SPECIAL PROJECTS

In November 2006, the Southern Tier, including the greater Binghamton area, experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall, which caused additional damage to areas impacted by spectacular flooding in late June. The SBDC once again is supporting the SBA disaster loan team, which continues to work in space provided by the SBDC.

MARKETING

In January, Willa Smith, Business Advisor from the Stony Brook SBDC, attended Hauppauge Industrial Association (HIA) event that featured a presentation and discussion on Long Island's "Bi-County Economic Development Initiatives." Featured speakers were James Morgo, the Suffolk County Commissioner for Economic Development and Workforce Housing, and Patrick Duggan, the Deputy County Executive for Nassau County. The speakers discussed the future of economic development programs targeted for Long Island's future, emphasizing a focus on downtown revitalization to assist small businesses, and affordable housing for the younger population and the senior community.

The Watertown SBDC routinely places a display in local banks. The display is primarily used for business fairs or expos, but when it is not at one of those events, the Center contacts local branch managers - of banks that do commercial funding in the tri-county area (Jefferson-Lewis-Oswego) - to request that it be set up in the bank lobby. The display is rotated on a monthly basis, moving from township to township. The region is a high tourism area and the display is placed according to the area that has the highest traffic. For example, Northern Jefferson County is busiest in the summer and Lewis County is busiest in the winter. There are 8 banks in the region with many branches so there are numerous places in the rotation. The Center has received many referrals as a result of bank lobby placement, and SBDC clients have also benefited from the display. It is something that is good for both the SBDC and our clients.

In January, the LaGuardia SBDC staffed a booth at the “Meet your International Business Partners” exposition organized by the Weissman Center for International Business, the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College, the US Department of Commerce, NEXCO and the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. The event was attended by New York importers and exporters. Among the exhibitors were bilateral chambers of commerce, trade associations, US international trade promotion programs and international government trade bureaus.

In January, Angel Roman, the Boricua College SBDC Director participated in a Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce networking event at the Atlantic Center. The event was attended by Chamber members, SBDC clients and various workshop presenters.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & STAFF RETENTION

The newest LaGuardia SBDC Business Advisor registered for a two-day small business finance class to be held in March at NYU’s Continuing Education and Professional Studies Program. He joined the staff of the Center in December 2006.

Two counselors from the LaGuardia SBDC registered to attend a half-day workshop on “The High Cost of Selling on Price” given by the Sales Strategy Corporation and contributing writer for the NY Enterprise Report. The focus of the workshop is to help business owners learn how to respect and represent the ‘values’ of their products and services - and not the price - when marketing their business and negotiating contracts. Information gained from the seminar will enhance the LaGuardia SBDC’s ability to advise clients and develop workshops on a range of small business marketing issues.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

The Watertown SBDC provides CCR Assistance. The Central Contractor Registration (CCR) is a database of basic business information for contractors that want to do business with the US Department of Defense (DoD). It is the only way anyone wanting to do work with the government can get registered. The Center helps clients through the lengthy process of registration by sitting down with them, one-to-one at the computer, and walking them through the steps. The Center also has an annual “Selling to Government” workshop every spring. The spring seminar generates 80 to 100 registrants. Among the speakers are representatives from Ft. Drum, the US SBA, PTAC and several Prime contractors looking for local subcontractors in the area. Other speakers include representatives from the GSA, US Department of Labor, and local banks. The Center has had great success in reaching out to businesses through the spring seminar, and it also is valuable in matching prime and sub contractors...

Thirty women attended a recent Women Business Owners Roundtable sponsored by the Binghamton SBDC. Keynote speaker May Ann Thompson presented a talk called “Are You Focused for Business Success?” The presentation was well received, as evidenced by the excellent reviews submitted by attendees at the conclusion of the event.

The Watertown SBDC has a successful one-day workshop for restaurant owners - Menus, Money and More - that is aimed at increasing the profitability of restaurants. The Center engaged a large food distributor that presents information on menu analysis, as well as training videos on customer service and “upselling” - encouraging customers to order additional items. A representative from the Health Department talks about new regulations and reviews the basics of a routine Health Department inspection. The workshop also includes panel discussions with experienced and successful restauranteurs in the community. SBDC Business Advisors discuss tips for improving inventory control, customer service and recordkeeping.