Small Business Blog

Maybe it’s just me, but I get really annoyed when a business or organization I do business with offers special deals for new customers...

Lest we forget, small businesses only succeed if they meet the needs of their customers. Here’s a first-hand account, a cautionary tale,...

In an announcement from Governor Chet Culver, we learned today that Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa  is among 44...

Everybody’s talking about branding these days. Marketing consultants want to charge companies to create brands — and sometimes rightfully...

Remember when your mama told you there was no such thing as a free lunch? Turns out, she was right. Imagine that. Now, repeat after me:...

On my drive in to the office this morning, an NPR reporter was quoting a report, due out today, that says most Americans hate their jobs....

The one thing I noticed is that on email, texts or websites, phone numbers that are viewed on a smart phone are automatically  activated...

The Iowa Money Map has more than 800 listings, broken down by county. This comprehensive database includes Iowa’s grants, loans, equity...

Yesterday the Iowa Western Entrepreneurial Center and Small Business Development Center held the first Business Summit in Council Bluffs,...

Hopefully at this point you have at least a facebook account where you socialize with friends and family. You may also have a Linked In...

How do you buy products and services today? What is the first couple of things that you do to begin the process? I am guessing that some...

On NPR’s “Marketplace” this morning, the host asked a simple question: Who has more disposable income — Gen Y’ers or Baby Boomers? The...

Social Media Toolkit: The Nuts & Bolts of Your Social Media Strategy Posted using ShareThis #SmallBusiness #Socialmarketing #Entrepreneur...

The main reason is to provide interesting, useful and frequent content to your customers, potential customers, industry experts, media,...

I do a lot of reading, thinking and brainstorming on ideas for small business in small communities like Council Bluffs and across...

Want to trade accounting services for goat cheese? How about bike repairs for graphic design? Advertising for overnight accommodations?...

When I ask new or established businesses how they plan to market their products or services they answer “…mostly through word of mouth”....

Tip #3 – Do Not Save Important Information for the Closing. I work with many small businesses in many different industries.  I have found...

In the next few days/weeks I will focus on some tips and observations that I have picked up in the last very busy months.    In the mean...

Tips For Small Businesses Today Last year at this time the majority of our clients here at the Iowa Western Small Business Development...