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Dear Mark,
Welcome to Northland Pioneer College SBDC's newsletter, Small Business Success. We named it this because that is the role of the SBDC - to help local businesses achieve success. We hope you get something useful from this issue. -Mark Engle, Editor
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DIRECTORS MESSAGE
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By Mark Engle, Director
Does your small business make things interesting for your customers? If you look the same, sell the same products, or never change....things can be pretty boring to your customers and you may never know it.
February, for many local small businesses, is a time to get ready for a busier season. To spend some time working "on" your business rather than just working "in" it. It's also the month that contains Valentines Day! Maybe that could present an opportunity for your business (as well as your love life!)
Seasonal promotions could be just what your business can use to make things more interesting for your clients! And, such promotions are not just for florists and chocolatiers!
How about a little gift to some of your bigger and better customers? In our society we seem to associate gifting with Christmas, but a small gesture during February may provide just the nudge that your customers would need to get them back into a purchasing mode in the new year. A small chocolate sampler may just be the ticket to promotional "buzz", and the cost of hand delivering a dozen or two gifts to your better customers may go a long ways toward that goal.
Other examples of promotions for Valentines could consist of drawings, dinners, gift baskets, or just a special on your product or services with the valentine draw and some relationship to hearts and flowers.
Check out the Cool Computer list of Valentine Day Promotions
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Top 10 Small Business Trends
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by Steve Strauss
Certainly this was true last year when I listed, to no one's great surprise, the economy as the top trend of the year, and sadly, it didn't disappoint. I am sure I speak for many of us when I say we are happy to say goodbye to 2009.
This year, the top trend is also related to the economy, but is thankfully it is not bad news. In fact, it offers fantastic opportunities for the savvy entrepreneur . . . but I am getting ahead myself. That will need to wait until next week.
For the entire article click here
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Tax Incentives through ARRA (Recovery Act)
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Reminder of IRS Incentives
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides a number of tax incentives for businesses. Most of the tax incentives for businesses are found in Subtitle C of Division B, Title I of ARRA. In addition, some of the energy incentives, contained in Subtitle B, [and a subsidy for premiums for COBRA health continuation coverage in Title III of Division B,] provide tax relief for businesses.
For more information go to the following link
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Northland SBDC Spring Workshops
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Working On Your Business through Quality Training
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
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U.S. Chamber Unveils Jobs Plan
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State of American Business Event Focuses on Economic Recovery
As a new decade begins, the U.S. Chamber is calling upon leaders in government, business, labor, and across society to unite around the ambitious goal of creating at least 20 million new jobs over the next 10 years.
Today, everyone is talking about jobs, and thats good. But talk wont create jobs, and over the long term, neither can the government, Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue told dozens of reporters at his annual State of American Business address at the Chambers Washington, D.C., headquarters on January 12. The Chamber has identified a five-step plan to create jobs and keep America competitive.
For the rest of the article click here
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