Small Business Resource: National Minority Business Development Council

New Unified Marketing Platform Just Launched

Last week Zoho debuted a new marketing platform, Zoho Marketing Plus, which unifies all your company’s marketing activities on one platform. Marketing has changed. It’s no longer just about presenting one message on one channel. Businesses must coordinate their marketing message across multiple channels to reach today’s consumers. And having it all in one place—one screen actually—saves you time, effort, and money.

My guess is that your business marketing includes email and social media tactics. But many businesses today have expanded their marketing strategies and tactics to include SMS, webinars, events, presentations, and more.

Marketing Plus will help you drive customer engagement across all your touchpoints and enable you to manage all your marketing processes.

Learn more about Marketing Plus from Zoho.

17 “Hidden” iPhone Features You Need to Know

I’m not one of them, but iPhones are immensely popular. Over 65% of all smartphones sold in the U.S. are iPhones. Tom’s Guide offers shares 17 special features most iPhone users don’t know about.

For instance, did you know that tapping on the back of your phone can unlock other features? Or that you can turn on background sounds to ease stress? Have you ever uncovered the hidden trackpad?

And if you’re a Harry Potter fan like my kids, you’ll definitely want to learn how you can cast Harry Potter spells on your phone.

Read more about how to get more out of your iPhone.

Is the American Dream Alive and Well?

The “American Dream” isn’t dead, but it needs to be redefined according to 31% of small business owners. A new survey commissioned by Xero reveals that many believe some aspects of the traditional American Dream are no longer a relevant measure, such as owning a car or a home (37%) and believing in the free market (31%).

Today’s small business owners consider “helping their businesses thrive” as “part of their ‘new’ American dream, which 71% say can be achieved through sacrifice, risk-taking, and hard work.

The poll also reveals that 65% of small business owners surveyed believe they are currently living the American dream. But 72% think there’s an American dream for business and another one for their personal lives.

Read more about entrepreneurs and the American Dream.

Small Business Spending Rises in April

The Bank of America Institute recently released findings from its first Small Business Checkpoint, a new publication that provides a real-time estimate of small business financial activity, spending, and financial well-being.

The report shows that in April, small business credit and debit card spending rose 16% year-over-year, fueled by credit card spending, which was up 20%. April was a good month for small businesses, with B of A clients’ deposit balance up 16% year-over-year.

Americans seem to be on the road again, with travel spending up 57% over last April.

Read more about small business spending in the Small Business Checkpoint.

Small Business Resource: National Minority Business Development Council

The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), founded in 1972, is the longest-operating business growth engine for the broadest group of systematically excluded communities of color (Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Native American).

The Council works to correct the unequal access to wealth-building opportunities, to serve as a growth engine for NMSDC certified minority businesses, and to enable members to advance economic equity.

To learn more about the NMSDC, click here.