Steve Strauss Looks at Small Business Trends of 2020

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Our good friend and colleague, Steve Strauss, is an attorney, popular speaker and the best-selling author of 17 books, including "The Small Business Bible."  Let's just say he knows a little something about the small business industry.

For USA Today, Steve provides his annual look at the top trends in business for the coming year. Caveat:

But note — this is not a prediction column, because as it turns out, I [Steve Strauss] am about as good at predictions as I am at losing weight. Instead, let’s look at what is trending in business in 2020 with the intent of helping you navigate these choppy waters. 

Have a look.  Meanwhile, you can learn more about Steve at MrAllBiz.com, get more tips at his site TheSelfEmployed, and connect with him on Twitter @SteveStrauss and on Facebook at TheSelfEmployed.

Hello Global Small Business Owners: Join a Twitter Chat Today

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Ref:  Heroes love company

In celebration of Small Business Week, two of my favorite small business experts, Rieva Lesonsky and Steve Strauss, invite you to join a live one-hour Twitter chat today, May 24th, from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. EST.

During the chat, Rieva and Steve will discuss a breadth of issues facing small business owners every day including, but not limited to, revenue growth, talent management and retention, economic concerns, business challenges and personal sacrifices small business owners worldwide like you make to run their business.

The chat will be driven by findings from the inaugural Bank of America Small Business Owner Report.

Rieva and Steve will be available to answer your questions and provide insight on any specific pressing issues you may be dealing with.

To participate, check out @Rieva and @SteveStrauss Twitter accounts today (5/24), from 2:00 p.m. -  3:00 p.m. EST and join the conversation by using the hashtag #smallbizreport.

See you there!

Best Option in a Challenging World Economy: Self-Employment

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At last, a site on everything you wanted to know about self-employment and then some.

World:  Go live your dream!

The Self Employed

Your Job Just Got Easier

SCORE's Outstanding Woman-Owned Business Winner

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And the SCORE 'Outstanding Woman-Owned Business Winner' is:

School House run by Rachel Weeks!

Instead of searching the world for her goods, they are Made in America.

Learn more about all the SCORE winners by reading Steve Strauss's Ask the Expert column over at USA Today.

Congrats to all the winners!

It's Smart to Sell Your Products Abroad

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My fellow colleague and good friend Steve Strauss, a USA Today columnist, builds a strong case on how any sized business with an Internet connection can become global provided they do their homework.

And we thank him for including us in it!

Follow Steve on Twitter at @SteveStrauss.

Taking a Business Global Isn't Easy, But It Can Pay Off

Posted by: The Global Small Business Blog

Exporting Is a Big Step

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By Steve Strauss, Special for USA TODAY

Q: What do you think of exporting? Generally, is it a good idea for a small business? How difficult is it to get started? How expensive? Lots of questions. Thanks. — Maggie

A: First, we need to define exactly what you mean by "exporting" because the Internet has changed it, along with just about everything else. You see, today it is much easier than ever before to sell your products to an international audience — via your website — but that differs than traditional exporting wherein you find partners and distributors overseas who agree to represent you and sell your wares.

When it comes to the traditional idea of exporting, you are looking at the proverbial good news and bad news. First the pros ...

If you want a shortcut to finding an Export Assistance Center in your area, go here instead of downloading, as Steve suggested, a PDF file.