The best and worst states for small business

America’s states and cities have traditionally tried to attract businesses by offering them tax breaks and other cash incentives. Yet there may be a more effective way, and one which puts no strain on stretched budgets: make life simpler. Read more and view interactive maps from The Economist.

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Sales and Marketing Advice for Florida Business
The circus explains marketing: How to make marketing work for you

Marketing is misunderstood. Ask ten people to define marketing and expect to get ten different answers. Your view will no doubt be different altogether. Maybe you even think that marketing is overrated. More from Ron Stein.

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Applications sought for Small Business Mentoring Initiative

Florida Small Business Need business help? Whom to call A listof telephone numbers and Internet addresses for state agencies that are of interest to Florida small businesses. » Florida Small Business

The University of Florida’s Small Business and Vendor Diversity Relations, a division of Business Affairs, is accepting applications from business owners and firms to participate in the 2014-15 Small Business Mentoring Initiative. More at UF News.

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'Pivoting' is a cliché that small businesses should think about anyway

The word “pivot” is so worn out in startup circles that it became a running gag this spring on HBO’s Silicon Valley. But it’s not only tech founders who can switch gears, update business models, and reach new customers overnight. Quick thinking and nimble shifts have saved many traditional small businesses as well. More at Businessweek.

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Small Business Advice
Business is a lot like tennis

Being successful in both tennis and business can be described in similar terms. The winner of a game, set or match is usually the player who makes fewer mistakes and outplays his or her opponent in drive and strategy. More from Jerry Osteryoung.

Political Business How Small Businesses Really Use the Export-Import Bank At the moment, small businesses are caught in the crossfire as Congress debate whether to kill off the 80-year-old Export-Import Bank, whose authorization will expire in September unless Congress renews it. As with so many government initiatives, or regulations, the debate is in part over the extent to which it benefits small businesses. And the case for the Ex-Im Bank, as it’s known, is somewhat murky. » More from the New York Times

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