing and managing the cash flow of a small business.  Here are some recently added titles:

Accounting Savvy for Business Owners: A guide to the bare essentials.  Goodman, Philip B., c2010.  Easy to understand information about tracking business finances.  Also available as an audiobook.

Cash Flow for Dummies  Tracy, Tage C., c2012.  Valuable tips, techniques, and information on the fundamentals of cash management to maximize cash flow.

Locavesting: The Revolution in Local Investing and How to Profit from It.  Cortese, Amy, 2011.  Various types of funding methods are discussed, including cooperatives, credit unions, local stock exchanges, community development funds, public venture capital, and raising money through social networking.

The 30 Day MBA in Business Finance.   Barrow, Colin, 2011.
Covers the fundamentals of business finance; analyzing financial reports; corporate capital structures; business tax and reporting procedures; and more.

JVS Small Business Workshops

Jewish Vocational Service Chicago is offering the following workshops in February and March.  All events will be held at JVS Chicago, 216 W. Jackson,Chicago, 2nd Floor Training Room.

CORE FOUR® Small Business Planning Boot Camp
Tuesday, February 21st, Thursday, February 23rd, Tuesday, February 28th and Thursday, March 1st 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m
This 10-hour business planning course will give you the information and skills that you need in the four "CORE" elements of planning and sustaining a business: Plan for business success; Plan your business to meet the needs of the market place; Plan for your business cash flow needs; and Plan how your business will operate.  $50. Please contact Steve Bob at stevebob@jvschicago.org or 312-673-3429.

STARTING A SMALL BUSINESS IN ILLINOIS
Tuesday, March 13, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m
This workshop will acquaint you with the basic procedures for opening a business in Illinois. You will also receive information designed to answer your questions about the legalities, regulations, and requirements of operating a small business.   FREE. Register online.


SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING METHODS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Thursday, March 15, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. 
This workshop will address topics in marketing and social media and differentiate between the two. This workshop will combine traditional methods to formulate new social media and marketing methods.  FREE. Register online

FRANCHISING OPTIONS FOR ENTREPRENEURS
Thursday, March 20, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
There are over 3,000 franchises is the United States and in this workshop you will learn how to find and finance the franchise that meets your lifestyle and financial goals. Presented by John McLellan, President of FranNet Chicago.  FREE. Register online.

HOW TO WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN
Tuesday, March 27, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Planning is the roadmap to success in the business world. A business plan is essential for anyone starting or buying a business, financing or refinancing a business, or raising debt or equity capital. A business plan helps you find hidden business flaws and makes you think carefully about each phase of your business. Receive help on development of your business plan from our skilled and knowledgeable instructors.   FREE. Register online.

Customer Feedback

Getting customer feedback is an important part of running a business.  But where to start??  Caron Beesley, of the Small Business Administration, has a few suggestions for the best way to get feedback in her post, "Going Beyond the Transaction – 5 Tips for Getting Customer Feedback Online."  She includes reasons to use social networking tools, online surveys and online polls.  Carol Tice, of Entrepreneur Magazine, builds on Ms. Beesley's suggestions, and adds a few of her own, in "Seven Simple Tips to Get Honest Customer Feedback." 

You may also pick up some tips from books on consumer satisfaction that we have here at the library.  Three to try:  Users, Not Customers, by Aaron Shapiro, c2011; Satisfied Customers Tell Three Friends, Angry Customers Tell 3,000, by Pete Blackshaw, c2008; and Satisfaction, by Chris Denove, c2006

Women in Business

If you are a woman in business, either on your own or as a corporate player, here are some books that will interest you:

Birthing the Elephant: The Woman's Go-for-it! Guide to Overcoming the Big Challenges of Launching A Business, Abarbanel, Karin.

Goes beyond logistics to prepare women for the emotional challenges they will face, with expert advice on reshaping one's business identity, giving up the paycheck mentality, anticipating problems, and avoiding costly mistakes.

Break Your Own Rules: How to Change the Patterns of Thinking That Block Women's Paths to Power, Flynn, Jill.

Reveals what it really takes for any woman to succeed at the highest levels This hands-on guide is for women who are ready to transform their assumptions and join the senior ranks of American business.

Read more »

Crain's Small Business Week

Crain's Chicago Business has designated October 3-7, 2011 as Small Business Week.  Dozens of events are taking place, primarily in downtown Chicago.  Events still to come this week include Alternative Financing, Managing Cash Flow, and City Treasurer's Office Small Business Expo.  Check it out!

Small Business workshops by Jewish Vocation Service--Chicago

BUSINESS WORKSHOPS


August 1, 2, 3 and 4

Core 4® Small Business Planning Boot Camp:This 10-hour business planning course will give you the information and skills that you need in the four “CORE” elements of planning and sustaining a business: Plan for business success; Plan your business to meet the needs of the market place; Plan for your business cash flow needs; and Plan how your business will operate. JVS Chicago, 216 W. Jackson, Suite 700, Chicago. Cost $50 which includes all 4 sessions, textbook and a Certificate of Completion. 3:30p.m.- 6:00p.m. To RSVP call: Kim Valente (312) 673-3429 or email sbdcdumancenter@jvschicago.org.

Read more »

New titles at Evanston Public Library

Check out these new titles to jumpstart the creative process where you work:

Brainsteering: A Better Approach to Breakthrough Ideas, by Kevin Coyne, c2011. (650.1 Coyne.K)  The concept underlying "brainsteering" is to encourage users to focus, to look into an idea deeply rather than ricocheting around it, brainstorming-style. 

Disciplined Dreaming: A Proven System to Drive Breakthrough Creativity, by Josh Linkner, c2011.  (650.1 Linkn.J)  A 5-part process that will transform your organization or your career into a non-stop creativity juggernaut.  It shows even the stuffiest corporate bureaucracies how to cultivate creativity in order to become more competitive in today's shifting marketplace.

Tell to Win: Connect, Persuade, and Triumph with the Hidden Power of Story, by Peter Guber, c2011. (658.45 Grube.P)  "Former chairman of Sony Pictures and current CEO of Mandalay Entertainment Group, Guber illustrates how powerful storytelling-about yourself or your product-can be the ultimate tool to get the meeting, engage the listener, and close the deal." (PW)

Ten Steps Ahead: What Separates Successful Business Visionaries from the Rest of Us, by Erik Calonius, c2011. (658.409 Calon.E)  Drawing on recent insights from neuroscience about the roles that intuition, emotional intelligence, and courage can play, Calonius reveals what makes visionaries tick and how they develop and use their extraordinary powers.

Invest Evanston to provide low-interest loans

Lending for Evanston and Northwestern Development, (LEND), is a non-profit student group at Northwestern University that is applying the principles of microfinance to help alleviate poverty within the Evanston community. On Monday, they launched a campaign, Invest Evanston, which will allow the group to use those same principles to finance entrepreneurs in the Evanston community. Donations from Northwestern students will be used to fund these low-interest loans for small business owners.  In the next two weeks, Invest Evanston hopes to raise at least $5,000, according to co-founder Sahil Mehta, a McCormick junior.  The full story can be found in North by Northwestern.  LEND is part of the Kellog Venture Community, 2169 Campus Drive Evanston IL 60201-2927; Phone: 866.867.3820, Email: info@kelloggventurecommunity.com

BizyDeal offers local small businesses great deals

Now that Groupon has become a household name, it's time for a "hot deals" website that targets Chicago area small businesses.  That website is Bizydeal.com, which launced on March 28.  The owners are planning to showcase “provocative” deals to drive attention to BizyDeal over its first two weeks (Ford Motor Co. offered a discount for its Transit Connect light van on opening day), and then will eventually settle into more traditional offerings like online payroll and janitorial services.

Find great deals for your business, and find out how your small business can offer great deals on Bizydeal.com.

Doing Business with the City of Evanston

The City of Evanston invites Evanston businesses to attend a seminar on how to do business with the city on Thursday, April 28, 2011 from 6-9 p.m. at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave. 

This is a great opportunity for local businesses to see what other larger-scale and smaller purchase opportunities there are available with the city. Don't miss out on this opportunity on learning how to do business with the City of Evanston

SCORE Chicago

SCORE Chicago, the local chapter of America's Counselors to Small Business, has made a series of videos available for the benefit of small business owners.  Check them out now, and find tips on business planning, naming your business, marketing your company, managing your social networking tools, and  much more.

How a Small Business Becomes a Big Business

A nice write up for long-time north suburban company, Abt Electronics, appeared in the New York Times blog on December 22.  Some of the reasons for their success, according to the author, include moderate, but sustained annual growth, customer service, and continuing to have only one physical location. 

Better Business Blogging in 2011

Download a free, 24-page ebook, Better Business Blogging in 2011, and learn the following: how to market your blog in 35 different ways; how to blog with search engines in mind; how to use social media to find new readers; and how to recruit guest blogging for your business blog.  This ebook also contains several case studies of social-media-savvy organizations, offering real life examples that you can apply to your own blog. 

The volume is edited by Jeff Ente from Who's Blogging What,  and contains contributions from marketing and social media professionals who have launched successful blogs of their own, such as Joe Pulizzi of Junta42 Content Marketing, Ann Smarty of SEO Smarty, and others.

Free Small Business Counseling at the Evanston Public Library

SCORE, Counselors to America's Small Business, will provide free counseling every Friday, from 2 to 5 p.m, in the Small Community Meeting Room at the Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Avenue.  Sessions begin on December 3, 2010.  Appointments are required and can be made by visiting SCORE's website, or by calling 312-353-7724.

SCORE counselors are executives and business owners who have achieved success in their fields and now, as volunteers, want to help you do the same.  Take advantage of this great opportunity to get help devising fresh marketing ideas to adapt your business to changing circumstances; fixing cash flow problems; reviewing business plan and startup activities, and so much more.

For the YOUNG entrepreneur...

Is it true that you can be too young to start a small business of your own?  Here are some books whose authors would definitely say you're never too young!.  So whether you're a kid, a teen, or a parent of a budding entrepreneur, check these out!

Beyond the Lemonade Stand, by Bill Rancic, one of the winners of television's The Apprentice, and Karen Soenen.  This title includes 20 ideas for your own, or your kid's, kid business, a build-your-own-business worksheet to help get you started, stories and advice from Rencic and from other celebrities. 

Better than a Lemonade $tand, by fifteen-year-old Daryl Bernstein, describes fifty-one of Daryl's favorite small businesses.  He gives tips on supplies, time needed, how to advertise, and even what to charge. 

Starting a Business: Have Fun and Make Money,  by Carla Mooney.  In this book you will learn the basics of starting a small business, including writing business plans, doing market analysis, setting up a budget, and figuring out taxes. 

Be Your Own Boss: Small Businesses, by Ernestine Giesecke.  Part of the Know It: Everyday Economics series, in this book you will learn some of the reasons people start small businesses and how they choose what business to start.  You'll also learn the value of keeping good records, and writing a good business plan.

Web design for your small business

In the 2010 Small Business Technology Survey, the National Small Business Association (NSBA) found that while 86% of small businesses have a website, only 26% of those surveyed actually sell their goods or services via the internet.  If you need ideas about building or improving your website, Small Business Trends ran a great article in August about free website builders for small businesses.  Sites they mention include Doodlekit, Wix, Moonfruit and more.  The criteria Small Business Trends used in selecting their favorite website builders are whether the tool lets you build a site, for free, in less than an hour, and publish it to create at least a basic presence online.


You can also find books in the Evanston Public Library collection that will help you build an effective website for your small business.  Some titles you may want to try are Lori Culwell's Million Dollar Website, John Heartfield's Make Your Small Business Website Work, and Poor Richard's Web Site Marketing Makeover, by Marcia Yudkin.

New titles at Evanston Public Library

Wild west 2.0 : how to protect and restore your online reputation on the untamed social frontier,  

Fertik, Michael. American Management Association, c2010.  [ 659.2 Ferti.M]

"The book contains tools to help perform an online reputation audit as well as have false information removed from websites. There are a good glossary, informative chapter notes, and lots of additional information available on the book's official website. There are no comparable works, since the technology referred to changes so rapidly.This accessible book would be great for anyone interested in having a personal or business presence on the Internet and for those interested in the sociological impacts of web 2.0. " (Library Journal review)

Companies on a mission : entrepreneurial strategies for growing sustainably, responsibly, and profitably.  Russo, Michael V.  Stanford Business Books, c2010. [658.408 Russo.M]

"The book strikes a good balance between well-researched scholarship (including charts, graphs, and many footnotes) and real-world examples that enhance the readability and keep readers interested...A well-written and informative business book that provides valuable tips and background for anyone interested in starting up or managing a socially conscious company."  (Library Journal review)

The Wall Street journal essential guide to management : lasting lessons from the best leadership minds of our time.  Murray, Alan S., 1954-.  Harper Business, c2010. 

Draws the best from the existing body of knowledge and research, and summarizes it in a simple, clear, and useful way. Focusing on classic and contemporary works that have been recommended by members of The Wall Street Journal CEO Council-all chief executives of large and successful global companies-it is an invaluable reference and essential tool for every manager, new and experienced alike.

IRS releases draft of form to Help Small Businesses Claim New Health Care Tax Credit

On September 7, the IRS released a draft of the form 8941, that will be used by small business owners to claim a tax credit under the new health care law.  The final version will be available later this year.  The credit is designed to encourage small employers to offer health insurance coverage for the first time or maintain coverage they already have.


If you have any comments on this draft form, you can submit them to the IRS on their web site.  You may make comments anonymously, or you may include your name and e-mail address or phone number.  Due to the high volume of comments they expect to receive, they will not be able to respond to each individual.  However, they will carefully consider each suggestion.  Comments should be sent within 30 days from the date the draft was posted.  Be sure to include the words DRAFT  and Form 8941 in your response.

Brown Bag Lunch Workshop for Small Business Owners

Bring your lunch and join Neil Gardner of Edward Jones, Inc. as he presents Financial Solutions for Business Owners on Thursday, September 23, at noon, in the Community Meeting Room of the Evanston Public Library.  Mr. Gardner will provide ideas for putting the banking, retirement and insurance tools available to business owners to work, to build their wealth and protect their businesses.  Registration is requested, but not required.  If you would like more information, please call the Reference Desk at 847-448-8630.

New Titles at EPL for Small Business Owners

Here are some new titles to check out at the Evanston Public Library.

19 ways to survive : small-business strategies for a tough economy, Spry, Lynn.   (658.022 Spry.L)
"This is not a book on economic theory. It's a practical guide for small business owners demonstrating hands-on techniques and ideas that you can start using today...Readers will be presented with the nuts-and-bolts basics on how they can turn their small business around today using inexpensive tactics to gain and retain customers."

Accounting savvy for business owners : a guide to the bare essentials. Goodman, Philip B.  CPA911 Pub, 2010.  (657.9042 Goodm.P)
Addressing a common problem for small business owners, this accessible handbook is the key to understanding the ins and outs of accounting. Demonstrating how to correctly maintain records and apply bookkeeping rules, but avoiding complex jargon, this guide demonstrates how to keep track of financial matters and monitor the overall health of any business.

Win government contracts for your small business, DiGiacomo, John.  Toolkit Media Group, c2010.  (658.804 Digia.J 2010)
Government contracts under $100,000 are targeted to small businesses. This title-now in its fifth edition-will show you how to get in on the action in just 10 easy-to-understand steps. By following the author's practical advice, you'll be listed accurately in the federal procurement system, allowing you to start receiving bid leads for lucrative federal contracts.

Sidewalk Sales

The Central Street Business Association's annual SIDEWALK SALE takes place today, Thursday July 15 through Saturday, July 17th from 10am to 5pm each day. The businesses located between the 1900-2100 blocks of Central Street will be putting their wares out on the sidewalk at heavily discounted prices.  

Next weekend, you can visit the SUPER SIDEWALK SALE.  Close to 200 Evanston merchants in both downtown Evanston and the Chicago/Dempster district will be participating.  The Super Sidewalk Sale runs Friday, July 23 - Sunday, July 25, 2010; times vary with each business.

Show your support for Evanston's retail businesses by visiting one of these great sidewalk sales!

Evanston/North Shore Networking's e-B.A.S.H.

Participate in Evanston/North Shore Networking's e-B.A.S.H (Evanston’s Business Appreciation Scavenger Hunt) on July 27, 2010, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30.   The event is a challenge (but not a race).  Participants go to predefined merchants to learn more about the products and services offered by those merchants.  They decipher creative clues and answer questions about merchant offerings, which provides the opportunity to learn the next clue on the route.

All teams that successfully complete their route are submitted for a drawing to determine the winning team.  Prizes include Cub tickets, jewelry, dining certificates and much more.  Registration is $30 in advance and $40 at the door.  Buffalo Wild Wings is the final destination, where a post-scavenger-hunt party will be held.  For more information, check out the e-B.A.S.H. website today.  Don't miss out on this unique Evanston networking opportunity!

Home-based business ideas

Evanston Public Library has books to help you find that perfect home based business idea.  There are several books that compile lists of ideas:  The complete idiot's guide to starting a home-based business (also available as a downloadable e-book); The best home businesses for people 50+ (also available as a downloadable e-book); and Home-based business for dummies. 

Or, if you already have an idea and want to find out how to make it a reality, Entrepreneur Magazine's Startup books are a good place to start:  Start your own pet business and more : pet sitting, dog walking, training, grooming, food/treats, upscale pet products; Start your own mail order business : your step-by-step guide to success; Start your own successful retail business : your step-by-step guide to success; and Start your own import/export business : your step-by-step guide to success.

Additionally, find other business-specific titles:  How to start a home-based personal chef business; The crafts business answer book : starting, marketing, and managing a homebased art, crafts, or design business; Faux for dough : the art of making a living doing faux finishes; and How to start a home-based web design business.  






Sandlin, Eileen Figure

Small Business Startups

Here's an interesting factoid, presented by the Kaufman Foundation:  the rate of entrepreneurial startups in 2009 was was higher than anytime in the previous 14 years, which includes the dot.com era... 

New small business titles

Here are some new books and audiobooks that will be of interest to entrepreneurs.  And they're available for free at the Evanston Public Library:

Your idea, inc. : 12 steps to building a million-dollar business--starting today! Abrams, Sandy.  Avon, Mass. : Adams Media, c2010.  "Founder and CEO of Moisture Jamzz Moisture Gloves, Abrams started with a business idea-and little else. She went in search of a comprehensive guide she could understand without having an M.B.A. that would teach the basics in a step-by-step fashion, but could find nothing. Undaunted, she learned the ins and outs of starting a business on the fly-and wrote the book herself. " (Publishers Weekly)

Selling in tough times : secrets to selling when no one is buying, Hopkins, Tom. New York : Business Plus, c2010.   "Hopkins...encourages readers to step back and reevaluate their positions in the economy, and to make a plan for when the climate improves...Part self-help book, part motivational guide, this book provides valuable advice for selling professionals struggling in the current economy as well anyone hoping to emerge from the recession primed for growth." (Publishers Weekly)

The next evolution of marketing : connect with your customers by marketing with meaning, Gilbreath, Bob.  New York : McGraw-Hill, c2010.  "With solid credentials supporting him (as chief marketing strategist at Bridge Worldwide, a large advertising agency), Gilbreath lays out his ideas about a marketing strategy he calls meaningful marketing. He defines meaningful marketing as the marketing itself adding value to peoples' lives. Insisting that traditional marketing is now out-of-date...he is a great proponent of marketing that offers consumers actual things to put to practical use..." (Booklist) 
Also available as a downloadable eAudiobook to Evanston Public Library cardholders.

Rubies in the orchard : how to uncover the hidden gems in your business, Resnick, Lynda.  New York : Doubleday, c2009.  " In a forest of dry marketing books, Resnick's animated debut stands out as its own hidden gem, filled with juicy real-life tales of marketing strategies that rocketed Resnick and her husband to astounding success with companies like Fiji Water, Teleflora, the Franklin Mint and Pom Wonderful, the wildly successful pomegranate juice." (Publishers Weekly) 

Also available as a downloadable eAudiobook to Evanston Public Library cardholders.

Firms get deal on money-saving signs | Evanston Now

Firms get deal on money-saving signs | Evanston Now

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Is Green the New Black for Your Bottom Line?

As we have become more environmentally aware, many business owners are wondering how they can be more green, without adding red ink to their balance sheets.  The Small Business Administration has a Green Business Guide that provides information about resources to help small businesses expand their businesses while saving energy costs.  The Greening Advisor of the Natural Resources Defense Council provides advice for that can help any commercial business or organization to reduce its environmental impacts.

Also, the Evanston Public Library has a number of books that address this issue.  Here are just a few to get you started:

Greening your small business : how to improve your bottom line, grow your brand, satisfy your customers--and save the planet, Kaplan, Jennifer, c2009.  Jennifer Kaplan founded Greenhance LLC, a business consultancy dedicated to providing marketing and communications strategies to small businesses going green. 


The complete idiot's guide to greening your business, Riley, Trish, c2009. This entry in the "Idiot's" series provides the most up-to-date, concrete, and practical steps for readers to follow "to get rich by going green."

Green recovery : get lean, get smart, and emerge from the downturn on top, Winston, Andrew S., c2009.  Includes case studies of companies that have gone green, and explores how going green can aid economic recovery.

Green your work : boost your bottom line while reducing your carbon footprint, Carlson, Kim, c2009.  This book shows managers practical steps to make their companies environmentally responsible while staying profitable and efficient.






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Meeting set for contractors about big grant

An article in Evanston Now announces that Brinshore Development LLC will hold an informational meeting about subcontracting opportunities for the City of Evanston's $18 million federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program housing rehabilitation grant at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27, at the Civic Center. (Read article)

If your small business can benefit from this opportunity, be sure to make plans to attend.

Small Business Blogs

Do you want to keep up with the best of the Small Business blogs that are out there?  Forbes Magazine has weighted in with their choices for the Best of the Web blogs to follow. Included are recommendations for Duct Tape Marketing, Small Business Trends, and more.

Or ar you just interested in local news?  Both the Chicago Tribune and Crain's Chicago Business have their own business blogs.  Crain's targets entrepreneurs in its blog.  For example here is a recent post to Crain's talking about business lending loosening up, which is good news for local business owners: Crain's video: Ice starts to melt for biz borrowers | Enterprise City | Crain's Chicago Business.  (Posted using ShareThis).   The Chicago Tribune maintains a business blog as part of its breaking news feature, Chicago Breaking Business.

New Small Business Titles @EPL

Here are some recent acquisitions at the Evanston Public Library that may interest the small business owner or owner-to-be:

Awakening the entrepreneur within : how ordinary people can create extraordinary companies,  Gerber, Michael E.  Collins Publishing, c2009.

Michael E. Gerber is the legend behind the E-Myth series of books, which includes The E-Myth Revisited, E-Myth Mastery, The E-Myth Manager, The E-Myth Physician, The E-Myth Contractor, and The E-Myth Enterprise.

	The Wall Street journal complete small business guidebook, DeBaise, Colleen.  Three Rivers Press, c. 2009. a practical guide for turning your entrepreneurial dreams into a successful company, from America's most trusted source of financial advice. It answers would-be business owners' biggest question-how do I fund my venture?-then explains the mechanics of building, running and growing a profitable business. Escape from cubicle nation [electronic resource (eAudiobook)] : from corporate prisoner to thriving entrepreneur, Slim, Pamela. Brilliance Audio, c2009. Life coach Slim shows readers how to navigate the terrifying yet gratifying transition from corporate drone to entrepreneur.  Hating your job intensely, she writes, is not a business plan. What's here is: the nitty-gritty of getting a business off the ground, legal considerations, making the best use of social networking sites, the components of a business model, organized creative brainstorming, financial advice, shopping for self-paid insurance and benefits, and helpful anecdotes of real-life entrepreneurship.

Good advice in tough times

Small business owners sometimes need someone to consult when they need advice, especially in tough economic times.  There are a number of non-profit organizations that will supply the expertise of advisory boards for just this purpose.  One of the largest and most well know is SCORE, Counselors to Small Business.  SCORE offers free and confidential business advice through Ask SCORE online, face-to-face counseling, workshops and more.  Their 12,400 nationwide volunteers consist of working or retired business owners, executives and corporate leaders who share their wisdom and lessons learned in business.  Their Chicago office is located at 500 W. Madison Street. 

An organization that provides business counseling to women through a mentor-matching program  is Athena International, whose Chicago office is located at 70 E. Lake Street.  Their Athena PowerLink Program is an advisory program designed to increase the growth and profitability of women-owned businesses by "linking" a business with a volunteer panel of advisors recruited from the local community. The panel and business owner work together for one year to meet the specific objectives of the business owner.

And Northwestern University provides the expertise of its graduate students, at a nominal fee, through the Small Business Opportunity Center.  This student-based clinical program affiliated with the Bluhm Legal Clinic and Northwestern University School of Law, provides affordable legal services to entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations focusing on job creation and economic development in the Chicago area. 

Tax Time

Spring is in the air, and taxes are on our minds.  The Wall Street Journal has advice in the form of "The Best Tax Breaks for Small Business."  The Nolo Small Business center provides a "Small Business Taxes FAQ", posted on the website of the magazine, Inc., and the IRS provides an online, Virtual Small Business Tax Workshop. 

You can find J. K. Lasser's Small Business Taxes at the Evanston Public Library, which has tax facts and strategies that every small business owner needs to know for their 2009 tax return and year-round planning.

Kellogg Entrepreneurship Internship Program (KEIP)

An eight week internship program sponsored by Kellogg's Levy Institute for Entrepreneurial Practice offers entrepreneurs the opportunity use Kellogg students' passion and business skills toward completing critical projects, and offers first-year MBA students the opportunity to experience entrepreneurship first-hand.  As a business owner, you will be matched with an exceptionally talented business student between February and May, and will have their services full-time for 8 weeks in June through early August.

According to KEIP's website, "This program is ideal for start-up companies that can’t afford MBA talent year round but have a need in marketing, finance, strategy, or operations that could be met through an 8 week project involving the Kellogg intern." 

Kellogg’s Larry and Carol Levy Institute for Entrepreneurial Practice is hosting an information session and networking reception for prospective students and host companies interested in participating in the 15th year of the Kellogg Entrepreneurial Internship Program (KEIP) in Summer 2010. Past participating students and host companies will also be on hand to talk about their experience with the program.


Event Details:
Thursday, January 21st
5:15 – 6:15 pm: Information Session
6:30 – 7:30 pm: Networking Reception
Kellogg School of Management, Jacobs Center, Room TBD
2001 Sheridan Road, Evanston IL 60201 (no parking passes required)
RSVP by Wed 1/20 to levyinstitute@kellogg.northwestern.edu

For more information, and to find out if this program could benefit you and your business, see the KEIP website.

Small Business and Taxes

Small business owners face a different set of tax issues than do individuals. Since many entrepreneurs start out by turning their hobbies into money-making ventures, they don't always realize what the implications will be at tax time. An article in the Small Business section of the New York Times discusses some of the bookkeeping and tax problems you may encounter as your business grows.

There are some resources that can help. Taking accounting classes at a local community college, such as Oakton Community College can be useful. SCORE, Counselors to America's Small Business, offers reasonably-priced workshops and free individual counseling.The IRS provides important small business tax information in its Publication 583.

The Evanston Public Library has some resources, also.  Check out J.K. Lasser's Small Business Taxes, or Tax smarts for small business, or Nolo Press' Tax savvy for small business, to name just a few.

Award to honor businesses that support the arts | Evanston Now

Award to honor businesses that support the arts | Evanston Now

The Arts & Business Committee of the Evanston Arts Council is seeking nominations of a local businesses that have been supportive of the arts for the third annual Arts Leadership Award.
Posted using ShareThis

SBA and the Recovery Act

On November 23, 2009, the SBA began the transition period from two of its Recovery Act programs. The funds made available from the Recovery Act eliminated the upfront guaranty fee for loans with maturities greater than 12 months as well as provided higher SBA guaranties to lenders for most 7(a) loans. The SBA Recovery Loan Queue has information about what this might mean for your small business loan.  Jim O'Connor, SBA's manager of online training, and Eric Zarnikow, associate administrator of SBA's Office of Capital Access, have produced a video that also provides information about the loan process.

Facebook and your Small Business

More and more small businesses are using Facebook to help them market their products and services to their target audiences. In addition to just setting up a Facebook account, you can take advantage of Facebook Pages, and use the "vanity" URL, www.facebook.com/yournamehere. This allows you to be visible even to folks who aren't Facebook members, to be found in a Google search, and to stay in close contact with customers who become your fans.

Here are some recent articles about how business are using Facebook and other social media in their marketing efforts. The Chicago Tribune and the L. A. Times ran this story, "Facebook becoming big friend of small businesses," in October, and the New York Times's Kermit Pattison has suggestions on "How to Market Your Business With Facebook." The Facebook site also has information about how to use their site to your advantage, on its Advertising page, and on its Facebook Pages page. The Evanston Public Library has recently added the title, "The Facebook era : tapping online social networks to build better products, reach new audiences, and sell more stuff," by Clara Chung-wai Shih, to its collection.

For even more help in learning how to use Facebook for your business, try this YouTube video, "Facebook 4 Business Free Module."

Evanston businesses in the news

Several Evanston small businesses made the news during October! PRWire reports that the Joel Warady Group, a boutique marketing consulting group, placed 15th on Brill Street's Top 50 Generation Y Employer Program Chicago. MightyNest.com, a resource to purchase and learn more about safe and environmentally friendly products, was featured int a Sun-Times article recently. The Chicagoist website has featured Neu Uber Burger and Edzo's Burger Shop in the last several weeks. And, finally, an article from the Chicago Tribune that featured Winthrop Properties.

Your small business on the web

The Evanston Public Library has some new books that will help you ensure you are getting the most out of your small business' web presence: Do the web write : writing for and marketing your website, Furman, Dan. Self-Counsel Press, 2009; Six pixels of separation : everyone is connected : connect your business to everyone, Joel, Mitch. Business Plus, 2009; Million dollar website : simple steps to help you compete with the big boys--even on a small business budget, Culwell, Lori. Prentice Hall Press, 2009.

Stop by to check out these and other books related to small business management. We're located at 1703 Orrington, the corner of Church and Orrington, in downtown Evanston.

Business Resources at Evanston Library

Check out these recently acquired books that may help you plan, manage or market your small business: The complete idiot's guide to guerrilla marketing, by Susan Drake; Business plans that work : for your small business, published by Toolkit Media Group; e-Riches 2.0 : next-generation marketing strategies for making millions online , by Scott C. Fox, or Turn your hobby into a business--the right way, by John Alan Cohan.

Advertising Your Small Business Online

The New York Times has a "Self-Service Advertising" feature aimed at small businesses. According to NYT, "If your online advertising budget is less than $10,000 per campaign, Self-Service Advertising from NYTimes.com is right for you."

This self-service advertising feature offers a "complete on-demand banner advertising solution" on the NYT website. You can select and customize one of the ad templates they supply, or upload your own--and then choose to target that ad geographically.

The Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times also have options for advertising online. From the Trib's Advertiser E-Services page, you can choose to run your ads in the print and online editions of the full paper, the Redeye, or the TribLocal.

For the Sun-Times News Group's site, STNG Online Advertising, you can target your ads to run not just in the Sun-Times, but also in any of the local papers that STNG owns, including The Evanston Review.

Financing and Small Business

The Small Business Administration has devoted a section of its website to the 2009 Recovery Act, and what the bill will mean to small businesses. Recently, as part of the Act, a change was made to the CDC/504 Loan program. The Wall Street Journal explains the impact of the changes in an article from the June 26, 2009 issue. Entrepreneur Magazine gives information about the new ARC Loan program, which provides loans up to $35,000 to financially troubled small businesses, in an article published on June 10, 2009. For start-up companies, the SBA's Micro-loan Program may be helpful. Entrepreneur Magazine has useful information about this loan program as well.

Small Business and the Stimulus Package

The Economic Stimulus package of 2009 has received a lot of press. But what does it mean for a small business owner?

A presentation produced by MyVenturePad, in cooperation with SCORE, Counselors to America's Small Businesses, provides some in-depth discussion of how the Stimulus Package will benefit small business. The authors are Steve King, who runs Emergent Research,
Barbara Weltman, a national spokesperson for small business taxes, and Erik R. Pages, who leads EntreWorks Consulting, an economic development consulting and policy development firm.
$730 million is slated to go to the Small Business Administration, and changes will be made to the agency’s lending and investment programs. The SBA is planning a comprehensive report on what this will enable them to do for small businesses. The SBA also has a slide presentation, with audio, that outlines some of the tax benefits for small businesses that resulted from the 2008 stimulus package.

Small Business Insurance

Insuring your small business is a wise move. The folks at MyOwnBusiness.org, a non-profit group specializing in educating small business owners, have put together a lesson about the types of insurance your small business might need. Using videos and text, they explain the various types of insurance most businesses need, i.e., property, liability, workers' compensation, etc., and offer some "Do's" and "Don'ts" about the best approach to obtaining the right coverage.

The Small Business Administration offers advice and information about insuring your small business. For example, they point out that homeowners' insurance policies do not generally cover home-based business losses. The folks at SCORE, "Counselors to America's Small Businesses," also have some tips about buying insurance.

Small Business TV

For small business tips in the form of short videos or podcasts, be sure to check out SBTV.com. The videos include marketing tips, franchising information, legal advice, and more. For example, here's a video titled, "Small Business Sales Strategies for 2009." You can also find podcasts provided by StartUp BizCast with Steve McMullen.

"SBTV.com is the first television network on the web devoted 100 percent to the small business market - from business start-ups to established enterprises. We believe that being an entrepreneur is a way of living - not just a way to make a living."

Starting a new small business in a recession

No, you’re not crazy for thinking about doing just that. Time has shown that many successful small businesses start-up during economic hard times. Why? Well, for one thing, being laid off after working for 20+ years means that you have skills and ideas and experience that can help you launch a new enterprise. Also, it can be easier to find vacant space for your storefront or office, and that space will most likely be cheaper than it was when times were good. Now is the time to negotiate longer term leases that will provide a margin of safety when the economy recovers and rents start to go up again. You also have more room to negotiate with your suppliers, since they need to move their inventory as much as you do. If your budding enterprise will need employees, you have many job applicants from which to choose.

Can you identify a niche product or service that is needed in your area? And now that small businesses can operate globally via the Internet, can that product or service be marketed beyond your area? Or, is there a product or service that you’ve looked for, but were unable to find? Maybe you’ve just tapped into a good idea for a business that needs starting.

Here are some ideas for small businesses that can do well in a recession, from About.com , from U.S. News and World Report, and from Entrepreneur.com .

The Evanston Public Library has some resources that can help, including the Business Plans Handbook for hundreds of sample business plans; DemographicsNow to research your target market (data only available for Illinois communities); and LexisNexis to find articles, company information and legal information. You can access these resources from any computer if you have an Evanston Public Library card, or you can visit the Reference Department on the third floor of the library to use them in-house.

Changes to EPL's electronic subscriptions

On February 28, 2009, Evanston Public Library's subscription to ReferenceUSA will expire.

We will soon be adding access to LexisNexis. Remote access will be available only to Evanston Public Library cardholders; anyone can sign on to the database when in the library. Here is a description of what LexisNexis has to offer:

News, current events, and commentary
-Newspapers and new magazines, including major publications from the U.S. and around the world and local publications from all 50 states
-TV and radio broadcast transcripts
-Wire services
-Blogs and web-based publications
-Subject indexing to take you right to editorials, critical reviews, science, business, sports and other news categories

Business
-Business news and analysis publications
-Industry and market news for sectors ranging from petroleum extraction to education
-Company information, including SEC filings and company profiles
-Country profiles and business conditions

Legal
-Law reviews and journals
-U.S. case law, including case summaries, headnotes, and Shepard's Citations for all federal and state courts
-U.S. statutes
-Canadian and European case law and legal materials

Try some fee-based electronic resources--Free!

TryIt! Illinois is a program provided by the Illinois State Library, offering free access to a number of fee-based electronic resources for the months of October and November. The business related databases include Standard & Poor's NetAdvantage, Morningstar Investment Research Center, Ebsco's Business Source Complete, Gale's Business and Company Resource Center, to name just a few. There are also resources in Public Affairs, Religion & Philosophy, Social Sciences, Careers, Children's, Consumer Affairs and more.

Participating in this trial requires a login name and password. All residents of Illinois can ask for the name and password, but rules of the trial prohibit posting them on any blogs or listservs. So, please e-mail the Reference Department at the Evanston Public Library, or call 847-448-8630, or use the Instant Messaging feature on the Research Page of EPL's website. You can also go directly to the TryIt! page, where you will see contact information for the coordinator of this trial at the Illinois State Library.