Is “Free” Good or Bad?



During the holidays, the pressure is on small business owners to make sales. Many entrepreneurs are tempted to offer deep discounts or free items.  But SBDC and CITD Small Business Advisor recently came across an article that explains why doing so may harm your long-term sales potential. On Business Week, Steve McKee says, “There’s nothing wrong with offering the occasional sample freebie as long as you don’t undermine your brand’s value.” Read more…

Social Media Tips for Small Business Owners

In the new issue of Costco Connections, SBDC and CITD staff came across a list of tips from the VP of American Express OPEN on using social media. These five quick tips are good to keep in mind as you enter the world of social media, or if you have been tweeting for years.

Cut Energy Costs and Finance Your Energy Efficiency Upgrades at 0%

On-Bill Financing (OBF) is a program being offered by a growing number of utilities in an effort to get small businesses to become more energy efficient. In San Diego, SDG&E’s OBF program covers 100% of the energy efficiency equipment and installation costs (after rebates and incentives) through an unsecured loan to the customer at 0% interest. The customer repays the loan through their regular utility bill. In many cases, the monthly loan payment is completely offset by the energy savings. Once the loan is repaid, the business keeps the monthly savings, helping their bottom line.