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 This year we welcome Dr. Donald F. Kuratko, The Jack M. Gill Chair of Entrepreneurship; Professor of Entrepreneurship & Executive Director of the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Kelley School of Business; Indiana University -Bloomington, as keynote speaker;
The title of the presentation will be: “Entrepreneurs: The Engines of Our Economic Future.” Dr. Donald F. Kuratko is considered a prominent scholar and national leader in the field of entrepreneurship. Author of over 160 articles on aspects of entrepreneurship and corporate innovation. Professor Kuratko has authored 22 books and in addition, Dr. Kuratko has been consultant on Corporate Innovation to a number of major Fortune 100 corporations and he is the Executive Director of the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC), an organization of over 200 top university entrepreneurship centers throughout the world. Seats are limited; register today by calling Terri Brown at 812-330-6272. The Ethics of Outsourcing Customer ServiceSending jobs overseas may be good for the bottom line in the short term, but frustrated customers will vote with their wallets by Bruce Weinstein, PhDIt's a familiar scenario: A product you purchased recently has developed a problem, so you call the company's toll-free number and are connected to a "customer service associate" in India or the Philippines. You describe your problem but have a hard time understanding what the company representative is saying. You try several more times to communicate why you are calling but cannot get information that you can comprehend. You ask to be transferred to someone in the U.S. and are then put on hold for what seems like an eternity. You hang up in frustration and vow never again to purchase anything from this company. More and more businesses are outsourcing not just manufacturing jobs but services ones too. On the face of it, this seems like a smart financial move: By slashing labor costs 25%, 50%, or more, companies that have had slim profit margins are now able to enrich the bottom line and keep shareholders happy. Outsourcing customer service, however, is not only unethical. It's bad for business. {Here's why»} |
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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! Life Sciences Company Receives $2.3 Million Grant The National Institutes of Health has awarded Bloomington-based Predictive Physiology & Medicine (PPM) a $2.3 million grant to further develop its comprehensive molecular assessment for cardiovascular patients. The life sciences company says the money allows it to follow patients over time, track their progress and get a better understanding of cardiovascular health. PPM is set to begin test market launches before the end of the year and plans to begin selling the service in 2009. {more»} |
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Fourth Annual Fuse Business Innovation Awards Luncheon |
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October 1: Business Orientation Start-up Session (BOSS) October 3: New Economy, New Rules Seminar October 7, 14, 21, 28: Community Chats October 15: Business Orientation Start-up Session (BOSS) October 15: Icebreakers |
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| Web sites to help your business succeed. |
| Answers.com |
| Monroe County History Center |
| GSI US |
| Patent, Trademark and Copyright Assistance |
| Market Research Resources |
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Want to improve the way you run your business? Entrepreneurs, academics, and consultants from diverse industries offer practical advice on a variety of topics each business day.  |
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Need an overview on starting a business? Would like to know more about SBA business financing programs? Looking for help with your financial statements? The Indiana Small Business Resource Guide can help tackle these small business challenges and more. |
