Here is this week’s news round-up for home business, micro business, sole-traders, freelancers, self-employed and any one who is interested in small business news from the United Kingdom and Ireland:
- Small Business Dight to Scuttle Tax Proposals: Advocates for small businesses are fighting changes in tax laws that the Bush administration says are aimed at cracking down on cheating, particularly by the self-employed.
- NFIB: ‘We are seeking recession readings: The National Federation of Independent Business Index of Small Business Optimism in March fell to its lowest reading since the monthly surveys began in 1986 and had the lowest quarterly reading since the second quarter of 1980.
- Phoenix exec to head national sales team for Geeks on Call: Phoenix computer executive John Rice will head up a national sales team for Geeks on Call, a provider of information technology services to small business and residential customers.
- SBA- backed loans down in South Florida: The Small Business Administration said it backed 15 percent fewer loans in South Florida during the first half of the fiscal year.
- Regions launches small business products: Regions Financial Corp. recently launched several new products and services aimed at capturing the small business sector.
- Bethesda, Leesburg land on fortune Small Business best place list: Two Washington area communities have landed on Fortune Small Business’ “100 Best Places to Live and Launch” list.
- The Google Gold Rush: For many tech start-ups, getting swooped up by the world’s biggest search company has become the ultimate goal. In fact, a growing number of small ventures are launched for the sole purpose of being acquired. So what does it really take to woo Google?
As always this list is not exhaustive, but I hope it will give you a little overview. — ST.
