Monday, October 19, 2015

SBA: How to prepare proposals | ACA open enrollment begins Nov 1 | Winter weather preparedness

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Contracting October

Ready to start contracting with the federal government? 



These resources will help you identify, create, and pursue potential business opportunities >> Learn more


Or, take a course in our Government Contracting Classroom

Learning Center

How to Prepare Government Contract Proposals

This course explains the government’s contract-solicitation process and describes how to prepare a proposal in response.  

Event | Destination:HUB - Baltimore, MD

Matchmaking opportunities for HUBZone-certified firms, featuring Deputy Administrator Douglas Kramer

Tuesday, November 10, 2015 | 8:30 AM EST – Noon

The HUBZone Program encourages economic development and employment growth in distressed areas by providing opportunities for firms to become active participants in the federal supply chain.  Destination: HUB is designed promotes and supports HUBZone firms as they compete for more federal contracting opportunities, while ensuring local economic development boards, government officials, federal buyers, and prime contractors work hand in hand to bring more sole-source and set-aside awards, to HUBZones and HUBZone-certified firms.  Registration is required to attend.

    

Open Enrollment Begins November 1, 2016

 

The Affordable Care Act 101 Webinar Series 


Find out how to navigate the opportunities in health care through the Affordable Care Act 101 webinar series. Registration is free, but required.   

The webinar takes place every other Thursday at 2 PM ET
The Affordable Care Act 101 in Spanish takes place once monthly on Tuesdays at 4 pm ET/1 pm PT. 
For more information on what the health care law means for small businesses, check out www.sba.gov/healthcare
   

Webinar | How to Prepare Your Small Business For Winter Weather Threats

Disaster Aug 17-21

Winter is two months away, so now is a good time to start thinking about a plan to protect your small business from winter weather threats.  Prepare yourself for the pounding rainfall, massive snowstorms, burst pipes on the heels of freezing temperatures or power outages that could force you to shut down your business this winter.

On Tuesday, October 27 from 2 to 2:30 p.m. ET, Agility Recovery and SBA will host a free webinar focusing on winter weather disaster preparedness tips. 

>> Register at http://agil.me/1LQuvTL

Conference Call | What You Need to Know About Exporting to Cuba

The Bureau of Industry (BIS) under the U.S. Department of Commerce has scheduled monthly call-in programs to field questions from the exporting community concerning the Cuba rule published on January 16, 2015. 
The calls are scheduled at 2:00 pm ET on the following days: 
  • November 10 
  • December 8
Toll Free Number: 1-888-889-0538
Participant passcode: CUBA

   

Blog | Selling Imported Goods in the U.S.

There is an abundance of opportunity for small businesses looking to sell imported goods in the U.S. Everything from food and beverage, cloths, crafts, and fabric can be sold online, in retail stores, or at crafts and flea markets around the country. 

    

Blog | Setting Your Staff’s Compensation for 2016

Now that we’re in the fourth quarter of the year, it’s time to plan ahead for 2016. Here are some factors to take into account when budgeting for payroll for next year.

   

Blog | How Business Credit Reporting Agencies Work

Lending money is risky business for banks, suppliers, and other creditors. For any lender, it’s all about finding a way to extend credit or a loan profitably while being able to sort out those who are good credit risks from those who are less likely to repay.

   

Blog | How to Start a Consignment Business 

Are you interested in opening your own consignment shop? Consignment shops can offer lower overhead cost compared to traditional retail stores, because a consigner provides your inventory and they are paid out only when the item sells. Shop owners resell items from multiple consigners and share a portion of the profits. 

   

Friday, October 9, 2015

AM&T: October 2015 Newsletter

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October 2015 Newsletter


New Funding Brings New Opportunities
for Manufacturers in Nine States
The U.S. Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) will award $27 million to organizations in nine states to operate centers that help manufacturers innovate, compete and grow. The new awards are part of a multi-year effort to update funding for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), which provides a wide range of services to small and medium-size manufacturers through centers in every state and Puerto Rico. Read more.

Mid-Atlantic, CNY Roundtable Networking Event
Are you looking to obtain continuous improvement ideas from other companies? Have you ever said, "How do they do this?" Are you interested in benchmarking, especially with manufacturing companies? Have your continuous improvement efforts come to a plateau, or worse, hit a wall?

AME is providing a forum to share, learn and grow in a short duration, highly localized, friendly format. Attendees will be participating in a round table discussion which typically starts with the identification of several continuous improvement topics of importance to you and your organization.  More info  Registration

Eight Action Items Required
To Sustain Market Leadership
Sometimes entrepreneurs are so focused on making change happen for others, that they forget that continually changing themselves and their company is equally important. Some get stuck in a rut and get run over by competitors with new technology, like Eastman Kodak, and others get pushed into a crisis, like Apple did, before they reinvent themselves into a new market.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is an old adage that really doesn't work in today's business world. Learn about eight things you can do to reinvent yourself regularly so your competitors won't make you obsolete, 

Building Your Business Plan
A business plan can take many forms, depending on the venture. A four-person management consulting firm may produce a leaner plan focused on service expertise and industry experience compared to a 20-employee manufacturer, who would also have to describe products, manufacturing techniques, competitive forces and marketing needs, among other details. Read about the four components that are shared by all plans.

Cultivating "Clean" Power
Think about the people who hold the power positions in your organization below the C-level. What did they do to earn these positions?

Chances are, they discovered the simple secret to growing power...by seeking out and solving the vexing challenges that no one seems to own. These problems are everywhere on full display, usually residing in the gray zone between functions. They're system issues and process challenges that manifest themselves in quality problems (i.e. poor customer service, waste, excess costs etc.) that no one claims as their own.  Learn more.

Opportunity To Help Students
Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) is an unprecedented program is designed to prepare economically disadvantage students for a career pathway in one of a number of growing Technical areas. The P-TECH grant is implemented by Binghamton City Schools but serves students in ten school districts in Broome and Tioga counties. The program partners with SUNY Broome, BT BOCES and local Industry Professionals. Several local companies including Lockheed Martin, Delta Engineering, Bothar Construction and Lourdes Hospital have signed on to support P-TECH students by participating in monthly workshops at BT BOCES and host students for site visits. More info

Made In The Southern Tier
Increase Your Exposure - add your company to this FREE directory of manufacturers.  AM&T has launched Made in the Southern Tier - an online directory that showcases our region's companies and the vast array of products that are manufactured here.
Inclusion in the directory is free to all Southern Tier manufacturers. Benefits include:
  • Enhanced exposure to top-level search engines such as Google
  • Greater likelihood that worldwide customers can find you
  • Ease of finding regional suppliers and partners for your production needs
  • One source for regional companies to find manufacturing suppliers
In addition to descriptive text and contact information, the company profiles include logos, product images, videos, and more - a comprehensive yet compact showcase. Learn more and add your company.

AM&T Associates' Corner
Learn more about regional companies that
might become your supplier or customer.
The Hilliard Corporation
The Hilliard Corporation has evolved from a one-product business into a special-applications engineering company with a worldwide customer base. Founded in 1905, the company employs approximately 600 people at three manufacturing sites in Elmira.

The company's product lines include filtration systems, motion control devices, and engine starters. Hilliard works with customers to research and test products, thus the company has a large range of custom-engineered products that can be modified to meet new applications.  Learn more
Doron Precision Systems, Inc.
Doron Precision Systems, Inc. has over 40 years experience with products that provide driving simulation training for law enforcement, fire and EMS, commercial truck, transit bus, and novice drivers.

From the company's facility in Binghamton, more than 25,000 driving simulators and over 400 motion entertainment systems have been delivered to more than 60 countries, enabling over 10 million drivers to be trained using Doron's products. Learn more


EventsRegional Events

Oct 08 - Annual Chamber Business Show - Owego
Oct 08 - Business After Hours - Corning
Oct 15 - Business After Hours - Elmira
Oct 20 - Annual Labor & Employment Law - Binghamton
Oct 20 - Tools for Communication (Day 1) - Ithaca
Oct 21 - After Hours Mixer - Watkins Glen
Oct 22 - Business After Hours - Elmira
Oct 25 - Economic Impact of Health Care Jobs - Binghamton
Oct 27 - Tools for Communication (Day 2) - Ithaca
Oct 28 - Chamber Business Academy - Watkins Glen
Oct 29 - Cyber Security - Binghamton
Nov 05 - Business After Hours - Elmira
Nov 09 - AME Event - CNY Roundtable Networking - Spencer


CONNECT WITH US:
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Monday, October 5, 2015

SBA: October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month | EMV Webinar & Twitter Chat

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Cyber Security

 

Is your business prepared in the event of a cybersecurity breach? Now is the time to take stock of your cybersecurity health, including the importance of securing information through best cybersecurity practices; identifying your risk and the types of cyberthreats; and learning best practices for guarding against cyberthreats.

  

Webinar | Creating a Culture of Cybersecurity at Work

October 8th at 2:00 pm ET

Join the National Cyber Security Alliance, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Council of Better Business Bureaus and the Federal Trade Commission for a 1-hour webinar to discuss cybersecurity and online safety for small businesses. 

All businesses face a number of cybersecurity challenges like being the target of cybercriminals, having intellectual property stolen or being attacked to disrupt our way of life. This webinar will discuss the security landscape for businesses and highlight resources and programs available to help businesses establish cultures of cybersecurity.

EMV chat

Twitter Chat | Small Biz Chip Card/EMV Questions | #ChipCardChat

Please join the US Small Business Administration (@SBAgov), SCORE Mentors (@SCOREMentors), AT&T Small Business (@ATTsmallbiz), Mastercard (@MasterCardNews), First Data (@FirstData), and Square (@Square) for a Twitter chat on the payment card transition to the embedded chip (also known as EMV). We’ll be discussing common questions about what the shift means for small businesses. Follow along with the hashtag #ChipCardChat.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015
3pm ET

EMV 101: What Small Businesses Need to Know About The Switch to Chip Card Technology

Wednesday, October 14, 2015 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET

Join SBA and Square for a free webinar presentation: “EMV 101: What Small Businesses Need to Know About the Switch to Chip Card Technology”.
Participants will learn:
  • What the transition to EMV chip card technology means for small businesses
  • What EMV chip card technology is and why it’s more secure
  • What the new fraud liability rules that take effect October 1st mean for merchants


October Capital
Find Out if Your Business is Fiscally Fit
If you want to start a business or learn how to better manage your business money, begin with Money Smart. 
 
SBA Financial Assistance Eligibility
Learn what the requirements are for businesses seeking SBA financial assistance.
  
You have a variety of options when it comes to financing your small business. Explore your opportunities that range from traditional loans to grants and bonds.
    

Conference Call | What You Need to Know About Exporting to Cuba

The Bureau of Industry (BIS) under the U.S. Department of Commerce has scheduled monthly call-in programs to field questions from the exporting community concerning the Cuba rule published on January 16, 2015. The calls are scheduled at 2:00 pm ET on the following days: 
  • October 13
  • November 10 
  • December 8
Toll Free Number: 1-888-889-0538
Participant passcode: CUBA

   

The Affordable Care Act 101 Webinar Series 

Find out how to navigate the opportunities in health care through the Affordable Care Act 101 webinar series. Registration is free, but required.   
The webinar takes place every other Thursday at 2 PM ET
The Affordable Care Act 101 in Spanish takes place once monthly on Tuesdays at 4 pm ET/1 pm PT. 
For more information on what the health care law means for small businesses, check out www.sba.gov/healthcare

ChallengeHER

Matchmaking Opportunities for Women in Federal Contracting
The ChallengeHER campaign leverages the resources of the SBA, WIPP and American Express OPEN to connect women-owned businesses with decision makers and procurement officials at federal agencies and prime contractors to receive guidance on how best to sell their goods and services to them. This program is focused on the Woman Owned Small Business set aside program providing you with insight and tools on how to market to the government. Registration is required to attend.

ChallengeHER Santa Ana
Thursday, October 8, 2015 | 9:00am - 12:30pm

  

Blog | SBA Celebrates National Women’s Small Business Month

Women’s entrepreneurship is on the rise, according to preliminary data from U.S. Census Bureau, which shows that women are increasingly becoming small business owners. U.S. business ownership rose 27.5 percent for women, and overall, America added one million net, new businesses from 2007 to 2012, a period in which U.S. employment fell by 3.8 million.

  

Blog | Tips for Legally Selling Goods at Flea Markets & Craft Shows

Flea markets and crafts shows have become a cultural phenomena. Increasingly small businesses are mastering the quality of the artisanal goods that they make and sell. While these types of businesses usually start out as a hobby there are some steps that you should take to ensure that your business is selling goods legally.

  

Blog | How Broadband Access is Beneficial to Small Businesses

For American businesses to flourish in this highly competitive global economy, it’s fundamental that they have the tools to succeed.  Although the United States is the originator of broadband and our economy is driven by technological innovation, there are still a number of American businesses that do not have access to broadband and/or do not have the adequate type of broadband that is needed to operate a business. 

  

Blog | Top Tips to Lead and Empower Employees

Employees are an essential part of your business and brand.  If they come across as unwelcoming or uninterested, you run the risk of rubbing your customers the wrong way.  Unhappy employees can lead to assumptions about whether or not your business is a great place to work – and whether or not customers want to give you their business. 

  

Blog | America's Seed Fund – The Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Program (SBIR/STTR)-A Year in Review

This year was a flagship year for the SBIR and STTR programs, with equal parts achievement, exhilaration and groundbreaking.  None of this would be possible without the amazing work of the eleven agencies: Environmental Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Science Foundation and the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Home Land Security and Transportation.

   

Blog | Innovation and Technology | Drivers of Growth and Capital in the Aloha State

Half a day of travel at 450mph makes me ponder the vast expanse of land and ocean our country spans. It also reminds me of how technology has changed our lives for the better in almost every respect. The University of Hawaii in partnership with the Hawaii Business Roundtable and the Governor's Office hosted an amazing two days in Honolulu.


Learning Center

Customer Service

Does your business excel at customer service? Don’t overlook this important aspect of running a business. 
  • Learn why customer service is critical to the success of your business 
  • Explore the many aspects of customer service 
  • Read “best practices” of stellar customer service 
  • Explore opportunities to expand your customer service