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   <title>About.com Small Business Information: What's Hot Now</title>
   <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/</link>
   
   <description>These articles that had the largest increase in popularity over the last week</description>
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   <dc:language>en-us</dc:language>
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   <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>

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         <title><![CDATA[Scenario Planning Benefits]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/newseconomy/a/scenario.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[It is easy to fall into the trap of running your business while looking in the &quot;rear-view mirror'. Making decisions based on what has happened is dangerous and counterproductive to thriving and surviving in uncertain times. In a period of volatile uncertainty, one adaptive tool is to prepare for the unknown by scenario planning.]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Business Startup Secrets]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/od/startingabusiness/a/startupbusiness.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Finding the hot business opportunity is the first step. Once you find a hot idea you need to evaluate whether the business makes sense not only in the market but also for you personally.  Keep in mind these five factors in determining the right startup business for you.]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <title><![CDATA[Surviving Hard Times]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/od/bestpractices/a/survivebadtimes.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Surviving a recession or other hard times requires a steel determination but in today's merciless marketplace, more is needed. Here are 6 small business hard time strategies to help steer the chopping waters of commerce.]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <title><![CDATA[Origin of Million Dollar Ideas]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/od/bizopportunities/a/milliondollar_2.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Million dollar business ideas have no boundaries, age limits, race restrictions, time lines, or economic class. They can occur when you least expect them. For psychologist Roger Adams, it occurred during a midlife crisis and divorce. For management consultant Mercia Tapping, it happened after a 10-year battle with allergies and the search for a cure. Ruta Fox was a freelancer running out of work when she said &quot;Ah&quot; to her &quot;Aha&quot;&#10;moment.]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <title><![CDATA[Earning Customer Loyalty]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/od/advertisingpr/a/customerloyalty_2.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Loyalty cards and programs have their rewards and pitfalls. With customer loyalty cards and programs reaching a saturation point, how can a small business stand out?]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <title><![CDATA[401k for Your Small Business]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/od/benefits/a/401kplans.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[A 401(k) allows workers to contribute pre-tax dollars to a retirement fund. With the future of Social Security uncertain, these employer-sponsored programs can help working Americans save for their retirement. They can also help a small business attract and retain employees. ]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Why do I need a business plan?]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/od/businessplanresources/f/businessplans2.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Business Plan FAQ Why do I need a business plan?]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <title><![CDATA[Making Sure it All Adds Up]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/od/businessplans/a/bplanfinancials.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Your business plan financials are essential for lenders and investors who want to see hard figures before putting money into your business. Solid financials could help you get loans and attract investors, even if you aren't operating yet.]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <title><![CDATA[Marketing Survival]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/od/marketingsales/a/smallbizmarket.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Some soar. Some crash. Others survive. The competitive business environment has been challenging for many companies. What factors contribute to the success of a survivor? The answer is small business marketing.]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <title><![CDATA[Big Company Selling Strategy]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/sales/a/uc070603.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Selling your services to big corporations is an attractive proposition. The contracts are larger than with small businesses and individuals, and often longer-term.]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Recovering From Disasters]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/od/disastermanagement/a/disasterrecover.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Small business is ill equipped for disaster recovery following a  major catastrophe. Learn the 9 factors you need to consider when deciding what direction to take your small business following a natural or man-made disaster.]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <title><![CDATA[Business Health Insurance Tips]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/od/benefits/a/healthinsurance.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Small business health insurance may take a huge chunk out of your revenue, but benefits often attract better employees and help retain existing workers. Satisfied, healthy employees are more likely to help your business grow. If you're struggling to provide health insurance, here are some tips that could reduce your small business health insurance costs. ]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Business Greeting Card]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/od/bizlettersamples/a/ucgreetingcard.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[When sending holiday cards use proper business greeting card etiquette. What is a well-meaning gesture can offend the people you want to impress when it is not done properly. Learn the 8 rules when sending holiday cards.]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Avoid Market Research Errors]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/od/marketresearch/a/marketresearch.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Avoid these 6 common mistakes in market research for small business. It's absurd how many businesses are launched without ever talking to a single potential customer. Avoid the common errors and use market research wisely to position your business for success. ]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Winning Customer Relations]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/od/sales/a/CRM.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Reaching and nurturing customer relations are essential for a small business to survival. Central to managing any customer relationship is CRM or customer relationship management software. Discover the necessary survival strategy of managing customer relations with the technology of today.]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Sales in Turbulent Times ]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/bestpractices/a/aa072702a.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Small Business sales strategies in turbulent times]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Business Planning]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/od/businessplans/a/salesforecast.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[While conventional wisdom dictates that cash flow and revenue projections are the key to taking control of your business, sales will drive many of the other numbers. Sales forecasting is a key element of any business plan, which you must compose if you&#146;re starting a venture or making significant changes within an existing business.]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Hire Employee or Independent?]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/laborlaws/a/contractor_2.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Hiring an independent contractor or new employee is an important business decision. To guide you to the best possible decision, consider the pros and cons of hiring an employee or an independent contractor.]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Small Business Opportunties]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/od/bizopportunities/a/bizopps2005_5.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[This year's top 10 best business opportunities list provides something for everybody from the hot poker craze to smart clothes.]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <title><![CDATA[Sales Management Blunders]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/od/sales/a/salesmanagement_2.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Learn the biggest sales management blunders and how you can avoid them. Spending the necessary time wearing your sales manager hat will help foster a rewarding culture and build a successful sales team to boost your business to new levels.]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <title><![CDATA[Improve Your Business Tips]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/od/bestpractices/qt/bizimprovement.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Your business is on an upward track or on its way down. Making improvements to make your business better is a conscious choice. These 10 tips should help you focus on the areas of business offering the biggest gain.]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <title><![CDATA[Business Valuations Made Easy]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/od/buyingorselling/a/valuation_2.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[If you&#146;re preparing to sell your business, you'll first need to know how much your company is worth by conducting a business valuation. It will give you, your investors and potential buyers a good idea of what your business&#146;s value is by looking at both tangible assets like real estate and cash, as well as intangible assets like intellectual property.]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <title><![CDATA[Essentials of Accounting]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/od/taxaccounting/a/accountingstart.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Accounting is by far, one of most important aspects of starting and operating a business. It&#146;s so easy to get caught up in the start up glamorous tasks of designing a business card or choosing a business name, yet without a solid understanding of the numbers you will not survive.]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <title><![CDATA[A Small Business Exit Plan]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/od/buyingorselling/a/ucexitplan.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Learn the four D&#146;s of a business exit strategy: death, disability, divorce, and departing. The idea that your business will provide you with income after you are no longer there may not be a reality. To have a successful business, you must plan for all four D&#146;s.]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top Business Opportunity]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/bizopportunities/a/bizopp2004_3.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[For the past few months, your Small Business Information Guide, has extensively researched the best business opportunities for the new year. This year's top small business opportunities cover 8 different markets. So take a peek at what's hot in business opportunities today.]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <title><![CDATA[Ignite Employee Motivation]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/benefits/a/033003.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[The workplace environment can be shaped to create a motivating workforce. Before you can build motivation within your company, you must understand motivation.]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
         <dc:date>2009-11-25T10:07:56Z</dc:date>
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         <title><![CDATA[Business For Sale]]></title>
         <link>http://sbinformation.about.com/od/buyingorselling/a/sellingbiz.htm</link>
         <description><![CDATA[You've put your blood, sweat and tears into building your business, and now it's time to sell a business. But potential buyers won't flock to your business if you simply put up a for sale sign, says Jim Chamberlain, a management counselor and financial expert with SCORE, a nonprofit organization that serves small businesses.]]></description>
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         <dc:subject>money</dc:subject>
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