Business Viewpoint: Seeking assistance for a new kind of CEO - Tulsa World

The recently opened Center for Employment Opportunities in Tulsa is working to illuminate that path and help keep formerly incarcerated people from returning to prison by providing basic work skills to obtain full-time jobs.

As a Social Innovation Fund sub-grantee, CEO is funded by the federal government, the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation and George Kaiser Family Foundation.

CEO educates its participants, teaching them resume-building and interview skills, and coaches them on employer expectations in today's labor market.

But what makes CEO unique is the transitional job component. Within one week of enrolling in CEO, participants are working on a transitional job work crew and providing much-needed services for various public partners, including Tulsa County. Participants earn a daily paycheck and tangible work experience that CEO staff uses to leverage into permanent jobs in the community.

The numbers support the narrative. More than 118 individuals have graduated from the Life Skills Education class. CEO reports that 111 have participated in transitional work crews, and 52 placements have led to permanent, unsubsidized work.

The numbers are truly remarkable when you remember that the CEO Tulsa office has not even celebrated its one-year anniversary.

CEO targets those who are most likely to return to prison at the most critical time - immediately upon release. Nearly half of the enrolled participants are young adults, age 18-25.

The individuals in the program aren't the only ones who benefit from CEO. In addition to Tulsa County, the cities of Jenks and Sand Springs and the Metropolitan Environmental Trust have all benefited from the services performed by the participants. Companies that hire CEO graduates receive an individual who is trained to succeed as an employee and as a person.

Since last July, Tulsa County has benefitted from a CEO work crew of approximately six individuals for 6.5 hours per day, 5 days a week. Countless bridges across the county have been cleared of damaging sand and debris, and dozens of creek beds have been cleared to improve drainage and prevent flooding.

You may have read recent stories about the efforts to clean up the Bruner Hill area in west Tulsa County. I'm proud to say our CEO crew played a big role in that effort.

As CEO's impact continues to grow, it is my sincere wish that community participation grows with it. Now is the perfect time to form a partnership with CEO. I urge cities and counties around Tulsa to open their doors to this program, to help those who not only deserve a second chance but also truly strive to be better. In turn, they will see an improvement in the effort to beautify their communities.

Our country is known as a land of opportunity. We must remember that opportunity is for everyone, including for those who have made mistakes. The Center for Employment Opportunities in Tulsa works to ensure that those given a second chance are able to succeed.
Karen Keith is Tulsa County Commissioner for District 2. The views expressed here are those of the author and not necessarily the Tulsa World. To inquire about writing a Business Viewpoint column, email a short outline of the article to Business Editor John Stancavage at john.stancavage@tulsaworld.com. The column should focus on a business trend; the outlook for the city, state or an industry; or a topic of interest in an area of the writer's expertise. Articles should not promote a business or be overly political in nature.

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Small Business Assistance Center Joins Neustar to Support Economic Recovery in America - Marketwatch

STERLING, Va., Apr 10, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- --Company Launches ‘Dream Big’ Contest, Winners to Receive Over $12k in Resources

Second subhead of release should read: ...Winners to Receive Over $12k in Resources (sted ...Winners to Receive Over $35K in Resources). Fourth sentence of "DREAM BIG CONTEST" graph should read: -- in total, a $12,000 value. (sted -- in total, a $35,000 value.)

The corrected release reads:

NEUSTAR KICK-STARTS ‘.US’ CAMPAIGN DESIGNED TO SPARK SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION FOR BUSINESSES IN THE UNITED STATES

Small Business Assistance Center Joins Neustar to Support Economic Recovery in America

Company Launches ‘Dream Big’ Contest, Winners to Receive Over $12k in Resources

Neustar, Inc. /quotes/zigman/373855/quotes/nls/nsr NSR +0.52% a trusted, neutral provider of real-time information and analysis to the Internet, telecommunications, entertainment, advertising and marketing industries, today announced its campaign to “Kick-start America”. Now, companies of all sizes, whether locally-based or doing business in the United States, have a new opportunity to engage in a community of like-minded entrepreneurs, demonstrate their local presence and gain a competitive advantage with “America’s Address.” The .US top-level domain is the best way for small businesses to get online -- fast -- in a way that proudly promotes their local presence.

“Half of all small businesses fail within their first five years of operation,” said Jeremy Carigg, regional director, the Small Business Assistance Center (SBAC.US). “Driving awareness in those first years of business is critical, and companies need to find marketing methods that make an immediate impact. The .US domain is an easy and cost-effective way to get your local business seen and heard on the Internet now, not later.”

“The .US domain is central to our identity,” said Luke Palder, CEO, Proofreadingservices.US. “What our company offers is uniquely American and it’s important that our clients and potential clients understand that as easily as possible. The .US domain helps us accomplish that.”

Using the .US extension, ProofreadingServices.US, a top-tier proofreading service headquartered in the Financial District of San Francisco, has risen to being the #1 search result on Google® and Bing® for the phrase ‘proofreading services’.

“At Neustar, we’re committed to helping grow the economy, one small business at a time,” said Alex Berry, senior vice president, Enterprise Services, Neustar. “The strength of the .US community is a testament to this commitment, and it’s been heartening to see so many companies embrace their local roots. No matter what business you’re in, the .US domain is the perfect way to show your company’s true colors on the Internet.”

“Having an accessible, online presence is a must for today’s small businesses,” said NSBA Vice President of Public Affairs Molly Brogan. “Partnering with Neustar on the new .US campaign is one way we can make it easier to connect our small-business members with their customers.”

.US ADVANTAGES:

-- Community -- .US is more than just a domain -- it’s a growing movement. By registering for a .US extension, companies send a message that they believe in the power of local business.

-- Memorability -- Companies have a better opportunity to get the name of choice versus traditional options and they get a powerful, easily recalled domain name associated with a growing brand.

-- Searchability -- Because search engines rank websites with .US extensions higher in the U.S., entrepreneurs have a powerful tool to help potential customers find their sites.

-- Discoverability -- With .US, companies add a new dimension to their business or organization to let customers know they’re out there.

-- Manageability -- .US provides resources and tools to make putting up a website and promoting it easy.

DREAM BIG CONTEST

Neustar is currently accepting submissions for its “Dream Big” ( http://www.kickstartamerica.us ) contest, a competition for companies to kick-start their online businesses. To enter, companies (whether .US or otherwise) must submit their business story and information via LINK. Two lucky winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., May 20-24, 2012, to spend two full days at National Small Business Week. Additionally, winners will receive a complete website design from a top firm, as well as a local advertising campaign customized specifically for their businesses -- in total, a $12,000 value. To learn more about the “Dream Big” contest, visit http://www.kickstartamerica.us .

About Neustar, Inc.

Neustar, Inc., /quotes/zigman/373855/quotes/nls/nsr NSR +0.52% is a trusted, neutral provider of real-time information and analysis to the Internet, telecommunications, entertainment, advertising and marketing industries throughout the world. Neustar applies its advanced, secure technologies in routing, addressing and authentication to its customers’ data to help them identify new revenue opportunities and network efficiencies, and institute cybersecurity and fraud protection measures. More information is available at www.neustar.biz .

SOURCE: Neustar, Inc.

Neustar Susan Wade, 571-434-5307 Susan.Wade@neustar.biz

Copyright Business Wire 2012

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Small-business corner: Hub offers business lending assistance - El Paso Times

Don't miss this opportunity to hear Sue Malone at The Hub of Human Innovation on April 5.

One of the busiest women in America, Malone is on the road throughout the year working with SBA partners around the nation to reach out to small businesses.

As an inspirational speaker, Malone has been spotlighted in countless speaking engagements, as well as on CNN, "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and "Trick My Truck."

Starting your own business and growing that business can be daunting tasks. Malone of Strategies For Small Business will provide insights and tips on SBA loans as one way to access the funding required to start and grow a business.

Malone's sole mission for the past several years has been to help people obtain access to capital to start or expand their businesses. In doing so, one of her specialties has become small-business start-up loans.

Malone is a small-business advocate for all 50 states and has been so successful that she is the No. 1 SBA lender in loan volume to women in business and the largest SBA lender in the county.

Malone has funded more than 30,000 small-business loans.

Her presentation is sponsored by RampCorp and The Hub of Human Innovation as part of the monthly RBTec series.

RBTec was formed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs.

RBTec meets monthly and provides opportunities for networking with other entrepreneurs. Its purpose is to connect innovative, high-growth companies to know-how, talent, technology and capital.

RampCorp, a

program from Texas State University-San Marcos, works locally with a group of woman entrepreneurs to help them start scalable business that will benefit the El Paso region. It provides training, coaching and mentoring for people who want to be entrepreneurs or who want to scale up an existing business.

The Hub of Human Innovation is El Paso's only technology incubator.

The Hub works with entrepreneurs who have technology-based scalable ideas to grow that idea and bring it to market.

Hub staff, partners and volunteers also work with technology companies seeking a "soft landing" in the El Paso region.

The Hub's goal through this event, and a series of upcoming workshops, is to support entrepreneurs through the provision of critical information and contacts.

The Hub's support for entrepreneurs includes the Clean Energy Partners Program, Manufacturing Program and The Hub Team Mentor Program modeled after the world-class MIT Venture Mentoring Service.

Nancy Lowery is assistant director of The Hub of Human Innovation.

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Washington Township business owners get assistance during symposium - NJ.com

Small business owners from all corners of the township came together on Tuesday night for the Board of Economic Development’s second Business Symposium. Representatives from medical facilities, banks, real estate agencies and more gathered at the Wedgwood Country Club to network and learn about economic programs for small businesses.

Chairman of the Board Sam Micklus said helping local businesses thrive is the key to building and maintaining a strong financial base in the township.

“We can’t do that if we don’t keep what we’ve already got,” Micklus told the 43 guests. Special guests included Zoning Official Sherri Donovan, Fire District Chief John Hoffman and Construction Official John DiStefano, among other township administrators.

While guests snacked on hors d’oeuvres, they heard presentations about various programs that could give their businesses a boost in a struggling economic climate.

Steve Whalen, supervisor for technology and business education at Washington Township High School, discussed how the high school could work with local businesses to provide internship opportunities to students.

“If we can help you with affordable, if not free, labor, we’d like to offer that to you,” Whalen said.

The school’s public access station can also provide local advertisers with unique chances to reach residents.

“You can sponsor a program for very, very affordable rates and have exclusive marketing rights,” Whalen said.

He also discussed that when they realized the wide range of area businesses using QuickBooks software, they incorporated that into their business education programs and are looking to become a certified testing center for local businesses and their employees.

Gloucester County Director of Economic Development Lisa Morina also explained the different training options available through Gloucester County College for no cost.

Morina also brought business owners attention to the county’s WorkPays2 program, where businesses can be reimbursed for six months of a new hire’s salary through the program. The employer can still go through the selection and interview process, and even after six months they can still be reimbursed for 50 percent of the employee’s salary for another six months.

“Think about how you can get access to programs that will help your bottom line,” Morina said.

She also discussed the state’s SmartStart Buildings program, where companies in the program can be reimbursed for 70 percent of the cost of new energy efficient equipment.

“It’s very significant savings, and down the line, you can get the energy savings as well,” Morina said.

Senior Vice President at Kennedy Health Systems Joe Devine spoke about the economic opportunities and impact the hospital has, and can continue to have, in the area.

“People don’t want to go to Philly for their care,” Devine said. “We can be a strong resource to draw businesses here. We’ve done that and we’ve proven that.”

Councilman and liaison to the Board of Economic Development Giancarlo D’Orazio was encouraged by the presentations and the showing of interest in the event.

“It’s phenomenal. It’s really great. It’s better than I expected and better than the first one,” D’Orazio said. The board held its first business symposium six months ago, but it wasn’t until members of committee went business-to-business and gave postcards to local establishments that they were able to garner significant interest in the symposium.

“I’m very excited about what’s going on. We’re going in the right direction,” D’Orazio said.

Mayor Barbara Wallace, who was also in attendance, was pleased at the excitement in the room. “It’s a good turn out and a very good beginning,” Wallace said. “This kind of enthusiasm excites people.”

Tom Fletcher, owner of local business PostNet on Egg Harbor Road, said the interactions at the event helps create the atmosphere necessary for small business to prosper.

“It created a dialogue and opens up the ability to know the players and put faces to names,” said Fletcher, who is also a member of Wallace’s Economic Development Task Force. “You can say ‘What’s your input on X, Y and Z? That’s how it happens. People want to deal with small businesses and people they know.”

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