Small Business Development Center
At Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry
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Monthly Archives: June 2009

July 1st Business Plan Software Giveaway!

By Chemeketa SBDC

Palo Alto Software (www.paloalto.com) is teaming up with leading Oregon organizations to provide free copies of Business Plan Pro Premier to entrepreneurs and businesses statewide.

You are invited to drop by and pick up your free copy of Business Plan Pro Premier at Chemeketa’s Small Business Development Center on July 1st, any time between 8 am and 5 pm. The free software is not a trial version and there are no strings attached. Palo Alto Software is giving away the same best-selling software that sells for $199.95 nationwide.

Business Plan Pro Premier Edition offers more advanced tools for businesses that are truly serious about creating a comprehensive and professional business plan. For more information about the software go to www.paloalto.com/business_plan_software/premier/

WHEN:        Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

WHERE:      Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry, 365 Ferry Street SE, Salem, OR 97301

DETAILS:

  • The download certificate must be physically picked up at one of the sponsoring pick-up locations
  • One unit per business/per person
  • The software must be installed and registered within 48 hours of pick-up before the code expires.

For more information go to www.paloalto.com/boost or stop by SBDC on July 1 to receive your copy!

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Posted in SBDC News & Info, Success Stories | 4 Comments »

Happenings in July

By Chemeketa SBDC

Happy July!
It’s the month to celebrate independence – and we’re wondering: what ties you down? Is your business running you ragged? Below you’ll find ideas to help you find freedom and enjoy the independence of self-employment.

Read on!

(more…)

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Balancing priorities for the entrepreneur

By Chemeketa SBDC

Jimmie Wilkins

One of the unique aspects of owning your own business is that after a full day of work, once the doors are closed and the customers go home, you must then put on your administrator hat and run the business end of the operations. There is no magic solution to the double duty and no more hours in the day. The way you manage your time may provide some relief. Consider these time traps and time tips.

Trap: Spreading yourself too thin.

Tip: You cannot do everything at once. Set priorities each day. I keep a set of (maximum five) bright folders on my desk and put the “urgent, must complete today” items there. I don’t go home until they are empty. The rest go into an in-box that stays on my desk but I get to them as I have time. I set these priorities each morning. Some things may go to the top while others may actually fall off the radar as not important.

Trap: Tied to the telephone.

Tip: If possible, have someone screen your calls or use voicemail. Assure your customer that their call is important but manage the time you actually spend on the telephone. Set a specific time each day to return calls (actually book the time in your schedule). Just before lunch or just before closing time is a good time, people usually won’t want to do a great deal of socializing. (more…)

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The Yellow Pages Today

By Chemeketa SBDC

Marcia Bagnall

Remember the days when there was just one Yellow Pages directory and everybody used it? Those days are long gone. It seems like there are new versions of the Yellow Pages every couple of months. Some are industry specific, some geographical, some aimed at certain consumer groups. And then there’s the competition from the internet for directory services.

Is it worth your resources to advertise in the Yellow Pages? That depends on several critical factors. First, a directory is the most long-range of the print media. Your ad will be out there for a year or more. Once you’ve committed to it you’re stuck even if things change for you. (more…)

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Grant helps turn ideas into small businesses

By Chemeketa SBDC

Source: Statesman Journal

INDEPENDENCE — The city received a Microenterprise Assistance Grant as part of the $2.6 million Oregon Economic and Community Development block grants that were awarded recently.

The grants are designed to assist Oregon communities with funding for community infrastructure projects, including a homeless shelter, wastewater system improvements, off-site infrastructure for affordable housing; and services to microenterprises — businesses that individuals launch.
Read the rest of this entry »

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Survey will assess rental-kitchen need

By Chemeketa SBDC

Source: Statesman Journal

INDEPENDENCE — The Greater Independence Business Incubator is conducting a survey to assess the need for a shared-use commercial kitchen in the city.

To take the survey, go to http://tinyurl.com/opjrol. Input will be taken through July.

The kitchen would be available for rent by the hour to any food-based businesses and entrepreneurs in the greater Independence area.

As part of the Business Incubator, business education and support would be available to the businesses that use the kitchen.

Read more: http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20090624/COMMUNITIES/906240332/1117/POLK

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Thinking About Starting Your Own Business?

By Chemeketa SBDC

If you have a business idea but aren’t sure how to start, come hear what we can do for you. Attend either 3-hour MERIT Program Orientation (required for participation in the program):

  • Monday, July 6th; 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.; 365 Ferry St SE, Salem at Chemeketa SBDC  -OR-
  • Tuesday, July 7th; 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.; 414 South Main St, Independence at the Greater Independence Business Incubator

MERIT provides advising, training, and mentoring so you can move forward with your business idea. Classes start July 14th. Call us at 503-399-5088 to register.
(more…)

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E-mail Thoughts

By Chemeketa SBDC

Jimmie  Wilkins

Electronic mail occupies (some may even say “invades”) conversations in most everyone’s lives today. Given the invasive species – you really want to be thoughtful how you play in the game.

Relationship: With each message, look for a reason to enhance your relationship with the person to whom you are “talking”. Punctuation is important – do you care enough to be professional? Greetings and closing are important – would you walk up without saying, “hello”; would you walk away with saying, “goodbye”? Do you show that you respect their time?  Do you convey appreciation for asking for their time?

Be Brief: Messages should be concise and to the point Honor their time by being brief and clear. The danger in brevity is being too brusque (remember the relationship).  Get to the point and don’t make them read volumes to understand what you are asking/ telling/ communicating. Think of it as a telephone conversation.
(more…)

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Free, trustworthy patent information

By Chemeketa SBDC

National patent expert and author, Bob DeMatteis, will be in Salem to offer a free 3-hour seminar about protecting and marketing your inventions.

The presentation will include two topics, All About Patents and Make Money on Your Inventions, which will be offered back-to-back on Tuesday, July 7; 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. The event is hosted by Chemeketa SBDC and will take place at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, 1110 Commercial St NE, Salem, OR (map).

Bob DeMatteis’ book, From Patent to Profit, is among the most highly-regarded patent information sources in the industry. Because patents are such a hot topic, people can fall prey to convincing scams and spend money unnecessarily. Attend this 3 hour presentation and leave with the knowledge and confidence you need to succeed.

Please call Chemeketa SBDC to register: 503-399-5088. Seating is limited. There is no charge for this presentation and Bob DeMatteis’ books will be available for sale.

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Posted in Inventions and Patents, SBDC News & Info | 3 Comments »

Jimmie Wilkins retiring, Marcia Bagnall named as Interim Director

By Chemeketa SBDC

The Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry has named, Marcia Bagnall as Interim Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) effective June 30. Bagnall will replace Jimmie Wilkins who has served as SBDC Director since 1998.

Bagnall has worked at the SBDC and the Center for Business and Industry (CCBI) for the last decade, most recently serving as Program Coordinator for Entrepreneurship and as an instructor/ advisor  for the Small Business Management (SBM) Program.  She has also served as Director of the MERIT program, a non-profit program that provides training, advising, and mentoring to residents of Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties, and as training coordinator for CCBI. Her background in business and adult education, including holding an MBA and MA in Education will be an asset to her role as Interim director. Bagnall is also a business owner herself; she is owner/founder of Bryce Vineyard located in Yamhill County.

Bagnall’s diverse experience and knowledge of the Chemeketa community promise to uphold SBDC’s services and assistance to businesses in the area. “I’m looking forward to ensuring the continuity of the excellent services we provide business owners in Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties,” Bagnall said.

“This is great news for the Center, for the College and for the business community.  Marcia’s business education, business ownership and Peace Corps experience (where you learn to do anything with nothing) is an indisputable leadership combination.” said Jimmie Wilkins, current SBDC Director.

Wilkins came to Chemeketa from the University of Arkansas, where she served as teaching faculty and SBDC Director, and has shepherded the Chemeketa SBDC for the past 11 years.  With 10 years service in the Peace Corps and 12 years experience as a business owner, Wilkins established the SBDC’s current level of services with a passion for business owners’ success.  She is retiring to Pendleton to “camp and fish” and spend time with her family.

You’re welcome to leave a comment below to congratulate Jimmie on entering this new phase of her life. She has served many during her tenure and will be missed!

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Posted in SBDC News & Info | 25 Comments »