Self-made billionaire Bill Bartmann, an entrepreneur who started seven different businesses, is launching a resource guide aimed at keeping business owners from failing during an economic recession.

At a cost of $100-per-year, business owners or would-be entrepreneurs get access to tips ranging from "what business should you be in" and "how to expand your business" to "basic steps to borrowing money."

More than 30 tutorials presented by Bartmann come with the package. Lecture topics include:

• How to write a clearly defined objective. Determine what you want to accomplish and how to propose a business plan.
• How to write a clear marketing plan. Who will buy, why they'll buy and how they'll find out you even exist.
• How to reduce operational expenses and increase your marketing budget proportionally. Learn how to get a higher return for money spent.

For more information, please visit www.billionaireu.com. --Elizabeth Wilson

These days, employee retention is a concern for many small businesses. Workplace Options, a provider of work/life employee benefits, hopes employers will try a new tactic to help keep workers: offering caregiving assistance.

According to a national survey commissioned by Workplace Options, about one in four employees is providing care for an older or disabled adult. Of those respondents providing geriatric care, 44 percent have missed time at work to care for their loved one. That's where Workplace Options comes in.

"Nearly half of workers polled feel it's very important for employers to provide caregiving assistance benefits to their employees," said Dean Debnam, CEO of Workplace Options. "Interestingly, employees are often less likely to discuss elder care issues than child care concerns in the workplace. Openly supporting employees who are facing elder caregiving challenges is critical to making them feel like they don't have to face the hurdles of senior care alone."

For more information on this work/life option, check out this fact sheet from Workplace Options.

What's the biggest concern for small businesses these days? According to a national survey released by the National Association for the Self-Employed, it's access to health care.

"The baker, the house painter, and the 20 million other micro-businesses in the U.S. are struggling to survive in this economy," says Kristie Darien, executive director of the legislative office of the NASE. "These businesses could be further threatened if we can't find a way to make insurance more affordable."

The survey, which polled about 4,000 micro-businesses, showed that high cost stopped small businesses from offering health insurance and thus put them at a disadvantage to larger businesses. Here are some survey highlights:

• About 67 percent of respondents said they have personal health insurance coverage, a notable increase from the 54.9 percent who reported the same in 2005.
• Of the more than 46 percent of responding businesses offering health insurance, only 18.6 percent offer coverage for full-time employees, compared to 46.2 percent in 2005.
• One in 10 respondents spent 25 percent or more of their gross revenue on health insurance, compared to 10.1 percent in 2005.

This week, the Bush administration ordered all companies doing business with the federal government to begin ensuring their employees can work legally in the U.S. According to this Los Angeles Times article, the order will require thousands of firms to use E-Verify, a government system, to verify workers' Social Security numbers. Until now, use of the system has been voluntary for private firms, but mandatory for government agencies.

"The policy, which initially applied to new hires, eventually could affect millions of federal contract workers nationwide whose jobs range from serving cafeteria food to launching NASA spacecraft," Los Angeles Times staff writer Nicole Gaouette wrote.

Though some groups embrace E-Verify as a way to expose illegal workers, others criticize it since errors in the database could potentially lead to red-flagging legal residents. Right now, E-Verify is being used by more than 69,000 companies, with approximately 1,000 additional firms signing up weekly.

Some business executives worry this new requirement could hurt them financially in the long run.

"There's concern about increased costs and delays in hiring brought about by inaccuracies in the database," said Neal J. Couture, executive director of the National Contract Managers Association.

Starting a new business is never easy, but it's twice as difficult in uncertain economic conditions. Bankaholic.com came up with a list of five ways you can start your dream business--even with a meager bank account:

1. You’ll need more than an idea.
Once you’ve created your business model, you’ll have to develop the skills necessary to make it in this nitty-gritty world of the unknown. Pure smarts aren’t enough to be successful. You need to rely on determination, guts, tough skin and confidence. You're sure to encounter many roadblocks along the way, and you have to be ready to face them head-on.

2. Scrape together your dough.
You have to assess how long you can get by with little or no income. Aside from turning into a frugal being, you have to be completely honest with yourself when it comes to your personal finances. Make sure your credit is in good order--this will come in handy when applying for bank loans.

3. Cut corners.
As much as you’d want to have a luxurious office, you have to be reasonable. Work out of your home and set up an office that has all the amenities, minus the rental costs. If you need space for conferences or meetings, then ask friends to share their space at a discount.

4. Make do with what you’ve got.
A new computer system could cost upwards of $2,000, so maybe what you’ve already got could be sufficient. If you need a new system, then lease.

5. Think outside the box.
There are many ways to be frugal without looking cheap. Search bargain outlets for office materials, scour the internet for deals and keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities as they come knocking.

A bill passed by the California Assembly last week may be enforcing tighter restrictions on chain restaurants throughout the state. Assembly Bill 2572, which will now go to the State Senate, requires nutritional disclosure of menu items at chain restaurants. The bill applies to every covered food facility with a least 20 other locations in California with the same trade name.

If passed, the bill will require chains to disclose information for each standard food item including calories, amount of fat, saturated fat, trans-fat, carbohydrates and total sodium. The information could be presented to consumers in a menu or on packaging, table tents, tray liners, posters, brochures or electronic kiosks.

Following up on our previous blog post, here's an article from Yahoo! News about how rising gas prices are affecting workplaces across the country. Some employers are offering workers a four-day week to help save gasoline.

Los Angeles Times columnist, David Lazarus, ponders what life in Los Angeles would be like without suffering through commutes that take days off your life and gas bills that put expensive purchases to shame. He concludes that while public transportation only does so much--especially in a city like Los Angeles--perhaps it's time for employers and employees to consider telecommuting and working from home.

According to an American Electronics Association report in April 2008, an estimated 1.35 billion gallons of fuel could be saved if all Americans who could telework, did so 1.6 days per week. So not only would that spare the atmosphere billions of pounds of carbon dioxide, but that would mean fewer people on the roads and less frightful commutes.

Some employees will be bold enough to ask for telecommuting options, however according to Tom Abate from the San Francisco Chronicle there's an advantage to business owners initiating the move toward more at-home-work: lower office occupancy costs and better retention of key employees. Making work easier (and cheaper) for your employees may mean more efficiency. Phones with QWERTY keyboards and Wi-Fi connectivity also allow employees to spend less time in the office or on the road, and more time getting stuff done.--Whitney Chen

Natural disasters have been front-page news around the world this spring, and are being chalked up as the deadliest to date. Yet, four out of 10 business professionals admit to not being prepared for a disaster. A new national survey of 5,000 business professionals, conducted by Office Depot, sought answers. The survey found that unprepared business professionals say readiness-planning isn't a priority, that it's too expensive and that they don't know how to adequately prepare.

"What’s most alarming about the survey findings is that the prevailing attitudes are steeped in misperceptions," says Jon Toigo, a disaster-recovery expert based in Tampa, Florida who works with Office Depot to help educate small businesses about important preparedness measures. "A $1 piece of media, like a CD-R, to store important data such as key customer lists, vendor details and presentations, could make a big difference in being able to keep your business running.  And it doesn’t take but minutes to back up your data on a regular basis."

According to Toigo, the key to effective planning is to protect your most valuable assets: your people and your data. When developing your preparedness plan, Toigo recommends small-business owners build solid contact lists, including at least five different forms of contact per employee. As for data, he recommends backing up the data your business can't live without and moving it off-site. For larger storage needs, Toigo suggests products that allow you to grab your data and go, like the Ativa 4GB Flash Drive and the Maxtor External Hard Drive.

To learn more about solutions for protecting your people and your data, download a free copy of a guide Toigo helped author called Expecting the Unexpected: Disaster Preparedness Strategies for the Small Business. The guide also provides preparation checklists and guidelines on how to get started.

Outfitting the office or store can be both the most fun and most arduous task for the rising small-business owner. Some items-- desks, chairs, pens, etc.--are must-haves. Computers, printers, modems and wiring are also essential. The question is, how can your work space stand out from the rest?

Artecnica might help you find the answer. The website is home to a host of common objects that are designed to blend art and technology. Recycled glass vases can add a colorful and eco-friendly statement to your office, while a KnoWhere clock displays time zones of your choosing so there's no excuse for missing conference calls with the New York and Los Angeles offices.

Also, at the recent International Contemporary Furniture Fair, Artecnica showcased their new Wiremore (vs. "wireless") collection of electrical products that transform power cords messes from behind-the-desk shame to something that's aesthetic and begging to be seen.--Whitney Chen

The American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor, a semi-annual survey of business owners, revealed that more entrepreneurs will be taking summer vacations this year--and they don't feel bad about it. According to the survey, 59 percent of small-business owners plan to escape for at least one week during the summertime. This is especially significant considering many business owners continue to face common cash flow issues, and the strain of rising gas prices and energy costs.

The survey reveals about 71 percent of small business owners say they can vacation guilt-free. But of course, being entrepreneurs, 81 percent will check in, at least once, with the office while they're gone. Some will combine business trips with vacations.

While more than half of small-business owners plan to travel, according to an a new survey commissioned by Access America conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs, only about one-third of Americans will be traveling, thanks to the uncertain economy. And almost half of those who have vacation plans expect to scale back. Phyllis Korkki of The New York Times notes that although this may not be good for some travel destinations (both abroad and on the mainland), it may benefit small business, with customers staying closer to home and local businesses.--Whitney Chen

Is summer lovin' on its way to your office? David Koeppel of Newsweek writes that employers are becoming more wary of office romances and the repercussions that may come with possible break-ups. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, sexual harassment charges have climbed the past couple years. And in an attempt to prevent more claims, companies are beginning to require office lovers to sign consensual relationship agreements that clearly state their equal footing in the romance.

While some find it awkward, ineffective, and needlessly legalistic, being aware of your employees' interactions and emotional well-being can prevent nasty arguments and litigation as well as bring resolution and success to any break-up or business.--Whitney Chen

Although eBay may have popularized the idea of bidding on items online, one nonprofit organization is auctioning off business advice and networking time. The Consortium of African American Organizations (CAAO) is hosting a silent online auction, offering one-on-one sessions with more than 80 CEOs, executives and celebrities. 

Users can bid on the specific people they wish to talk to, or opt for the "Buy Now" option to beat the competition of last-minute bids. The proceeds will go toward CAAO's educational and youth programs.

So while you can't put a price on knowledge, personalized business advice from leaders in your industry may offer the insight or partnership that launches your business to lasting sales.--Jessica Chen

Many adults remember growing up with the honor system. But can it work in the business world? Canadian business owner, John Bergen seems to think so. His Kitchener, Ontario-based City Café Bakery relies on the honor system. In fact, City Café doesn't accept credit cards and doesn't even have a cash register. Instead, customers add up how much they owe and dispense it into a fare box from an old bus.

"I liked the idea of simplifying things and . . . the honor system made a whole lot of sense," Bergen said.

In order to make the system work, Bergen has simplified the cost structure. So items are rounded off to the nearest quarter, with taxes included when applicable. Every six months, the bakery performs an audit. Since opening in April 2000, Bergen says the bakery has come up short only once.

Bergen says people will underpay, either on purpose or by mistake, while others will overpay if they don't want to wait for change. "And every so often we have to kick somebody out that we know hasn't been paying," Bergen said.

But according to Bergen, overall, the system works. Per week, the café and bakery sells about 3,000 bagels, 1,200 croissants, and 1,000 desserts. Bergen and his partners are interested in opening three or four more locations in the area, all integrating the honor system.

The next time you're creating a travel budget for your next out-of-state conference or meeting, you may want to pad it more than usual. As of today, five of the six major U.S. airlines are charging an extra $25 to check in a second bag ($20 on JetBlue). American Airlines, the last holdout, is said to be following suit next week, and several other carries, including Alaska Airlines and Air Canada, are expected to do the same in the coming months.

As this MSNBC.com article states, it's the first of many changes that will drive up the cost of flying. "From snacks to seat selection, we're about to enter the next great age of unbundled airfares." However, according to the article, the fees only apply to domestic coach passengers who purchase lower-cost, non-refundable fares.

For business travelers, the new standards could become costly. Should you need to check a third bag for your upcoming trade show exhibit, for example, expect another $200 charge round-trip.