There are only two weeks left to apply for the Big Idea Business Plan Contest! If you have a young technology or manufacturing company, or an idea to start a new business in these industries, visit the Ben Franklin Venture Investment Forum. The deadline for applications is April 13, 2007.
To download a printer friendly version of this month's entire newsletter, click here.
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Kutztown SBDC Helps Symmetry Consulting Align Its Strategy |
Symmetry Consulting, Inc. has provided business management consulting services to Fortune 500 businesses, non-profit organizations, and individual executives since 2000. Founded by Andrew Hartnett, the Chester County-based company has benefited from the help of the Kutztown SBDC along the way.
To find out more about Symmetry and the assistance offered by the SBDC, read the full article. |
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Who Prepared Your Most Recent Tax Return?
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The Pulse of Business is a series of monthly polls conducted at www.kutztownsbdc.org. The SBDC poll results can be compared to The National Small Business Poll performed by the NFIB. The NFIB poll uses samples of small business owners from across the United States.
In March we asked visitors to our website, Who prepared your most recent tax return?
Fifty-seven percent of those polled used a tax accountant. About 38 percent prepared their own returns, and less than five percent sought the services of a tax attorney or franchise service.
Look at the full report to see how our visitors' experiences compare to national statistics. |
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Look Out Overhead!
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Years ago, my partner at the time, Drew and I were asked to go to the office of a prospect who inquired about our firm helping it promote its computer business.
The company was located in the Philadelphia suburbs in a large building that had been an elementary school. As we entered we were shocked at what we saw. A huge banner hung form the ceiling, just beyond the entrance, that welcomed all to XYZ Computer's grand new offices! I looked at Drew and he at me, both of us expressing bewilderment.
Read more to find out how watching your expenses can lead to continued profitability. |
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4 Steps to Online Business Success |
By Lynn VanDyke
Why do most small businesses fail? Because they fail to recognize and act upon the profound difference between offline and online commerce. Offline, it's all about "location, location, location." Put your business where people crowd by and you're all set. Get your cash register ready! Online, small business fail to act on the fundamental reality of how people use the web. No one "passes by." Instead, they search for "information, information, information."
Read more about Lynn's four steps to business success.
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Kutztown SBDC News
April is a busy month at the Kutztown SBDC. Here are just a few of the events happening:
*The 2008 annual Success Celebration will be held on April 25, 2007. Congratulations to all the Entrepreneurship Award winners!
*Tune in to BCTV to watch a new edition of Business Skills for Success on April 24, 2007 at 9:30pm.
What else is new at the Kutztown SBDC? Find out.
The Competent Cranky Whiner
By Lee Smedley
*This article originally appeared in the October 2005 Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal.
Your boss has asked you to complete a big project and you need the help of "Pat." Pat has the expertise you need and will eventually deliver, but is going to gripe to high heaven. He will complain about your unrealistic deadline, how difficult the task is, and the disruption to all of his other projects.
You ask yourself, "What am I going to do?"
Read Lee's suggestions for this common problem.
Making the Most of Your Benefits Budget
By Michael J. Fischer, CLU, ChFC
Employee benefits should benefit employers, too, as the right benefits can help attract and retain talented employees.
Many employers, though, are finding it difficult to deal with the rising cost of health insurance and an increasingly competitive job market.
Read more to find out what small business owners can do to meet this challenge. |
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