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Daily Archives: December 10, 2010

Tim Allen – Small, locally-owned businesses have been source of employment growth

10 Dec

Did you know that from 1992-2008 in Douglas County
- Employment grew by 8281 positions (excluding Government).
- Non-locally owned business added 1081 positions (all sizes of business).
- All locally owned businesses employing over 10 people added 1921 positions

- Locally owned businesses, employing less than 10 people added 5279 positions. That is far more than the larger businesses and non-locally owned businesses combined!

If you look, in all 3 recessionary periods during that time, the stability and help in employment from small business tremendously outpaced larger and non-resident owned businesses combined.

These statistics and much more can be found at the following two websites:

http://www.ces.census.gov/index.php/bds/data_state_bar_charts

http://www.youreconomy.org/

While investing in small business does come with greater risk, I believe there are things that can be done to significantly reduce the likely hood of small business failure. My observation has been that many of the entrepreneurs in our area are trying to start a business with a lack of business experience or training, and capital. If we were to tie capital incentives to training, it could have a profound effect on the survival rate. I’m not suggesting that all new businesses receive growth capital, but having access to an attorney and a CPA are something that would be of benefit, and probably not require a significant investment by an economic development entity.

A relationship between the training programs and the capital source could go a long way toward making sure any monetary investments are directed toward the businesses most likely to succeed. Business performance requirements would be a method of making sure the investment remains a beneficial one. I feel these sorts of investments could be self sustaining at some point, provided they are structured correctly.

The public revenue implications are significant when comparing small business to the non-locally owned. Its times like these when Americans are known to dig in and make things happen. Changes are happening all around us, let’s make sure we’re thinking about and doing what we can to steer them in a direction that will have a lasting benefit to the community.

Tim Allen

Vice President – Think Local Umpqua

Owner – Roseburg Rental

 
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Posted by on December 10, 2010 in Business, Economy, Think Local Umpqua

 

Local retailers highlight chamber luncheon Dec. 20

10 Dec

Membership Meeting

  • Monday, December 20 “Competition – An Incentive to Innovate”
  • 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Douglas County Fairgrounds
  • If you’ve been considering your competitors as roadblocks, or hindrances, you may have been overlooking an important springboard to success. Business owners frequently consider their competition as the enemy. Many focus on “beating the other guy.” However, by focusing on beating the competition, you could divert yourself from your real objectives: increasing profits, gaining more time and gaining more control.
  • Presenters are: Dr. Joan McBee, Associate Professor of Southern Oregon University School of Business, Julie Bell, store director for Fred Meyer and Vicki Nielsen, owner of Northwest Outdoors / Northwest Lifestyles
  • Reservations are required
  • The cost of the program is $15 for members, $20 for non-members and $110 for a table of eight. A buffet lunch is included.
  • Please visit www.roseburgareachamber.org/chamber/events.php and pay online
 
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Posted by on December 10, 2010 in Business, Business education, Local Events

 

Inerseshen hosts RACC after hours Dec. 14

10 Dec

12/14 Business After Hours

• Inerseshen Creative Media at 650 SE Jackson Street

• Tuesday, December 14, from 5 to 7 p.m.

• Bring your business card and enter to win door prizes

• Don’t miss this relaxing opportunity to mingle and learn more about your fellow chamber members

• Delicious food as well as wine offerings from Pyrenees Vineyard & Cellars

• This is a great time to invite a non-chamber member to join you and learn more about the benefits of chamber membership

 

 
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Posted by on December 10, 2010 in Business, Local Events

 

UCC – social media for business classes

10 Dec

If you think that social media is right for you business you may wish to give Umpqua Community College’s Small Business Development Center a call to sign up for a class. Social media is hot right now and done right it can really help your business. Done wrong … well, that can be worse than not doing it at all.

The News-Review can also hook you up with a company that is helping several local businesses. It is one of our sister companies located in Colorado named Swift Digital Media Partners. They have some very satisfied local clients so ask your News-Review account manager about them.

Here is the UCC information:

Social networking sites are more than just tools, to keep in touch with and keep track of your friends, make new friends, find old friends and spy on strangers.  They can be very useful for small business owners, if used effectively.  With social networking sites, small business owners can shape Read the rest of this entry »

 
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Posted by on December 10, 2010 in Business, Media

 

December retail predictions, economy and more

10 Dec

Big Research this month:

§ Consumer Confidence flatlines in December
§ Practicality, Focus on Needs down from Dec-09
§ Three in ten say “more” layoffs over next six months
§ Plans to pay down debt rises from November
§ Amazon.com, Walmart.com top websites to shop
§ Walmart wins in Apparel
§ Consumer Migration: Children’s Toys
§ 90 Day Outlook brightens v. Dec-09, Dec-08, DOWN v. Dec-07
§ Home is where the “hot” is this month…


 
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Posted by on December 10, 2010 in Business, Consumer research, Economy, retail

 

Beware Oregon Duck ticket scams

10 Dec

WATCH OUT FOR FAKE BCS TICKETS AND TRAVEL PACKAGES

From: Oregon Attorney General

For Oregon Duck football fans, 2010 has been a dream season with an undefeated record and a trip to the championship game. But if you hope to cheer in person at the 2011 Tostitos BCS National Championship Game in Arizona, don’t let a con artist turn your dream into a nightmare by selling you counterfeit tickets or bogus travel packages. Below are some tips offered by the Oregon Department of Justice and Attorney General John Kroger to help consumers avoid purchasing fake tickets:

  • Scammers often use the lure of cheaper tickets to take consumer’s money. Be suspicious of any offer that seems too good to be true, because it probably is.
  • Purchase tickets from a reputable ticket distributor.
  • Do not purchase tickets sight unseen unless you are using a reputable ticket distributor.
  • If using Craigslist, meet the seller face-to-face in a public place. Ask questions about the seats and seller. Get reliable contact information from the seller in case the tickets are counterfeit.
  • Confirm that the section, row and seat on your ticket corresponds with a location in the stadium.
  • If possible, use a credit card or account-to-account transfer service such as PayPal. If the tickets you purchased aren’t delivered, not as advertised or counterfeit, you can dispute the charge.
  • Never wire money or give out personal account information to individuals you do not know.
  • Purchase tickets before going to the game. Scammers use color printers to create very real-looking tickets and will try to sell them to desperate fans outside of the stadium for quick cash.
  • If you purchase a travel package, contact the airline and hotel directly to make certain the reservations are legitimate.
  • Verify that any travel agent you are working with to book a travel package is a member of a recognized trade association, such as the American Society of Travel Agents.

Attorney General John Kroger and the Oregon Department of Justice are committed to protecting Oregon’s marketplace and keeping scammers on the sidelines. If you or someone you know has fallen victim to a fake ticket scam, please call the Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392.

 
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Posted by on December 10, 2010 in Uncategorized

 
 
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