CHICAGO, May 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- In an
unprecedented collaboration, Allstate, Capital One, LegalZoom,
Microsoft, Office Depot, Inc. and Web.com have joined forces to
create Small Business Connection
(http://www.smallbusinessconnection.com), a free online resource
hub built to empower small business owners by addressing and
helping to solve their critical business issues.
This is the first partnership of its kind, made up of leading
companies from the banking, insurance, legal, office supply,
internet marketing and technology sectors. The variety of
industries represented will help provide small business owners –
from those just starting out to established owners – with access to
a broad base of knowledge and advice, all without a sales
pitch.
"Small businesses are the backbone of our nation. They face the
same challenges as large companies yet have a fraction of the
resources. Small Business Connection sets out to change that," said
Mike Barton, president of Allstate Business Insurance and chairman
of the Small Business Connection Board of Governors. "This resource
hub will provide the 28 million small businesses in the U.S. with
knowledge, insight, ideas and guidance from some of the most
innovative companies around."
According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses
make up nearly 50 percent of private-sector payroll, representing
more than 28 million companies. Nearly half of all new
establishments survive five years or more and about one-third of
new businesses survive 10 years or more.
Small Business Connection is a freely accessible web portal that
features valuable information and thought leadership to assist with
many aspects of running a small business, including:
- Commercial and employee benefits solutions to help protect
small businesses (provided by Allstate Business Insurance and
Allstate Benefits)
- Cash flow management and financial education resources to help
small businesses manage their finances more effectively (provided
by Capital One)
- Modern legal solutions to help small business owners as they
start and grow their business (provided by LegalZoom)
- Helping small businesses realize their full potential through
the use of technology (provided by Microsoft)
- Thousands of products, helpful services and award-winning
customer service, to help your business reach peak performance
(provided by Office Depot, Inc.)
- Internet services and online marketing solutions for small
businesses (provided by Web.com)
"Allstate Business Insurance and Allstate Benefits are leaders
in supporting small businesses because the corporation is a network
of nearly 10,000 small businesses," continued Barton. "We are
excited to bring some of the nation's leading brands together to
help small businesses grow, succeed and thrive in the ever-changing
economy."
"Allstate Benefits began as a small business, so we understand
the unique challenges and opportunities of that marketplace," said
Greg Guidos, president of Allstate
Benefits. "Today, more than 20,000 small businesses across the U.S.
place their trust in Allstate Benefits to provide voluntary
benefits solutions. As part of the Small Business Connection team,
we hope to bring our solutions to even more employers, helping them
provide financial protection to their most valuable asset – their
employees."
"Small businesses fuel job growth and innovation, and enrich the
communities we live, work and play in – but many lack the resources
needed to compete and grow," said Keri
Gohman, Capital One's Head of Small Business Banking. "As a
founder-led company, Capital One has a deep appreciation for what
it takes to establish and grow a business, and we're proud to
partner on this initiative to empower local businesses and
entrepreneurs with quality insights and guidance to help them
succeed."
"Business owners often make decisions on issues they are facing
for the first time. We are excited to join this collaboration
to share insights, observations, or guidance to help them make the
right choice for their business," said John
Suh, CEO of LegalZoom.
"The collective economic impact of small businesses is
unquestioned, and Microsoft is committed to continuing to help
these businesses grow and thrive," said Alex Fong, Sr. Director of Business Development
at Microsoft. "The content provided through the Small Business
Connection hub will give small businesses guidance on realizing the
impact of technology, the importance of security and the
opportunity to leverage enterprise capabilities to better
collaborate and enhance productivity."
"Small Business Connection will provide a broad base of
knowledge that will help small businesses with expert, unbiased
business advice for managing and growing a business," said
Steve Calkins, executive vice
president, business solutions division for Office Depot, Inc. "We
are proud to be a part of this worthy endeavor."
"Like Web.com, the Small Business Connection is committed to
helping small businesses succeed in every way possible," said
Scott Helfrich, senior vice
president, business development for Web.com. "The combined
knowledge among the partner companies, shared over a Web.com
platform, provides small businesses incredible tools they would not
otherwise have in one place."
About Allstate Business
Insurance
As a provider for more than 250,000 small-business policyholders
distributed through 10,000 small-business insurance agency owners,
Allstate Business Insurance provides insurance solutions and shares
resources to help American small businesses prosper. Products and
coverages include Business Shield (Business Owners Policy),
Commercial Auto, Inland Marine, Umbrella and Cyber Security. For
more information on Allstate Business Insurance, visit:
www.allstate.com/business.
About Allstate Benefits
Allstate protects employees,
too. As a leading provider of voluntary insurance products,
Allstate Benefits offers companies a comprehensive product
portfolio with competitive pricing, easy enrollment and hassle-free
claims processing. Products such as Accident, Cancer, Critical
Illness, Life, Disability, Hospital Indemnity, Supplemental Health,
Term to 100 (Life), Dental and Vision can help provide protection
for individuals and families from financial burdens due to
unexpected death, illness or injury. The cash benefits can be used
to empower our customers – whether the benefit is used for
life-saving medical treatments, to help pay high deductibles, or
even to help cover daily living expenses such as house payments,
utilities, groceries, etc.
About Capital One
Capital One Financial Corporation
(www.capitalone.com) is a financial holding company whose
subsidiaries, which include Capital One, N.A., and Capital One Bank
(USA), N. A., had $205.5 billion in deposits and $308.9 billion in total assets as of
December 31, 2014. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One offers a broad
spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small
businesses and commercial clients through a variety of channels.
Capital One, N.A. has branches located primarily in New York, New
Jersey, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. A Fortune 500 company,
Capital One trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
"COF" and is included in the S&P 100 index.
About Legal Zoom
LegalZoom is the nation's leading
provider of personalized, affordable online legal solutions for
families and small businesses. Founded 14 years ago by attorneys
with experience at some of the top law firms in the country,
LegalZoom has helped over two million Americans become protected
with binding legal documents. Although LegalZoom is not a law firm,
it can help people access an attorney through its legal plans. The
company has offices in Austin, TX,
Glendale, CA, Mountain View, CA, and Melton Mowbray, UK. For
more information, visit www.legalzoom.com.
About Microsoft SMB
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the
worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help
people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft
serves millions of small and medium-sized businesses in the U.S.,
helping them start, grow and thrive by leveraging today's powerful
and affordable technologies. At the top of these technologies lies
cloud computing, in which Microsoft has more than 15 years of
experience and understands how to meet the demands of SMBs for
simplicity and impact, with enterprise-grade capabilities,
flexibility and affordability in a familiar environment. For more
information on Microsoft technologies for small and medium-sized
businesses, visit http://www.MicrosoftBusinessHub.com.
About Office Depot, Inc.
Office Depot, Inc. is a
leading global provider of products, services, and
solutions for every workplace – whether your workplace is an
office, home, school or car. Office Depot, Inc. is a resource
and a catalyst to help customers work better. We are a single
source for everything customers need to be more productive,
including the latest technology, core office supplies, print and
document services, business services, facilities products,
furniture, and school essentials.
The company has annual sales of approximately $16 billion, employs approximately 56,000
associates, and serves consumers and businesses in 56 countries
with approximately 1,800 retail stores, award-winning e-commerce
sites and a dedicated business-to-business sales organization – all
delivered through a global network of wholly owned operations,
joint ventures, franchisees, licensees and alliance partners. The
company operates under several banner brands including Office
Depot, OfficeMax, OfficeMax Grand & Toy, Reliable and Viking.
The company's portfolio of exclusive product brands includes TUL,
Foray, Brenton Studio, Ativa, WorkPro, Realspace and HighMark.
Office Depot, Inc.'s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global
Select Market under the symbol ODP. Additional press information
can be found at: http://news.officedepot.com.
About Web.com
Web.com Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:WWWW)
provides a full range of Internet services to small businesses to
help them compete and succeed online. Web.com is owner of several
global domain registrars and further meets the needs of small
businesses anywhere along their lifecycle with affordable,
subscription-based solutions including website design and
management, search engine optimization, online marketing campaigns,
local sales leads, social media, mobile products, eCommerce
solutions and call center services. To get more information,
visit www.web.com; follow Web.com on
Twitter @webdotcom or on Facebook
at facebook.com/web.com. For additional online marketing
resources and small business networking, please visit
Web.com's Small Business Summit.
Media Contact:
Claire
Mathison, KemperLesnik
469.644.6239 | Claire.Mathison@KemperLesnik.com
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SOURCE Small Business Connection