Copyright 2011
News Generation, Inc.

Banks and their regulators are understandably more cautious in today’s environment as the risk of lending is much greater today than before the recession. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t lending taking place.

The Clinton Global Initiative taking place June 28-29 in Chicago, will have participants focusing on strengthening American industries, unlocking capital for innovation and entrepreneurship, and training the next generation workforce.

A new survey finds that 73% of small businesses now use social media marketing. But that doesn't mean that other tools like email marketing are going by the wayside.

Small businesses drive innovation. However, they face unique challenges to do so. Small businesses need every hour they can to maximize their business opportunities, and as the economy continues to fluctuate, they are looking at ways to cut costs, but still give workers the tools they need to get the job done.

Microsoft and Skype announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Microsoft will acquire Skype for $8.5 billion in cash. The agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both Microsoft and Skype. The acquisition will increase the accessibility of real-time video and voice communications to consumers and enterprise users.

Office 365, Microsoft's new cloud service for businesses of all sizes who want to increase productivity and collaboration without the big price tag is available globally today for beta download.

Despite promising signs of economic recovery, many employees feel undervalued and stressed out at work and many are dissatisfied with aspects of their job, according to a survey by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Small business owners are thinking about ways to save money and stay competitive in the marketplace. There are deals all around on Windows 7 Professional PCs for small business owners that empower employees to be more efficient - which means less wasted time and money.

Microsoft announces the launch of the latest version of the world's most used browser with the release of Internet Explorer 9 in 39 languages all over the world.

We all want to avoid accidents, but some professional drivers take safe driving to the extreme. Now, UPS has inducted 1,122 more drivers into its elite "Circle of Honor," raising to 5,248 the total number of active drivers steering clear of accidents for 25 years or more.

Eighty percent of biomedical company CEOs in California report that their companies have been courted by other countries, state governments or regional economic development associations in the past year, according to survey findings included in the 2011 California Biomedical Industry Report, published by the California Healthcare Institute, BayBio and PwC.

According to a national survey of HR professionals, the best way to attract and retain talent - even above compensation - is to provide flexible work arrangements.

Airline executives continue to express concern about rising fuel costs, yet, despite these concerns, many are taking a wait-and-see approach towards new aircraft technology, according to an exclusive global aerospace study released by CIT.Faced with fierce competition and steep fuel prices, airline executives are taking a close look at how they operate.

On Monday, December 27, a Moscow court found Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev guilty of embezzling a staggering two thirds of the total production of the Yukos Oil Company over a six-year period and then laundering the proceeds. The conviction in this 22-month mock judicial process confirms the subservience of the judicial system in Russia to corrupt officials who continue to view Khodorkovsky as a threat and who seek to prevent his scheduled release in 2011.

Santa's busiest helper is in the midst of its most action-packed week of the year. During the highest volume day of this five-day logistics miracle, known as Peak Week, UPS will deliver 278 packages every second, and there's still time to get your packages to their destination.

The holidays are in full swing, and some of the best PCs available are perfect for small businesses.

If Congress doesn't act quickly, the long-term unemployed will start seeing their benefits disappear and by Christmas, two million recipients will be gone from the rolls - that's more than one in ten of the total 15 million currently unemployed Americans.

There are two ways businesses can improve their bottom line: you can increase sales… or you can decrease costs -- which is where Florida Power & Light can help. Business owners who want to reduce costs can sign up for a free energy evaluation.

As the economy continues to fluctuate, companies are looking at how they can cut costs but still give workers the tools they need to get the job done. Many are looking at online tools to save money. Today, Microsoft answers the call for businesses big and small with the release of Office 365.

For more than two years, New Jersey residents have suffered under a poor economic climate with overall unpredictability and a constant threat of job losses. According to a recent survey conducted by Monmouth University and the New Jersey Lawsuit Reform Alliance, New Jersey's small business owners believe reforming the state's laws and courts would provide a simple solution to help alleviate the states' economic problems.

Beyond the hype, buzzwords and entertainment value of reconnecting with old friends, people in organizations across the globe use social media to collaborate and learn. Emerging technologies enable a new kind of knowledge-building ecosystem with people at its core.

A recent study by CIT, a leading provider of small business and middle market financing, finds 65% of retailers believe consumer spending may return to 2007 levels by the end of 2011.

Tech companies are taking new measures to protect people from identity theft, spam and malicious software or "malware." In fact, Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit is using both technical and legal action with a case presented before the U.S. District Court of Eastern Virginia to help permanently disrupt one of the globe's most notorious malware operations - Waledac.

In 1957, an introduction by a contact in the National Urban League's San Francisco office lead Ken Jarvis to a position as UPS's first African American driver. Jarvis used this opportunity as a stepping stone, ultimately serving as a vice president of UPS Human Resources.

As summer heat waves continue to break records around the country, people may worry about what turning up the AC will do to their budget. Microsoft Hohm and Blue Line Innovations today introduced new tools that will give people valuable insight into their home energy use.

Legislation has recently been introduced in Congress that would enable states to collect sales taxes on many more goods sold over the Internet. Considering the current economy, small businesses are questioning tax policies that would burden them with costly and complex new tax collection rules.

Did you know that dairy products found in other countries like China and Japan come from Washington cows? About half of Washington's milk is exported overseas, making dairy a billion-dollar business for Washington. In agriculture, that's second only to the state's famous apples.

Microsoft announced the availability of Microsoft Office 2010 for consumers worldwide - in 10 languages. People can now purchase Office 2010 from 35,000 major retailers around the world as well as purchase and download Office 2010 at Office.com. Leading PC makers including Dell, HP, Lenovo, Sony and Toshiba are also shipping desktops and laptops pre-installed with Office 2010.

Microsoft Corp. has announced the availability of Microsoft Office 2010 and Microsoft SharePoint 2010, as well as Microsoft Visio 2010 and Microsoft Project 2010, for business customers worldwide.

Cloud computing is an emerging technology that makes software more affordable and easier to use, helping you get more done, in less time.

This time last year, the auto industry faced the alarming possibility of having to comply with multiple sets of inconsistent fuel economy standards. But now, automakers are welcoming the release of the final joint regulations for fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Ford Motor Company and Microsoft are leading the way toward a more energy-efficient future by announcing a new solution that will make electric vehicle ownership easier and more affordable for consumers. The two companies are teaming up to integrate Microsoft Hohm into Ford's electric vehicles.

As most Americans know, the Postal Service faces serious and significant challenges: declining volume, increased use of the Internet for bill paying, a lingering recession, and legislative constraints on how and when it can close Post Offices or what types of products the Postal Service can sell at retail.

Employers are the primary source of health coverage for most individuals, and smart companies are working diligently to curb the rise of poor health, unhealthy behaviors and their harmful effect on life expectancy. Doing so is the right thing to do and, it's smart business.

Microsoft and HP's current partnership will result in a line-up of new products and services that make it easier and faster for businesses to deploy new technologies and services.

The well-being of patients facing crippling diseases such as arthritis, cancer and Alzheimers depends on the discovery and development of breakthrough treatments and cures.

Time is running out for Hispanic farmers seeking justice after decades of admitted discrimination by USDA. A lawsuit by the group against the United States Department of Agriculture, seeks to remedy decades of well-documented discrimination. Over 80,000 Hispanic farmers, all US citizens and taxpayers, have potentially been affected.

New advances in biotechnology are changing the rules in the life sciences industry at a record pace. This week, the Licensing Executives Society USA and Canada Annual Meeting in San Francisco will explore how these and other issues will affect intellectual property licensing.

Many top intellectual property licensing executives from Bay Area high-tech companies and other firms are attending the Licensing Executives Society USA and Canada Annual Meeting this week in San Francisco.

Global IT research firm International Data Corporation (IDC) and Microsoft today released the results of global research, finding that the information technology (IT) industry will create 5.8 million new jobs and more than 75,000 new businesses over the next four years.

A Kansas company is opening a re-refinery that is ten times more energy efficient at producing motor oil than traditional oil refiners. In addition, a study conducted by Wichita State University's Center for Economic Development and Research finds a $40 million impact to the regional economy and 40 new skilled jobs added in Wichita.

Health benefits are usually the second or third largest line item in a corporate budget, yet it is the only expense into which CEOs and CFOs do not have visibility.

The latest Construction Backlog Indicator is said to be the only reliable leading economic indicator focused on the U.S. commercial, institutional, industrial and infrastructure construction industries.

A new study commissioned by Microsoft reveals that economic conditions are changing the role of information technology within a majority of businesses and that budget cuts are a barrier to IT innovation.

A new report shows that health reform proposals currently being explored by lawmakers could save small business owners 855 billion dollars over the next ten years. Employers could apply these savings to preserving jobs, increasing wages and reinvesting in their companies.

The American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) announces the pre-release of Leaders as Teachers: Unlock the Teaching Potential of Your Company's Best and Brightest by Edward Betof. Acclaimed by executives from corporations like General Mills and MasterCard Worldwide, Leaders as Teachers presents the real-life case study of the successful leaders-as-teachers program developed by Becton, Dickinson and Company.

The American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) launches a world-class selling research project to unveil a game-changing concept for the sales profession: The World-Class Sales Competency Model.

MSN Money has released their third annual Customer Service Hall of Shame and Hall of Fame survey results, finding that as the economy worsened this past year, so did Americans' satisfaction with customer service from some of the nation's top companies.

War is coming FAST to your part of the world, will you be ready? SGN today launched F.A.S.T (Fleet Air Superiority Training), the air combat flight simulation program for iPhone.

After an announcement by Steve Ballmer and an early preview rollout, today Microsoft is launching Bing.com to consumers worldwide. Bing is a new "decision engine" that will move consumers beyond search to help them make faster, more informed decisions.

A tight job market, coupled with the demands of juggling both career and family, is motivating some working moms to become their own boss. A recent survey shows there are more than 10 million small businesses in the U.S. owned by women today. More than half of these women are also moms.

Eighty-five years ago this spring the first mutual fund was created in Boston - Massachusetts Investors Trust (MIT) - launching an industry that today counts almost $10 trillion in assets managed on behalf of 88 million investors in the U.S. As the country's first fund, MIT is no stranger to grueling bear markets like the one that started in 2007.

The U.S. could generate up to $52 billion in federal revenue over the next decade by regulating Internet gambling. New legislation introduced this week by Congressman Barney Frank, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, would create a regulated framework and allow licensed gambling operators to accept bets and wagers from individuals in the U.S.

On May 6 and 7, 2009, the Initiative for Global Development (IGD) will hold its National Summit in Washington, D.C., co-chaired by former U.S. Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and Colin Powell. The Summit marks the second gathering of America's most prominent business leaders and policymakers, who will meet to advance a bold strategy to reduce global poverty.

The brightest minds in intellectual property licensing will converge on Montreal May 6th through 8th for the Licensing Executives Society USA and Canada (LES) Spring Meeting. The meeting will help create new collaborations and alliances for innovation at a time when the economy needs a boost.