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DIRECTORS MESSAGE

By Mark Engle, Director

Have you made New Years resolutions yet for 2010? It's not too late to commit to improving yourself or your small business! MyGoal.com shares some tips for making resolutions that are meaningful and that you can follow through with.

On the radio just this morning I was hearing how 90% of the New Years resolutions that people set are for physical exercise, diet and improving behaviors that we typically let slide for the holidays. I would ask you to consider looking beyond; think of your resolutions as a reaffirmation of your goals.

There is a right way and a wrong way to make a New Year's resolution. Here are a few expert tips to see that your resolution actually makes a difference:

1. Create a Plan

Setting a goal without formulating a plan is merely wishful thinking. In order for your resolution to have resolve, (as the word "resolution" implies), it must translate into clear steps that can be put into action. A good plan will tell you A) What to do next and B) What are all of the steps required to complete the goal. .

2. Create Your Plan IMMEDIATELY

If you're like most people, then you'll have a limited window of opportunity during the first few days of January to harness your motivation. After that, most people forget their resolutions completely. It is imperative that you begin creating your plan immediately.

3. Write Down Your Resolution and Plan myGoals.com exists to help you formulate a plan, which we then help you stick to. But even if you don't use myGoals.com, commit your resolution and plan to writing someplace, such as a notebook or journal.

4. Think "Year Round," Not Just New Year's Nothing big gets accomplished in one day. Resolutions are set in one day, but accomplished with a hundred tiny steps that happen throughout the year. New Year's resolutions should be nothing more than a starting point. You must develop a ritual or habit for revisiting your plan. myGoals.com helps you stick to your plan by providing email reminders that arrive when it's time to work on a given task.

Have a great 2010 and may your small business prospects be strong for the new year!

For the whole article click below

News for a New Year about Branding

by Branding Expert Lori Martinek

Be confident and the world will be confident in you! Branding is all about projecting a clear, consistent and confident image to the world that is strength- based and powerful. Be positive and be proactive. Don't wait for the economy to catch up. Push it forward. Plan your next step and help your customers do the same. Always be preparing for the next page in your success story. Success is NOT accidental. It comes to the ready ... the resourceful ... and the radiant. Learn how to make your brand shine in 2010.

Lori has been helping our Arizona SBDC Network with branding ... she provides ongoing marketing and public relations support as the statewide Marketing Programs point person. Projects include updating the AZSBDC website with new branded elements ... expanding the Visual Identity Standards for the brand we developed ... and providing the AZSBDC's 11 regional Centers with new tools including branded PowerPoint, press release and workshop templates. To see that work go to www.azsbdc.net.

Also, she recently provided input for a CNN article on small business branding. CNN has a series on small business makeovers, and a bakery in New York is featured as their latest story.

For the entire CNN article click here

Good News for Arizona Small Businesses Lending

shared by Bruce Hodgman, Deputy Director, Arizona District Office SBA

For the first time in over two years, we have an increase in SBA lending in Arizona. This could signal a possible bottoming or end of the recession in Arizona. Total loans increased to 348 during the quarter, up 64.9% over the FY09 1st quarter of 211 loans. Dollar volume increased 38.3% during the period. The second quarter will tell us if we see the end of the light in the tunnel or another train coming at us.

SBA 7(a) loans - SBA's core loan program - saw the biggest increase, especially in local lending up 83.2% in dollars and 46.6% in numbers. Out-of-state lending declined and 504 loans were flat with a small 14.3% increase in numbers and a decline in volume of 41.8%.

ARC Loans (Recovery Act Emergency Assistance Program) are nearing 120 for the state and funding still appears possible through the summer. However, as lenders start to see deterioration in commercial real estate mortgage portfolios, we expect an increase in ARC lending starting in March. The Center is reporting an increase in 7(a) refinance loans - mostly commercial stuff. JPMorgan Chase continues to be the top ARC lender doing nearly two thirds of all ARC loans in Arizona. During the quarter, we saved 65 businesses and 836 jobs with the ARC program.

For more information from Arizona SBA go to

Northland SBDC Spring Workshops

Working On Your Business through Quality Training

How to find a Loan in this economy

What does it take to find a loan to help your company grow or start up? Learn what a loan package must contain and find out who is lending to small businesses today. Cost-FREE, Date-Thursday Jan. 21st, 6:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Motivation at Home and at Work

What does it take to get yourself and your employees going? This short term presentation will focus on getting you and your business moving ahead, even for trying times! Cost-FREE, Date-Thursday, February 18th, 6:00 until 8:00 p.m.

QuickBooks for Small Business

Full two days of training in the major aspects of the leading small business financial software. Upon completion most users are able to use QuickBooks effectively in their business. Cost-$150, includes book and supplemental material-bring your laptop or use ours, Friday and Saturday, February 19 & 20, 9:00 to 5:00 each day.

Build Your Web Page Workshop Two full days of working on your site. On the first day you can create a site from scratch, using free tools online. Day two provides time to perfect the process and learn about Search Optimization. Cost-$100, includes all materials-bring your laptop or use ours. Friday and Saturday, March 19 & 20, 9:00 to 5:00 each day.

Time Management As a busy small business you never seem to have enough time! Learn from our Organizational Expert what it takes to stretch more time into your day, prioritize activities, and get more done! Cost-FREE, Date-Thursday, March 18th, 6:00 until 8:00 p.m.

For more information on the schedule download a pdf here