In this issue
	Kutztown SBDC News The Job Search - Pam Gockley Success Story Starting a New Business - What You Should Know, What You Should Do by Phil Landsberg Decision Makers Forum - By Ron Lewis New Feature - Insights to Success

The Job Search - Pam Gockley Success Story

Pam Gockley was just a regular person with a dream. She wanted to go to college and find a good job with an excellent compensation package and a great work environment. She decided to attend Kutztown University to earn her degree and she was certain that finding a job would not be difficult. However, Pam was unable to find many job opportunities after graduating, and, when she finally did get some offers, she was not satisfied for many reasons. But Pam is not a quitter, and she continued searching until 1996. One day she had an idea that would both make her successful and provide her with a great job. Pam wanted to help people find their dream job and she wanted to make it easy to do. In 1996, the Internet was becoming very popular and was becoming a helpful tool for completing different tasks. It was getting easier to use and it connected people from all over the world. Click here for the complete article about Pam and more pictures. »

Starting a New Business - What You Should Know, What You Should Do by Phil Landsberg

Small businesses are started for many reasons. Visionary entrepreneurs have a dream they want to make real. Milton Hershey wanted to make chocolate, an expensive treat of the wealthy, affordable and available to the masses. He sold a successful business in Lancaster, PA to pursue his dream closer to his place of birth - in a place now named Hershey. Other prospective business owners learn a trade while working for others, and think they can do better working for themselves. In Central Pennsylvania, plant closings and job outsourcing have forced many workers not ready for retirement to consider starting their own business. What are their chances of succeeding? The Small Business Administration (SBA) estimates that two-thirds of small businesses survive at least two years, and about half survive at least four years. Each year over 500,000 small businesses close. Despite the odds, each year over 500,000 small businesses are started. Click here for the complete story. »

Decision Makers Forum - By Ron Lewis

The Kutztown University Decision Makers Forum was initiated in 1990 and has grown steadily. Today it is one of the most visible events on Kutztown University's annual calendar and the largest annual speaking event in the region, attracting an audience of over 2,500 each year. The Forum features a sumptuous buffet dinner which offers corporate sponsors an opportunity for networking and client cultivation. The buffet is followed by an address by a prominent figure from the world of business or politics. Previous speakers have included: Tim Russert, Gen. Colin Powell, Margaret Thatcher, Louis Rukeyser, Madeleine Albright, Malcolm Forbes, Jr., and Rudy Giuliani. The 16th Annual Decision Makers Forum, will be held on Wednesday, April 27. This year's program will be a discussion between George Tenet, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (1997-2004), and Governor Thomas Kean, president of Drew University and chairman of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks on the United States, also known as the 9/11 Commission. Click here for the complete article about the Decision Makers Forum. »

New Feature - Insights to Success

Insights to Success will be a monthly article sharing challenges/learning opportunities encountered by our clients every month relative to their day-to-day business activities. All Insights to Success articles will come from our clients' submittals. The format for the piece will consist of a brief introduction, the respective challenge, and the solution. Insight to Success - Learning in the 21st Century - How is it different? by Tasha Delaney Fewer resources, reduced time- to-market, greater demand at a lower cost are challenges facing most organizations today. Technology changing at the speed of light adds another layer of complexity to organizational survival and success. How can learning take place in this type of environment with so many constraints? The short answer is that organizations need to get more focused, innovative, and selective about how learning takes place in the organization. No longer is it a viable option to send personnel to the latest professional development program on the market. Learning has to be meaningful and have immediate and direct application to the job. Education and learning can be a valuable organizational and strategic asset when managed effectively. Click here for the complete insight and info about Tasha. WE ARE REQUESTING INSIGHTS TO SUCCESS ARTICLES OF 200 WORDS FROM OUR READERS. WE WILL SELECT ONE ARTICLE EACH MONTH AND SEND A GIFT TO THE AUTHOR. Please Email your Insight for Success articles to the Success Connection Editor Thomas Skiba at skib0124@kutztown.edu.