FEATURE PAPER

Small Business and The Older Worker

The following paper was written by Lynn Hoffman & Nina Radojevich-Kelley of Metropolitan College in Denver and was presented at the 2010 Small Business Institute Conference

Abstract

As the U.S. workforce continues to age, older workers will present unique challenges and opportunities to small business owners. In many instances, small business owners will have to rely on their older workers' expertise and experience. Although many myths exist about older workers, they are both productive and reliable. While they provide significant value to small business owners, they present both drawbacks and positives to the workforce as is true of all generations. With the increase in the number of older workers has come an increase in age discrimination lawsuits that will prompt both the courts and Congress to address the current law. Given the uncertain state of employment discrimination law, the paper presents guidelines to small businesses to enhance the contribution of these employees and simultaneously avoid lawsuits.

Introduction

The U.S. workforce is growing older. This demographic shift provides some unique opportunities to small business owners to fully utilize their older workers. Small business owners will have to acknowledge their strengths and weaknesses, overcome stereotypes about older workers, and meet some of their special needs.
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TIP OF THE WEEK

Apply Sound Writing Principle

The principles of unity, coherence, and emphasis are just as important in persuasive messages as in other messages. In addition, some other principles seem to be especially helpful in preparing persuasive messages:

. Keep paragraphs shorts. The spaces between paragraphs show the dividing place between ideas, improve appearance, and provide convenient resting places for the eyes. Hold the first and last paragraph to three or fewer lines; a one-line paragraph (even a very short line) is acceptable. You can even use paragraphs less than one sentence long by putting four or five words on the first line and completing the sentence in a new paragraph. Be careful to include key attention-getting words that either introduce the product, service, or idea, or lead to its introduction.
. Use concrete nouns and active verbs. Concrete nouns and active verbs help receivers see the product, service, or idea and its benefits more vividly than do abstract nouns and passive verbs.
. Use specific language. General words won't mean much unless they are well supported with specifics. Specific language is space consuming (saying that something is "great" is less space consuming than telling what makes it so); therefore, persuasive messages are usually longer than other messages. Still, persuasive messages need to be concise; they should say what needs to be said without wasting words.
. Let receivers have the spotlight. If receivers are made the subject of some of the sentences, if they can visualize themselves with the product in their hands, if they can get the feel of using it for enjoyment or to solve problems, then the chances of creating a desire are increased.
. Stress a central selling point or appeal. A thorough analysis ordinarily will reveal some feature that is unique or some benefit that is not provided by other viable alternatives. This point of difference can be developed into a theme that is woven throughout the entire message. Or, instead of using a point of difference as a central selling point, a writer may choose to stress a major satisfaction to be gained from using the item or doing as asked. A central selling point (theme) should be introduced early and reinforced throughout the remainder of the message.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Small Business Institute Journal: Volume V

The Small Business Advancement National Center at the University of Central Arkansas is honored to be able to present to you the April Edition and Fifth Volume of the Small Business Institute Journal.
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SBI - Small Business Institute 2011 Annual Conference Call for Papers

Small Business Institute invites you to attend their 2011 Annual Conference. The conference will be held in Bonita Springs, Florida February 17th-19th, 2011. The conference will focus on accounting and finance, ethics and environmental responsibility, experiential learning, family business, global entrepreneurship, marketing, social entrepreneurship, small business, and women & minority business. The deadline to submit papers is September 17, 2010! For more information, Click Here

International Conference on New Horizons in Education

The main goal of this conference is to present and discuss new trends in education.
INTE-2010 conference is supported by many universities and organizations. INTE-2010 has already formed a large, multi-national and friendly community of colleagues who love to share ideas. INTE-2010 invites you to submit proposals for papers, panels, best practices, roundtables, tutorials, posters/demonstrations, and workshops. For More Information, Click Here

CDI Central 2010 at the University of Central Arkansas

The Community Development Institute Central is a unique training program offering a comprehensive curriculum of professional knowledge and skills in community and economic development and capacity building. To complete the program, students attend one-week sessions for three consecutive years. There are also "fast track" options where students can complete the entire program in a year or less.Click Here

ICSB 2010: "Entrepreneurship: Bridging Global Boundaries"

The ICSB World Conference 2010 will be taking place June 24-27, 2010. It will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. The Early Registration Deadline is April 30th, 2010. Topics will deal directly or indirectly with: * Entrepreneurship Education * Individual Entrepreneurship * Women and Minority Entrepreneurship * Small Business and SME's in Developing Economies * Public Policy * Entrepreneurship and Technology * Family Business * Corporate Entrepreneurship * International Entrepreneurship * Entrepreneurship in the Arts * Entrepreneurship Across the Curriculum * Social Entrepreneurship * Additional topics of interest and value to ICSB's membership.
For more information Click Here.

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