Business

Advertising 101: A primer for consumers

Monday, 29 October 2012 14:10 Better Business Bureau

"Bad" advertising is all over the place - at least advertising that's perceived as "bad" by consumers. The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) often receives calls from people claiming "bait and switch" tactics or "false advertising". Luckily, the BBB has a guidebook, the BBB Code of Advertising , to help identify and distinguish between problematic advertisements and "good" ads. We investigate concerns forwarded to us by the public. Here are some of the more common advertising issues we hear about:

Don’t get tricked when buying Halloween treats

Friday, 19 October 2012 12:55 Better Business Bureau

If you're looking to buy or rent a fun Halloween costume this season, you're not alone. According to the National Retail Federation, a record 170 million Americans will spend close to $8 billion on candy, pumpkins, decorations and costumes – both for them and for their pets. It's a holiday we love, and retailers respond to that with specialty stores that set up shop in October and are gone the minute Halloween is over. When shopping at seasonal Halloween stores, it's important to exercise caution. The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) advises shoppers to read the fine print to avoid fly-by-night costume vendors.

Journalist Ronald E. Childs launches multicultural media consulting practice

Thursday, 18 October 2012 17:25

Ronald E. Childs, an award-winning African American journalist and senior-level media relations consultant, has announced the formal establishment of his own firm, OMEN Communications, in Chicago. Through his agency, Childs, 53, represents a broad array of local, national and international clients as a media relations specialist, digital editorial content provider, social media and public relations strategist, editor, business advisor and agent. He is also a nationally recognized magazine and newspaper columnist, and blogger.

The importance of the Production Tax Credit for our communities

Wednesday, 17 October 2012 09:14 Bukata Hayes and Reggie Edwards, Sovereign Systems, LLC

Do low-to-moderate income folks possess an avenue to secure authentic prosperity and wealth?

Master gardener at West Broadway Farmers Market

Friday, 28 September 2012 08:20 By Shaina Brassard, West Broadway Business and Area Coalition

Starr Carpenter is a grower, newspaper editor, West Broadway Farmers Market vendor, private gardening maintenance consultant and entrepreneur. She moved to Minneapolis two and a half years ago from rural Isanti County, where for five years she worked as Coordinator of the Master Gardener Program for Chisago County. Since she arrived, Carpenter's been very active in the local and healthy foods community, which she sees as brimming with opportunity, especially on the Northside. We sat down in her bountiful garden at her North Minneapolis home and talked about the business of healthy food on the Northside.

Time to redirect your career journey

Friday, 21 September 2012 13:11 Julie Desmond

The place I lived for a while in Michigan is like a sanctuary. Imagine, crawling home through rush hour traffic on an expedition that involves u-turns, construction and eight lane freeways. Now, exit to the right and turn onto the unmarked, sandy limestone road that winds through the woods. After about a mile, the road sweeps into a paved drive. Continue another 100 yards and leave your vehicle behind.

Minneapolis City Council approves strategies to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in employment

Friday, 14 September 2012 15:30

The Minneapolis City Council approved a resolution supporting equity in employment along with a series of actions to eliminate the racial and ethnic disparities in employment in Minneapolis and the entire region.