Issue Highlights For March 19, 2012
GRINDING IT OUT IN MANUFACTURING – Technology, a growing export market and greater efficiency measures are helping fuel a manufacturing resurgence in Central Massachusetts.
SICK-LEAVE MANDATE STIRS ILL WIND – A bill before the state Legislature that would mandate sick leave has owners of small businesses scratching their heads — or left them downright annoyed.
BUSINESSES COZY UP TO SOCIAL MEDIA – While some companies have found it hard to weave social media into their marketing plans, some Central Massachusetts firms have discovered the value of brand-building through such sites as Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.
VENDING MACHINE OPERATORS RAIL AT PROPOSED FEE HIKE - Vending machine company owners say a proposal to hike vending machine license fees in Massachusetts by more than 500 percent - from $3 to $20 - would significantly cripple the vending business
SPINNING THE BOTTLE BILL EXPANSION BILL – Some small businesses support a plan to expand the state’s bottle law to include non-carbonated beverages, but others cite the potential for added costs and question whether the bill is more a revenue raiser than an environment enhancer.
TJX TAKES A 2ND LOOK AT E-COMMERCE – Competitors such as J.C. Penney and Old Navy have thriving e-commerce operations, so why doesn’t Framingham-based TJX and its retail brands? Analysts say it’s not so easy for the company, but its CEO said recently it’s ready to move forward.
SPECIAL FOCUS: SOCIAL MEDIA/ONLINE STRATEGIES
GAUGING INTEREST IN PINTEREST – Central Massachusetts businesses are testing the potential of a growing social media platform.
HOW TO RESPOND TO YOUR KEYBOARD CRITICS – Did your business get a bad review online? Don’t get angry. Respond professionally and offer something to soothe a customer’s ire, experts say. And make sure you’re not being unfairly defamed.
LIVING AND THRIVING WITHOUT THE WEB – Not all businesses see a need to have an online presence. For some, word of mouth is even stronger.
THE LIST
SHOP TALK
Q&A with Lloyd L. Hamm, Jr. of Anna Maria College
OPINIONS
EDITORIAL: TJX HEARS OPPORTUNITY KNOCKING LOUDLY - With its pending purchase of the former Fidelity Investments campus in Marlborough, TJX will plug a big void that was opened when Fidelity decided to close the facility and redistribute 1,100 employees elsewhere.
VIEWPOINT: MASS. NEEDS A MEAL TAX HOLIDAY - If the commonwealth were to approve a six-day-long "holiday" on meals taxes, it would lose $8 million in revenue, a small amount within a $30 billion budget, writes Dave Andelman.
VIEWPOINT: IRAN'S THREAT TO THE DOLLAR - As Iran prepares to celebrate its greatest holiday of the year March 20, it also celebrates the end of the dollar as an acceptable currency for payment of its oil. Essentially, it will look toward other currencies and commodities, Nichols College professor Marcus Goncalves says.
ALSO ...
10 Things I Know About ... Building Your Business Online
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Behind The Sound Bite: TJX Buying Fidelity Campus
Briefing: Transportation Bond Bill
Incorporations from Dec. 16-31, 2011
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