A recent article by a large media outlet outlined the decline in small business lending over recent months.  The first month of the year saw far fewer small business loans enacted by U.S. banks.  This, of course, is being largely attributed to more stringent vetting by the banks.  There was also talk, though, of entrepreneurial uncertainty.  In other words, people are hesitating to start- or to grow small businesses due to the political state of the nation.  Even that, though, may not account for the entire decrease in bank loans issued to small businesses. After all, the average innovation conference in this country is still seeing a wealth of creativity and bright ideas.  Amongst those showing off their new concepts within such industries as pet health, ivirtual reality, and health & technology, there are also many who are prepared to invest.

The truth is that start-ups and existing small businesses hoping to grow want to secure angel investors.  The draw of lower interest rates and better payment terms is often enough to push the budding entrepreneurs to see private investors.

The private investors (whether angel investors or true venture capitalists) want to invest in promising young companies right now.  Though the stock market has seen a surge just recently, it was sluggish, to say the least, for a long stretch of time prior to that.  That sluggishness means smaller gains for investors.  CDs, money markets, and other such standard investment channels are paying miniscule rates of return right now.  That leads investors to seek other channels, other means of making decent interest on their money. 

That said, it is very possible that the large number of potential start-ups that we see at events like iFestival aren’t going to the banks for conventional loans.  Instead, they are seeking the private investment that benefits both parties.

Make Your Meetings More Fun!

If you ask most workers what their least favorite part of their jobs are, they will most likely place company meetings near the top of the list.  Meetings are important and they most definitely do have a place in the modern business landscape.  They can, however, be less than productive and downright boring if not handled correctly.  If you are hoping to inspire creativity and to encourage innovative thought, then you better ensure that your employees aren’t those despising meetings.

Enter with a Smile When you walk around the iFestival or any other innovation convention of the sort, there is one thing that you will quickly note – people are happy.  They want to be there, they want to witness the creativity of others, and, in turn, they feel inspired to be innovative as well.  Meetings often fail to include any kind of happiness or excitement.  If you want to encourage a more energy charged environment, and one that is conducive to creative thinking, then you need to enter the room with a smile.  Others will feed off of your energy, your excitement, and your mood.

Call on People by Name If the people in the room are not familiar with one another, be sure to make introductions, or encourage everyone to introduce themselves one-by-one – not just by name and title, but also by sharing some small detail about them on a more personal level.  Throughout the meeting, speak to individuals.  The best way to keep others engaged is to interact with them directly.  So, commend a person for doing something well, or ask that person a question when you think he or she will be capable of answering it.

Move the Meeting Rather than having your meeting in the same place every time, consider field trips.  Hold a meeting outdoors, at a coffee shop, or at a restaurant.  The change of scenery can inspire creativity and also create a more intimate feel for your team.  This is especially true if you order coffee, snacks, or a meal during the meeting. 

Make your Meeting More than a Meeting Rather than having everyone sit around a table for an hour, consider scheduling events and conferring about work while experiencing something.  This is why business on the golf course is so productive.  People tend to think more innovatively and with more passion when they are partaking in some activity.  iFestival, for instance, hosts many events intended to inspire creative thinking.  Host an iegg hunt in the spring, watch an ifilm together, or participate in a fundraising irun.  These activities will create lasting bonds between team members and also get the creative juices flowing.