This FDA Ruling Could Devasate Small U.S. Cheesemaking Businesses

The U.S. Federal Drug Administration has sent a shock wave through the artisan cheesemaking community by saying that cheese can no longer be aged on wooden boards.

The FDA claims using wooden boards, a time-honored technique in cheesemaking, leads to health risks from microbes.  The issue apparently came up after the federal agency cited some New York State cheesemakers for the practice.

When the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services asked the FDA for clarification, they received this. In comments now widely circulated online, Monica Metz, Branch Chief of FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition’s (CFSAN) Dairy and Egg Branch stated:

“Microbial pathogens can be controlled if food facilities engage in good manufacturing practice. Proper cleaning and sanitation of equipment and facilities are absolutely necessary to ensure that pathogens do not find niches to reside and proliferate. Adequate cleaning and sanitation procedures are particularly important in facilities where persistent strains of pathogenic microorganisms like Listeria monocytogenes could be found. The use of wooden shelves, rough or otherwise, for cheese ripening does not conform to cGMP requirements, which require that “all plant equipment and utensils shall be so designed and of such material and workmanship as to be adequately cleanable, and shall be properly maintained.” 21 CFR 110.40(a). Wooden shelves or boards cannot be adequately cleaned and sanitized. The porous structure of wood enables it to absorb and retain bacteria, therefore bacteria generally colonize not only the surface but also the inside layers of wood. The shelves or boards used for aging make direct contact with finished products; hence they could be a potential source of pathogenic microorganisms in the finished products.”

Obviously, defenders of the technique feel the government is over dramatizing the risk.

Writing on the Cheese Underground blog, Jeanne Carpenter, a former spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture explains:

“Many of the most awarded and well-respected American artisan cheeses are currently aged on wooden boards. American Cheese Society triple Best in Show winner Pleasant Ridge Reserve from Uplands Cheese in Wisconsin is cured on wooden boards. Likewise for award-winners Cabot Clothbound in Vermont, current U.S. Champion cheese Marieke Feonegreek, and 2013 Best in Show Runner-Up Bleu Mont Bandaged Cheddar.”

The change to plastic or stainless steel surfaces will not only represent an added expense.

Many cheese enthusiasts argue it will alter the technique that allows small cheesemakers to differentiate their product from big corporate cheesemakers like Velveeta or Kraft, basically eliminating their competitive edge.

Critics like Walter Olson of the Cato Institute believe the real problem is the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) of  2011. He warns it will target many other small food businesses with standards that differ from larger producers. On his blog Overlawyered, Olson points out:

“We warned at the time that the ill-conceived Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) of 2011 would tend to choke off many non-industrial food sources.”

And the law may not even stop at small U.S. cheesemaking businesses, Olson adds:

The agency apparently intends to apply the same standard to imported cheese as well, which means that in addition to devastating artisanal cheese producers in this country, the move would cut off Americans' access to large numbers of classic European cheeses, many of which, like Comte and Reblochon, "are required to be aged on wood by their standard of identity."

Cheesemaking business image via Shutterstock

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5 Ways to Boost Your Retail Sales This Summer

For many retailers, summer isn't exactly the high season. But that doesn't mean it has to be a bust.

With summer about to go into full swing, have you thought about how you'll boost business for your retail store this season?

Boost Summer Retail Sales

Get Outdoors

If your store is in an outdoor mall, on a city street or other location with an actual outdoor entrance, foot traffic is likely to increase as more people take advantage of the nice weather to stroll outside.

Draw in these passersby by taking your business outside, too. More than just window signs, which are easy to ignore, use signage that juts out onto the sidewalk or walkway so it can't be missed. Tie a few balloons to a sidewalk easel promoting a sale or new summer merchandise. Also consider putting out water bowls for dogs so their owners will stop a moment in front of your establishment to refresh their pets.

Simple ideas like these are all it takes to make your store stand out from the rest.

Sponsor or Participate in Local Events

Find out what events will be going on in your community this summer that are relevant to your customer base. Then figure out how you can participate.

For instance, is there a marathon or walkathon where your sporting goods store could set up a booth to sell fitness gear? Even if the event rules don't allow you to sell products, you could still market your business by donating water bottles, handing out sports drinks (along with coupons for your store) or becoming a sponsor.

Tap Into Tourists

Does your local area enjoy an influx of tourists in the summer? To capture their dollars, see if you can partner with local businesses that cater to tourists, such as hotels, bed and breakfast inns, restaurants or tour companies.

Ask the business owners if you can cross-promote by putting brochures, sale notices or business cards in their locations (offer to do the same for them, of course). Find out about advertising on their websites.

Does your city or chamber of commerce print maps for tourists? Often, these include local businesses as landmarks, or ads from local businesses. See if your business can be included in the map and/or advertise on it.

Throw a Party

Create excitement by hosting a summer event at your store that includes free giveaways, music, refreshments, face-painting for kids—whatever activities make sense for your store.

Mail and/or email your customers party invitations that can be redeemed for a discount or a free gift with purchase. You can make the event exclusive by focusing on VIPs outside of normal store hours, or open it to the public.

Make it a Group Effort

Market your store with other business owners in your shopping center or on your street by hosting a summer sidewalk sale. (Check zoning regulations or shopping center rules before planning this, of course.)

Everyone sets up tables outside the store with merchandise at extra-deep discounts. You have more stuff inside (at both sale and regular prices) to attract customers into the store. You can add to the fun by getting local restaurants involved to sell "tastes" or snacks outside, too – this energizes shoppers and keeps fussy kids happy.

Shopping With Dog Photo via Shutterstock

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UCWeb says Alibaba to buy remainder of Chinese mobile browser firm

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's Alibaba Group Holding Ltd will acquire the shares of mobile browser firm UCWeb it does not currently hold, a UCWeb spokesman said on Wednesday, as the e-commerce company keeps racking up investments before its U.S. listing.

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Synaptics to buy iPhone display chipmaker for $475 million

(Reuters) - Touchscreen chipmaker Synaptics Inc said it would buy the sole supplier of display chips for the iPhone for $475 million, potentially winning back Apple Inc as a customer.

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EU to launch probe into Apple's Irish tax deal: report

DUBLIN (Reuters) - The European Commission will launch a formal investigation on Wednesday into Apple Inc's tax arrangements in Ireland, Irish state broadcaster RTE reported, without naming its source.

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The 5 Game Changing Benefits of Networking

We live, work and play in two worlds today – in person and online. They are equally important, inter-dependent and mutually beneficial.

I have built my current business and brand from ground zero engaged in these two worlds. The importance of consistent, qualified, dedicated networking can never be stressed enough as a requirement, not an option today.

In October 2006, I was sitting out on my lanai in SW Florida not working, after making a voluntary career and life change in August to leave a 20+ year career in Broadcast Radio sales and management. I took a job offer and moved to SW Florida, where I didn’t really know anyone. I was so excited, but it just didn't work out the way I had envisioned it.

I was stunned and shocked. I never thought it wouldn’t work out and that I'd actually need a plan B. But thank goodness I had one. In February of 2007, I launched the first evolution of my current brand. A sales, marketing and social media training and consultancy company.

I hit very tough times (with a good idea and solution) in a small market that was ranked in the top 5 foreclosure markets in the country during those years. We were in the thick of the financial downturn. People needed a lot of help through those times and by helping them, it helped me.

I stayed in SW Florida and evolved my business for the next three years. I joined the chamber, a few local networking groups, got on committees, volunteered and started getting serious about social media, blogging and podcasting. I worked very hard to build the right connections and community.

It worked. I made friends, grew my business and became a part of the online and local community. Networking, especially during down times, is not only good for business, but good for friendship. There is a sense of belonging and comraderie that comes with networking.

I think about those early years and how essential networking was in building those friendships, a new career, business and social media presence.

My business model has evolved to more diverse ways to market, make money and expand my geographical reach and footprint as I continue to deliver career, professional branding and social media services with a focus on content marketing, blogging and podcasting. I am now a two time published career and small business author, national speaker, consultant, writer and media host.

This, by the way, has been a 7 year overnight journey where I have learned to be patient, consistent, flexible, nimble and persistent.

I am a huge fan of and proponent of networking. It’s probably the most important professional activity we do, to get to the connection or sale, which is very different today than it was, even 5 years ago. Technology and social media have changed this game dramatically.

Benefits of Networking

1) Industry and Local Brand Leadership

Not only did I get serious about my site and growing content, but I am now a regular contributor to several other national businesses and sites including Small Business Trends, Forbes, Entrepreneur, LinkedIn and Business Insider. And this is all because of networking.

2) Credibility and Following

I regularly engage with people opting in not only from all over the US, but Pakistan, Australia, England, India, Ireland, South America, Central America, France and Malaysia. Business and career issues and challenges are worldwide and the virtual world makes it possible for us to find each other no matter where we live. All because of networking.

3) Real Time Information Exchange

Anyone with a smartphone camera can now be a reporter and publisher, sharing content worldwide. Regular people are now street journalists, simply by sitting at a cafe in Paris witnessing something newsworthy. I find out about most major news events on Twitter and social media.

4) Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration

Social media makes it possible for all of us to engage with each other sharing trends, advice and business. I have met amazing people who bring value to my day, and those relationships have turned into tangible, valued business partnerships.

5) Referrals, Introductions and Connections

Supporting others work, accomplishments, life events and activities is a key part of networking and relationship building. Be kind, be a connector, be a giver and a catalyst when you network. Givers get more.

Some say that the virtual relationships we make online are not real relationships. I challenge that and say that social media platforms are the most natural way for human beings to fulfill their human need to connect. Virtual connections are the bridge to connecting in person, by phone, or Skype.

How glorious and wonderful it is to meet other professionals and business people who are like minded, spirited and goal oriented. When people finally meet in person after meeting online, many times they feel like they already know each other. Networking gives us all a place to meet up, greet up and grow up together.

So how do you benefit from networking?

Meet Up Photo via Shutterstock

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GoDaddy Files Plan to Go Public, Raise $100 Million

Domain registrar and Web hosting company GoDaddy Inc. filed for a $100 million public offering Monday.

While the company may be best known for race driver Danica Patrick's flashy persona, the Scottsdale, Ariz. company is expanding in lateral directions to serve small businesses, by adding product and service lines.

Over the last few years, the company has begun repositioning itself as a one-stop-shop for small businesses — and not just for their Web hosting needs.

Some may focus on the negatives now that the company’s finances have been laid bare in preparation for the public offering. For example, CNN Money reports that GoDaddy has not been profitable since 2009, losing $200 million last year alone.

Years of Transformation

But this ignores the fact that, over the last few years, GoDaddy has undergone a significant transformation. During that  time, GoDaddy has been pushing to become a platform that small businesses run their operations on.

Since 2012, the company has been on a bit of an acquisition spree.

Back in July of that year, the GoDaddy acquired Outright, a cloud-based financial management system.

In Aug. 2013, GoDaddy acquired Locu. The company specializes in maintaining consistent digital presence for small businesses over multiple online platforms.

In Oct. 2013, GoDaddy acquired both online invoicing service Ronin and fellow hosting service Media Temple.

Then there was the acquisition of online marketing platform Get Found in Jan. 2014.

GoDaddy at A Glance

Investment firms KKR & Co., Silver Lake Management LLC and Technology Crossover Ventures bought a stake in GoDaddy for $2.25 billion in 2011.

Together these firms now own more than half the company.

GoDaddy hopes to use proceeds from the IPO to repay debt and make a payment of $25 million to the three investment companies which hold the majority of the company, Bloomberg reports.

International Expansion

GoDaddy is positioning itself to become a resource for very small businesses internationally, too. GoDaddy now provides products and support in 17 languages, 14 markets and 44 different currencies.

Countries served (including the U.S.) are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Ireland and Spain.

Back in May, company CEO Blake Irving told Small Business Trends:

"These small businesses need to be served by someone and no one is doing it today. Once you leave the USA it's a very fragmented market landscape. No one is doing anything in a way that scales globally."

Image: Small Business Trends

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Pinterest Beta Tests Do-It-Yourself Promoted Pins for Business

Following the lead of other social networks like Facebook and Twitter, Pinterest is ramping up its marketing features. Back in September 2013, Pinterest announced it was beginning to experiment with sponsored pins. Now the company says it is rolling out a do-it-yourself promoted pin feature in beta too.

Back in September, company CEO and Co-Founder Ben Silbermann had described the new sponsored pins as a way for advertisers to have paid content come up in results and category feeds.

An example Silbermann had given at the time was a sponsored pin of a Batman costume coming up under a search for the term “Halloween.” The ads are also apparently for bigger brands working directly with Pinterest, ClickZ reports. Meanwhile, the new do-it-yourself pins are more for small to medium sized businesses that prefer self-serve features.

In a more recent post on the official Pinterest for Business Blog, Product Manager Jason Costa said the new DIY sponsored pins would be available on a cost-per-click basis at ads.pinterest.com eventually.

For now, however, Costa said businesses interested in taking part in the testing of either of these new ad products could sign up and wait to be contacted. Only U.S. businesses are eligible to help test the new services at this time.

The company is also rolling out more advanced analytics that it says will give businesses a better idea of the impact their marketing is having. Costa explains:

“In addition to seeing what people are Pinning from your website, you'll also be able to see how Pins from your Pinterest profile are performing. We'll tell you which of your Pins and boards are driving the most impressions, clicks and repins. We'll also clue you in to Pins that drive engagement across different platforms.”

Business users can learn more here. You must be signed up for a Pinterest business account to use any of these new features, Costa adds.

Pinterest introduced business accounts about 18 months ago. The site now has many business account holders, says Costa. They include Artifact Uprising, a custom printing business in Denver, and Food52, a website for home cooks, just to name two examples.

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