SBDC August 2011: A Change of Perspective

Small Business Connections August 2011

Welcome to Small Business Connections!

The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Waubonsee Community College is here to serve your small business needs. We offer free business counseling to entrepreneurs and business owners, as well as a variety of small business workshops.

Call us today at (630) 906-4143 to learn how we can help you start or grow your business.

Small Business Spotlight

Cosmic Montessori Community - The Bridge to Learning for Every Child

Silvia Dei Rossi brings an International flair to her Cosmic Montessori Community school in Aurora. Silvia lived in Italy and Germany before moving to

the U.S. ten years ago due to her husband's job. She decided to start her own Montessori school after working for several years as a Montessori teacher trainer.

Silvia first came to the IL SBDC at Waubonsee in 2008 to get help with her business plan, and then spent two years searching for the right location. She wanted to focus on science and nature in the educational experience, so it was important that she find a location where she could do that.

Cosmic Montessori Community opened in October, 2010, with six teachers in addition to Silvia, and an initial enrollment of 40 students. Her proximity to Rush-Copley Hospital gave her the added bonus of the Rush-Copley Healthplex for her gym and swim classes, so students get the added benefit of swim lessons. In addition, the school teaches both Spanish and Italian.

Silvia recently received her licensing for infant to three-year olds, and is now promoting her infant program. Cosmic Montessori Community is the only Montessori school in the area to take infants.

"Our school is designed to help children to discover and develop their talents and possibilities. While learning the right answers may get a child through school, learning how to become a lifelong independent learner will take him everywhere" says Silvia.

Silvia has lots of space to grow into, and is working with the IL SBDC to help achieve that growth. You can visit Cosmic Montessori Community at 1310 Waterford Drive in Aurora, or find them online at www.cosmicmontessoricommunity.org.

Biz Buzz

A Change of Perspective

At the IL SBDC we hear about lots of business ideas, innovative new products and top notch services. We also know that the economy is down, and competition can be fierce. To craft a successful plan for your business under these conditions, try a change in perspective - put yourself in your customer's shoes. Whether you are a new or established business, you will experience what I call the bottom line of all business plans: The customer's truth will be your reality.

Regardless of how certain you are that your customer will have a better life by using your products or services, if the customer doesn't know or believe this, she will not patronize your business.

A Change of Perspective
Your product may be of better quality and have more features and benefits than your competitor's product, but if you customer doesn't know or doesn't care, he will not buy from you.

Your service may give the customer more for their money but if they do not need the extra bells and whistles, they will not pay for them. No matter how much you are convinced that someone will LOVE it once they try it, getting to that point could take more time and money than you have.

It can be nearly impossible to convince someone to buy from you if they don't have a problem you are solving, a need you are meeting, or a desire you are fulfilling. And, that problem/need/desire must be felt by the consumer, not convinced by you!

To avoid disaster, do plenty of market research before you launch something new. Surveys can be helpful, but don't guarantee results. Talk to lots of people about your plans and ideas - not just friends who might be inclined to tell you what you want to hear - and listen to their comments.

Identify focused target market segment(s). You should be able to describe your ideal customer in depth, along with their reasons for purchasing your product or service.

Here are a few tips on how to test your market or hold a focus group.

SBDC Client Press Corner

Austin BBQ (Doug & Ellen Pierce) was featured as a new BBQ standout in Chicago Magazine's Best of Chicago 2011.

Do you have something noteworthy happening at your business? We hear lots of exciting news from our clients, so we launched this new section in our newsletter to help you spread the word. If you have something memorable you want to share, email us and we'll spread the news to our 1500+ subscribers!

Biz Bitz

Proposed Changes in the Patent System
Presently a bill is moving through congress that shifts our current U.S. patent system favoring the first person to invent a product to one that gives preference to the first person to file for the patent. Some claim this favors large businesses, both domestic and international, who have significantly more means to deal with the cumbersome patent process. Read more about how this change may negatively affect individual inventors and small businesses.

Technology Hinders Creativity

In today's world, we assume and accept technology as inherently good; however, the question has been raised whether it makes us more productive and happy. Technological tools require the brain to move between tasks at a rapid pace, often causing brain overload. The ability to focus on a task or project allows our brains to think more critically and creatively. Read more on brain overload and its effect on creativity.

Get Smart: Small Business Workshops at Waubonsee

Starting Your Business in Illinois

Wednesday, Aug. 24, 6 -9 p.m., $30 (Aurora)

Tuesday, Sept. 13, 6 - 9 p.m., $30 (Sugar Grove)

Is Franchising Right for You?

Thursday, Sept. 29, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., $30 (Aurora)

Social Media Marketing for Business

Tuesday, Oct. 4, 6 - 8 p.m., $30 (Aurora)

Google for Business

Thursday, Oct. 20, 6 - 9 p.m., $30 (Aurora)

Register at Waubonsee Tickets

Marketing for Small Business

Wednesday, Sept. 21, 6 - 9 p.m., $30 (Aurora)

Fearless Selling for Women

Tuesday, Sept. 27, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., $49 (Aurora)

Register at Waubonsee Tickets

Step Into Retail

Thursday, Sept. 15, 6 - 9 p.m., $30 (Aurora)

Register at Waubonsee Tickets

Restaurant Business Essentials

Monday, Oct. 10, 6 - 9 p.m., $30 (Aurora)

Register at Waubonsee Tickets

Small Business Tax Basics Workshop

Wednesday, Oct. 26, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., $30 (Aurora)

Register at Waubonsee Tickets

Check seminar details for the full list, class descriptions, locations, ticket numbers, and pricing. To sign up, complete and submit the registration form. For additional information call the Illinois SBDC office at (630) 906-4143.

Don't forget that the IL SBDC has moved into the new Waubonsee Community College Aurora Campus. Make sure to check the updated directions and parking information.

QuickBooks and Excel

A variety of QuickBooks and Excel classes are available to meet your small business accounting needs. Click here for complete class descriptions, locations, dates, times and costs.

Illinois SBDC at Waubonsee Community College

Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA or DCEO.