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April 2011
Topic of the Month:
Wellness & Health Care
This month's e-newsletter focuses on wellness, for both you as an entrepreneur & your employees), and managing your health care coverage (or lack of coverage). Please share how you keep yourself, your family and employees healthy 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:
Wellness Health Care
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March Survey Results
Balancing Your Triple Bottom Line
| Last month we asked readers to share the networks that help them balance the social, environmental & economic goals of their business: View results.
Find out more information about NH Businesses for Social Responsibility, B Corps and the 10% Challenge and let us know your questions about these programs.
Did you miss taking the survey?
Go ahead and take the survey now.
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Their Bosses Will Be Calling
| For the past three years I have watched our entrepreneurs grapple with excruciatingly difficult budget decisions. They have buckled down and made their budgets work. They have questioned whether it was the right decision, but they knew they had to move forward even if it wasn't perfect. And they learned new skills to manage in a very different economy. They have taken workshops, consulted with professionals, leaned on the strength and wisdom of their colleagues. As the economy improves I can almost see them able to take one deep breath again and feel some satisfaction with their accomplishment of keeping their business afloat in the deepest recession since the depression.
How discouraging, then, to see the U.S. Congress unable to do the same. Rather than helping this economic recovery, their inability to do their job and pass a budget creates an unnecessary environment of uncertainty. There is plenty of uncertainty that we cannot do anything about, here is one that we can and we are not. We are just out of an election, so presumably they knew that they were signing up for a difficult assignment. We know what we expect of ourselves and what we expect of our employees. We should ask of no less of our elected officials - get your job done and done now. A two week extension, a three week extension - enough already.
Please take the time to contact your elected officials and ask them to communicate with their leadership that this important project has had two delays and their bosses are giving a final due date of Friday.
I hope you are sticking to your goals and commitments and that you are reaping the benefits of doing that. I am hearing from many of you that business is up and the pipeline is full.
Keep up the good work,
MAK
Mary Ann Kristiansen
Hannah Grimes Center Executive Director
mak@hannahgrimes.com Shaheen.senate.gov, 202-224-2841 Ayotte.senate.gov, 202-224-3324 Bass.house.gov, 202-225-5206 Guinta.house.gov, 202-225-5456 |
HANNAH GRIMES NEWS & EVENTS
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 Wellness for Entrepreneurs Workshop
With Áine E. deDanaan, Inner Phoenix Somatics Monday, April 26, Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Hannah Grimes Center, Keene
 | Do you find that you pour everything you have into your business, but then you have no energy left to enjoy the time you have with family, friends, and loved ones? Or, perhaps when you take time off, you have no energy for favorite hobbies. If any of this rings a bell, or if you want more energy and brain power to give to your business and personal life, these classes are for you!
In this first class, we will discuss key components for establishing and maintaining wellness, informed in part by Traditional Chinese Medicine. The last 20 to 30 minutes will be dedicated to non-strenuous exercise (outside, weather permitting). Cost: Free. Register at http://hannahgrimes.com or 603-352-5063.
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Entrepreneurial Needs & Offerings*
| Online Auction: Check the variety of local buys, artwork and services at the Peterborough Chamber's online auction running until April 10th at 9pm. Proceeds help with scholarships and we use the auction to help businesses better market themselves: http://Auction.PeterboroughChamber.com.
Local Ad Opportunity: The new name of the Our Local Table-Monadnock magazine is now Monadnock Table (we just got approval on our new LLC). We are accepting advertising for the summer issue until April 22 (the summer issue hits the streets on June 1st). New advertisers: Get 10% off any ad purchased from now until April 22. Please call for more information: 603-357-8761 or visit us at www.monadnocktable.com. Nominations Due: Business NH Magazine is now accepting applications for the fourth annual Lean & Green competition, which celebrates environmental practices NH companies have undertaken to be more environmentally sound and cost-efficient. Nominations due April 22nd: http://millyardcommunications.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. |
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Blogging Made Easy Workshop
Hannah Grimes Center
Monday, April 11, Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Hannah Grimes Center, Keene
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Discover the 4 myths of blogging and the 5 rules for great blog writing with Sharon Bailly from NHBusinessBlog.com. Cost: Free. Contact: http://hannahgrimes.com/events; 603-352-5063.
Small Business & Non-Profit Forum on the New Health Care Law: Accessing Benefits for Your Business NH Voices for Health Tuesday, April 12, 8 - 9:30 p.m. Online Webinar
Health care policy expert, Lisa Kaplan Howe, Esq. Director of NH Voices for Health will provide an informational presentation and answer your questions. Learn about tax credits for small businesses and non-profits with 2-25 employees, find out what the law does and does not require of employers and discover the credit calculator and other valuable resources. RSVP online or email Mike Goudzwaard at mike@wfwin.org.
Monadnock Buy Local Information Session Tuesday, April 12, 5 - 6 p.m. Toadstool Bookshop, Keene
Business owners are invited to find out more about Monadnock Buy Local, how this initiative promotes locally-owned businesses and why there is strength in numbers. Hosted by Willard Williams, owner of the Toadstool Bookshops. Cost: Free. More at http://monadnocklocal.com; monadnockbuylocal@gmail.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. 
Networking Lunch Session: A How-to for Networking Success Keene Young Professionals Network Thursday, April 21, Noon - 1 p.m. Monadnock Developmental Services, Keene Keene YPN will host Michelle Connor of AdviCoach for her presentation called "A How-to for Networking Success." This lunch session will offer innovative ways to approach networking strategically to get the best use out of your networking time. Michelle will address some common reservations about networking and provide strategies to make your networking more effective. Come hungry - lunch will be provided! Lunch and door prize sponsored by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. Please RSVP for the event on Facebook or e-mail us at KeeneYPN@gmail.com by April 18.
Invest in Yourself & Your Future AviCoach & The Entrepreneur Source Thursday, April 21, 5:30 - 7 p.m. AdviCoach, Keene Join us at this no cost networking and educational opportunity with Ann Connor of AdviCoach along with insurance agent Lisa Steadman of Liberty Mutual, business coach Michelle Connor of The Entrepreneur Source and a local Financial Advisor. Hear about strategies to: - Plan your business for growth in sales and profitability
- Protect your family and business with the right insurance choices.
- Explore alternative options and opportunities for Employment Entrepreneurship
- Strategies to create the retirement that you desire and deserve
RSVP by calling Michelle Connor at 603-239-3693 by April 15th. 
Healthy Employees, Healthy Business, Healthy Community Cheshire Medical Center Vision 2020 Tuesday, May 3, 7:30 - 10 a.m. Courtyard Marriot, Keene For work sites of all sizes or others interested in employee wellness. Mark Fenton, former Olympic racewalker, engineer, coach, author and former PBS television host (America Walking), will return to Cheshire County to support our community in becoming the healthiest in the nation by 2020. FREE; healthy breakfast provided. RSVP at eborchers@cheshire-med.com or 354-5400 ext 2312. View poster. Empowering (& Connecting) Employees to Work Remotely NH Businesses for Social Responsibility Wednesday, May 11, Noon Online Webinar
The benefits of working remotely for both employees' morale and the environment are undeniable. Eliminating the commute, even for one day a week, leads to higher productivity and eliminates fuel emissions. In spite of all the advantages, the unique challenges of keeping remote team members emotionally connected and fully informed must be addressed. In this webinar, you'll learn from the real-world experiences of a company that has leveraged remote employees since 2006. Cost: Free for NHBSR members/$25 for non-members. More information: 603-391-7437 or kate@nhbsr.org. Register at http://www2.gotomeeting.com. Leading From Within™ River Valley Community College May 31 - August 30, 8 - 11:45 a.m. Location TBA, Keene Leading From Within™ is a results-oriented program with specific demonstrated outcomes: - Assists managers and supervisors with aligning strategic goals with measurable department and employee goals.
- Enhances communication skills of feedback, conflict resolution, interviewing, coaching, and teamwork.
- Builds analytical skills of problem analysis and decision making.
- Develops a systems-thinking approach to performance management and HR Law Assesses leadership style and behavioral strengths of participants.
- Clarifies for leaders, their underlying values that define their character and engenders trust.
Cost: $2,050 (NH Job Grants available to offset half of cost). View Flyer. Contact: 800-837-0658 ext. 5346. |
| LOCAL LIVING ECONOMY EVENTS |
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Monadnock Listening Session: Regional Health Needs Thursday, April 14, 4 - 6 p.m. Antioch University New England, Keene
Survey information and secondary data sets from around the region will be used to identify broad themes and trends. A panel of regional experts will also speak, with a specific focus on place-based health, working families and income, housing, healthy eating/active living and women's health. Ample time will be allotted for audience participation and dialogue. Area service providers, agencies and members of the general public are encouraged to attend. Please RSVP: 603-352-4209; Louise@muw.org.
Monadnock Earth Festival Healthy Communities, Healthy Planet Antioch University New England Saturday, April 23, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Ashuelot River Park, Keene
This year's Earth Day will have all the fun of previous years, with music, speakers, open mic sessions, great t-shirts, and lots of community involvement at Ashuelot Park. In keeping with this year's theme, "Healthy Communities, Healthy Planet," we're also planning service projects, workshops, nature walks, a bioblitz, kids' events, and more.
Service projects will run throughout the week of April 18-23, and our big Earth Day celebration will take place all day long in Ashuelot Park on April 23rd. More info to come, including details on events, who is participating, and schedules. Contact: rbrett@antioch.edu. Download & post latest flyer.
Slow Living Summit Wednesday - Friday, June 1 - 3 Brattleboro, VT
A gathering of diverse movements toward local and regional sustainability from New England and beyond, the Slow Living Summit will be an intensive two-and-a-half day exploration of ways to build healthy, thriving local economies while encouraging, mentoring and supporting a new generation of activists, entrepreneurs and engaged citizens, http://www.strollingoftheheifers.com.
Affordable Housing Summit
Heading for HomeWednesday, June 1, 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Keene State College, Keene
Please join Heading for Home and the Southwest Region Planning Commission for a summit on affordable workforce housing; http://www.headingforhome.org.
Save the Date: 2011 CONNECT Event With Michael Shuman Hannah Grimes Center Wednesday, October 12 Alyson's Orchard, Walpole Michael Shuman directs the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies' (BALLE) research and economic development outreach program. An economist, attorney, author, and entrepreneur, Michael has authored, coauthored, or edited seven books, including The Small Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses Are Beating the Global Competition (Berrett-Koehler, 2006) which was awarded a bronze medal for best business book by the Independent Publishers' Association. More details to come! |
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How to Build a Wellness Program
By Sarah Kessler, Originally Posted on Inc.com
| Findings from 56 studies on worksite wellness programs that were published in the American Journal of Health Promotion showed an average 27 percent reduction in sick leave absenteeism, 26 percent reduction in health care costs, and 32 percent reduction in workers' compensation and disability management cost claims. The University of Michigan Health Management Research Center (HMRC) estimates that an organization saves $350 annually when a low-risk employee remains low risk and $153 when a high-risk employee's health risks are reduced.
View Tools & Resources from HEAL-NH.
View Corporate Wellness Programs in New Hampshire.
NY Times Small Business & Health Care Originally Posted on NYTimes.com
As the battle over health care reform progresses, the focus shifts more and more to its impact on small business. This section helps owners make sense of both the proposals and the realities of dealing with health care.
Understanding the Market: Community Loan Fund's Health Insurance Initiative Originally Posted on NHBusinessHealthOptions.com
This site will help you understand health insurance options for New Hampshire's self-employed individuals and small business owners with 1 to 50 employees. Using the tools on this site, you will gain the knowledge you need to make the best health insurance decisions for you and your business.
Health Insurance Premium Tax Credit Calculator Originally Posted on SmallBusinessMajority.org
Starting in 2010, up to 4 million small businesses that offer healthcare coverage to their employees may be eligible for a tax credit. Fill in the amounts below to find out what your tax credit will be. To qualify, a small business must:
- Have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees
- Pay average annual wages below $50,000 per FTE
- Contribute at least 50% of each employee's premium
Click to use the calculator.
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2011 Hannah Grimes Center
Key Partners
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