Happy new year! In the first issue of BIZNESS! newsletter of the new year 2008, we have compiled the usual mixture of cool new business ideas around the world as well as small business advice contributed by our resident Network Experts over at GetEntrepreneurial.com. We hope you'll find this issue a good read.

This issue's sponsor is D-Skin, creator of protective disc skins which prevent your favorite DVD and music discs from being scratched. Learn more at www.dskin.com.

The next issue will arrive in your inbox promptly on 20 January 2008. In the meantime, please check out our daily posts at CoolBusinessIdeas.com and GetEntrepreneurial.com. If you haven't, be sure to subscribe to this free newsletter. Just use the signup button near the bottom of this newsletter, or click here.

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What Is A Solo Entrepreneur?

A Solo Entrepreneur (Solo-E) is a professional who chooses to go into business by themselves (go solo), collaborate with others, grow their business without boundaries and, more than likely, without employees.

The Solo Entrepreneur may also be called a free agent, freelancer, solopreneur, self-employed, sole proprietor, personal business or home based business owner (although not all Solo Entrepreneurs are home-based.).

Other terms used by government agencies that count and classify solo entrepreneurs (like the U.S. Census Bureau) include: nonemployer business, no-employee business, microbusiness (which usually means less than 5 employees), and SOHO (small office - home office).

Read The Rest of This Article | Comments | Entrepreneurs
Terri Zwierzynski is a GE Network Expert. View Terri Zwierzynski's profile or read more articles from Terri Zwierzynski.

Lip Balm From Ben & Jerry’s

With a smell and taste just like the real Ben & Jerry's stuff, these new balms will bring you back to your Lip Smackers days—in a good way. The container looks like a mini ice cream pint and comes in three flavors: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Peanut Butter Cup.

   Read More | Comments | Consumer Groups

Usher 2008 with Environmental Art Calendar

What better way to usher in the New Year than with greenmuseum’s first ever environmental art calendar? The not-for-profit online museum of environmental art has created a 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper calendar, Environmental Art 2008: Contemporary Art in the Natural World.

   Read More | Comments | Environmental

Floating Hotel

In October this year, Copenhagen launched its first floating hotel. Named CPH LIVING, and it is located beside a floating restaurant in Copenhagen harbour. The CPH LIVING hotel is a designer hotel, And all the furniture and almost all the equipment in the hotel have been designed by Waterliving's architects.

   Read More | Comments | Tourism

“Quiet” Talking

A Japanese company unveiled a new device that will allow people "speak" through their ear so they can use their mobile telephones in noisy places. The device -- named "e-Mimi-kun" (good ear boy) -- doubles as an earphone and a microphone by detecting air vibrations inside the ear.

   Read More | Comments | Technology

Extra Flavors Skewers

Fruit Stickles are wooden skewers used for sticking together chunks of fruit. Except the skewers are seasoned with cinnamon and tropical fruit flavors that leach into the fruit chunks. The idea is that gives fruit an extra boost of flavor to tempt children into eating more fruit.

   Read More | Comments | Food & Beverages

Dancing Flower

Have you ever observed that your room flowers are dying? All you need is a flower-like gadget that won't need so scrupulous caring. This gadget is the moving and grooving flower. Requires no water, no air and even no sun. All she needs is a tune and watch how the groove of the music makes the flower go crazy.

   Read More | Comments | Gadgets

Zoombak For Auto

If you want to be sure you can find them in the event of a lost dog or stolen car, Zoombak has what you need. Zoombak has announced a pair of new GPS trackers. When activated the devices can send location information via text messages and email so you can locate your dog or your car in the event of theft.

   Read More | Comments | Automobiles

Runaway Sales Calls

Have you ever been on a sales call where the client was in total control? Of course you were. We all were. And it's a real bear trying to change things when it happens. At some point, it becomes a runaway sales call and the client has manipulated and controlled everything.

   Read More | Comments | Sales & Marketing | Article by Russ Lombardo

Questions Concerning Severance Separation Agreements

A general discussion concerning severance and separation agreements from a business owner's perspective. One topic I get a lot of questions about is severance and separation agreements. Generally, severance refers to giving an exiting employee a monetary settlement beyond their regular compensation.

   Read More | Comments | Legal | Article by Charles Krugel

Top 10 Business Plan Myths of Solo-Entrepreneurs

Don't let these stop you from having a business plan for success! A recent study of 29,000 business startups noted that 26,000 of them failed. Of those failures, 67% had no written business plan. Think that's a coincidence? Here's the top 10 myths Solo Entrepreneurs often have about business plans.

   Read More | Comments | Entrepreneurs | Article by Terri Zwierzynski

Star Power: How to Hire a Celebrity Spokesperson

Celebrity endorsements are a staple in advertising, with more than 20 percent of all ads today featuring a famous face, voice or likeness. Even smaller businesses are using celebrity spokespersons. The reason is simple: Celebrities sell. Consumers pay attention to celebrities because they are attracted to them.

   Read More | Comments | How-To Guides | Article by Lou Bortone

50 Things That Will Guarantee Your Speaking Success

Most people seek validation and not education - don’t be like most people. Tell a story, make a point. Create a story bank. Each time something interesting happens - big or small - write it down. You never know where you can use it. Don’t memorize your entire speech. Internalize.

   Read More | Comments | Communication Skills | Article by Eric Feng

Connections That Count

Networking is booming at the moment with more organisations being formed every week. Many of us, however, attend networking events because someone says it is a good idea or we hope that we will meet someone of interest. Beyond that, few people have a clear vision of what success will look like for them.

   Read More | Comments | Networking | Article by Andy Lopata

De-Stress for Success

The stress of growing your business can take its toll. That’s why it's important to take care of you. Stress is the number one cause of illness in our country. Learning how to manage your stress level is not only a smart decision, but it's also critically important for your business success.

   Read More | Comments | Work Life | Article by Susan Solovic

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