The traditional label of "Small Business" has come to apply to far too many companies. I guess we should adopt term "Microbusiness" to get realistic about what most of world imagines when you say "Small Business". I mean a business with less than 10 employees and I think most of rest of world does too. Monstrous companies define us as invisible.

Well picture this if you will, I brazenly approached one sales guy (there were dozens of them) at Siebel Systems booth (more like a small city dominating 10 spaces in convention center). I simply asked him "Does Siebel offer any solutions for small business?"

His response was predictable. "Our enterprise solutions can be applied across multiple platforms to unite all legacy systems throughout . . ."

STOP right there please! You might just as well have said a very simple NO! You could go on to say something really quite derogatory like, "NO, you puny imbecile! If we created anything for worker ants like you, we'd be broke in nothing flat! Go away and come see us when you have $30 grand or so to spend and we'll be happy to TALK with you then!"

I have to be honest and say that Siebel salesman was really very courteous and pleasant. It's just fact that they don't get big by providing small solutions for small business people. So here is my list of really worthwhile solutions that I was able to find for LittleGuy.com at InternetWorld 2001.

http://www.callbutton.com

As reported last week, my best of show award goes to CallButton. Reasonably priced, powerful, all around useful and a great ROI (return on investment) potential for small businesses online.

http://www.GoToMyPC.com

This is another of my picks from a previous conference called Upside Events Showcase 2001. I like it so much I'm making it a repeat winner since they've now partnered with Expert City. Someone else clearly agreed with me on this one. ;-)

http://www.epage.com

This is first step on your path to success. If you don't have a defined work area, a place that says to you "While You Are Here, You Are At Work!", then you will probably stumble in a lot of distractions and by end of day you will be surprised with how little you have done. You should not limit your idea of work area to space only. Consider time dimensions, too. Your coach could be your office, if your family knows that you are working and not sleeping, petting cat or watching TV.

You should always keep in mind your cost. If defining your area means drywall, purchasing that awesome coach and a new carpet, then you'd better reconsider. Your business will be pretty slow for first few months, so you'd better save that money for promotion and to secure your basic expenses.

Equip it

Equipment is always a two-sided issue—you have to keep your costs at a minimum and at same time you have to be professional and not to look "cheap".

The first place to start cutting your costs is furniture. Think classic, think second-hand, and think professional use! Don't fall for that brand-new filling cabinet for "home use"—it is likely to become outdated very soon and fall apart just when you need it. You will be better off with a comfortable second-hand chair, table and filling cabinet that were actually used and proved to be sturdy enough.