Over the past few days I’ve come across a few heartening statistics about business and the economy. First, 31% of businesses hired new employees between April and June. Second, layoffs are down by 50% since last year. I believe these are indicators of forward movement, and that our continued effort in contributing to the growth of not only our own businesses but those in our communities, will lead to even more positive change.

The key in changing the course of our current economic condition truly is joining together. Sure, this may sound great, but I encourage you to push beyond semantics.

1. Educate- Be an informed consumer at home and in your business. Know your personal and corporate values. Know who your vendors are, how and with whom they do business, and be sure their values align with your own.

Building Your Team
If you want to develop your organization and build successful teams for your business, you need to avoid the five primary causes of team dysfunction. The causes and what you should do about each follow.

1. Absence of Trust
Team members need to be able to admit their weaknesses and mistakes, to acknowledge the strengths of others, and to apologize when they do something wrong. Mistakes are part of the process to success.   What is essential is to help others learn from the mistake. Leaders need to ask questions and coach team members to make necessary changes.

Guest blog from Lloyd Garten, owner of Select Exterminating

Participating in Basso on Business was an enlightening experience and one I’d recommend for other business owners to get involved with.  My financing challenging was not unique; as you read this, other business owners are getting denied for much needed loans to reinvigorate or expand their companies.  Being on the show and listening to the advice from Rob Basso, Basso on Business and Tom Buonaiuto,  Empire National Bank forced me to revaluate the relationships that I had with my current trusted advisors and I suggest that others do the same.  I thought had a great relationship with my big name bank but as it turned out, I overestimated the strength of that relationship.   After speaking with Rob, I realized that had I looked at that relationship more closely before I applied for the loan, I would have seen that the trust and understanding of my business model wasn’t there.  Working with a local community bank was a positive, eye-opening experience.  Empire National Bank took the time to really sit down and look at the way my business works as well as my footprint in the community.   Working Lunch with Rob was another great way to approach my challenge.  Although the transaction had already taken place, it provided me with helpful advice from other local business owners to help prepare me for my next acquisition