NFIB

How to Hire and Train an Assistant

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It's almost always best to hire an assistant well in advance of your actual need. When crunch time arrives, there will be little time for training and you'll want your new assistant to be operating at full steam.

When Is Travel Insurance a Good Idea?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

You've just landed in Mexico, and you trip on the sidewalk. Your ankle is throbbing. What do you do? The simple answer, you might think, is go straight to the hospital. But, depending on your health insurance, your broken bone may not be covered. Even if it is, finding a hospital that has an English translator on staff, and doctors who will see you right away and accept your coverage, can be difficult. In fact, most hospitals and doctors outside of the United States require payment of medical fees upfront even if you do have your own medical insurance, according to Matt Tassey, past chairman of the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education, a non-profit insurance educational firm. This means you may end up shelling out thousands of dollars out-of-pocket.

5 Ways to Offer Health Coverage Without a Traditional Group Plan

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Just five years ago, 58% of small U.S. employers offered health insurance for their workers, but that number has fallen to 47%. "In the last few years, an increasing number of business owners are throwing their hands up and saying, 'I can no longer offer health insurance benefits,'" says Sam Gibbs, senior vice president of eHealthInsurance.com.

Senate Bill Fails Small Business

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Popular Ideas for Employee Lunch-and-Learns

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

If most of your employees head to fast food restaurants or eat sandwiches at their desks during lunch, you're missing a great educational opportunity. Consider hosting monthly or quarterly lunch-and-learn sessions, where employees can acquire new skills. To help you get started, here are five general areas you might cover, thoughts on a specific seminar for each, and lists of additional lunch-and-learn ideas.

Liability Insurance 101 for Small Business

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One means of defending yourself against both warranted and unwarranted claims is by purchasing liability insurance, which protects your business against accusations of injury to people or other properties.

NFIB: Healthcare Tax Will Make Economy Even Sicker

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Raising taxes during a recession is a bad idea-raising them on healthcare during a recession would be inviting a catastrophe for New York's economy.

How to Get A Google Business Listing and Appear on Google Maps

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The phone book is no longer the go-to source for finding local businesses. A survey conducted by Nielsen Online and WebVisible shows that search engines are the first place consumers turn when looking for local products or services. The problem with that: Less than half of all small businesses actually have a Web site. Enter Google with a way to add Web presence without a Web site. A Google business listing is a quick, easy and free way for a business, with or without a Web site, to build/start its Web presence.

Can an MBA Help You Start or Grow Your Business?

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In every Master's of Business Administration program -- from the elite such as Harvard Business School to online degree programs -- entrepreneurs and small business owners make up a substantial portion of MBA students. Yet pursuing an MBA is essentially taking away the time you have to devote to your business. So the question every business owner must ask is whether or not the long-term benefits will be worth the initial time and expense that must be put into obtaining a degree.

One Healthcare Battle Ended, but Another Looms

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In a close vote, the House passed a bill that will make things worse for small businesses and our economic recovery.

Trademarks: Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Business Owner

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Image can be everything. This is especially true for your business. Whether your business offers products or services, customers need to distinguish your business from the competition. A catchy name, phrase, logo, symbol, or design is frequently a business' most valuable asset and should be protected. If you obtain and protect your mark, you have taken the first steps to building brand identification with your customer and protecting an important business asset.

Voice Your Opinion To Congress On Their Healthcare Reform Vote

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Use our grassroots tool to see how your member of Congress voted on H.R. 3962 and call them today.

Staying Well at Work: 9 Proven Tips

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Most Americans rarely think about cleaning their desk and office equipment, but according to Dr. Charles Gerba (a.k.a. Dr. Germ), a microbiologist at the University of Arizona, desktops can harbor 400 times more germs than the office toilet seat, which is cleaned daily.

VICTORY! Small Business Stands Ready to Help Governor-Elect Christie

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We were one of the few organizations to publicly endorse the Christie/Guadagno ticket, and our members are ready to work with Governor-elect Christie.

Goals for Small Business Healthcare Reform

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Watch our latest video with Dr. Bob Graboyes discussing the benefits of comparative shopping and health insurance.

Small Business Economic Trends - November 2009

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Index of Small Business Optimism gained 0.3 points, rising to 89.1 (1986=100), 8.1 points higher than the survey's second lowest reading reached in March (the lowest reading was 80.1 in 1980:2). In the 1980-82 recession period, the Index was below 90 in only one quarter. In this recession, the Index has been below 90 for six quarters, indicative of the severity of this downturn.

Small Business Owners Skeptical of Economic Recovery

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Thirty-Nine House Democrats Vote No on NFIB Key Vote Against H.R. 3962

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How to Raise Your Fees, Even in a Difficult Economy

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Even in rough economy times, small business owners sometimes need to raise their fees. Taking the right approach can prevent clients and customers from bolting.

Small Business Furious Over House Healthcare Vote

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT