Though it’s been around for years, I must reiterate that one of the best sources of small business management information and knowledge is ManagementHelp.org.

They provide a goldmine of information on literally hundreds of topics. They should definitely be a bookmark in any entrepreneur’s browser in addition to our section on small business management.

SmartMoney.com writes about the best places to find money for your small business and comes up with the following:

1. Grants
2. The Government
3. Banks
4. Credit Cards
5. Angel Investors
6. Venture Capital

While some of these may seem obvious, it’s good to know there are more options for finding money than simply a loan from a bank.

Also, building business credit is a great option for getting money to start your small business as well.

A keynote speech to the Cato Institute titled “Entrepreneurs are the Heroes of the World“. Author Johan Norberg credits the progress over the past 200 years to entrepreneurs and the market economies they operate within.

The amazing fact is that entrepreneurs and innovators and businesses have turned luxuries that not even kings could afford into low-priced everyday items at you local store. That is the best defense of capitalism.

(via The Entrepreneurial Mind)

I’ve often thought that if others truly understood the contribution entrepreneurs make to our world, they would be thought of as heroes. I find it valuable to simply look around your home or office, at the magical technology and products that are readily available and think about the people who dedicated their lives to making that wonderful technology affordable to the common man.

In a speech entitled “Your Business Is Dead and You Don’t Even Know It”, Justin Kitch, CEO of Homestead Technologies put it bluntly:

If you don’t have a website:

Of course, setting up a small business website is fairly simple and we advise anyone in business to do this important task ASAP.

I’ve written before about the myth of business failure rates. But this list of myths from Dumb Little Man is valuable as well:

• Risk is always bad.
• If the majority of your peers call the idea silly, it probably is.
• You should liquidate all of your possessions to start a business because you believe in it so strongly.
• You have to spend money to make money (this one is borderline, but a lot can be earned by charging people for your knowledge on something).
• Anyone that has tried and failed automatically must be trusted because “they’ve done it”.
• Your lack of a college degree will ensure your business fails.
• Your friends’ constructive criticism is never out of jealousy.
• Your family & friends will always understand the time commitment, even when no money is coming in.

(via BizOpportunities)

From AllBusiness.com:

1. Press Releases. Write and distribute press releases that are newsworthy, and send them to newspapers, magazines, and television and radio stations.

2. Trade Shows. Renting space at a trade show can be expensive, but the best shows are a great way to build your business.

3. The Internet. Establishing a home page for your business is relatively inexpensive and can reach many people.

4. Direct Mail. Direct mail results depend largely upon how much you’re willing to spend on finding your target market and delivering quality materials to them.

5. Yellow Pages. Most ads get turned into fishwrap within days, but consumers hang onto the yellow pages all year.

Be sure to read our content on small business marketing & sales.

Entrepreneur.com:

1. Get a business valuation…
2. Get your books in order…
3. Understand the true profitability of your business…
4. Consult your financial advisor…
5. Make a good first impression…
6. Organize your legal paperwork…
7. Consider management succession…
8. Know your reason for selling…
9. Get your advisory team in place…
10. Keep your eye on the ball…”

(via BizzBangBuzz)

Sorry for the infrequent posting. We’ve had quite a busy beginning of 2007. Look for (at the minimum) weekly posts on the best small business news, tips and resources.