This article is from Phoenix Business Journal.

“During poor economic times, business leaders say networking becomes even more important to strengthen relationships with current clients and lay foundations for new business. Toward that end, Stay Connected AZ is launching an online networking forum aimed at Phoenix-area business leaders.” Read article.

This article is from Web Hosting Business.

“Corporate Identity is “persona” of an organization that is designed in accordance with your business objectives to facilitate the achievement of your actual goals. In general, it includes a logo and supporting elements commonly assembled within a set of rules. These rules administer how the identity is functional and confirm approved color palettes, typefaces, page layouts and other such methods of maintaining visual stability and brand acknowledgment across all physical, web, and electronic manifestations of the brand.” Read article.

This article is from The Intelligent Leader.

“Congratulations. Your business is surviving the recession. You made the necessary adjustments, weeded out under-performing distributors, shed unprofitable or unreliable customers, deleted poor-selling products from your portfolio, and concentrated your marketing dollars on media and channels that you could prove delivered a strong return on investment. You may have downsized, voluntarily or involuntarily, since the recession began but at least you’re still in business.” Read article.

This article is from Frankyoung.net

“After reading this headline is you might think: OK, what business am I supposed to do if I am nearly broke and I do not know the first thing about building a business? The first thing you should get out of your head is that you need money to start a business. Yes you might need some, but nothing near the figures people usually imagine. That is, you might need $200, but you will not need $10,000.” Read article.

This article is from Women on Business.

““Are you on Facebook? What’s your Twitter handle? Send me the link to your LinkedIn profile.” Thousands of social networking accounts are created every month. And a large percentage of those new networkers become easily frustrated because it doesn’t seem to be working for them. It’s what I like to call the “Field of Dreams” approach: if you build a profile, thousands of people will find you, become your friend, buying your products, offering you jobs, and anything else you need to become wildly successful.” Read article.

This article is from USA News.

“It’s a dumb idea to make light of a recession when the US is smack in the middle of one. Phil Gramm, a former U.S. senator and John McCain presidential adviser, got in big trouble last summer when he deemed the U.S. “a nation of whiners” because of our economic complaints. More recently, Bishop Richard Chartres in Great Britain faced anger when he said that workers who lose their jobs may be relieved to escape from a busy professional life. While it’s important not to ignore reality, for businesspeople — or people hoping to start a business — wallowing in despair is just as unproductive as minimizing the pain. Confidence among U.S. small-business owners is low and falling like a brick. The February 2009 Small Business Economic Trends survey from the National Federation of Independent Business found optimism to be at the second-lowest reading in the survey’s 35-year history. Are there any facts about the recession that might reverse that pessimism? Here are five rays of sunshine that give some hint that the recession economy might not be as gloomy as many might think.” Read rest of article.

This article is from Entrepreneur.

Regardless of what people around you (including the media) may say, right now is the best time to get into business Just go back and look at the economic slowdowns throughout history. Most recessions in the post-World War II era last an average of 10 months, followed by growth cycles that last an average of 50 months.

What this means for the startup is there’s no better time than right now to get going and start pursuing your business dreams–in anticipation of the next period of growth.

So with a nod to David Letterman, here are my top 10 reasons you should start your business now–despite the current downturn:

Read rest of article.

This article is from Newsday.com

“A friend lost his job recently at age 64. He had been a fundraiser for a major national charitable organization that has seen its donor base hammered by recession and now is cutting its head count. My friend doesn’t want to retire – but at the same time he understands that the odds aren’t great that he’ll find a new job at his age, and with his level of seniority and pay.

Instead, he’s thinking of going the entrepreneurial route — and he’s hardly alone. The ranks of older entrepreneurs have been growing quickly in recent years, and even more boomers will take the plunge in 2009. Some will be pursuing long-held start-up dreams, and others will start businesses out of necessity as the recession deepens and layoffs accelerate.” Read rest of article.