Bringing you the latest news on small business and more—this week it’s startups at the White House, why it’s freezing cold in your office, and the “right to be forgotten.”
The shifting internet
Last year, Europe’s highest court extended citizens the “right to be forgotten” by online search engines. Now, France and other countries are pushing Google to extend these protections to its global sites.
In further internet-related news, hackers have been using “business email fraud” attacks to steal more than $1 billion worldwide over the past two years, most of it from small businesses.
Falling giants
The Dow Jones fell four days in a row as shares plunged for Disney and other media companies.
Things are going even worse for Sears, which might be nearing its end—a turn of events that just goes to show that no company is invincible.
On the bright side
Small business borrowing hit record highs in June, according to a report released Wednesday. This is great news, though it makes an interest rate increase more likely.
Meanwhile, the hotel industry recorded its best week ever for the week of July 19-25. Late July is peak hotel season, and 2015 is poised to be the best year ever for American hotels.
At the White House
On Monday, President Obama and the EPA announced a new Clean Power Plan aimed at reducing carbon emissions from power plants.
The following Tuesday, Obama hosted a group of startup entrepreneurs at the first White House “Demo Day.”
Meanwhile, in Congress
Could the federal government shut down again in the next year? Business Journals identifies three issues that could make it happen.
A cold wind blows
Feeling cold at the workplace? Today’s research shows that most modern offices are a little chilly, especially for women.
Advice from the headlines:
- Thinking about getting a commercial loan? Credit rationing is poised to make that tougher over the next two years, says commercial loan expert George Blackburne.
- Martin Zwilling’s tips on how to turn off investors apply to any new business seeking financing. Best not to distort your business when seeking funding.
- If you’re thinking about selling your business, you might want to look at these five big ways to make sure your business nets you as much money as possible.
What do you think of the “right to be forgotten”? Do you find your office too cold? Tell us in the comments.
Michael X. Heiligenstein manages communications and marketing at Fit Small Business, a product and service review site for small businesses. Previously he has written and edited for the Saturday Evening Post and run his own small business as a marketing consultant and copywriter. In his spare time, he enjoys writing, playing guitar and learning new things.
