MANSUETO VENTURES PRESS RELEASES

Inc. in the New York Times-August 21, 2007

A Resource Center Even a Microsoft Hater Can Love
By PAUL B. BROWN

The folks who can't stand Microsoft are legion. If you go to Google and type in "I hate Microsoft" you will get more than 20 million links. Having a near monopoly in personal computer operating software will engender that kind of response.

But even the people who hate the company should visit its small-business Web site.

Microsoft has compiled an extensive resource center, with topics like customer service (seven ways to defuse angry customers; how to turn customers into your sales force) and human resources (communication tips). Not surprisingly it has a strong technology section.

Plugs for Microsoft products are segregated from the articles for the most part - and are easy to skip.

SUN SPOTS
Most of the time, the blog done by Jonathan Schwartz, Sun Microsystems' chief executive and president, is focused on company-specific things: what new products are being introduced or how he thinks the company is doing.

But it is worth checking out the blog periodically because every once in a while Mr. Schwartz shares an insight that could help you do business better. Such was the case on Aug. 9.

Here's the beginning of the post that can be found at blogs.sun.com/jonathan/:

"A while back, we did some simple math on launch events at Sun - we spent a ton of money, got 500-1,000 invited guests into the audience, and missed most of the planet. By definition, our marketplace can't fit into a single room. So we began streaming our launch events via the Web.

"Lo and behold, when we counted our Web audience, the numbers were staggering - we were reaching 100,000's of people. So we took the money we were otherwise spending on launch events in luxury hotels, and moved it to improve the global Web experience - the chandeliers weren't quite as fancy, but we wanted the audience focused on content, not crystal."

GOVERNMENT AID (I)
Yes, of course, if you want a quick laugh all you have to say is, "I am from the government and I am here to help you."

And no, we haven't met too many entrepreneurial government officials.

Still, the Small Business Administration Web's site (www.sba.gov/) is worth a look, especially if you are just starting out or need a refresher course on the fundamentals.

The information for the most part is basic, but thorough. (For example, in the section on writing a business plan, you'll read: "Getting out of your business may not be important to you at this point. However, planning your exit strategy often involves more than just closing down.")

And if you need inspiration, there is an entire section on success stories.

GOVERNMENT AID (II)
Who knew you might want to willingly interact with the Internal Revenue Service?

Not only does the I.R.S. offer a self-directed workshop "designed to help new and existing small-business owners understand and meet tax obligations" (www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=97726,00.html), but its Web site has countless links to other federal and state agencies that could prove helpful when it comes to doing market research.

COMMON WOES
Many of the problems a small-business owner faces are unique to entrepreneurs, but this one isn't: Just like big companies, odds are you are going to have problems finding good, qualified employees in coming years.

Inc. explains why in its current issue (www.inc.com/magazine/20070801/boomer-benefits.html): "Over the next two decades, 78 million baby boomers will turn 65, the traditional retirement age," and there are simply not enough younger workers to fill their spots.

One way to reduce the severity of the problem is to try to get your older workers to stay on the job a bit longer.

Clearly, wages and health benefits are important lures, but so are training, flexible work schedules, retirement planning and elder care assistance, the magazine says.

LAST CALL
Identify this market niche (the numbers come courtesy of O, The Oprah magazine) based on just these three clues:

Total size: $38.5 billion in the United States, up from $21 billion a decade ago.

Projected market size by 2010: $50 billion.

Types of products available: spas, day care, dentures, organic food, massage and acupuncture.

Answer: Pet care.

Paul B. Brown writes the "What's Offline" column that runs every Saturday in The New York Times and is the co-author of Dream Home Diaries that appears elsewhere on this site. If there is a Web site, blog, seminar or book you think would be helpful to your fellow readers, please e-mail Paul B. Brown at paulbbrown@nytimes.com