The Newsletter
February 2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director's Message
| |
As February draws to a close we are wrapping up the final items related to our 2012 Economic Forecast Conference held in Oroville on January 12th. Included in this issue of our newsletter is a link to download our Post Conference Report. This report includes pictures, news reports, attendee statistics (including a comparison from last year to this year), some feedback comments, and the list of issues coming out of the breakout sessions.
In other activities, we continue to work with the City of Chico to find businesses poised for growth that can benefit from some (mostly) free market research and technical assistance. The cost to the business is simply the commitment of time needed to effectively work with us.
In an effort to show you the "face of CED," we are highlighting one of our Student Researchers this month. Though he doesn't look at all like his picture in this newsletter, he did write an interesting piece about what he is doing in support of our ongoing analyses of broadband issues for the California Public Utilities Commission.
Finally, in early February, CED was instrumental in putting on a technology conference for businesses held in conjunction with the Shasta College Small Business Development Center. Check out the pictures from the Redding Tech Conference, "Growing Your Business Technology - Made Simple."
See you in March,
Dan Ripke
Director
Don Krysakowski
Assistant Director
|
|
|
|
|
Post Conference Report
|
(Click below for Full Report)
|
|
Business Services Update
|
Aside from day-to-day market research/technical assistance requests handled by the Business and Industry Assistance Unit at the CED, we have taken on the role of intensive one-on-one market research counseling for small businesses in Northern California. Currently the CED is working under contract with USDA Rural Development, Glenn County HRA, and the City of Chico to provide intensive market research assistance to businesses in these respective areas. The Center works with companies to refine their marketing strategies using the following tools: market/trade area mapping, customer targeting via economic and demographic reports, competitor data, business lists, customer counts and mailing list, industry trend research, search engine optimization, social media training, and web site analytics.
In addition to helping businesses gain greater market penetration, the CED's services also allow businesses to make revenue predictions when evaluating new product lines, new markets, and new businesses. Detailed and substantiated sales estimates are an essential part of any business plan, and are especially important when seeking funding.
The CED is currently taking applications from stage two companies (6-99 employees) for intensive business research assistance services. There are three spots available. For assistance, please visit the CED website and click here for an application. For market research technical assistance requests please contact Michael Suplita at (530) 898-3855.
|
|
A Student Researcher's Perspective
|
(Click below image to view our CED Research Assistants)
A Student Researcher's Perspective will be part of an ongoing series that spotlights the work and viewpoints of our student research assistants.
Hello, I'm Ryan Miller, a Chico State senior, geography and economics major, and a student research assistant here at the CED. I joined the CED in September 2011 to assist with the CED's support to the California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) statewide broadband mapping and data development efforts. We analyze data for broadband service availability and broadband adoption, and have identified where service coverage exists, and how many people within those service coverage areas use the service. Conversely, we're looking at how many Californians lack access to a broadband internet connection, and where those people are located. Additionally, and more interestingly, of those households that do have access to broadband, how many fail to adopt broadband services, and, why don't they adopt?
The answers to these questions ultimately will help target infrastructure and education grants to those populations who need them most, along with assisting the state in understanding where and how future grant monies might have the greatest impact. As our state's high-tech economy continues to grow, and as our government and educational services continue to migrate to the online world, I believe it's important to ensure that as many Californians as possible are able to participate. That is why I look forward to the challenges that this type of analysis brings, and why I'm extremely proud to be a part of the CED team.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
