The Newsletter
October 2012
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 | Jonny Clark Presenting at the Strengthen Your Business "Technology Made Simple Workshop" in Marysville, CA.
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Director's Message
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Welcome to fall! Return those shorts and flip flops to the back of the closet, and dig out the long(-er) sleeves and sweaters. This month we bring you an assortment of newsworthy items, from the state's dynamic interactive broadband map, through an array of technical services for businesses (free up until January 2013, so jump now before these services require fees!), to an interesting look at one of CA's demographics: educational attainment. Also, check out the feedback comments received from workshops CED staff has been conducting throughout the north state (call us, we'll bring our partners and provide similar workshop for your region). Last, and probably the most important, ways to focus on you, and your professional development, probably your two most important assets.
Dan Ripke
Director
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October is typically the month of bold, beautiful fall colors, costumed trick-or-treaters, pumpkins, goblins, ghouls, and ghosts, among other seasonal icons. It is also the month to introduce you to the CA Interactive Broadband Map, hosted by the CA Public Utilities Commission. Entirely web-based, this dynamic geographic multi-layered map shows what Internet service coverage exists where, and where not. To search for service coverage by provider, technology type and speeds, click on the "house" icon (in upper right hand corner), and when the window pops up, click "Get Started"; enter a specific address (street name and zip code). Please be patient, some areas witness a momentary delay in producing the data return; if no service is available, the map will provide that response. Be sure and click the "Send Feedback", and follow the prompts. Your input will be collected in a comprehensive data repository, used as a specific data point to be included in the state's overall analysis regarding broadband service availability and adoption.
Also, here's a look at the initial report from CPUC's mobile broadband testing, to be conducted every six months (the 2nd testing is currently underway): Click HereIn early 2010, upon receipt of federal funding via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), all 50 states started mapping fixed, wireless and mobile broadband service coverage data at the census block level, submitted every six months by Internet Service Providers (ISPs). In addition, ISPs now submit subscription counts to the FCC, which in turn shares this data with the states for comprehensive analysis.
For inquiries, please contact Cathy Emerson, cmemerson@csuchico.edu, Program Manager, Broadband, Organization Development & Facilitation.
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If you or someone you know is in need of small business market research assistance, this could be your last opportunity to get absolutely free assistance. Due to expiring funding opportunities, it is possible that the CED will not be able to offer this free service to small and medium sized businesses anymore. If you are unfamiliar with the CED's Business and Industry Assistance Program, CED has provided free competitive intelligence, market research and market mapping to hundreds of Northern California businesses over the years. After several years of not being able to advertise the program due to low funding levels, the CED ramped up services and has taken on large amounts of clients over the past three years due to SBA, EDA, USDA Rural Development, local government, and Jobs Bill stimulus funds. CED staff is currently working to identify funding to continue the program in 2013 but with current funding levels the services described below will become fee-for-service offerings as of January 1, 2013.
The Center is working with clients to help their market penetration using the following strategies: market/trade area mapping; customer targeting via economic and demographic reports; competitor data; business lists; customer counts and mailing lists: industry trend research; search engine optimization, social media training, and web site analytics. In addition to helping businesses with their market penetration the CED's services also allow businesses to make revenue predictions when evaluating new product lines, new markets, and new businesses.
To learn more about these services, to take advantage of them while they last, or to offer suggestions on how to continue funding the program, please contact Michael Suplita at (530) 898-3855 or msuplita@csuchico.edu.
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Testimonials from "Growing Your Business - Technology Made Simple" Workshops in: Yreka, Redding, and Marysville
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Yreka - September 26, 2012 Testimonials
"Really made me want to learn more on almost every topic."
David Sammons
"Great workshop! Looking forward to taking next steps for success!
Rose Bradshaw
"The information on networking + social media was exactly what I needed!"
Lydia McElroy
Redding - September 27, 2012 Testimonials
"So much awesome information. Gonna tell all my small business friends"
Cynthia Fortes
"Just what I needed"
Gordon Bailey
"Thank you to all the presenters. Great to get the contact info and feel welcome to contact at any time!"
Annalee Jones
Marysville - October 4, 2012 Testimonials
"This is one of the best and productive free educational events that I have attended! Thank you!"
Kimanh Davis
"This workshop was extremely well done, all speakers knew their topic and were well prepared."
Steve Davis
"This is a great program! I am glad to see organizations reaching out to small businesses."
Jenise Howell
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Percent of Population 18+ with Bachelor's Degree or
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To further understand patterns of demographic factors in California, this month the CED displays a map that shows higher educational attainment to further understand patterns of demographic factors in California. The data for this map was collected from the American Community Survey, an ongoing statistical survey by the U.S. Census Bureau that sends surveys to about 3 million homes per year. They ask about topics such as education, health insurance, and race to acquire demographic information that helps determine how more than $400 billion in federal and state funds are distributed each year.
The above map shows the percentage of the population, aged 18 or older, for each census tract in California that has received a bachelor's degree or higher. A census tract is a geographic region defined for the purpose of taking a census, which is a systematic procedure for collecting information about a population. Census tracts tend to be much smaller in urban areas because of the higher density of people, which is why there is more detail shown in the urban areas (Los Angeles County) compared to rural areas (Modoc County). In this map, red represents census tracts with a low percentage of the population aged 18 or older having obtained a bachelor's degree or higher, yellow is in the middle, and dark green represents the highest percentage. With some knowledge of California's geography, it is easy to see that higher percentages tend to be more prevalent in urban areas. The San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Diego are notably the greenest areas on the map. There are a few possible reasons why this pattern occurs. First, individuals living in urban areas have more access to universities that can grant bachelor's degrees, which are primarily in urban areas throughout California. Secondly, individuals who live in urban areas tend to have higher incomes than individuals who live in rural areas, and can afford to attend universities. However, it is important to note that urban areas with low incomes tend to have low percentages, as seen in Oakland, Richmond, and South Central Los Angeles. Finally, rural areas have a lower demand for a bachelor's degree or higher because the cost of living is low and the economy mainly consists of agriculture and private small businesses. For any questions for the above article and map above please contact Amy Lippus directly at cedresearch7@csuchico.edu
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Boost Your Business. Launch Your Website.
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SmallBizRocket is a joint initiative of Jimdo and the Small Business Development Centers throughout California with the goal of getting as many of the state's 3 million+ small businesses onto the web with their own site. Additionally, the project hopes to give the businesses the support and education they need to succeed on the web with their endeavors. Jimdo puts the power of website creation in the hands of ordinary people. Anyone can share their passions and interests on the Internet --- on their own website --- simply and easily. Jimdo is free, and you don't need to know how to code or run a server to have a website. And not just any old website! You can start an online business, write a blog, send a newsletter, add your tweets, embed YouTube videos, link your Facebook Page, and embed almost any kind of widget you can imagine. Jimdo is a website creator for today's web. Follow SmallBizRocket on Twitter! Watch the video below to find out how SmallBizRocket can help your business. Then take advantage of our website offer to start your journey to success!  | | SmallBizRocket.com --- Boost your business. Launch your website. |
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In order to grow your business, you need to keep growing, too. As a business owner, you face challenges every day, some of them unexpected. You rely on the traits that helped you create your business like patience and determination. You also need to hone your business skills to guide a growing company. That's where professional development is invaluable.
Making time for classes or conferences isn't easy when you're already a boss, mentor, role model, referee and the public face of your company. Some professionals-teachers, nurses and accountants, to name a few-are required to complete hours of professional development each year. It might be helpful to think of your professional development in the same way, as one of the requirements of your job as a business owner.
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