This week, on ASBN Small Business News, anchor Shyann Malone brings you up to date with the latest tools and resources now available for small to medium-sized businesses.
Top Stories
Square predicts automation, commerce innovation to drive business growth in 2024
Businesses today face numerous challenges, such as increased competition, staffing issues, and rapidly evolving technology. However, businesses across the world are driving a paradigm shift in the commerce landscape through innovation, adaptability, and creativity. Square’s annual Future of Commerce report provides insights into how businesses and customers in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia will shape the global commerce landscape in 2024. Read More
In the face of rising labor costs and a slowdown in sales, small business sentiment in the U.S. has experienced a notable shift. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) says the monthly confidence index for small businesses dropped. It fell to 89.9 in January from 91.9 in December 2022. This marks its lowest level since May 2023. The drop was 2 points, the largest since December 2022. It shows the ongoing challenges faced by small businesses. The index has been below its 50-year average of 98 for 25 consecutive months. Read More
LegalZoom.com, the leading provider of online small business formations, announced that the NBA, WNBA, and NBA G-League are co-sponsoring the last round of the annual Fast Break for Small Business grant program and that interested applicants can still apply. With a campaign to award $3 million in grants and services aimed at providing small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with the required funds, resources, and know-how to launch, manage, and expand their small businesses. Grant applications close September 13, 2024, 2024 by 8 p.m. ET. Read More
According to the January edition of the Fiserv Small Business Index, small businesses nationwide have rung in 2024 with a promising display of resilience in the face of shifting economic conditions. On February 5, 2024, Fiserv, a leading provider of payments and financial services technology, published a study that analyzed the performance of small companies at national, state, and industry levels. The research also presents an optimistic outlook for the coming year. Read More