Distinguish yourself from competitors
Position your organization in your customer's mind with these five easy steps: assess your current position; figure out what you want your customers to perceive about your company; define your target market; look at current trends; and formulate the four levels that will dictate your positioning strategy. BusinessWeek
Small firms need to hire people who fit company culture
The culture of a small business depends a good deal on the owner, says John Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas in Chicago. When hiring, consider that employees will be more successful if they fit into the culture of the company, he says. BusinessWeek/Today's Tip
Small vintners weather capital-intensive business
The expense, long-term outlook and dependency on nature make wine making a risky business, but a number of new entrepreneurs have succeeded. Wineries are capital-intensive because it takes years to develop a wine before it can be sold, says Cathy Corison, owner of Corison Winery in California's Napa Valley. Entrepreneur.com
Twitter, meetups and tweetups
Don’t hide behind your computer screen. Use social networking to get out there and meet your next customer (or mentor or employee). By Rob and Kristie McNealy Colorado Biz
Campus Life….
Client Company Lunch
Speaker: Bill Heller, Operations Manager, Occidental Oil & Gas Company
Topic: The Energy Industry, and a “from the field” view of the growth of that sector.
Bill’s practical, real-world perspective on what is really happening in the field should be extremely valuable in helping all of us understand the drivers shaping our economy. As the energy industry has such a significant impact on our local economy and, in turn, impacts the viability of so many new business ventures, this will be a very valuable presentation.
Where & When: Tuesday, July 15 at noon in the training room
Food: Lee Mathis & Shelli Mayo – another sneak-preview of their menu for the “Feast in the Fields” Event
Upcoming Workshops at the Incubator….
Human Resource Management 101
Finding and retaining employees is a hot topic in the Grand Valley these days. With unemployment low, wages climbing and increased competition, it is more important than ever to make sure you have your company’s human resource function performing to its highest potential.
Get your ducks in a row and make sure your policies and procedures are optimized to best serve your bottom line. Be ready to hire and train new talent, and have strategies in place to retain your top performers. Understand how clear communication, skill development and positive company culture are management practices that successful companies use to outperform the competition. Cost: $55.00 and includes continental breakfast.
SEMINAR AGENDA
· Bechtel & Santo, LLP will discuss contents and maintenance of personnel files, including written reprimands and performance appraisals.
· Autopaychecks Inc. will present payroll and benefits taxation.
· Global Rainmakers will discuss retaining employees in a tight labor market.
When: Thursday, July 17 from 8:30 – 11:30 AM
Additional upcoming workshops….
QuickBooks Pro 2008
- QuickBooks Pro Basic (Part 1)
When: Friday, July 24 from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- QuickBooks Pro Basic (Part 2)
When: Saturday, July 25 from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cost: $145
Where: Mesa County Workforce Center
2897 North Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81501
970-257-2215
Friday, June 27, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Executive Edge: Konrad Krauland
Textile manufacturer finds PowerPro fishing line is his biggest catch. By Bob Kretschman ColoradoBiz
Setting the right price for your product
New retailers will discover that there is no universally accepted "right price" for a specific product. Establishing a retail price requires striking a balance between a price that is too high to be competitive or affordable, and a price that is too low to be profitable. MSNBC/Entrepreneur.com
Failure to delegate can sink growth plans
One of the biggest obstacles many entrepreneurs face is their own unwillingness to delegate, says Romanus Wolter, the author of "Kick Start Your Success" and "Kick Start Your Dream Business." Wolter offers several tips on how to take advantage of other people's skills including trusting colleagues in areas where the entrepreneur is weaker, experiment by assigning tasks to others and building a team by sharing the vision for the company. Entrepreneur
A Practical Guide to Branding
Define your brand identity—your product's "personality"—before you spend a dime on advertising or marketing. BusinessWeek
Innovative shippers use strategies to weather downturn
Good shippers are responding to the tough economy and soaring gas prices by changing the way they go to market. The truly innovative firms are using a combination of strategies and partnerships to weather the storm. Logistics Management
Showing how social networks work for your business
There are simple ways to use social networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and MySpace to your business's advantage. Using these networks by posting news and information, finding talent or even doing research on potential employees increases attention to your business and reaches new audiences. BusinessWeek/Today's Tip
Campus Life….
Client Company Lunch
Speaker: Steve Thompson - What to expect when you leave the Incubator: Construction Management and Site Development
Where & When: Tuesday, May 20 at noon in the training room
Food: Lee Mathis & Shelli Mayo – a special sneak-preview of his menu for the “Feast in the Fields” Event
Lunch Menu:
Spring Salad w/ a Balsamic Dressing
Bloody Mary Shrimp Empanadas with Peach Salsa
Curried Chicken w/ Peaches
Cheesecake Bytes
No TAB this month
Upcoming Workshops at the Incubator….
Taxes and the Small Business Owner
Simple answers to business tax issues. To start, Pamela J. Belcher CPA will discuss such topics as: keeping track of and paying all your business taxes, computing and filing payroll taxes, satisfying state and federal guidelines, depreciating items like a home office, or automobile, and working with independent contractors versus employees. In the afternoon, Colorado Department of Revenue representative Bruce Kolisek, as well as representatives from the Department of Labor Employment, will discuss state withholding taxes, sales tax issue and unemployment and use tax. Cost: $45.
When: Thursday, June 19 from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday, June 2, 2008
Business Incubator Center NEWS
Prices for sale of small businesses drop
Prices seem to be softening for business owners who have put their companies up for sale this year. Analysts say tighter credit standards, increased costs and a loss of customers are to blame. The New York Times
Rock stars can be role models for business leaders
Rock stars have more in common with business leaders than some may think, and they can serve as valuable models. They show that optimal performance requires exceptional dedication to practice and a tremendous thirst for learning. BusinessWeek
Grape Expectations
Piero Incisa della Rocchetta is the export manager for the Tuscan wine brand, Tenuta San Guido, known for its Super-Tuscan (Sassicaia) wines that go for hundreds or thousands of dollars a bottle. In our interview, he discusses how he goes about branding Tenuta San Guido on a worldwide scale and how that compares to his small, family vineyard. Brand Channel
Peer mentors offer productive partnerships
Peer mentors can be highly useful for entrepreneurs as sources of motivation and as trusted colleagues in whom to confide. Three relationships described in this article show how peer partnerships can come in many forms and offer extensive benefits. Entrepreneur.com
Upcoming Workshops at the Incubator….
USDA Rural Development Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Grant Program
Pattie Snidow, the Northwest Area Director for USDA Rural Development will be leading this seminar for private sector small businesses in rural towns of population of 50,000 or less, or agriculture producers. This grant program covers energy efficiency upgrades to commercial building or installation of market proven products for Renewable Energy for up to 25% of the total project cost.
Maximum Grant - Energy Efficiency $250,000 / Renewable Energy $500,000
In addition, loan guarantees with your local bank could be available to support most of the project.
When: Thursday, June 5 from 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Understanding Bookkeeping & Financial Statements
Instructor Helen Roe works with the Loan Fund of Mesa County and was recognized as the 2005-06 Outstanding Woman Accountant by the American Society of Women Accountants. Both classes include a question and answer period. Take advantage of this opportunity to have Helen address your specific questions! Cost is $45.00 per class or $55.00 when you register for both bookkeeping classes.
Session I
This class is designed for new business start-ups and focuses on how to set up business accounting records, how to track income and expenses and what types of expenses are deductible.
When: Wednesday, June 11 from 1:00-4:00 PM
Session II
This class, designed for new and existing businesses, will help you gain better control of your business by learning how balance sheets, income statements and cash flow projections are prepared and what they can tell you about your business.
When: Thursday, June 12, from 1:00-4:00 PM
Taxes and the Small Business Owner
Simple answers to business tax issues. To start, Pamela J. Belcher CPA will discuss such topics as: keeping track of and paying all your business taxes, computing and filing payroll taxes, satisfying state and federal guidelines, depreciating items like a home office, or automobile, and working with independent contractors versus employees. In the afternoon, Colorado Department of Revenue representative Bruce Kolisek, as well as representatives from the Department of Labor Employment, will discuss state withholding taxes, sales tax issue and unemployment and use tax. Cost: $45.
When: Thursday, June 19 from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
How to Start Food-Related a Business
Come learn all the basics of starting a food related business. You will learn about health regulations, packaging requirements, licensing requirements, business planning and how to fund it all. Cost: $45.
When: Thursday, June 26 from 9:00 - 11:30 AM
Excerpt from the Incubator Handbook….
Program Requirements:
Client Companies agree to participate in the Incubator Program, which includes a commitment to:
Prices seem to be softening for business owners who have put their companies up for sale this year. Analysts say tighter credit standards, increased costs and a loss of customers are to blame. The New York Times
Rock stars can be role models for business leaders
Rock stars have more in common with business leaders than some may think, and they can serve as valuable models. They show that optimal performance requires exceptional dedication to practice and a tremendous thirst for learning. BusinessWeek
Grape Expectations
Piero Incisa della Rocchetta is the export manager for the Tuscan wine brand, Tenuta San Guido, known for its Super-Tuscan (Sassicaia) wines that go for hundreds or thousands of dollars a bottle. In our interview, he discusses how he goes about branding Tenuta San Guido on a worldwide scale and how that compares to his small, family vineyard. Brand Channel
Peer mentors offer productive partnerships
Peer mentors can be highly useful for entrepreneurs as sources of motivation and as trusted colleagues in whom to confide. Three relationships described in this article show how peer partnerships can come in many forms and offer extensive benefits. Entrepreneur.com
Upcoming Workshops at the Incubator….
USDA Rural Development Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Grant Program
Pattie Snidow, the Northwest Area Director for USDA Rural Development will be leading this seminar for private sector small businesses in rural towns of population of 50,000 or less, or agriculture producers. This grant program covers energy efficiency upgrades to commercial building or installation of market proven products for Renewable Energy for up to 25% of the total project cost.
Maximum Grant - Energy Efficiency $250,000 / Renewable Energy $500,000
In addition, loan guarantees with your local bank could be available to support most of the project.
When: Thursday, June 5 from 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Understanding Bookkeeping & Financial Statements
Instructor Helen Roe works with the Loan Fund of Mesa County and was recognized as the 2005-06 Outstanding Woman Accountant by the American Society of Women Accountants. Both classes include a question and answer period. Take advantage of this opportunity to have Helen address your specific questions! Cost is $45.00 per class or $55.00 when you register for both bookkeeping classes.
Session I
This class is designed for new business start-ups and focuses on how to set up business accounting records, how to track income and expenses and what types of expenses are deductible.
When: Wednesday, June 11 from 1:00-4:00 PM
Session II
This class, designed for new and existing businesses, will help you gain better control of your business by learning how balance sheets, income statements and cash flow projections are prepared and what they can tell you about your business.
When: Thursday, June 12, from 1:00-4:00 PM
Taxes and the Small Business Owner
Simple answers to business tax issues. To start, Pamela J. Belcher CPA will discuss such topics as: keeping track of and paying all your business taxes, computing and filing payroll taxes, satisfying state and federal guidelines, depreciating items like a home office, or automobile, and working with independent contractors versus employees. In the afternoon, Colorado Department of Revenue representative Bruce Kolisek, as well as representatives from the Department of Labor Employment, will discuss state withholding taxes, sales tax issue and unemployment and use tax. Cost: $45.
When: Thursday, June 19 from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
How to Start Food-Related a Business
Come learn all the basics of starting a food related business. You will learn about health regulations, packaging requirements, licensing requirements, business planning and how to fund it all. Cost: $45.
When: Thursday, June 26 from 9:00 - 11:30 AM
Excerpt from the Incubator Handbook….
Program Requirements:
Client Companies agree to participate in the Incubator Program, which includes a commitment to:
- Complete a Business Plan within the first 2 years of occupancy. Assistance in completing the Business Plan is available through the aforementioned Management Assistance program.
- Meet, at a minimum, semi-annually with BIC staff and provide them with up-to-date financial statements for the purpose of evaluating ICC’s financial performance and reporting aggregate numbers.
- Attend, at minimum, one business related class or workshop per year.
- Attend, at a minimum, seven networking events per year such as the monthly Client Lunch.
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