South Central Indiana Small Business Development Center April '04 
News in a Flash

SBDC Has New Home
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC), SEED Corp, and the new technology business incubator completed the move to our new location on March 1st. Our offices are now located in downtown Bloomington at the IU Research Park. Stop by and see us!

501 N Morton, Suite 106
Bloomington, IN 47404
(812) 339-8937 phone (unchanged)
(812) 335-7352 fax (unchanged)

City Creates New Business Advocate Position
The City of Bloomington has approved funding for a new part-time Business Advocate position that will work out of the Mayor's Office. The Business Advocate is a business ombudsman, serving as a spokesperson and advocate within City government for private sector issues with an emphasis on small and local businesses.

Living Wage Ordinance
In the coming months a proposed Living Wage Ordinance may be brought forth to the Bloomington City Council. The purpose of the ordinance is to ensure that jobs created with public funds coming from or through the City of Bloomington pay at least $8.50 per hour with benefits. If you would like to voice your opinions on this issue contact the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce at 812-336-6381 or your City Council representative. Guest Editorial
 
Tips of the Month

Topic: Print Advertising
Running a print advertising campaign? Bring the message into the office. Enlarge your ads and have them framed and hanging in your lobby. This repeated exposure will encourage customers to remember you and act on your offer.

Topic: QuickBooks Software
You can make reconciling your checking account simpler by referencing your non-check transactions with a "DB" for Debit or a "WD" for withdrawals, plus the date (Example: DB02_01_02). DB and WD transactions will appear grouped on the left-hand side of the Bank Reconciliation window.
 

SBDC Business Solutions

QuickBooks & Peachtree Accounting Assistance
The SBDC has experts on staff who can now help you customize your accounting books. Work one-on-one with an advisor to:

  • Create new accounting books or streamline existing,
  • Set-up or modify your chart of accounts,
  • Customize input screens,
  • Develop detailed reports that you can understand!

Services are completely customized to suit your needs! for information or call him directly at (812) 339-8937.
Upcoming Events
April 15: 20th Annual Business Expo: Twenty Years of Connecting Businesses - sponsored by the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce and SBDC. 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, Bloomington Convention Center. www.bloomingtonexpo.com

April 15: Web Site Savvy 2:00-3:15 pm. Learn tips on how to keep your web site current and up to speed with your competition. Cost: $20, call 812-339-8937 (pre-registration required).

April 15: Customer Service Skills 10:15-11:30 am. Learn to develop an awareness of customers' perceptions and recognize the role quality customer service plays in the success of your company. Cost: $20, call 812-339-8937 (pre-registration required).

April 17: Eastside Bloomington's EastFest 10:00am-4:00pm on Covenanter Drive and College Mall Road.

 
 
Coupons
Print this coupon and redeem for $25 off a one-on-one accounting assistance package with an SBDC Business Advisor.
 

 
Question of the Month
What's your opinion?

Does your company plan to hire new employees in 2004?

Yes, more than 10
Yes, more than 5
Yes, 1-5
No, not this year
View current results |
 
USeful Links
Web sites to help your business succeed.
 
Thank you to the financial supporters and partners of the South Central SBDC: Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association, Cairril.com Design, Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Economic Development Council, Indiana University, Fifth Third Bank, and the US Small Business Administration. This newsletter is produced by the South Central Indiana Small Business Development Center and is intended to keep our clients and partners informed of current programs and small business issues. Out of respect for your time, we will only send one announcement a month. If you would prefer not to receive this newsletter, please to be removed from our mailing list. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration under cooperative agreement number 2-603001-Z-0015-17. The support given by the U.S. Small Business Administration through such funding does not constitute an express or implied endorsement of the co-sponsor(s)' or participants' opinions products or services.

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