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Small Business Connections November 2013
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Welcome to Small Business Connections!
The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Waubonsee Community College is here to serve your small business needs. We offer free business counseling to entrepreneurs and business owners, as well as a variety of small business workshops. To stay up to date on events, happenings and general IL SBDC information, we invite you to click below.
Call us today at (630) 906-4143 to learn how we can help you start or grow your business.
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Small Business Spotlight
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Kluber Architects + Engineers 
Mike Kluber, President of Kluber Architects + Engineers in Batavia, has reinvented his company several times since opening in 1988. Mike's timely response to changes in the industry are one of the reasons the business stays healthy and responsive.
Mike has seen the role of architect change over the years, from being primarily a designer, to becoming much more of a consultant, responsible for coordinating a wide variety of resources on every project. Kluber houses all of these resources under one roof, allowing the company to provide their clients with consistency and effective communication throughout the course of the project.
Recently Mike found himself facing the need to make substantial changes once again. He had acquired a second location in Lake County, and was in the process of restructuring the company. As he prepared for a series of management retreats, leading up to a company-wide retreat in September, Mike turned to the IL SBDC at Waubonsee for help with this phase of his strategic planning initiative.
The SBDC brought in Rick Lochner, President and CEO of RPC Leadership Associates, to run the planning sessions. Rick is one of many resources the SBDC uses to assist clients in navigating challenges along their growth path.
Kluber's strategic planning work included the following initiatives:
- Aligning different areas of the company along one path
- Defining strategies to address changing market dynamics
- Blending corporate cultures in their newly acquired second location
- Increasing definition and focus in the formulation of an aggressive marketing plan
- Transitioning the company from a perfection mindset to an excellence mindset
The plan was rolled out to the entire company in September, and Mike is now working on defining goals and action steps to implement the plan and continue to grow his company.
"I enjoyed working with Harriet Parker and the SBDC in the selection of RPC Leadership Associates. Harriet was able to listen to our objectives and was instrumental in our selection of RPC, who proved to be an effective consultant in helping us achieve our goals."
Kluber Architects + Engineers is located at 10 S. Shumway Ave. in Batavia, IL. You can visit them online at www.kluberinc.com.
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Biz Buzz
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Retail Secrets from Retail Experts 
Last month the Retail Influencers, a group of local retail consultants, put on an event at the Arcada Theater in St. Charles. The topic was Retail Revival: Bring Your Store to Life! The event was sponsored in part by the IL SBDC at Waubonsee.
Retail Minded's Founder and Publisher Nicole Leinbach Reyhle, retail experts and keynote speakers Kizer & Bender and RetailMAVENS Founder Cathy Wagner delivered three hours of amazing resources, tips, tools and examples to a room full of local retailers. Pens were furiously scribbling as attendees captured the collective wisdom of the presenters on customer service, store layout, merchandising, inventory balance, marketing, and sale strategies.
In case you missed it, I am happy to share some of the highlights to add to your retail bag of tricks:
- 78% of your satisfied customers will go elsewhere if they discover a shopping experience that is more fun. Find ways to give your customers a shopping experience that is fun and enjoyable.
- We are the recipients of over 5,000 marketing messages every day. You are competing for mindshare and heartshare. Make your message meaningful!
- Break your inventory into classifications, and measure what sells by those classifications. You'll spot trends earlier, and make better buying decisions.
- Inventory balance - your % of sales by classification should be about equal to your % of inventory by classification. Do the math and review this every month.
- Treat your customers as if they are famous... provide the royal treatment, and above all, get their autograph. That may mean a purchase, or it could be their name on your mailing list.
- If possible, don't put your cash wrap inside the front door to the right - that's prime merchandising territory.
- Use sensory merchandising - Sight, Taste, Touch, Smell and Sound.
- 50% of your merchandise on the sales floor is never seen by customers. Store layout is critical, from the "V" design to the decompression zone, to the speed bump.
- The eight most important words in Clearance Sales are "Semi Annual Clearance Sale, Up to 75% off."
- Never let your inventory celebrate a birthday!
- Worried about showcase shoppers who are just there to scope out the merchandise and then head for the Internet to make their purchase? Forget about them! 80% of your sales come from 20% of your customers. Focus on making those customers repeat buyers.
- Need ideas for the upcoming holiday season? Check out the book Jingle Bells Christmas Sells.
Want to know more? Reach out to one of these experts, or call the SBDC at (630) 906-4143.
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Biz Bitz
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Special Invitation to Aurora Businesses: How to Get Money for your Business  Presented by Accion Chicago
Don't miss this chance to learn about finance, credit repair, business loans, tax preparation, pricing, profitability, and more! You will learn the tools of success from a team of experts, network with entrepreneurs, and connect with local organizations that support small businesses in Aurora.
Featured Speaker: Robert Velazquez, Semper Fi Yard Service, Aurora
This presentation is FREE, however advanced registration is required. Complimentary breakfast will be served. You can view our flier in Spanish here.
When
Saturday, November 16, 2013
9 a.m. - Noon
Where
Waubonsee Community College
18 S. River St., Room 160
Aurora, IL 60506
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How to Play by Google's New RulesIn early August, Google announced that using links in news releases to increase your search engine results now violates its Webmaster Guidelines, and they will begin to penalize sites that practice this method. This means that any news release that has keywords listed more than once, keywords included as anchor text, or links not listed as " nofollow" will be penalized. Learn more on these rules and regulations here. How does the Affordable Care Act affect your small business?
Come to River's Edge Cafe, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 18 in Aurora, at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12 to find out more. This informational session is for businesses, nonprofits and HR professionals who want to know more about the health care exchanges and how to purchase on them. Come and learn about: * The difference between the employer (SHOP) and individual exchanges * Requirements for purchasing on the SHOP exchange * Understanding definitions and terminology * FAQ session with a representative from the governor's office * Access free help enrolling for you and your employees, start to finish...FREE! The session is FREE but you must RSVP. There are only 35 slots available. To RSVP please text LINK Solutions at (630) 748-9965, first come first serve. Please include your name and the name of your organization in your text. Only one representative per organization please. You can view the full event flier here.
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Get Smart: Small Business Workshops at Waubonsee
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Starting Your Business in Illinois ($30)
Thu., Nov. 7, 6-9 p.m. (Plano)
Tue., Dec. 3, 6-9 p.m. (Aurora)
Marketing for Small Business ($30)
Tue., Nov. 19, 6-9 p.m. (Aurora)
Business Foundations ($25)
Tue., Nov. 12, 6-9 p.m. (Aurora)
Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Law ($30)
Tue., Nov. 5, 6-8 p.m. (Aurora)
Business Plan Boot Camp - #1 Markets & Marketing ($30)Wed., Nov. 13, 6-9 p.m (Aurora)Tue., Dec. 10, 1-4 p.m. (Aurora)Business Plan Boot Camp - #2 Forecasting & Financing ($30)Wed., Nov. 20, 6-8 p.m. (Aurora)Thu., Dec. 12, 1-3 p.m. (Aurora)
Social Media Marketing for Small Business ($30)
Thu., Dec. 3, 6-9 p.m. (Sugar Grove)
Facebook for Business ($15)
Thu., Nov. 21, 7-8 p.m. (Online)
LinkedIn for Business ($15)
Check seminar details for the full list, class descriptions, locations, ticket numbers, and pricing. To sign up, complete and submit the registration form. For additional information call the Illinois SBDC office at (630) 906-4143.
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A variety of QuickBooks and Excel classes are available to meet your small business accounting needs. Click here for complete class descriptions, locations, dates, times and costs.
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Illinois SBDC at Waubonsee Community College
Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA or DCEO.
WCC does not discriminate based on any characteristic protected by law in its programs & activities.
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