Guidant Financial Group Blog: December 2011 - Guidant Financial Group, Inc.

Starting a Small Business in 2012

Friday

The current economic climate has left many individuals unemployed. The Street reports that many of these unemployed workers are becoming entrepreneurs, particularly through franchising.

"The recent economic conditions have been a game changer, redefining the term 'job security,'" says Brian Miller, president and COO of The Entrepreneur's Source, a franchise consulting firm.

"One of the things I often tell people is 'Think about what's happening in society and you will see emerging business models that follow suit,'" Miller says.

Read the full article here and learn about five industries with significant growth potential.

Check out the profile of Guidant Financial on the inc500 list.

Positive Outlook for Franchising in 2012

After a rough year for franchising in 2011, many are hopeful about the coming year.

The Wall Street Journal reports that a probable factor for the decline was "a lack of access to credit." In the article, Steve Caldeira, president of the IFA, stated that "We may have underestimated the potential significant downward impact."

The article continues predicting "U.S. franchise establishments to increase in 2012, by 1.9%."

The increase is expected because of "improvements made over the past year in small-business lending, as well as signs that the overall U.S. economy is on the mend, such as the lowering of the national unemployment rate."

Read the full article here.

Check out the profile of Guidant Financial on the inc500 list.

Labels: 401(k) Small Business , Franchise , franchise financing , Guidant , lending , Small Business Credit

Guidant CEO featured on MO.com

Wednesday

David Nilssen shared his expertise on Mo.com today in his article about investing a 401(k) into a new business or franchise.

He detailed his 10 Things to Know Before You Touch Your Funds, which includes advice about understanding the risks involved with such an investment and creating a solid business plan.

To read his full list, click here.

Labels: 401(k) rollover , 401(k) Small Business Investing , Guidant , Guidant Financial , Investing , MO.com , Small Business

Small Business Optimism Rises

Monday

The Wall Street Journal reports that the National Federation of Independent Business index on small-business optimism rose to 92 from 90.2. The rise is hopeful because it is the highest it has been since February.

The article continues stating that "Hiring expectations rose, too, with 7% saying they planned to hire, up from 3% in October."

The article quotes Alistair Bentley at TD Economics saying that "Small businesses typically play a leading role in job creation during economic recoveries, but to date their contribution to the job market has lagged relative to past cycles. Today’s data, coupled with an ongoing downward trend in initial jobless claims, provide some early signs that job creation could be quite strong in December."

Read the full article here.

Check out the profile of Guidant Financial on the inc500 list.

Labels: 401(k) Small Business , create jobs , economy , jobless , optimism

A Dose of Holiday Cheer on Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

Friday

Happiest of Holidays from the Team at Guidant

Labels: 2011 , employee morale , employees , Guidant , Guidant Financial , holiday , party , Ugly Christmas Sweater

15-Minute Fire Drill Webinar: Avoiding Common Credit Mistakes

Wednesday

If you missed our free webinar hosted by David Nilssen last Friday, on the topic Avoiding Common Credit Mistakes, you can now access it here.

Be sure to watch this blog, our Facebook page and Twitter account for announcements of upcoming webinars.

Labels: 2011 , business credit , David Nilssen , Financing , Franchise , funding , Guidant , Small Business , webinar

Entrepreneurial Boom Predicted for 2012

Friday

As we approach a new year, many people are looking forward and are predicting a hopeful future for small business.

Laurie Kulikowski, a reporter for The Street, predicts that circumstances in 2012 will encourage people to start their own businesses.

Kulikowski writes that a "trend likely to ring true in the new year: an entrepreneurialism boom. Unemployment is still high, and the bump from seasonal jobs will soon be gone. Additionally, military troops are coming home, and some will have trouble finding jobs."

The article quotes Jennefer Witter of The Boreland Group saying that "With returning veterans who are leaving the military to those who are laid off, many will decided to take their professional lives in their own hands and create businesses that will provide long-term security, income and, most important, their own say in their professional lives."

Read the full article on NuWire Investor here.

Check out the profile of Guidant Financial on the inc500 list.

Labels: create jobs , entrepreneur , Guidant , new year , Small Business , veterans

Guidant Client Becomes Published Author

Thursday

Congratulations to Guidant client Lane H. Luoma, who owns the G.O.L.F. (Greatest of Life's Frustrations™) store.

He just published the book, G.O.L.F. Greatest of Life's Frustrations Game of Limitless Fun, which is now available for purchase ($21.99) on his site.

Read more about it in the flyer to the left (click to enlarge) and consider it a great holiday gift option for your favorite golfer!

Join the conversation at the Guidant Financial Facebook page.

Labels: 2011 , author , book , Golf , guidant clients , Guidant Financial , Guidant Financial Group , holiday , Small Business

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