Feb. 4, 2010 - Businesses are one month into 2010, and there’s one thing on every business owner’s mind – increasing revenue. Last year, many companies cut down to the bone to survive the tough economic conditions; now, however, businesses are realizing the inability to continue to “cut to growth.”

Feb. 4, 2010 - Have you heard any of these statements recently? “We have cut all of our low performers. All we have left is our best people.” Or “Right now, people are feeling lucky just to have a job. That is their motivation.” Both of these statements are risky beliefs at best to use in guiding your daily decisions as a business leader.

Feb. 4, 2010 - Despite the many advances in software technology, one concern remains top of mind — security. From investing in the newest technology tools that will defend against viruses or hackers to implementing best practices for protecting information, business leaders are taking important steps to protect their companies.

Feb. 4, 2010 - I don’t know about you, but the more I use technology (e-mail, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) the less I feel connected to the world I do business in. If I’m not on the cell phone, I’m checking e-mail on the BlackBerry, texting updates about meetings, and thinking about all the blogging I should be doing.

Feb. 4, 2010 - From 2003 through 2007 small and mid-sized companies (revenues from startup to several hundred million dollars) had a good chance of raising capital if they had a decent business in a stable or growing industry. As the financial markets stalled in 2008 and plummeted in 2009, many companies found themselves with limited capital and shrinking income and profits.

Feb. 4, 2010 - Suppose you’re the Owner, CEO or General Counsel of a small-to-medium sized company that has developed a new widget you think might be patentable. You know that obtaining a patent can be an expensive proposition. But you’re also concerned that your competitor may soon develop the same widget independently.

Feb. 4, 2010 - Healthy Americans may account for only 8 percent of the population, but these 24 million people are the answer to saving America billions of dollars on unnecessary health care expenditures each year. More than 40 percent of premature deaths in the U.S. are a result of unhealthy behaviors like obesity and smoking. These habits are costing Americans $100 billion to $150 billion a year!

Feb. 4, 2010 - In response to the current economy, the 12-person law firm of Plachta, Murphy & Associates, P.C. (PMA) asked its business clients how it could help them through these tough times. Two primary concerns came to light: 1) help with collection of past-due account receivables and 2) establish an alternative pay arrangement, such as a flat fee.

Feb. 4, 2010 - I’m a Steve Jobs fan. This man invented two tech industries so far to his credit. He basically made CDs and Word Processors go out of business single handedly. He is the epitome of innovation at its finest. Anyone that can invent an industry (actually several), come to work in jeans and create a corporate culture that embraces employees’ innovation is my version of a modern Ben Franklin.