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For the past few weeks my heads down working on one of my businesses , TheBDevent. The entire concept is focused around bringing executives together in a particular industry, segment of the Technology Industry for education and peer networking without the distractions that a typical trade event brings of multiple different areas to cover and too many places to be. The event is regionalized and held in different parts of the country a few time a year. Well, we’re just about done with our 3 day event in Boston and I’ve learned a few thing and have been reminded of a few thing this week.

1. Personal Connection makes a difference: There is very great value in meeting somebody face to face, shaking their hand, and grabbing a chair for discussion .  Getting to know them better from both a business and personal perspective has a huge impact on the ability to do better business when you’re in different geographic areas and spend a majority of the time communicating via email and telephone. You can build a stronger relationship when you personally connect with them.

2. A little enjoyment goes a long way: While we may have fun with it, most of us spend a lot of time running from place to place, stressed out and plain old tired as we grow our businesses. It continue to amaze me what happens when bringing people together, in one place, to get a little work done and then allowing time to socialize and relax. Brilliant ideas are born and synergies are created. Sometimes in the formal meeting, sometimes at dinner or at the bar afterward. I realize how substantial in business relationship to hang out with your client though we don’t get to do it enough because both of us spread across the country.

3. The value of the live event is huge: When you get dozens/hundreds of the smartest people in an industry together then bring in other smart people to provide education through discussions, forums and presentations – the collective “smartness” increases. The learning that is done leads to new concept , new products, new partnerships, new relationships , etc. As event promoters, we may not know it during the event or right away – but at some point something that was said at X event has a positive effect on someone and they make action. New companies and new products are born.

4. We are all human: Our events include many of the “who’s who gurus” of the industry. I’m talking about the people with oodles of respect, money and influence. It is wonderful to take time out of their busy days to join us and share with us. And yes, sometimes I am surprised they take the time – but they do. They weren’t always gurus or part of the who’s who. They started someplace, worked hard and moved up and didn’t forget their roots or their friends. It is amazing to watch. Having put on these events for a while now, it continues to remind me that deep down we’re all just people looking to grow our businesses and live a good life and that connecting and helping others learn is all a part of that.

I want to propose an idea to you to take a look around your industry and see if there is an association or group of people that puts on live events during the year and if you haven’t been to one I want you to look into it . Whether you’re a lawyer, florist, realtor, artist, mechanic, network marketer, or basket weaver – there are others like you , your peers, that want to get to know you. And there are events for you. Go, enjoy yourself, learn and you’ll benefit from the information and friendship gained. Trust me on this one . I experienced it myself and seen it happen.

Have a great day!

P.S. I appreciate your feedback and look forward to your comments. For more information about my services or to find out how we can partner together call me at 503-780-3203 or email me at vanessa@vanessaduplessie.com.

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The U.S. Small Business Administration this week announced proposals aimed at strengthening opportunities for disadvantaged small businesses to benefit from its 8(a) Business Development program.

The proposed 8(a) regulation changes are the result of the first comprehensive review of the 8(a) program in a number of years and were published today in the Federal Register. The rules cover a variety of areas of the program, ranging from providing further clarification on determining economic disadvantage to requirements on Joint Ventures and the Mentor-Protégé program. The public comment period on the proposed changes is open for 60 days.

“The 8(a) program has a proven record as an effective program for helping disadvantaged small businesses gain access to training and contracting opportunities to help them grow, create jobs and ultimately succeed in the marketplace once they graduate from the program,” SBA Administrator Karen Mills said. “These proposed changes build on that foundation of success, and will strengthen the program and maximize its benefits for eligible small businesses.”

The 8(a) program is a nine-year business development program for small businesses that fit the SBA’s criteria of being socially and economically disadvantaged.  The 8(a) program helps these firms develop their business and provides them with access to government contracting opportunities, allowing them to become solid competitors in the federal marketplace.  It also provides specialized business training, counseling, marketing assistance and high-level executive development to its participants.  In FY08, small businesses received $16.1 billion in 8(a) contracts.

Some of the components of the 8(a) program that the proposed changes will affect include:

• Joint Ventures – qualifying that 8(a) firms are required to perform a significant portion of the work to ensure that these companies are able to build capacity;
• Economic Disadvantage – providing more clarification on economic disadvantage as it relates to total assets, gross income, retirement accounts and a spouse of an 8(a) company owner in determining the owner’s access to capital and credit;
• Mentor-Protégé Program – requiring that assistance provided through the Mentor-Protégé relationship is directly tied to the protégé firm’s business plan;
• Ownership and Control Requirements – providing flexibility in admitting individuals of immediate family members of current and former 8(a)participants;
• Tribally-Owned Firms – seeking public comments on the best way to determine whether a tribe meets the criteria of being economically disadvantaged for the 8(a) program;
• Excessive Withdrawals – amending regulations on what is considered excessive as a basis for termination or early graduation from the 8(a) program; and
• Business Size for Primary Industry – requiring that a firm’s size status remainsmall for its primary industry code during its participation in the 8(a) program.

Small businesses may submit comments to this proposed rule on or before Dec. 28, 2009, to www.regulations.gov, where they will be posted or mailing them to 409 3rd St. SW, Mail Code: 6610, Washington, DC  20416 or via e-mail at:
8aBD2@sba.gov.

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Small business loans are hard to find, and credit-card lines (a critical funding source to small businesses) have been cut by 25% since last year.

The banks get bailouts, while small businesses are left out in the cold.  Why do small businesses matter so much? In the U.S., small businesses employ 50% of the country’s workforce and contribute 38% of GDP. If you truly want to support economy, you have to support small businesses.

The Credit Crunch Continues

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The Division of Workers Compensation has asked that I let you know about a campaign to provide small businesses money to bring injured workers back to work.

Please see information below.

Small Business California is supporting SB356 by Senator Rod Wright to allow small businesses the ability to give more input on regulations before they become law. You have told us in our survey that the cost of complying with regulations is one of the top issues for small business in the state. A study will be coming out shortly that will show that small businesses  in California pay significantly more than larger companies to comply with these regulations.

For more information on SB 356 go to www.leginfo.ca.gov

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