Business Information for Entrepreneurs by an Entrepreneur

Don't let the recession dampen your company's holiday spirits. Show your employees your appreciation for them by throwing them a festive holiday party - even on a budget!

Although many companies are paring down their ordinarily over-the-top parties in favor of simpler ones, it is still possible to throw a great party that will be enjoyed and remembered by your employees for years to come. It is important to remember that most employees will appreciate the gesture more than the affair. Paring down the expenses will often go unnoticed, but your kind deeds will not!

• Instead of hosting your event at a restaurant, consider catering a lunch at the office. An office is often a more informal get-together, as it allows employees to interact in a more comfortable atmosphere. In fact, many employees will enjoy an informal luncheon or dinner much more than a stuffy restaurant.

• If a catered affair isn't in the budget, consider a potluck dinner. Potluck dinners are making a comeback as more and more people find themselves in tight financial situations. Many employees will relish in bringing in and sharing their favorite dish, and there is sure to be plenty of delicious entrees to go around!

• Consider hosting a party at your house. It will give you a chance to mingle with your employees on a more personal, unassuming level. It will also show your employees your commitment to them and your gratitude for their service.

• Instead of a professional band or DJ at your company party, consider using an iPod and dancing to your favorite tunes. Ahead of time, you can ask your employees for a list of their favorite songs to make the event personalized for everyone.

• To save on restaurant or catering costs, consider having your holiday party on a weeknight or during the day instead of the evening. Often times, catering halls and restaurants will offer reduced prices if you have your function during an off-peak time and day.

• Shorten the duration of your holiday party, and you'll find that your bar tab will be considerably less.

• Make it a family affair and keep the menu simple and the kids entertained with fun music and games. A simplified menu of cold cuts and chicken fingers will save your budget, and your employees and their families will be grateful for hosting a family-friendly affair!

Many of us have used Windows Vista for our businesses, and we are more than happy to say good-bye to it. But is Windows 7 any better?

The newest Microsoft software seems to have convinced many users that Windows 7 is so good that the mess that was Windows Vista is just a distant memory.

Windows Vista was a stain on Microsoft's reputation, and Windows 7 was created to convince many disgusted PC users that help is on the way.

But the question remains: should you invest in Windows 7 for your small business, or will it too end up disappointing?

Battery Life Advantages

For starters, it looks as if Windows 7 will offer better battery life for your business's computers, and although it hasn't proven to be quicker than Windows Vista, it seems to speed up many processes nonetheless.

Say Good-Bye to Fluff Software

Windows 7 doesn't come burdened with loads of "fluff" software, which has made many users quite happy as well. In other words, all that extra software that was always pre-installed on earlier versions of Windows is now no longer there.

Upgrades Simplified

Windows 7 can also be upgraded quite easily and affordably as well, and it has given faster result than Windows XP.

Microsoft's list of advantages of Windows 7 includes:

• Windows 7 will allow users to see fewer alerts and warnings from their computers. In other words, all those pop-up windows that have plagued many Vista owners are a thing of the past!

• Icons and windows have changed, thereby helping users locate and store information.

• Microsoft says it has improved the speed of Windows 7 and has reduced the amount of memory it needs to run.

Personalization a Big Hit

Many users have touted the ability to personalize Windows 7, and the customizable options are a big hit. For many businesses, however, it is the mobile computing and networking capabilities that have been popular for users of Window 7. For those businesses upgrading to Windows 7, it is important to implement a local network for your business.

President Obama recently criticized large banks for failing to lend stimulus money to the taxpayers who kept America's banks from completely sinking. Ironically, small businesses, and in particular entrepreneurs, have found that the very banks they supported are now closing their doors on them.

The money small businesses so desperately need to continue their operations, pay their employees and help grow the economy has been less and less available, and President Obama says he not happy at all about this turn of events. He went to say that he will take every step to encourage banks to meet their responsibilities and begin lending to small businesses once again.

Small Businesses Caught in the Fray

The President's argument against the nation's banks was further backed by three specific proposals that are designed to help small businesses get their hands on loan money. This is part of the President's small business rescue plan that was introduced more than a year ago.

While his intentions may be good, the question is: can he really get these proposals passed? And if he does, will they even help?

Many of the nation's banks were part of the Trouble Asset Relief Program, also known as TARP. Much of the funds, however, were not doled out for small businesses, thereby putting small businesses in quite a predicament when it came to lending.

New Small Business Initiatives for TARP

The new initiatives, however, are designed to change the way TARP has been used. Some of the highlights of these initiatives include:

• Giving community banks with less than $1 billion in assets lower interest rates than typically offered: three percent instead of five percent. However, the community banks would be required to submit a lending plan that will show their plans for small business lending.

• The limit on SBA-guaranteed loans will increase from $2 million to $5 million, and SBA's micro-loan program will increase its limit from $35,000 to $50,000.

The National Small Business Administration, of course, spoke out to urge these reforms to pass quickly so that banks can continue with their small business lending.

Now the questions remain, once again, if these new reforms will make a difference when it comes to small business lending. We'll be watching the legislation closely.