The world is changing, and the KU SBDC is changing with it.  In today's economy and environment, entrepreneurs are searching for new business and communication outlets. 
The KU SBDC E-Journal is now available!  
Click here to view the E-Journal!


Click here to visit our new, exciting blog where you'll have the opportunity to read rich content, see current videos and share your thoughts and ideas with fellow entrepreneurs in these challenging economic times.

Click here to access a PDF of our new Consulting Services and Learning Opportunities Guide which is a comprehensive guide to all of the KU SBDC services.  It provides access to information on one of the largest online e-learning libraries in the United States.  It is a very important document because it will provide you with the tools you need to successfully build and maintain your business. You can access the guide online or print out a hardcopy.

"Each and every time, a new generation has risen up and done what's needed to be done. Today we are called once more - and it is time for our generation to answer that call. For that is our unyielding faith - that in the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it."
-Barack Obama

 

A note to our subscribers:

I want to extend my congratulations to our  Success Connection editor, Heather Mayer, for her upcoming graduation from Kutztown University and for being awarded the honor to speak to her fellow graduates at commencement.   If any of our subscribers know of opportunities within the writing field please contact me and I will forward that information on to Miss Mayer.  Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Ernie Post, Director, KU SBDC

 The KU SBDC Helps
JD Lewis Wildlife Prints Take Wing
 

JD Lewis Wildlife Printsin Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, introduces to the public a different type of artist.  Traditionally, artists rely on their eyesight for color and light to produce their work, but John Lewis, the artist behind JD Lewis Wildlife Prints, retains only about 5% of his vision due to a degenerative eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa.  Lewis still had enough vision throughout the 1980's to produce a number of detailed wildlife drawings and paintings.  Thanks to Giclee technology-which allows paintings to be printed in superior quality-Lewis' original artwork can be shared today.

Click here to read more about JD's journey and how the KU SBDC has helped him along the way.

 3rd Annual Pennsylvania Business Technology Conference

KU SBDC staff attended the 3rd Annual Pennsylvania Business Technology Conference hosted by the Duquesne University SBDC on November 13th.  KU SBDC staff presented an exhibition on utilizing technology to provide cost-effective solutions to clients using the web as a platform. Other speakers at the conference offered ways to increase visibility in the marketplace; use online strategies while steering clear of legal pitfalls; educate and inform existing clients of opportunities; how to position a business as an industry leader; cultivate strategic alliances to provide value-added resources through simple techniques, adding thousands of dollars to business revenue.
 
It also featured keynote speaker Nina Kaufman, award-winning business attorney, author, speaker and owner of the law practice--AskTheBusinessLawyer.com--and president of Wise Council Press, LLC. 

There also was a roundtable discussion with business technology industry experts, moderator Kenneth Saban, Ph.D. and Associate Professor of Marketing at Duquesne University and Denise Coglianese, Infinity Technology Services Inc.

The KU SBDC presented one of 12 available workshops.  Also featured at the conference was Quasi.  According to CBS Evening News' Eye on America, "Quasi is a highly social, highly interactive animatronics character robot created at the Carnegie Mellon University's Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) in early 2005 by an interdisciplinary student-led project group called "Interbots."'


 

Leadership Tips On Dealing With Tough Times

Effective leaders steer through the waters of commerce, leading their legions by example. The first things leaders must do is take an inventory of their own strengths and weaknesses. Following those realizations they should then surround themselves with complementing individuals who will add to their strengths and help eliminate their weaknesses.

Leaders who build teams and give them the power to function on their own (within the framework of the organization) will see themselves happily on the road to success.

Click here to read more.

 

Listening to Your Business
FREE Four Hour Workshop for
Business Owners

This FREE, four-hour live workshop will help you chart your three year strategic vision, determine what stage of development your business is in today given the current economic reality, identify areas in your business that need to be strengthened to support growth and translate your goals into action steps in an interactive program developed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs.

The workbook used during the Listening to Your Business workshop will help you implement a plan to grow and prosper. You will be provided with access to On Demand E-Learning that will help you as you plan the future of your business. In addition, we will grant you access to a FREE two-hour live webinar on building a "PITCH" for your business following the workshop.

Click here to register for this FREE live workshop on Tuesday, January 13, 2009, from 8 AM to noon at the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) in Exton. 

For information call the KU SBDC, toll free at 1-866-458-7232 or
(484) 646-4003.

 

Quick Links

Workshop Registration

Newsletter Archives

PA Department of Community and Economic Development

US Small Business Administration

SBDC News

Surviving in These Challenging Economic Times/Monthly Update Conference Call

-Over the past six months you've heard a number of stories about the how the downturn in the economy is starting to impact our small business clients.  In response to our clients' need for information and planning during these times the KU SBDC is hosting a monthly conference call. Existing businesses can join us for an update on the current banking environment and practical tips about how to survive in an economic downturn. 

-Mark your calendar for Tuesday, December 2nd from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM for this FREE conference call.  Click here to register.

Federal Certification Seminar

How to obtain Federal SBA 8(a)/SDB or HUBZone Certification

 -Are you a small business? Do you want to understand the Federal 8(a)SDB or HUBZone Certification process? Take this opportunity to obtain your certification! Learn how to use your certification to gain government prime or sub contracts and get tips on how to market your business to federal contractors.  This seminar is FREE and will be held on December 17 from 9 AM to noon at the Harrisburg Regional Chamber. Click here to register and find out more.

Learning Opportunities:

-The KU SBDC recently added bilingual learning opportunities to its already extensive online library.  Recently, 23 On-Demand Spanish modules have been added, which cover topics such as sales, marketing, financing and business planning. The new modules are funded by VISA of San Francisco, CA.  They are available to entrepreneurs in the U.S., Central and South America.  Click here to access the new Spanish library!

-The Pitch is a business planning webinar based on one of the bestselling books for small business by Guy Kawasaki,
The Art of the Start.  Sign up today for sessions on December 3rd from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM and December 17th from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.  Click here to register!
 

-The First Step:
This live 90 minute CONFERENCE CALL uses the phone to deliver an interactive experience. We will provide you with an hour and a half overview of all the SBDC client services, learning resources. We will direct you to the SBDC services you need.  These sessions are held once each week for all individuals who want to use the services of the Kutztown University SBDC. We will provide you with an 800 number. The outcome of the session will be a clear understanding of your next steps to take. Click here to register now-your success is our mission.