list http://content.usatoday.com/community/tags/reporter.aspx?id=1281 Stories by Rhonda Abrams - USA TODAY Reporter Feed en-us Copyright 2009, USATODAY.com, USA TODAY Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:33:34 GMT 142 18 http://content.usatoday.com/community/tags/reporter.aspx?id=1281 http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/usatodaycom_135x20.gif http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/abrams/2009-11-20-black-friday-bargains-for-small-business_N.htm?csp=34 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:49:14 GMT Going shopping on Black Friday ─ the day after Thanksgiving ─ is a tradition in my family. No, we don’t get there at 4 a.m., and we concentrate on mundane bargains (socks and kitchen gadgets are perennial choices). But Black Friday ─ and the following Cyber Monday ─ can also be a great time to go shopping for your small business. http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/abrams/2009-11-20-black-friday-bargains-for-small-business_N.htm?csp=34 http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/abrams/2009-11-13-hewlett-packard-small-business_N.htm?csp=34 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:48:26 GMT I’ve specialized in the small-business market for over 20 years, and I’ve seen how big corporations serve ─ or try to serve ─ this market. So trust me when I say we’re about to enter a golden age of small-business products and services. http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/abrams/2009-11-13-hewlett-packard-small-business_N.htm?csp=34 http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/abrams/2009-11-06-small-business-tax-credit_N.htm?csp=34 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:02:44 GMT Hurrah! Let’s have a parade. New jobless claims declined to a "mere" 512,000 last week. It’s supposed to be good news that another half million Americans lost their jobs in just one week. The reality is that, sure, fewer big corporations are laying people off (I guess that after all their previous layoffs, they need someone to keep the lights on), but unemployment remains nastily, staggeringly high. http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/abrams/2009-11-06-small-business-tax-credit_N.htm?csp=34 http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/abrams/2009-10-30-remarkable-women_N.htm?csp=34 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:47:57 GMT Wow! My batteries are recharged. My engine’s running in overdrive. I’m not talking about my car ─ I’m referring to my emotional power train. Why? I’ve just returned from The Woman’s Conference in Long Beach, Calif., hosted by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver. It is the largest women’s conference in the nation. As an entrepreneur, it was an amazing way to get inspired, informed, challenged.z http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/abrams/2009-10-30-remarkable-women_N.htm?csp=34 http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/abrams/2009-10-23-make-your-business-plan_N.htm?csp=34 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:50:53 GMT It’s time for you to develop a business plan. No! Don’t stop reading. I know the idea of working on a business plan seems yucky. After all, there’s all that writing, research, working on numbers and finances. Dull and daunting. But wait! I’m going to change your mind about developing a business plan ─ whether you’re just starting up or are already running a company. http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/abrams/2009-10-23-make-your-business-plan_N.htm?csp=34 http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/startup/week5-increase-chance-of-success.htm?csp=34 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:50:01 GMT Increase Your Chance of Success http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/startup/week5-increase-chance-of-success.htm?csp=34 http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/abrams/2009-10-16-free-research-tips-for-entrepreneurs_N.htm?csp=34 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:30:00 GMT You’ve got an idea for a new business. You make fabulous cupcakes ─ everyone raves about them. And cupcakes are in! In large cities and malls, cupcake stores are springing up faster than a souffle can rise. There’s a vacant space in a cute little neighborhood shopping area, and, guess what? It’s already got an oven. You’re ready to sign that lease! http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/abrams/2009-10-16-free-research-tips-for-entrepreneurs_N.htm?csp=34 http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/startup/week6-ruin-your-plan.htm?csp=34 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:55:01 GMT Nine Sure-Fire Ways to Ruin Your Business Plan http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/startup/week6-ruin-your-plan.htm?csp=34 http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/startup/2009-10-14-week6-ruin-your-plan_N.htm?csp=34 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:53:04 GMT DO NOT USE http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/startup/2009-10-14-week6-ruin-your-plan_N.htm?csp=34 http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/startup/week6-qa-business-plan.htm?csp=34 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:44:34 GMT Q&A: What Venture Partner Philip Schlein Looks for in a Business Plan http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/startup/week6-qa-business-plan.htm?csp=34