SPD Gazette
Week of March 19, 2007 / Issue 25



HOW DO WE KNOW HOW WE’RE DOING?

One of the things the Accreditation Review Team might ask is “how do you know if you’re doing a good job?” That’s a fair question. How do we know? We ask the customer – our clients. We ask them on a regular basis. Client evaluation forms are mailed from the Central Office on a regular monthly basis, typically within 30 45 days of case closure. Click on the underlined words to view the form.

How do the clients think we are doing? In the SBDC’s annual report to the Small Business Administration, the program shares a summary of responses from clients whose cases were closed since the beginning of the fiscal year, October 1st. Here are our marks from last year:

  • 99% of the clients rated SBDC services as Excellent, Very Good or Good.
  • 93% said their request for assistance received prompt attention.
  • 88% said that the SBDC responded to their needs (10% said they were unsure).
  • 94% said that the SBDC representative they encountered had the necessary skills to provide the assistance they needed.
  • 97% said they would recommend the SBDC to other small businesspersons.

That is a fairly good report card. It also shows that there are some areas that can use improvement, feedback that is very important to the leaders of the program.

 

You probably know that the attendees at every training event your Center sponsors or co-sponsors are asked to complete a workshop evaluation form. Completed training evaluation forms give us feedback about the speaker, the content of the presentation, and the room or space in which the event was held. Often, workshop evaluations include suggestions for future workshops and speakers. The feedback provided by our customers about training activities is also very important because it tells us what they need and want.

Every two years, the SBDC hires Dr. James Chrisman, an independent consultant that has been working with the national SBDC program for many years. His job is to survey clients in NYS, analyze their responses, and create a report about the impact of SBDC services. The report contains information about sales and tax revenues generated, the average cost of each new job, and the number of jobs created and saved as a result of SBDC consulting assistance.

In addition, in his analysis, Dr. Chrisman compares the total cost of operating the SBDC to the amount of tax revenues generated by clients. In the most recent report, Dr. Chrisman states that for every $1.00 in funding, NYS SBDC clients generate $12.10 in tax revenue. He also calculates the amount of financing clients obtain from external sources and compares it to the amount of SBDC funding. In the most recent report, Dr. Chrisman states that every $1.00 in funding for the NYS SBDC was leveraged by more than $58.16 in new capital raised from external sources. To be conservative, Dr. Chrisman uses the responses of only the clients who indicated that SBDC services were beneficial.

This report also tells us how well we are doing, and according to Dr. Chrisman, the NYS SBDC is a cost-effective program, in other words, a good investment for sponsors such as NYS and SBA. The most recent Chrisman report is dated 2004-2005. Click on the underlined words to view the report.

 


WHAT'S NEW THIS WEEK?

Each of the focus areas listed in this section contain descriptions of activities relating to SBDC’s key objectives and are the basis of the metrics by which our Strategic Plan implementation is measured and assessed.


MARKETING

The Farmingdale and Stony Brook SBDCs and the SBA shared a table at the Long Island Association’s annual Breakfast and Business Expo, which drew about 500 attendees. The keynote speaker, Governor Eliot Spitzer, talked about the state budget, explaining in great detail the necessity of keeping spending to a minimum while lowering taxes. The two SBDC directors were able to make valuable contacts with local bankers and credit unions.

In February, Niagara SBDC Director Rick Gorko engaged in many marketing activities, including the following. He gave an overview of SBDC programs and services at the monthly meeting of the New York State Printing and Imaging Association, focusing on the benefits available for existing businesses. Rick spoke to the Lockport Business Association about SBDC programs and services, specifically in the field of marketing.
He also attended a legislative reception in Niagara Falls sponsored by the Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce.

In December, Mid-Hudson SBDC Director Arnaldo Sehwerert and Business Advisor Al Randzin met with Ann Meagher, President of the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce, to promote the SBDC’s services. The Chamber covers the area south and west of Poughkeepsie and has close to 2000 members.


SPECIAL PROJECTS

North Country SBDC Director Dee Clark met with newly elected Assemblywoman Janet Duprey to advise her of the role of the SBDC in her legislative district. Assemblywoman Duprey acknowledged her support of the program for upcoming legislative action.


PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT:
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

At the request of the instructor, Corning SBDC Director Bonnie Gestwicki presented a program on starting a business, the importance of a business plan, and an overview of the SBDC services to Corning Community College’s Principles of Business class.

In December, Mid-Hudson SBDC Director Dr. Arnaldo Sehwerert met with Jose Sifontes, SBA NYC District Director, Fannie Lansch, Vice President, Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Richard Torres, Internal Revenue Service, to discuss the SBDC’s outreach activities in the Latino community.


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
& STAFF RETENTION

On March 10th, Ann Garbarino, Stony Brook SBDC business advisor attended the 2nd Annual Country Living Magazine Women Entrepreneurs 2007 in Chicago, Illinois. Barbara Baekgaard, co–founder of Vera Bradley, was the keynote speaker. A panel of women entrepreneurs from all over the United States who have successfully started, financed, and marketed their businesses shared their expertise with an audience of more than 500 women. One of panelist, Kim Lavine, wrote a book titled “Mommy Millionaire: how I turned my kitchen table idea into a Million Dollars and how you can, too!” Ms. Lavine gave a big “shout out” to the SBDC for all the expert advice and resources. Her business advisor connected her with angel investors who eventually funded her company!

In March, Bernie Ryba, Stony Brook SBDC Business Advisor, attended the 7th annual Long Island Technology Hall of Fame Dinner. Since the inception of the Long Island Technology Hall of Fame, SUNY Stony Brook has been a key promoter and sponsor of the event which honors past and present leaders of technology on Long Island. The evening’s keynote speaker was Jay Cohen, Under Secretary for Science & Technology, Department of Homeland Security.

 


SPONSORS, HOST INSTITUTIONS, PARTNERS AND ALLIANCES

In March, Research Network Director Darrin Conroy gave a 60-minute presentation in Burlington, VT on the importance and impact of proper signage to the small business community. His audience was a group of 30 town & municipal code officials who influence sign codes throughout the state of Vermont. Darrin was invited to speak by the event's sponsor, the Northeast States Sign Association. He was part of a panel of four speakers, each educating the audience on a variety of signage-related issues. The event is likely the first of several that will take place in New England and New York in the next two years.

North County SBDC Director Dee Clark participated in the Plattsburgh State School of Business and Economics (SBE) Advisory Board meeting. The board meets three times yearly to provide input to the SBE regarding community needs. It is a solid SBDC listening post for determining business needs. The forum focused on new developments and strategic direction for the region.

 


TECHNOLOGY

In March, Stony Brook SBDC Business Advisor Bernie Ryba attended the Microsoft Vista Launch Tour Event at the Hyatt Windwatch hotel in Hauppauge. The half-day Small Business track included presentations on the new Windows Vista operating system and the 2007 Microsoft office system, and described enhancements to Excel, Word, Powerpoint and Outlook. Numerous vendors displayed complimentary products and services to the several hundred people who attended.

ABOUT THE GAZETTE

The SPD Gazette is a brief newsletter distributed via email and posted on the Internal Web Site. It will feature a column to be titled, What’s New This Week, in which the network will share best practices in strategic objectives. A series of articles in the Gazette will explain the program’s statewide approach to strategic objectives in six key areas:

• Marketing
• Professional Development and Certification
• Program Development: Products and Services
• Special Projects
• Strategic Partners and Alliances
• Technology, Information and Communication

For more information or answers to your questions, call Tom Morley at 914-375-2107or email him at SPD@Mercy.edu Send your report forms to SPD@Mercy.edu

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