Idea Accelerator Initiative: "Assessing the Market Opportunity for Technological Ideas"
A unique opportunity is being offered for potential entrepreneurs or organizations with business ideas relating to new technologies. The Idea Accelerator Initiative is a two-day workshop for developing the marketability of an idea that relates to new technologies. The Midwest Entrepreneurial Education Center and Indiana University Kelley School of Business are partnering with Venture Quest of Denver, Colorado and the Indiana Venture Center to facilitate this program on July 12 and 13, 2004. With the assistance of a grant from the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, this program is being made available to help develop ideas into viable businesses. To acquire an application form, contact Karen Vaughn at the Midwest Entrepreneurial Education Center, 765-285-9005.

Your Business May Be Liable for Employees' Unauthorized Credit Card Charges
By Cheryl L. Silverthorne, Ice Miller
If your business issues credit cards for employees, it could be held responsible for your employees' fraudulent use of the credit, according to a recent case out of a federal court in the District of Columbia.

Most businesses are familiar with—and rely upon—the $50 limit for unauthorized credit card charges provided under the Truth in Lending Act. However, this cap does not apply in all situations.

DBI Architects, Inc. v. American Express Travel-Related Services Co., Inc. involved an accounting manager who was responsible for all of her employer's financial activities, including payment of accounts and maintenance of the corporate checking account. Unbeknownst to her supervisors, the employee added herself to DBI's Amex account and charged over $133,000 in personal expenses to the card. The manager also used company checks to make over $162,000 in payments to her personal Amex account. When the employer became aware of the embezzlement, nearly a year after it began, the credit card company was notified and DBI requested a refund for the fraudulent charges. Amex declined to credit the credit card account and a lawsuit ensued.

The Court found that the Truth in Lending liability limitation applied only to "unauthorized" uses and while the employer asserted it did not authorize the charges, the Court found apparent authority under state law. This authority was based in part on the continued payments on the account which led Amex to believe the manager was acting with authority as an agent of DBI. The payments to the employee's personal credit account were also not protected by the Truth in Lending Act liability cap as they involved payment by check rather than unauthorized use of credit.

Short of abandoning the practice of issuing company credit cards to employees, businesses might consider the following actions to protect against the type of embezzlement seen in the DBI case:

• Separate payment and cash disbursement responsibilities
• Cross-train your employees in accounting functions
• Implement audit mechanisms to discover any fraudulent activities

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!

Cairril.com Design & Marketing, Inc.
"Not just any design firm," is how Cairril Mills, principal of Cairril.com Design & Marketing, describes her firm. "We do smart design and marketing to build distinctive brands. We get the great results you'd see from a big agency, but we're smart, we're fun, and we're passionate about our work."

Founded four years ago as Cairril.com Design, the business expanded rapidly and was reborn in 2005 as Cairril.com Design & Marketing, reflecting the results-oriented, business-friendly approach of the firm.

"I wanted to take my design and marketing skills and put them to use for the small and medium-size business community," says Mills. "Most smaller businesses don't know how to adapt big business' brand-building strategies for their needs. Few have million-dollar marketing budgets, so our firm helps them get the most bang for their buck through strategic planning and top-notch execution."

Cairril.com has a nationwide client base with the majority in the Bloomington area. The firm has received numerous local and national awards. To learn more, visit the Cairril.com website.

SEED Corp.'s Small Business Planning Course Returns
Businesses are far more likely to succeed with informed planning and expert advice. SEED Corp. is part of a robust network of business resources, including the regional Small Business Development Center, local Chambers of Commerce, universities, business incubators, and professional service providers. It listens to entrepreneurs to identify what they need and then connects them with the most appropriate resource.

SEED Corp.'s Small Business Planning Course gives budding and experienced entrepreneurs the tools they need to create business plans and work toward strategic goals. With in-class instructions, research help, guest speakers, one-on-one counseling, and long-term support, the class educates small business owners on what it takes to succeed.

Learn more at the SEED Corp. website or download the Small Business Planning Course Brochure (pdf). You can also contact for information or call her directly at 812-339-8937.

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July 13: 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)

July 18: eBay - The Basics of Selling on eBay
What: Learn how to sell on eBay the right way!
Where: SBDC, 501 N. Morton, Suite 106
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cost: $85 (includes lunch and book)
Contact: SBDC, 812-339-8937 (registration required)

July 19-27: Small Business Planning Course Orientation Sessions
What: Thinking of starting a business? Attend an orientation session to learn about the SEED Corp. Feasibility and Business Planning Course. Upon completion of the course, you may qualify for up to $35,000 in loans. You need only attend one orientation session below to learn about the course.
Where: SEED Corp., 501 N. Morton, Suite 106
When: July 20th:
          12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
          July 19 or 27th:
          5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Cost: Free
Contact: SEED Corp., 812-323-7827 (registration required)

July 20: Icebreakers :: GET CONNECTED
What: Bloomington's new after-hours networking event for entrepreneurs' tech-based businesses.
Guest: Alisa Wright, BioConvergence
Where: Grazie Italian Eatery, 106 West 6th St.
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Cost: Free
Contact: inVenture, 812-335-7356

July 21: Business After Hours
What: Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce monthly Business After Hours
Where: 9301 S. Fairfax Rd.
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Sponsored by: Pedigo Bay and Fourwinds Resort & Marina

July 26: Artists After Hours
What: Bloomington Area Arts Council Artists After Hours
Where: John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut Street
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm

July 27: 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)

August 5: New Economy, New Rules Seminar
What: NENR is a series of video conference presentations from industry leaders geared towards the information technology industry.
Where: Ivy Tech State College, Room 209
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 am
Contact: Marilyn Skirvin, Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, 812-335-7346

• Indiana Venture Conference

• Entrepreneur's Alliance of Indiana

• Monroe County GIS Online

Learn about the Bloomington Community
Leadership Bloomington • Monroe County (LBMC) is currently accepting applications for the Class of 2005-2006. This eight-month program is designed to give professionals skills they need to lead in the community and the workplace. Most LBMC participants are area professionals from not-for-profit, governmental, business, and educational institutions in the Bloomington area.

To apply for the 2005-2006 LBMC program contact Ilknur Ralston or by phone at 812-855-6329. Visit LBMC's website to learn more.