SPD Gazette Week of May 18, 2009 / Issue 59

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1 SPD Gazette Week of May 18, 2009 / Issue 59 Responding to Recession and Economic Stimulus Since early 2007, businesses large and small have been impacted by what has been called alternatively an economic downturn, crisis, slowdown, or recession. One can argue that small businesses have struggled more than their corporate counterparts, and the SBDC has been called to assist more than a few of the companies impacted by the situation. According to the NYS SBDC Strategic Plan, under the section on program development and operations, the SBDC will develop innovative services responsive to small business needs, e.g., changes in technology, shifts in consumer/purchaser behaviors, and changes in local employment environments. The program s response to the economic downturn fulfills this objective, both on statewide and regional levels. Since the fall, several of the regional centers have developed and conducted workshops specifically addressing the issue: Business Opportunities in Turbulent Times (Staten Island) Strive & Thrive: Building Your Business in a Challenging Economy (Brockport- Batavia) Financing Options in Tough Times!! (Bronx) I ve Gotta Get it Together Before I Fall Apart! (Canton) Basic Exporting in Challenging Economic Times (Niagara-Geneseo) How to Cope with a Bad Business Cycle (Mid-Hudson) Internet Marketing: Establishing a Competitive Advantage in a Recession (Niagara) Survive & Thrive: Business Opportunities in Challenging Economic Times (Onondaga) Partners in Economic Recovery (Watertown) Economic Stimulus (Bronx) We are not only educating our small business clients, but also our staff, to improve the quality of their assistance to small business owners. At Staff Training this month, three sessions addressed the issue of helping small business copy with the current economic situation the NYBDC session on loans, the IRS session on taxes, and the international business development session on trade with markets in China. Numerous centers are counseling clients about doing business with the government and helping them prepare for bidding on contracts that will be part of the government-funded stimulus response. The procurement video developed last year and the procurement assistance center opened last year will be very important during the coming months. We are sharing information among the network. The Web Content Manager developed a special section under the heading Expert Advice with the title, The Recovery Act & Doing Business in an Economic Downturn at the program s main website [ The section contains information about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the federal stimulus, and related topics. If you have not seen it, you may want to review the information available on the page. If you have anything to

2 add to the page, contact Amelia Birdsall at Central. The Research Network information specialists put together a list of helpful articles and resources - Information you need...to find business solutions during an economic downturn. The list is accessible from the main website. The Research Network blog [ has included four posts to date about this topic. At the Research Network, Alexis Mokler has been appointed to collect, organize and distribute information about the downturn and the recovery. Other state and regional SBDC programs also have been working with small businesses to deal with the impact of the economic situation. The ASBDC Communications and Marketing Committee collected tools and materials developed by some of the SBDC programs to help small businesses and posted them at the ASBDC web site. You may find some of the documents useful. To see a list of these materials, go to Since the page is in the Members-only area of the website, you ll be asked for a user name (network) and password (asbdc2day) to view the page. Have any of you developed checklists, guidelines or similar materials for distribution to clients affected by the economic downturn? If you have anything like this, please send it to Mary Hoffman for sharing with your colleagues around the state. Thanks in advance for anything you share. "As sure as the spring will follow the winter, prosperity and economic growth will follow recession." - Bo Bennett, author of Year to Success 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 & ADVOCACY In April, Catalina Castaño, Director of The Brooklyn SBDC at City Tech, was interviewed on the Program Dialogo the Costa a Costa a program from The Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network (HITN). The topic of the program was: Opportunities for Small Business during Economic Crisis. The program was broadcast live all over the United States in Spanish. Dialog de Costa a Costa is hosted by the well known Hispanic presenter Malin Flu. Other guests on the 1-hour program included an economist (in the studio), a representative from the SBA in California (by phone), and a representative from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Washington (by phone). Catalina answered several questions regarding the needs of Hispanic business owners, resources available for them (SBDC s at national level), the economic stimulus package and SBA guarantee loans. Reuters conducted a filmed interview with Midtown Manhattan Business Advisor Ulas Neftci in which he answered questions about the current business environment and the challenges which the credit crunch presented to both existing and start-up businesses. The half hour video was provided to various cable TV stations. Brockport SBDC Director Jan Pisanczyn is a charter member of Congressman Christopher Lee s new advisory board focusing on the small business community. The initial meeting was held on March 30 to discuss the current economic climate and the immediate pressing small business issues including the economic stimulus plan. The group will meet at least twice per year with sub-committees meeting as needed In February, York SBDC Director Harry Wells was a panelist at the Building a Business workshop for the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. In the same month, the York SBDC published a newsletter on the Current Economic Crisis and Small Businesses that was widely distributed throughout the city. In February, North Country SBDC Business Advisor Andy Allison began writing a regular column in the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce Newsletter. This chamber communication is sent out by bi-weekly. He was asked to write on topics that will give insight and instruction for business owners. The first couple of months topics will cover the four cornerstones of business, Leadership, Marketing, Operations and financials.

3 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & STAFF RETENTION The entire Midtown Manhattan SBDC staff attended Rolling with the Punches, a morning conference on the current economic climate and ways small business can deal with it. Anika Pergament, Anchor of the FORTUNE Business Report on NY1 News was moderator. Field Center Academic Director Ramona Heck was a panelist, along with Martha Soffer of the SBA, John Grathwol, Assistant Director, NYC Office of Management & Budget and several leading business men. Allison Lehr, Field Center Mentor and former SBDC Business Advisor led one of the breakout sessions. Canton SBDC Advisor Michelle Collins attended a procurement seminar hosted by the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce and presented by the Watertown PTAC. Topics included procurement opportunities, special certifications and PTAC services. Canton SBDC has provided one follow up counseling session to date. Baruch SBDC Business Advisor Ulas Neftci attended the Brooklyn International Trade Development Center conference: International Economic Outlook 2009: Insights and Implementation. The conference sessions presented information about how the federal government can help in financing exports and setting up shop overseas. Research Network Information Specialist Amelia Birdsall conducted a presentation about Web 2.0 tools for the Corning SBDC and members of the Corning Community College staff. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: PRODUCTS & SERVICES Canton SBDC advisor Julie Williams participated in My Small Business 101 held at Clarkson University. She attended one session a week for four weeks (last 2 weeks of January and 1st two weeks of February 2009). The seminar was dedicated to preparing real entrepreneurs to real challenges. Each week a specific topic was addressed. The topics were as follows: thinking strategically, resource management, marketing management, and financial management. Approximately 60 people attended the event. The group consisted of the advisor, several economic developers, and various business owners. The open networking format provided opportunities for business develop and outreach efforts. In March 2009, York College SBDC business advisor Brian Yeung participated presented an evening workshop at the York College campus for aspiring entrepreneurs planning to start their businesses. The topic of the interactive workshop was business structures, writing a business plan, and business financing. York SBDC assistant director Rose Caban was attended. Binghamton SBDC Business Advisor Ginny Thompson made a presentation to the participants of the Broome Community College Entrepreneur Program regarding services provided by SBDC. The program supports small business owners who are bringing their businesses to new markets and the SBDC is involved with much of the direct counseling. She gave an overview the included evaluating business ideas, identifying funding sources and loan requirements, building effective marketing and sales strategies, choosing an appropriate organizational structure, and understanding government regulations. To celebrate women's history month, the office of Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez and Brooklyn SBDC at City Tech presented a "successful women entrepreneurs" workshop. The workshop was hosted at Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow. A panel composed of successful women entrepreneurs, all former Brooklyn SBDC clients, representing diverse industries such as retail stores, franchises and restaurants, shared their experiences with the more than 60 attendees. They discussed motivations, difficulties, recommendations and resources available to entrepreneurs, such as the SBDC. Mohawk Valley Business Advisors Sam Russo and David Lerman assisted the Utica Chamber of Commerce and the City of Utica to create an incubator. One of Mr. Lerman s clients, the Director for the Vet Center in the former YMCA building in downtown Utica, offered to provide 5,000 square feet of space for the incubator. The SBDC Advisors are developing a plan for operation of the incubator. SPONSORS, HOST INSTITUTIONS, PARTNERS & ALLIANCES In January, Canton SBDC Director Dale Rice attended the Massena Chamber of Commerce s annual luncheon, during which the Chamber recognized the SBDC for 10 years of membership the significant impact the SBDC has had in the greater Massena area and northern New York. In February, North Country Director Rick Leibowitz attended an Unshackle Upstate update meeting in his role as a member of the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee. At this meeting, the new Executive Director, Brian Sampson, provided an update on the issues facing the Northern tier of New York and how they are working to spur economic development by making our State legislature more responsive to the needs of small businesses. In March, the York SBDC collaborated with the Port Authority and the American Export Training Institute to host a very successful International Trade Breakfast. The keynote speaker was William Puckhaber, publisher of the Airport Press and former executive with Pan American World Airways. The topic of his speech was the state of the import and export industry in Queens. The target audience was small businesses engaged in global commerce. In March, Jamestown Business Advisor Beth Reed attended a Business and Economic Development Workshop. Participants represented a network of agencies including the SBDC, Chautauqua Leadership Network, and the Workforce Investment Board. Each agency representative spoke briefly about their services and took questions during the forum section of the program. There were 20 people in attendance.

4 The Binghamton SBDC forged agreements with the Tioga County Local Development Corporation that allows the SBDC to send Advisors directly into the LDC offices to meet with and counsel small business clients. The Center continues to meet clients at the Chamber of Commerce offices but this agreement will enable advisors to use a second counseling site within the County. Additionally, training events being scheduled at the LDC offices. Business Advisor Laura Knochen-Davis will provide several marketing seminars in the 2nd quarter of Additionally, the SBDC is prominently mentioned in the latest edition of the Tioga County LDC Review, a glossy newsletter published semiannually and distributed throughout the county. The Binghamton SBDC participated in a regional job fair sponsored by the Tioga County DED, the Chamber of Commerce and Tioga Downs Casino to promote employers seeking new hires and to help people looking to improve their employment situation. The SBDC rented a booth space and made its business counseling services available from 11:00 to 7:00. Approximately 15 possible employers were in attendance and an estimated 600 attendees visited the fair. TECHNOLOGY Midtown Manhattan SBDC Business Advisor James Daley attended the Small Business Summit for Business and Technology at the Digital Sandbox at 55 Broad St. He attended several seminars and shared the SBDC table with other NYC SBDC directors and with Martha Soffer of the SBA. Mohawk Valley Advisor Sam Russo has been involved in the Genesis initiative for several years, with primary participation in the Genesis Technology Committee. Genesis continues to work with all economic development organizations and political entities in Oneida and Herkimer Counties as it promotes the Mohawk Valley. The Technology Committee continues to assist Genesis in maintaining a website and identifying projects that support and promote technology. The Technology committee is leading the way with a focus on Green Technology and creating relationships with BOCES to foster programs that provide real experience for high school students. SPECIAL PROJECTS - International Midtown Manhattan SBDC Business Advisor James Daley attended the Small Business Summit for Business and Technology at the Digital Sandbox at 55 Broad St. He attended several seminars and shared the SBDC table with other NYC SBDC directors and with Martha Soffer of the SBA. Mohawk Valley Advisor Sam Russo has been involved in the Genesis initiative for several years, with primary participation in the Genesis Technology Committee. Genesis continues to work with all economic development organizations and political entities in Oneida and Herkimer Counties as it promotes the Mohawk Valley. The Technology Committee continues to assist Genesis in maintaining a website and identifying projects that support and promote technology. The Technology committee is leading the way with a focus on Green Technology and creating relationships with BOCES to foster programs that provide real experience for high school students. Veterans The Veterans Business Outreach Center program has opened the lines of communication with the New York National Guard Family Programs to become an integral part of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program. In April, the Veterans Business Advisor at Albany participated in Yellow Ribbon Career Fair sponsored by the New York State Department of Labor at The Sagamore, in Bolton Landing. The Career Fair supported the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the New York Army National Guard and their immediate family members. The Brigade mobilized in January 2008 for deployment to Afghanistan on a mission to train the Afghan National Army and Police. They have now returned home and many of the soldiers wish to explore new career opportunities or take advantage of new educational benefits that are now available to them. The Career Fair provided employment and training opportunities, resume critique services and information about the Governor s Program to Hire Disabled. In March, the Onondaga SBDC presented a program called Operation Start Up and Grow, a resource day for veterans in business or contemplating starting a business. Among the participating agencies were SBA, Onondaga Community College, SBDC, NYBDC, NYS Division of Veteran Affairs, DAV, SBDC Veterans Business Outreach Program, Syracuse VA Medical Center, Oneida Savings Bank, M & T Bank and Solvay Bank. The program was attended by more than 150 veterans. As a result of this event the SBDC has received requests for information and counseling. The Watertown SBDC helps coordinate a two-hour employment readiness seminar for spouses and families of soldiers that are new to the area and looking for opportunities and information on starting a small business. Two weeks after the seminar, there are follow-up informal meetings to provide more detailed information to individuals. Approximately 82 individuals, military veterans and their spouses, have participated in training and instruction sessions. In February, the Farmingdale SBDC Veterans Business Advisor participated in the 69th U.S. Army Reserve Battalion s Open House at the National Guard Armory in Bayshore. He distributed information about the Veterans Business Outreach Program and the SBA s Military Reservist Economic Injury Loan (MREIDL).

5 ABOUT THE GAZETTE The SPD Gazette is a brief newsletter distributed via 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 Previous SPD Gazette Issues: Issue 1 Issue 2 Issue 3 Issue 4 Issue 5 Issue 6 Issue 7 Issue 8 Issue 9 Issue 10 Issue 11 Issue 12 Issue 13 Issue 14 Issue 15 Issue 16 Issue 17 Issue 18 Issue 19 Issue 20 Issue 21 Issue 22 Issue 23 Issue 24 Issue 25 Issue 26 Issue 27 Issue 28 Issue 29 Issue 30 Issue 31 Issue 32 Issue 33 Issue 34 Issue 35 Issue 36 Issue 37 Issue 38 Issue 39 Issue 40 Issue 41 Issue 42 Issue 43 Issue 44 Issue 45 Issue 46 Issue 47 Issue 48 Issue 49 Issue 50 Issue 51 Issue 52 Issue 53 Issue 54 Issue 55 Issue 56 Issue 57 Issue 58 Print This Page (.pdf) Printing Tip Adobe Reader is required. Download Adobe Reader here: