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E-Newletter                                                                       September 2013

In This Issue:
SBDC Seminars
Colorado SBDC Network  
 
MISSION:
To help businesses start, grow and prosper in Colorado.

VISION:
To be the #1 statewide business resource for entrepreneurs in Colorado.

PURPOSE:
To offer business consulting and training that maximizes the economic potential of Colorado entrepreneurs.
  
FairPCAPP and PCC Offer Free Training and Job Fair
September 5, 2013  I 9:30 am - 11:00 am    
October 3, 2013  I  9:30 am - 11:00 am    
November 7, 2013  I 9:30 am - 11:00 am    
December 5, 2013  I9:30 am - 11:00 am 
 
   
Department of Social Servies Office
805 Desert Flower Blvd., Pueblo
(next to Big Lots on the Pueblo's north-side)
 

The Pueblo Chemical Agent Destruction  Pilot Plant will be hosting a community presentation regarding employment opportunities at their facility.

 

Pueblo Community College's Economic & Workforce Development Division will also be presenting training opportunities at this event.

 

For more information contact:  Cheryl Bowman, Employment Counselor, Dept. of Social Service, Colorado Works Program, 719-253-7900.  

VolunteerPueblo Volunteer Management
September 9, 2013  I 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm 
Pueblo Rawlings LibraryCO Nonprofit Assoc. logo
Brett Kelly Room A (1st Floor)
100 E Abriendo Ave, Pueblo
  

Are you interested in creating a volunteer program, but aren't sure where to begin.  Do you have an existing volunteer program which needs a bit of retooling to increase its effectiveness?  Do you want to better understand how to communicate your program's impact within your community?  Join the Colorado Nonprofit Association as we discuss key components related to volunteer program management. Participants will better understand the key components in developing and maintaining a volunteer program, pertinent issues around managing volunteers, and evaluating program effectiveness among volunteers, as well as, the communities your organization serves.  This session is ideal for those new to volunteer program development and management, and will serve as a refresher for those more experienced volunteer managers and coordinators. 

 

Learn more and register

ToolkitThe Advanced Social Media Decision Makers' Toolkit

Six Tuesdays in September & October

Starting Sept 10 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. CO Nonprofit Assoc. logo

 Webinar | $175m/$200s

  

Mark Zuckerberg may have invented Facebook, and David Karp may have made millions from Tumblr, but you're the one who needs to figure out how to use these tools. Nonprofits are pushing full steam ahead on social media with no sign of slowing down. Even if you have a presence and post regularly, how can you keep up with the latest trends and strategies? Furthermore, how can you tune out the noise and uncover what will actually get you results?

 

The solution doesn't have to be as complicated as the challenge. Colorado Nonprofit Association has partnered with Idealware to present The Advanced Social Media Decision-Maker's Toolkit, a six-session webinar series that takes a hard look at social media and shows you what strategies have been proven effective to organizations like yours. You'll learn about the tools available, the planning you'll need to do, and practiced methods to attract clients, volunteers, and donations. 

 

BONUS:  This class is worth 9 CFRE credits!

 

You may have not invented the next, best social media tool, but with The Advanced Social Media Decision-Maker's Toolkit, you can master it. 

More Info and Register

AIAAdvanced Industries Accelerator Grant Program Information Sessions
September 16, 2013  I 9:30 am - 10:00 am       
Pueblo Community College
Campus Student Center, Barbara Fortino Room
900 West Orman Ave., Pueblo
 

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) is visiting different Colorado regions during the month of September to provide updates and information on the Advance Industries Accelerator Grant Program. Additional information is contained in the attached flyer.

 

Please join us to find out more about the innovative grants being deployed by OEDIT.  You can also subscribe to alerts through their website www.advancecolorado.com if you would like to receive future communications regarding this initiative. 

 

TradeShowRocky Mountain Governmental Purchasing Association to Host Fall Reserse Vendor Trade Show
September 19, 2013 
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm or 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Pueblo Convention Center

320 Central Main Street, Pueblo 

  

The Rocky Mountain Governmental Purchasing Association (RMGPA) is hosting the Fall Reverse Vendor Trade Show (RVTS) for vendors to interact one-on-one with governmental procurement professionals in one location. This is a reverse trade show - the public procurement agencies will be staffing the booths.

 

This is a great "Government 2 Business" opportunity for vendors to learn how to do business with contracting representatives from city and county governments, school districts, regional agencies as well as higher education, and state agencies. It is also a great opportunity for contracting representatives to communicate business procedures with vendors along with obtain valuable contact information that increases resources to obtain products and services.

 

This year's RVTS will offer two convenient sessions. Session one (1) is scheduled from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. while session two (2) is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Both sessions will be held at the Pueblo Convention Center located at 320 Central Main Street, Pueblo, CO 81003. Each session is limited to 75 participants. For complete information on the Fall RVTS, visit https://www.rmgpa.org/.

 

For more information about the RVTS, contact Mary Kirschmer (303) 326-1988 ext. 28234 or makirschmer@aps.k12.co.us.

 

The Rocky Mountain Governmental Purchasing Association (RMGPA), a chapter of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP), is a diverse, non-profit organization whose membership includes over 500 purchasing officers, agents, buyers, managers and others associated with public purchasing representing over 100 different state and local agencies in Colorado and Wyoming. 

 

VIEW FLYER

WomensRegistration Now Open For Annual CO Small Business Women's Conference
October 17, 2013  I 7:30 am - 6:00 pm     
Copper Mountain Resort
Conference Center
0182 Copper Cir., Copper Mountain, CO 80443
 
Join the Colorado SBDC for the 4th Annual Women's Small Business Conference at Copper Mountain on October 17, 2013.  The conference consists of educational seminars, one-on-one consulting, valuable networking opportunities and exciting keynote speakers.

 

This year we are proud to announce Roxane White, Chief of Staff to Governor Hickenlooper, as the luncheon keynote speaker! As Chief of Staff to Governor Hickenlooper, Roxane is in charge of the daily functions of the State of Colorado and oversees all Cabinet Members.

 

Registration is now open. Cost to attend is $45 before October 4.  Visit our website for more information, including updated agenda, speakers, vendor and attendee registration.

TheatersState of Colorado Offering Loans to Small, Rural Movie Theaters

In July, the Economic Development Commission approved $200,000 to support local nonprofit and for-profit theaters that have raised at least $10,000. Theaters must have a two-to-one match and show sustainability (as evaluated by the SBDC). The grant supports theaters that can complete a certification form to demonstrate financial viability, local fundraising, and appropriate technical counseling prior to capital purchase.    

 

More Info

CareHealth Care Changes:  A New Tool For Small Business Owners

SBA is excited to announce a new, streamlined health care tool , housed at Business USA,  to help you find out exactly what you and your employees need to know about the Affordable Care Act. In a few quick steps, you'll understand the essentials of new insurance options and other health care changes.

 

Depending on the size of your business, different provisions of the Affordable Care Act may apply. This is why it's so important that small business owners know the facts about the law and use them to make any business decisions.   

  

In a few quick steps, the streamlined tool can help you understand what you need to know about new insurance options and other health care changes, as well as find health care-related resources that are relevant to your business.

 
CupsKauffman's 1 Million Cups Comes to Denver
1 Million Cups (1MC)  is a simple way to engage entrepreneurs in communities around the
world. Each week, the 1MC program offers two local entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their startups to a diverse audience of mentors, advisors and entrepreneurs. Presenters prepare a six minute educational presentation and engage in 20 minutes of feedback and questioning after they present. Entrepreneurs gain insight into possible ways they can improve their businesses, gather real-time feedback, connect with a community that truly cares about their progress, and walk away feeling like they have advanced their business. The audience also learns a great deal from the presentations. 

 

Join 1MC every Wednesday at 9 a.m. at Galvanize, 1062 Delaware Street, Denver, CO 80204. 
CompanyWeekColorado CompanyWeek

CompanyWeek is the voice of Rocky Mountain makers and manufacturers, with a weekly e-newsletter, a website and social networking platform featuring a suite of digital tools that can be used to manage content, data, subscriptions, and advertising.

 

In every weekly digital edition you will find:

  • 4-6 company briefs, profiling the compelling people or product attributes of the business
  • Digital resources that facilitate business-to-business connections for the benefit of industry players and service providers
  • Analysis and commentary
  • Best-of-industry content from the community of manufacturing-related companies, service providers, trade and industry groups, and regional voices
  • Video and all social content feeds

In-person events are a foundation of the CompanyWeek media strategy, bringing together an ecosystem of industry, trade, public-and-private financial stakeholders, and the region's deep service-sector to collectively move the sector forward.

 

For more information Click Here

TipsSmall Business Tip:  10 Tips To Help Build and Stand-Out Small Business Brand

Small businesses are in a unique position to create valuable customer experiences.

Their products and services are often niche, the target customer is very defined, and business operations are agile and unconstrained by corporate rules and processes. Small businesses are also trusted for their integrity, community engagement and customer service. When was the last time you called a small business and got put through to an automated call center? These seemingly small things come together to create a hugely competitive value proposition - and are the lynchpin of your brand.

 

Here are some tips that can help:            

 

1.  What is Your Brand?

First, it's important to understand that your brand is much more than your logo, merchandising or products. As I mentioned above, it is about the sum total of the experiences customers have with your business. This includes the visual elements of your business, but it also includes what you do, how you do it, what your customer interactions are like, and the type of information you share in your marketing and on social media. All these elements help establish the trust and credibility of your business.

 

2.  Stand Out

Standing out means being different. If your brand is going to be strong, you need to be able to pinpoint what it is that makes what you do unique. What differentiates you from others in your industry? Read 5 Tips for Using Competitive Differentiators to Build Your Business Brand. Don't forget to weave your differentiators into your company's messaging and marketing. 

 

3.  Have Great Products and Services

Word of mouth is often a small business's greatest lead generator, so having great products and services that people talk about is a critical part of your brand and why you are in business.  Even the most outgoing and charming small business owner is not going to succeed in bringing customers back, unless the product or service they provide delivers and exceeds expectations. Don't lose sight of your product - keep refining it, testing new offerings, and making sure you always put product first, not the money it brings in.

 

To find out the other 7 steps, Click here 

Brought to you by Caron Beesley and the SBA
PreparadnessGet Your Business Ready For Any Kind of Disaster - Free National Preparadness Month Webinar Series

WASHINGTON - Each year small businesses nationwide are forced to close their doors in the aftermath of severe storms, flooding, tornadoes, wildfires and hurricanes.  Business interruptions, even if it lasts just a few hours, are costly in terms of lost productivity and profits.

You can get help with your own business preparedness planning through a series of free webinars in September hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration and Agility Recovery. The September series is presented in collaboration with FEMA's Ready Campaign, as part of National Preparedness Month.  

The SBA wants to help business owners take charge of the well-being of their own companies, the safety of their employees, and the sustenance of their local economies by being prepared to rebound quickly from any kind of disaster.

Below is a list of the topics.  The hour-long webinars will be presented at 2 p.m. EDT each Wednesday in September.

September 11: Protecting Your Organization by Preparing Your Employees

                Registration Link: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/668927705

September 18: The NEW 10 Steps to Preparedness - Lessons from the Past

                Registration Link: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/613804840

September 25: Crisis Communications for any Organization

                Registration Link:  https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/918980200

SBA has partnered with Agility to offer business continuity strategies through their "PrepareMyBusiness" website. Visit www.preparemybusiness.org to access past webinars and additional preparedness tools. 

BBBBBB To Begin Publishing Complaint Details

Colorado Springs, CO - The Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado (BBBSC)BBB logo

will join all BBB's across the country in publishing complaint details in their free Business Reviews. Complaints posted online will include all those received since October 20, 2012. 

 

Previously, complaints were classified into categories and only the type of each complaint was reported, along with basic information about how the complaint was closed. Beginning on August 1, the actual text from consumer complaints will be included, as well as the initial business response and any subsequent business/consumer correspondence in reportable complaints.

 

"We believe that this change will enhance the transparency of our complaint handling process," said Matt Barrett, CEO of the BBB. "We also believe that including the text of the complaints will provide better service for both our businesses and consumers as the public will have the opportunity to observe how our businesses interact with customers to resolve concerns."

 

Because complaint detail is now able to be viewed by others, the BBB stresses that no personally identifiable information should be included in complaints and responses or rebuttals. Personally identifiable information includes names, phone numbers, addresses, names of competitor businesses and order, invoice or contract numbers.

 

"We are committed to protecting the privacy of individuals," added Barrett. "We will remove any personally identifiable information that is inadvertently included in complaints before we publish."

 

For more information, please visit www.bbb.org, 719.636.1155 or info@bbbsc.org.

THANK YOU TO OUR E-NEWSLETTER OUTREACH SPONSOR!

 
 
 

THANK YOU TO OUR 2013 SEMINAR SERIES SPONSORS!

 
US Bank Logo BBB Foundation   Ent Business Banking St. Mary-Corwin logo
 

SOUTHERN COLORADO SBDC PROGRAM SPONSORS

   

   PCC Logo                    SBA logo 

 

 

Southern Colorado SBDC | 719-549-3224 | sbdc@pueblocc.edu 
 

 www.coloradosbdc.org  | Main Office: 131 S. Main Street, Pueblo, CO 81003 

The Southern Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a partnership between the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Pueblo Community College. The support given by the SBA through such funding does not constitute an expressed or implied endorsement of any of the co-sponsor(s)' or participants' opinions, products or services. Special arrangements for the handicapped will be made if requested in advance by contacting the Southern Colorado SBDC at 719-549-3224.


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