Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – May 21, 2012 - This week (May 20-26) is National Small Business Week and a time to celebrate the growing business demographic in our country. Entrepreneurs and small business owners are the backbone of the U.S. economy. 60 to 80 percent of new jobs in the country are created by the approximately 27.2 million small businesses in the U.S. It is also estimated that over half of Americans either own or work for a small business.
In honor of National Small Business Week, your Better Business Bureau is encouraging small business owners to take advantage of the many available BBB resources:
BBB Code of Business
The BBB Code of Business Practices represents sound advertising, selling and customer service practices that enhance customer trust and confidence in business. Even for businesses that are not BBB Accredited, this Code can be used as a roadmap for creating and managing an ethical business.
BBB Code of Advertising
100 years ago, BBB was founded on the principles of truth in advertising, which rests first and foremost with the advertiser. The BBB Code of Advertising lays out principles, definitions and suggestions for ethical advertising that all Accredited Businesses are to abide by and Non-Accredited Businesses can adopt.
BBB Data Security – Made Simpler
With data breaches becoming all too common in the news, BBB partnered with data security experts to produce free, easy-to-understand data security guidelines, with checklists and links to data security resources for small businesses. BBB’s Data Security – Made Simpler arms small business owners with the information they need to help protect their customers and their business.
BBB TrustBrief
The BBB TrustBrief is a free, thrice-weekly email to help small business owners stay on top of headlines and receive guidance and expert advice on running a business. Sign up for a free subscription of BBB TrustBrief to stay informed about the news, people and policies affecting your small business and learn best practices on advertising, marketing, customer satisfaction, social responsibility and security for your small business.
BBB Tips on Direct Selling
BBB and the Direct Selling Education Foundation partnered to create a series of articles, videos and PSAs to educate direct sellers, their customers and even those considering a career path in direct selling. Visit www.bbb.org to view tips on direct selling.
BBB Torch Awards
The BBB of Western PA established an annual awards program to gain recognition for local businesses that maintain a solid commitment to conducting their business practices in an ethical fashion. The BBB Torch Award program is open to all for-profit companies that are located in the western Pennsylvania 28 county service area that meet the Guidelines and Rules. BBB Torch Awards may be awarded to up to four businesses that display an outstanding commitment to marketplace ethics at the end of each year. Visit www.bbb.org to nominate a company by September 15, 2012.
BBB Speakers Bureau
If you are searching for a speaker at your company’s next lunch and learn, workshop or team building activity, your BBB conducts Speakers Bureau presentations on a variety of topics and can even prepare a specific presentation to your company’s interests. All Speakers Bureau presentations are free of charge and popular topics include BBB Services, Scams Targeting Businesses and BBB Standards and Ethical Business Practices.
More BBB information and advice for small business owners can be found online at www.bbb.org under “For Businesses.”
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About the BBB System
BBB is an unbiased organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free business BBB Reliability ReportsTM and charity BBB Wise Giving ReportsTM, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust, BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is difference in viewpoints. The first BBB was founded in 1912. Today, 116 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than 4 million local and national businesses and charities. Please visit www.bbb.org for more information about the BBB System.
