"What we think determines what happens to us, so if we want to change our lives, we need to stretch our minds."

~Wayne Dyer

Are you a  small business and want to understand the Federal SBA 8(a)/SDB HUBZone certification process?
Click here for all the answers. 

To download a printer friendly version of this month's entire newsletter, click here.

COSI Passes with Flying Colors with Personal Attention from Kutztown's SBDC

Compliance Oversight Solutions Ideal, LLC (COSI) was founded in 2006, and continues growing within the Drug Free Workplace Industry.  Offering various drug and alcohol services, COSI caters to its clients needs of developing substance abuse program administration, compliance consultant services, and criminal justice services including all aspects of on-site collection administration.  COSI has taken advantage of the Kutztown Small Business Development Center's (SBDC) one-on-one consulting, and the Self Assistance Employment (SEA) Program.

Before establishing COSI in April 2006, President Marian Bonner devoted 15 years in the fields of Substance Abuse Programs and Collection-site coordination. 

Starting her own business has always been in Bonner's heart, "I have my own vision and ethics," she says.  When she came across the opportunities the SEA Program had to offer, she leapt at the chance to enter the world of the entrepreneur.

Read the full story to learn more about Marian Bonner and Compliance Oversight Solutions Ideal LLC, and how the SEA Program and SBDC consultants helped launch COSI's success.

Giving an Ownership Interest to Employees can also Benefit Employees

Contributed by Michael Fischer,CLU, ChFC

Looking for a tax-advantage exit strategy for your business?  Try leaving your company to your employees.

Employee stock ownership (ESOP's) were initially perceived as a way to instill an entrepreneurial spirit in employees throughout the organization.  While they may have that impact, providing a means to create liquidity, preserve wealth, and form new capitol. 

To find out more about ESOP's, and if they're right for you and your company, click here!

Understanding Your Sales Competency

As sales people, we all too often tend to believe we can do or sell just about anything.  Much of that attitude comes from our behavior.  It's only natural for sales people to sell ideas about ourselves to ourselves.  In fact, it's the ability to convincingly communicate that gives successful salespeople an edge...We may be great communicators, but we look at the sales process from all perspectives because other factors come into play.

Want to know more about developing your communication skills?  Then click here to bring up your bottom line by improving how you communicate!

                    By Lynn VanDyke                     Internet Marketing Consultant

How to Convert More Traffic and Advance Your Sales Cycle

This month, Lynn VanDyke walks you through converting your targeted visitors into paying clients.  Informative content is vital to your website's success.  You want to answer your visitor's questions and by doing so, you automatically develop trust, crucial for advancing your sales cycle.

Are you just getting traffic on your business' website and no sales?  Click here to learn how to use your site's traffic patterns to increase your sales.

In previous issues, Lynn VanDyke featured a four-part how-to series on converting any business into a successful web business.  If you missed out on these articles, you can catch up here with part one, part two, part three, and part four. 

Diversification in a Down Market 

By Kathi Kuzo, Financial Representative

The ups and downs in our economic cycle are as natural as the ups and downs of a ship on the ocean.  And to some investors, one is just as unsettling as the other.

The potential of higher returns and the opportunity to beat inflation make stocks an essential element in investors' long-term investment portfolios.

Click here to learn more about how to diversify your assets and how to keep your investors interested in your business during drier times.

SBDC News

For more information about any of the following news items, click on the news link below

-New SEA Contract goes to theSBDC

*The Self-Employment Assistance Program is teaming up with the Kutztown SBDC for a newly designed  cirriculum with exciting new components.  

-KU SBDC Awarded Portability Grant

*The grant will pilot the transfer of knowledge in the blended learning program of the Kutztown SBDC with integrating online learning with 9 other SBDCs including Wharton, Lehigh, Wilkes.

-KU SBDC Ranks in 10 Top Places to Get a Free Business Education Online Among the Best

*From neurohancer.com, the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center made the top ten list, including MIT, in the wide world of online business leaning.

-Upcoming Learning Opportunities: 

*The First Step- An interactive hour overview (though conference call or optional webinar) of all SBDC services and learning resources.

*The Pitch- Business planning Webinar based on one of the bestselling books for small business, "The Art of the Smart." 

*Introduction to the Experience Economy

-The KU SBDC Recently updated its website, and has been converted into a portal for electronic learning.  Now the site is easier to use, with a new Google-based search engine, and more direct links so you get the help your business needs, faster!

Check out the new portal for learning here!

Click this news link to read more about the news items above!

*Annmarie Kelly makes her debut in a new segment focusing on women in business with, I Hate the Holidays, with tips on how to beat those pesky holiday blues.  Click here to read more!

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