tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18649095339721485892024-03-13T14:55:09.204-05:00The Innovation Center BlogThe Innovation Center Blog is our opportunity to genuinely connect with current and prospective small business owners, engage them and support a culture of authenticity, expertise and resource availability for start-ups and entrepreneurs!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13670167505795937584noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1864909533972148589.post-24754105846814961942013-05-31T11:00:00.000-05:002013-06-14T10:25:55.766-05:00Mississippi's PTAC Program Offers Assistance With Government ContractsLast week I shared with you information on the federal Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) and their Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) nationwide. This week I would like to share with you more information on the Mississippi PTAC program and how we can assist you.<br />
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Our office in Biloxi is called the South Mississippi Contract Procurement Center (SMCPC) and we are a part of the Mississippi Procurement Technical Assistance Program (MPTAP). We have what are called Regional Procurement Centers (RPC) strategically placed throughout the state with offices located in Biloxi, Columbus, Greenville, Jackson, and Meridian. These offices have directors and/or procurement counselors on staff to assist any business with a location in Mississippi pursue federal, state and local government contracts as well as contracts with prime contractors. Each of our offices service specific counties. The SMCPC office serves the 15 southern counties in Mississippi. <br />
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The requirements on becoming a client of the MPTAP are fairly easy.... they are as follows:<br />
<ul>
<li>You must be a Mississippi business or, if from outside the state, have a physical address in Mississippi.</li>
<li>You must agree to report quarterly the number and dollar value of contracts you receive whereby you feel that one of our MPTAP offices played a role. </li>
<li>You must attend a New Client Orientation (NCO) prior to being accepted as a client.</li>
<li>You must have an email address and regular access to a computer with internet access.</li>
<li> You must complete the on-line registration application, "Client Application" located on our website.</li>
<li>You must complete our "Self-Certification" form. </li>
</ul>
Our services are offered at NO CHARGE to our clients. These services include, but are not limited to, the following:<br />
<ul>
<li>Electronic bid batch/notification</li>
<li>Outreach events</li>
<li>Targeted contractor assistance</li>
<li>Locating specialized contractors</li>
<li>Problem solving</li>
<li>Solicitation guidance</li>
<li>Referrals</li>
<li>Various government registrations (i.e. SAM, ORCA, VetBiz, etc)</li>
<li>Various certifications (i.e. 8(a), HUBZone, DBE, MBE, WBE, EDWOSB, etc)</li>
</ul>
Please visit our website <a href="http://www.mscpc.com/">www.mscpc.com</a> and complete a "Client Application". If you would like to speak to someone first, all contact information for our offices is located in the tab "MPTAP Network" below the large picture.<br />
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SMCPC conducts a group "New Client Orientation" the first Friday of each month. The next one is scheduled for June 7th. You have time to be included in this session. Please complete your application now!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06521935919157436616noreply@blogger.com01636 Popps Ferry Road #203, Biloxi, MS 39532, USA30.4428196 -88.93209934.9207851 -130.2406933 55.9648541 -47.623505300000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1864909533972148589.post-51504915427944461382013-05-29T08:33:00.000-05:002013-05-29T10:26:56.966-05:00MS Gulf Coast Tech Monthly Meetup<div style="text-align: center;">
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Rodney Brooks</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <strong>MSGC Tech Monthly Meetup</strong> is tonight, May 29, 2013</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Join us at <em><strong>The Innovation Center</strong></em>, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1636 Popps Ferry Road, Biloxi </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from 6:00pm until?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visit our website at <a href="http://www.meetup.com/MSGC-Tech-Meetup/" target="_blank">http://www.meetup.com/MSGC-Tech-Meetup/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Email Alex, <a href="mailto:alex.eller88@gmail.com" target="_blank">alex.eller88@gmail.com</a></span><a href="mailto:alex.eller88@gmail.com" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> or</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stephen, <a href="mailto:stephen@innovatems.com" target="_blank">stephen@innovatems.com</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504430170405348407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1864909533972148589.post-19583489113301890262013-05-29T08:00:00.000-05:002013-05-29T10:03:59.718-05:003 Mobile Options for Managing Your Business Cash Flow<style>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Checks, cash, debit or credit cards are how you the small businessperson
usually gets paid. Now, there is new technology that can help you manage your
cash flow by determining how and when you will get paid. Most of us think of
mobile payment options for businesses like plumbers, caterers, farmers’ market
booths and festivals but more and more conventional businesses are using mobile
devices. Please read the fine print before signing up for any service and make
a list of what's important for your business and which service will fit your
business best. There are costs associated with each type of the following
services.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are three that<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/rhonda-abrams/0/7a/3b2" title="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/rhonda-abrams/0/7a/3b2"><i>Rhonda Abrams</i></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><i> </i></span><i>,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>president of The Planning Shop
recommends:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Square<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>GoPayment<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: black;">3.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>PayPal<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Here</span><span style="color: black;"> <u1:p> <o:p></o:p></u1:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is easy to sign up for each of these services and the companies
give you the devices that will fit an iPad, iPod, or a Droid. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>When you go to their sites they will
have you download an app first and then you will be able to start swiping cards
and receiving money into your account. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Following
are some of the fees and services available with each type of device mentioned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The square,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.squareup.com/">www.squareup.com</a>, charges 2.75% of swiped
and 3.5% plus 15 cents per transaction for un- swiped cards or they have a
monthly plan where you pay $275 flat fee. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>The square also offers a loyalty
program and app for your consumers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Intuit’s GoPayment,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.gopayment.com/">www.gopayment.com</a>, allows integration with
QuickBooks and offers other products for the business owner that has a need for
paying employees, inventory management, and payables easier. There are other
business reports available to the business owner. The fees for GoPayment are
2.75% swiped and 3.75% un-swiped and they also have a monthly plan for $12.95
plus 1.75% swiped, and 2.75% un-swiped cards.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PayPal Here, <a href="http://www.paypalhere.com/">www.paypalhere.com</a>, also has the same type
o devices as the others but offers different ways to manage your sales and
payments. <span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: black; line-height: normal;"> </span>Business owners
can have access to their money immediately where as other portal payment
options can have a delay in when you receive money and how much you can receive. <span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: black; line-height: normal;"> </span>The PayPal Here merchant card allows
the business owner to withdraw from an ATM and you receive 1% back on purchases
you make the debit card. <span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: black; line-height: normal;"> </span>Fees
involved are 2.7% swiped, 3.5% plus 15 cents per transactions un-swiped. <span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: black; line-height: normal;"> </span>PayPal also offers a wallet app for
your consumers and has 24/7 support.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With any of these services and others be sure to inquire about
customer disputes with charges. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Does
the service you choose give you the business owner the ability to inquire into
a customer dispute or does the service take the customer word refund the money
from your account and then let you the business know? <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Again, read the fine print, check with
other businesses that might be using one of these services and what will work
for your business.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
Would anyone like to share their experiences with any of these services are
others?</span> </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262137029575305099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1864909533972148589.post-11908101798347591582013-05-25T01:54:00.000-05:002013-05-29T09:56:37.270-05:00What is "PTAP" and How Can it Help My Business?<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) was authorized by Congress in 1985 in an effort to expand the number of businesses capable of participating in the Government Marketplace. Administered by the Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the program provides matching funds through cooperative agreements with state and local governments and non-profit organizations for the establishment of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) to provide procurement assistance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PTACs come in many different sizes and shapes, reflecting the needs, priorities and resources of the areas they serve. Some PTACs are administered directly by state governments; others partner with universities, community colleges, local economic development corporations or other local institutions. Some PTACs operate within Bureau of Indian Affairs areas exclusively serving Native American owned businesses. Many are affiliated in some way with Small Business Development Centers and other small business programs. All PTACs are staffed with counselors experienced in government contracting and provide a wide range of services including classes and seminars, individual counseling and easy access to bid opportunities, contract specifications, procurement histories, and other information necessary to successfully compete for government contracts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many PTAC counselors have backgrounds in government acquisitions and virtually all receive ongoing training to keep pace with continually evolving acquisitions procedures and policies. The Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC) provides a network that allows any PTAC counselor almost instant access to the expertise and experience of over 500 colleagues, as well as real-time information from government agencies regarding new requirements and initiatives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best part is that PTACs provide a range of expert services <i><b>at little or no charge</b></i> to the business community. To find a PTAC in your area visit <a href="http://www.aptac-us.org/">www.aptac-us.org</a>. Visit <a href="http://www.mscpc.com/">www.mscpc.com</a> to find an office in Mississippi.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06521935919157436616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1864909533972148589.post-62908971076753181122013-05-24T13:08:00.002-05:002013-05-29T09:56:10.449-05:00Need Assistance Starting Your Small Business?<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Gulf Coast Small Business
Development Center (GC MSBDC) assists individuals that are interested in starting
small businesses. Services provided by the GC MSBDC are provided free of charge
and include one-on-one counseling sessions and the Business 101 Series
workshops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEak4LvIU6NNEpq3g6HgZQtMOeR_nbJF0qYcafRvttRIwZxtFDIKjINbR-McRM-_SUVvFaT2RPt0bMrIi5CgGGPBIzSqQUe2-YEgidLx9T-af-9NFxvW4f8KLeSpd-cfLycdcazIDoiaw/s1600/laying-the-startup-groundwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEak4LvIU6NNEpq3g6HgZQtMOeR_nbJF0qYcafRvttRIwZxtFDIKjINbR-McRM-_SUVvFaT2RPt0bMrIi5CgGGPBIzSqQUe2-YEgidLx9T-af-9NFxvW4f8KLeSpd-cfLycdcazIDoiaw/s1600/laying-the-startup-groundwork.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Business 101 Series
workshops, listed below, are offered at The Innovation Center on a monthly
basis. For additional information, times/dates and registration you may call
the GC SBDC at (228) 396-8661 or visit our website at <a href="http://www.mssbdc.org/"><span style="color: #2e6ee0;">www.mssbdc.org</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Monthly
Business 101 Series workshop schedule</u></b><u>:<o:p></o:p></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.mssbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=3330033"><span style="color: #2e6ee0;"><b>Think Like an Entrepreneur </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a business idea? Wonder
how to analyze the idea for revenue potential? This seminar helps entrepreneurs
understand the processes to use to conceptualize and analyze a business idea
into a business venture. Once an entrepreneur understands the process of
analyzing a business venture, they are able to repeat the process until they
find a successful business venture. The seminar is taught by a person who has
analyzed hundreds of business ideas, and started and sold multiple businesses. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.mssbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=3330034"><span style="color: #2e6ee0;"><b>Starting a Business - First Steps </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you interested in
starting your own business, but don't know where to begin? This seminar
outlines the basic steps to start a business. Topics include: regulations such
as licenses and permits; legal forms of business ownership; basic marketing
concepts to help analyze the revenue potential; lending terminology; outline
for a business plan and proper business setup.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.mssbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=3330059"><span style="color: #2e6ee0;"><b>How to Develop a Business Plan </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This seminar is designed to
assist in preparing a business plan. The parts of the business plan are
explained i. e. industry research, description of company products and
services, identifying target customer groups and a marketing plan. Financial
components discussed are startup costs and gathering information to prepare a
projected cash flow statement.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.mssbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=3330060"><b><span style="color: #2e6ee0;">Cash Flow Projections for your
Business Plan</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This seminar is designed to
convert your written business plan into cash flow projection numbers. Topics
covered in the seminar include: fixed vs. variable expenses, cash flow
projections, sources and uses of funds statement, determining start-up working
capital requirements for the business and the contribution margin ratio. </span><o:p></o:p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05885086415205117288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1864909533972148589.post-75329948732944456182013-05-22T14:34:00.002-05:002013-05-29T09:55:43.376-05:00STARTUP WEEKEND Comes to Mississippi Gulf Coast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimji0TgVC78ezcwrGsDiJIPTjlxAM0k1K5RnMR-qVFi5jd0YbeP9HTeawRnwviXKK8C8XFhsnfhmC8AhTJx08G5dr3dJlUNkNRBON_L9PSZ0HGaOa1Iq8e85nka_vkOReJiKy9cfgjp-w/s1600/startup+weekend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimji0TgVC78ezcwrGsDiJIPTjlxAM0k1K5RnMR-qVFi5jd0YbeP9HTeawRnwviXKK8C8XFhsnfhmC8AhTJx08G5dr3dJlUNkNRBON_L9PSZ0HGaOa1Iq8e85nka_vkOReJiKy9cfgjp-w/s200/startup+weekend.jpg" width="200" /></a>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Startup Weekend<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>is a 54-hour event where developers, designers,
marketers, product managers and startup enthusiasts come together to share
ideas, form teams, build products and launch startups.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plan now to
join us at The Innovation Center in Biloxi this August 23-25th for this
first-ever<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Mississippi Gulf Coast<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Startup Weekend sponsored by The
Innovation Center, Innovate Mississippi and the Kauffman Foundation.</span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504430170405348407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1864909533972148589.post-37499376088628772372013-05-22T14:12:00.000-05:002013-05-29T09:55:27.873-05:00What is Your Company Worth?Small company CEO's periodically ask me what I think their companies are worth. The question usually arises when the original company owner(s) are looking to sell equity in their company or to merge their company with another company. Company valuation is generally critical to these types of activities. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-pQyU4AfNlZgrzgs7V8_baBEzwZzkS6mjZyBjDlL8gvPrsTySfb6steNv-BHHyiQoK-h6AWH6Ho79N_RHhcWifqbHRJDHD7D6rBpsdE4ryHSQV_gzkp_cAyz_uyZWeIAB_8P7v2DdI0/s1600/question+money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-pQyU4AfNlZgrzgs7V8_baBEzwZzkS6mjZyBjDlL8gvPrsTySfb6steNv-BHHyiQoK-h6AWH6Ho79N_RHhcWifqbHRJDHD7D6rBpsdE4ryHSQV_gzkp_cAyz_uyZWeIAB_8P7v2DdI0/s320/question+money.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It continues to amaze me that small company CEO's don't think constantly about the value of their enterprises. Our <strong><em>job</em></strong> as entrepreneurs is to build the worth of our enterprises, our companies. Beyond the P&L's that owners consider daily, weekly, monthly, we should constantly consider what enterprise <strong><em>worth</em></strong> we are creating. This worth is wealth; this worth is value; this worth is our payoff.<br />
<br />
As entrepreneurs, we always consider that our ideas, products, enterprises, etc. are worth a lot on money. Most of the time, we think that they are worth more than they actually are. I have always been guilty of this myself. The problem is that there isn't a market to figure out company valuations for us. Large publically traded companies have the NYSE or NASDAQ to determine company valuations minute by minute in open markets. Of course, there are companies that can actually appraise what smaller companies are worth if they decide to sell the company or stock in the company but this doesn't help us on a daily basis to determine value.<br />
<br />
In determining company worth, as a daily ruler, I have always relied on a simple technique. I will periodically step back from my company and ask myself how much I would pay if I was on the other side and considering buying my company. It is amazing how different the valuation amounts were from me thinking as the owner (seller) and/or me thinking as a potential buyer of my company (buyer). I have never been willing to pay as a potential buyer of my company what I would want to charge as the potential seller.<br />
<br />
Bottom line, a company is worth what someone will give for it at any given time. Small company CEO's need to focus on building company worth. If entrepreneurs think about building company worth, and make decisions based on increasing company worth, wealth will be created. Know what your company is worth; focus on building enterprise value.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504430170405348407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1864909533972148589.post-7364621101200839242013-04-25T15:08:00.004-05:002013-04-30T09:43:31.295-05:00Last Night's 1st Ever MS Gulf Coast Tech MeetupIt was great! This first ever meetup was attended by 37 local techies. The meet and greet went for 6-9+pm and nobody wanted to leave. Fabulous dialogue! Can't wait for the next meetup in May! Thanks to Alex for organizing the event.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504430170405348407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1864909533972148589.post-26754283854594884122013-04-25T14:59:00.001-05:002013-04-25T14:59:33.406-05:00On Taking Risks<strong>RICHARD BRANSON </strong><br />
<em>Founder of the Virgin Group</em><br />
<br />
"Don't be put off by failure. Work really hard to make your idea succeed. If it doesn't, bow out gracefully, and try again."Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504430170405348407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1864909533972148589.post-44691321984667440422013-04-24T12:36:00.000-05:002013-04-24T12:36:22.952-05:00MSGC Tech Meetup TonightFinal Call for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Tech (MSGC) Meetup tonight! <br />
<br />
Come and join other techies at The Innovation Center from 6-9pm for food, fun and socializing. <br />
<br />
Everyone welcome.<br />
<br />
Also - Join the Meetup: <a href="http://www.meetup.com/MSGC-Tech-Meetup/">http://www.meetup.com/MSGC-Tech-Meetup/</a><br />
<br />
or contact Alex Eller at <a href="mailto:alex.eller88@gmail.com">alex.eller88@gmail.com</a><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504430170405348407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1864909533972148589.post-79903786410781556982013-04-12T10:06:00.000-05:002013-04-12T10:07:49.925-05:00The Innovation Center Launches New Blog!<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Innovation Center Blog is The Innovation Center’s opportunity to genuinely connect with current and prospective small business owners, engage them and support a culture of authenticity, expertise and resource availability.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Blog posts will address common questions, such as:</span></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are the challenges faced by small business owners both just starting out and seasoned? </span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How do you get a small business off the ground? </span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How can owners take their business to the next level? </span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are some survival tips for small business owners and employees?</span></span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">In addition, we invite all small business owners and entrepreneurs to share their </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">experiences.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">Blog contributors include Executive Director Stephen Whitt, Office Manager Patty Usry, Gulf Coast Small Business Development Center Counselors Mitch McDowell and Connie Whitt, and South MS Contract Procurement Center Director Marcia </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">McDowell.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Look for a new blog post and answers to your questions every other week! And get to know us even better by visiting our website: </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.innovatems.com/">www.innovatems.com</a></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13670167505795937584noreply@blogger.com01636 Popps Ferry Road, Biloxi, MS 39532, USA30.4428196 -88.93209934.9207851 -130.2406933 55.9648541 -47.623505300000005