Jobless claims fall as plants put off retooling
WASHINGTON - The number of Americans signing up for new jobless benefits fell to a four-year low last week but an unusual pattern for summer factory shutdowns suggested layoffs might pick up again in coming weeks.
When private companies assist the government
Tom Axbey, the CEO of Rave Mobility Safety, an eight-year-old company with a two-year-old product called Smart911, says lately they've been calling him. Designed to improve the 911 emergency telephone systems, Axbey's product allows the public to create a safety profile at Smart911.com that helps first-responders better assess a situation, before they arrive. As long as their community participates in Smart911, rescuers can learn en route to the scene that that a person suffers from say agorapho
Obama orders new steps to help small business
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama on Wednesday ordered a series of modest steps aimed at helping small businesses, his latest election-year effort to counter Republican attacks on his economic record and show voters he is trying to tackle high unemployment.
Small foundations get edge by "back-office" outsourcing
NEW YORK - The rapid growth of small, private foundations, such as family charities, has led to increased outsourcing of the crucial but often-overlooked "back-office" business, benefiting financial services and other companies.
Palestinian women battle to break into business
RAMALLAH, West Bank - From corner fruit stalls in Hebron to chic Ramallah ballet studios, Palestinian women are making their mark in business, some out of necessity and others looking to break the gender mould and pursue a dream.
Management Tip of the Day: Get the salary you want
BOSTON - Regardless of the state of the job market you should always negotiate a salary when heading into a new job, even though it can be an uncomfortable process, says Harvard Business Review.
Small business optimism falls sharply in June
WASHINGTON - Small businesses' confidence in the economy's future declined in June by the most in two years, increasing the threat that an economic slowdown could stretch into the second half of the year.
"Small business" hard to define in Bush tax cut debate
WASHINGTON - Republicans blasted President Barack Obama on Monday for punishing small businesses with his push to let low tax rates on the wealthy expire, but the truth is more complicated.
Small businesses report staff cuts: NFIB
WASHINGTON - Small businesses in June reported cuts to their staff for the first time this year, the National Federation of Independent Business said on Thursday in the latest sign the economy has lost a step.
Management Tip of the Day: Clarify each person's skills
BOSTON - As teamwork gets increasingly complex, teams will only find it harder to reach a collective understanding about how to value and use their members' expertise, says Harvard Business Review.
Q & A with Greg Damerow, athlete and adaptive bicycle builder
Greg Damerow is an athlete and small business owner. The Hartford recently awarded Damerow with a small business grant, and he spoke with Reuters about competing and running a small business.
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