In this issue
	Kutztown SBDC News KU SBDC Client Named One of the Top 50 Women Business Owners in PA. - Sarah Hetznecker and Gary Sheehan Success Story Paralysis by Analysis - by Dan Goldberg Making Sense of Numbers - by Phil Landesberg New Feature - Insights to Success

KU SBDC Client Named One of the Top 50 Women Business Owners in PA. - Sarah Hetznecker and Gary Sheehan Success Story

Sarah Hetznecker and Gary Sheehan, a husband and wife team and owners of Mesa Environmental Sciences, Inc., met on a Geology field trip when both were working toward a BA in Geology from Temple University. Both became registered professional geologists, but developed a passion for the environment. Their first exposure to solar energy was a course they took in college called, "Perspectives on Energy." At the time, however, there were no jobs in the field, so eventually they created their own jobs. In November 1999, Sheehan decided to branch out into his own business and founded Mesa Environmental. Sheehan became one of only 70 North American Board Certified Energy Practitioners in the United States, and one of three in Pennsylvania. Hetznecker worked with him part-time while maintaining a full-time job until 2002, when demand for their services required her to begin working full-time with Mesa. Mesa has two sides: environmental consulting and solar services. For environmental consulting Mesa works with homeowners, businesses, non-profit organizations and government agencies with site investigation and remediation, regulatory and litigation support, watershed assessments, waste management, and environmental compliance. Click here for the complete article about Sarah and Gary. »

Paralysis by Analysis - by Dan Goldberg

Not long ago I was faced with a situation that illustrated how important research is and yet how debilitating its over dependence can become. An organization had asked me to become involved in its growth process. Their need for revenue enhancement was extremely important. A number of opportunities were presented to the organization that could build revenue as well as its image. The project leader requested more information, and more information, and more information. Now I'm not saying that research is unimportant. In fact to the contrary, I believe it is a must. However, unless you're designing a nuclear reactor, engineering a bridge or building some other precision dependent project, waiting until you have every bit of information can be a critical mistake. Usually the gathering of this "needed" research is someone's, usually the team leader, subjective opinion anyway. Don't let it go on without voicing your feelings. Click here for the complete story and info about Dan. »

Making Sense of Numbers - by Phil Landesberg

We are awash in numbers. National news broadcasts report daily changes in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, statistics such as national crime rates, and projected deficits in Social Security accounts. Mid-state newspapers include reports on quarterly profit statements, local crime rate statistics, and projected revenues from slot machines. What do these numbers mean? Sometimes, especially if we suspect the motives behind the person or entity providing the numbers, we may answer "not much." Our ability to make sense of numbers would be enhanced if businesses, government agencies, and others generating numbers, along with the news media and others reporting them were more knowledgeable in statistical analysis. In his column of January 23, 2005, Daniel Okrent, public editor of The New York Times, discussed how we are "numbed by numbers" by "laziness, carelessness, or lack of comprehension." Okrent wrote that the Times employs writers and editors who have the ability to write and correct words and sentences, but does not require them to have training in statistical science. Click here for the complete story. »

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 - Ask for Help By Merra Lee Moffitt Why do 87 percent of small to medium businesses have a website, yet only one out of five sell or even solicit online? I work with business owners finding profit sources they are missing. One area I consistently see overlooked is their websites. I've noticed an underground of businesses consistently making online sales and sales leads here in eastern Pennsylvania. An even larger number of small business owners appear mistakenly complacent and even withdrawn about their websites. Click here for the complete insight. 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 to Success articles to the Success Connection Editor Dawn Wivell at wive0634@kutztown.edu.