Too Big to Fail?
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Less than 1% of US firms have more than 100 employees; yet
they account for 70% of sales and receipts for this country. What a
vulnerable economy we have where such a large portion of
the sales and receipts totter on such a pinpoint. And what happens
when that pinpoint starts to erode? We now know the answer. The
entire world is currently experiencing what happens when a few of those at the
top get in trouble. How many times have I heard in the
last few months that "too big to fail is too big"?
Many people hope that out of all of this pain, an
opportunity for change will emerge. A critical element of this
change will be to build the health of our smaller firms so they serve
as a diverse, broad and stable base to our economy. 77% of all firms
in the US are Non- Employer Firms, yet they account for only 3.5% of sales
and receipts. And then there is the solid middle, those 22% of firms with
1-100 employees which account for 26% of sales and receipts.
Decisions that we make as individuals and policy at all levels of
government need to support growth, productivity and innovation at the
lower levels of the business spectrum. We want to get out of this recession
in a way that ensures we don't return to the business as usual that got us
here.
It is no small coincidence that New Hampshire, with a
disproportionately high level of small businesses, is weathering this
recession better than many. For all of you who contribute to the success
of small business -- be it your own or someone else's --
Keep up the
good work,
Mary Ann Kristiansen
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Note from the Editor: |
What topics interest you and your business? What business resources already inspire you?
This month's Hannah Grimes Times is full of events, resources and news to inspire you to innovate, connect, and thrive.
Sincerely, Jen Risley Hannah Grimes Program Coordinator
_________________________
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Help Your Business Reach Its Potential
Hannah Grimes Entrepreneur Project
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The Hannah Grimes Center is now accepting applications for the spring 2009
Entrepreneur Project, a proven 12-month business program designed to give
business owners the skills, resources, and support they need to take their
existing business to the next level.
Enrollment is $1,070 for the
year-long program. The program is facilitated by a trained business coach who
brings seven business owners together to meet once per month for three hours.
The premium enrollment option encompasses both the year-long program and two
additional monthly one-on-one business coaching sessions for $2,980.
To view an eight-minute video describing the program, visit: http://www.hannahgrimes.com/Center/business-development.
The Entrepreneur Project helps business owners:
- Increase sales & profitability.
- Better understand their financial statements so they can make informed
decisions.
- Make their marketing and sales strategies better work for their business.
- Improve their time management and organizational skills to work more
effectively & efficiently.
- Ensure that their business walks their talk.
For more information, call 603-352-5063 or email [email protected].
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Office Space Available - But It's More Than Office Space!
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Located
in downtown Keene, the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship
has openings in its Part Time Associate Program. Part Time Associates
have a private office that is booked online. The office is shared with
other small business owners. Rent ranges from $50.00 a month for up to
ten hours a month to $100.00 a month for up to 30 hours a month. Our
Associates receive a wide array of benefits, including:
� Free high-speed cable internet connection
� Networked multi-function copy and fax machine
� Use of conference room with wireless connection
� Convenient downtown location
� Excellent networking opportunities
� A wide range of on-site business support services
� 24/7 Access
� Kitchenette
� Notary Services
Contact us with any questions or for a tour of our space by emailing
[email protected] or call 603-352-5063. |
Antioch MBA Topic Indoor Lighting to Combat the Dreary Season
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This time of year, much of our time is spent indoors - using electricity to power our lights. How can we reduce that electricity bill? Click here.
The Green
MBA Earth System class of Antioch University of New England consulted with the
Hannah Grimes Center to help local entrepreneurs adopt more environmentally
and socially responsible business practices.
For money
saving tips and information on the environmental & social impacts of business
practices, look for this logo:
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Q&A Via the Hannah Grimes Network
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Question:
My wife and I are in the process of starting a business in
the area, publishing an online magazine, but also offering graphic design,
website design, and marketing consulting. We both have full time jobs,
but would like to make this our full time job. Of course there are
thousands of stories of business owners taking out loans and living off of
credit cards to start their company, but there are also stories of growing a
business and reaching a point where you can quit the full time job and take on
your business as your sole means of income.
My question is: what are the
best ways of making the leap from full time employment to self employment?
In other words, how do we know when it is worth the risk to go out on our
own? I am interested in hearing people's ideas and experiences with this
topic.
Answer:
This is a great request.
Exactly what we're here for. Aside from signing up for a free consultation with me or Gary Oden, we are in the process of scheduling a workshop to meet your needs.
Helaine Iris, Business Coach, Path of Purpose Coaching & Hannah Grimes Entrepreneur Project
_______
Question: How can I post a powerpoint presentation to my webpage?
Answer:
Given that he will be offering it publicly using his website, I assume there
are no restrictions required to view it? On that assumption, I would recommend
using http://www.slidshare.net. It's a service
where you upload your powerpoint to the site and it automatically converts it
to flash and includes the different presentation controls. He can even include
audio in the upload. The site provides a simple snippet of code that you paste
into a web page in your website to embed the presentation in your site. There's
a link to a tour of the service's features. (oh, it's free).
Regards,
Neil Giarratana, President, Lucidus Corporation - Internet Strategy & Services
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Hannah Grimes Center Has Stepped Up As Economy Has Fallen By Anika Clark, Keene Sentinel March 7, 2009
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An old saying claims behind every great man
is a great woman. And behind many growing Monadnock Region
businesses? Hannah Grimes.
As today's grim economy sees cross-sector downsizing,
Executive Director Mary Ann Kristiansen feels now's the time for her company to
barrel ahead.
Continue at: http://www.hannahgrimes.com/node/1265.
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Shaheen Visits Hannah Grimes Center During Three-Day Small Business Tour
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February 19, 2009 - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen continued
her three-day tour across New Hampshire at a meeting with local small business
owners in Keene at the Hannah Grimes Center. Shaheen, who serves on the U.S. Senate Small
Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, is meeting with small business owners
to hear their first-hand accounts of how the economy crisis has affected their
businesses.
To read more: http://www.hannahgrimes.com/node/1257. |
"Write to Sell" Workshop Tuesday, April 7th, Noon - 1:30p.m. Sharon Bailly, Hannah Grimes Center
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Help make your words mean business... more business.
Sharon Bailly, owner and founder of TWP Marketing and Technical Communications,
will present her "Write to Sell" workshop at the Hannah Grimes Center. Sharon
has over 25 years of experience as a marketing writer for both consumer and B2B companies and can help make sure your communications reach more of
your customers.
This is Sharon's second time
presenting the "Write to Sell" workshop at the Hannah Grimes Center. A participant
from her last workshop shared, "Sharon Bailly is a very professional
presenter and I always learn something new from her presentations that I can
immediately use...
I was favorably impressed with the ease of registration and the caliber of my
fellow attendees."
Bring a sample of your business
literature and Sharon will offer a quick review and helpful
advice.
Register today http://www.hannahgrimes.com/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=120 or call
603-352-5063. |
Sales Consultant at Hannah Grimes
Monday, April 20th, 10:30 - 11:30a.m. Jon Anderson, Hannah Grimes Center
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On the third Monday of each month, sales consultant
Jon Anderson will offer monthly sessions at the Hannah Grimes Center.
Class size is
limited to six, ensuring more individual attention and engaging conversation with
other entrepreneurs. To register, visit http://www.hannahgrimes.com/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=137
or call 603-352-5063. Remember, class size is limited - so register today. There is no charge for these workshops.
Jon
Anderson offers over 20 years of sales and new business generation experience
gained in a wide range of business to business sectors. Jon leads Sidehill Consulting LLC, which serves business owners, sales managers, and professionals
seeking to create consistent growth and peak sales performance. Sidehill
uses hands-on efforts combined with a customized selection of proven methods to
evaluate
your sales organization, implement the most effective processes,
deliver coaching and training for sales and sales management, and
recruit and retain the best sales talent.
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Creating and Using a Business Archive
Thursday, March 26th, 8:30a.m. - 3p.m. Historical Society of Cheshire County, Keene
The Historical Society will present a workshop for
any size business interested in the process of collecting and preserving its
history. Sessions will cover how to use an archive to document business history
and what a business needs to consider when establishing an archive. Topics include physical space requirements,
funding resources, IT needs, integrating the archives into the company's
records management program, and using best practices in preserving business
records. Workshop presenters will be
Alan Rumrill of the Historical Society of Cheshire County; Chris Pratt,
free-lance archivist; Barbara Rimkunas, Curator of the Exeter Historical
Society; and Elizabeth Slomba, University Archivist at UNH. Costs for the workshop, which include all hand-outs
and lunch, are $35 for HSCC members and $45 for non-members. To register or for further information, call
603-352-1895.
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The Historical Society of
Cheshire County, located at 246 Main Street in Keene, is open to the public on
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 9
p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. For further information, view http://www.hsccnh.org. |
Bee-ing
Attraction Planning Workshop
Thursdays, March
19th & 26th, 5-6:30 pm Hannah Grimes Center
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Are
you building a new business or looking to expand or change an existing one? Would
you like to have more clients? Better
yet, would you like to have better clients? Would
you like to have clients who are a perfect fit for you? Learn
a simple 4-step process to attract business relationships that are a perfect
fit for you, while building a business that is close to your heart &
passions.
Register
now for this 2-session workshop! For a $97 investment, you will:
- Receive two 90-minute workshop sessions
-
Participate with a community of like-minded people as you learn the art of
Attracting Perfect Customers™.
-
You
will be guided & coached through the steps of creating your own
Bee-ing Attraction Plan.
- book:
"Attracting Perfect Customers - The Power of Strategic
Synchronicity"
- one 30 minute follow-up
session one-on-one with Nancy and more...
Contact
Nancy at 603-762-0467 for more details and for registration. |
SCORE Workshop: Help Your Business Survive the Downturn
Tuesday, March 31st, 6-9p.m. Ocean Bank, Keene
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Rick Moltson
will offer this workshop. If you are interested in learning about the wide
range of issues aimed at keeping your business from going under, we
urge up to sign
up by completing and submitting the form below while space is still
available.
SCORE offers low-cost business seminars for both start-up and in-business
entrepreneurs. In addition to being a learning experience, seminars
also offer an opportunity to interact with other local small business
owners, or prospective business owners. $25 per person / $40 per couple and refreshments are available.
For more information and to register, visit http://www.monadnockscore.org/seminars.html or call 603-352-0320.
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Increasing Sales Productivity with Jon Anderson Wednesday, April 8th, 9 - 11:30a.m. Ocean Bank, Keene
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Learn
the essentials for increasing productivity of existing sales staff and
creating a sales system that delivers consistently reliable results.
Participants will also learn how to grow sales in the current economic
climate as well as improve both strategy execution and sales rep
retention. Workshop presented by Jon Anderson of Sidehill Consulting.
This seminar is a designed for business owners and sales
managers with three or more sales representatives in a B2B environment.
Limited space, advanced registration required. Refreshments provided. Cost: $25.00. Contact Jon Anderson 603-614-4691, [email protected].
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Business Entity Selection Amoskeag Business Incubator
Thursday, March 19th, Noon - 1p.m. Manchester
Identifying
the Business Entity that is Right for Your Small Business
Discussions will include: - An analysis of the differences between operating as a sole
proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company or corporation
- What documents are necessary to form your company
- What ongoing business formalities are required under NH state law
To be presented by Angela Martin, a corporate attorney at Devine
Millimet. No charge. Contact Information: Michele, 603-629-9511; [email protected]. The mission of the Amoskeag Business
Incubator is to provide a supportive entrepreneurial environment that
stimulates the growth of businesses to ensure economic vitality and
encourage job creation. The mission is accomplished by providing
affordable office space and technical assistance to early stage
companies. For more information: http://www.abi-nh.com.
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Free SBA Consultations
Thursdays, March 19th & 26th, 1:30 - 2:30p.m.
NH Secretary of State Corporate Division, Concord
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A Business Development Specialist from the U.S. Small Business Administration
(SBA), NH District Office, will be available to provide business assistance to
address your concerns, direct you to the appropriate resources and help get you
started in the right direction. Learn creative ways to start a small
business in a turbulent economy and steps to securing small business capital. Gain knowledge about
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which will have a significant impact
on small businesses and on the credit crunch, providing tax incentives and
financing opportunities.
Starting and operating a
business can be exciting and invigorating, but it can also be overwhelming. SBA offers financial
assistance, government contracting opportunities and connects owners with a
network of support throughout the federal government and across the country. SBA has individual
counseling programs and provides training for nearly every aspect of business
management.
For more information, please contact Alice
Zachos, Assistant
District Director, in SBA's Concord, NH office at (603) 225-1607 or via
email at [email protected]. |
Women of the Workplace Conference Thursday, March 19th, 8:30a.m. - 2:30p.m. Murphy's Taproom, Manchester
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In recognition of women's contributions to the New Hampshire economy,
the first annual Women of the Workplace conference will be held. As
a special gift to New Hampshire's female business community, admission
is free. However, there are only 100 slots available so early
registration is strongly suggested.
To register, e-mail Leslie Sherman
at the New Hampshire Business Resource Center at
[email protected]. For more information, call 603-271-2591.
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WBC Breakfast Roundtable: ENDING OVERWHELM:
Four Weeks to Break the Cycle of Too Much to Do and No Time to Do It. Friday, March 20th, 7-9a.m. Hilton Garden Inn, Portsmouth
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We're
living in a world that's rocking with turmoil and unprecedented
economic failures, leaving us in a state of uncertainty and fear. It's
easy to slip into a feeling of being overwhelmed by it all; unable to
chart your own course; unable to make a difference. What if you could
lose that feeling of being overwhelmed? It's no secret. The
conventional approaches to managing and prioritizing are insufficient
to overcome the bombardment of living and working in today's
fast-paced, always connected, often frenetic world.
With a step-by-step approach,
"Ending Overwhelm: Four Weeks to Break the Cycle of Too Much to do and
No Time to do it.", a new book by Rosemary Tator and Alesia Latson,
leads you to a more purposeful and less stressful life. Increase your
capacity to do what matters most to you. Lose that nagging sensation
that somehow you're forgetting something important. Stop missing
appointments, commitments, and deliverables. Tame the e-mail tyrant and
master the art of the empty in box.
Rosemary Tator will present ways to
increase your effectiveness, while reducing stress. Engage in exercises
that will open our eyes to some of the habits we have that directly
impact our productivity and effectiveness. Learn a new way to handle
our ever-increasing volume of email that leaves us with an empty inbox;
the time to respond and stay on top of your email messages, and how to
have your meetings be more effective. View a method of scheduling that
has you completing what you say is most important.
A full breakfast will be served. Cost : $20 members, $30 non-members. Call 603-430-2892 Ext.1 to register or visit http://www.womenbiz.org/index.php?content=events/listing§ion=programs. |
Sullivan County Business Builders Due Friday, March 20th
MicroCredit-NH
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Business Builders helps
self-employed workers and small business owners develop their
businesses, expand economic opportunity and enhance the quality of jobs
in Sullivan County. This program has been created with financial
support from the USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant.
Business
Builders comprises seven day-long sessions for entrepreneurs who are
growing their businesses. Each participant will create and implement a
strategic plan for business sustainability, growth and success by:
- Learning business and leadership skills from role-model entrepreneurs and business professionals.
- Investing in their business with options of applying for loans of up to $15,000 or for the Individual Development Account matched savings program (for those who meet income guidelines).
- Receiving peer support and feedback through the sharing of ideas and experiences
- Integrating mission and vision into all aspects of business operations.
Participants will learn and use cutting edge techniques to build a
solid foundation for positioning their business for resiliency and
growth, while making valuable business connections. For further
information, see Business Builders Frequently Asked Questions - http://www.microcreditnh.org/resources/Business%20Builders.html
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Beth Holzman: CSR Strategy & Reporting Manger The Timberland Company Friday, March 27th, 5p.m. Marlboro College Graduate Center, Brattleboro, VT
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The Marlboro MBA in Managing for Sustainability hosts Beth Holzman, CSR
Strategy and Reporting Manager who will talk about her work with the
Timberland Company.
Beth Holzman is responsible for managing Timberland's CSR strategy
through internal and external stakeholder engagement, producing the
company's quarterly and bi-annual CSR reports, and integrating CSR
throughout the business.
Cost: Free. For more information, contact 802-451-7544, [email protected], http://gradschool.marlboro.edu.
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Continuing Education at Keene State
College Upcoming Business Classes |
Some
courses for business people this spring include:
- Leading Change (3/31, noncredit);
- Introduction to Project Management (4/8, noncredit)
- Purchasing Fundamentals (online, new classes begin
monthly);
- Search Engine Optimization (online, new classes begin
any time).
For a complete list, contact 603-358-2290 or visit http://www.keene.edu/conted. |
NHBSR Webinar Series 2009 Employee Volunteering: Doing Good for Your Community and Your Company Wednesday, April 8th, Noon
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Robin Albert, Director, Volunteer Action Center, United Way of the Greater Seacoast will lead this webinar via the World Wide Web! Contact:
Molly, 603-391-8471, [email protected].
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Stonyfield Farm Entrepreneurship Institute New England Center, UNH Durham Thursday & Friday, April 16 - 17th
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Presented
in partnership with UNH's Carsey Institute and the Whittemore School of
Business and Economics, the annual conference brings together regional
entrepreneurs with a panel of experts, including Gary Hirshberg, Chief Executive
of Stonyfield Farm Yogurt, Jeffrey Hollender, President of Seventh Generation
of Burlington, VT, and Michael Swack of the Carsey Institute and WSBE.
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SEVCA Computer Classes April & May SEVCA Computur Lab, Westminster, VT
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The Micro Business Development Program at Southeastern
Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) will hold a series of computer classes. Pre-registration and prepayment are required (see below).
QuickBooks: Creating Your
Own Business in QuickBooks - Four Tuesday Sessions
This is a 4-session
course that will enable you to create your company in QuickBooks. Week 1, you will set up your company and
design the Chart of Accounts and Item lists to match your business. Week 2, you will work with your own client
base to create client databases, create customized invoices, statements, and
credit memos and lean the basics of using QuickBooks for all your Accounts
Receivable. Week 3, you will work with
your own vendor list to create vendor databases (including sub contractors),
pay sales tax using QuickBooks reports, prepare 1099's for sub contractors
using QuickBooks reports, work with credit cards and credit accounts with
vendors and master all the basics of using QuickBooks for Accounts Payable. Week 4, will show you how to reconcile your
bank records and credit card accounts and create all the reports that show how
your business is really doing.
Tuesday, April 14, 21, 28, and May 5. 8 am to 12 noon, cost $175
Using the Internet to Help
Your Business Succeed
This workshop will explore everything a business needs to
know about using the internet to help the business succeed: best ways to
use email, how to be able to rely on the information that you find online,
basic Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques to help people find your
site, how to start a blog to keep people interested in your web site, and pay
per click advertising. Both people with existing web sites and those
considering a site are welcome.
Thursday, April 9, 9 am to 12 noon, Cost $45
Creating Marketing
Materials with Word
You will learn how to use Word to create marketing materials
through the use of graphics, text boxes, line drawings, colors, and fonts. We
will see how easy it is to create fliers, posters, simple brochures, and ads
using the software that comes with most computers! This workshop will explain
page set-up and show how to tinker with pictures. All you need are basic Word
skills, like typing (hunt 'n peck's ok), using a mouse, and using the Enter
key. While this course is taught on a PC, the skills are transferable to a MAC.
Thursday, April 16, 9 am to 12 noon, Cost $45
Intro to EXCEL
This course is designed for a beginner user (or someone who
wants to learn a few new tricks). Topics covered include: navigating the basic
spreadsheet; formatting cells, columns, and rows; creating formulas; displaying
your data as charts. This is a hands-on course and the price includes training
materials.
Thursday, April 23, 9am to 12 noon, Cost $45
Advanced EXCEL
This course continues where the Intro course ends - folks
with a basic knowledge of Excel are invited to join and learn more about this
powerful software program. Topics covered include: creating workbooks,
using functions for complicated computations, creating macros for repetitive
operations and worksheet set-up. This is a hands-on course and the price
includes training materials.
Thursday, April 30, 9 am to 12 noon, Cost $45
Instructor -
Debbe Dugan, M.Ed. has devoted the last 15 years to helping others to demystify
the computer. As owner of Simply Computing in Greenfield, MA,
she supports software on both MACs and PCs for area businesses and computer
users.
To register please call 722-4575 ext.151 and leave a message stating your name,
both day and evening phone numbers and note which class(es) you want to
register for. Checks should be made out to "SEVCA" and please put
"MBDP Computer Class" on the memo line and send to: SEVCA MBDP, 91 Buck
Drive, Westminster,
VT 05158.
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NH Small Business Development Center: Sustain Your Business with Help from NH SBDC
NH
small businesses continue to be the backbone of our New Hampshire economy,
however they may need assistance in these challenging times of high energy
costs, financial concerns and shrinking markets.
The NH SBDC offers real time
assistance on-line 24/7 and one-on-one business management advising with SBDC certified, professional advisors. More at http://www.nhsbdc.org.
Tax Provisions in the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act of 2009
The IRS is implementing
tax-related provisions of this new program as quickly as possible.
Here are some key
highlights with links to information from the IRS:
- COBRA:
Health Insurance Continuation subsidy.
- First-Time
Homebuyer Credit Expands
- Payroll
Checks Increase This Spring
- $250 for
Social Security Recipients, Veterans and
Railroad Retirees
- Money
Back for New Vehicle Purchases
For more information: U.S. Small Business Administration's
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Webpage: http://www.nh.gov/recovery/
The American Recovery
& Reinvestment Act contains a package of loan fee reductions, higher
guarantees, new SBA programs, secondary market incentives, and enhancements to
current SBA programs that will help unlock credit markets and begin economic
recovery for the nation's small business sector.
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Also visit: http://www.nhsbdc.org/toolkit/files/sba_traing_peak_performance.pdf
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Americans Believe Entrepreneurs Will Revive Economy, According to Kauffman Foundation Survey October 1, 2008
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Americans see entrepreneurship as the answer to the current
financial crisis - but worries about the economy are deterring them
from taking the first step on that path, according to survey findings
released by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. "Americans in big
numbers are looking to entrepreneurs to rally the economy," said Carl
Schramm, president and chief executive officer of the Kauffman
Foundation. "More than 70 percent of voters say the health of the
economy depends on the success of entrepreneurs, and a full 80 percent
want to see the government use its resources to actively encourage
entrepreneurship in America." Despite this confidence in
entrepreneurship, Americans personally are reluctant to start their own
companies. Seventy-one percent of Americans believe that the economic
crisis of the past two weeks has made it more difficult to become an
entrepreneur. The study shows a gulf between those who see
opportunities and those willing to seize them; 49 percent of
respondents see opportunities for entrepreneurial ideas in the current
economy but only 26 percent said they would actually consider starting
a business within the next five years. Read more at http://www.kauffman.org/newsroom/research-roundup.aspx.
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10 Quick & Easy Client Attraction Strategies
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View 10 Quick and Easy Client Attraction Strategies from Debbie LaChusa at http://tomatogreening.wordpress.com/2009/03/03/10-quick-and-easy-client-attraction-strategies. |
Local Labels Available
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Monadnock
region business Electronic Imaging Materials has been providing
barcode labels and bar code printing solutions where durable moisture,
heat and solvent resistant bar code labeling is needed for over 20 years. They are expanding into a quick and easy
label line directed at small business.
You can go online and design your
own label, which will be printed on durable white polyster labels and shipped
within 48 hours with a minimum order of 450 labels starting at $130. They
would very much welcome feedback from some "real" users on their
online service. So if you are in the market for labels, check out http://www.eiminc.com/dal and feel free to
provide Alex and Heather with any feedback you may have.
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Hannah Grimes Center Monthly Offerings
Marketing Consultant, David Diesel
Graphic & Web Designer, Nancy Salwen
NHSBDC Business Coach, Gary Oden
Path of Purpose Business Coach, Helaine Iris
Sales Consultant, Jon Anderson
Negotiator, Greg Hessel
Banker, Brett Juliano
Entrepreneur Project
Entrepreneur Alumni Meetings
For more information: http://www.hannahgrimes.com/calendar |
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