“The American consumer is toast,” said Stephen Roach, Chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia, at our panel, “The Frugal New Consumer” [watch video], on day two of the Milken Institute Global Conference. As far as the Great Recession goes, he went on to say, “we’re only in the third inning.”

On "The Frugal New Consumer" panel at the Milken Global Conference

For those who’ve been reading the paper and watching the tentatively promising numbers on Wall Street, this news may come as a shock.  (more…)

Ruby Tuesday Pick of the Week: LegalZoom
Why It’s a Gem: Affordable self-help legal services help small businesses get a jumpstart without the pricey overhead

One of the great things about technology is that it creates a level playing field. Just as Get Satisfaction helps small businesses get a handle on customer service, LegalZoom makes performing certain everyday legal tasks fast, efficient, and utterly affordable. Now even small entrepreneurs can jump in the game and play right alongside the big guys. And with the opportunity of the Great Recession upon us, the timing couldn’t be better.
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Ruby Tuesday Pick of the Week: Zipcar
Why It’s a Gem: Harnessing cutting-edge technology has allowed one green-minded company to overtake – and take over – its competition

As the national zeitgeist begins to embrace both environmentalism and thriftiness, Zipcar finds itself at quite a profitable intersection. The rent-as-you-go car company has developed a business model so successful that they’ve convinced some Americans to give up their most prized possession: their cars. (more…)

When money is tight, the first thing consumers cut from their budgets are “luxury” items (the $4 after-lunch latte, a new iPod) and services they perceive they can do themselves (hair coloring, car washing). But with a simple tweak in pricing options, service-oriented businesses probably won’t see much of a drop in business.

In this week’s Ask Lynda, a masseuse looks to readjust her pricing plan to keep clients — and even expand her customer base. (more…)

Ruby Tuesday Pick of the Week: Ai Media
Why It’s a Gem: Three simple letters can make or break a business.

Just because you’re an old-fashioned, brick-and-mortar business doesn’t mean that you can do without a website. How 1995! It’s not just that everyone’s doing it, it’s that everyone’s doing it because it works. A website is one of the least expensive marketing methods, and yet it has one of the highest ROIs.

In this week’s Ruby Tuesday, Sergio Alvarez of Ai Media Group explains why SEO and SEM are so important to the success of today’s businesses. (more…)

Ruby Tuesday Pick of the Week: WomenOnCall.org
Why It’s a Gem: The Chicago-based organization makes it a snap for non-profits and volunteers to find each other.

In this week’s Ruby Tuesday, we’re deviating from our regular focus to highlight a not-for-profit organization rather than a for-profit business. With the economy in a perpetual swan dive, non-profit organizations are just as likely as for-profits to be floundering — or worse. (more…)

As part of her mission to save small businesses, Lynda Resnick, author of the national best-seller Rubies in the Orchard, fields questions from entrepreneurs and non-profits and shares her business and marketing know-how.

In the first of her new series of Ask Lynda columns, Resnick responds to a letter from Ellen Parcell, who runs the non-profit Heart to Heart, a non-profit organization that supports homeless and abused women and children. (more…)

Ruby Tuesday Pick of the Week: Fetch! Pet Care
Why It’s a Gem: Along with liquor, the pet industry is one of the few that has proven to be recession proof.

Ruby Tuesday: Fetch! Pet Care, Paul Mann (MP3)

With all the evangelical pessimism being spread by the media, I want to bring you some good news: There are industries that have been relatively untouched by the recession. Some, in fact, are thriving.

This week’s Ruby Tuesday spotlights a company whose franchises are multiplying faster than rabbits — and they’re helping to create more jobs and franchise opportunities in the process. How’s that for news to get your tail wagging? (more…)

Ruby Tuesday Pick of the Week: INK Inc.
Why It’s a Gem: By making a simple change to the traditional business model that public relations firms have used for decades, INK has attracted a spate of new business

Ruby Tuesday: INK Inc. (MP3)

“You get what you pay for.” In the old-school world of public relations, that chestnut didn’t always hold true. The system was based on high retainers, which clients paid whether or not they saw results. That’s like paying the lease on a Maserati and not getting to take it out of your driveway.

But a Kansas City, Missouri-based firm is changing the PR landscape. At a time when many businesses are cutting PR as the first step in tightening budgets, Dick Grove’s INK Inc. is finding its new-business pipeline flooded like a tsunami. How’d they do it? (more…)

Ruby Tuesday Pick of the Week: Children’s Orchard
Why It’s a Gem: The nationwide chain delivers Mom’s needs at an affordable price.

Ruby Tuesday: Children’s Orchard (MP3)

You’ve heard the complaint often enough: Before there’s so much as a hole in Johnny’s new jeans, he’s outgrown them. Or Jane needs a special party dress that she’ll wear only once. With the rate that kids grow, clothing makes up a large portion of the estimated overall $1,375,408 it takes to raise a child from birth to high school. Considering that doesn’t even include college, many parents will need to do more than clip coupons and give bowl haircuts to make ends meet.

That’s the problem that Children’s Orchard’s business model focuses on – and with great success. Now when Momma needs a new pair of shoes, she can (more…)