Entrepreneurial

– P. Griffith Lindell is a veteran business consultant, speaker and author. His newest book is “Struggling With Your Business? Ten Questions to Consider Before Investing A(nother) Dime“. The views expressed are his own. –

President Obama focused part of his State of the Union address on the need for “government (to) create the conditions necessary for businesses to expand.” I applaud and agree with him. The lifeblood of America must flow through micro and small-business veins.

It’s going to take more than political pronouncements, however, to produce the revenues and profits that will change the rules of the current economic game.

It’s going to take some practical business programs – developed, implemented and overseen by those who understand the stresses of meeting a payroll – not by some isolated academics or the political elite with ivory tower views. The major arteries of governmental involvement are needed, but with fewer constrictions. Until our economic blood flows freely to the small capillaries of small business, the national economy body will be anemic.

Let’s be certain in 2011 that the circulatory system of economic turnaround becomes healthy. First, eliminate the stress of uncertainty, which only constricts. Second, provide a regular heartbeat of money at good rates to oxygenate the economy’s blood supply.

– Charley Polachi is the co-founder of Boston-based executive recruitment firm Polachi, Inc. The views expressed are his own. –

1. In 2011, CEOs will be challenged with balancing expectations for earnings per share (EPS), which in most cases are already set, and their investors’ growing impatience for top-line growth. To grow, CEOs have to invest again. But if they invest, they could miss EPS estimates. The CEOs who walk this tightrope successfully will pull away from the pack and outperform their peers.

2. Maintaining momentum in the slow growing market. Solution is innovation.

3. European governments and their economies continue to perplex – look at Greece and Ireland. Who’s next? Finding efficient ways to get revenue internationally through distributors and partners instead of employees may be the way to go.