Happy Holidays!
The inVenture, Small Business Development Center and SEED Corp. staff wishes you a Happy Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year!

Brian Kleber, Terri Brown, Tim Kinder, Manasi Watts & Jessica Dzieweczynski

Genius Groups :: Bloomington's Newest Small Business Network
Starting in February 2006 the South Central Indiana Small Business Development Center and inVenture present Genius Groups, a 10-part entrepreneurial development series that will challenge and energize 35 select small business owners.
Each month attendees will have the chance to learn from and network with the inspiring Genius Entrepreneurs of Bloomington. They will gain a fresh perspective on real-world challenges and relevant tools to help you explore new business horizons.

The monthly session will be filled with ideas and support you can use to take your business to the next level. The Genius Entrepreneur will cover a specific business topic, including how to increase sales, implement unique and effective human resources, develop targeted marketing strategies, preparing your company to sell, and much more.

For more information on how you can be a part of this select group please contact the Small Business Development Center at 812-339-8937.

Indiana Peerspectives to Launch First CEO Roundtable in Bloomington
Starting in January 2006 the Indiana PeerSpectives Network will engage small business owners and entrepreneurs to see things from a new perspective. Qualified members will exchange valuable experience, ideas, even solutions to some of businesses most critical issues.

Roundtable participants are owners, CEOs and presidents of growth-oriented, second-stage companies. A second-stage company:
• Is privately held
• Generates between $1 million and $50 million in annual revenue or has that range of working capital available
• Employs between 10 and 99 people
• Faces issues of growth, not survival

Find out how your company may qualify to participate in the Bloomington PeerSpectives Network by contacting the Small Business Development Center at 812-339-8937.

South Central Indiana's area economy is made up of many unique small businesses which often are overlooked. Each month learn about a local small business that you might have not known about!

39 Degrees North, LLC
Established in 2005, 39 Degrees North, LLC has quickly become a 'best in class' GIS consulting firm customizing ESRI GIS products. Their diversified GIS team has over 32 years of combined experience customizing, developing, and deploying Enterprise GIS systems for state and federal agencies.

The Monroe County Government and 39 Degrees North, LLC formed a partnership in January 2005 to create a computer-based atlas for Monroe County. Known as a Geographic Information System, or GIS, the atlas of digital maps presents information on a variety of themes such as parcel boundaries, road infrastructure, emergency management, and health data. The themes can be assembled by the user in any order, creating a custom map to suit a specific need. 39 Degrees North can write "extensions" or customed applied software for specific client needs.

Monroe County Government plans to use the information to aid in county planning. The information can also be used by the public for rural and urban planning, environmental assessments, and business development. To learn more, visit the 39 Degrees North's website.

QuickBooks Year End Accounting Tip
Providing your accountant with your financial information has
been made easier through QuickBooks software. Simply create an "Accountant's copy" of your company file and deliver it to your accountant! Under the File menu, select "Accountant Review" and then "Create Accountant Copy." QuickBooks will do the work for you!

December 8: Business After Hours
What: Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce monthly Business After Hours
Where: Bloomington Antique Mall, 311 West 7th Street
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Sponsored by: Bloomington Antique Mall

December 14: Business Orientation Start-up Session (BOSS)
What: Learn what it takes to start your own business and become your own boss
Where: SBDC, 501 N. Morton, Suite 106
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Cost: $20
Contact: SBDC, 812-339-8937 (registration required)

December 20: Tech Tuesday
What: Tech Tuesday is a series of video conference presentations with a networking and educational opportunity for Bloomington technology businesses.
Where: inVenture, 501 N. Morton St., inVenture Conference Room
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 am
Contact: Terri Brown, inVenture, 812-339-8937

December 20: Life Sciences Lunch Series
What: The Indiana Health Industry Forum and Barnes & Thornburg present a monthly seminar series on critical issues in life sciences.
Topic: Growing Life Sciences in Indiana
Where: Ivy Tech Community College, Bloomington Campus
Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Contact: BEDC, 812-335-7346

January 6: New Economy, New Rules Seminar
What: NENR is a series of video conference presentations from industry leaders geared towards the information technology industry.
Where: inVenture, 501 N. Morton St., inVenture Conference Room
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 am
Contact: Marilyn Skirvin, Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, 812-335-7346

January 10: QuickBooks Basics
What: Learn the basics of accounting and how to set up QuickBooks software to fit your needs.
Where: SBDC, 501 N. Morton, Suite 106
Time: 4:00 -6:00 pm
Cost: $39
Contact: SBDC, 812-339-8937 (registration required)

• Indiana 21st Century Fund

• Monroe County GIS

• Hottest Small Business Trends

Food Safety Training & Certification Exam
Attention all food handlers in Monroe County and surrounding areas. In order to assist Monroe County area food handlers in complying with the Indiana state requirement, a one day training class will be held at the SBDC, 501 N Morton Street, Suite 100-B, Bloomington, IN.

The certification training class will be conducted on Friday, December 16th from 8am-5pm. The cost for this class is $140 per person and includes class room instructions by a certified trainer, Serv-Safe presentation, Serv-Safe textbook and the certification exam. The event opens with classroom instruction in the morning session, an hour for lunch, then additional training and review prior to the exam.

Deb Stevens, Safety Instructor/Consultant will be conducting the training. Space is limited and registration is required to attend. For more information or to register please call 812-876-4488 today.

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