Grow your business online, Tuesday, December 8 @ 6pm

Growing your business has been challenging in recent years, especially with the economy being hit so hard. Gone are the days of easy leads from Yellowpages ads, newspaper ads, and even magazine ads. Today, if your business can’t be found on the Internet, you are missing a lot of potential and profitable customers. It can be overwhelming to try to figure out how to get online and do it all yourself. You can pick up books, buy online courses, attend seminars to try to learn how to do it, but there is a steep learning curve and an overabundance of information. You are busy running a business, likely a lean shop, often working many more hours now than ever in the past.

That’s where Mel Hirsch comes in. She will teach you some of the inside secrets to getting found online, what you can do without spending a fortune or taking a month of your time on the computer and how to totally dominate your competition.

Mel has a lifetime of business experience, being born into a fourth generation grocery family in Pueblo, and she has been self-employed most of her adult life. She has been working in online marketing since 2004, and now works full-time doing online marketing for local businesses.

Please call or email to reserve a spot: Cindy Shimizu 562-5667 or Cindy.Shimizu@pueblolibrary.org.

This session is free and open to the public.

November events: Jobseeking 101 and Money for your new business

Jobseeking 101 - Saturday, November 14th, 11am

Join Diana Martinez, operations manager from Express Employment for this useful session that will include information about the basics of job-hunting: how to search for jobs, how to prepare a resume, how to dress for an interview, and how to interview. She will also discuss how an employment agency works. Bring your questions and get some helpful hints on landing a good job.

Money for your new business - Tuesday, November 17th, 6pm

Bill Keathley, Loan Officer for the Southern Colorado Economic Development District (SCEDD), will discuss the Business Loan Fund loans available for small business in Colorado. The Business Loan Funds (BLF) are funded through the Colorado Office of Economic Development.

For more information or to sign up for these sessions, contact Cindy Shimizu (719) 562-5667 Cindy.Shimizu@pueblolibrary.org

Sessions are held at Pueblo West Library and are free and open to the public

Green is the new black for business

There are many ways businesses can get on board the green revolution. As business owners, you can take big steps like going solar, which can be - believe it or not - nearly cost-neutral. In Colorado, the State authorizes counties and municipalities to offer property and sales tax rebates or credits to home and business owners who install renewable energy systems. And if you are customers of Xcel or Black Hills Energy, there are rebate programs offering up to $35,000. Add up rebates and incentives, and you can have a solar system up and running with very little out-of-pocket expenditure.

If you're not ready to take the solar plunge, there are other ways you can green up your business.

• Switch to energy-efficient computer use, including turning computers and peripherals off at night, installing and using only the essential programs for your business operations and avoiding - if possible - programs that use excessive graphics that require high-performance graphics cards, and buying greener models.
• Recharge batteries, recycle as much as possible, and reuse paper if possible.
• Use green cleaning products.
• Have an energy audit of your facility or offices.
• If you have a company car or fleet, consider buying hybrids or vehicles that get higher mileage.

For more details about these and other ways to green your business, the library has several excellent books: 101 Ways to turn your business green, by Rich Mintzer; Green to gold, by Esty & Winston; and True green @ work by McKay, Bonnin, & Wallace.

So you want to run a small business, part 2 - Franchising 101

Join Cindy Rayfield from FranNet and learn about the intricacies of starting a franchise business. Session will be Tuesday, September 15 at 6pm at Pueblo West Library. For more information or to sign up call Cindy Shimizu 719-562-5667.

SBA Launches New Online Training Course: ‘How to Win Federal Contracts’

WASHINGTON ─ The U.S. Small Business Administration today launched a new online training course to help strengthen access to contracting opportunities for small businesses, including those owned by women, minorities, disadvantaged individuals and veterans.

The training course, “Recovery Act Opportunities: How to Win Federal Contracts,” is part of a federal government-wide initiative announced last month by President Obama and being led by SBA and the Department of Commerce.

“The SBA online training course can help businesses access the federal purchasing system and position themselves to compete for the commercial opportunities offered by government contracting,” SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills said.

In announcing the government-wide initiative, President Obama reiterated his Administration’s commitment to providing “our Nation’s small businesses with maximum practicable opportunity to participate in federal government contracting.” As part of the initiative, federal agency procurement officers are participating in more than 200 events over the next several weeks to help connect small businesses with contracting opportunities. Additionally, SBA and Commerce are expanding their outreach to contracting officials across the federal government to ensure they have the tools to meet their annual contracting goals and increase opportunities to small businesses, including those owned by veterans, women and minorities, as well as those in designated HUBZones.

As part of the outreach to small businesses, the comprehensive online course uses both audio and script to provide information about the federal marketplace, contract rules and, most importantly, how to sell to the government and where to find contract and Recovery Act opportunities. The new training portal is a free online training course designed to assist entrepreneurs during this period of economic recovery. This self-paced, instructional guide provides an overview of the federal procurement process.

The Recovery Act Opportunities course is available on SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov or directly at www.sba.gov/fedcontractingtraining. The course is indexed by subject matter to allow ease of use, and it includes multiple direct links to additional contracting resources.

The Recovery Act Opportunities course includes direct links that highlight the best contracting resources and engages small business owners in the contracting process. The course also includes practical and fundamental steps to engage business owners in the federal contracting arena.

It is one of more than 24 online tutorials offered by the SBA, and is available 24/7.

For more information please visit www.sba.gov.

Your Medicare health choices, Tuesday, September 1st @ 1pm

John Giarratano, a representative from Human MarketPoint, will speak about the various options available to Medicare enrollees. This event is free and open to the public.

Please take a quick survey!

We would like to know what types of business events, materials, and speakers you are interested in, and would like to get your input on our brief survey. Please click here to complete the survey.

Thanks!

Obama Administration Announces Efforts to Increase Access to Contracting Opportunities for Minority-Owned, Small Businesses

WASHINGTON – The Obama Administration today reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that minority-owned and small businesses, including women- and veteran-owned businesses, have greater access to federal government contracting opportunities.

Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and Small Business Administrator Karen Mills announced a government-wide plan that includes federal agency procurement officials holding or participating in more than 200 events over the next 90 days to share information on government contracting opportunities, including those available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

As part of the Commerce-SBA initiative, over the next 90 days:

• Federal agency procurement officials will hold or participate in more than 200 events to share information on government contracting opportunities, including those available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

• SBA and Commerce will expand their outreach to fellow contracting officials across the federal government, passing along best practices for outreach and education to every agency to ensure they have the tools they need to meet their annual contracting goals.

• Locke and Mills will promote small business contracting opportunities in remarks, events and discussions with small business groups across the country, including minority, women and veteran groups.

Beyond the next 90 days, Commerce and SBA will support, monitor and track the impact of these efforts going forward to help ensure the Administration is maximizing opportunities for small businesses.

Small business owners can find out about federal contracting opportunities by visiting www.fedbizopps.gov. Local Commerce and SBA officials are also available in local offices across the country to assist small businesses interested in contracting opportunities. Contact information for local offices can be found www.commerce.gov and www.sba.gov.

So you want to run a small business? Tuesday, August 18 @ 6pm, Pueblo West Library

If you are currently a small business owner or want to become one, this event is a great opportunity to discover the excellent small business resources available in Pueblo County.



Speakers will include Alfonso Garcia, Small Business Consultant for Mi Casa Resource Center, Caroline Parra, Director of the Small Business Development Center, Bill Keathley, Loan Officer for the Southern Colorado Economic Development District, Ernestine Thomas, a Small Business Counselor for SCORE, and Cindy Shimizu, Business Librarian at Pueblo City-County Library District.



This will be a great chance to hear about what is available for current and new small business owners. Got questions? Get answers! Dealing with difficult issues? Find solutions!



For more information, contact Cindy Shimizu at 719-562-5667.

Show me the money!

Mi Casa-Southern Colorado WBC & SCORE is hosting this informative seminar especially for small business owners needing access to financial resources

Join us! Learn where to find and get funds for small businesses.
Hear what industry representatives and lenders have to say about…

▪grants for business ▪ micro-loans
▪ commercial bank loans ▪ credit union loans
▪ S.B.A. loans ▪ brokered loans ▪ angels
▪ business development pools
▪ private investment groups ▪ and more
Question and answer session will follow panel presentation

DATE: Saturday, August 15, 2009
TIME: 1- 4 p.m. Refreshments provided
PLACE: Pueblo County Conference Center
1001 N. Santa Fe, Pueblo, CO 81003
COST: $20.00; reservations required

Please RSVP by August 10, 2009

Mi Casa Resource Center 719-542-0091
lcandelario@micasaresourcecenter.org

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.

All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U. S. Small Business Administration

July events at Pueblo West Library

“Your money or your health, for small business.” Tuesday, July 28 @ 6pm.
Holly Hanson, CEO of Health Access Pueblo will speak at Pueblo West Library and answer questions about health care reform, small businesses, and coverage options
Health care reform is on everyone’s mind. Small businesses are feeling an especially hard pinch. Accelerating health-care premiums and sharp revenue shortfalls due to the recession are forcing some small companies to choose between dropping health insurance or laying off workers -- or staying in business at all. Holly will speak about the current federal health care initiatives and address concerns small business owners have with these proposals, and introduce options for coverage that are affordable and manageable.

Holly has been an independent insurance agent for over 10 years and worked for managed health care companies for another 10. She has been on the Legislative Committee for the National Association of Health Underwriters, and as the CEO of Health Access Pueblo she works with small employers on a daily basis on health care coverage benefits and management.

For more information about these events, contact Cindy Shimizu 719-562-5667, cindy.shimizu@pueblolibrary.org

Get Money Smart

Some economists think the economy might show signs of significant recovery as soon as June, but it's going to take some time for people's finances to recover. Budgets, savings, and a healthy credit report are all topics of great interest these days. In light of this, The R.M. Watts Center and Pueblo Bank & Trust are presenting a series of Money Smart classes at Pueblo West Library over three consecutive Tuesday evenings in June.

• To Your Credit on June 9th at 6pm will cover credit reports, the purpose, how it is used, order and read a copy, and identify ways to build and repair credit history.
• Money Matters on June 16th at 6pm will focus on daily spending habits, preparing a personal spending plan or budget, and identify ways to decrease spending and increase income.
• Pay Yourself First on June 23rd at 6pm will explore saving, why it is important, identifying savings goals and options, and determine the best options to reach goals.

To register for one or more class, call 719-562-5667 or email Cindy.Shimizu@pueblolibrary.org or stop by Pueblo West Library.

Event reminder 5/19 @ 6:30pm: Bill Tandy of Pueblo Bank & Trust

A discussion about the U.S. economy by Bill Tandy, President, Pueblo Bank & Trust. Free and open to the public

National Small Business Week begins May 17th

The nation's top entrepreneurs will be hailed at the U.S. Small Business Administration's National Small Business Week events May 17-19, in Washington, D.C., marking the 56th anniversary of the agency, and the 46th annual proclamation of National Small Business Week. More than 100 small business owners from across the country will gather for three days of events to be honored for their accomplishments as the nation's leading small businesses. The highlight of events will be the announcement of the National Small Business Person of the Year. Men and women also will be recognized their involvement in disaster recovery, government contracting, and their support for small businesses. Awards also will be presented to SBA partners in financial and entrepreneurial development, including SCORE Chapter, Small Business Development Center and Women's Business Center of the year.

Events will be Webcast on May 18th & 19th. For more information go to http://www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com/

The economy and you - a presentation by Bill Tandy, President of Pueblo Bank & Trust

The R. M. Watts Vocational and Business Center of the Pueblo City-County Library District is hosting its inaugural event on Tuesday May 19th at 6:30 p.m. at Pueblo West Library, 298 S. Joe Martinez Blvd. Pueblo Bank and Trust President Bill Tandy, who recently gained national attention for rejecting federal bailout funding, will present on the current economic state and its impact on small businesses and individuals. This event is free and open to the public. Please call 562-5667 for more information.

First in a Three-Part Series: Trust and the 21st Century Workplace

The increased flexibility and productivity enabled by today's virtual office tools benefit employees and businesses alike. Unfortunately, many managers still find it difficult to trust that their employees will achieve results when working outside the company's bricks and mortar. The challenge, then, is how do you build an organization of trust?

Join this live BNET Webcast to hear Stephen M. R. Covey, author of The Speed of Trust, demonstrate trust as an economic driver and share tips on how to profoundly impact the level of trust in your relationships, your team and your organization.

Attendees will learn:

• The business and economic case for trust
• Why trust is the critical leadership competency in this new global economy
• How to become a more effective leader and build an organization of trust

Registration required.

SBA Expands Eligibility for 7(a) LoansTo Spur Recovery Opportunities for Small Businesses

More small businesses will be eligible for U.S. Small Business Administration-backed loans, meaning greater access to much-needed capitalin this tough economy, as a result of a temporary alternate size standard for the agency's largest lending program. SBA’s alternate size standard for its 7(a) loan program will go into effect early next week through Sept. 30, 2010. As a result of the temporary change, more than 70,000 additional small businesses – including auto and RV dealerships, auto industry suppliers and others – could be eligible to apply for SBA 7(a)loan.

The temporary 7(a) loan size standard will parallel the standard for the agency’s 504 Certified Development Company loan, and will allow businesses to qualify based on net worth and average income. The net worth for the company and its affiliates can’t be in excess of $8.5 million and average net income after federal income taxes (excluding any carry-over losses) for the preceding two completed fiscal years can’t be more than $3 million.

The temporary change to the 7(a) loan size standard is not unprecedented. SBA took similar actions in 1993, as a result of the recession of the early 1990s, and again in 2005 as part of a program aimed at helping small businesses in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This change also means more small businesses can take advantage of benefits made possible through the Recovery Act. On March 16, the SBA implemented two key provisions of the Recovery Act that raised the guarantee on 7(a) loans to 90 percent and reduced fees for borrowers. Since then, the agency has seen average weekly 7(a) loan volume increase by more than 25 percent and new SBA loans made by nearly 450 lenders who had not made loans since October 2008. For more information about SBA’s revisions to its small business size standards,visit http://mail.pueblolibrary.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.sba.gov/size/indexwhatsnew.html and click on “What’s New about Small Business Size Standards.”

Turmoil and Growth: Young Businesses, Economic Churning and Productivity Gains

Turmoil and Growth: Young Businesses, Economic Churning and Productivity Gains

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New business books at Pueblo West Library

Your call is (not that) important to us, customer service and what it reveals about our world and our lives, by Emily Yellin
If youve ever been mildly frustrated, extremely irritated or driven just plain mad by automated customer service lines, rude telephone service representatives or agents who cant speak intelligible English, this book is for you. Yellin (Our Mothers War) dives into the often dysfunctional world of customer service, exploring the multimillion-dollar industry from various points of view, interviewing exasperated consumers, displeased CEOs and infuriated customer service reps themselves. She includes transcripts of agonizing telephone exchanges, such as one where an AOL rep tries to thwart a customers cancellation of his account, blog excerpts from reps who feel abused and as if they are being treated as machines and countless stories from irritated and confused managers. While Yellins study offers more industry anecdotes than concrete solutions, readers will likely look at the industry differently and with more empathy for those who participate in it. (Mar.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Companies we keep, employee ownership and the business of community and place, by John Abrams
Abrams presents a chapter on each of the eight "cornerstone principles" of sustainable businesses, including sharing ownership, cultivating workplace democracy, and celebrating the spirit of craft. In the new edition, he expands his vision beyond his own company (with its somewhat unusual Martha's Vineyard location) to companies across the United States. His conversational style and instructive anecdotes paint a rosy picture of employee ownership, but he also cautions that a company's transition away from reliance on a single leader can take many years. The overall message is positive, emphasizing local development and "challenging the gospel of growth." Appendixes provide South Mountain's employee-ownership contract, tips and resources to support a company's transition to employee ownership, and a guide to mediation and discussion; a reading list suggests books that Abrams says "changed the way [he] think[s]."

End of the line, the rise and coming fall of the global corporation, by Barry C. Lynn
The problem with globalized outsourcing, former Global Business executive editor Lynn warns, is that "a breakdown anywhere increasingly means a breakdown everywhere," as when a 2003 earthquake in Taiwan halted semiconductor manufacturing for a week, negatively affecting American electronics firms. National security, he argues, is jeopardized by this "hyperspecialized and hyper-rigid production system" as well; for Lynn, until the NAFTA-izing Bill Clinton came along, our trade policy had been for two centuries designed to prevent such potential catastrophes. Lynn has a knack for finding attractive, easy-to-grasp models from the contemporary business scene—such as using Dell's rise in the 1990s to explain the triumph of logistics management—but readers sometimes have to wade through heavy doses of economic theory to get to the livelier sections. Though some might view his concerns as excessively alarmist, Lynn delivers a welcome new facet to the antiglobalization debate, moving well beyond the stale "corporations are evil" argument to lay out a worrying economic overview. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ethical markets, growing the green economy, by Hazel Henderson
In this companion to the television series of the same name, economist Henderson delivers an optimistic overview of socially responsible, environmentally sensitive businesses, investors and visionaries. Keeping an eye on the "triple bottom line" that adds "people" and "planet" to the usual focus on "profits," the book divides "cleaner, greener, more ethical and more female sectors of our U.S. economy" into three areas: lifestyles of health and sustainability, socially responsible investing and corporate social responsibility. An economist with a long history of activism in "redefining success" (for example, revamping the GDP to include environmental capital and unpaid labor such as child-rearing), Henderson adeptly packs large amounts of information into chapters within her expertise. Discussion of topics that are further from her experience, such as green building and the health care system, tends to careen from problems to solutions so quickly that a reader can become confused. The interviews after each chapter, meant to show how CEOs are "walking the talk," seem to be taken unedited from the TV show, coming across as incoherent and shallow. Fortunately, the book is crammed with Web references that can offer a fuller picture to readers tantalized by this glimpse of the economic revolution thriving below the radar of mainstream media. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Online business resources

The Pueblo City-County Library District has some excellent business resources available in our electronic databases. These databases are available to anyone who has a PCCLD library card. If you're thinking of starting a new business, do your market, funding, and business plan research using ProQuest Entrepreneurship. If you're currently in business and want to expand your customer base or compare your business to your competitors, you can look at demographics and competitors using ReferenceUSA. Many of these databases give users access to full-text articles from a variety of magazines and journals that would be cost-prohibitive to subscribe to in either print or electronic versions. The search function allows you to drill down to the specific topics and issues you are researching to find materials that are current and relevant. Tutorials are available for some of the databases, and further assistance is available at the Business Center at Pueblo West Library.

Welcome to the Watts Center blog!

I'd like to welcome members of the Pueblo and Pueblo West business and non-profit communities to the Watts Center blog, where I will post information about business issues of interest, news and events, and new library and online materials. I will be posting a survey that I would like to use to get a sense of what community interests are for the Center.

The Pueblo West Library's grand opening is scheduled for Wednesday, April 8 at 11am. We will have a soft opening in the next couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to getting started!

Cindy Shimizu
Business Librarian