Business

Will a new logo raise money?

Tuesday, 19 March 2013 13:54 Mel and Pearl Shaw

Will a new logo raise money? Will it attract a new donors and volunteers? Can it transform your nonprofit's relationship to the community? Maybe. The answer depends on the amount of work completed prior to bringing on a graphic designer. Let us start at the end: if you invest in a logo instead of asking hard organizational questions your logo may not deliver what you want it to. There really are no shortcuts to raising money.

Doing it right matters - Ethics and values in small and mid-size companies

Tuesday, 12 March 2013 11:23

Creating and sustaining ethical standards is critical to the long-term success of any business, whether a small start-up or a long-established company. Ron James, President and CEO of the Center for Ethical Business Cultures offers an overview on ethical culture in small and mid-sized companies in a Business Educations breakfast being presented by Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce and St Paul chamber of Commerce.

Sandwich generation eligible for tax relief for supporting parents

Monday, 11 March 2013 15:41

More than 1 in 3 baby boomers is actively helping support a parent and 1 in 4 is supporting their adult children. Members of the "sandwich generation" – those supporting their parents and their own children – may be able to claim the up to $3,800 qualifying relative exemption for supporting their parents and adult children.

Tara Spann joins Diversity Information Resources board

Monday, 11 March 2013 14:53

Diversity Information Resources (DIR) appointed new board member, Tara Spann, during the annual Board of Directors meeting in February, 2013.

Department of Commerce warns consumers to take caution when shopping online for payday loans

Friday, 08 March 2013 16:41

Payday lending, short-term consumer loans have nearly doubled in the past five years, reaching a high of 350,000 in 2011. Minnesotans may turn to payday-lending companies to make ends meet during difficult economic times, the Department of Commerce urges consumers to beware if committing to a payday loan online.

Study links hiring difficulties to 45 percent of job vacancies

Thursday, 07 March 2013 11:22

A new study found that 45 percent of job vacancies in select occupations in Minnesota were considered by employers to be difficult to fill because of skills mismatches, demand-side issues such as unattractive wages, hours or location, or a combination of the two, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

BBB small business advice: Your company’s identity at risk

Monday, 04 March 2013 15:55

Everyone is aware of the threat of personal identity theft, but identity thieves are now also preying on businesses. This scam has evolved from targeting individuals, and now the most sophisticated identity thieves are pursuing even bigger potential payoffs by targeting businesses. The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) is offering advice on how to avoid the different forms of business ID theft, as well as guidance for small business owners if their company’s identity has been compromised.