UCO Small Business Development Center

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2011-08-29T08:44:00.000-05:00

Hello all - We are so much busier in our consulting work here with small businesses in central Oklahoma, that something gives. When it comes to a choice between the blog and the center Facebook page, the Facebook page wins out.

So there continues to be good information, comments and information on and for small businesses at www.Facebook.com/ucosbdc. Thanks for reading!

2011-07-10T22:11:00.001-05:00

UCO College of Business Dean Mickey Hepner in the news!

We're proud of our Dean. Here is a link to the article in the Sunday Oklahoma. http://ping.fm/P8sMm

2011-06-03T09:45:00.001-05:00

A bit of Friday drivel. A new product for the work weary! http://ping.fm/BKAhQ

2011-06-01T09:28:00.001-05:00

We know what we at OSBDC do to help clients grow their business. But one hears elected officials talk about growing jobs. How is that done? http://ping.fm/sSXSz

2011-05-30T09:33:00.001-05:00

Memorial Day. Thank you to all who served and gave their lives for our country.

2011-05-26T17:29:00.001-05:00

Did you know - SBA now has a free mobile app? iPhone and Adroid!

2011-05-26T13:32:00.001-05:00

Early bird special getting ready to end for Tinker and The Primes. Click http://ping.fm/LTVeI

2011-05-19T15:46:00.001-05:00

There is an opening in the OSBDC network - at the lead center at Southeastern State University. Being a consultant with the OSBDC is fulfilling work. If you are interested, please apply! Love having good colleagues! http://ping.fm/GahVn

2011-05-19T11:34:00.001-05:00

10 years for the Apple Store. Interesting article about the thought patterns of how they set their stores up. "He wouldn’t set up the stores as sales machines that try to convince customers to make a purchase. Instead, Apple’s products would sell themselves. So Johnson and his assembled team created a superior experience for store visitors, one that includes the perfect store location, impressive architecture, inviting interior design, and incredible employees." He wouldn’t set up the stores as sales machines that try to convince customers to make a purchase. Instead, Apple’s products would sell themselves. So Johnson and his assembled team created a superior experience for store visitors, one that includes the perfect store location, impressive architecture, inviting interior design, and incredible employees. http://ping.fm/RCAgm

A shout out!

2011-05-15T15:39:00.000-05:00

One of our friends, Annette Colbert-Latham of Visage Productions has been featured on a national ad for DeVry University. Way to go!

Business is doing well - we need more space! Good or bad decision?

2011-05-11T19:24:00.000-05:00

It depends. When a company is doing well with sales, sometimes you might think that if you just add more space that your sales will follow proportionately. But, there are many considerations to make before adding new space or expensive equipment. This article explores some of the pitfalls and some of the considerations you should make as to whether or not you move and expand, or where you make some changes in your operation, product mix and so on. Points to ponder.

Friday drivel. How NOT to reduce your cost of goods sold expense.

2011-05-06T08:14:00.000-05:00

This caught my eye in the newspaper this morning about the local guy who stole Lego kits from Target and then sold them on eBay. Well. I guess that it is a way to get your cost of goods lowered, but this is not a technique we would recommend!

Keep the cash registers humming, but keep it legal!

Welcoming Enersolve to The Catbird Seat!

2011-05-05T12:09:00.000-05:00

The Catbird Seat is an incubator co-located with us. Welcome to new residents Enersolve! Enersolve is an Oklahoma City based energy efficiency company with RESNET and BPI Certified Auditors. We specialize in professional residential and commercial energy audits, certified HERS Ratings for clients seeking energy efficiency mortgages, home performance contracting for clients ready to make efficient improvements and Green Building Consulting for builders, architects, and homeowners alike.

Going for bigger fish, or are smaller ones OK? Your market niche.

2011-05-04T07:36:00.000-05:00

It's always a decision as to where your market niche is? Are you looking to sell your goods to WalMart, for example, or the local independently owned boutique? Here is an article of a screen printer who made a choice finding niches for the smaller companies, and his pricing decisions on that. Pretty interesting. Here is a followup article that has the owner responding to reader comments.

Improving Company Culture

2011-04-25T21:27:00.000-05:00

Life is too, too short not to enjoy your work. Read about what someone else has done to help improve culture and moral in their company. Might spur a thought for your own! We pool our funds for GREAT coffee. It's important to us. I also retired some plastic glasses that I guess should never have been through a dishwasher, and personally brought in a set of glass glasses. Little thing. The cost of a lunch. But what a pleasure to have nice glasses.

Upcoming Events

2011-04-25T11:10:00.000-05:00

SBIR/STTR Proposal Workshop

SBIR/STTR Workshop will be conducted by the Greenwood Consulting Group (www.g-jgreenwood.com), nationally recognized experts in the preparation of successful proposals to the $3 billion federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. The first day of this two day workshop will cover the basics of how to develop a proposal including the most current guidance from the federal program managers. The second day will be devoted to the budget section of the proposal which is the most common problem area in a preparing a proposal.

Register Now
Tuesday May 3rd - 8am to 4:30pm
Wednesday May 4th - 8am to 4:30pm

E-Commerce Seminar

Designed for rookies, novices, fledglings, neophytes, and tenderfoots looking to start an online business or take an existing brick-and-mortar store digital. This is specifically designed for companies selling online, not just general web design. Topics covered: the do's and don'ts of e-commerce, payment gateways, customer interaction, social media marketing, etc., etc. It's the "Kevin Durant" of e-business seminars.

Register Now
Tuesday May 24th, 9:30 am until noon
Brought to you by Level9, A Digital Agency
Presenters: Jeff Simpson and Tara Martin

Friday drivel. "Truth in Advertising"

2011-04-22T10:02:00.000-05:00

Hope you are having a good Friday and that it is a profitable day. We have spent the last few days with our Oklahoma SBDC network colleagues, as well as attending the SBA Small Business Awards luncheon. Kudos to Lisa Thiessen from the Oklahoma SBDC center located at Southwestern Oklahoma State University's office in Weatherford who received the Veteran's Champion Award.

Just a picture to put a smile on your face.

2011-04-20T21:30:00.001-05:00

For our restaurant clients - the Oklahoma Restaurant Association is hosting 4 free webinars specifically for dining establishments and using social media for promotion.
http://ping.fm/uFmaA

Tax day is over! A little humor.

2011-04-19T08:24:00.000-05:00

2011-04-18T10:55:00.001-05:00

What happens if all your records are lost due to a disaster, or your accountant skips town? Info about rebuilding your records. Easier to do because there are more electronic ways. http://ping.fm/4gT3g

2011-04-18T10:50:00.001-05:00

Tax day today. We have had it happen where a client has lost a copy of their tax return. Did you know that you can request a printout, or check and see if your return has been filed? Come into the IRS office downtown OKC, or call the Bus. specialty hotline at 800-829-4933.

2011-03-30T15:50:00.001-05:00

Did you know that there is a health care tax credit available to small business owners?? Checkhttp://ping.fm/Mszdk to see if you qualify this year, or what you need to do to claim future credit.

2011-03-30T13:39:00.001-05:00

One hour web chat from SBA focusing on new contracting program for Women-Owned Small Businesses. 3/31 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. EASTERN time. Go to http://ping.fm/SyfP3

Farewell to an Oklahoma entrepreneur

2011-03-24T22:52:00.000-05:00

I remember meeting Lawton entrepreneur Edna Hennessee some 20 years ago now. She was this wonderful, energetic lady who had the greatest heart and passion for business, for Oklahomans and business and was an inspiration to many. She was 91 years old, so when I met her, she was a mature woman with the fire and energy of a much younger person.

I was saddened to note her passing today, but what a privilege to have had even a small exposure to a great lady. Rest in peace and rise in glory.

Eight Fallacies of Entrepreneurship

2011-03-23T17:02:00.000-05:00

We hear a lot of reasons why people want to be business owners, and this author has heard a lot of the same comments! One thing, that you will work harder for yourself than you will ever work for anyone else. And yet, I also see that if you love what you do, and you are a true entrepreneur, you would never again work for anyone else. Click here for some information on the fallacies of entrepreneurship.