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During last month's Monadnock Business Resource Partner's Meeting, we discussed some of our region's strengths and challenges. Many noted our manufacturing sector. Below are articles and resources highlighting Monadnock Region, state and national manufacturing enterprises and programs - from RCAM to zero-waste.
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| Feeling Scrambled? Good. | |
In an Adult Learning article in The New York Times Kathleen Taylor, a professor at St. Mary's College of California, shared, "As adults we have these well-trodden paths in our synapses, we have to crack the cognitive egg and scramble it up. And if you learn something this way [the "scrambled egg" way], when you think of it again you'll have an overlay of complexity you didn't have before - and [it will] help your brain keep developing as well."
In the same article, Dr. Jack Mezirow, professor emeritus at Columbia Teachers College, shares that an essential element in adult learning is to challenge our own ingrained perceptions and to examine our insights critically. Dr. Mezirow says that adults learn best when faced with what he calls a "disorienting dilemma"-something that "helps you critically reflect on the assumptions you've acquired."
It seems safe to say that the recession has offered us a disorienting dilemma. How cheering to know that the cognitive scramble it has produced offers just the type of learning environment in which the adult brain learns best! And we don't just learn, but we also develop the ability to make better sense of future complex situations.
Products and services come and go and change at an incredible rate, as do the ways we conduct business. The businesses that I see thriving today are those that have pursued the learning dished up by this disorienting dilemma, responding in ever more sophisticated ways to the complexities of their products and services, their business model, and the world around them. It is a joy to watch and gives me great hope that our smarter businesses and nonprofit enterprises can help us realize the great opportunity that lies in these dizzying times.
Roland Merullo, author of Breakfast with Buddha, stated in comments at the end of the book "that life is a kind of boot camp, designed to break you down and build you up in a different way - if you let it."
Keep up the good work!
MAK
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Roy Matheson:
Entrepreneur of the Year
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 The Hannah Grimes Center announced that Roy Matheson, owner of Roy Matheson & Associates, has been named our Entrepreneur of the Year for the Monadnock Region. Matheson will be presented with the Entrepreneur of the Year award and recognized at Hannah Grimes' upcoming CONNECT 2011 Event, October 12, 2011, at Alyson's Orchard in Walpole.
"Roy has built a vibrant business based in Keene and been an active and engaged leader in the community," said Mary Ann Kristiansen, Executive Director of the Hannah Grimes Center. "Roy's commitment to business success, his amazing generosity and community involvement makes him a wonderful choice for our annual Entrepreneur of the Year award." Read more about Roy.
National Expert to Discuss Growing the Economy Through
Local Business Development
 Michael Shuman, one of the nation's leading experts on community economics and author of The Small-Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses Are Beating the Global Competition, will be the featured speaker at the Hannah Grimes Center's annual CONNECT event, October 12, 2011 at Alyson's Orchard in Walpole, NH.
An economist, attorney, author and entrepreneur, Shuman is Director for Research and Public Policy for the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE). Shuman advocates that the key to community prosperity includes a vigorous network of locally-owned businesses serving primarily local markets. His point of view challenges traditional economic development practice.
Shuman is also scheduled to discuss local living economies as the featured guest on
New Hampshire Public Radio's
The Exchange, at 9:00AM on October 11.
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Entrepreneurial Needs & Offerings*
| Leadership Position Available: The Harris Center for Conservation Education in Hancock, NH is seeking an exceptional Executive Director to take this respected organization to its next level. For a full job description as well as instructions for applying, please visit the Harris Center website at www.harriscenter.org.
*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. |
Effective Presentations:
Present Like a Pro!
Keene State College
Continuing Education
Friday & Saturday, October 14 & 15, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Keene State College, Keene
| Speaking before a small group of business colleagues or a larger audience of complete strangers is easy if you are properly prepared. This two-day program (two days - one week apart) provides not only the knowledge you require to be a successful public speaker, but also the opportunity to actually apply it and have fun while doing so. Wait until you see the difference in your presentation skills on the second day! Cost: $250. Contact: Heather Jasmin 603-358-2942; hjasmin@keene.edu.
The Key to Workplace Productivity in 2010 & Beyond: The GO System River Valley Community College Friday, October 14, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. RVCC, 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 on your ability to follow up and follow through on assignments; Improve your contribution to the bottom line results of your organization. Don't allow yourself or your employees, customers, and profits to get lost in the shuffle and confusion of a disorganized, unproductive work environment. Fee: $189. Book included. For more information, contact Jim Britton in our Business Training Center at 603-542-7744 ext 5346; jbritton@ccsnh.edu.
The Fundamentals of Internet Marketing Series Monadnock SCORE October 18, November 1 & 15, 6 - 9 p.m. Saving Bank of Walpole, Keene Oct. 18: The Fundamentals of Internet Marketing; November 1: How to Drive More Traffic on to Your Site; November 15: How to use Social Media as a Marketing Tool. Fee: $30 per person/$50 per couple. All 3 Seminars: $60 per person/$100 per couple. Register at http://www.monadnockscore.org/seminars.html.
Hannah Grimes Center Information Session: What We Do to Help Your Business Friday, October 28, Noon - 1:30 p.m. Hannah Grimes Center - Suite C, Keene Learn about all the resources and programs available to you at the Hannah Grimes Center and determine which are the right opportunities for you. Also, connect with others working on their own businesses. Audience: All levels of businesses from any industry. Register at: http://www.hannahgrimes.com.
Tax Planning & Preparation Workshop NH Community Loan Fund & Hannah Grimes Center Wednesday, November 2, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Hannah Grimes Center - Suite B, Keene A little education and some advanced planning can prevent tax obligation surprises and allow savings opportunities for owners of small businesses and self-employed people (sole proprietors and limited liability companies). Presenter Linda Snow knows it is important for small business owners to be able answer the questions:
- How do I calculate my business's monthly cash needs including my income tax obligations?
- What are my tax reporting and payment responsibilities as a small business owner?
- What are tax credits, and does my business qualify for any?
Fee: $95 for the general public; $75 for Hannah Grimes Center guests. Lunch will be provided and participants will receive a detailed workbook to reference in the future. Register at: http://www.hannahgrimes.com.
A limited number of scholarships are available by contacting Mark Brown at the Community Loan Fund at 224-6669, extension 262, or 856-0717.
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| LOCAL LIVING ECONOMY UPDATES |
 Events that help business owners give back and strengthen our region's local living economy.
Management Systems & Sustainability at
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
NH Businesses for Social Responsibility
Wednesday, October 12, Noon-1 p.m.
Online Webinar
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR) has established a strong positive reputation for Corporate Social Responsibility and environmental stewardship over the years. Its continued rapid "growth spurt" has brought both challenges and opportunities to keep up with expansion of operations outside of New England, the increasing environmental sensitivity of customers, and the inputs from stakeholder groups. GMCR has set a course to build a strong and vibrant management systems approach in support of its ambitious sustainability goals. As part of this approach, GMCR has committed to seeking registration of its Waterbury, VT production operation to the ISO 14001 standard in 2011. Cost: Free for NHBSR members! $25 for non-members. Registration: http://www.nhbsr.org.
NHBR Health Care Forum
Thursday, October 13, 7:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Grappone Conference Center, Concord
The NHBR Health Care Forum brings together business leaders from around the state to participate in an engaging and interactive discussion on the changing face of health care and its impact on both the employer and employee. The Forum is ideal for CEOs, CFOs, human resources professionals, benefits specialists, wellness providers, health insurance brokers, health care providers, health care administrators and clinicians. In addition to hearing from T.R. Reid about how some communities are delivering top-notch care at a lower cost, a panel of experts will explore current benefit trends, enhanced individual consumerism, aggressive incentives, worksite wellness, value-based benefit design and much more. Cost: $42. Register now.
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The Regional Center for Advanced
Manufacturing
Originally Posted at Keene State College | Launched in February 2010, RCAM [The Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing] is a dynamic partnership between Keene State College, the Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce, the Keene School District and River Valley Community College. The Center's mission is to link business and education resources to establish and support a supply-chain of highly trained professionals for a new generation of precision manufacturing jobs.
NH Lean Manufacturing
Success Stories
Read more about these manufacturing success stories:
- Bensonwood Homes
- New Hampshire Industries
- Reliable Technologies
- Page Belting
- Graphicast
- Markem-Imaje
Review the SBA's Manufacturing Resources
New England's Strength:
Advanced Manufacturing New England manufacturers launch significantly more new products annually than their counterparts nationally (23.5% of New England manufacturers launch more than ten percent of their total SKUs annually versus 15.7% nationally.) New England manufacturers derive a significantly larger percentage of annual sales from new products than their counterparts nationally (33.7% of New England manufacturers derive at least one-quarter of their annual sales from products introduced in the last three years versus 24.8% of manufacturers nationally.) New England manufacturers derive significantly more value-added per employee than their counterparts nationwide, with 34.9% of New England respondents reporting that they receive more than $125,000 per employee versus 28.0% nationwide achieving that level of value-added. Read more about the 2009 National Manufacturing Survey Results. Local Zero Waste Manufacturing Originally Posted on BALLE
The growing international 'zero waste' movement imagines a future where everything is a renewable resource, and where industrial practices meet societal needs without damaging and depleting the planet's natural systems on which on our future depends.
Zero Waste Examples:
Do you know about other manufacturing articles and resources that should have been included above? Please share them with us.
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2011 Hannah Grimes Center
Key Partners
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