The Franchise King Blog

Australian Franchises; Are Green Franchises Gaining Popularity Down Under?

                                

Are they? Is "Green Franchising" getting more popular just like in the USA?

I really don't know. I do know that franchising is a growing part of the economy.

Some stats from the Australian Food News website;

• Business format franchised units represent some 3.7 percent of all small businesses in Australia

• Growth rate of franchise units is 15.4 percent, up again from the 14.6% reported between 2004 to 2006

20 Small Business Blogs That Have The Right Stuff

                                                                                           

Small business. Blogs. Which blogs offer terrific and timely content that current and future small business owners can learn from? And once you learn from them, will you share them with others?

Here are The Top 20 Business Blogs That Have The Right Stuff...

1. Small Business Trends- {Full disclosure coming} Just because I happen to be the "Franchise Expert In Residence" and a columnist for Anita Campbell's award winning blog, doesn't mean that I have to name this gem #1. But it is number #1. The content is top-notch.
2. The Entrepreneurial Mind- Dr. Jeff Cornwall teaches entrepreneurship at Belmont University. The good doctor always has great tips for entrepreneurs, and even throws in some op-ed pieces on issues that affect small business.
3. You're The Boss- This New York Times blog features different authors providing a plethora of small business related information. This blog has no problem sharing information and opinion on how US politics affect small business as a whole. 
4. BizBox- One of Slate's blogs, they are a clearinghouse for all the small business news that's important to small business owners. OPEN by American Express is involved in this one, and features some great writers like Rohit Bhargava.
5. Online Marketing Blog- Lee Odden and his contributors do a stellar job discussing the intersection of digital PR, plus social and search engine marketing. Every small business owner should school themselves on these important topics.
6. Entrepreneur.com Daily Dose- A daily dose of pertinent information for small business owners, and would-be owners. Several authors contribute to this fast paced blog, and it's never boring. Hot topics. Daily.
7. Duct Tape Marketing Blog- John Jantsch does a fine job keeping his readers tuned in to all things related to the marketing side of small business. He's built a large community of followers by providing helpful tips and quality content on a daily basis.
8. OPEN FORUM By American Express- Recently given a total makeover, this small business blog has some highly influential columnists who provide advice and commentary to the small business community, delivered with an edge.{Full disclosure; I'm the franchise columnist.} 
9. Business Know How Blog- This blog features a number of articles on how to run a small business. Recent topics include identity theft protection, marketing tips, and how to get interest- free loans from the US Government.
10. Dane Carlson's Business Opportunities Weblog- Dane Carlson was blogging long before the word "blog" was even known. Dane and his group of writers deliver daily news about the world of small business start-ups, and the innovators behind them. Figure on getting 8-10 fresh articles every day,  Monday-Friday.
11. Small Biz Survival- If you happen to be, or want to be, a small business owner, and you happen to live in a smaller-sized town, Becky McCray feels that you must do things a little differently. This blog offers ways to do just that.
12. Business Pundit- Drea Knufken writes about various small business topics on this energetic blog. Recent topics include green businesses, recession proof industries, and 5 cool office "stretches." A very entertaining blog.
13. Small Business Labs- Covering "The key social, technology, and business trends affecting small business," this terrific blog gives it's readers lots of data. Facts. Figures. Graphs, and such. Excellent links to other great blogs can be found in the posts. Nice work! 
14. CNN/Money.com- This blog and small business news site is very professional looking. It is a multi-media feast of articles, videos, and it even has a nice Q & A section. And it's CNN. 
15. AllBusiness.com Small Business Blog- Small business expert Rieva Lesonsky delivers small business insights on this Dun & Bradstreet owned business site. Rieva's tips are plentiful, and if you own a small business, this one's for you.
16. Tim Berry's Blog- Tim Berry of Palo Alto Software fame is the guy when it comes to small business start-ups. Tim encourges all of us to not only work real hard, but to set some time aside for ourselves. *
17. Small Biz Bee- This blog is filled to capacity with tips on how to run, grow, and market your small business. Recent topics included Twitter and small business, and 5 things you didn't learn about being an entrepreneur while going to college.
18. StartUpNation Blogs- Rich Sloan speaks to his community on this blog. This popular small business start-up site has a lot of different areas to explore. There are several other good writers that contribute to this popular blog.
19. Small Business Branding- Don't let the title of this blog influence your choice of whether to check it out or not. It's not just about branding, but rather it's about marketing your business to make it a brand, someday. 
20. Marc Gunther's Blog- This Fortune magazine contributor is an environmentalist, and discusses sustainability and small business. If you would like to stay up to date on all the environmental issues, and how businesses are adapting to all things green, it's worth a look.

Are there any other small business blogs that you feel have the "Right Stuff?" Please share them below in the comment section. Thank you!

 * Tim's blog replaces a major newspaper's small business blog. It was pointed out that I did not look closely enough at the date of their last posting.{March} I apologize.

Business.Gov; A Recommended Resource For Future And Current Small Business Owners

                                                                                                                  

Sometimes, the best franchise and business opportunity resources are right under our noses...

Recently revamped, the official "Business Link To the US Government" has become a serious resource for those wanting assistance with their small business related questions.

If you are thinking about launching a business, this is the place to go. Thinking of business expansion? Ditto.

There is even a "Small Business Community" section on the site now in which you can discuss, share and get insight from your fellow business owners as well as industry and government experts.

{Full disclosure; I recently helped put together a group of small business experts that will be writing columns in a special section on the Business.Gov site called "The Industry Word."}

Dear Congress, Can The Franchise Industry Get Some Help Here?

                                                                                                                                  

According to an International Franchise Association study, for every 1 million dollars of lending obtained by franchised small businesses, 34.1 jobs are created and $3.6 million in annual economic output is realized. But based on the current conditions, franchise lending could be curtailed by as much as 40 percent this year.

Another words, the CIT debacle that is not being taken seriously by the US Government, could really hamper the franchise industry's recovery. 

Could it be time for franchise industry leaders to get on the phone with their elected leaders?

Keith Girard over at AllBusiness.com gives a lot of franchise food for thought in his recent article.

Please read it.

Is the franchise industry important to the nations recovery?

How About Doing A Twitter Conference?

Green Franchise Sector Showing Growth

   

Are you shocked that all things Green-related have entered the franchise space?

The August issue of Entrepreneur magazine did a nice feature story on Green franchises, and they were nice enough to mention my Green Franchise Website.

From the magazine;

While no one is yet tracking numbers on how many green franchises exist or how many are coming down the pike, Alisa Harrison of the International Franchise Association--the industry’s largest trade group--says the green corner of franchising is definitely growing. The association has seen an increase in external inquiries about green franchises, as well as a bigger presence at industry events, she says. “We’re seeing it across the board, from existing franchises that are becoming greener to those who are building their whole concept around being environmentally conscious,” Harrison says. “The green trend has been growing for about 25 years now, but it has only recently become mainstream.”

Read the entire article

Greenwashing. Does it happen?

Franchise Questions? Franchise Answers.