Small Business Development Center Newsletter for Wyoming Small Business

·  Senator Enzi to Co-Host GRO-Biz Procurement Conference in Cheyenne

·  February 26 is Business Day at the Legislature

Business Day at the Legislature provides a day-long event to learn, network and celebrate Wyoming Business. It begins at 7 a.m. with Business Day activities including breakfast, speakers and booths. At 5:30 p.m. the evening events begin with the WEDA/WCCE Legislative Reception. This is followed by the BRAVO! Entrepreneur Awards Banquet recognizing the tremendous achievements of Wyoming entrepreneurs. All events are at Little America. Contact Candy Wright at 307-322-3977, wcce@wyomingwireless.com for Business Day activities and Jim Rath, 800-440-3506, jrath@ncbr.com for BRAVO awards.

·  Natural product producers sought for expo

The Wyoming Business Council's Agribusiness Division is offering display space for Wyoming producers of organic and natural products at the Natural Products Expo West (NPEW) trade show in Anaheim, March 14-16, 2008. NPEW attracts 45,000 buyers and owners of natural foods stores, gyms, restaurants, grocery stores and gourmet shops. The Wyoming Business Council's exhibit will offer 2 feet of table top space for Wyoming product literature and/or samples. The fee is $100 for each participant. Contact John Henn at 307-777-2847 or via email at jonn.henn@wybusiness.org. Deadline is Feb. 11th.

Natural Products Expo West

·  AARP wants to find the best employer for workers over 50

Many businesses have developed innovative ways to keep their skilled and experienced older workers on the job. Some ideas include hiring retirees, allowing work from home, job sharing and flexibility. If your business is one of the innovators, tout your success by applying for the 2008 AARP Best Employers for Workers over 50 award. Any business, nonprofit or governmental agency with at least 50 employees may apply. No fee. Winners will receive national and local media recognition and are featured in publications received by AARP's 39 million members.

Apply online by February 15

·  Do you know a woman business owner?

Author and columnist Aliza Sherman-Risdahl profiles a woman business owner every month for the Wyoming Business Report. The columns are meant to be both educational and inspiring and are great free publicity for businesses and entrepreneurs. If you are, or know of, a woman who owns or co-owns a business in Wyoming that would make a good subject for the column, let Aliza know by emailing mediaegg@hotmail.com. Put WYOMING WOMAN in the subject and include the name, company name, location, phone, email address and a brief description of the woman's business.

·  Eureka! Winning Ways comes to Wyoming

Manufacturing-Works recently announced the introduction of the Eureka! Winning Ways (EWW) growth initiative for Wyoming small and medium-sized companies. Eureka Ranch, and founder Doug Hall, have developed EWW as a disciplined system for developing measurably smarter choices for growth. The program explores choices for more effective marketing messages, choices for capturing new customers and markets and choices for new products and services. The EWW system is not just for manufacturers, it is for any business serious about growth through working smarter. All EWW sessions are led by Manufacturing-Works experts who have been trained in the EWW technologies. Contact Rick Rothwell at 307-638-8055.

·  Upcoming Workshops

Get Set to Start Your Business - Wednesday, February 20th from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, Crawford Room, Natrona County Library, Casper. You're ready to start your business, but you're not really ready until you attend this workshop! Learn how to increase your chances for success. Topics covered will include investigating the potential of your idea, identifying your target market, financing options, cash flow requirements, taxes and insurance issues - and more. There is no fee to attend - contact the library at 577-READ, ext. 2 - registration deadline is Feb. 13th.

Business Plan Preparation - Not as Difficult as You Think! Wednesday, March 5th from 6:00 to 8:30 PM, Crawford Room, Natrona County Library, Casper. Whether you are just starting your business or have been running it for years, a business plan can be a critical element of your success. Learn why you should write a business plan, the elements of a business plan, how to estimate your gross sales and get business planning and market research resources. There is no attendance fee - contact the library by Feb. 27th to register - 577-READ, ext. 2.

·  Create an employee handbook with this cool online tool

Click the link below to access a helpful resource that provides everything you need to create a customized employee handbook for your company. Many different policies and procedures are presented and you will be prompted to fill in the blanks when necessary. Key differences in state laws covering all 50 states have been incorporated into all applicable policies. The Employee Handbook can be printed in English and/or Spanish.

Employee handbook online tool

Wyoming Small Business Development Center is a partnership between the U. S. Small Business Administration, the Wyoming Business Council and the University of Wyoming.