SBA Small Business Week Awards Nominations Now Open
A new online portal was launched by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to accept nominations for its 2013 National Small Business Week Awards, including the annual Small Business Person of the Year award. The portal, accessible at http://nationalsmallbusinessweek.sba.gov/, will make it easier to submit and track submissions of nominees for Small Business Week 2013, and is now actively accepting nominations of noteworthy small businesses.
Since 1963, National Small Business Week has recognized the outstanding achievements of America’s small businesses for their contributions to their local communities, and to the national economy. In 2013, the 50th year celebration will honor the nation’s 27 million small businesses.
SBA awards given in celebration of National Small Business Week include:
National Small Business Person of the Year (chosen from among state award winners from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam) Phoenix Awards (recognizing outstanding accomplishments during disaster recovery) Small Business Prime Contractor of the YearSmall Business Subcontractor of the YearThe Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for Excellence (recognizes large prime contractors who have used small businesses as suppliers and contractors) SBA 8(a) Graduate of the Year (for recent graduates of the SBA’s 8(a) contracting program) Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Excellence and Innovation Award (nominations of SBA-funded SBDC Service Centers) Women’s Business Center (WBCs) of Excellence Award (nominations of SBA-funded WBCs) Veterans Business Outreach Center Excellence in Service Award (nominations of SBA-funded Veterans Business Outreach Centers)
In addition to the portal, nominations can also be sent directly to SBA District Offices, which can be located online at http://www.sba.gov/about-offices-list/2. All nominations must be submitted or postmarked by January 3, 2013.
Winners will be invited to Washington, D.C., to compete for national titles and to attend National Small Business Week events in 2013.
More Training

Train the Mind, Grow the Department
Agents who want to create real value must do more than bring coverage options. They must help dealers build stronger thinking, better habits and better results.
Read More →
Headlines Can Be Deceiving
Warning letters sent by the Federal Trade Commission to dealers suspected of deceptive pricing have retailers and the agents who counsel them on edge. Read past the headlines to get and stay compliant.
Read More →
Service Drive Satisfaction Up
Auto dealerships have a ways to go, though, on many basic points, along with some new consumer expectations that would boost their competitiveness if fulfilled.
Read More →
Agents Bring the Message and the Focus
The most predictable profit in today's unpredictable automotive retail market is a dealership’s finance-and-insurance department.
Read More →
Policy Responses to Data Breaches
The recent 700Credit cyberattack is a wake-up call for agents and dealers. Review disclosures and tighten vendor oversight to maintain compliance and preserve customer trust.
Read More →
How Agents Help Dealers Avoid Bust-Out Scams
Update your F&I training program to include the three warning signs of a bust-out, or a nefarious, two-pronged form of bank fraud that leaves dealers and finance sources holding the bag.
Read More →
Accountable Is as Accountable Does
Auto dealerships work better when all staffers own their duties.
Read More →
The Power of Saying No
Agents should build this muscle to make themselves and their dealer clients strong.
Read More →
Dealers Have Room to Run on Satisfaction
Survey finds it inched up this year, but consumers crave more communication
Read More →
The F&I Agent's Roadmap: Mastering the Cold In-Store Visit
Register for Allstate's FREE webinar on Oct. 21
Read More →