Can’t Find Clients? Consider Government Contracting

As more and more Americans lose jobs, consumers and companies are cutting back on their spending but there is one entity out there that is looking for a few good businesses to work with- the federal government. Darryl Gill, the founder and owner of a small communications company says that when his corporate clients started delaying their invoice payments he turned to another venue to increase his cash flow- the government. “When you get the paperwork and it becomes a pile three inches thick you can’t just leave, you divide it amongst your team and you go forward,” Gil advises.

Do You Offer a Year-end Bonus for Your Employees?

Typically less than half of small business owners offer end of the year bonuses but even fewer will be offering it this year. According to a survey by American Express, 31 percent of small biz owners say that they will actually give employees a year-end bonus. While 16 percent plan to give a raise. As it turns out non-financial rewards go just as far and more and more small business owners are using alternative ways to show appreciation. The American Express survey reports that 47 percent will give employees time off during the holidays meantime a survey of employees from McKinsey and Company finds that positive one on one attention from the business owner or other leaders in the company can carry as much weight with employees as financial incentives like stock options and bonuses.