As National Small Business Week draws to a close, what better way to celebrate than to heavily criticize it?
That is exactly what George Cloutier, founder, chairman and CEO of American Management Services has done in a statement issued via press release.
He basically calls out the government officials responsible for Small Business Week for not having any experience in running small businesses and for patting themselves on the back without really providing any needed benefits for small business owners.
He says that there should be much more focus on money, management and outreach for the nation's 23 millions small business owners.
"It is easy to criticize but here are real proposals to give to small business owners to celebrate next year's small business week," says Cloutier, highlighting the following suggestions:
1 - voucher rebates for equipment purchases, real tax credits and not mystical depreciation items,
2 - create a super SBA office that will coordinate and market all the small business programs that are currently available in over 100 agencies offering agency services, money funding, expert assistance, international finance etc.,
3 - 5 fold increase to 5 billion dollars in the SBA Budget,
4 - create a domestic peace corps of business oriented students to work in the trenches shoulder to shoulder with small businesses,
5 - open federal window with designated funds to banks for economically endangered small businesses.
"It's time to end the happy talk and do something real," Cloutier closed.
It is good to see that he backed up his criticism with some interesting ideas for improvement. What are your thoughts on Small Business Week? What do you think of Cloutier's suggestions?
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Small Business Week
Chris:
I always enjoy your column. It is always spot on. But George Cloutier's recommendations on what the federal government needs to do is a mystery. It would have been better to have ignored the ignorant. He needs a primer on the existing business and economic development services that are available to small business through the federal and state levels, but more importantly how they are deployed through regional and local programs across our country, many which are operated by community based organizations that serve the needs of small business. One can find a plethora of services (many free) offered by or networked through local economic development programs. In California for example, there are 75 distinct private economic development organizations located strategically across the state that team with both public and private sector resources that serve the needs of small business, everything from business planning to financing for start-ups and expansions of businesses, from capitalizing the business to capital improvement projects. There are a variety of services, such as technical assistance for the use of technology or workforce training and development.
The USA has done a great job of decentralizing these services to the local levels in providing service where it is needed without costing you and I the taxpayer more money by having the federal beauacracy trying to deploy it. The model for deployment of small business assitance is very good in our nation. Local organizations like those in California know all of the federal programs inside and out. If Cloutier has had problems with being unable to find existing service or if customer service is poor, that's another story.
His criticism isn't warranted and his recommendations are poorly organized. Many, if not all already exist.
RE: small business week
Thank you for the information. It is certainly a controversial topic.
Small Business assistance
There are programs available to assist small business.But if you were to talk to small business owners, you will find, most do not know what is available, or how they can use the resources to plan improvements.. Most small business owners either do not have a solid plan or are not really committed. Management services can be help these small business owners, who need to turn things around in this tough economy. If a company is dedicated to informing these business owners and helping them access the resources available, it's a good thing. I read an article about a lawsuit filed againts the SBA for allowing small business allocated funds to go to large corporations. If there is a company campaigning to correct this problem..rock on..make a difference!
What business owner is ignorant enough to believe that improvements are impossible, or to believe that they should not consider all possible solutions? Small businesses create a majority portion of our jobs. alot of small business owners are young and have not gone through the hard times, they do not know what to do..if you talk to them. They need help. They need a company of professional, highly educated business managers with experience to guide them, and make them aware of the resources available and how to use them to better the performance f their companies. The goal is create more jobs. If you need help, don't be afraid to seek it. Don't let your ego run you broke. Your well being depends on your business making a profit. Why play with it. If there is a program you could use, or resources available to help improve profit. It would be unwise not to consider it. Consider all options that may help. It's a smart thing to do...Why would you not?
Make a commitment, feel your pain, and let yourself hurt, if that's what it takes to motivate you to commitment. What ever you do, make a profit or do not do it. Make it simple..stupid. It's not complicated..if you don't know what to do, find someone who does, and pay for their help. If you invest in a profit program and it paid off, it was a smart move. Was'nt it? Just don't be afraid to do something different. It's insane to keep doing the same thing and expect different results. Get informed, make a change, seek help and do it now. Time is money..don't waste any. Your competition is will take your share and put you out, if you don't. Business is not golf, you get no handicaps. It's not a fair game..it's not a game at all. Seriously.
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