February 2011
Topic of the Month:
Balancing the Bottom Line
This month we're looking at how businesses - large and small - balance their financial bottom line with social and environmental values. Most are familiar with the triple bottom line or considering "people, planet & profit" when measuring success.
Only have a minute?
Are there networks and programs that help you measure your triple bottom line? Take this quick poll. Have more than a minute?
Share how you measure your business success with the Hannah Grimes network (a group of veteran and aspiring entrepreneurs) on Facebook, LinkedIn or send us an email.
Review this month's resources:
|
|
Construction Focus
| As we begin the third month of our first floor renovation project, we say goodbye to demolition and hello to the framing of our eighteen new offices.
We are happy that our project provided construction work this winter. This sentiment was highlighted while reading the recent news on the unemployment front. Buried deep in the article was the news that, in construction, there's still an unemployment rate of almost 22 percent. Wow. And those are good jobs we are missing - the average construction workers' pay in New Hampshire is $49,045 or 9% more than all private sector employees in the state.
Most construction establishments in NH are small. Over 92% have 9 or fewer employees, 48% are self employed - and that number is growing. Self employed construction workers increased over 5% in the past 10 years, with all other construction firms decreasing in number.
Running a successful construction business in this rapidly changing and competitive environment takes much more than knowing how to drive a nail. As part of our Industry Cluster Project, on March 16 we will ask those of you in the construction industry to share your experience with us. If you are in the construction world or know of someone who is, we ask you to help us understand your business challenges and what resources you need to be successful.
Many thanks to the construction workers involved in our project and to all of you...
...keep up the good work.
MAK
Mary Ann Kristiansen
Hannah Grimes Center Executive Director
mak@hannahgrimes.com PS: Thanks to a generous grant from the Clowes Fund, Hannah Grimes started the Industry Cluster Project in 2009. Stay connected with this project - sign up to receive our Construction Focus e-newsletters.  | | Staff & Friends Stain the First Floor |
|
HANNAH GRIMES NEWS & EVENTS
|
Business Planning:
Ready, Fire, Aim!
With Bob Vecchiotti, Business Consultant
Monday, March 14, Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Hannah Grimes Center, Keene
 | If a business owner is using a "Ready, Fire, Aim!" approach to business planning, it is time for a change. This workshop will cover the important ingredients of today's business plan, some new business rules, the importance of engaging key resources, how to monitor results and what to do with them and more. Cost: Free. Register at http://hannahgrimes.com or 603-352-5063.
|
|
Entrepreneurial Needs & Offerings*
| Nominations Due: The Self Made in New Hampshire event will celebrate and recognize those who have persevered and made their own way in life. Nominations for the Self Made in New Hampshire Award might include a teacher, landscaper, nurse or small business person and are due by March 25, http://www.SelfMadeinNH.com.
*The Hannah Grimes Center is posting these classifieds as a service to readers and does not imply endorsement. Add your own classified ad: Send a 20-30 word description of your service or product that is directly supporting entrepreneurs to jen@hannahgrimes.com. Make sure to include the best way to contact you. |
|
Exploring Government Contracts
Small Business Association
Thursday, March 17, 1 - 3 p.m.
Hannah Grimes Center, Keene
| |
Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the NH Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP), and SCORE will host a roundtable discussion with area businesses who want to learn more about the process of selling product and services to federal government agencies and their large business prime contractors. Business owners will also receive an introduction to the resources and services provided by the SBA, NH PTAP and SCORE to assist them if they decide to pursue government contracting with their companies. Cost: Free. Registration: 603-225-1603; Rachael.roderick@sba.gov.
Underground Storage Tank Operator Training
NH Department of
Environmental Services
Tuesday, March 29, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
NH DES, Keene
Businesses with regulated underground storage tanks - usually over 1,100 gallons of heating oil (or as little as 110 gallons of other substances) - are required to have two people trained within the next year. Tuesday, March 29th may be the only training that doesn't require a drive to Concord. Cost: Free. Registration: 603- 271-0673; Matthew.Jones@des.nh.gov. Small Business Selling KSC Continuing Education Thursdays, March 31 & April 7, 6 - 9 p.m. Keene State College, Keene
This short course helps business owners and professionals maximize sales efforts and have more time to focus on their business. Education, tools that can be used now, and a hands-on component to overcome your toughest selling challenges included. Cost: $90. Contact: continuing-ed@keene.edu, 603-358-2290.
Dave Ramsey EntreLeadership Seminar: How To Lead a Team & Grow a Business From a Biblical Perspective Friday, April 1, 9:45 a.m. - 5 p.m. Trinity Christian School, Keene
EntreLeadership combines the innovative spirit of an entrepreneur with the passion and drive of a leader. Dave teaches principles that can help a business into organizations where people love to work as and help business leaders reach their small business and leadership goals. Provides a good networking opportunity with other local business leaders. Build better and stronger relationships with your team and how to best serve customers. Lunch will be provided and the total cost for the program is $39. A workbook will be provided. Contact: robleague@yahoo.com.
Key to Workplace Productivity in 2011 & Beyond: The GO System River Valley Community College Thursday, April 14, 8:30 - 11:50 a.m. RVCC Campus, Keene In order to remain competitive, even highly successful companies constantly look for ways to get more done, in less time, with fewer people. With the GO System you will be able to: ensure time spent at work is quality, productive time; Decrease productivity-killing stress and anxiety; Improve your ability to follow up and follow through on assignments; Improve your contribution to the bottom line of your organization. Fee: $189, book included. Contact: http://www.rivervalley.edu, 603-542-7744. |
| LOCAL LIVING ECONOMY EVENTS |
|
|
Nonprofit Board Service: What You Need to Know NH Businesses For Social Responsibility Wednesday, March 9, Noon - 1 p.m. Online Webinar
Nonprofit board service can be a rewarding experience which often will advance your skills and career, but is also can be a time drain and a wrong choice may leave you in a tough situation. What are the things to think about, ask and do before you say yes to nonprofit board service? Participants will come away from this webinar with a checklist with questions to ask before committing to a board, knowledge about the legal responsibilities of a board member, deeper understanding of the commitment (time, money and talent), and a broader understanding of the benefits of board service, professional and personal. Free for NHBSR members; $25 for non-members. Register online.
Putney Economic Summit With Guest Michael Shuman Transition Putney Wednesday March 9, 7-8:30p.m. Thursday, March 10, 7:15 - 8:45a.m. Putney, VT In an on-going effort to explore practical strategies for enriching our communities, Transition Putney is honored to host a series of events focused on "Vitalizing Our Local Economy," with Michael Shuman, one of the country's leaders in building rural economies, as the featured guest and speaker. Shuman is the Research & Economic Development Director for the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE). The author of The Small-Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses Are Beating the Global Competition, and Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in the Global Age, he is widely recognized for his research into the economic advantages of small-scale businesses in an era of globalization. See Economic Summit Event Poster.
Harnessing the Healing Power of Community & Healthy Relationships
AUNE Spring Speaker Series
Tuesday, March 22, 7 p.m.
Antioch University New England, Keene
Dr. Brita Gill-Austern, Austin Philip Guiles Professor of Psychology and Pastoral Theology at Andover Newton Theological School will speak to the extraordinary healing power-psychological, physical, and spiritual-of participating in community and in maintaining healthy relationships in one's life. She will cite research studies showing that community and healthy relationships are as important to your health as anything your doctor, gym, dietician, or other health advocates may tell you. This event is free and open to the public. Contact: 603-283-2431, swiley@antioch.edu.
|
|
| |
 What is Social Responsibility?
Originally Posted on NHBSR.org
Definitions of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) range from business ethics, to sustainability, to corporate citizenship. Some companies simply see CSR as "the right thing to do"; while others see it as a strategic differentiator for their company and a means to achieving greater business value.
NHBSR defines CSR as a company's commitment to operating in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner, while recognizing the interests of its stakeholders, including investors, customers, employees, business partners, local communities, the environment and society at large.
How 'Social Intrapreneurs' Can Drive Innovation In Your Business Originally Posted on The Sustainable Business Blog
By virtue of their positions in large companies, social intrapreneurs can leverage existing infrastructures and organisational capabilities to deliver social value on a large scale. And, in contrast with corporate volunteers, corporate responsibility champions or green team members inside companies, their innovations also create commercial value for their employers.
Certified B Corporations are a new type of corporation which uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. B Corps are unlike traditional businesses because they:
- Meet comprehensive and transparent social & environmental performance standards;
- Meet higher legal accountability standards;
- Build business constituency for good business.
B Impact Rating System: It's free and open to all, whether or not you'd like to become a B Corporation. You are welcome to use it as a benchmarking tool and to track your company's social and environmental performance.
Badger Balm is Now a B Corporation A New Level of Transparency Originally Posted on Badger's Facebook Page
When you support a Certified B Corporation you're supporting a better way to do business. Badger has met the rigorous, independent social and environmental performance standards. They are creating greater economic opportunity, strengthening local communities and preserving ...our environment.
Beyond the Triple Bottom Line Originally Posted on MBDC Cradle to Cradle
...When good design drives the business agenda, the path toward sustainability turns from end-of-pipe solutions to creating value with innovative product design-a shift from the triple bottom line to the triple top line. If one approaches the design process asking, right from the start, "How can I grow prosperity, celebrate my community, and enhance the health of all species?" the results are likely to be far more positive and enriching than measuring performance against a bottom line standard.
 | |
Ray Anderson of Interface:
The Business Logic of Sustainability
|
Local Support: The 10% Challenge Posted on the City of Keene Website
The 10% Challenge is a voluntary program to help businesses reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum of ten percent. This program provides the tools and the information necessary to conserve energy in the workplace. This Challenge would not be possible without the following businesses taking the lead to help develop and promote this program in our community.
Triple Bottom Line:
Stay Up to Date on News & Best Practices
|
2011 Hannah Grimes Center
Key Partners
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
