Philosophers Lounge
 
 
A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding. ∼ Marshall McLuhan

The essence of formulating competative strategy is relating a company to its environment. The best strategy for a given firm is ultimately a unique construction reflecting its particular circumstances. ∼ Michael E. Porter

If a man can make a better mousetrap than his neighbor, though he builds his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door. ∼ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Leadership is getting people to perform to their maximum potential. ∼ William A. Cohen

Web Based Business Data:
comscore.com

Big / Large Business:
Big Business on the Web
answers.com entry on Big Business
Census data
forbes.com/business/

Small Business / Medium Business:
General:
smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources
workz.com
Business 2.0 Web Guide
Small Business Administration (SBA)
U.S. Census Bureau
Entrepreneur.com
chiff.com/business/
business.com/directory/small_business/
wellsfargo.com/biz/ (see 'resources' column)
directory.google.com/Top/Business/
SmallBizInformation.com
SmallBusinessResources.com
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)
PTO Trademark Information
CA Employment Development Department
CA Board of Equalization (BOE)
CA Secretary of State Business Portal
CA Franchise Tax Board (FTB)
CA Small Business Association
CA Chamber of Commerce
CA Association of Independent Businesses
CA Department of Finance (demographic info)
U.S. Business Advisor
The Small Business Journal
morebusiness.com
homebusinessmag.com
business.gov - U.S. Business Advisor
Commerce Business Daily (CBD)
CA Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency
   (Includes "Permits & Licenses" information)
   (and Business & Community Resources : Small Businesses)
List of California Counties' Websites


Starting a Business:
sba.gov Small Business Startup Guide
ss.ca.gov - Starting a Business in California
irs.gov/businesses/small/....
Business Owner's Toolkit
U.S. Federal Tax ID / EIN
Redwood Empire Small Business Development Center
Small Business Administration: Starting Your Business
AMEX Small Business Start Up Guide
Canadian Business Start-up Guide
IdeaCafe Starting a Business
Inc.com
entrepreneur.com ("Start-up Tools" & "Start-up Ideas")

Small Business Administration (SBA)
Small Business Survival Committee
score.org (email listed score.gov)
startupjournal.com
commerce.ca.gov - small-business
commerce.ca.gov/regional/bayarea/
ecommerce.about.com
workingsolo.com
ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/invest/homewrk.htm
smallbusiness.yahoo.com
abcnews.go.com/sections/business/YourBusiness/smallbizbuilder.html

morebusiness.com Business and Marketing Plans
SBA - The Business Plan
Business Owner's Toolkit - Preparing to Write Your Business Plan
sbinformation.about.com - Business Plan Outline

Commercial Real Estate Leasing:
terranomics.com

Self Employed:
National Association for the Self Employed
National Federation of Independent Business
IRS Small Business/Self Employed
Social Security for the Self Employed and another page here
firstgov.gov / Self Employed information
Health Insurance for the Self Employed
Deducting Self Employed Health Insurance Costs
Deducting Self Employed Health Insurance Costs
bankrate.com article on Solo 401(k)
Fidelity's Self Employed 401(k)

Retail specific:
National Retail Federation
retailernews.com
retailadvz.com
International Council of Shopping Centers
Google search on SMS and RMS
Google search on POS systems
entrepreneur.com (Article: 'PR Ideas for the Small Retail Shop')
Giftware News
merchandisegroup.com
americancraft.com
sfigf.com
californiagiftshow.com
americasgiftshow.com
dmgworldmedia.com
bookmarket.com/bookassn.html
bookweb.org

Food / Restaurant specific:
National Restaurant Association
Food Marketing Institute

Human Resource:
Society for Human Resource Management
National Association of Professional Employer Organizations
Terms and acronyms:
ASO - Administrative Service Organization
BPO - Business Process Outsourcer
BSP - Business Service Provider
PEO - Professional Employer Organizations
OBC - Online Business Center
E-services
Employee Leasing

Wholesalers / Distributors / Associations:
directory.google.com/Top/Business/Wholesale_Trade/Directories/
Yahoo! Manufacturing > Directories
Yahoo! Business and Economy > Trade Associations
National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
American Wholesale Marketers Association
North American Small Business International Trade Educators
National Business Association
National Retail Federation
International Trade Administration
Federation of International Trade Associations
consumeraction.gov/trade.shtml
Guide to web sites of prominent organizations and associations
Society of Manufacturing Engineers
Tooling & Manufacturing Association
Society of American Florists
International Furniture Suppliers Association links
International Housewares Association
National Association of Convenience Stores
Publishers Marketing Association list
American Wholesale Booksellers Association

Direct Mail:
ALC -- American List Counsel