November Elections are around the Corner: the Impact on Small Business
With November 4th swiftly approaching entrepreneurs are eying the proposals on their local ballots. In Kirkwood, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis there is a movement to ban smoking indoors. Many local restaurant owners who allow smoking in their establishments worry that this will drive away business. Meanwhile small business groups like the National Federation for Independent Business are supporting a controversial initiative on the ballot in the state of Washington. I-1033 would prevent the state from increasing taxes without voter approval. Opponents to the initiative say that the initiative would put a freeze on existing budgets for public services that would impact businesses on Main Street.
Drugs and Alcohol Could Be Affecting Your Enterprise
According to the Department of Labor, about nine in ten employed current illicit drug users and almost nine in ten employed heavy drinkers work for small and medium sized firms. But they say that smaller firms are generally less likely to test for substance use. As part of National Drug Free Work Week the Department of Labor offers advice and tools for business owners to put a policy in place and enforce it through their website.
Experts reveal that individuals who can’t adhere to a drug-free workplace policy seek employment at firms that don’t have one, and the cost of just one error caused by an impaired employee can devastate a small company.
Small Business Week Awards: Nominate an Entrepreneur Today
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is now accepting nominations for its 2010 Small Business Week Awards. The best and brightest of our nation’s 27 million entrepreneurs will be honored through local, state and national awards.
Nominations are being accepted at the local level for:
· Small Business Person of the Year
· Small Business Exporter of the Year
· SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year
· Financial Services Champion of the Year
· Minority Small Business Champion of the Year
· Home Based Business Champion of the Year
· Women in Business Champion of the Year
Winning the national award is a huge accomplishment for small business owners. Find out how winning the national award helps small business owners in this story on SBTV.com. The annual awards ceremony in your area can be beneficial for business even if you aren’t up for an award click here to find out how.
