Tag Archives: national

SBA Offers New Podcasts to Help Small Businesses Break into the Global Market

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U. S. Small Business Administration is now offering a new set of three export-oriented podcasts offering valuable information on issues and challenges small business exporters may find when dealing with specific countries.

The podcasts, featuring interviews with business representatives from Uganda, Cameroon and Bahrain, are part of a comprehensive effort by SBA to promote and support the President’s National Export Initiative.  The interviews focus on what U.S. companies can expect when exporting to those countries and provide information relevant to their respective business and import environments.

“U.S. small businesses looking to increase sales and profit should look beyond the U.S. borders. Nearly 96 percent of the world’s consumers live outside the U.S. and small businesses need to factor that in to their strategic planning”, said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. “We’re hoping these tools will help them do that, so they can grow and create jobs here at home.”

The podcasts on Uganda and Cameroon include interviews with two women business owners who are members of the African Women’s Business Network, an organization that supports a network of businesswomen’s organizations in Africa.  The podcast on Bahrain features an interview with an official of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce.  

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Marketing Basics: How to get started

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In order for your business to succeed, you must continuously attract and retain a growing base of satisfied customers.  This is usually accomplished through marketing programs (sometimes referred to as copy writing plans).  Marketing programs are aimed at convincing people to try out or to keep using your products or services.  Entrepreneurs and other freelance professionals should carefully plan their marketing strategies and performance measurements to keep their market presence strong.

Marketing is based on the importance of customers to a business.  Without customers, a business wouldn’t exist.  When planning your marketing plan, you should keep two important principles in mind:

  1. All company policies and activities should be directed toward satisfying customer needs.
  2. Profitable sales volume is more important than maximum sales volume.

To formulate an effective marketing campaign, keep these principles in mind while completing the following four steps:  

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  1. Determine the needs of their customers through market research
  2. Analyze their competitive advantages to develop a market strategy
  3. Select specific markets to serve by target marketing
  4. Determine how to satisfy customer needs by identifying a market mix

SBA’s Patriot Express Loan Initiative Delivers Nearly $500 Million to 6,000 Vets and Military Community

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SBA NEWS RELEASE
Press Office
SBA’s Patriot Express Loan Initiative Delivers Nearly $500 Million to 6,000 Vets and Military Community
Release Date: July 1, 2010
Contact: Dennis Byrne (202) 205-6567
Release Number: 10-38
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news

WASHINGTON – In just three years’ time, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Patriot Express Pilot Loan Initiative has supported nearly $500 million in Patriot Express loans to small businesses owned and operated by veterans, reservists and their spouses.

Patriot Express Loans, which can be used to start or expand a small business, increased over the past two years due in part to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which raised loan guarantees to 90 percent, and temporarily eliminated fees for borrowers on all SBA loans. To date more than 6,000 loans have been made.

Patriot Express was launched June 28, 2007, to expand upon the nearly $1 billion in loans SBA guarantees annually for veteran-owned businesses. SBA also offers counseling assistance and procurement support each year to more than 200,000 veterans, service-disabled veterans, reservists and members of the National Guard.  

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Marie Johns Confirmed As SBA Deputy Administrator

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SBA NEWS RELEASE
Press Office
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Marie Johns Confirmed As SBA Deputy Administrator
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Release Date:  June 22, 2010
Contact:  Hayley Matz (202) 205-6948
Release Number: 10-35  
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
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WASHINGTON –Marie C. Johns, a longtime advocate for small businesses, was confirmed by unanimous consent by the U.S. Senate today as Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Johns, who was nominated for the post by President Barack Obama, will be the second-ranking official at SBA, with major responsibility for management, policy development and program supervision.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Marie Johns as Deputy Administrator of the SBA,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills.  “Over the past two decades, Marie has dedicated herself to creating great opportunities for small businesses and the local community in Washington, D.C.  Marie’s strong leadership will help provide small businesses with the guidance, support and tools they need to grow, create jobs and continue to drive economic recovery throughout the country.”  

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