Are You Putting Out Fires Too Frequently?
Heather Strohm – Do you feel like you are overwhelmed constantly? Do you feel you jump from one task to another and miss deadlines? Are you guilty of over promising and under delivering? Every time you turn around, do you feel like you are in the midst of a crisis? If you [...]
West Central ISBDC / May 21, 2013
Spousal Attitude Can Make or Break a Start-Up Business
Mary Popovich – As business advisors working with entrepreneurs on a daily basis at the ISBDC, we have seen it all. We have listened to a teary-eyed client describing her husband’s efforts to sabotage their business dream. We have watched a fledgling business fail after the wife who controls the couple’s check book refused to [...]
ISBDC / May 14, 2013
Classic Business Errors – the Race to the Back of the Pack
Monty Henderson – One of my favorite slides in presentations that I make is entitled “Classic Errors.” With hundreds of clients and years of experience as an entrepreneur, I have discovered that many business owners are interested in learning what “not to do” as much as they are in ascertaining “what to do.” Since I [...]
Hoosier Heartland ISBDC / May 7, 2013
Risk It: Indiana Now Accepting Pitch Submissions
Risk It: Indiana will be in Madison, Indiana on August 28, 2013 at the Venture Out Business Center. We have an open call for submissions of ideas or inventions for a chance to win $4,000 in prizes and donations. Seven to ten brave competitors will be given 5 minutes to pitch their idea to 4 [...]
ISBDC / May 3, 2013
Never Alone
Kathy Davis – I’ve heard a business owner or three tell me that they set up their corporation online. My first question after hearing that is almost always “do you have an operating agreement?” Most of the time, the owner in question says something along the lines of “No, its just me. I don’t need [...]
ISBDC / April 30, 2013
ISBDC 2012 Impact
We wanted to show how our funders’ investments in the ISBDC impacts the Indiana economy. You can learn more about our 2012 impact by visiting ISBDC.org/2012. To become a client of the ISBDC complete our business survey. To learn how your organization or business can help support the ISBDC and grow our efforts, click here to email Jacob Schpok, [...]
ISBDC / April 24, 2013
Business Differentiation Through “Little Things”
Larry White – I will often ask clients how they will be different from their competition. What will make you stand out from other businesses that offer similar products and services? Their knee-jerk reaction is often “I will be priced less than my competition”, but a low price strategy by itself is generally not a sustainable competitive advantage [...]
ISBDC / April 17, 2013
Hiccups in Government Contracting
Bobbi Carlton – Getting involved in government contracting can be overwhelming for many suppliers, but, with helpful tips and tools, it can be an easier process if you have the right information. You can spend hours researching how to get involved in government contracting and potentially not get very far. Knowing where to start is [...]
ISBDC / April 10, 2013
Impact Numbers for 2012
Indiana’s Small Business Development Centers (ISBDCs) helped clients create 1,638 jobs; save 10,999 jobs; start 242 businesses; obtain $70 million in financing; and increase sales by $31 million in 2012. 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 JOBS RETAINED 1,452 1,383 2,002 2,292 6,578 10,999 JOBS CREATED 908 1,013 1,788 2,598 2,098 1,638 Approximately [...]
ISBDC / April 2, 2013
Delegate for Success
Richard Pittelkow – Owning and operating a small business has always been a lot of hard work. You started your company with specific strengths in certain areas, and you don’t mind rolling up your sleeves to accomplish all of the multiple tasks that need to be done. How can one person possibly do it all? [...]
West Central ISBDC / March 27, 2013
