The latest news and information for entrepreneurs from across the web universe, brought to you by the Report on Small Business team. Follow us on Twitter @GlobeSmallBiz
A battle begins in Massachusetts
The U.S.-based National Federation of Independent Business has issued a report that claims legally mandated paid sick days for workers in Massachusetts would stamp out billions of dollars worth of productivity and potentially 16,000 jobs over five years.
The findings estimate that 1.3 million citizens in the state lack guaranteed paid sick time out of a work force of nearly three million. The NFIB Research Foundation, which issued the report, has fired "the latest salvo in a public policy battle that has drawn intense interest but little legislative action in recent years," Kyle Cheney writes for BostonHerald.com.
The NFIB has long opposed legislation that would guarantee Massachusetts employees up to a week of sick time a year, allowing them to accrue paid sick time depending on the number of hours they work. The problem, as far as the NFIB is concerned, is that it makes no exceptions for small businesses and it covers temporary and part-time employees, a policy that would hit firms with 20 to 99 employees particularly hard.
Not everyone agrees: "Paid sick days is a common-sense measure that will help get our economy moving again by making sure hard-working men and women can hold on to their jobs, support their families and sustain local businesses,” says Elizabeth Toulan, co-ordinator of the Massachusetts Paid Sick Leave coalition. “Business owners across the state support paid sick days because it’s a good policy for their workers, their customers and their bottom lines.”
The report states that an increase in worker absences as the result of paid sick-day benefits would translate into lost sales and production. Opposing factions contend they enhance productivity by guaranteeing recovery time and lessening the likelihood of contagion.
Three months in New York for six start-ups
Six promising Canadian digital media start-ups will take part in a new Canadian Technology Accelerator (CTA) initiative in New York, says Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway. “Large and dynamic markets like New York City can help expose these entrepreneurs and start-ups to investors, like-minded innovators and other key contacts that can help Canadian companies accelerate their access to new markets and create new high-value jobs,” he explained in a press release. Launched this year by the Consulate General of Canada in New York, the initiative is run by the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service and modelled on successful CTA initiatives in Silicon Valley. Participating companies spend three months at New York's General Assembly — a campus for technology, design and entrepreneurship — as well as access to business-development and entrepreneurial resources, such as mentors and venture capitalists. The start-ups were chosen based on their high potential for growth and their prospects for success in the New York market. Recruitment for a second group will begin in March, with CTA placement expected at the end of May.
The best books for business owners
Forbes magazine writers have been asking successful entrepreneurs worldwide to reveal what's on their reading lists. "As they will tell you," the publication points out on its must-reads top 30, "many of their ideas were born out of science fiction novels, not finance classes. Reading is the best investment anyone can make in their future. College costs $150,000, but life changing books can cost $10." Readers also have the opportunity to suggest books they think were missed.
EVENTS AND KEY DATES
Start your Weekend off right
