If you send customers out the door with merchandise in plastic bags, start planning for some eco-friendly replacements for those soon-to-be relics.

Know Your Stuff is a free software program that helps you inventory all your possessions.

Finding the right angel can be laborious and time-consuming. 

Angels often provide seed capital when other options are not available.

Feeling pressure to join the “China-free” movement?

Angel investors are a resource that can provide seed funding for start-up business ventures. They commonly prefer to take an equity position in the start-up, either directly through the issuance of shares or indirectly through other instruments that can be converted into shares. Many are motivated by the energy of young emerging companies and are willing to take risks that venture capitalists tend to refuse.

If you process customers’ credit cards, beware:
A slew of recent lawsuits have hit retailers and restaurants charging noncompliance with a federal law that requires businesses to print only a truncated (partial) credit-card number on receipts.

The federal government just revamped and renamed FirstGov.gov, its four-year web portal for government information, resources and services.

It’s a little-known detail within some state labor laws, but in California, for example, the issue could end up costing an employer big.

The Small Business Administration has announced new regulations and measures intended to help small businesses secure more federal government contracts while improving transparency and accountability.

A new book by Washington, D.C.-based author Rick Rickertsen promises to help you avoid the pitfalls and come out on top when selling your company.

A number of states and localities are expanding the definition of “public nuisance,” putting many more small businesses at risk.

Ending an informal partnership is simple because there is no official entity to dissolve.

A new Tax Court ruling that allowed an employee to deduct education-related expenses opens the door for small business owners to do the same.

This finally may be the year Congress authorizes association health plans, a move that could lower health insurance premium costs for small business owners.

Issue: Some courts consider agreements—signed or unsigned—legally binding contracts.

Risk: A promise by one of your managers during a phone conversation could lock you into paying for service you don’t want or need.

Action: Train managers to say “Let me see that in writing” before agreeing to anything.

You may have read that legislation sailed through the House last month that would give employers more time to challenge OSHA citations and allow small businesses to recoup legal fees when they defeat an OSHA lawsuit.

The federal panel investigating the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks says the private sector is still unprepared for more attacks.

Chances are you've used the float—the time it takes banks to process checks—at least once during difficult cash-flow moments. But take note: A new law will eliminate this age-old practice, possibly forcing you to change your cash-flow practices.

The Federal Trade Commis-sion (FTC) is worried that Web sites aren't abiding by their privacy policies—and it can sue you if you don't follow yours.

The Labor Department is putting new teeth into its rules that require employers to deposit employee 401(k) contributions by the 15th business day of the month following the month in which the employee contributions are made.

President Bush signed legislation last month that removes the temporary $750,000 cap on small business loans made through the U.S. Small Business Administration's flagship 7(a) loan program.

Is your company a "small" business? That depends on whom you're asking.

If you're involved in a negotiation to sell or buy a business, equipment, goods or services, you may be asked to sign a letter of intent (LOI).

Manufacturing companies welcomed news last month that the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) plans to thoroughly review and modernize the rules that regulate manufacturing.