Some individuals who want to be in charge of their own professional destiny but do not intend to dream up a unique business plan are increasingly pursuing franchising as an alternate path. An article on MSNBC.com points to a growing trend of men and women who find themselves unemployed considering franchise ownership instead of conducting a more traditional job search.   more »

NEBS Business Products has – once again – been listed in the Huronia Business Times annual review of the Top 100 Employers in Simcoe County. NEBS, which has been operating out of Midland, Ontario since its inception in 1976, has created “an innovative work culture” states the article, published in the March 2009 Top 100 Edition of the newspaper.   more »

survey from the CFIB shows good news for healthcare services and positive signs for retail Given the unprecedented financial turmoil and subsequent government actions around the world over the last year, Canadian small and mid-sized business confidence has remained where experts might expect. New findings from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business show a small increase in its March Business Barometer Index although overall optimism remains below a historic average.   more »

Shimon recently completed a NEBS Online Survey on HR Services and provided all required contact information entering him into the draw with thousands of Canadian small and medium sized businesses.   more »

Some Canadians may be doing more shopping, making more major purchases and spending money on home and auto repairs in the near future. According to index data for March released by the Conference Board of Canada, consumer confidence showed modest gains climbing 2.7 points since last month and resting comfortably above the December low of 67.7.   more »

A new survey shows that small and mid-sized Canadian businesses are not shying away from conducting business globally amid economic uncertainty. In fact, they see opportunities abroad as a way to grow their business, according to an HSBC Bank Canada survey of 250 small and mid-sized businesses.   more »

Some small businesses can do more to ensure the security of online shoppers' personal information when visiting a company website, says a new survey. But those small businesses that maintain a strong privacy policy may find they have an edge over competitors.   more »

It's never been tougher for small, independently-owned companies to do business. Between super malls, discount warehouses and boutique franchise operations, the competition has become fierce. Many small business owners have become lost in the shuffle. In some areas, entire downtown districts have gone under. The silver lining: for some small businesses, however, life has never been better. That's because they've learned how to do more than just survive in the shadow of the giants ...they've learned how to thrive.   more »

Despite suffering from the effects of an economic windstorm, a number of small business owners remain optimistic on the future and reflect on their original decision to branch out on their own. Inc. magazine recently asked a number of its readers and business owners, "What's the best part of owning your own business?"   more »

Economic uncertainty has left Canadians wavering about the state of the economy. According to results from the TNS Canadian Facts' Consumer Confidence Index, despite feeling more confident in February, consumers have wavered in their economic optimism during March as the index dropped.   more »

Industry experts say small businesses, not just large corporations, may benefit from the insight offered by an advisory board. According to an article in the Houston Chronicle, an advisory board can be "particularly helpful for a small business" and business owners may be surprised at the number of willing participants ready to help.    more »

Small businesses are often touted as the backbone of the economy. Many argue that it takes detailed financial planning and organization to be a successful small business owner.   more »

With ongoing financial stability causing chaos worldwide, a number of industries are hampered by a cloudy outlook for when recovery is expected. Two experts weigh in on the 2009 forecast for the retail sector in Canadian Business magazine.    more »

In an effort to ease tight credit markets, the Bank of Canada slashed its overnight lending rate to its lowest level ever. The central bank lowered its lending rate another 50 basis points to 0.5 percent. Since December 2007 the bank has cut the rate by 400 basis points.   more »