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Wednesday, June 01, 2005
U.S. Gov't Site to Help with Exports
The International Trade Administration's Office of Technology and Electronic Commerce (OTEC) in Manufacturing and Services recently launched an innovative web site that advises firms about how to use the Internet to export. The site is: Export Selling. The site addresses such fundamental issues as What is e-commerce? and Are you e-commerce ready?
It also includes specific information such as how to:
1) assess target markets;
2) develop an appropriate website;
3) address tax, shipping, and other legal issues; and
4) find research on the top Internet-use markets.
With examples and links to valuable resources, this site provides the new e-exporter with concrete tools to access the vast opportunities online. Myles M. Matthews President Global Trade & Technology Center 444 Madison Avenue, 7th floor New York, New York 10022-6903, 212.421.1015 office 212.223.8148 fax myles.matthews@gttc.us www.gttc.us
It also includes specific information such as how to:
1) assess target markets;
2) develop an appropriate website;
3) address tax, shipping, and other legal issues; and
4) find research on the top Internet-use markets.
With examples and links to valuable resources, this site provides the new e-exporter with concrete tools to access the vast opportunities online. Myles M. Matthews President Global Trade & Technology Center 444 Madison Avenue, 7th floor New York, New York 10022-6903, 212.421.1015 office 212.223.8148 fax myles.matthews@gttc.us www.gttc.us
SBA to Implement Women-Owned Small Business Contracting Program
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Small Business Administration announced today that it has concluded its review of a recently issued report on a study it received from the independent National Academy of Sciences and will begin the necessary steps to implement the Women-Owned Small Business Contracting Program in a manner consistent with the recommendations contained within the study.
The first step in implementation is to prepare proposed regulations that would define the eligibility requirements for being considered a woman-owned small business, including requirements relating to ownership, control and economic disadvantage. The SBA will also request proposals for undertaking the industry-by-industry study, as recommended by the NAS, needed to determine those industries where women-owned small businesses are underrepresented and substantially underrepresented.
The study is required by law. The next step is to review the resulting study and implement the program in accordance with its findings. The SBA has been and continues to be committed to making sure that women owned small businesses have all the possible opportunities to federal contracts, said Allegra McCullough, associate deputy administrator for Government Contracting and Business Development. We are therefore moving ahead to see that the contracting program for women-owned small businesses is implemented in a manner that will withstand legal scrutiny. This initiative is part of an overall effort by the SBA is to increase contracting opportunities for women-owned small businesses.
The latest figures available indicate that prime contracting dollars awarded to women owned small businesses increased from $6.8 billion in FY 2002 to $8.3 billion in FY 2003, representing an increase of $1.5 billion in prime contracting dollars. If subcontracting dollars are included, more than $14 billion in contracts were awarded to women-owned small businesses in FY 2003. Other contracting initiatives at the SBA have shown positive results for women-owned small businesses. For example, in the Business Matchmaking program, 50 percent of the contracts awarded have gone to women-owned small businesses and over 65 percent of the contracting dollars have gone to women.
The first step in implementation is to prepare proposed regulations that would define the eligibility requirements for being considered a woman-owned small business, including requirements relating to ownership, control and economic disadvantage. The SBA will also request proposals for undertaking the industry-by-industry study, as recommended by the NAS, needed to determine those industries where women-owned small businesses are underrepresented and substantially underrepresented.
The study is required by law. The next step is to review the resulting study and implement the program in accordance with its findings. The SBA has been and continues to be committed to making sure that women owned small businesses have all the possible opportunities to federal contracts, said Allegra McCullough, associate deputy administrator for Government Contracting and Business Development. We are therefore moving ahead to see that the contracting program for women-owned small businesses is implemented in a manner that will withstand legal scrutiny. This initiative is part of an overall effort by the SBA is to increase contracting opportunities for women-owned small businesses.
The latest figures available indicate that prime contracting dollars awarded to women owned small businesses increased from $6.8 billion in FY 2002 to $8.3 billion in FY 2003, representing an increase of $1.5 billion in prime contracting dollars. If subcontracting dollars are included, more than $14 billion in contracts were awarded to women-owned small businesses in FY 2003. Other contracting initiatives at the SBA have shown positive results for women-owned small businesses. For example, in the Business Matchmaking program, 50 percent of the contracts awarded have gone to women-owned small businesses and over 65 percent of the contracting dollars have gone to women.
New - Online Instructor-Taught Classes for Small Business Owners to be Provided by the SBA and the Thomson Corporation
WASHINGTON - New online business classes will be available for small businesses throughout the nation through a cosponsorship between the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Thomson Corp. (Ed2Go). Ed2Go is a national provider of online instructor-taught training classes, offering courses through more than 1,000 community colleges and other partners around the country.
Small businesses and entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to enroll in three of Ed2Gos most popular online educational courses at no cost. The courses being offered are:
Work through all of the major components of a business plan and turn your business ideas into a solid plan for financing and long-term success. Committing your idea to paper in the form of a business plan increases your chances of obtaining financing and keeps your business strategically focused.
Develop new skills in identifying and satisfying customer needs, and become an indispensable asset to any organization. This online course will help you discover and master the essentials of customer service. You"ll learn the best ways to measure customer service, apply the principles of consumer behavior to your business, and differentiate between industrial and consumer marketing.
Create and post your very own Web site on the Internet in this extensive, hands-on workshop.
Learn about the capabilities of the World Wide Web and the fundamentals of Web design. You'll also learn critical and timely information on securing the best possible location in search engine listings, and powerful no-cost or low-cost Web marketing strategies. Each online course will be six weeks in length, and will be facilitated by an instructor. The courses will begin June 15, with the next course start dates beginning on July 20, Aug. 17 and Sept. 21. Online registration for each course will be available starting May 25, 2005 to the first 2,400 individuals to register. Registration for each class will be taken at the SBAs Small Business Training Network site at SBA.gov. Go to the free online courses section and click on the Instructor-Facilitated Courses button to complete your registration.
Small businesses and entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to enroll in three of Ed2Gos most popular online educational courses at no cost. The courses being offered are:
Creating a Successful Business Plan
Work through all of the major components of a business plan and turn your business ideas into a solid plan for financing and long-term success. Committing your idea to paper in the form of a business plan increases your chances of obtaining financing and keeps your business strategically focused.
Customer Service Fundamental
Develop new skills in identifying and satisfying customer needs, and become an indispensable asset to any organization. This online course will help you discover and master the essentials of customer service. You"ll learn the best ways to measure customer service, apply the principles of consumer behavior to your business, and differentiate between industrial and consumer marketing.
Creating Web Pages
Create and post your very own Web site on the Internet in this extensive, hands-on workshop.
Learn about the capabilities of the World Wide Web and the fundamentals of Web design. You'll also learn critical and timely information on securing the best possible location in search engine listings, and powerful no-cost or low-cost Web marketing strategies. Each online course will be six weeks in length, and will be facilitated by an instructor. The courses will begin June 15, with the next course start dates beginning on July 20, Aug. 17 and Sept. 21. Online registration for each course will be available starting May 25, 2005 to the first 2,400 individuals to register. Registration for each class will be taken at the SBAs Small Business Training Network site at SBA.gov. Go to the free online courses section and click on the Instructor-Facilitated Courses button to complete your registration.
Free Online Business Courses on Raising Money for your Business Available From Business Week Online
Free Online Courses Raising funds is one of the biggest challenges you'll face as you start up a new business or expand an existing one. Get the edge you need with BusinessWeek Online Courses by enrolling in our free online course, "Raising Capital for Your Small Business."
In four value-packed lessons, you'll get critical insight into:
- The three core principles of entrepreneurial finance Estimating your capital requirements
- The three main types of venture capital available to small businesses -- venture, growth, and debt capital -- as well as which type is right for your situation.
- Tips for valuing your company and negotiating the best financing package for your business
Instructor Steve Johnson, who has more than a decade in the finance sector and has helped both private and public companies in a variety of endeavors, including raising both equity and debt financing, will be on hand to answer your questions, and the course message board is a great place to exchange tips and solutions.
Click Here for More Info
In four value-packed lessons, you'll get critical insight into:
- The three core principles of entrepreneurial finance Estimating your capital requirements
- The three main types of venture capital available to small businesses -- venture, growth, and debt capital -- as well as which type is right for your situation.
- Tips for valuing your company and negotiating the best financing package for your business
Instructor Steve Johnson, who has more than a decade in the finance sector and has helped both private and public companies in a variety of endeavors, including raising both equity and debt financing, will be on hand to answer your questions, and the course message board is a great place to exchange tips and solutions.
Click Here for More Info
