SBDC | Hosted by College of the Canyons

A Virtual Hangout with Brad Feld at the ATI May 24th

admin — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:56:58 +0000

Don’t miss out on a Virtual Hangout with Brad Feld at the ATI on Friday, May 24th as he talks about startups, entrepreneurship, and what it takes to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Be one of the FIRST 100 to register and attend to receive a FREE copy of Brad Feld’s book Startup Communities: Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Your City. Mr. Feld is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, co-founder of Foundry Group and TechStars, and a successful investor in such companies as FeedBurner (acq. by GOOG), NetGenesis (NTGX), and Zynga (ZNGA). Come at 2:30 to network with investors, start-ups, and our sponsors from Silicon Valley Bank. Seating is limited so register by clicking here now!

When:

Friday, May 24, 2013 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm

2:30 Check-In & Networking

3:00- 3:40 Keynote by Brad Feld

3:40- 4:00 Q & A with Brad Feld

4:00 – 4:30 Networking

Where:

Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center
at College of the Canyons, Room 258
26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita 91355

Details:

Cost: FREE + $2 parking fee (kiosk located in lot 14)
Seating is limited so register now!
Register online at: http://tinyurl.com/Brad-Feld-052413
For more information please email us at: sbdc@canyons.edu or call us at 661.362.5900

The Small Business Development Center is funded by the Small Business Administration, College of the Canyons, and various local sponsors. Funding is not an endorsement of any product, opinion, or service. All Federal and State funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

SBDC Releases 2012 Annual Report

admin — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 04:25:45 +0000

SANTA CLARITA — In 2012, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted by College of the Canyons experienced its most successful operational year to date, with SBDC assisted clients combining to start 53 new small businesses and create or retain 937 local jobs. The SBDC’s recently released 2012 annual report details a record year of client accomplishments and efficiency ratings which highlight the Center’s continued success in providing actionable advice, training and consulting services to local small business owners throughout the region.
Click Here to View the SBDC 2012 Annual Report

10 Tips for Better Time Management – February 2013

admin — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:00:19 +0000

What’s the one thing that small business owners never seem to have enough of? No, it’s not customers, inventory or capital—it’s time. If you’re constantly wishing that there were more than 24 hours in a day, try these 10 tips to better manage your time.

Harness your natural rhythms. Do you notice that you have more energy in the mornings, or that you’re most creative late at night? Whenever possible, take advantage of these natural energy cycles. For instance, if you’re more energetic in the morning, schedule key tasks such as client meetings, brainstorming sessions or long-range planning then.
Choose a scheduling system. Having your to-do list and appointments written down in multiple places causes confusion. Create one electronic calendar you can access anywhere, such as iCal, Outlook or Google Calendar, and put all your commitments there. Simplify scheduling by sharing it with your assistant.
Make appointments with yourself. Important but non-urgent tasks like strategic planning often get pushed aside by urgent tasks like dealing with a customer crisis. Set aside time each week to work on long-term issues in your business, and treat this time as you would an appointment with your biggest customer.
Manage interruptions. Interruptions can’t be avoided, but they can be managed. Try building in a 15-minute cushion between appointments to account for interruptions; closing your door for a set time each day so you can focus; and turning off sound alerts on your computer so you don’t get distracted every time a new email arrives.
Get a grip on email. Try checking your email just three times a day—in the morning, before lunch and in the late afternoon. Train your team to eliminate unnecessary emails and avoid “reply all.” Consider holding a “no email” day (or afternoon) once a week so people can focus on work uninterrupted.
Limit meetings. Hold meetings only when necessary and keep them as brief as possible. (Holding meetings standing up can encourage brevity.) Start on time, and people who are habitually late will quickly learn to show up on time.
Use technology. There are apps to help you do everything faster, from scanning receipts to sharing contact information to taking notes and more. Search “business productivity apps” online, and ask your colleagues what apps they rely on, to find the best ones for you.
Pare down. Are you participating in organizations, reading industry publications or using outdated processes that no longer add value to your business? Look for ways to simplify and streamline, whether by canceling memberships, unsubscribing from emails or revamping business processes.
Delegate. Trying to do everything themselves is a common time-waster for small business owners. Determine which tasks only you can perform, then train your employees to take over the rest. Yes, training will take a little time upfront, but it will save you time in the long run.
Get enough rest and exercise. It sounds counterintuitive, but taking time out to exercise and get adequate sleep will give you the energy to get through your day more effectively and productively.

Rieva Lesonsky is founder and President of GrowBiz Media, a media and custom content company focusing on small business and entrepreneurship. Before launching her business, she was Editorial Director of Entrepreneur Magazine. Follow Rieva at Twitter.com/Rieva and visit her website SmallBizDaily.com to get the scoop on business trends and sign up for free TrendCast reports.

10 Tips for a More Successful Business in 2013 – January 2013

admin — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 23:39:54 +0000

Do you want your small business to enjoy a higher profile, greater success, more engaged employees and increased profitability in 2013? For a better business in the New Year, begin by making resolutions to improve in the 10 areas below.

Have a plan. Too often, small business owners get so caught up in day-to-day operations that they neglect long-range planning. If you have a business plan, update it to reflect your current goals. If you’ve never written a business plan, do so—it will force you to think about what you want to achieve in 2013 and beyond.
Take action. Don’t put that business plan in a drawer and forget about it. No matter how busy you are, set aside at least one hour a week to assess your progress toward the goals you’ve set. Together with your partners and key employees, create action steps and set deadlines for accomplishing them.
Give your website a makeover. Does your business’s website reflect what you do, or is the information outdated? Does it look current, or is it sporting a design template from 1999? Does it load easily on mobile devices so customers can access your business wherever they are? Make the necessary changes to modernize your website.
Take charge of your finances. If you’re not already using accounting software, make 2013 the year you upgrade. A program such as QuickBooks is inexpensive, easy to learn and makes budgeting and forecasting simple.
Plan ahead for financing. How will you finance your business growth plans for 2013? If you can’t fund growth from profits, investigate options for outside financing, whether from bank loans, private investors such as angel capital groups, or your friends and family.
Start socializing. No matter what your industry, almost any business can benefit from social media. If you aren’t currently using social media, resolve to try at least one social network in 2013. If you are active on social media, step it up a notch by learning more about your favorite social network, posting more often or adding more videos and photos to your mix.
Delegate. It’s tough for small business owners to give up control, but delegation is essential for business growth. Give employees more autonomy so you don’t become a bottleneck in your organization. Try to structure operations so you can focus on your strengths and delegate the rest.
Assess your HR needs. Do your employees have the skills your business needs to grow in 2013? Whether you need to provide additional training, hire new employees or outsource to independent contractors, think about how you will fill the gaps.
Upgrade your equipment. Whether it’s technology tools like tablets and smartphones or a new pizza oven for your restaurant, small changes can make a big difference to your bottom line. Decide what investment would have the biggest impact on your productivity and profits, and figure out a way to make it happen.
Celebrate success. No matter how busy you are, be sure to celebrate when you, your employees and your business achieve important goals. Taking time out to recognize results will re-energize you and your team for the next challenge.

Do you need help achieving any of these goals? Contact your local SBDC, where expert Business Advisors can assist with all of these activities and more.

Rieva Lesonsky is founder and President of GrowBiz Media, a media and custom content company focusing on small business and entrepreneurship. Before launching her business, she was Editorial Director of Entrepreneur Magazine. Follow Rieva at Twitter.com/Rieva and visit her website SmallBizDaily.com to get the scoop on business trends and sign up for free TrendCast reports.

SBDC Partners to Help Create Center for Entrepreneurship and Growth

admin — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 19:33:22 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Bruce Battle
Release No. COC-11.30.12-SBDC (661) 362-5604
November 30, 2012

SANTA CLARITA — The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at College of the Canyons has joined forces with California Lutheran University (CLU), the firm Homeier & Law, P.C., and the Maverick Angels investment network to establish a program to bring a wide range of new services and resources to small business owners and entrepreneurs throughout the San Fernando, East Ventura and Santa Clarita Valleys.

“We are very pleased to help found this unique program,” said SBDC Executive Director Steve Tannehill. “Our role in helping to establish the Center and its Institute program represents the next logical phase of expanded services available to SBDC clients.

The Center anticipates choosing up to 20 applicants to participate in the first Institute cohort, which is scheduled to begin in early January.

Participants will be chosen through a competitive selection process, with all applicants asked to complete an on-line application and commit to completing the entire six-week program.

For more information visit www.callutheran.edu/management/centers/.

10 Tips for Creating and Managing Employee Morale – December 2012

admin — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:52:51 +0000

In today’s challenging economy, your employees have been doing more with less for quite a while. As a result, they may be starting to feel a bit burned out. How can you create and maintain good employee morale so your team will be happier, more loyal and more productive in their jobs? Try these 10 tips.

Be a positive person. As the business owner, you set the tone for the whole company. Even when you’re feeling stressed-out and grumpy, you need to project a smiling, positive attitude. Optimism is contagious; spread it around!
Communicate your company’s goals. Employees feel more motivated to work hard when they know the goal they’re working toward. If everyone is working long hours to land a big client or fulfill a rush order, make sure your team knows how accomplishing this goal will benefit the company and their jobs.
Listen. Many employees today are overloaded with work, but reluctant to say anything about it. Ask employees what problems they’re facing and what they need to do their jobs better. You may not be able to fulfill every request, but there’s sure to be something you can do to help lighten the load.
Make work fun. Take a lesson from successful companies like Google and Facebook, where employees gladly work long hours because the office is a fun place to be. Think about what your employees would enjoy, whether potluck lunches, yoga breaks or bringing their pets to the office, and implement it.
Come together. Feeling part of a group builds employee morale and loyalty. Hold quick morning meetings where everyone shares challenges or successes; plan team events like happy hours or bowling after work; and walk around to talk to your employees regularly, no matter how busy you are.
Celebrate. Whether it’s employee birthdays, reaching a sales quota, the anniversary of your business or your 1,000^th customer, celebrate the good stuff in your business. Public recognition of both individual and team successes builds momentum to achieve even more.
Pay fair. Money is a big morale-booster. Make sure your pay scale is competitive with similar businesses in your industry and region. If you can’t afford to give employees raises, consider implementing pay-for-performance with bonuses or profit-sharing plans that are tied to the company’s financial performance.
Empower employees. Employees want to feel autonomous and be treated like adults. Set policies and limits, but within those limits, give your workers leeway to figure out how to handle problems or accomplish tasks in their own way.
Offer work perks. Working from home or working flexible hours are perks that employees value enormously. If their duties permit it, give employees this kind of flexibility at least one day a week—and watch their mood improve.
Nip negativity in the bud. One bad apple can spoil the whole team’s morale. Be aware of what employees are talking about, and deal with rumor-mongers, gossips and complainers quickly so they don’t infect the rest of your staff.

Rieva Lesonsky is founder and President of GrowBiz Media, a media and custom content company focusing on small business and entrepreneurship. Before launching her business, she was Editorial Director of Entrepreneur Magazine. Follow Rieva at Twitter.com/Rieva and visit her website SmallBizDaily.com to get the scoop on business trends and sign up for free TrendCast reports.

Tracking and Managing Small Business Expenses – November 2012

admin — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:51:37 +0000

Are you properly tracking and managing your small business’s expenses (the costs associated with operating your business)? Recording and regularly reviewing your business expenses helps you pinpoint unnecessary expenditures, cut costs and be better prepared come tax time.

To improve the way you track and manage your business expenses, try these 10 tips.

Get automated. Accounting software such as Quickbooks greatly simplifies tracking and managing expenses. Be sure to choose the same program your accountant uses or one that is compatible; this makes it easy for you or your accountant to import information directly to your tax return at tax time. Microsoft Office also offers spreadsheet templates you can use to track business expenses.
Prepare for tax time. Be especially sure to accurately record expenses you plan to deduct on your business taxes, such as travel and entertainment, business use of vehicles, office equipment and supplies, association fees and charitable contributions. Visit the IRS website for details on deductible business expenses.
Never mingle business and personal funds. Avoid using personal cash, checking accounts or credit cards for business expenses. Even if you reimburse yourself or employees for these expenditures, commingling funds adds unnecessary complexity and can expose your business to IRS scrutiny.
Watch your cash. Petty cash expenditures can create problems if not adequately tracked. Limit the use of petty cash to times when it’s absolutely necessary. Create a cash account in your financial software to track cash expenditures.
Save receipts. You’ll need receipts to document tax-deductible expenses in case you’re ever audited. Jot down the purpose of the expense on each receipt. Save storage space and hassles by using a scanner or your smartphone to create PDFs or photos of receipts and file them digitally.
Be timely. Record expenses as soon as possible after they occur so you don’t end up with piles of receipts. Regularly documenting data saves you time in the long run and ensures your financial records are always up to date.
Give yourself credit. Using business credit cards streamlines expense recording, since business credit card statements typically break down your monthly, quarterly and annual spending into categories. And with most retailers now accepting credit cards for amounts as small as $5, there’s little need to carry cash.
Harness technology. There are mobile apps (applications) and cloud-based solutions that enable you to track expenses wherever you are and categorize them to the appropriate project or client. Look for products that integrate easily with your existing accounting software.
Monitor results. Using your accounting software, create weekly and monthly reports to examine your expenses and revenues. Develop a monthly, quarterly and annual budget based on past expenditures. Regularly monitor your expenses to see if they’re in line with your budget.
Trim the fat. Are your expenses escalating beyond your budget, or do you need to improve your profit margins? Look at each expense to figure out where you can cut back, starting with those that don’t directly contribute to the bottom line.

Rieva Lesonsky is founder and President of GrowBiz Media, a media and custom content company focusing on small business and entrepreneurship. Before launching her business, she was Editorial Director of Entrepreneur Magazine. Follow Rieva at Twitter.com/Rieva and visit her website SmallBizDaily.com to get the scoop on business trends and sign up for free TrendCast reports.

sponsored by vsolvit

Emerging Tech Salon: Business Workshops for Technology Entrepreneurs – 11/29/12

admin — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 16:27:12 +0000

Emerging Commerce Council

Thursday, November 29, 2012

1:30 PM to 3:00 PM

Many technology startup entrepreneurs would happily admit that they love nothing more than spending their days on product development. However, financial, legal, recruiting, sales and marketing are all aspects of businesses you cannot afford to neglect.

Join us at our next Emerging Tech Salon for a special afternoon off workshop breakouts as our featured speakers, who range in marketing and business expertise, will lead several intimate discussions.

The Emerging Commerce Council identifies and engages with business clusters that have economic growth potential – including signature, emerging and innovative industry groups. The Council aims to promote policies that will strengthen these industries, elevate their global reach, drive job creation and regional economic prosperity.

Business Workshops Include:

Preparing for your series A round
Structure your business and financial documentation and present your product in a manner that appeals to a wider pool of investors regardless of their background. Workshop leader: Ernst & Young

The art and science of a contract
Create the proper documentation, structure and language that clearly conveys the terms and conditions of a legally binding contract. Workshop leader: TBA

Social media and lead generation
Discover how to properly generate a social media community aligned with your product and generate qualified leads. Workshop leader: David Henzel,Partner/VP of Marketing,NetDNA

Recruiting and retaining talent
Develop a recruitment strategy that best communicates your mission, culture and product to appeal and retain the best and brightest employees for your company. Workshop leader: TBA

Location: L.A. Area Chamber, 350 S. Bixel Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017. Room: Board Room.

For more information, contact Jessica Duboff at 213-580-7558.

To register for this workshop, click on link: http://bit.ly/T4TlyP

Free Bonding Is Achievable Workshop – SBA LA District Office – 11/28/12

admin — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 18:31:01 +0000

Surety Bonding is achievable – SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program

HUB ZONE—8A—WOMAN OWNED—VETERAN OWNED—DBE—SMALL BUSINESSES—MBE

Bonding and insurance have been barriers preventing small businesses from obtaining city, state, federal, and other public government funded contracts. This workshop will cover bond resources including the SBA’s “quick bond app.” Application assistance will be provided for bond pre-qualification, during this valuable workshop. Licensed insurance agent Charlene Reynolds will also discuss proper liability insurance requirements for contractors and professional services companies.

November 28, 2012

9:00 am to 11:00 am

SBA Los Angeles District Office

330 North Brand Suite 1200

Glendale, CA 91203

Free Workshop – parking is $9 at SBA building.

*** Register at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4795303883/rss# ***

10 Tips for Growing Your Family Business – October 2012

admin — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:11:14 +0000

Family businesses bring special rewards, such as inherent trust, the camaraderie of working with loved ones and the joy of building a lasting legacy. However, running a family business also poses some special challenges. Perhaps that’s why, according to the Family Business Institute, fewer than one-third of family businesses last beyond the first generation and just 12 percent survive to the third generation. How can you make sure your family business doesn’t fall victim to those odds?

Follow these 10 tips.

Run your family business like a business. If most or all of your key employees are family members, it’s easy to get sloppy about things like keeping your corporation in compliance, properly documenting decisions or maintaining accurate financial records. Always treat your business like a business.
Create a succession plan. If you want your business to survive, you must develop a plan for what will happen when you retire, die or otherwise exit the company. But a recent PricewaterhouseCoopers survey found that nearly half of family businesses had no succession plan. Enlist your accountant, attorney, key employees and family members in developing a succession plan that details who will take on key roles.
Develop leadership among all employees. Hold regular performance reviews for family and nonfamily employees alike. Provide training in-house, through local community college and adult education programs, or through industry associations to develop employees’ strengths and streamline the succession process.
Don’t play favorites. If non-family employees believe they have no chance of moving up in the company, they’ll quickly become resentful and unmotivated. Set a clear path to promotion and advancement for both family and non-family employees.
Separate business and family expenses. You might be tempted to make loans from the company to family members, or to let them write off personal expenses (such as the purchase of a car or vacation home) as business expenses. Even if such actions don’t get you in trouble with the IRS, they will foster resentment among non-family employees.
Set boundaries. Decide when discussing the business is allowed and when it’s off-limits (such as during dinner, or at holiday gatherings). This helps ensure that family relationships don’t revolve solely around business and aren’t poisoned by business conflicts.
Communicate openly. Non-family employees often feel they’re kept in the dark about the inner workings of family businesses. Whenever possible, share information openly with family and nonfamily employees alike.
Don’t guarantee employment. Each family member should have an opportunity to work in the business, but not everyone will be suited to continue doing so. Base hiring decisions on the business’s – not the family member’s—needs. Talk to your attorney about structuring the business so that nonemployee family members can still have some ownership.
Learn to resolve conflicts. Business conflicts can infect family relationships; family problems can flare up disguised as business issues. Develop a plan for dealing with business-related disagreements between family members, both those who work in the business and those who do not.
Get outside input. Whether you’re dealing with personal conflicts or trying to make business decisions, seeking opinions from trusted outsiders such as your board of directors or an SBDC Business Advisor can give you much-needed perspective.