FEATURERemember the caveats from last week regarding ChatGPT, including it isn’t 100% correct all the time.  And don’t depend on it to dispense legal and professional advice.ChatGPT can help you write a business plan.You can refine ChatGPT’s original output by giving it follow-up commands or asking follow-up questions.ChatGPT can compose scripts for videos, draft procedure documents, and just about anything else you can imagine.  But you always need to review them for accuracy and real-world viability.ChatGPT can summarize articles and web pages.ChatGPT can answer questions too.  One of the most handy is application-specific questions for a unique set of circumstances.For your more technical staff, ChatGPT can help them write HTML for building web sites, and code in computer languages to build and debug applications.One of the best ways you can take advantage ChatGPT’s power is to turn your team lose on it.Train your staff now to get comfortable with AI tools like ChatGPT.----------NEWS ROUNDUP1A record number of small businesses – 47% – reported having job vacancies they could not fill in February.https://www.nfib.com/content/press-release/economy/nfib-jobs-report-small-businesses-report-record-high-levels-of-job-openings/The economy added 311,000 jobs, which was above experts’ predictions.  But many of those were in lower paying sectors.https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdfFebruary Consumer Price Index was released today, and is up 6% from a year ago.https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm2Small businesses remain concerned about a possible recession and are taking a tight-fisted approach with their cash.https://www.vistage.com/research-center/business-financials/economic-trends/20230307-small-businesses-cautious-wsj-survey/3The Small Business Administration has announced National Small Business Week will take place this year from April 30 to May 6.https://www.sba.gov/article/2023/mar/06/sba-administrator-guzman-announces-national-small-business-week-2023----------This podcast is sponsored by SBS Accounting & Advisors.  Use the promo code FLASH and get 20% off your set up fee!  https://sbsaccountants.com/.👀 Watch on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmFHZqDGRbOHXjhpicWuqhg.📧 I would love to hear from you!  Please email me at adam@smallbizflash.com.🖥️ Learn how I can help your small business at https://eraynay.com/.

FEATUREChatGPT is a conversational AI chatbot.Open AI is the developer of ChatGPT and is now offering access to the general public.ChatGPT can help you write content for your small business, such as blog posts.  But, you can’t just copy and paste.  It will need some refining.  Plus, Google can detect AI-generated content.ChatGPT must still be fact-checked.You can also generate a title for your blog post using ChatGPT, and a tweet to promote the blog as well.Don’t use ChatGPT to create legal or accounting or other professional services kind of advice.  Remember, you need to fact check its output.You can sign up for a free ChatGPT account here:  https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt.----------NEWS ROUNDUP1A Supreme Court decision late last month is good news for small businesses, because it limited the power of the IRS to levy penalties on businesses.https://www.nfib.com/content/press-release/homepage/supreme-court-reins-in-civil-penalty-prosecutions-for-small-businesses/https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-supreme-court-limits-penalties-not-reporting-foreign-accounts-2023-02-28/2Inflation remains a big concern for small businesses, according to data recently released by the US Chamber of Commerce.https://www.uschamber.com/small-business/the-biggest-challenges-small-businesses-are-facing-right-now3The Biden administration is proposing legislation that would shift the some of the burden of cyber security from small businesses on to software makers.https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/02/white-house-unveils-national-cyber-strategy-to-shift-security-burden.html----------This podcast is sponsored by SBS Accounting & Advisors.  Use the promo code FLASH and get 20% off your set up fee!  https://sbsaccountants.com/.👀 Watch on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmFHZqDGRbOHXjhpicWuqhg.📧 I would love to hear from you!  Please email me at adam@smallbizflash.com.🖥️ Learn how I can help your small business at https://eraynay.com/.

FEATUREYouTube ads can accelerate the process of building up your audience on the platform, and give your brand more exposure.One of the great things about YouTube advertising is that you can target viewers based on the keywords they are searching for on YouTube, but also on Google (which owns YouTube).There are numerous other ways to refine your target audience, to get very specific.Among video ads, there are three main types.  First, skippable in-stream ads are those you can pass over after you’ve watched them for five seconds.Non-skippable in-stream ads are shorter.  Their maximum length is 15 seconds.Bumper ads are like non-skippable in-stream ads, but only last six seconds.According to Influencer Marketing Hub, YouTube ads have an average cost-per-view of $0.01 – $0.03.https://influencermarketinghub.com/how-much-do-youtube-ads-cost/----------NEWS ROUNDUP1The Personal Consumption Expenditures price index was up in January to 5.4% from a year earlier.https://www.reuters.com/markets/rates-bonds/fed-seen-raising-rates-three-more-times-after-strong-inflation-reading-2023-02-24/Recent figures show that worker claims for unemployment benefits dipped last week, there was an increase in January in retail sales, and 4Q GDP rose by 2.7%.https://www.wsj.com/articles/economy-showing-strength-in-early-2023-after-last-quarters-gdp-gain-revised-modestly-lower-5b068ade2Republicans in the US House are launching an oversight effort of numerous federal agencies in an attempt to determine how their regulation-making is impacting small businesses.https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/23/house-gop-presses-agencies-on-small-business-rules-00084049https://williams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-williams-leads-small-business-committee-oversight-biden3A lack of financing or investors was the top reason that startups failed in 2022, according to a new study.https://www.skynova.com/blog/top-reasons-startups-fail4Amazon is expanding its educational offerings to small businesses through the Amazon’s Small Business Academy.https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/small-business/meet-the-new-amazon-small-business-academy-an-expanded-suite-of-free-resources-for-entrepreneurs----------This podcast is sponsored by SBS Accounting & Advisors.  Use the promo code FLASH and get 20% off your set up fee!  https://sbsaccountants.com/. ----------I would love to hear from you!  Please email me at adam@smallbizflash.com.

FEATUREYour YouTube strategy has to be sustainable, so you don’t quit after a few weeks or months.Dig into old blog articles or speeches you’ve given that could be updated and turned into short videos.YouTube’s algorithm rewards videos that hold the attention of the viewer.Once you have the video produced and on your YouTube channel, share it across all your communication channels.You don’t need a super slick, highly polished video to get your message out.Create playlists around your most compelling topics.----------NEWS ROUNDUP1The Federal Trade Commission is proposing a new rule, called the Non-Compete Clause Rule, which would eliminate noncompete contracts agreements in the workplace and nullify existing state and local laws on non-competes.https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-01-19/pdf/2023-00414.pdf2The vast majority of small companies want bi-partisan action to address their concerns over a variety of issues to make it easier and less expensive to do business.https://www.jobcreatorsnetwork.com/press_releases/new-poll-small-businesses-gravely-concerned-about-economy-want-bipartisan-action-from-congress/3Small businesses are increasingly expected to provide employee benefits like their larger counterparts.https://www.vestwell.com/read/2023-retirement-trends-report#cd827ccc9cb8----------This podcast is sponsored by SBS Accounting & Advisors.  Use the promo code FLASH and get 20% off your set up fee!  https://sbsaccountants.com/.----------I would love to hear from you!  Please email me at adam@smallbizflash.com.

FEATUREResources:Wyzowl Video Marketing Statistics 2023https://www.wyzowl.com/video-marketing-statistics/What is the Ideal Length of Videos on YouTube?https://www.tubics.com/blog/how-to-master-on-long-form-video-content----------NEWS ROUNDUP1A poll by the invoicing platform Skynova found that 91% of small companies are currently labor hoarding.https://www.skynova.com/blog/small-business-and-labor-hoarding2The federal government could do a better job of interacting with small businesses, according to owners recently surveyed by Goldman Sachs.https://www.goldmansachs.com/citizenship/10000-small-businesses/US/infographics/february-2023/index.html3As inflation has taken its toll, many small and medium-sized businesses feel they can’t raise prices further and still be competitive, so they are seeking other sources of working capital.https://www.pymnts.com/smbs/2023/digital-banks-fill-gaps-in-small-business-working-capital-loans/----------This podcast is sponsored by SBS Accounting & Advisors.  Use the promo code FLASH and get 20% off your set up fee!  https://sbsaccountants.com/.----------I would love to hear from you!  Please email me at adam@smallbizflash.com.

Today’s guest is Damon Zick, owner of Life Brand Academy:Damon’s email:  damon@damonzick.comDamon’s LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonzick/Life Brand Academy’s YouTube page:  https://www.youtube.com/@lifebrandacademy----------NEWS ROUNDUP1The number of new jobs created soared to 517,000 in January.https://www.kiplinger.com/investing/jobs-report-shows-massive-hiring-in-january-what-the-experts-are-sayingJanuary one-month annualized hourly earnings growth for small business employees fell to 2.88%, the lowest level since 2020, according to Paychex.https://www.paychex.com/employment-watch/#!/news-release/2Xero has found that sales growth for US small businesses continued to slow and recorded its two smallest increases of the past 20 months in July 2022 and September 2022.https://www.xero.com/us/media-releases/xero-small-business-insights-usa-january-2023/According to an estimate by Goldman Sachs, by the end of this year Americans will have spent two-thirds of the extra savings they were able to stash away during Covid.https://www.wsj.com/articles/once-flush-savings-accounts-are-starting-to-run-dry-116756916373Walmart has launched an e-commerce site for small and medium-sized businesses called Walmart Business.https://www.retaildive.com/news/walmart-business-e-commerce-site-small-businesses/640946/----------This podcast is sponsored by SBS Accounting & Advisors.  Use the promo code FLASH and get 20% off your set up fee!  https://sbsaccountants.com/.----------I would love to hear from you!  Please email me at adam@smallbizflash.com.

Join us at Illuminate 2023 on Tuesday, February 7.  FREE admission!  Details and registration:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/illuminate-feb-7th-2023-tickets-519912471197----------Today’s guest is Jonathan Bill, owner of SBS Accounting & Advisors:Jonathan’s email:  jbill@sbsaccountants.comJonathan’s LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbsaccounting/SBS Accounting & Advisors:  https://sbsaccountants.com/----------NEWS ROUNDUP1Small business owners are more upbeat now than in mid-2022 about inflation, staffing issues, and a possible recession, according to a new pollhttps://ioufinancial.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IOU_SMALL-BUSINESS-SURVEY-DEC-2022_12-pg-Booklet.pdf2Small businesses have fueled all of the net job growth since the beginning of Covid.https://www.wsj.com/articles/surge-in-hiring-by-small-business-complicates-feds-effort-to-cool-economy-11674627479?mod=business_minor_pos43Small Business Deduction is set to expire in 2025, making it difficult for small business owners to plan ahead.https://www.nfib.com/content/press-release/economy/new-nfib-op-ed-in-washington-times-congress-should-make-small-business-deduction-permanent/----------This podcast is sponsored by SBS Accounting & Advisors.  Use the promo code FLASH and get 20% off your set up fee!  https://sbsaccountants.com/.----------I would love to hear from you!  Please email me at adam@smallbizflash.com.

Join us at Illuminate 2023 on Tuesday, February 7.  FREE admission!  Details and registration:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/illuminate-feb-7th-2023-tickets-519912471197----------Today’s guest is Jonathan Bill, owner of SBS Accounting & Advisors:Jonathan’s email:  jbill@sbsaccountants.comJonathan’s LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbsaccounting/SBS Accounting & Advisors:  https://sbsaccountants.com/----------NEWS ROUNDUP1The producer price index, a wholesale measure of inflation, dropped 0.5% in December.https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/18/wholesale-prices-fell-0point5percent-in-december-much-more-than-expected.htmlRetail sales fell significantly in December, by 1.1%, the largest in a year.https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/us-retail-sales-drop-more-than-expected-december-2023-01-18/Industrial production was also down 0.7% in December, much more than predicted.https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/u.s.-industrial-production-decreases-much-more-than-expected-in-december2According to the US Census Bureau, a whopping 5 million Americans filed new business applications last year.https://www.inc.com/melissa-angell/small-business-applicants-smash-another-record-in-2022-as-more-americans-turn-to-entrepreneurship.html3Apple has announced Apple Business Connect, allowing businesses to verify and edit their listing information and to add photos on apps such as Maps and Messages, as well as information used by Siri.https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/11/23550077/apple-business-connect-maps-listings----------This podcast is sponsored by SBS Accounting & Advisors.  Use the promo code FLASH and get 20% off your set up fee!  https://sbsaccountants.com/.----------I would love to hear from you!  Please email me at adam@smallbizflash.com.

NEWS ROUNDUP1The rate of inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, cooled in December to 6.5% compared with a year earlier.https://apnews.com/article/december-2022-inflation-report-72bb938a443ab0500bd72d23f62214adIn a recent poll of economists by the Wall Street Journal, experts put the likelihood of a recession at 61% in the coming months.https://www.wsj.com/articles/despite-easing-price-pressures-economists-in-wsj-survey-still-see-recession-this-year-11673723571?mod=hp_lead_pos1The Index of Consumer Sentiment is currently at 64.6, up from 59.7 in December and 56.8 in November.http://www.sca.isr.umich.edu/2Small company owners’ opinions of the business environment are on the upswing.  Sixty percent of small businesses expect increased revenues in 2023.https://www.vistage.com/research-center/business-financials/economic-trends/20230110-small-business-confidence-largest-surge-wsj-survey/3New data from online lender Biz2Credit finds that loans to small businesses grew very little in 2022.https://www.biz2credit.com/small-business-lending-index/december-2022----------This podcast is sponsored by SBS Accounting & Advisors.  Use the promo code FLASH and get 20% off your set up fee!  https://sbsaccountants.com/.----------I would love to hear from you!  Please email me at adam@smallbizflash.com.

NEWS ROUNDUP1The December jobs report was released late last week, showing continued strength in the labor market.https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdfSmall business owners still plan to add workers in 2023.https://www.nfib.com/content/press-release/economy/nfib-jobs-report-hiring-plans-weaken-in-december-as-labor-shortages-challenge-small-businesses/The rate of hourly wage growth at small businesses continued to decline to 4.95% year-over-year in December.https://www.paychex.com/employment-watch/#!/news-release/The Index of Consumer Sentiment for December from the University of Michigan came in at 59.7.http://www.sca.isr.umich.edu/2Congress passed “The Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2022” in December, which offers tax credits to small businesses that start an employer-sponsored retirement plan.https://www.forbes.com/sites/rhettbuttle/2023/01/05/secure-20-5-things-small-business-owners-need-to-know/?sh=6421a1c58bff3According to data released by the Small Business Administration this week, and since analyzed and report on by National Public Radio, 92% of the loans issued under the Paycheck Protection Program have been granted full or partial forgiveness.https://www.npr.org/2023/01/09/1145040599/ppp-loan-forgiveness----------This podcast is sponsored by SBS Accounting & Advisors.  Use the promo code FLASH and get 20% off your set up fee!  https://sbsaccountants.com/.----------I would love to hear from you!  Please email me at adam@smallbizflash.com.

FEATUREGet More Customers Through Referrals – Surviving the Economic Downturn – Tactic #5https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2012/consumer-trust-in-online-social-and-mobile-advertising-grows/https://news.constantcontact.com/press-release-customer-engagement-major-focus-small-business-technology-according-constant-contact-t----------NEWS ROUNDUP1Retail sales in November fell short of expectations, down 0.6% from the previous month.https://www.forexlive.com/news/us-november-retail-sales-06-vs-01-expected-20221215/Manufacturing also slowed in November by 0.6%, as a reduction in output of cars and trucks offset other factory gains.https://finance.yahoo.com/news/u-manufacturing-output-dragged-down-151932250.htmlAAA reports the national average price for regular unleaded is $3.12/gallon, the lowest since July 2021.https://gasprices.aaa.com/2Business owners remain pessimistic about the near term, according to the November Small Business Optimism Index, which rose 0.6 points in November to 91.9, but is still well below the 49-year average of 98.https://www.nfib.com/content/press-release/economy/inflation-pressures-ease-slightly-on-main-street-but-remains-the-top-business-problem/3Small businesses are taking yet another hit in the aftermath of COVID.  Millions took on loans through the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan, or EIDL, program during the pandemic to help keep their doors open, and now the loan payments are beginning to kick in, at a time when the economy is struggling.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/small-businesses-eidl-loans-repayment-inflation-covid-19-pandemic/----------This podcast is sponsored by SBS Accounting & Advisors.  Use the promo code FLASH and get 20% off your set up fee!  https://sbsaccountants.com/. ----------I would love to hear from you!  Please email me at adam@smallbizflash.com.

NEWS ROUNDUP1The producer price index, a measure of wholesale inflation, rose 7.4% in November from a year earlier.https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ppi.nr0.htmThe consumer price index also eased last month, to a year-over-year increase of 7.1%.https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm2Nearly half of small business owners – 47% – described current conditions as middle of the road for their companies.  A majority, 58% said they expect changes in government regulations to negatively affect their business in the next 12 months, and 61% said they expect changes in tax policy to negatively affect their business over the same time period.https://www.surveymonkey.com/curiosity/cnbc-small-business-q4-2022/3The average income for small business owners nationally slightly under $61,000.https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/small-business/articles/heres-the-average-small-business-owners-income/----------This podcast is sponsored by SBS Accounting & Advisors.  Use the promo code FLASH and get 20% off your set up fee!  https://sbsaccountants.com/.----------I would love to hear from you!  Please email me at adam@smallbizflash.com.

FEATURE – Health Insurance Options for a Small BusinessToday’s guest is Monica Watson, owner and president of Hene Watson Advisors:Monica’s email:  monica@henewatson.comMonica’s LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-watson-6582a413Suggested resource:Health Insurance Marketplace Calculatorhttps://www.kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/----------NEWS ROUNDUP1The November jobs report was not as good as the headlines seem.  The household survey show a loss of 138,000 jobs.https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htmSmall business job and wage growth held mostly steady in November.https://www.paychex.com/employment-watch/#!/news-release/2Rising interest rates are causing more headaches for small businesses, that are already dealing with numerous economic woes, from inflation to a tight labor market.https://www.wsj.com/articles/rising-interest-rates-put-small-business-owners-plans-on-hold-116689112993Small businesses chalked up a record $1 billion in sales on Amazon over Thanksgiving weekend.https://smallbiztrends.com/2022/12/small-business-amazon-sales-black-friday-2022.html----------This podcast is sponsored by SBS Accounting & Advisors.  Use the promo code FLASH and get 20% off your set up fee!  https://sbsaccountants.com/.----------I would love to hear from you!  Please email me at adam@smallbizflash.com.

NEWS ROUNDUP1Durable goods orders were up sharply in October, by 1%, far surpassing analysts’ expectations.https://www.census.gov/manufacturing/m3/adv/pdf/durgd.pdfFirst time jobless claims jumped by 17,000 last week, and are now at a three-month high.https://www.dol.gov/ui/data.pdf2The Small Business Administration is proposing a rule to allow more financing companies such to offer SBA-backed 7(a) loans.https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/11/07/2022-23597/small-business-lending-company-sblc-moratorium-rescission-and-removal-of-the-requirement-for-a-loan3Marking a new record for 2022, 41% of small business owners reported they failed to pay their rent in full and on time.https://www.alignable.com/forum/rent-crisis-breaks-new-22-record-41-couldn-t-pay-in-nov-up-4----------This podcast is sponsored by SBS Accounting & Advisors.  Use the promo code FLASH and get 20% off your set up fee!  https://sbsaccountants.com/.----------I would love to hear from you!  Please email me at adam@smallbizflash.com.

NEWS ROUNDUP1Retail sales surged last month 1.3%, exceeding forecasters’ expectations.     https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/retail-salesA new report out by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows an increase in total household debt in 3Q22 of 2.2% to an all-time high of $16.5 trillion.     https://www.newyorkfed.org/newsevents/news/research/2022/202211152The National Small Business Association is filing a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Corporate Transparency Act of 2019 – also known as “Beneficial Ownership” rules.     https://www.nsba.biz/_files/ugd/601769_6e4c8814fad44357ba4fb466cd6202bd.pdf3A new survey finds that 24% of small businesses reported their upcoming Christmas sales will determine if their business can survive into next year.     https://investors.amexglobalbusinesstravel.com/investors/news/news-details/2022/New-American-Express-Survey-Shows-60-of-U.S.-Small-Businesses-are-Investing-in-Cash-Flow-Tools-Ahead-of-the-Holidays-/default.aspx----------This podcast is sponsored by SBS Accounting & Advisors.  Use the promo code FLASH and get 20% off your set up fee!  https://sbsaccountants.com/.----------I would love to hear from you!  Please email me at adam@smallbizflash.com.

NEWS ROUNDUP1* The rate of inflation (Consumer Price Index) last month was lower than expected.https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm* Inflation at the wholesale level also eased in October.https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ppi.nr0.htm* The University of Michigan index of consumer sentiment fell in November.http://www.sca.isr.umich.edu/2The Small Business Optimism Index dropped 0.8 points in October to 91.3, the 10th consecutive month the index has been below the 49-year average of 98.  https://www.nfib.com/surveys/small-business-economic-trends/  https://assets.nfib.com/nfibcom/SBET-Oct-2022.pdf3Hiring at small businesses declined by 1.94% in October.https://www.cbiz.com/insights/articles/article-details/cbiz-small-business-employment-index-reports-notable-decline-in-october4Small businesses are finding it more difficult to borrow money at all sorts of lending institutions, according to the October Biz2Credit Small Business Lending Index.https://www.biz2credit.com/small-business-lending-index/october-2022----------This podcast is sponsored by SBS Accounting & Advisors.  Use the promo code FLASH and get 20% off your set up fee!  https://sbsaccountants.com/.----------I would love to hear from you!  Please email me at adam@smallbizflash.com.

FEATURE – Advance Your Employees’ Engagement – Part 2 of 2Today’s guests are Mac and Kim Cantrell, owners of 2 Impact:Mac’s email:  mac@2impactlife.comKim’s email:  kim@2impactlife.comMac’s LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/maccantrell/Kim’s LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimrcantrell/2Impact:  https://www.2impactlife.com/Suggested resources:U.S. Employee Engagement Drops for First Year in a Decadehttps://www.gallup.com/workplace/388481/employee-engagement-drops-first-year-decade.aspxThe World's $7.8 Trillion Workplace Problemhttps://www.gallup.com/workplace/393497/world-trillion-workplace-problem.aspx----------NEWS ROUNDUP1* The economy added 261,000 jobs in October, well above what forecasters expected.https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm* 70% of owners believe a recession will begin within the next 6 months, but only 37% said they feel ready for it.https://news.nationwide.com/small-business-owners-expect-a-recession-but-few-are-prepared/2Consumer desire to support small businesses remains strong.https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221026005218/en/3Sook is a website that helps consumers discover products from small businesses and helps those small businesses compete against Amazon and other tech giants.  https://www.geekwire.com/2022/seattle-entrepreneur-acquires-sook-a-tool-to-take-on-amazon-and-boost-small-business-discovery/  https://www.shopyoursook.com/----------This podcast is sponsored by SBS Accounting & Advisors.  Use the promo code FLASH and get 20% off your set up fee!  https://sbsaccountants.com/.----------I would love to hear from you!  Please email me at adam@smallbizflash.com.

FEATURE – Advance Your Employees’ Engagement – Part 1 of 2Today’s guests are Mac and Kim Cantrell, owners of 2 Impact:Mac’s email:  mac@2impactlife.comKim’s email:  kim@2impactlife.comMac’s LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/maccantrell/Kim’s LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimrcantrell/2Impact:  https://www.2impactlife.com/Suggested resources:U.S. Employee Engagement Drops for First Year in a Decadehttps://www.gallup.com/workplace/388481/employee-engagement-drops-first-year-decade.aspxThe World's $7.8 Trillion Workplace Problemhttps://www.gallup.com/workplace/393497/world-trillion-workplace-problem.aspx ----- NEWS ROUNDUP1* The economy grew in 3Q22 by 2.6%.https://www.bea.gov/news/blog/2022-10-27/gross-domestic-product-third-quarter-2022-advance-estimate* The latest JOLTS report shows the job market is still hot.https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.nr0.htm* The personal consumption expenditures price index rose 6.2% for the 12-months ending in September.https://www.bea.gov/news/2022/personal-income-and-outlays-september-2022* 63% of Americans lived paycheck to paycheck in September.https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/24/more-americans-live-paycheck-to-paycheck-as-inflation-outpaces-income.html2Last month, the US Department of Labor proposed the new rule which would make it more difficult for companies to classify workers as independent contractors.> https://www.reuters.com/world/us/new-biden-labor-rule-would-make-contractors-into-employees-2022-10-11/> https://sbecouncil.org/2022/10/11/dols-proposed-independent-contractor-rule-throws-called-water-on-u-s-entrepreneurship-and-flexibility/> https://www.nfib.com/content/press-release/homepage/nfib-opposes-dol-proposed-rule-on-independent-contractors/3A forecast by AlixPartners has Christmas sales in inflation-adjusted dollars actually decreasing over last year.> https://apnews.com/article/inflation-health-new-york-covid-63dda562ec80b34f2489e979302e1a1f> https://www.alignable.com/forum/holiday-hiring-slumps-to-new-low-just-7-of-small-biz-employers-----This podcast is sponsored by SBS Accounting & Advisors.  Use the promo code FLASH and get 20% off your set up fee!  https://sbsaccountants.com/.-----I would love to hear from you!  Please email me at adam@smallbizflash.com.

FEATURE – 3 Types of Software Your Small Business NeedsToday’s guest is Peter Pin, owner of Sharpin Systems:Peter’s email:  peter@gosharpin.comPeter’s LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/petergpin/Sharpin Systems:  https://www.gosharpin.com/Suggested resources:CRMs:Active Campaignhttps://ActiveCampaign.referralrock.com/l/183RIP9E5SS/Go High Levelhttps://www.gohighlevel.com/main-page?fp_ref=sharpinFreshsaleshttps://www.freshworks.com/crm/sales/Task Managers:ClickUphttps://clickup.com/?fp_ref=r3wjrAsanahttps://asana.com/Trellohttps://trello.com/Automator:Zapierhttps://zapier.com/----------NEWS ROUNDUP1* Jeff Bezos is sounding the alarm about potentially rough days ahead.https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/19/amazon-founder-jeff-bezos-warns-its-time-to-batten-down-the-hatches.html* In October, the economy contracted for the fourth consecutive month, per the S&P Global Flash Composite Output Index.https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-economy-contracted-in-october-dragged-by-lower-services-activity-s-p-global-271666620358* Businesses are increasingly dour on the state of the economy, according to the Federal Reserve.https://www.wsj.com/articles/businesses-expect-economy-to-weaken-feds-beige-book-says-11666204332https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/files/BeigeBook_20221019.pdf* Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan recently reported that the bank’s consumer clients continue strong spending and they continue to have elevated deposits.https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/17/bank-of-america-ceo-brian-moynihan-says-the-us-consumer-is-healthy.html* Jobless claims fell for the week ending October 15.https://www.dol.gov/ui/data.pdf2The new “2022 Report on Nonemployer Firms” by the Federal Reserve finds that nonemployer firms are more likely to experience financial challenges and difficulties accessing financing than their counterparts with employees.https://www.fedsmallbusiness.org/survey3Many small business owners will definitely vote in the upcoming November midterm elections.https://www.goldmansachs.com/citizenship/10000-small-businesses/US/infographics/september2022/index.html----------This podcast is sponsored by SBS Accounting & Advisors.  Use the promo code FLASH and get 20% off your set up fee!  https://sbsaccountants.com/.----------I would love to hear from you!  Please email me at adam@smallbizflash

NEWS ROUNDUP1In September, the producer price index, a measure of wholesale inflation, rose 0.4%, which was worse than analysts expected.  For the 12-month period, prices were up 8.5%.Inflation at the retail level was a similar story.  For September, the consumer price index was up 8.2% year-over-year.Consumer spending was flat in September, according to the Commerce Department, even as prices increased.Recent data from J P Morgan Chase indicates that consumers’ spending is currently outpacing their income, and their savings are dwindling as a result. The Conference Board released a survey last week of CEOs showing a nearly unanimous view among the group that a recession is looming.https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ppi.nr0.htmhttps://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htmhttps://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/14/retail-sales-september-2022.htmlhttps://www.pymnts.com/earnings/2022/jpmorgan-consumer-savings-suffer-spending-outpaces-income/ https://www.conference-board.org/topics/ceo-confidence---------- 2Small business owners continue to be pessimistic overall, according to the September Small Business Optimism Index.https://assets.nfib.com/nfibcom/SBET-Sept-2022.pdf ----------  3Small Business Saturday is just around the corner, on November 26, two days after Thanksgiving.  In 2021, U.S. consumers who shopped at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday spent an estimated $23 billion.https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/organization/sba-initiatives/small-business-saturday---------- FEATURE – 3 Key Steps to Better Cyber SecurityToday’s guest is Kevin Beaver, author of Hacking for Dummies and owner of Principle Logic:Kevin’s email:  kbeaver@principlelogic.comKevin’s LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbeaver/Principle Logic:  https://www.principlelogic.com/Buy Hacking for Dummies:  https://www.principlelogic.com/resources/#my_booksSuggested resources:Wall Street Journal Pro Cybersecurity:  https://www.wsj.com/pro/cybersecurityKrebs on Security:  https://krebsonsecurity.com/Search Security:  https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/---------- This podcast is sponsored by SBS Accounting & Advisors.  Use the promo code FLASH and get 20% off your set up fee!  https://sbsaccountants.com/.----------I would love to hear from you!  Please email me at adam@smallbizflash.com.