NewsFeeds 10.13.09

Redevelopment of Cloverleaf Mall slow going (Times-Dispatch)
The county purchased the final piece of the $16 million property in August with an agreement from N.C.-based developer Crosland Investments LLC to purchase the property for the same price, plus interest, and develop it into Stonebridge, a mixed-use project. But before that can happen, the county must issue bonds to fund $11.3 million worth of infrastructure. That step hinges on Crosland’s ability to sign enough retailers for the mixed-use project to satisfy increasingly stringent lending requirements.

Stop calling yourself a Realtor  (Inside Business)
There has been some confusion about who can carry the title and designation of Realtor, which is a trademark. The issue arose when several major commercial real estate firms decided not to renew their membership with the Commercial Real Estate Council, an affiliate of the Hampton Roads Realtors Association, which is the local affiliate of the National Association of Realtors.

Volvo to lay off more workers in Pulaski (Roanoke Times)
Spokesman Jim McNamara said Monday the company, which employs 1,200, will dismiss about 50 employees effective in mid-December.

Fewer Venture Capital Donors (Washington Post)
Venture capital fundraising in the Washington region has fallen to its lowest level in five years, including a third quarter in which no firms reported raising any new money from investors, according to a study by Thomson Reuters and the National Venture Capital Association.

Miracle on the Hudson’ reveals passengers’ chilling stories (USA Today)
Not business news, but amazing reading. Passengers in the rear of the jet’s cabin expected to drown as water rose above their chests. At least 17 ended up in the river, and another dozen became hypothermic waiting on the jet’s wings. In many cases, the outcome would not have been as happy if the rescue been delayed by even a few minutes. After hitting the birds, the jet shuddered and emitted quick, spooky noises — the thumps of geese bouncing along the fuselage, simultaneous explosions and tortured sounds inside the engines that were winding down to a dead stop.

What If Your Business Catches the Flu? (Slate)
The best way to try to stem this is to insist, even against your first instinct, that people stay home if they aren’t feeling good—and if necessary, alter your sick-leave policies accordingly so that people don’t feel obliged to show up. You might also consider subsidizing flu vaccines for your employees—both the swine flu and the regular seasonal flu vaccines. (BizSense has not so far not found a local clinic or pharmacy with the vaccine.)

Credit Tightens for Small Businesses (NY Times)
Bankers worry about the extent of losses on credit card businesses as high unemployment sends cardholders into trouble. They are also reckoning with anticipated failures in commercial real estate. Until the scope of these losses is known, many lenders are inclined to hang on to their dollars rather than risk them on loans to businesses in a weak economy, say economists and financial industry executives.

Entrepreneurs Take On Tax Man (WSJ)
The bad economy and the deteriorating commercial real-estate market have motivated some small-business owners to fight their tax assessments.

How to Be a Better Boss (Inc.)
Most bosses enjoy delivering praise. Problem is, some aren’t very good at it. How a few kind words can make your employees happier — and boost the bottom line.