New York SBDC Research Network

From the American Institute for Economic Research : Big and small businesses can learn to live side by side, Max Gulker said at a recent edition of AIER's Summer Speakers Series. Gulker spoke about his new research brief, which talks about his interviews with small business owners who found an advantage that helped them survive or thrive. He rejected “the Godzilla theory, that these giant businesses are unleashed on a town,” and the small businesses in their path are helpless to fight back. And he also rejected the idea that small businesses need charity-style campaigns to survive.

Technical Sergeant Michael D’Antoni retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2004 with more than 20 years of service, and is now the owner of Versa-Tel Inc., a leader in telecommunications. The company designs and installs cutting edge commercial telecommunications systems, specializing in full-scope fiber optic network systems for high speed data and voice. Along with Michael, his highly trained certified technicians, provide a 25-year warranty on all Versa-Tel projects. Several years ago Michael consulted with the SBDC regarding sources of financing for additional equipment needed to fulfill a $4 million contract with the Long Island Dept. of Transportation for road work. Most recently Advisor Dave Chiaro provided assistance with business expansion, financing, and government contracting. In addition, the SBDC helped Michael apply for, and obtain his NYS Service Disabled Veteran Certification, one of only 160 small businesses with this certification. Recently, th

From eMarketer : The Internet has fundamentally changed behavior in the buying decision cycle, creating what we term the phenomenon of the self-sold customer. This article explores how to respond to digitally altered behavior in the buying cycle, deliver content to where it is most needed, and focus on the proven sales-generating power of SEO. By empowering purchasers to conduct their own research online, the Web has created a "closed" environment—i.e., one isolated from pushy salespeople—where buying decision-makers are increasingly determining which vendors they want to procure from before the suppliers are even aware they're under consideration. Buyers continue to look for answers to key questions: They still want to assess market trends, validate their own needs, and establish the credibility of companies and the veracity of their claims about their products and services. But instead of waiting for a salesman to come calling, they're finding answers by tap

From MarketingProfs : Businesses depend on email as the glue that pulls marketing tactics together, yet many otherwise-savvy marketers misuse email in a way that ultimately alienates customers. Years ago, one-size-fits-all communications worked fine, and you might well have created one email for everyone and sent it once a week. Though it still happens, it's no longer the norm now that merchants can take advantage of more sophisticated customer intelligence. Attention to the details can pay off. Email the right message to the right people, and you'll engage and delight your customers while driving more opens, clicks and sales.

Binghamton University SBDC August 17, 2016 Call 607-777-4024 or email to register

From Bplans : The one major challenge I face as a CEO is this: Where do I turn for help? Who advises me? Who reviews my performance so I know whether or not I am doing well? According to the Stanford Graduate School of Business, “Nearly two-thirds of CEOs do not receive outside leadership advice, but nearly all want it.” One of the biggest realizations I have had as a CEO is that I am not the best at doing everything in my business and that is not my job. My job is to find people who are better than me in certain areas and build the best team that I can. One of the biggest challenges I have had is figuring out how to hold myself accountable.

From Emarketer : Influencer marketing is rapidly gaining popularity among brand marketers, and according to recent research, nearly three-quarters of US marketers cite ongoing ambassadorships as one of the most effective uses of influencers. Marketers use influencers in a variety of ways, from leaving a review for their product to mentioning their brand in some way on social networks. For many (70.6%), ongoing ambassadorships are the most effective influencer marketing tactic. Product reviews are a close second—more than two-thirds of respondents mentioned them as being the most effective use of influencers. Brand mentions and sponsored content were other tactics marketers pointed out, and though affiliate links were also mentioned, few respondents cited them as being the most effective.

Gillinder Glass is a sixth-generation owned custom glass manufacturer located in Port Jervis that specializes in custom-moulded, hand-pressed glass products. In addition to producing as much as 50% of the glass components for airfield runway lights for the US market, the company provides products for lighting and other applications for many industry segments both domestic and international including airfield, aerospace and defense, architectural, commercial, industrial, theatrical, and transportation. Owner Charles Gillinder consulted the SBDC about investigating a supplier in China, and joined the IBD program on trade missions to China in 2014 and 2015. Through the SBDC introductions and coordination, Charles made contacts in several regions for his products, met with existing and potential suppliers, and had on-site visits with local suppliers. Charles also worked with the Mid-Hudson SBDC to obtain a NY Rising grant to recoup losses incurred during Hurric

From Bplans : Company history in a business plan? Yes, it’s a good addition to some business plans, but not all. When considering what to do with company history for your business plan, first consider the use of your business plan. For the traditional business plan to be used as a business summary for potential investors, bank loan managers, partners, or legal requirements, a short summary of company history is usually appropriate. As soon as history is relevant, of course, you cover the basic information. That includes when and where the business started and who started it. If the business has changed its formal legal entity, such as going from fictitious business name to LLC or corporation, that should be included. Don’t assume that a brand-new startup has no history.

The SBA Office of Advocacy has updated its most widely used publication: "Frequently Asked Questions about Small Business." The Small Business FAQ is the place to go to for the basics – how many small businesses are in the United States, how many employees they have, and what their growth trends are. A related tool, "Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business Finance," is also being released. The Finance FAQ outlines the borrowing and lending universe for startups and exiting small businesses, provides demographic information, and touches on important trends in the amount and modes of finance. Small Business FAQ In 2013, there were 28.8 million small businesses. • Eighty percent, or 23 million, had no employees (termed “nonemployers”) • Twenty percent, or 5.8 million, had paid employees • There were 18,600 large businesses. The number of small employers has increased after a decline during the recession, while the number of nonemployers has gradu

From Inc The speed at which Pokemon Go has spread is unprecedented. Less than a week after launch, this augmented reality mobile exploration game has been installed on twice as many phones as Tinder, it has double the engagement of Snapchat, and it is eclipsing Twitter in its percentage of daily active users. People are spending so much time journeying around looking for Pokemon that getting sore legs from playing for hours on end has practically become its own meme. Smart businesses have caught on too. As Pokemon Go users traverse their towns in search of Pokemon, local stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and other businesses are capitalizing on this massive opportunity, driving huge amounts of foot traffic and conversions both with simple in-app purchases and creative marketing campaigns. To start turning the ambulating gamers around you into your new best customers, all you need is to know how to play the game.

From Zadar Storage Preventing a cyber attack should be one of, if not the main goal of your IT department. Your press releases need to focus on things like your outstanding awards, exciting new product lines, and the addition of stellar new industry talent to your roster. You don’t want to be issuing press releases trying to explain how you leaked 1,500 customer identities or allowed other sensitive data to be exposed to the deep recesses of the Dark Web (like the much feared and dreaded Panama Papers) — or worse, published on the searchable Internet at large (Sony and Ashley Madison ring any bells?). These kinds of press releases don’t start in your PR department, they begin at the IT drawing board. Security is no longer something businesses can afford to pile on to their existing IT infrastructures like icing on a cupcake. Security has to be included in the batter and baked into the IT infrastructure at the storage, application, and network levels. Only then is it ready to face

Daughter for Hire LLC, run by Kathleen Rutishauser and Denise Flihan, provides companion care services to senior citizens in Oneida, Madison and Herkimer counties. The company provides the types of services that allow senior citizens to remain living in their own homes, rather than move prematurely to a nursing home facility, including meal preparation, grocery shopping, assistance with medical appointments, medication reminders, laundry, housekeeping, companionship and advocacy. The company has evolved from a sole proprietor, home-based company into a partnership with an office in Clinton, and revenues that grew by more than 300% from 2013 to 2015. Kathleen and Denise project continued growth of 50% in 2016, which is well beyond the norm of 6% in the personal care industry. Their success is due to the fact that they present themselves as a more professional, polished and compassionate group of caregivers than their competitors. The SBDC has worked with them f

From the New York Daily News The formula for business success is simple but not easy. At the core, once you have your product or service figured out, your marketing plan should be a natural progression. In fact, we would challenge the thinking that your business plan and marketing plan are one in the same to a certain extent. Some small businesses may say, "I don't really need any marketing right now, we are doing alright." While, you can't argue with a business that has a stable customer base, you have to consider the philosophy that extending the opportunity beyond the first transaction is where the lifetime value of your customer is increased. More sales equals more profits. After all, marketing is what you do to create awareness for your product or service, and that awareness should be continuous.

From Bplans.com You think an allowance will help kids learn about how to manage their money? Try being a business owner. Understanding both personal and professional finances is one of the most important life lessons to learn—the earlier the better. By having a good grasp on spending, saving, budgets, and margins, you show you’re knowledgeable and responsible with money. Nothing’s cuter than a tween (with the assistance of her father) handing you a contract and telling you that she will clean and service a machine every month if you give her rent-free space to place it. Truly understanding what you’re selling displays confidence and credibility, as does truly believing in it. Comprehending the ins and outs of your product and business shines through when speaking with customers and clients.