Project Management
by Kevin Baiotto, Business and Industry Specialist,
University of Missouri Extension
With a sincere effort to communicate, motivate and celebrate,
project managers can move teams to completion of even the most daunting
tasks.
Small Business
Owners Often "Held Hostage" by Employees
by Danielle Rodenbough, principal of Trouble at Work?
Entrepreneurs sometimes feel like they are "held hostage"
by an employee who has generated business, become well-acquainted with
customers and understands company operations. Certain signals can help
assess the likelihood of a "hostage" situation allowing the
business owner to take action to protect the business.
The Problem of Employee
Theft
by Mary Paulsell, Assistant Director, Missouri Small
Business Development Centers
A look at the many forms employee theft may take with
ways to prevent it and manage it should suspicions arise.
Creating
Customer Loyalty and Longevity
by Jackie Rasmussen, Business and Industry Specialist,
University of Missouri Extension
Strategies that will retain customers and turn them into
advocates and referral sources for your business.
How Well is Your
"Open Door" Policy Working?
by Rick Sparks, Business and Industry Specialist,
University of Missouri Extension
What is a true open door policy and how can you implement
it in your business?
You've Got Mail
- Have You Checked Your Office Email Policy Lately?
by Virginia Wilson, Business and Industry Specialist,
University of Missouri Extension
Setting rules for the personal use of email at work may help improve productivity and avoid misunderstanding. By stating what is considered as inappropriate email content you can minimize the risk of lawsuits and liability.
A MO PTAC Success
Story
by Greg McMullin, Procurement Specialist,
Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
A study of one Missouri business that utilized the bid
matching capabilities offered by the Missouri Procurement Technical
Assistance Centers, winning a government contract.
Changing
the Culture in your Business
by Willis Mushrush, Business and Industry Specialist,
University of Missouri Extension
To respond effectively to ever-changing demands, organizations
must be prepared to change constantly. One key to successful organizational
change is to involve employees in the process.
Trust is Key to
Accomplishing Mission
by Cassy Venters, Program Coordinator, University of Missouri Extension Business Development Program
Trust is important in the workplace for high productivity,
low turnover and to accomplish the mission. Methods for developing trust
are discussed.
Is Your Workplace
Safe?
by Rick Sparks, Business
and Industry Specialist, University of Missouri Extension
A sound safety and security program requires a commitment
by management. Effective programs include an assessment of the workplace,
a proposal for correcting deficiencies, employee education and training,
recordkeeping and evaluation.
Is Your
Business Flirting With Disaster?
by Barbara Cunningham,
Business and Industry Specialist, University of Missouri Extension
Small business owners and managers should take the time
to develop a documented disaster plan. This article explores a variety
of disaster concerns to consider planning for.
Finding
and Keeping Good Employees
by Mary Paulsell, Missouri Small Business Development
Centers
Considerations for finding employees that are a good
fit for your business plus tips for retaining them by creating a good
work environment.
The
Employee Handbook - a Necessary Evil for Small Companies
by Danielle Rodenbough,
principal of Trouble At Work (TAW), a Human Resources Consulting firm,
in Leawood, Kansas
A discussion of the benefits and key reasons why small
businesses need a handbook.
Ignoring
Employee Conflicts can be Dangerous
by Danielle Rodenbough,
principal of Trouble At Work (TAW), a Human Resources Consulting firm,
in Leawood, Kansas
Work conflicts can damage careers and interfere with
teams if left unresolved. Acknowledging and addressing the conflict
effectively is part of a manager's responsibility and duty.
The
Missouri Recycling Market Development Program
by Rick Sparks, Business and Industry Specialist,
University of Missouri Extension
The MMDP offers valuable resources to businesses that
can benefit from using recyclables in the manufacturing process. Businesses
taking advantage of the program may be eligible for financial incentives,
technical assistance and information services.
Dealing
with Military Call-Ups in the Work Place
by Mary Paulsell, Missouri
Small Business Development Centers
Small business owners or managers are advised to become
reacquainted with policies regarding military leave and reemployment
rights. This article also reviews some of the financial assistance available
from SBA.
America at
War: Attitude Makes a Difference
by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service
- Sam Quick, Ph.D., Human Development and Family Relations Specialist;
Carole Gnatuk, Ed.D., Child Development Specialist; and Alex Lesueur,
Jr., M.S.L.S, Staff Support Associate
Tips for taking care of yourself and adjusting your attitude
during war time.
Raising
Capital in Missouri - Part 1
by John Parfet, Business and Industry Specialist,
University of Missouri Extension
Raising capital is a continual challenge for business
owners. Possible solutions are reviewed in this article, including the
MIR program offered by the Missouri Securities Division.
Raising
Capital in Missouri - Part II
by John Parfet, Business and Industry Specialist,
University of Missouri Extension
There is a source of seed funding to support critical
early-stage research and development of intellectual property from the
federal government. An option for Missouri entrepreneurs seeking to
raise capital for an R&D effort is to look into the Small Business Innovation
Research (SBIR), accessible via MoFAST services.
The Balanced
Scorecard for Small Business
by Jackie Rasmussen, Business and Industry Specialist,
University of Missouri Extension
The Balanced Scorecard is a tool that improves communication,
empowers people to make informed decisions and aligns work throughout
the company. By reinforcing behaviors that are important to reach your
company's goals and providing a time-efficient means to evaluate progress
toward strategic goals, the scorecard allows you to monitor your company's
business health.
Making the Good
GREAT!
by Jackie Rasmussen, Business and Industry Specialist,
University of Missouri Extension
The SMART Self-Assessment is an intensive course that
will help owners and managers understand how to analyze their company
using the Criteria for Performance Excellence, the acknowledged best
measure of management performance in the business world. The Criteria
are now adapted to meet the needs, conditions and environments of small
businesses.
Characteristics
of an Effective Team
by Rick Sparks, Business and Industry Specialist,
University of Missouri Extension
Successful teams are empowered to establish a team's
goals, make decisions about how to achieve goals, undertake the tasks
required to meet them and to be accountable for results. A dozen effective
team characteristics are reviewed in this article.
Regional
Planning Commissions Provide Valuable Resources For Economic Development
by Willis Mushrush, Business and Industry Specialist,
University of Missouri Extension
Regional planning commissions, with activities based
on local needs, provide tremendous resources to community and economic
developers as well as to individuals that need technical assistance
in project development. Some have low-interest loan funds available
to businesses.
The
Enterprise Zone Tax Benefit
by Rick Sparks, Business and Industry Specialist,
University of Missouri Extension
Missouri's enterprise zone tax credit program facilitates
expansion of businesses in the state's 66 enterprise zones by providing
state income tax credits to a business based on the number of new jobs
and amount of new investment created at the qualifying facility. The
business may earn credits based other criteria, including jobs and investment.
Seed
Capital Funding Cycle
by John Parfet, Business and Industry Specialist,
University of Missouri Extension
Many businesses fail because of improper planning and
understanding of capital. Taking time to develop plans and understand
capital needs throughout the different stages of the business can help
lead to a successful business venture.
What
do Business Success and Understanding your Financial Statement have
in Common?
by Rayanna Anderson, Asst. Director, Southwest Missouri
State University Small Business Development Center
One of the key contributors to success is an owner's ability to understand
financial statements. Making it in today's business world is more than
looking at the bottom line occasionally. It involves understanding and
interpreting what the income statement, balance sheet and what key financial
ratios really mean and using that information to make informed business
decisions.
Lease vs. Purchase
Considerations
by Rick Sparks, Business and Industry Specialist,
University of Missouri Extension
Before making a decision whether to lease or purchase capital equipment,
you may want to perform some calculations. Intelligent cost analysis
can help lead to sound decisions.
USDA
Rural Development Financing Programs for Business
by Willis Mushrush, Business and Industry Specialist,
University of Missouri Extension
A short synopsis of the many business resources available to promote
business growth and opportunities through the United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA).
Foundations
to Marketing
by Chris Bouchard, Program Specialist, Missouri Small
Business Development Centers
Marketing is one aspect of running a business that companies know is
important but find challenging to implement effectively. Your ability
to systemize these processes so that they can be regularly evaluated
and improved, is a key to marketing success.
A Do-It-Yourself
Approach to Market Research
by Gwen Richtermeyer, Ph.D.
Doing market research can be a daunting endeavor if you think you have
to answer all the questions and get all the information you want. If
you tackle it one small piece at a time and devote some resources to
increasing your knowledge, you be pleasantly surprised at how much you
learn about your product, customer and industry.
Newsletter archives: 2004
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