Arizona Workforce Prospective - Arizona Governor's Council on Workforce Policy

Starting a Small Business: Your Own Star

Mon, 1 Mar 2010 16:15:00 +0000

Today's economic climate has caused many people to start evaluating new options for employment. If you have been thinking along those lines, you might consider going a different direction from a traditional job hunt. You might start a business of your own. That's right, reach for your own star!

So let's say you have an idea. A shop you want to open, a product you want to market and sell, or a new service you want to provide. How in the world do you get started?

The very best starting place is the Internet, which is an unequalled resource for business owners. And your first stop should be the U.S. Small Business Administration website. On that one site, you can find a wide assortment of information on topics like these: (continue reading)

Drowning in Resumes?

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:20:00 +0000

With so many people out looking for work, many businesses get bombarded with resumes these days. How can you find a diamond in a pile of rhinestones to find the most qualified candidate? By using the business world's equivalent of an online dating service - an Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Similar to matchmaking websites like E-Harmony, online services like RealMatch and SnagAJob will post your job on popular employment websites like Job.com and SimplyHired. As resumes are received, the ATS scans them to match an applicant's qualifications with your wants and needs. After resumes are ranked and rated, you receive profiles of the applicants. (continue reading)

Telecommuting: Putting Life back in Work Life

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 16:25:00 +0000

Telecommuting used to sound like science fiction, but it's a fact in the workplace now. According to Make Telecommuting Work for Your Business (Microsoft Small Business Center), more than 23 million people telecommute at least part time. (continue reading)

She Shoots - She SCORES!!!

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:30:00 +0000

Could you use some objective opinions about your business plan? Interested in learning more about e-commerce or marketing? Free business advice from seasoned business owners and managers is just a click (or a phone call) away.

The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) is a mentoring organization that provides free counseling, resources, and advice to people who are running a small business or want to start one. As a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE is dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth, and success of small businesses. (continue reading)

Keeping Team Spirits High (Even in Tough Times)

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:35:00 +0000

Winston Churchill once said "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." How is the attitude at your business these days - bright and optimistic, or dragging and dull?

In these tough economic times, it's important to keep people motivated. Not only can a good attitude increase overall productivity, but it can decrease employee turnover and give a group a collective sense of purpose.

But you don't have to break the bank to improve morale. Here are a few cost-effective ways to boost your team spirit: (continue reading)

Healthcare: How Recent Decisions in Washington May Impact Your COBRA Payouts

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:40:00 +0000

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) has already made ripples in the ponds of the economy and the environment, and its latest focus is on healthcare - an issue that affects us all, both personally and publicly.

In addition to computerizing Americans' health records and aiming to reduce overall health care costs, the recent stimulus plan hopes to make COBRA payments more manageable for eligible, unemployed people and their dependents by providing a 65 percent COBRA premium subsidy for up to nine months.

People who are eligible for this subsidy include anyone who:

(continue reading)

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

Fri, 8 Jan 2010 16:45:00 +0000

Want to start a new business or grow your existing business? If your business is organized for profit and meets the Small Business Administration's (SBA) size requirements, you may have an easier time getting a loan these days, thanks to the Recovery Act.

Also known as the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the government hopes the SBA-related features of the Recovery Act will help small businesses by: (continue reading)

Tapping Into Stimulus Dollars

Fri, 1 Jan 2010 16:50:00 +0000

These days, the news is filled with talk of the Recovery Act, which is more formally known as the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This federal act, enacted in early 2009, intends to jumpstart the economy by creating and saving jobs, and modernizing the national infrastructure.

So how can small businesses benefit from the Recovery Act? The first step is to become certified with the State of Arizona as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), a designation for minority-owned, women-owned and small businesses. (continue reading)

An Alternative to Layoffs: The Shared Work Program

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:55:00 +0000

In tough economic times, many businesses - large and small - face layoffs. Did you know that the State of Arizona offers an alternative to a layoff?

The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) runs the Shared Work Program for Arizona Employers. Through this program, a business that is facing the need to lay off at least one employee can take a different approach. Once approved for the program, the employer can reduce the total hours for a group of employees, equivalent to the hours that would have been cut through the layoff. Then the affected employees are eligible for a portion of their unemployment compensation while they continue to work. (continue reading)

Embracing the Internet

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:60:00 +0000

In ever-increasing numbers, today's consumers are tossing their Yellow Page directories in the recycling bin and turning to the Internet to find goods and services. Does your business have a presence on the web? (continue reading)