Small-business owners feel the sting of the NBA lockout

The NBA lockout is having a ripple effect on small businesses that rely on basketball to ring up sales. While economists say the overall economy will be relatively unaffected, business owners such as Le Anne Crounse are feeling the pinch. Crounse, who runs a sports-apparel business, has been able to sell only $20,000 of the $300,000 worth of NBA inventory she ordered nine months ago. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (10/13)

How asking questions can help shorten your sales cycle

Maintaining a strong cash flow is important, so try to reduce the length of the sales cycle, Dean Ramler writes. Start by asking detailed questions on the first sales call to prepare your company to meet the buyer's needs, he writes. Another way to improve cash flow is to require large upfront deposits for your orders. StartupSmart.com.au (Australia) (10/13)

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