One of the biggest drawbacks to the increased access to information that the internet gives us is the difficulty of sifting through everything to get to the information that you need. This is especially true when looking through blogs and other user-generated content. Here are some resources that help you sift through information to get to content that is useful:
http://globalvoicesonline.org/
And here is some guidance about how to select blogs from the OPEN Forum:
Here is the link to the weekly videos that I am putting together for the benefit of small business owners. I will also post the videos as blog entries here. Feel free to share with your friends and associates:
http://robertmrogers.snappages.com/small-business-counselor-video-series.htm
Everyone wants access to funds. Here is a unique contest that will allow business owners their 140 characters or less to pitch their idea. I love when companies buy in to new media! Here is the article:
http://blog.entrepreneur.com/2009/10/contest-lets-winners-pitch-vcs.php
Here are some good tips related to using social media in a more productive way. The key to marketing is reaching your intended audience in a meaningful way. A way that sticks. Check out the tips from BusinessWeek:
http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/tips/archives/2009/10/how_social_medi.html
Please join us this Thursday, October 29th from 6pm-8pm for a special live remote broadcast of “The Ron Mann show” and the VIP with Tony Calatayud and Jorge Guevara
This week’s show will be broadcast live from the fabulous and always fun - Crazy Piano’s in Coconut Grove
Enjoy great entertainment, complimentary cocktails from Chivas 18 and an array of Chef’s Specialties….
Special Guests include:
City of Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff
former Miami Heat Player and Current Game Day Analyst – John Crotty
and as always, a few surprises..
Please join myself and my illustrious co-host – Adam (“Little Lubby”) Lubkin as we discuss the current state of the city in which we live
You can also tune into “The Ron Mann Show” live on the radio at 880AM or stream live on the Internet at www.880thebiz.com
Thursday, October 29th 2009 6-8pm
“The Biz” is the only station in South Florida strictly dedicated to business and is quickly growing a cult-like following in the city. You can expect to hear about local and national business issues, politics, sports and as always - opinionated commentary.
Please reply with unsubscribe in the subject box to be removed from this list. We apologize for the inconvenience
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Here is a good article in the OPEN forum about resources that small businesses can use to improve operations, increase profitability and manage marketing. The article focuses on online resources but does outline some beneficial offline sources as well. As with any resource, keep it simple. Don’t feel like you need to get caught up in everything, but instead find what works for you and utilize it. Here is the link:
Each Tuesday, I will share a business/law tip for small businesses that are just getting started. This week: Know your friends and keep them close.
What do I mean when I say “know your friends and keep them close." This means that you need to know who your resources are either from a referral standpoint, business development standpoint, strategic partnerships, or business management support. There are three things I would advise doing related to "knowing your friends." They are: 1) setting up a team of strategic advisors, 2) creating referral sources and 3) remaining in contact.
“Strategic Advisors”
Each small business is different but I believe many small business would greatly benefit from setting up a team of strategic advisors. Sit down and think about your strengths and your weaknesses then consider who you know that can complement those strengths or build up your weaknesses. Individuals to consider a strategic advisors are: a lawyer, an accountant, a marketing or public relations advisor, and a sales expert. The benefit to evaluating your business with this team of advisers is that it will allow you to understand both your needs as well as your services and build your business accordingly.
“Creating Referral Sources”
Most everyone that you know probably know somebody that can use your goods or services. But how can you tap into that resource without appearing overbearing, demanding, or desperate? The key is in matching people to needs. Make a list of what your business needs are and then make a list of the individuals that you personally know that can help address that need. This is especially important relative to referrals. What are your products or services? Who do you know they can best assist in client acquisition relative to those products and services? Create the lists and connect the dots.
“Remaining in Contact”
following up and following through are sometimes the most difficult things for small businesses to incorporate into their business. It is not simply enough to make one initial contact or to send one e-mail or to make one phone call. We can work directly with our contacts to know how often we should contact them and by which means. Our contacts need to know who we are, what we do, and how we can help them or their associates. Everyone is busy. Everyone forgets. That's why we consistently need to be reminded. They're excellent programs for small businesses can access in order to automate this constant contact process. Research and evaluate which method is best for you.
Included below is the tip of the day for small business readers of BusinessWeek. These are some timely tips for businesses as marketing is critical for success but budgets are not what they used to be. I especially agree with the first point… We need to re-connect with our communities. Find people that are complimentary to our efforts. Collaborate to success. Here is the link for more information:
http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/tips/archives/2009/10/high-impact_mar.html
Here is an upcoming business networking event in Miami. For those small businesses in the area, it is a great opportunity to meet other business owners and service providers, especially if you are interested in international business.
For those businesses who are concerned about the environmental impact of what they do, this article in BusinessWeek gives an excellent summary of why even small businesses can be engaged in planning a more sustainable business culture. An important element of compliance planning within any business is to be aware of progressive regulations related to the environment as well as other business legal matters. Enjoy the insights!
Today's Tip Dispelling Two Sustainability Myths for Small Businesses - BusinessWeek
In this morning's Miami Herald, there was an article that outlined the stimulus money that is coming in to South Florida. Not enough projects are being made available to small businesses. I hope this article inspires people in South Florida to work together to create opportunities for small businesses. Now is an excellent time to explore opportunities to collaborate and form strategic partnerships in order to succeed in breaking out of this economic downturn. Have a read and hopefully it gives you ideas as to how to succeed.
In race for stimulus dollars, we're coming in last - Business Monday - MiamiHerald.com
Given the state of the global economy, it is essential for businesses to explore alternative markets. Given advances in technology, transportation, and logistical support, more than ever, small businesses are able to be market players internationally. But just because you can do business internationally doesn't mean that you should. International business requires a different type of preparation, cultural understanding, and business management style. Here's an interesting article about certain marketing strategies businesses can use, and should use, when operating internationally.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Product-Strategies-For-International-Business-Marketing&id=2686998
I appreciate today’s tip from BusinessWeek. In order to be able to truly enjoy and succeed in any effort in life, an individual must take time away from the “task” in order to develop themselves. What does self development mean, though? I personally believe that it varies person to person, but there are some critical elements that need to occur.
1) Self development should be initiated by reasonable self evaluation. Take a look at strengths and weakness and determined when they can work hand in hand.
2) Self development should include measurable and easily quantifiable metrics. Instead of saying that you want read more. Focus on what specifically you would like to read and when you would like to accomplish it by.
3) Create a plan for success. When you road map out your individually development, you can coincide that with the goals you have within your business.
For more ideas, here is the article:
http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/tips/archives/2009/08/take_time_to_de.html
Included below is information on an excellent small business event coming up on August 11. This event will focus on emerging technologies and innovation. There is also information included below about the TRDA and how they are of assistance in incubating emerging technology companies. Also of interest is a list of companies involved in this event. Hopefully you can take advantage of the resource and the event. This information was provided to me by Lindsey Levy of pushhere.com.
TRDA SHOWCASES EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AUGUST 11
-- Small Businesses Present New DoD and NASA Funded Technologies--
ORLANDO, Fla. (August 6, 2009) — Technological innovation is what drives the American economy. And, it’s small technology businesses that help generate most of the economic growth as measured by job creation, output and productivity. Although launching a small tech business isn’t easy, organizations like the Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA) provide invaluable opportunities for these high-growth, high-tech businesses to succeed.
On Tuesday, August 11 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., TRDA will host the Technology Opportunity Forum 2009 at the TRDA Business Innovation Center, 1050 W. NASA Blvd., Melbourne, Fla. The Forum showcases some of the most promising, federally funded technologies under development in the southeast
This event offers entrepreneurs, investors, strategic partners and others the unique chance to review emerging technologies and initiate relationships with 23 small, advanced technology firms who are developing technologies for the Department of Defense and NASA. Each of the participating companies is a recipient of a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant to develop and commercialize an emerging technology.
The Technology Opportunity Forum will consist of presentations and exhibitions from companies in the areas of communications, power electronics, electromagnetics, life sciences, medical devices, mechanics, sensors and software.
The Forum’s presentations, exhibition area and poster materials are designed to provide attendees access to emerging technologies and the companies behind them, leading to engagements ranging from procurement, to licensing, to strategic partnering.
Supporting The Technology Opportunity Forum as sponsors are: Berman Hopkins, Wright & La Ham CPAs and Associates, LLP; Harris; Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A. Attorneys at Law; Roetzel & Andress A Legal Professional Association; and Spacecoast Business.
For general inquiries, such as registration and event information on the TRDA’s Technology Opportunity Forum, contact:
Brenda McMillan
(321) 872-1050 x 103
The Forum registration fee is $50.00. Online registration is available at www.trda.org.
About TRDA
The TRDA Business Innovation Center helps start-up technology firms in Central Florida grow into financially viable, freestanding, high-growth companies. It offers clients access to intensive mentoring, modern office space, shared office resources, business services, professional development and training, investor networking and more for one monthly fee.
Launched in 1987, the TRDA is an agency of the state of Florida that leverages federal, state and private resources to develop and implement technology-based programs in four target areas: education, business incubation, energy and technology transfer. Since its inception, the TRDA has leveraged tens of millions of dollars in funding to support its education and economic development programs. By infusing new technology into businesses and schools, the TRDA helps to strengthen the economy and education throughout the state and nation.
For more information, visit trda.org.
###
Media Contact:
Lindsey Levy, Push.
407-841-2299 ext. 1041
Companies participating in the TRDA's Commercialization Assistance Program are:
1. Accelogic (Weston, FL) — A research and development company specializing in the extreme acceleration of linear algebra problems through computational methods optimized for massively-parallel supercomputers and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), for applications such as fluid dynamics, weather modeling, molecular design, and oil exploration.
2. Advance Magnet Lab, Inc. (Palm Bay, FL) — A manufacturing, technology and product development, and testing company specializing in electromagnetic technology with solutions in propulsion, power generation, materials processing, and medical devices.
3. Aerotonomy (Ft. Oglethorpe, GA) — An aeronautics research and prototype manufacturing company, specializing in airframes and control technologies for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
4. AERONIX, Inc. (Melbourne, FL) — An engineering services and systems integrator company, transitioning from services to product development; specializing in communications technology especially radio software, hardware components, and intellectual property for high- speed wireless networking.
5. AET, Inc. (Melbourne, FL) — An engineering and development company specializing in integrated circuits and sensors in harsh environments.
6. APECOR (Orlando, FL) — A research and development company specializing in advanced power electronics especially high power density, high efficiency, and digital control.
7. Benedict Engineering Co., Inc. (Tallahassee, FL) — An engineering consulting firm specializing in design and development of material handling systems.
8. CANVS Corp. (Coral Gables, FL) — A research and development company founded to create color night vision and innovative imaging solutions.
9. Cesaroni Technology, Inc. (Sarasota, FL) — A research and product development facility with engineering and prototyping capabilities specializing in ammunition, heat exchange, robotics, and propulsion technologies.
10. CFD Research Corp. (Huntsville, AL) — An engineering research and development services company with capabilities in multi-physics simulations and engineering/biological/chemical testing and evaluations; dedicated to technology and product development for aerospace, life sciences, materials, and energy.
11. Circular Logic (Boca Raton, FL) — A research and development company specializing in advanced acoustic signal processing technology, which approaches human auditory performance in speech processing, neural implants, military intelligence, and music processing.
12. Digital Authentication Technologies, Inc. (Boca Raton, FL) — A technology development company with receiver and authentication server system, which captures RF signals and utilizes neural network signal processing to create and verify unique location footprints in real-time.
13. Engineering Acoustics, Inc. (Casselberry, FL) — A research and development and low volume manufacturing company specializing in acoustic and vibrational transducers and systems for defense, biomedical and geophysical applications.
14. OptiGrate (Orlando, FL) — A research and development, prototyping, and low volume manufacturing company specializing in holographic optical elements in photosensitive glass for spectral and thermal stabilization of high-power lasers and Raman laser sources.
15. Mainstream Engineering Corp. (Rockledge, FL) — A thermal control and energy conversion manufacturing company with research and development capabilities and technical focus on vapor compression systems, high heat flux cooling systems, advanced diesel engine development, solar and wind powered systems, advanced materials, advanced batteries, ultra capacitors, fuel cells, and conversion of organic materials to fuel (biomass conversion).
16. MtronPTI (Orlando, FL) — A manufacturing company with product development capability specializing in electronic signal frequency control products such as quartz oscillators, resonators, filters for applications in communication, radar, and navigation markets.
17. NanoEngineering Corp. (Wellington, FL) — An engineering and development company specializing in miniaturized, precision instruments with high resolving-power for detection, measurement, and analysis of nanoparticles (including viruses) and molecules.
18. Novel Engineering Solutions, Inc. (Ft. Walton Beach, FL) — A research and development company specializing in geothermal energy generation.
19. Photon-X (Huntsville, AL) — A 3D image processing and optoelectronics engineering and development company, focused on 3D cameras and 3D video applications.
20. RINI Technologies, Inc. (Orlando, FL) — A research and development, prototyping, and low volume manufacturing company specializing in heat exchange and cooling products.
21. Securboration (Melbourne, FL) — A research and development company specializing in software that enables organizations to adapt. Utilizing Semantic Web technologies, executable workflows based on dynamic policies leverage distributed SOA assets to enact business processes in domains that range from a single business process to global inter-agency process automation tailored to user’s needs.
22. The Athena Group, Inc. (Gainesville, FL) — An engineering and design firm with applied research capability, specializing in data security and signal processing for digital electronics.
23. Transgenex Nanobiotech, Inc. (Tampa, FL) — A biotech R&D firm specializing in nanotech-enabled drug delivery systems for cancer and HIV treatments and for biomarker-aided diagnoses.
It is critical for businesses to improve communication, both internally and externally. In order to maximize efficiencies, people need to know clearly what is expected and also know that they have the right to communicate alternatives. Business Week has an excellent article on why we fail in our communications:
http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/tips/archives/2009/07/why_we_fail_to.html
One of the questions that small business owners need to ask relates to how they present themselves and their business to the public. Who or what is the “face” of the business? Here is a great article that outlines some of the pros and cons of being the face of your own business:
http://www.entrepreneur.com/marketing/branding/article202664.html
Twitter and Social Media can be great ways to advertise upcoming business events that you are involved it. The principles presented in this article give a great summary of ways to use social media to market many facets of your business, not just events.
http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/tips/archives/2009/07/how_to_promote.html
