Excellence is Contagious, So is Mediocrity

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Mediocrity is contagious. We were reminded of this recently by our friend Hugh MacLeod, author, artist, entrepreneur, and daily must-read. Hugh was kind enough to let us re-post this reminder that every small business owner and manager should never forget.

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The standards you set for yourself, whether at work or in your friendships or when alone with your thoughts, can be felt by everyone around you. And expecting anything less than the best should be a warning sign.

Setting high standards is a push for excellence. It's the understanding that doing is about more than the result: it's about the process.

It shows that you value yourself, your team, and your community. You believe in the potential for greatness and you won't stop until it's done.

You need those high standards across the board. Because mediocre expectations are for mediocre people.

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VIA | gapingvoid.com “Avoiding Average” | Used with permission

What Should a Small Business Do Now That The Federal Overtime Rule Has Been Blocked?

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As we reported last week, a federal judge in Texas has blocked the Department of Labor's (DOL's) new federal overtime rule, which would have raised the Fair Labor Standards Act's (FLSA's) salary threshold for exemption from overtime pay from $23,660 to $47,476. Whether one thinks the judge's action is correct or not, one thing is certain: Thousands of business owners across the country are confused because they had already taken steps to comply with the threshold exemption slated to begin two days from now (Thursday, December 1, 2016). (However, as we reported in September, almost half of small businesses weren't aware of the new regulations.)

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According to Lisa Nagele-Piazza of the Society for Human Resource Management, from a legal standpoint, until a final decision is reached, employers may follow the existing rule. However, as an employer-employee relationship issue, the most common answer one receives when asking the experts is this: “It depends.”

It depends on whether or not an employee has already received a raise or change in employee status that would make them eligible for (or, stated differently, “not exempt from”) overtime pay.

If you've done nothing in anticipation of the change, it's your lucky day: Continue doing nothing.

If you have done something, your choices are not as good: Once an employee believes more money will be coming into their pocket, it is a blow when they learn it's being removed. So it depends, ultimately, on management decisions rather than pure legal or business decisions.

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Here are some quick answers Lisa provides on the SHRM website. (The link at the bottom of this article provides more in-depth explanations.)

Q | Does a company have to do anything by the Dec. 1 deadline?

A | No.

Q | Is the judge's ruling the final step?

A | No. A preliminary injunction isn't permanent and will be reviewed by the court. However, the judge wouldn't have granted the preliminary injunction unless he thought the challenge had a substantial likelihood of succeeding.

Q | Can the Labor Department challenge the decision?

A | Yes. The department said in a statement that it is currently considering all of its legal options.

Q | Does this ruling apply to all employers nationwide?

A | Yes.

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What should a company do that has already either raised exempt employees' salaries to meet the new threshold or reclassified employees to nonexempt status?

Employers will likely want to leave decisions in place if they have already provided salary increases to employees in order to maintain their exempt status, according to Alfred Robinson Jr.,a former acting administrator of the DOL's Wage and Hour Division. It would be difficult to take that back. If there are exempt employees who were going to be reclassified to nonexempt, but haven't been reclassified yet, Robinson said employers may want to postpone those decisions and give the litigation a chance to play out. “This should be a welcome sign for employers, even if they've already made changes,” Robinson said. “They can at least hold off on further changes.”

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Also on SmallBusiness.com

Overtime Pay Rule Overturned: Federal Judge Rules in Favor of States, Business Groups | 2016

VIA | SHRM.Org The Overtime Rule Has Been Blocked. Now What?

In One Chart: Google Users Loved Small Business on Small Business Saturday

As we've already noted, Small Business Saturday was a stellar day for media coverage related to small business.

After posting that item, a SmallBusiness.com user sent us the one-week trendline graphic displayed above. It demonstrates people using Google on Saturday dramatically spiked up searches for the term “small business.”

(Source: Google Trends).

(Note: Google Trends measures the trajectory of a specific search term. Each data point is divided by the total searches of the geography and time range it represents, to compare relative popularity. Otherwise places with the most search volume would always be ranked highest. The resulting numbers are then scaled on a range of 0 to 100 based on a topic's proportion to all searches on all topics.)

Chloe Lattanzi's 'No Pain' is a Thought-Provoking Pleasure

This month, Chloe Lattanzi released No Pain, her much-anticipated debut album, and she proved that she has both a dazzling voice and some important things to sing about. I first heard a few of these songs back in 2007, when Chloe released a small selection of them on My Space. I had the great fortune of meeting Chloe back then, and she greeted me so warmly that I'll never forget it. The loveliness that Chloe exudes as a person is present in the music, and she worked with producer Jarrad Rogers to create what I hope will be the first of many collaborations to come.



The album opens on the title track "No Pain". Given Chloe's strong storytelling talents, the depth of her voice, and the writing on the wall between the lines the listener may imagine, one can hear evidence of the pain that inspired the music - and the utter joy of living to sing about it!



"Magic" does more than hint at Chloe's famous family. As the daughter of Olivia Newton-John and actor Matt Lattanzi, Chloe acted in shows with both as a child. Her parents met on the set of Xanadu, and "Magic" was the name of Olivia's big hit single from the movie musical. On Chloe's "Magic", she samples part of Olivia's song with a twist, and she adds her own lyrics and makes the tune her own.



With Bob Dylan recently receiving the Nobel Prize, we live in a time where songwriting is gaining the respect it has long-deserved, and Chloe's strength as a songwriter is clear in "Delicious". It seems to be the most intimate and confessional track with raw, compelling lyrics that are so courageously specific that they become universal.



"Lonely Nights" is a song that will make you wonder why Chloe took so long to release this music. It is apparent how talented she is. "Tastes Like You" Is also notable. Chloe has performed this song as a special guest at Olivia's concerts, and it is the most playful track. It is hard to listen to it without getting up and getting your groove on. "Sad City" is a tune that one can imagine may have been inspired by Chloe trying to make her way as a young girl with all eyes on her.



Chloe ends the album with "Wired", which is how I feel after the energizing, eclectic, and emotional journey that this collection of songs takes you on. My takeaway from this album? Chloe Lattanzi is an undeniable talent capable of masterful songwriting, and her splendid voice makes listening to the songs a pure pleasure. Although the album was created over a decade ago, the sound doesn't harken back to that time. These are songs for today. I have had "Delicious" and "Magic" on repeat, and I look forward to more music from Chloe.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

Small Business Saturday Gained Coast-to-Coast Media Coverage | 2016

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Started in 2010, Small Business Saturday still has not yet gained the level of awareness of Black Friday or Cyber Monday. At least, not yet. The day continues to grow in popularity and recognition. Created by American Express, the day started out as an event to remind holiday shoppers to support their locally owned and operated small businesses - not just the big boxes and online mega-ecommerce websites. This year, more small businesses - even those who don't accept American Express - joined in the celebration. Across the nation, in cities and small towns from coast-to-coast, people were dropping by their favorite shops and markets.

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A few of the hundreds of news articles covering Small Business Saturday, 2016

Small Business Saturday overtaking holiday spending

Norwalk, Conn., was offering downtown visitors free parking on Saturday, and Stamford planned to host an extravaganza filled with free popcorn, gift card giveaways and a selfie station.

Chicago-based businesses celebrate Small Business Saturday

WLS-TV – After Black Friday comes Small Business Saturday, when locally owned businesses make a push for your holiday shopping dollars.

Oklahomans show support for Small Business Saturday



kfor.com – The Oklahoma community was able to help increase local tax revenue by shopping local on Small Business Saturday. It's a day co-owners of Deer Creek Boutique, Tami Owens and Brittany Thompson, look forward to every year.

Valley shoppers hit independent stores on Small Business Saturday

Las Vegas Review-Journal – Shoppers in the Las Vegas Valley this weekend joined the national Small Business Saturday celebration, an effort established in 2010 by American Express to encourage spending at independent retailers and restaurants during the holiday shopping rush.

Minneapolis shops see big turnout for Small Business Saturday

Minneapolis (WCCO) - While the big box stores offer huge sales for Black Friday, small businesses offer things you can't find in a box. Small businesses in South Minneapolis saw a big turnout for Small Business Saturday. Shoppers.

Small Business Saturday boosts local New York City companies

CBS Local – ‎NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Small Business Saturday celebrated local companies and the personal services they provide. “Coming into a small business, you don't get like in a big company where you're just one of the many”

Spokane celebrates Small Business Saturday

KXLY Spokane – Another year, another Black Friday craze. Now the Black Friday chaos is over, and communities across the country are focusing instead on Small Business Saturday.

Small Business Saturday brings shoppers to Marquette

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – With yesterday being the biggest retail day of the year nationwide, attention turned to the local businesses Saturday. “It's something that businesses have been doing in recent years to follow Black Friday.”

Small Business Saturday shines spotlight on Orlando shops

Orlando Sentinel – In the post-Thanksgiving retail rush, local small businesses carved out their own day on Saturday, November 26, 2016.

Community Floods Clarksville For Small Business Saturday

NewsChannel5.com – Hundreds of people filed in and out of historic Downtown Clarksville in search of some deals to snag on Small Business Saturday.

Small Business Saturday in Midtown

ABC10.com – ‎The association gave out gift cards to shoppers in the area Saturday to say thanks for helping out small businesses. Jim Relles, owner and operator of the 70 year old Relles Floral said, “We have a lot of specials today…”

Small Business Saturday, New Orleans style

WWLTV.com – ‎He finally achieved success this year, and was happy to help market small business Saturday. “Everyone, please shop local. You have to shop local, because we can keep the money in our economy instead of going out to the big box sores,” said Colton.

Small Business Saturday a hit for Downtown Alamogordo

Alamogordo Daily News – Businesses were grateful with the numerous residents who shopped on Small Business Saturday with merchants on New York Avenue in Alamogordo's Historic Downtown Saturday.

Nashville shops hold business crawls for Small Business Saturday

The Tennessean – ‎Local shops expect another boost in sales from this year's Small Business Saturday. The national retail event - wedged between Black Friday and Cyber Monday - aims to encourage spending at small, independent businesses.

La Crosse celebrates Small Business Saturday

WKBT – ‎Small Business Saturday is a national day to celebrate small businesses in the community. It's the counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which typically feature big box retail stores. The national event encourages holiday shoppers to support small businesses.

North Park, Little Italy Communities Celebrate Small Business Saturday

NBC 7 San Diego – ‎Communities in San Diego, including North Park and Little Italy, urged locals to shop small on Saturday and support tiny, independently-owned businesses. As Small Business Saturday began, many of the shops along 30th Street in North Park planned to participate…

Small Business Saturday a big day for Easton stores

EASTON, Pa. – The holiday shopping rush continued Saturday and small businesses across the country are in the spotlight. In recent years, the Saturday following Thanksgiving and Black Friday has been reserved to put the focus on supporting local …

Greensboro shoppers go local for Small Business Saturday

Greensboro News & Record – ‎The clothing boutique and nail salon was one of many businesses downtown preparing for an influx of customers on Small Business Saturday, a national event designed to drive holiday shopping to local, independently owned stores and restaurants.

Local Little Rock Business Appreciates Small Business Saturday

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – From Black Friday to Small Business Saturday, hundreds of people across the country flooded stores, celebrating small local companies. But spending money locally isn't limited to gift buying.

Local St. Louis communities celebrate Small Business Saturday

KMOV.com – ‎Communities around the St. Louis Metropolitan area celebrated Small Business Saturday; a tradition that's been going on for several years.

Small Business Saturday a big deal for Portland shops damaged in blast

PORTLAND, Ore. – Compared to Black Friday's big, bustling crowds, Small Business Saturday may seem subtle. Portland's shop owners say, don't be fooled.

Boise shoppers think local on Small Business Saturday

BOISE – The Saturday after Thanksgiving is becoming known as Small Business Saturday – an alternative to Black Friday, when big-box stores tend to take center stage. Rediscovered Books in downtown Boise was packed full of customers on Saturday.

Small Business Saturday attracts shoppers to downtown Lawrence

Lawrence Journal World – ‎The owners of those unique local shops were looking to greet a lot of hometown and destination shoppers for Small Business Saturday, said Sally Zogry, of Downtown Lawrence Inc. “Small Business Saturday is a big deal,” she said. “We promote it like crazy.”

Little Rock businesses celebrate Small Business Saturday with deals, scavenger hunt

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) – Whether it's Black Friday or Giving Tuesday, the holiday season brings along labels for plenty of days.

Farmington retailers mark Small Business Saturday

Farmington Daily Times – Local residents Karla Montoya and Rebecca Brandt were sorting through custom lapel pins today at the Three Rivers Art Center, one of the downtown retailers participating in Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday is a national …

Small Business Saturday welcomes shoppers in Northeast Ohio

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – We've been through Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Now, it's time for Small Business Saturday. The annual shopping event, started by American Express in 2010, is always the Saturday after Thanksgiving. T

Shoppers Support Local in Little Falls on Small Business Saturday

LITTLE FALLS, N.Y. – It might have been a little rainy, but that didn't stop some shoppers from going out on Small Business Saturday. “Oh it's been great,” said David Guile, the owner of Showcase Antiques.

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Baker County Tourism (basecampbaker.com) via Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)

What is Small Business Saturday?

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Today (November 27, 2016) is Small Business Saturday, annually celebrated on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in the U.S. The day is intended to encourage American shoppers to consider small retailers and merchants as they think of their holiday shopping. It comes as an answer to the Friday after the U.S. Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday of November) called Black Friday and the following Monday called Cyber Monday. Both of those days have come to be associated with discounts and promotions at large retail chains and e-commerce websites.

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Small Business Saturday is a promotional effort intended to encourage consumers to support local businesses that create jobs, boost local economies and preserve neighborhoods around the country. 

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A brief history of Small Business Saturday

Each year on the SmallBusiness.com WIKI, we have updated the progress of Small Business Saturday. Here is a timeline of some the ways the day has progressed over the few years.

2010 | Small Business Saturday was created and sponsored by American Express, who registered the URL SmallBusinessSaturday.com and registered the trademark for the term Small Business Saturday. The company also created a Facebook page supporting the event and promoted the event with national television advertising and a broad array of public relations activities. The event was inspired by the 3/50 Project that was created by Cinda Baxter, a small business advocate in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

As part of the 2010 promotion, the first 10,000 small business owners who signed up to participate received $100 worth of free Facebook advertising, and the first 200,000 American Express cardholders who pledged to use their credit cards on Nov. 27 to support small businesses received a $25 credit.

On the American Express website and Facebook page in 2010, credit was given also to the following co-sponsors and endorsers: American Express OPEN, The 3/50 Project, Business Matchmaking, Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau, Count Me In, Destination DC, E Women Network, Facebook, Girls Inc., Greater Boston Conventional & Visitors Bureau, LA Inc., NAWBO, National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street Center, NYC & Co., NYC Department of Small Business Services, San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, SCORE, Women Impacting Public Policy, Women Presidents' Organization, Women's Leadership Exchange, Yelp.

2013 | Beginning in 2013, American Express began to use another trademarked advertising tag line, “Shop Small” in its Small Business Saturday promotions. The tag line enables the company to extend the marketing efforts surrounding Small Business Saturday into other parts of the year.

2014 | On the Small Business Saturday website in 2014, premiere sponsors were listed as FedEx, Four Square, Twitter and the U.S. Postal Service. A new promotional aspect of 2014 include an interactive map for participating businesses that accept American Express cards and a promotion that enabled American Express card holders to get three $10 credits (total, $30) for use at three small businesses that accept the American Express card.

2015 | American Express continued to support the promotion, but no other co-sponsors were listed on the website. In 2015, American Express also stopped providing the three $10 credits to card-holders. Also in 2015, American Express produced and ran TV and online commercials promoting Small Business Saturday featuring the Muppets.

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Directory and map of participating small businesses

While any small business can participate in Small Business Saturday, American Express has an interactive directory of small businesses that can be searched by location. A link to it can be found here. The map and other American Express promotions are available only to small businesses that accept the American Express card.

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Thinkstock

137.4 Million Americans Plan on Shopping This Thanksgiving Weekend

Retailers were planning for the biggest shopping weekend of the year, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).

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59% | Percentage of Americans planning to shop during Thanksgiving weekend

“Black Friday remains one of the busiest shopping days of the year, with Americans planning to take advantage of aggressive in-store and digital promotions over the entire holiday weekend,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Retailers know consumers are spreading out their holiday budgets to shop throughout the season. While there's no doubt of the incredible promotions offered during the weekend, the holiday shopping season is long and consumers will look for and expect great deals down to the very last minute.”

“Millennials continue to drive the trend of hitting the stores – both on their feet and online – as soon as the turkey is finished,” Prosper Principal Analyst Pam Goodfellow said. “Whether they're hoping to find gifts for themselves or for the folks on their lists, they will do their research to find the best deals of the weekend and have allotted a large part of their holiday budget for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday spending.”

“For many millennials, every Thanksgiving weekend they can remember has involved hopping online to find the best deals,” Goodfellow said. “For this group, it's more than just a weekend of good deals, it's a holiday tradition.”

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While not included in the 137.4 million total for the Thanksgiving weekend, 36 percent of consumers say they plan to shop online on Cyber Monday, up from the 34 percent in 2015. 

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