"Every problem contains within itself the seeds of its own solution."

~Stanley Arnold

Don't forget to check out two new featured articles this month by SBDC interns, Helping Students Learn, and Banker to the poor!

Also featured this month, an article by SBDC consultant, Bud Batcher, on the CREATE program in Coatesville. 

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

Deer Country

Deer Counrty Farm & Lawn, Inc. (DCFL) was founded in 2004 and has grown to serve central and eastern Pennsylvania through four locations in three counties.  DCFL's sales professionals have taken advantage of the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center's (SBDC) government marketing services along the way.

Bill Howard, one of DCFL's two commercial and government sales professionals, joined the company in 2006.  Howard's experience in navigating government agencies and policies has made him a perfect sales professional for government marketing.  His knowledge of government procurement and passion for reaching new government  markets created a natural partnership with the SBDC and its Government Marketing Specialist Lisa Clark.

Read the full story to learn more about Bill Howard and Deer Country Farm & Lawn Inc., and how Lisa Clark of the SBDC helped the business grow. 

Keep Key Employees with help from SERPs 

Contributed by Michael Fischer, CLU, ChFC

If your company has key employees you'd like to retain, consider handcuffs.  Actual handcuffs won't do of course, but "golden handcuffs" as Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (SERPs) are sometimes called, may be just what you need.  SERPs can benefit both employees and employers, and they are easy to set up and administer.

SERPs can serve as any of the following:

1. An extension of the employer's qualified retirement plan, with payments tied to plan performance

2. As a stand-a-lone benefit, possibly to replace funds the employee is giving up to work for the employer

3. An incentive for performance, in which contributors are made to the employee's account when a financial performance target or other goal is met.  (Known as an Account Balance SERP). 

To learn more about the benefits of SERPs, click here!

There's No Such Thing as Time Management

A wise man once told me, "He or she who is always short of time, is always short on planning."  Planning will always get you through seemingly tough scheduling.

Good scheduling management skills go beyond the obvious benefits such as less stress, making it to appointments on time and finishing projects before their deadlines.  When you manifest proficiencies in schedule management you teach others that it is possible to control the franticness that often accompanies poor planning. 

Are you always short for time?  Does it seem like there aren't enough hours in the day to complete everything on your to-do list?  Then check out Dan Goldberg this month, and his fresh perspective on time, and the illusion there isn't enough of it.  Click here to find out how to have time on your side.

Build, Borrow, Buy- the Ultimate Website Positioning Strategy

By Lynn VanDyke

This month, Lynn VanDyke walks you through your online business, and how you can make it more lucrative. 

Are you just starting your business on the web, or need tips to make your website more successful?  Click here to learn from this SBI certified webmaster!

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. 

Income Protection Using Disability Insurance 

By Kathi Kuzo, Financial Representative

"If you were unable to work for an extended period of time due to illness of injury, what would happen to your income?  How would you pay your regular bills?"

Learn more about protecting your earnings and play a proactive role in your financial future, in case of the unexpected emergency we've all experienced.

SBDC News

-Upcoming Learning Oppurtunities:

*A Converstaion with the Founder of Baldwin Hardware- Nov. 16th

*Introduction to the Experience Economy- Dec. 12

Click on the SBDC News link below for further details!

-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!

-The Kutztown SBDC monthly TV is now called the Success Connection!  This month's show will air on Nov. 27th, and will feature Ramon Melecio.  

More SBDC is news is just a click away! 

-Helping Students Learn: Undergrad Takes Advantage of SBDC Internship

-Brandon Bagley recaptures his challenging yet rewarding internship experience under Martin Brill, International Business Consultant at the Kutztown University SBDC in Harrisburg.  Click here to read more! 

-Seed Capitol Starts Businesses Growing in Coatesville

By Bud Batcher

CREATE Director & KU SBDC Consultant  

-Click here to read more about the Coatesville Regional Entrepreneurial and Training Endeavor (CREATE), and how entrepreneurship in Coatesville is growing.

-Look next month for a follow up story on the CREATE program and its progress in Coatesville!

-Banker to the Poor Wins Nobel Peace Prize 

By Justin McCleary

-Click here to read more about Professor Muhammad Yunus, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, and his work with micro-lending in in Bangladesh, written by our very own KU SBDC intern.

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