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(BPT) – The year 2017 is still in its infancy, but research shows small business owners feel this year could be one of the best in recent memory.

A new survey, commissioned by Staples and conducted by Wakefield Research, found that 85 percent of small business owners surveyed reported feeling “optimistic” about the small business climate in 2017. That’s good news for the owners as well as for their communities, because for many, this optimism is motivating owners to put earned revenue directly back into their businesses and employees.

According to the research, 97 percent of respondents said they plan to increase investment in their companies this year, while 67 percent plan to hire new employees. Those fresh hires also appear to be in line for better benefits, as 72 percent of small business owners report they plan to increase staff compensation in 2017.

“We conducted this survey to better understand the pulse of small business owners and to further identify those priority product and service areas in which we can help our customers achieve success in 2017,” says Frank P. Bifulco Jr., chief marketing officer, Staples.

The survey included 502 small business owners across the country. For purposes of the research, small businesses were defined as companies that had 10 or fewer full-time employees.

While the research found that small business owners are optimistic about 2017, it also provides a favorable outlook for the years ahead. In fact, many small business owners report they hope to make small business ownership a family tradition. Ninety-one percent of those surveyed said they would encourage their children to start their own business, and 93 percent said they felt running their own business was the best kind of job satisfaction there was.

Finding the tools to support small businesses

For small business owners across the country, optimism can often be directly tied to market success and having the proper tools to support future growth. Staples Print and Marketing Services offers a comprehensive suite of services, providing everything from business cards and logo design to marketing materials and signage.

Small business owners can find additional support materials online by visiting Staples.com and the Staples Small Businesses Hub. The Hub is a resource that offers expert tips, information and industry advice – everything a small business owner needs to grow their business in 2017 and feel even more optimistic in the years to come.

To learn more about how Staples can support the initiatives in your small business, visit Staples.com.

Charles Silbermann, aka silberma1976, is a physical education & health teacher as well as a Fiver Super Seller. He develops teaching curriculum and contributes regularly to local, national, and industry publications. Every freelancer’s business ebbs and flows. Sometimes business is brisk (if not overwhelming) and other times things seem considerably slow. Perhaps you’re just starting […]

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(BPT) – As the new administration and Congress settle into office, many organizations are working hard to put America’s 21 million veterans at the top of the nation’s ‘to-do’ list.’Veterans share a common thread – regardless of where they served or for…

(BPT) – As the new administration and Congress settle into office, many organizations are working hard to put America’s 21 million veterans at the top of the nation’s ‘to-do’ list.’Veterans share a common thread – regardless of where they served or for…

She’s a freelancer. She’s a business owner. She’s an Ironman, wife, and dog owner. And on Fiverr, she’s a campaign crowdfunding expert. So, how did Kendell Rizzo, jack of all trades, get to be a Fiverr super seller? Here’s Kendell’s Fiverr story. Tell us a little about yourself. Who you are, where you’re from, what […]

The post From Jack of All Trades to Fiverr Super Seller: Kendell’s Doer Success Story appeared first on .

Nicole Leinbach Reyhle is the Founder and Publisher of Retail Minded, the Co-Founder of the Independent Retailer Conference and a regular contributor to various publications. Additionally, Reyhle is the Author of the book “Retail 101: The Guide to Managing and Marketing Your Retail Business” from McGraw-Hill and has been the Spokesperson for Small Business Saturday […]

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(BPT) – Knowing how to support a grieving co-worker can be one of the most challenging situations you face in your workplace. You want to express your sympathy and help your colleague, but you also don’t want to cross any professional boundaries.

In fact, guidance regarding expressions of sympathy in the workplace are among the most common requests for advice received by 1-800-Flowers.com professional Sympathy Advisors. While individuals may be confident in how to show their happiness at joyful events like a birthday, marriage or retirement celebration, they’re less sure what to do when a co-worker has experienced a loss.

The online flower retailer’s “Grief in the Workplace: Guide to Expressing Sympathy Professionally” and sympathy and remembrance pages offer some good advice:

* Be guided by the closeness of your relationship with the bereaved co-worker. If you are close — you eat lunch together daily, work closely on projects — attendance at services may be appropriate and expected. If your relationship is more casual, with only occasional interactions, a group expression of sympathy with other co-workers could be acceptable.

* Group gifts can be sent to the co-worker’s home address. Appropriate options include floral arrangements, dish gardens, fruit baskets and gourmet food baskets.

* If you’ll be sending flowers to the funeral home, baskets and standing floral displays are good choices, as they are easiest for funeral home staff to arrange for services. When placing your order, be sure to include the correct name and spelling of the deceased, the delivery address of the funeral home, the street address of the family home, service times, and any specific requests of the family.

* Charitable contributions in the deceased’s name are also meaningful, professional ways to express sympathy. Check with the funeral home to see if the family has specified any charitable organizations for memorial contributions.

* A handwritten note or sympathy card can also be a compassionate, personalized way to express sympathy. It’s a good idea to keep your sentiment brief and simple. For example, you may write in your note “I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family.” Groups may send a joint card with a simple expression of empathy, such as “Our heartfelt condolences for your loss.”

* After a bereaved co-worker returns to the office, be mindful that everyone deals with grief differently. They may want to talk about their deceased loved one, or they may prefer not to discuss their loss. Be respectful of your co-worker’s feelings and do your best to give them the time and space they need to cope with their grief in their own way.

When a co-worker has lost a loved one, finding ways to express your sympathy is good for you and your bereaved colleague. Empathy can help your coworker cope more effectively, and help maintain the stability of workplace relationships.

For more guidance on expressing sympathy in the workplace, call 1-800-Flowers.com’s Sympathy Customer Service line at (866) 538-2259, or visit the website’s sympathy and remembrance pages.

(BPT) – Knowing how to support a grieving co-worker can be one of the most challenging situations you face in your workplace. You want to express your sympathy and help your colleague, but you also don’t want to cross any professional boundaries.

In fact, guidance regarding expressions of sympathy in the workplace are among the most common requests for advice received by 1-800-Flowers.com professional Sympathy Advisors. While individuals may be confident in how to show their happiness at joyful events like a birthday, marriage or retirement celebration, they’re less sure what to do when a co-worker has experienced a loss.

The online flower retailer’s “Grief in the Workplace: Guide to Expressing Sympathy Professionally” and sympathy and remembrance pages offer some good advice:

* Be guided by the closeness of your relationship with the bereaved co-worker. If you are close — you eat lunch together daily, work closely on projects — attendance at services may be appropriate and expected. If your relationship is more casual, with only occasional interactions, a group expression of sympathy with other co-workers could be acceptable.

* Group gifts can be sent to the co-worker’s home address. Appropriate options include floral arrangements, dish gardens, fruit baskets and gourmet food baskets.

* If you’ll be sending flowers to the funeral home, baskets and standing floral displays are good choices, as they are easiest for funeral home staff to arrange for services. When placing your order, be sure to include the correct name and spelling of the deceased, the delivery address of the funeral home, the street address of the family home, service times, and any specific requests of the family.

* Charitable contributions in the deceased’s name are also meaningful, professional ways to express sympathy. Check with the funeral home to see if the family has specified any charitable organizations for memorial contributions.

* A handwritten note or sympathy card can also be a compassionate, personalized way to express sympathy. It’s a good idea to keep your sentiment brief and simple. For example, you may write in your note “I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family.” Groups may send a joint card with a simple expression of empathy, such as “Our heartfelt condolences for your loss.”

* After a bereaved co-worker returns to the office, be mindful that everyone deals with grief differently. They may want to talk about their deceased loved one, or they may prefer not to discuss their loss. Be respectful of your co-worker’s feelings and do your best to give them the time and space they need to cope with their grief in their own way.

When a co-worker has lost a loved one, finding ways to express your sympathy is good for you and your bereaved colleague. Empathy can help your coworker cope more effectively, and help maintain the stability of workplace relationships.

For more guidance on expressing sympathy in the workplace, call 1-800-Flowers.com’s Sympathy Customer Service line at (866) 538-2259, or visit the website’s sympathy and remembrance pages.