August 16, 2010
Learn to jump start revenue growth through international trade
Small and family-owned businesses can take their first steps toward international trade with information from a free webinar on August 31.
A recent study of Mississippi small businesses revealed that only a small fraction of companies market their products and services outside the state. International business development experts say that companies hoping to grow revenue this year should not overlook international trade.
“International trade is an area of untapped potential for many small businesses in Mississippi,” said Tony Jeff, president and CEO of the Mississippi Technology Alliance. “This free webinar will put them on the path to new markets and greater profits.”
The free online seminar, “Jump Start Revenue Growth Through International Trade,” will be held on Tuesday, August 31 at 10 a.m. to introduce businesses to opportunities in international trade. Participating companies will benefit from meeting Mississippi’s go-to experts on international trade, hearing testimonials from experienced companies, accessing targeted business research and receiving insider information on trade events and cross-cultural seminars. In addition, participants will receive a personal invitation to a trade event that will be held in New Brunswick, Canada, later this year. Immediate follow-up from trade experts will also be available.
To register for this free event, visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/international_trade. For more information, contact Shanda Barrett, sbarrett@mta.ms or 601-960-3610.
This online event will be presented by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the Mississippi Technology Alliance, the Mississippi Development Authority Global Trade Division, the Mississippi World Trade Center and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Mississippi.
Corey Beaumont joins MTA staff
Mississippi Technology Alliance (MTA) President and CEO Tony Jeff recently announced the hiring of Corey Beaumont.
Beaumont will serve as an Entrepreneurial Development Intern in the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Beaumont is a member of MTA’s Entrepreneurial Development team working with entrepreneurs and early stage, innovative, high-growth companies to develop successful ventures.
A native of San Francisco, Calif., Beaumont graduated from Millsaps College with a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in finance and a minor in sociology. He is pursuing a Masters in Business Administration degree in the Else School of Management at Millsaps College.
Revitalizing the American Dream
A recent special report from Inc. magazine offers a “highly practical, eminently doable, totally reasonable, 16 point plan to create thousands (upon thousands) of new companies and a million new jobs.” Writers Adam Bluestein and Amy Barrett suggest their plan would create a new wave of entrepreneurship that “can transform the American economy, spark innovation and provide new jobs, new vibrancy and new opportunities.” See what you think about their ideas. Click here to read the article.
Mississippi cities make Entrepreneur magazine list
A recent Entrepreneur magazine article recognized two Mississippi cities on the publication’s “Innovation Nation” list of “50 cities and 10 lifestyles energizing businesses of all shapes and sizes.”
In the category “Recovery and Rebirth: Cities on the mend, where even the smallest business can make a big difference,” Entrepreneur cited Jackson noting, “Few cities make it easier or more inexpensive to launch a business. Expect to pay anywhere between $20 and $150 in licensing fees.”
In the category “College Towns: Start a business, and learn a thing or two,” Entrepreneur recognized Hattiesburg saying, “The University of Southern Mississippi partnered with the local Area Development Partnership to create the Business Launchpoint incubator to foster small-business development.”
Click here to read the full article.
MEP of Mississippi and Mississippi Manufacturers Association to present “Organizational Transformation: Team Leadership” workshop September 2
In today’s business, the team leader is the main link between the organization’s goals and the people who are responsible for the daily activities that make those goals a reality. Because of the necessary and integral role that this position plays, it is obvious that effective team leaders at all levels are critical to the success of any organization. Many everyday decisions required within the team leader role affect profits, productivity, service levels as well as employee attitude and morale. With a role of this magnitude, it would seem logical that the process of becoming a team leader would require years of training. However, most team leaders have had little or no training in the required skills. Almost universally, today’s team leaders are men and women who have been promoted from being a ‘super worker’ to a team leader.
Team leaders will gain the specialized knowledge the position requires in a one-day workshop, “Organizational Transformation: Team Leadership,” on September 2. Each will leave equipped to help achieve organizational goals with and through their people with following critical issues addressed.
Critical Issues Addressed:
►►Roles of a Successful Team Leader
►►Organizational Goal Setting
►►Developing Confidence
►►Managing & Controlling Use of Time
►►Creating & Managing Performance
►►Taking Corrective Action
►►The Art of Discipline
►►Personalities, Habits & Attitudes
►►Making Quality Decisions
Measurable Results:
►►Dynamic Teams
►►Reduced Cost of Doing Business
►►High Performing Individuals
►►Motivation to Achieve Results
►►Increased Productivity
►►Increase Profitability
This workshop will be held from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the Hilton Jackson on County Line Road in Jackson. The cost is $149 per person and includes continental breakfast, lunch, refreshments and course materials. A discount is available for companies sending three or more employees. For more information and to register, please see: http://www.mma-web.org/UserFiles/File/Seminars/MEP%20Teambuilding.pdf
Arora to address bio-based materials conference in Canada
Dr. Sumesh Arora, director of Strategic Biomass Solutions, has been invited to participate on a panel discussion at the Ontario BioAuto Council’s Annual Conference on September 23 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
The theme for this year’s conference is “Driving the Clean Tech Revolution in Green Chemicals & High Performance Materials” and will serve as a networking opportunity with industry, academia and government experts. The panelists will discuss ways to accelerate innovation and commercialization. Other panelists talking about the “Mississippi Model” include Sunny Webb Corral, executive director of The Accelerator, The University of Southern Mississippi; Dr. Bryan Brister, president of the Mississippi Polymer Institute, The University of Southern Mississippi; Dr. Paul Wang, professor and project manager in the Center of Advanced Vehicular System (CAVs), Mississippi State University; and Dr. Sheldon Q. Shi, assistant professor in the Forest Products Department, Mississippi State University.
The Ontario BioAuto Council has a mission to position the province first in the race to meet the growing demand for affordable, sustainable bio-based products. The council brings together Ontario’s distinct advantages in the growing bio-based economy, and helps ensure participants have every opportunity to succeed. With a $5-million investment fund from the Government of Ontario, the council is providing support for biomaterials ventures and commercialization. With sustainability as its cornerstone, the Ontario BioAuto Council connects the ends of the value chain, and meets economic and environmental challenges head-on. Ontario has the natural resources needed for a strong bio-based economy and the industrial capacity to advance new initiatives.
Arora to moderate a session at the 5th Annual Biomass Finance & Investment Summit
Strategic Biomass Solutions is a proud supporter of the 5th Annual Biomass Finance & Investment Summit to be held October 13-14 in Washington, D.C. This summit has established itself as the business hub where decision makers, project developers, technology providers, utilities, investors, lenders, EPC contractors and other industry players come together to get biomass projects developed and financed. In addition, the summit provides an important opportunity for these groups to exchange market intelligence, share perspectives and build a mutual understanding and to learn what it will take to get biomass deals successfully financed in 2010 and beyond. From its inception, the summit has received high acclaim, drawing praise from sponsors, speakers and attendees across the board. The 5th edition of this popular event is expected to build on that substantial success by providing the optimum environment for conducting business with the industry’s most influential players.
Dr. Sumesh Arora, director of Strategic Biomass Solutions, will be moderating a session entitled “Getting and Negotiating Financeable PPA’s in Today’s Market.” The process of negotiating a PPA (purchase power agreement) can be more productive and efficient when the parties have a deep appreciation of what provisions will be financeable. To provide a better understanding between developers and the financial community on what is and what is not financeable, this session will take an in-depth look at the PPA agreement. First, the session will report on the current trends and key negotiating issues in getting a biomass PPA agreement. Then, representatives from the financial community will provide clarification on what they are looking for in these agreements. Panelists include internationally recognized renewable energy project developers and financiers.
Need help with your business plan?
The Mississippi University for Women (MUW) Center for Creative Entrepreneurship will offer a free Business Plan Workshop for entrepreneurs on Tuesday, August 17 from 5:30 until 7 p.m. in Shattuck Hall on the MUW Campus in Columbus. Pre-registration is required. Call 662-241-6277 or email wceinfo@muw.edu for registration or more information.
IRS to present Tri-State Small Business Forum
The Internal Revenue Service, in cooperation with the U.S. Small Business Administration – Mississippi District, and the Mississippi Small Business Development Center, will host a Tri-State Small Business Forum on Thursday August 19 in Southaven.
The forum is an opportunity for small business owners in Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee to discuss emerging issues, exchange ideas and gather information. The roundtable-style event will be held at the M.R. Davis Public Library located at 8554 Northwest Drive in Southaven, from 9:30 a.m. until noon.
RSVP to JoAnn Harris or James “Mark” Craven.
Get answers to your business law questions
The Jackson Business Accelerator and the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project will offer a free Business Law Seminar for current and future business owners on Tuesday, August 31 in the Community Room of the Jackson Medical Mall. The session will be held from 6 until 7:30 p.m. For information and reservations, call 601-540-5415 or email karen@jacksonbusiness.net.
New South Economic Development Course gets a new venue
The University of Southern Mississippi will present the annual New South Economic Development Course in a new location this year.
The course will be offered September 19-24 in the Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship on the university’s Hattiesburg campus. Participants will learn how they can benefit from fresh approaches to economic development in a fast-paced, intensive training course that incorporates business, developer and public perspectives.
For more information and registration, visit www.usm.edu/profdev_edoutreach/NEWSOUTH.html.
Save the Date: Upcoming Events
Small business owners will have a unique opportunity to learn about Computer Security on August 25 at a free workshop co-sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Mississippi InfraGard Program. This workshop will be held at the Mississippi e-Center @ JSU from 12:30 until 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 601-965-4378.
The next Capital Innovators Discovery Luncheon will be held September 14 at the Ruth’s Chris Steak House at the Renaissance in Ridgeland. Registration and networking will begin at 11:30 a.m. followed by the lunch and program at noon. Tickets are $25 per person. The program concludes at 1 p.m. Information about the program will be posted soon on our website, www.mta.ms.
The International Economic Development Council’s 2010 Annual Conference will be held September 26-29 in Columbus, Ohio, with the theme New Paradigms: The Practice of Economic Development in a Changed Landscape. For more information, visit http://www.iedconline.org/AnnualConference/index.html.