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Though Economy Contracts, Small-Business Owners Stay Optimistic

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I own a small business and I am ever so optimistic that these tax increases will benefit us all, not.
I barely made it thru high school but the things you need to learn are not taught in any school.
If I ran my business the way the government did America I'd be in jail. Unless of course, I could print my own money.
Optimistic I am, but I am a realist as well. My customers are cutting back and I know I am not the only one!

calvin mast of CA 12:13AM November 04, 2008

I work for an executive performance company that does a quarterly confidence survey of 2,300 small business owners and CEOs. Like the rest of the country, their faith in the national economy has been in decline for some time, but what’s more interesting is the optimism they continually show towards their own companies’ futures – even those in some hard-hit industries like real estate and construction. Part of that may come from feeling better equipped than most to battle hard times, but I also think these business leaders understand there is only so much that can be controlled and for them, it’s their business. That includes having a strong sense of which way the wind is blowing and then setting your sails (and strategies) accordingly. And that comes from knowing everything you can about yourself, your business and where you fit into the greater economic picture.

Tony Vignieri of CA 5:39PM November 03, 2008

Businesses (no matter what the size) with real products that offer true value and enhance their customer’s competitiveness will continue to prosper throughout this downturn.
Many small businesses are staying afloat by cutting costs, and it looks like that’s seriously hurting some employees’ paychecks. But small business owners should see the Internet as a resource that they can harness to cut costs and increase the reach of customers that they can service (and keep employees happy).
This year, there's been an explosion of interest in database-driven custom Web apps that can offer the customer a smooth and fast experience in a number of places, namely:
A) Existing companies looking to services their customers better and sell more product.
B) Startup companies (not DOT COMS and not venture financed) who are seeing the Web as a vehicle to meet some unmet need.
Examples of this can be seen in our base of customers for our rapid application development tool for AJAX powered Web apps Alpha Five (www.alphasoftware.com).
These are all real customers who have used Alpha Five to create businesses in any field.
Our blog, www.blog.alphasoftware.com, has become a virtual stomping grounds for small business owners looking for information, letting others in on their secrets, and sharing their success stories.

Richard Rabind of MA 5:13PM November 03, 2008

The election of Obama is going to help the economy, not hurt it, and most real business people know it. Witness above.
Meanwhile, McCain/Palin found one cueball-head---Joe the Plumber as a negative talker---and they're pumping him for all he's worth. Hard to tell who's the bigger dingbat, Joe or the Republican candidates.

of 3:23PM October 31, 2008