NHSBDC Business Tips

Personal autonomy, freedom contribute to happiness

In this Business News Daily article, it turns out that autonomy and freedom are the things that lead people to true happiness.  It also turns out that having a sufficient amount of money can result in autonomy and freedom! Entrepreneurs and small business owners, therefore, may be happier than others, according to research done by the American Psychological Association.

Psychologists examined the results of three key studies involving people in many countries and spanning 40 years to conclude that the best predictors of well-being were individualism and the freedom to make choices. The effect of money on happiness, apparently, plateaus—people aren’t any happier once they reach the ability to meet their basic needs monetarily. But, give them freedom and autonomy, and they’re happy!

What do you think?

NH Small Business Day Jan. 31 focuses on financing, state

The Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire will host its 7^th annual Small Business Day at the State House, January 31 from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The event will focus on securing business financing, doing business with the state, and top policy issues.

The cost to attend Small Business Day at the State House is $15 per person and includes continental breakfast. To register, visit nhbia.org, Events or call 603-224-5388 x116.

The day begins with a panel discussion involving the state’s top elected leaders, who will focus on small business issues of 2012. Then, NH’s Department of Administrative Services Commissioner Linda Hodgdon will discuss doing business with the state. Next, Department of Employment Security Commissioner Tara Reardon will discuss the “NH Working” programs and how they can help small businesses find job applicants, along with how businesses can use Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau (ELMI) information.

Small business owners will hear from a panel of commercial lenders and representatives of alternative lending programs about financing options. Gov. John Lynch has been invited to make closing remarks.

SmallBusiness Day partners include the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center (NH SBDC), the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development and chambers of commerce. Small Business Day is sponsored by Public Service of New Hampshire, Bank of America and media sponsor New Hampshire Business Review.

The business of business meetings

We’ve all been there—the boring business meeting that meanders, takes forever, accomplishes nothing. This handy list might help us all keep on track, whether we’re attending a meeting or sitting in on one:

1) Set goals regardless of whether this is a regular or sporadic meeting

2) Prepare an agenda, asking attendees if they have items to add

3) Send the agenda out before the meeting and highlight areas to be discussed and provide background information, if any.

4) Start on time and tell participants what will happen.

5) Identify topics to discuss in more detail at future meetings

6) Ask for input from specific people; don’t allow rambling.

7) Prepare and distribute follow-up notes after the meeting.

8) Encourage participants to ask questions.

9) Clarify points of discussion still needed.

What are your tips for carrying off a successful business meeting?

Research grants for NH companies available from state

New Hampshire companies that would like research help from students at New Hampshire-based colleges and universities can send a letter of intent by January 27 to the New Hampshire Innovation Research Center at the University of New Hampshire.  The process of funding the research projects is competitive, with representatives from industry, government and academic institutions making the final decision. Companies will be required to provide matching funds or services to the project, and will also be required to undergo training by the NH Innovation Research Center.

Projects considered during this funding cycle will be funded for Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013 and the total amount available is $400,000.  Nine research projects were funded through this program in 2011. The innovation research grants program was created in 1990 by the New Hampshire legislature.

To learn more about the program, visit http://www.nhirc.unh.edu or call 603-862-0123.

 

Take your next business meeting on the trail

It’s the New Year and you’ve probably resolved to get more exercise or lose weight. True? Have you ever done a walking business meeting? They’re all the rage over in Silicon Valley. While we admit the idea may seem a little crazy here in a New Hampshire winter, it surely can be done indoors if you’ve got a big enough space or may just be something to plan for come spring. In this article from Fortune.com, Steve Jobs of Apple and Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook reportedly both relished a good walk over a business meeting.

Can you think of ways walking and talking might work at your business? Have you tried it?