Theme of the Month:
Business Incubators
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This month's theme is business incubators - what they are and how they help entrepreneurs & local economies.
We are also spreading the word about a special we're running, in our own Hannah Grimes business incubator, from now until March 31, 2012: Become one of the next three new business incubator associates and receive your first month's rent free!
Please share your questions and comments with us.
Read more articles on Incubators.
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Improving the Odds
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It is a sunny afternoon and we are gathered around a table in a bright and sunny office here at the Hannah Grimes Center. A diverse collection of businesses is gathered that share office space, challenges and ideas. They also share the credit for their work together that yielded a 29% average growth rate in 2011.
A big lesson for me in 2011 is how truly malleable business outcomes can be - that business owners can control their destiny to a great extent. The formula to business success is not complicated, and an openness to learn, collaborate, persevere and continually improve goes a long way in improving the odds.
Congratulations to all of you who have succeeded this past year in these still-challenging economic conditions and a warm thanks to all those who have helped contribute to the success of Hannah Grimes and to the businesses it serves.
Keep up the good work,
MAK
Mary Ann Kristiansen
Executive Director, Hannah Grimes Center
mak@HannahGrimes.com
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What We're Reading:
Local Dollar, Local Sense
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Michael Shuman's latest book, Local Dollar, Local Sense, has an alluring subtitle: How to Shift Your Money from Wall Street to Main Street and Achieve Real Prosperity.
 Here's is an excerpt from a Chapter called Zero-Cost Stimulus:
"We now know three simple rules about local economies that, if followed assiduously, will allow a community to prosper: Maximize the percentage of jobs in your local economy that exist in businesses that are locally-owned; Maximize the diversity of your businesses in your community, so that your economy is as self-reliant and resilient as possible; Prioritize spreading and replicating local business models with outstanding labor and environmental practices."
Feel free to email us a paragraph or two about What You're Reading.
Monadnock
Green Business of the Year Award:
Nomination Period Open
The Monadnock Green Business of the Year Award is accepting nominations now through March 2, 2012. This award recognizes those socially and environmentally responsible businesses in the Monadnock Region that have developed innovative practices or programs while contributing to the economic vitality of the region. Last year's award winner was the Walpole-based Inn at Valley Farms.
Nomination information can be found at http://www.keenechallenge.com.
This honor is being awarded by the Keene Cities for Climate Protection Committee in partnership with the Hannah Grimes Center, the Monadnock Sustainability Network and the Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce.
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Needs & Offerings
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Input Requested: UNH Cooperative Extension is launching a web survey through the N.H. Broadband Mapping and Planning Program (NHBMPP) to identify the broadband technology needs of small businesses, including farms and other food-related enterprises, with respect to communication, data management, marketing and training.
Please take a moment to take this survey. More information is at http://extension.unh.edu.
*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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Having the Right People,
Doing the Right Things Webinar
Women Empowered By Business
Thursday, February 16, 2 p.m.
Online Webinar
| Learn strategies for hiring the best people for your team the first time. Presenter: Ann Connor, AdviCoach. All are welcome to take this free webinar.
Social Business Workshop Hannah Grimes Center Monday, February 21, Noon - 1:30 p.m. HGC Conference Room - Suite C, Keene
Increase Connection, Collaboration and Innovation with Social Business: Confused about "social" tools for business? This entertaining and useful presentation is an introduction to Social Business. Liz Sumner and Lisa Sieverts will show how the features of "social media" are used to solve real business problems. You will learn why "becoming social" may be the right thing for your company, and how to get started. Presenters: Lisa Sieverts & Liz Sumner, Facilitated Change. Cost: Free. Register Now!
Hannah Grimes Center
Information Session:
What We Do to Help You &
Your Business
Thursday, February 23, 2 - 3:30 p.m.
HGC Conference Room - 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. Tour our newly-renovated offices. Also, connect with others working on their own businesses. Cost: Free. Register Now!
I Hate Conf-Call/Email/Meeting
Keene State College Continuing Ed
Friday, February 24, 8 a.m. - Noon
Keene State College, Keene
I HATE Con-calls, Email, Meetings, etc...That's understandable. Many conference-calls and meetings waste time. Some are poorly managed and those who attend as "prisoners" are helpless. No longer! This highly interactive half-day program focuses on what you can do - whether con-call/ meeting facilitator OR participant - to ensure a valuable experience and a good use of your time and that of others. Cost: $60. Contact: 603-358-2290. Course details.
Getting More Traffic to
Your Website
Monadnock SCORE
Wednesday, March 7, 6 - 9 p.m. Savings Bank of Walpole, Keene
Attract more customers and profits to your business. Did you know that 88% of all Internet users rely on search engines (such as Google) to find what they're looking for. Learn how to drive more traffic to your site. Fee: $30 per person/$50 per couple. Register at
http://www.monadnockscore.org/seminars.html.Leveraging the
New Hampshire Advantage
Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce
Friday, March 23, Noon - 2 p.m.
Stonewall Farm, Keene
Steven Norton, Executive Director, NH Center for Public Policy Studies will be the guest speaker at the 2nd Civic Luncheon presented by the Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce. Cost: $25 for Member; $35 for Not-yet members. RSVP: 603-352-1303.
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Looking for More Events? abi Innovation Hub Thursday, Feb. 23, 8 - 9 a.m.
NH365.org
NH Small Business Development Center
NH Business Resource Center
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 Business Incubators Uniquely Positioned to Spark Job Creation
Originally Posted at North Country Times | A 2008 study conducted by consulting firm Grant Thornton for the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration found that business incubators produce new jobs at a low cost to the government. The report, Construction Grants Program Impact Assessment Report, found that for every $10,000 in EDA funds invested in business incubation programs, an estimated 47 to 69 local jobs are generated. As a result, business incubators create jobs at far less cost than do other EDA investments, such as roads and bridges, industrial parks, commercial buildings, and sewer and water projects. In fact, the study found that incubators provide up to 20 times more jobs than community infrastructure projects at a federal cost per job of between $126 and $144, compared with between $744 and $6,972 for other infrastructure projects.
Incubation Nation:
Where Great Ideas Are Born
Spun out of university research labs or started by local entrepreneurs trying to supercharge their hometowns, business incubators are everywhere. This map puts the spotlight on 20 initiatives.
Why Should You Enter an Incubation Program? Originally Posted at NBIA If you want to start your own business, NBIA hopes you will consider joining a business incubation program. Historically, NBIA members report that 87 percent of their graduates remain in business at least three years after completing the program. Why should you enter an incubation program? How to Choose an Incubator Originally Posted at NY Times | |
Michael Belleme for The New York Times
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The following guide breaks down the four most common types of incubator and offers tips on identifying which might be best for you.
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2012 Hannah Grimes Center
Key Partners
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