This is an XML content feed. It is intended to be viewed in a newsreader or syndicated to another site, subject to copyright and fair use. Local food businesses play a much more critical role in economic development than commonly thought, a new report shows<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bw_rss/smallbiz/~4/AB_wuyYC8uI" height="1" width="1"/> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bw_rss/smallbiz/~4/kA99qM7NQAI" height="1" width="1"/> Our ongoing series tracks new companies from across the country that embody the creativity and resiliency common among today's entrepreneurs<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bw_rss/smallbiz/~4/N4r9sQD6fY4" height="1" width="1"/> Hackers can shut your site down, destroy data, and worse. You can fight back before they hit—but even if you're prepared, your business is at risk<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bw_rss/smallbiz/~4/jR1vH0VFY4Y" height="1" width="1"/> From Cabbages &amp; Condoms in Thailand to Zingerman's in Michigan, case studies of sustainable community food enterprises<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bw_rss/smallbiz/~4/kA99qM7NQAI" height="1" width="1"/> Instead of ignoring your audience's posts, follow presentation guru Cliff Atkinson's advice to acknowledge and include them<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bw_rss/smallbiz/~4/StIyVssnYmc" height="1" width="1"/> Small business consultant Gene Marks explains why he's eager to see Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke serve a second term<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bw_rss/smallbiz/~4/-i5XFSPZO84" height="1" width="1"/> Much effort goes into consumer research and marketing. The insights should be shared with employees so they can deliver on your company's promises<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bw_rss/smallbiz/~4/y18u-1y-ves" height="1" width="1"/> Most small business owners and sales managers avoid conversations that could result in negative feedback. But sales guru Scott Messer says unpleasant truths are essential for planning<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bw_rss/smallbiz/~4/0QO-mEWrHkc" height="1" width="1"/> The owner of a recycling plant put a friend in charge. When it began to tank, he rediscovered his inner control freak<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bw_rss/smallbiz/~4/DQPboKnKmEU" height="1" width="1"/> By backing loans to small manufacturers, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. is helping companies diversify—if they add workers<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bw_rss/smallbiz/~4/GD71Zc4uFuc" height="1" width="1"/> Locate your company near its competitors. The benefits are more numerous and attractive than you might think, says entrepreneur-academic Richard Mammone<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bw_rss/smallbiz/~4/nJNVyRPSdOA" height="1" width="1"/> How to determine whether you should use your own car or buy something specifically for business purposes<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bw_rss/smallbiz/~4/UuBw315ri1k" height="1" width="1"/>