Sustainability
The Environment and Small Business
Small Business Sinks Its Teeth Into the Locavore Movement
Sourcing food that’s local and sustainable may be the hottest restaurant industry trend in 2011, a sign that America’s appetite for fresh ingredients from small, regional producers continues to grow. …
What the New Federal Food Safety Rules Mean for Small Producers
Many independent food producers breathed a sigh of relief this week when Congress finally passed the contentious FDA Food Safety Modernization Act with an amendment exempting small enterprises that sell …
Seeing Green: How One Christmas Tree Farm Stays in Business
The final week before Christmas is make-or-break time for Christmas tree farms still trying to move live trees. And this holiday season, it’s even harder for these businesses to stay …
Sustainability Can Help Small Businesses Win City Contracts
Looking to tap into the billions of dollars that municipal governments spend annually on goods and services, from break-room coffee to janitorial help? Being a local, sustainable small business may …
5 Ways to Use Less Paper (and Save Money) Around the Office
Reducing or eliminating paper at the office has so many potential business benefits that it’s hard to believe companies of every size still consume so much of it. According to …
How To Get Started with Sustainable Jobs
The word “sustainable” is thrown around a lot these days — almost too much. However, when applied to the words “jobs” and “small business,” it can have special significance. Here’s …
Beyond Paper: Office Recycling, From PCs to Packing Peanuts
Recycling can be a challenge for small businesses, particularly home-based operations. About half of the U.S. population still does not have access to a curbside collection program for even the …
Persuading Consumers to “Buy Local”
As Black Friday looms large, independent retailers are working harder than ever to avoid getting trampled by big-box stores and online sellers. The question is: How do boutiques, specialty shops, …
What Sustainability Means to Small Businesses
It is difficult, if not impossible, to talk business these days without hearing or using the word sustainability. With the rise of organic bakeries, eco-friendly dry cleaners, smart-car manufacturers, and …
5 Ways Small Businesses Are Saving Money
The recession may be over (at least according to economists) but America’s small businesses are still in cost-cutting mode. In an October 11 article, SmallBizTrends.com cites a National Bureau of Economic Research study. It’s findings? “Owner pessimism is up”, causing cash flow problems that result in fewer business owners expanding sales. Capital investments, hiring, and compensation increases are all down as well. Since these smaller businesses have yet to emerge from the recession mindset, let’s look at how they’re saving money…
Beginning the Green Business Journey
Going green is at the top of business agendas. Businesses of all sizes are making sustainability and environmental performance a default topic in board rooms, operation teams, supply chains, and …
New Intuit Green Grants for Small Businesses
As part of Intuit’s celebration of Earth Day 2010, we introduced the Local Hero Challenge, a small business sustainability assesment tool. It was developed in partnership with B Lab, a …
Local Hero Challenge – Sustainability Assessment for Small Businesses
Small businesses owners often are recognized as leaders in their community, but we expect many of you will learn that you’re much more important – you’re Local Heroes. The Local Hero Challenge starts with a brief, 10-question survey. Your answers are used to assess the positive impact your business has on your community, and to provide a way to promote the good your business does.
10 Small Business Trends and Opportunities
This post was also published on Small Business Trends. What are some of the key trends affecting small businesses? And more importantly, what do these trends mean and what kind …
