Q:
What should I know about drug testing and substance abuse for my small
business?
KUSBDC:
Small businesses employ more substance abusers than large businesses. This
trend exists because most small businesses do not require drug testing and
do not have substance abuse policies or programs. Judy Swartley, an HR
professional and expert on substance abuse in the workplace, provides
information on the importance of drug testing.
Dedication of the New EpiCenter In
June, the Kutztown SBDC was honored to have U.S. SBA Administrator
Hector Barreto and SBA Regional Administrator Allegra F. McCullough
present for the dedication of the new EpiCenter building. The new
building was built by the Chester County Economic Development
Corporation (CCEDC) and is the location of the Kutztown SBDC
Brandywine Valley office.
In
the photo: Bud Batcher (Kutztown SBDC Business Consultant), Allegra F.
McCullough (SBA Regional Administrator), Hector Barreto (U.S. SBA
Administrator), Ernie Post (Kutztown SBDC Executive Director), and Don
Martin (Kutztown SBDC Learning Resources Director).
3rd Annual Success Fair The
3rd Annual Success Fair is being rescheduled for spring to coincide
with the Kutztown University Decision Makers Forum program. This will
provide participants of the Success Fair with greater networking
opportunities and the option to participate in one of the region's
premiere leadership conferences. The date will be announced in
November.
Learning Opportunities
First StepSeries
Workshops begin every four weeks.
Resource Allocation During Uncertain Economic Conditions by Marlin
Fought
There is a saying most people don't plan to fail; they just fail to
plan. Unfortunately, this is also true for many companies. The current
economic times has certainly taken it's toll on business after the
go-go 1990's. The sad fact is management still run businesses based
upon a 1960's model or mentality. This is a risky situation given the
cost of capital, increasing competition, declining consumer demand and
the effects of geo-political events in the world. All of this has lead
business to develop a "bunker mentality", kind of a "do nothing",
status quo approach to dealing with day to day operations. This
reactive style of management can be hidden during good economic times,
but can become dangerous when confronted with uncertain economic
conditions.
Small Business Can Acquire Negotiating Skills
by Alex Whan
The
art of negotiation has somehow gotten a bad name. Perhaps it is the
image of Nikita Khrushchev pounding his shoe on a table at the United
Nations, or the endless teacher union negotiations that take place
here in Pennsylvania every year.
Small business negotiations should not and cannot follow these models.
Business negotiations should follow one principle rule. Than rule is
win-win. Many small business owners frequently find themselves in
negotiations and the confrontation illustrated above should be avoided
at all costs. You and your client/customer should leave a negotiation
feeling good about the result.
The BSFS (Business Skills For Success) series has grown to over 100
workshops in 8 categories! The course book will be distributed in
mid September.
BSFS will officially kick-off this fall in Exton, Hamburg,
Harrisburg, Lancaster, and Wyomissing. The workshops in Hamburg are
customized to assist small businesses in the area in adapting to the
grand opening of Cabela's.
We
are very excited about the BSFS series and look forward to seeing
you at some workshops this fall.
Write to the Success Connection!
SuccessConnection@kutztown.edu
