Alan Pruitt

I encourage small business owners to contact your local Small Business Developmenmt Center (SBDC) to learn more about these SBA programs. One thing to keep in mind – it is not ”free money” and your primary lender still needs to be on-board. The SBA is not a “direct lender” (yet), but this $80 million will filter down to Main Street at some point. At least in Arizona, Wells Fargo Bank continues to be the number 1 lender ($42.5M)  for SBA lending; followed by JP Morgan Chase Bank ($10.5M) as of FY2010 2Q ending March 31, 2010.

A small business owner still requires a solid business plan (or a “recovery plan”) to submit to the lenders and an above-average credit score (700+?) to be eligible for these programs. These are not programs for start-ups or small businesses with no financial track record. Some lenders now require 3 or more years of business financials and personal finacial disclosure information.

Our nation’s economy is being driven in large part by small businesses and entrepreneurs, and SBA loans will continue to be the critical financial resourse they need in the midst of the economic downturn.

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama signed legislation yesterday (April 15, 2010) providing $80 million in additional funding to continue important enhancements in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s two key small business loan programs.  The enhancements, first made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, include a higher guarantee on some SBA-backed loans and small business fee relief.

Read SBA Press Release…

@alanpruitt  Business Analyst @AWCSBDC

@hilzfuld is spot-on with these gentle reminders about Twitter practices. The DMing thing is just out-of-control! In January, I thinned out over 700 followers who engaged in a lot of the practices mentioned in the post (below). Twitter is a powerful communication tool – but it requires PEOPLE to be behind the message/s – not some automaton widget sending out nonsense DMs (have you read some of these a-w-f-u-l tweets? — how (sometimes) desperate.

Via - 5 Twitter Practices People Have to Stop Doing | Mobile | Social Media | Newest Technologies by Tech N’ Marketing.

@alanpruitt

It should go without stating the obvious that “now” Google is paranoid about security. There is hope that the China hacking caper will at least be a lesson learned for ALL Internet providers and consumers that vulnerabilities exist – no matter what computing ecosystem is involved.

Bottom line: Be vigilant and backup data frequently with tools like @Carbonite and @Backupify

Via - Google CEO: Were now paranoid about security | Relevant Results – CNET News.

@alanpruitt

Employers should take heed of this article and try to understand the perils of creating draconian “IT lock down” atmospheres in the workplace. What’s the point? Proving that you can bend your employee’s will? Or are you r-e-a-l-l-y worried about “time sink” activity. I am not saying employers should not have a say in worker productivity or conduct in the workplace. Instead, a thoughtful review of social media policies should be reviewed and articulated with the goal/s of  creating a fleet of champions for your firm or enterprise. Just look at how BestBuy handles customers and tech support with @Twelpforce.

Via - Why Banning Social Media Often Backfires.

@alanpruitt

This is a “benchmark” blog article that does a fantastic job of laying out the strategy of social media marketing and the emphasis is on strategy — not “tools“. Very apropos for my upcoming Social Media for Non-Profits workshops in May and June.

Cheers! @nickeyjameson Well done.

Via - What’s Your Social Media Marketing Strategy?.

@alanpruitt Business Analyst @ Arizona SBDC Network.

This will be the reward for those who were tempted (but declined) to purchase the iPad last week. With my high satisfaction level with my HTC Android-based cell phone AND my almost exclusive adaptation of Google Apps (enterprise edition) — this slate might change my personal and business computing habits in the near future. This device could be the primary device to lug around all day.

“Got Google?”

Via - Google Developing Tablet to Take on iPad.

@alanpruitt

This is my first blog post from my T-Mobile HTC Android (MTG3) using a WordPress app. Not bad for mobile blogging. I have spent the last few days revising my social media tool box and WordPress is the engine for this project.

Sigh…some of the small businesses that I consult for — still think Twitter is a silly Internet gadget and a passing fad. Wrong! This Twitter Business 101 Guide should help clear up the misconception about what Twitter can do for (any size) business – especially in rural areas.

The (by far) largest comment that I hear is: “I don’t have time.” Well, what else are you doing to engage customers and how is that working for you?

Via - Twitter 101 for Business — A Special Guide.

@alanpruitt Business Analyst at Arizona SBDC Network.

In other words, 29 reasons why I will probably purchase the next iPad (3G model) next month – other than being an Apple fan boy. But I will try to wait for the other slate/tablet computers to be released — especially whoever releases the Google Chrome OS version/s.

Via - 29 Semi-Productive Things I Do Online When I’m Trying to Avoid Real Work | Marc and Angel Hack Life.

@alanpruitt

This is a great announcement from Big Google. I have been a user and enterprise trainer on the merits of Google Docs since Day 1. These announced improvements will surely be an irritant to Microsoft and its impending release (next month) of the next generation of Office products. The war over cloud computing will be intense this summer – I can’t wait!

Via - Official Google Blog: The next generation of Google Docs.

@alanpruitt