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Seven Entrepreneurs and Small Business Supporters Honored at the Fuse Business Innovation Awards inVenture, Bloomington's technology business incubator, and the South Central Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) recently spotlighted innovation, creativity, energy, and growth at the third annual Fuse Business Innovation Awards Luncheon. Area leaders and small business owners gathered at the Bloomington Convention Center, to recognize innovative entrepreneurs who are impacting the community. Seven entrepreneurs and local small business supporters were honored at the luncheon:
All award recipients received a distinctive award created by local limestone artist Robert Clendening. In addition to these custom-designed awards, each winner received a one-year Business Affiliate Membership to inVenture, which allows them to utilize all of the incubator's resources at no cost. Again, many thanks for the generous support of the following organizations who helped make this event possible:
Liell & McNeil The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
SBDC Names New Regional Director Chancellor John Whikehart announced that Martin Donnelly has been named the Regional Director of the South Central Indiana Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC). Former Regional Director Brian Kleber resigned from the director’s position earlier this year to take a job in the private sector. John Whikehart, Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington Chancellor said Donnelly brings a wealth of experience to the position. “We are delighted to have such an experienced professional in technology join our college,” Whikehart said. “Donnelly brings over 25 years of experience in large scale management of the global economy. His experience, combined with his commitment to our community, will ensure that we stay on top of innovative businesses in the life sciences arena and beyond.” Donnelly has completed Harvard’s senior management negation program and Columbia’s Marketing Management curriculum for senior executives. He has also been a guest lecturer at Fordham’s Information Technology MBA program. Community involvement is important to Donnelly. He currently sits on several advisory boards for emerging technology ventures. He is an active member of Rotary International, a member of WFIU’s advisory board and is a member of the board for Teachers Warehouse where he serves as treasurer. “Marty brings an entire career of valuable business and technological experience to the SBDC,” said Jeff Heinzmann, State Director of the Indiana Small Business Development Center Network. “He’s a tremendous find for the organization and I have no doubt the South Central SBDC region will thrive under his leadership.” Ivy Tech has served as the SBDC’s host since 2006 through a contract with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. The IEDC offers the SBDC program statewide through 11 centers under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. For the complete article, please visit Inside Indiana Business. Ivy Tech To Enhance Workforce Training With New Program Ivy Tech Community College has received a $3.1 million grant to develop a new program to provide training to more Hoosiers in science, technology, engineering and math. The program is expected to train about 44,000 people in north central Indiana over the next five years. For the complete article, please visit Inside Indiana Business. Chamber Seeks ‘Best Places to Work’ Program Applications by Nov. 30 Applications are now being accepted for the state’s annual competition naming the “Best Places to Work in Indiana.” This Indiana Chamber of Commerce program honors the top companies in the state as determined through employer reports and comprehensive employee surveys. The 2008 winners will be selected from two categories: small to medium-sized companies of between 25 and 249 employees, and large-sized companies consisting of 250 or more employees. (Out-of-state parent companies are eligible to participate if at least 25 full-time employees are in Indiana.) The application deadline is Friday, November 30. For more information, please visit Indiana Chamber. |
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| 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! Heflin Industries Heflin Industries, LLC and its predecessor have been in business since 1974 and Heflin has been under its current ownership since February 1995. Their experienced team of professionals can provide the personal touch. They are willing to work with you from the early stages of your project to develop a customized plan, while offering you time and money saving suggestions that will help get your job done right and on time. Heflin is a full-service mechanical contractor specializing in the commercial, industrial, institutional, and municipal markets. They have over 25 years of experience in the areas of Plumbing and HVAC. They draw upon only the most skilled craftsmen; Licensed Plumbers, Certified Welders, Technicians certified in Backflow Prevention Testing, and Universal Refrigerants. Their professionals spend years in apprenticeship training before becoming licensed and certified in their field. Heflin Industries has the experience, personnel, equipment and bonding to handle your projects. They can ease your concerns of equipment failure with preventative maintenance service agreements to help you keep your mechanical systems in optimal condition. Their skilled technicians can check your equipment regularly and prepare a custom-tailored, routine checklist to help prevent unnecessary “down” time. Their service department is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information, please visit Heflin Industries.
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| November 2: New Economy, New Rules Seminar November 6: Community Chats November 7: Internetworking November 7: Business Orientation Start-up Session (BOSS) November 9: SBA - COMMUNITY EXPRESS LOAN INFORMATION SESSION: BUSINESS LOANS November 13: Community Chats November 20: Tech Tuesday November 20: Community Chats November 20: Life Sciences Lunch Series November 21: Icebreakers November 21: Business Orientation Start-up Session (BOSS) November 27: Community Chats November 27: Artists After Hours Workshop December 4: Community Chats December 5: Business Orientation Start-up Session (BOSS) December 7: New Economy, New Rules Seminar |
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| Web sites to help your business succeed. |
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| Mystery Shopper Program Gain knowledgeable, unbiased insight into how your company is perceived by your customers. The Mystery Shopper program sends a customer into your business who reports back on customer service, price, store cleanliness, etc. The results are delivered in a written report that identifies areas that need improvement. |
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| Bloomington's downtown Certified Technology Park is made up of many unique technology development businesses. Each month learn news about these innovative businesses and other initiatives impacting the Park tenants! Life Sciences Company Relocates to Indiana Enterprise Center Bloomington-based Predictive Physiology and Medicine, Inc. (PPM) has relocated to First Capital Group's Indiana Enterprise Center. The new laboratory occupied by PPM is currently the only wet-lab space for lease in Bloomington. PPM, an early-stage life science company focused on personalized medicine and wellness, was created at Indiana University. For the complete article, please visit Inside Indiana Business. Life Science, Technology Sectors Create New Jobs Last week’s ground-breaking for a training facility for SpheroSense Technologies Inc. marks another link in the ever-extending chain of new businesses in Bloomington’s life sciences industry. For the complete article, please visit IDSNews. |
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Representing Yourself-and-Business at Social Functions Networking is the social art of meaningful mixing. Charity balls and galas are examples of events that provide opportunities to make new friends, secure clients or broaden career horizons. Interacting with new people seems to come naturally to some individuals, while it creates anxiety in others. No matter where you fall on that scale, mastering networking techniques can make you feel much more comfortable. Learn more at BizVoice Magazine. |
