News & Resources

Audio seminar of the week (4:58). MSU economics professor Charles Ballard talks about the latest results of the quarterly State-of-the-State Survey

Click the play button to listen to Dr. Ballard talk about rising consumer confidence in Michigan!

May 21, 2012

Steven Strauss: Business and product names

Question: I just bought the family business from my father. It has been in our family for three generations and I think the business and the brand desperately need some updating. My dad hates the …

May 18, 2012

Celebrate National Small Business Week with SBAM’s free Facebook Timeline cover photos

SBAM wants to help you celebrate National Small Business Week, May 20-26! Email us and we'll send you two Facebook Timeline cover photos you can use on your own Facebook page, plus a “My Business …

May 16, 2012

From building golf simulators to creating fine wines…small businesses do it all! Interviews with members of the MI 50 Companies to Watch: Wednesday on Business Next.

Lessons of entrepreneurial success from MI 50 Companies to Watch winners Keltech, FAVI Entertainment, Dancin' Dogg golf, Chateau Chantel; and Huntington Woods Artful Vision.Listen today at 10 a.m., 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the Michigan …

April 27, 2012

$100,000 business plan competition for women entrepreneurs! Get the details at 10 a.m. on the Business Next audio seminar

Michelle Lewis Watts, director of programs and operations for the Michigan Women’s Foundation, talks about their $100,000 Entrepreneur-You Business Plan Competition. Also today, Sean Simpson, co-founder of Autobike, talks about their innovative bicycles with automatic …

April 23, 2012

The marketing and business-building opportunities of social media. Today at 10 a.m. on the Business Next audio seminar!

Joe Serwach, Managing Director of Organik consulting, on how to take full advantage of the marketing and business-building opportunities of social media. Also, a west Michigan small business that’s keeping jobs in Michigan thanks to …

April 23, 2012

Steven Strauss: Twitter for Business

Question: I like using Twitter to follow famous people and writers I like. The ability to see what they are thinking in real time is cool, and watching a breaking news story unfold on Twitter …

April 20, 2012

Use video to boost the impact of your social media! Learn how on the SBAM audio seminar of the week (5:34)

Hear more free Business Next audio seminars by going to sbam.org/radio. Or, listen to the live stream every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10 a.m., 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the Michigan Business Network.

April 17, 2012

Get Your Business Online: Spring clean your to-do list

Spring cleaning for small businesses typically means organizing invoices and answering unread customer emails. Given that 97 percent of customers are looking online for products and services, it's also a great time to consider creating …

April 16, 2012

Google Streetview: new marketing opportunities for small businesses. Today at 10 a.m. on the free Business Next audio seminar.

Today on Business Next, Doug Willet of Luna Tech 3D talks about Google Streetview advances for small businesses. Also today, a legislative update from SBAM Director of Government Relations David Jessup, improving hospital customer service …

April 16, 2012

Steven Strauss: Goodwill

Question: I have a pal who is a great therapist. He recently got ill and was out of the office for three months. He lost several patients/clients as a result. I was hoping you might …

April 4, 2012

SBAM shows strong membership growth in March

A total of 881 small businesses became members of the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) in March, according to a report released today by the association. Total SBAM membership reached 14,258, a 22 percent …

March 13, 2012

You can be the SBAM Facebook member of the week!

On March 31, Facebook is rolling out a new look for the Facebook “brand” pages (like SBAM’s). The new design will feature a large, prominent image at the top of the page. We’re excited about …

March 9, 2012

Give a vet a job, and marketing with modern mailing lists. Today at 10 a.m. on Business Next

Helping veterans get jobs in small businesses. Michael Rogers talks with Julie Mann of Rockstar Warriors. And, the value of targeted mailing and email lists for growing your small business customer base. Guest expert Dave …

March 8, 2012

Skate to where the puck is going to be

I was attending a business networking event the other evening and I ran across a friend of mine who is a chiropractor. Interestingly enough, this networking event was taking place at a bowling alley. The …

March 1, 2012

Guide for using LinkedIn to promote your small business

(By Ashley Ferremi, Eiler PR in Ann Arbor. From SBAM’s member-only Focus on Small Business magazine)While there are numerous social media sites available online, unlike Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn’s primary target is the professional work …

February 28, 2012

SBAM gains 32 new members

SBAM welcomed 32 new members in the past week. “Our organization continuously strives to find innovative ways to engage Michigan’s small businesses," says Rob Fowler, SBAM’s president and CEO. “This continuing membership growth is proof …

February 15, 2012

Why small businesses love Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day can be an important time for any small business. Look at your market to see whether there are any ways that you should be positioning your products or services to meet the needs …