Blog
September 7, 2012 - 11:30am
Education fairs in Brasília, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro promote higher education in the United StatesU.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sánchez this week concluded the Commerce Department’s largest education services trade mission in history in Rio de Janeiro. Sánchez and representatives from 66 U.S. colleges and university introduced more than 7,500 Brazilian students and parents to educational programs and opportunities for study in the United States during education fairs and meetings in Brasília, São Paulo and Rio de “These distinguished U.S.
September 7, 2012 - 9:30am
While there is more work that remains to be done, today’s employment report provides further evidence that the U.S. economy is continuing to recover from the worst downturn since the Great Depression.
September 6, 2012 - 4:15pm
Guest blog post by Matt Erskine, Acting
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development
Last spring, I visited one of the
premier technology parks in the southwest, the Sandia
Science and Technology Park (SSTP) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Over
the past five years, the Economic Development
Administration (EDA) has invested $1.8 million in this industrial park, funding infrastructure improvements such as new,
high-speed fiber optic lines that help the businesses located there leverage
advances in technology that have been generated by nearby universities and
federal labs.
September 6, 2012 - 12:00pm
Ed. Note: This is cross-posted from the Bureau of Economic Analysis's blog. It highlights the coordination and collaboration between BEA and NOAA to bring value in data and services to the American public.How many jobs are created from the construction of a new bridge or an increase in tourism?
The Bureau of Economic Analysis’ (BEA) new Web portal on the ocean
and Great Lakes economy shows how the Bureau’s Regional Input-Output
Modeling System (RIMS II) can be used to provide answers to such
questions. The new Web site stems from a joint project with the Commerce
September 6, 2012 - 11:42am
Small businesses and big brands have used a variety of ways to grow their networks on sites like Facebook. Using images and videos to engage followers, running contests, offering discounts in exchange for Liking a page and engaging in active discussion are all some ways that businesses have built their followings on Facebook.
Unfortunately, not all strategies are worthwhile or even permitted.
September 6, 2012 - 7:44am
Does your business ebb and flow with the seasons? Looking to hire extra staff for the up and coming holiday season, or find that you wished you’d hired temporary workers this past summer? Whatever your plans, hiring seasonal workers involves following a few rules of the road. Many of the laws and regulations that apply to full-time employees also apply to seasonal or part-time employees.
Here’s what you need to know as you plan your seasonal workforce:
Labor Laws Still Apply
September 5, 2012 - 4:15pm
NOAA partners with California to offer training and employment in habitat restoration; space still available for veterans to applyVeterans will get a chance to train and work on habitat restoration and fisheries monitoring through a project funded by NOAA and administered in partnership with the California Conservation Corps and California’s Department of Fish and Game.During the yearlong program of paid training and hands-on experience, veterans will spend part of the time on habitat restoration and will also receive training and experience in firefighting and reducing fire hazards. “This is
September 5, 2012 - 3:15pm
The Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded nearly $2 million in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards to 12 U.S. businesses. These awards provide funding to help companies develop technologies that could lead to commercial and public benefit."We are delighted by the high quality of SBIR proposals we received, and congratulate all the awardees," said Phillip Singerman, associate director for innovation and industry services at NIST.
September 5, 2012 - 7:39am
Got a great idea for a business? Wondering if you can patent it before someone else comes up with something similar?
Technically, you can’t patent an idea for a business – for example, if you have a unique idea for an online store or a new chain of themed restaurants. However, you may be able to protect and patent a method of doing business – if it meets very specific criteria and requirements.
Here’s what you need to know about what patent protection can do for your business, and about other intellectual property issues that should also come into play.
What You Can Patent
September 4, 2012 - 8:35am
If you’re thinking about becoming your own boss, and the business model of franchising sounds attractive, there are several things you need to do before you even look at a franchise business opportunity.
Even though you probably can’t wait to jump in that nice, warm franchise opportunity pool, I want you to force yourself to hold back. Read my tips below first; they’ll help you prepare for your jump.
1. Talk To Your Family