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Women's Business Center of North Alabama Newsletter
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Society of 75
Farmers Insurance
What the Company does: Multi-line insurance agency offering everything from home to liability to workers compensation insurance.
Type of Customers: Small business owners needing liability, life, business, auto or workers compensation insurance.
What sets you apart: Very community involved, with client services specialist ready to handle our clients needs.
Your hopes for the WBCNA: Become the number one resource for any new business owner to ensure sucess.
Your Advice: Keep working and changing!
Favorite Quote: "To stop dreaming is the death of your heart." | |
WBNCA Announces the Establishment of Government Procurement
Assistance Center
(GPAC)
The WBCNA is pleased to announce the establishment of it's Government Procurement Assistance Center (GPAC). "We are coaching more and more small business owners who want to do business with the Government," says Joanne Randolph, President & CEO of WBCNA, "and that is only going to increase as the BRAC continues to bring in more Federal work and contractors to support it."
While the WBCNA has been coaching and training existing and wanna-be government contractors for years, the plan is to enhance offerings to better serve the community and entrepreneurs in North Alabama.
The following services are offered:
- One-on-one individualized coaching and action plans
- CCR registration assistance
- NAICS Codes identification
- Online training
- Certifications (8a, HUBZone, MBE, WBE, DBE)
- Networking opportunities and business matchmaking
- Assistance with Capabilities Statement development and review
- Identification of Small Business Specialists (government and prime)
- Website resources for small businesses
- Identification of business opportunities and bid match assistance
Training will be a major component of the GPAC. Workshops on the following topics will be among those offered throughout the year:
- 12-Step Program for Doing Business with the Government
- Certifications (State and Federal)
- How to Successfuly Market Your Small Business to the Government Sector
- GSA Schedules - What are they and how to use them
- Government Contractor Accounting Made Easy
- Developing Entrepreneurial Skills
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is responsible for the management and oversight of the small business procurement process across the Federal Government. SBA negotiates with Federal departments concerning their prime contracting goals and achievement with small businesses to ensure that small businesses have the maximum practicable opportunity to provide goods and services to the Federal Government. The overall goals for FY2010 are as follows:
- 23 percent of prime contracts for small businesses;
- 5 percent of prime and subcontracts for small disadvantaged businesses;
- 5 percent of prime and subcontracts for women-owned small businesses;
- 3 percent of prime and subcontracts for HubZone businesses
- 3 percent of prime and subcontracts for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.
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GPAC Workshop
Successfully Marketing Your Small Business to the Government Sector
January 13, 2010, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sponsored by: Boeing
WBCNA is partnering with the Institute for Supply Management - North Alabama chapter to bring you a day of comprehensive instruction on how to market your small business to all levels of government and how to successfully do business with them.
The schedule and slate of guest speakers for the full day seminar is as follows:
8:30 a.m. - Registration
9:00 a.m. - Introduction of WBCNA/ISM-NA
9:15 a.m. - Jeff Irons, ironSclad Solutions, Inc.-"Business Development and Marketing to the Government"
11:30 a.m. - Networking Lunch (lunch will be provided)
12:30 - Jeff Roth, Esquire, Fees & Burgess, P.C., "Small Business Legal Need to Knows"
1:45 - Marketing to the Different Agencies
- David Brock, Small Business Specialist, NASA/MSFC
- Judith Stewart, Small Business Advocate, Redstone Arsenal Acquisitions Center
- Defense Logistics Agency
- Ella Clark, Tennessee Valley Authority
3:30 - Round Table discussion with PRIME Contractors and Subcontractors on the importance of developing relationships with other businesses to reach out to the Government agencies
- BAE Systems
- SAIC
- SEI Manufacturing
- Quadrus Corporation
4:30 - Final Questions and Closing Remarks
Cost for the event will be $125.00 per person. Lunch will be provided.
The workshop will be held at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce at 225 Church Street.
You can register online at www.wbcna.org or contact the WBCNA at (256) 535-2038.
The WBCNA is conveniently located in the Chamber of Commerce or Huntsville-Madison County in downtown Huntsville.
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January Lunch and Learn
Affordable Healthcare Solutions
for Small Business
Speaker: Alan Chappelle, Chappelle Consulting Group, Inc. (CCG), Birmimgham, AL
Friday, January 15
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Allan Chappelle will be the January Lunch & Learn speaker and his topic is "Affordable HealthCare Options for Small Business," on Friday, January 15, 2010, 11:30 - 1:30 (the last half hour is reserved for networking, so bring plenty of business cards).
Discussion of the different options available to small business owners to reduce the cost and provide increased benefits to themselves and their employees. We will be thinking outside of the box of traditional bundled healthcare plans and will be looking at how Health Savings Accounts, Health Reimbursement Accounts, and supplemental insurance can provide all the benefits to make sure small businesses have happy and healthy employees. Regardless of business size, there are great options available to everyone.
Allan J. Chappelle was a tax lawyer and former shareholder of Sirote & Permutt, P.C., before starting Chappelle Consulting Group, Inc. (CCG) 24 years ago. CCG was originally formed to specialize in 401(k) plans and deferred compensation but is now also a leader in the design, communication and administration of Consumer Driven Health insurance plans that are significantly reducing the cost of health insurance for employers and employees. As a lecturer at numerous tax and legal seminars, Allan is known for taking a complex subject and making it understandable and interesting. His sales and professional expertise has resulted in recognition by numerous trade and professional associations including the prestigious Top of the Million Dollar Round Table and the International Forum. CCG is also a member of the elite National Retirement Partners ("NRP").
The cost of the Lunch & Learn is $15 and reservations are required online at our calendar at www.wbcna.org or by calling WBCNA at 256-535-2038.
The Lunch & Learn will be held at the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce at 225 Church Street in downtown Huntsville. Directions to Chamber of Commerce.
Important Note: Lunch registrations and/or cancellations must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday before the Lunch and Learn. If you are unable to attend and do not cancel by the deadline, you will be billed.
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SAVE THE DATE!!
THE EVENT OF THE YEAR
SEPTEMBER 15, 2010
MICHAEL GERBER IS COMING TO HUNTSVILLE!!!
 Michael E. Gerber is the founder of E-Myth Worldwide, the coaching, training and education firm he created in 1977 to transform the development of small businesses worldwide. Now approaching its 32nd year, Michael's extraordinary work has achieved stunning results by transforming more than 65,000 businesses in over 145 countries, translated in 29 languages and used in 118 universities in the world.
Gerber is the author of 13 business books, including the mega-bestseller The E-Myth Revisited - Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It. His revolutionary perspective has become the gold standard for small business development throughout the world, becoming what INC Magazine calls: "The World's #1 small business guru," and one of Business Week's bestselling authors of past decades. Gerber's passion and genius for understanding the plight of the individual entrepreneur is the crux of his tremendous appeal and success, and has formed the core value of his brand as it has evolved over three decades. Indeed, the unique ability of Michael E. Gerber's perspective to lead broken business operators as they overcome their "entrepreneurial seizure" and begin to work ON their business, not IN it, is the very heart of the small business revolution he has driven.
More information is coming. Go to www.wbcna.org and check it often for details! | |
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QUICK LINKS
WBCNA Services
More About Us
About our Training
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UPCOMING EVENTS
AND WORKSHOPS
Huntsville/Madison County
WBCNACalendar of Events-------------------------------------NETWORKING
OPPORTUNITIES AND WORKSHOPS ACROSS
NORTH ALABAMA
MADISON COUNTY
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MORGAN COUNTY
Decatur B&B - January 29
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CULLMAN COUNTY
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GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT ASSISTANCE CENTER (GPAC)
GPAC offers services to the growing number of small businesses that want to do business with the govermment.
Services offered include:
- One-on-one individualized coaching and action plans
- CCR registration assistance
- NAICS Codes identification
- Online training
- Certifications (8a, HUBZone, MBE, WBE, DBE)
- Networking opportunities and business matchmaking
- Assistance with Capabilities Statement development and review
- Identification of Small Business Specialists (government and prime)
- Website resources for small businesses
- Identification of business opportunities and bid match assistance
Training is a major component of the GPAC. Workshops on the following topics will be among those offered throughout the year:
- 12-Step Program for Doing Business with the Government
- Certifications (State and Federal)
- How to Successfuly Market Your Small Business to the Government Sector
- GSA Schedules - What are they and how to use them
- Government Contractor Accounting Made Easy
- Developing Entrepreneurial Skills If you would like more information on the GPAC and doing business with the government, call 535-2038. |
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CIRCLE OF SUCCESS
CIRCLE OF SUCCESS is a program designed to promote your business to our clients AND provide support for programs that help small business owners.
Our CIRCLE OF SUCCESS is an annual membership program that provides an inexpensive marketing opportunity for small businesses and introductions of your product and service to our clients. In turn, our Circle of Success members offer reduced rates to our clients for their products and services.
If you would like to market your products or services to the hundreds of small business owners who are our clients, call 535-2038.
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WHO IS A WBCNA CLIENT?
Our clients are women and men in North Alabama who want to start or grow a business.
Our clients are our most important stakeholders.
Our clients are not dependent on us; we are dependent on them.
Our clients are not an interruption of our work; they are the reason for it.
We are not doing our clients a favor by serving them; they are doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to serve them.
Adapted from the words of Mahatma Gandhi
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Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Stephanie Sellers at WBCNA, 225 Church Street, Huntsville, Alabama 35801, or by phone at 256-535-2038 or email info@wbcna.org
 The BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organizations high standards of ethical business behavior.The BBB provides objective advice, free business BBB Reliability Reports, charity BBB"Wise Giving" Reports, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust,the BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is difference in viewpoints.
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GPAC Workshop
Government Contractor Accounting Made Easy
Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Workshop leader: Jenny Clark, Solvability
Understanding the basics of government contract accounting will make your company more competitive. Worksheets provided in the class show a DCAA compliant chart of accounts and how to compute billing rates, pay rates and overhead rates. You will learn how to use QuickBooks Pro for government contract accounting. Participants will be entered into a drawing for a free copy of "Government Contractor in a Box," an accounting guide for government contractors (a $199 value).
Our workshop leader, Jenny Clark, has over 25 years experience in government contracting. She founded Solvability in 1997 to develop financial strategies, accounting processes and corporate infrastructure for growing aerospace and defense contractors. Solvability provides government contractors with the tools they need to be DCAA compliant using Deltek and Quick Books software. Solvability services include training, support, implementation services, outsourced accounting and government contract advisory services. Visit her company website at www.solvability.com.
This workshop will be held at the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce. The cost to attend is $50 and payment can be made with a credit card online when registering or can be paid with cash or check at the door. Scholarships are available for qualified clients.
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10th Annual STTR/SBIR Small Business Conference
Hosted by:Alabama A&M University Research Institute ( AAMURI )January 25 - January 27, 2010Alabama A&M University
Ernest L. Knight Reception Center For more information, please contact: Prof. Daryush ILA Phone: (256) 372-8703 Email: ila@aamuri.aamu.edu
This forum is designed for small businesses and scientists seeking funding for exploratory projects and who are interested in learning how to initiate such projects and build partnerships. Researchers from various universities, small businesses, as well as, program managers from industry will be available for team building and developing joint proposals. This meeting will allow networking among government executives, large business executives, small business executives, and university investigators to learn about possible funding and teaming opportunities.
An invitation is extended to small and disadvantaged businesses, scientists, faculty and staff of universities who are seeking funding, partnership and team building opportunities. At least fourteen HBCU/MIs, out of 20 HBCUs within 200 miles of Huntsville, have already agreed to participate and we expect attendance by MIs as well as other Universities. They will be discussing their interests, facilities, equipment, and capabilities so that government agencies and potential small business team members are aware of these opportunities for partnering.
During our ninth year workshop (2009), we had over 200 registered attendees (230 including AAMU attendees), over 50 small businesses (30 paid registration, others cosponsored by AAMURI) and over 10 large companies attending (four sponsors).
With this letter we are requesting possible sponsorship of this conference by your company. The funds you provide will offset the cost of registration and provides several complimentary registrations for small businesses and faculty who cannot afford to pay the registration fee in order to attend this meeting.
I would also like to seek your support publicizing this meeting between small businesses and the HBCU/MIs inviting them to register and attend this conference. This conference will provide valuable information and a chance to meet with government, university and industry representatives on one to one. That is, we are keeping the attendance of this conference, intentionally, to below 200 attendees, to allow one to one communications for all attendees.
Although the agenda for this meeting is still flexible at this time, it will be forwarded to you once all presentations have been identified. The agenda is expected to include presentations by individuals such as you, who are managers for the SBA, Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization Specialists, Small Business and HBCU/MI Program Managers, and HBCU/MI programs at DARPA, DOD, ONR /NRL, ARL/ARO, as well as invited program managers from EPA, NASA, NSF and DOE.
Please confirm your attendance along with an indication of your willingness to sponsor this conference and the level of your sponsorship by replying to this email.
For more information, please visit: http://aamuri.aamu.edu/Conference/2010/conference2010_index.htm or call (256) 372-8703/8710/8711.
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Kickoff of the Air, Space, and Missile Defense (ASMDA) 2010 Membership Drive
This is the kickoff of the Air, Space, and Missile Defense (ASMDA) 2010 Membership Drive. We want you to be a member!
ASMDA was formed in 1995 in Huntsville, Alabama, as a non-profit, non-political, educational, and scientific organization.
ASMDA's purpose is to provide programs and support for activities contributing to the advancement of a common understanding of the vital importance of space and missile defense systems to our national defense.
ASMDA's Objectives:
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To foster communications and relationships between government activities with responsibilities for or interests in Air, Space, and Missile Defense and supporting industries.
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To provide an industry forum, which can be used for organizing and promoting areas of common interest.
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To provide an effective single point of broad industry and government contact.
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To provide an organization, which can professionally benefit the missile defense industry and foster community and civic interests and goals.
ASMDA Activities:
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The "Loretta Spencer" College and University Scholarship Program annually awards five scholarships for $4,000.00 each to encourage interest in science and engineering.
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Annually awards Space Camp Scholarships to encourage American youth's interest in studying science and engineering. To date, ASMDA has provided over 60 Space Camp scholarships (each worth $1,750.00) to deserving children (ages 9-12) from Washington DC, Colorado Springs, Alaska, Kwajalein, and Huntsville.
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Annually co-sponsors Adventures in Engineering Day for high school students to promote interest in science and engineering.
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Sponsors and conducts seminars, workshops, and symposia on leading Space and Missile Defense issues with top-level civilian and military leaders.
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Sponsors several special recognition awards for distinguished individuals in Space and Missile Defense
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Other activities include general membership luncheons and participation in the AUSA annual meetings held in Washington, DC, and El Paso, TX.
Corporate membership dues are $150.00. There is no limit on the number of individual members from a single corporation. However, for voting purposes, corporate memberships only carry the authority of one vote. Individual memberships are $10. Please send along with your check the attached membership form or you may use the registration on the ASMDA website www.asmda.us. Payment may be made by check or credit card (MC, VISA, AMEX). Checks are to be made payable to ASMDA. Payment may be phoned in to 256-922-1083 or mailed to ASMDA, 688 Discovery Dr., Huntsville, AL 35806. Membership dues are waived for U.S. Federal employees, current and retired. Need only to fill out membership application per instructions above.
If your corporate membership application is received by COB 22 January 2010, we will be able to display your company logo in the PowerPoint presentation and in the program at the annual membership luncheon which will be held on 29 January 2010.
Sam Liberatore
ASMDA Membership Chairman
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7 Tips for Developing your USP
 What is it, exactly, that is so special about your business? What do you do or offer that your competition does not, or cannot, offer? When you can articulate that unique benefit of your product or service you will be on your way to developing an effective Unique Selling Proposition, or USP. In this week's article, we offer 7 tips to help you develop your company's Unique Selling Proposition. |
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The WBNCA is pleased to announce our new "Entrepreneurs Book Club"
Benjamin Franklin said "An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest" and we firmly believe that. So to promote knowledge and to help you grow as an entrepreneur, we are starting a book club in 2010.
We will read one book every eight weeks and then meet at the Huntsville/Madison County Public Library to discuss the book, and sometimes even meet the author. It will be great fun and we are looking forward to growing and learning with you. Schedule
January-February 2010: "I'm Finally in Business for Myself...Now What?," Mike Sandy
March-April 2010: "E-Myth Revisited," Michael Gerber
May-June 2010: "Everything I Know About Business, I Learned From my Mama," Tim Knox
July-August 2010: "Developing the Leaders Around You," John C. Maxwell
So get ready to read!
First discussion will be on March 4 from 5:30-6:30.
More information will follow.
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Marshall Small Business Alliance Meeting
The George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Procurement/Small Business Office would like to extend a cordial invitation to the Marshall Prime Contractor Supplier Council members and small business community to attend the Marshall Small business Alliance Meeting scheduled for February 4, 2010 at the Davidson Center in Huntsville, AL. Make your plans to join us at this exciting event. Agenda is listed below. Please RSVP to Ms. Stefanie Funghi at Stefanie.m.funghi@nasa.gov by close of business Monday, February 1, 2010. Due to limited seating, registration will be handled on a first come first serve basis. If you should have any questions, contact our office at 256-544-0267.
Marshall Small Business Alliance Meeting Agenda
February 4, 2010
Davidson Center
Time Topic; Presenter
07:30 Registration
08:15 Welcome/Housekeeping
- Small Business Executive Leadership Team Update; Bill Davis, MSBA Chair/Business
Development Manager, ASRI
- Marshall Prime Contractor Supplier Council UpdateJoellen Moore MPCSC Chair/Small
Business Liaison/ Officer, United Space Alliance
08:30 Introducing the new Government Procurement Assistance Center; Joanne Randolph,
CEO/President, WBCNA
08:45 Doing Business with EG&G; Rodolfo Bernal, Eg&G Business Manager
09:05 MSFC Acquisition Update; TBD
09:20 MSFC Small Business Program Update; David Brock, MSFC Small Business Specialist
09:40 Requesting Contract Information through the Freedom of Information Office; Judi
Hollingsworth, MSFC FOIA Public Liaison Officer
10:00 Networking Break
10:30 Contract Overview...MSFC Logistics Services; TBD
10:40 Michoud Assembly Center Overview; TBD
11:00 Doing Business with Jacobs Technology at the Michoud Assembly Facility; Michael
Winberry, Jacobs Small Business Liaison Officer
11:20 Calendar of Events/Special Announcements
11:30 Adjourn |
Want Free Press for your Small Business?
 Here's one way to do it!
WAFF Channel 48 is offering an opportunity for you to showcase your business for FREE! Just call 533-4848 to schedule your Business Break interview. The shows airs between 6:30 and 6:45 a.m You get to choose 5 questions that you would like to be asked during the 2-minute interview.
Please note: This will not air on the noon news, which is reserved for community activities.
Want Free Press? Here's another way to do it!
Have you received WBCNA counseling that has been helpful to you?
Have you attended a WBCNA workshop that you found beneficial?
If your answer is yes to either of these questions, we want to showcase you on our home page. Client photos and testimonials are rotated continuously at the top of the WBCNA home page. Just send us a photo and short testimonial and we'll add it to our rotation.
Want Free Press? Here's yet another way to do it!
When is the last time you submitted a Press Release to the local media? Did you know you can get free press when something "newsworthy" happens with your business; i.e., hiring new employees, getting a new contract awarded, etc. Don't know how to write a Press Release. No problem. Just go to the Resources page on our website and go to the "How To" section, and you will find "How to Write a Press Release." If you need help, just call the office and schedule an appointment with a business coach. Why not---it's free! |
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