When Groupon first hit the scene it put the spotlight on a massive new market and inspired countless copycats. But many local businesses lost money with the Groupon deals model, which often requires losing money on the initial offer in hopes of making it up on additional sales and return visits. more

Small-business owners and startup entrepreneurs are often advised to relentlessly network in order to build connections that can help grow the business. But while networking is indeed a valuable endeavor, many business owners connect with the wrong people – or the right people in the wrong way. more

If you’re underwater and facing financial distress, what might Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s new short-sale reform policies mean for you? Potentially a lot – even if you are current on your mortgage payments and never imagined that a short sale and principal reduction could be in the cards. more

In a marketplace where lenders are demanding record-high FICO credit scores – Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are averaging around 760 on approved mortgages this year – are you a little fuzzy about what can push your scores up or down? more

What does your growth-minded small business have in common with Apple? Not much, perhaps, but here’s one thing: The multigazillion dollar tech company got early funding from a unique type of investment firm called a Small Business Investment Company – and so could you. more

Sure, nobody wants to be labeled a Scrooge. But if you’re among the roughly 50 percent of U.S. businesses (and shrinking) that still offer traditional year-end bonuses, it might be time to join the 21st century – and plan for something different in 2013. more

It’s Saturday night around 6 p.m. Early dinner for Jessica, Gabrielle and me. more

I’ll be spending the month of August in Paris with my family. I can’t describe how wonderful it will be. My goal is to finish a book, take in the culture, enjoy my family and think. more

I’m traveling to Warsaw, Poland, next month to deliver two public seminars. After a couple Skype interviews, I discovered that although the United States and Poland are 5,000 miles and many, many cultures apart, our sales needs are the same. more

Thousands of condo-unit owners and buyers around the country could soon be in line for some welcome news on mortgage financing: Though officials are mum on specifics, the Federal Housing Administration is readying changes to its controversial condominium rules that have rendered large numbers of units ineligible for low down-payment, insured mortgages. more