Vampires have become a pop culture phenomena spanning TV, books, movies and even Vampires on Facebook. The spark for this current craze can be traced to the best selling vampire book Twilight by Stephanie Myers. The author redefined the genre with vampires who could love and created a cultural trend.

The vampire craze provides an interesting glimpse into what drives a hot trend for a valuable lesson to small business. Getting in early on any trend wave requires keeping in tune with pop culture. Best selling books are often the catalyst for movies and the precursor to a large trend. Looking at best selling book lists can provide a glimpse of what is popular in the public conscious. Other media such as magazines can tell you what is up and coming. Many leading visionaries often read all types of media from fashion news to nano technology to see the broader trends in society.

One of my favorite ways to test for trend development is Google Insights. This nifty tool will allow you to enter in search terms and see the trends over time whether consumer search volumes are increasing, decreasing or flat. Tracking trends can provide your business with the opportunity to see the road ahead and possibly capitalize on the trend.

It's no surprise that the capital markets have been running low for entrepreneurs wishing to take their business to the next level with a fresh infusion of cash. According to the University of New Hampshire Center for Venture Research, angel investments in the first half of 2009 were over $9 billion, a drop of 27 percent from the first half of 2008. Venture capital fared no better with only $5 billion in the third quarter, a 6% decrease from the second quarter of the year. The upside is while the total value of angel investing has dropped the number of deals has increased.

The news is less promising for start ups. In the first half of 2009, angel investors have decreased their start up investing, with 27 percent of angel investments in the seed and start-up stage, a decrease of 19 percent over the same period in 2008. This simply boils down to risk.

Investors are less likely to put money into a business early when the risks are greatest. Early stage companies are best to look for funds from family and friends or there is always the "reality VC" route by attempting to get on venture reality shows such as Shark Tank or Dragon's Den.

The scruffy haired, unshaven, pajama-clad home business worker is an iconic symbol of the past. Over a decade ago, with the Internet still in its infancy, home businesses based on scams and lowing paying data entry companies; not too many people took home business seriously. Small business magazines and experts featured tips on how you could be more professional by keeping the kids out and the marketplace even had audio recording of office chatter to play while you're on the phone to hide the fact you were at home.

Home business has come of age. According to findings by Emergent Research, Homepreneurs: A Vital Economic Force:

• There are about 6.6 million home businesses that generate at least 50% of the owner's household income
• Homepreneur businesses employ over 13 million people
• 35% of home businesses generate more than $125,000 in revenue; 8% more than $500,000

The small business landscape has changed dramatically with a host of low cost technologies (gMail, Skype, BaseCamp, etc.) and a wider acceptance of home business. The timing couldn't be more perfect for many recession strapped individuals looking for low cost ways to start and run a business.

Finalists were announced today in the 6th Annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business, an international competition recognizing the accomplishments of outstanding women executives, business owners, and the organizations they run.

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business are produced by the creators of the prestigious American Business Awards. The Stevies are widely considered to be the world's premier business awards. This year I have the honor again to be on the Board of Distinguished Judges & Advisors.

The final results of the 6th annual competition will be announced at an awards dinner in New York City on Friday, November 13.  More than 1,100 nominations were submitted this year for consideration in 54 categories by organizations in Australia, Canada, China, Germany, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.A.

Applying for an award is often overlooked as a form of marketing. Yet, business awards marketing can help your business get PR exposure, recognize the efforts of your staff and generate more revenue.