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TowerGroup estimates that of the $97 billion worth of plastic gift cards purchased in 2007, nearly $8 billion has gone unused. Just what happens to that pile of cash has become a matter of some controversy. A lot of states—roughly half—claim that at least part of the unspent balances should go to them under their unclaimed-property laws. Other sta Read More

What's a small business owner to do if the current economic climate extends through 2008? Business consultants are busy weighing in on this question, so we rounded up some of their advice. Read More

A new targeting option is available to marketers using Google's Adwords marketing - geographical targeting. The upgrade in the system allows businesses to advertise to consumers based on age or gender. Read More

Tony Robbins talks about how to unlock your true potential by asking what motivates you to succeed. A fast-paced, mind-expanding, motivating TEDTalk for high achievers and those who wish to be. Read More

Marketing metrics play a critical role in multi-channel marketing activities. Whether you are running online or offline campaigns, examining key metrics can put you in position to develop, execute, and refine marketing initiatives. Ultimately metrics can lay a path to cost effective marketing and increase the impact of your marketing expenditures. Read More

When Apple CEO Steve Jobs kicked off this year's Macworld Conference & Expo, he once again raised the bar on presentation skills. While most presenters simply convey information, Jobs also inspires. He sells the steak and the sizzle at the same time, as one reader commented a few years ago. I analyzed his latest presentation and extracted the Read More

Small business owners are optimistic about the U.S. economy in 2008, according to a survey released Monday by The Alternative Board. Nearly 57 percent of respondents said they planned to add employees in 2008, according to a poll of members of the Denver-based Alternative Board's 330 boards. More than 1,000 small business owners across the nati Read More

These are some great ad ideas from around the world. Some of the best ones are downright guerrilla-marketing cheap to do. At the very least these ads should get small business owners and marketers thinking outside of the box. My favorite are the peephole flyers. Read More

All Monique Walker needed was $5,000 to rebuild her business in Houston after Hurricane Katrina. But the banks said no. Arga Bourgeois needed $10,000 to expand her store, the only health food outlet in her black neighborhood. But the banks said no. Both women found help with Acción Texas, a nonprofit lender that provides microloans to startups or Read More

Everything you thought you knew about overtime may be wrong. The number of small businesses facing overtime suits has exploded since 2004, when the U.S. Department of Labor revised the FLSA to clarify which workers are exempt from overtime laws. In doing so, it boosted the number of protected employees. Read More