Andrew Field, CEO of PrintingForLess.com, has flung an interesting idea up the flagpole. He worries that the stimulus packages and attention to all the big business meltdowns in recent months miss a critical aspect of the problem. Scads of small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are struggling and if they begin to shutter, the impact on unemployment, etc., will be far more than a ripple.

Field suggests a plan to make new loans available to these businesses based on their number of employees. As described in his commentary at Forbes.com, your business would have access to $20,000 in unsecured loans for each full-time employee. Essentially, staff is considered an asset (go figure!). Companies that take advantage of the loan and then let employees go would find that amount of the loan payable immediately. The idea is to open up lines of credit that have otherwise dried up even for steady businesses that have been around for ages.

Sure, the plan likely has some soft spots and needs deeper consideration. But way to think through the problem and speak up! Feeling inspired? Don’t keep those notions to yourself. Share. Discuss. American entrepreneurs are prized for their innovation and “let’s-put-on-a-show” enthusiasm. Puzzle out some ideas with your staff, vendors, fellow biz buds throughout your network and see if we can’t turn this recesssion boat around.

PS: If you haven’t used PrintingForLess.com, they quite simply rock. Test drive their great service, excellent results and green solutions. Want a discount? Use our promo code: RP1E46B3L. Enjoy!