| Consultant targets small, midsize businesses
Bryan Nelson has opened a consulting business, The Growth Coach, in Tumwater. He is offering small and midsize business coaching to maximize strategy for growth using the "Strategic Mindset" process. Services are provided in quarterly work retreats, one-on-one coaching and weekly teleconferencing sessions. The system Nelson uses stresses helping business owners think like an owner instead of an employee. He can be reached at 360-570-8613 or by e-mail at bnelson@thegrowthcoach.com. Compiled by Mary Anderson, The News Tribune Businesses that are new, relocating or have changed names in the past six months are invited to share their news. Send information to Mary Anderson: Fax: 253-597-8274, newbusiness@thenewstribune.com, or The News Tribune, PO Box 11000, Tacoma, WA 98411. All submissions become the property of The News Tribune and may be published in any form.
Intuit to Buy Homestead Technologies
Software developer Intuit Inc. said Monday it will buy Homestead Technologies Inc., a privately held maker of Web site development software, in a deal it valued at $170 million. Intuit, which makes Quicken, TurboTax and small business accounting software QuickBooks, said the deal will add Web site creation and e-commerce software to its product mix. "This acquisition supports our growth strategy in small business by addressing an underserved need, and continues Intuit's move beyond financial management solutions into helping small businesses solve other important problems," Brad Smith, senior vice president of Intuit's small business group, said in a statement. Homestead will become part of the small business group following the acquisition. Justin Kitch, the company's founder and chief executive, will manage the Homestead staff.
Make review positive experience
Giving employees annual performance reviews or appraisals can be one of a small-business owner's most dreaded tasks. Doing them more often and going into the process with a positive rather than a punitive attitude can make a review much less of an ordeal. Perhaps the first thing to know about employee reviews or appraisals is that they shouldn't be once-a-year events. You should be giving your staff feedback — positive and negative — regularly. Some companies have sit-down sessions with workers two, three or even four times a year, finding it's worthwhile whether an employee is doing well or struggling. By giving more frequent reviews, "you focus on identifying problems before they get too big and mapping out ways to correct the behavior," said Julie Lenzer Kirk of Damascus, Md., who owned a software and consulting company for 10 years.
Charity hopes to help foster self-sufficiency
The United Way of Northern Nevada is calling for a summit of community leaders to find new ways of helping people help themselves as a means of strengthening the economy during these times of rising home foreclosures and unemployment. When it comes to new businesses, home ownership and other financial indicators, Nevada is one of five states that fails to provide opportunities for its residents, according to the Corporation for Enterprise Development, a nonprofit group in Washington, D.C., that promotes entrepreneurship and savings. Declining sales and sales taxes also are rippling through the economy, forcing local and state governments to cut costs. "More and more hard-working families are having troubles making ends match," Karen Barsell, president of United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra, told the Washoe County Commission last week.
Baxter: Thanks to the turkey, processors, God this Thanksgiving
There is a farmer in Indiana who offers goats and sheep for sale. His marketing slogan is "You buy - you kill - you dress - you take home."When I heard about this retro sales pitch, I was reminded of my friend Sam. He was raising laying hens as part of his kids' 4-H project. One of his management problems involved the disposal of old hens.Campbell's Soup was a buyer but they were not accessible to a producer of his small size. But, to his surprise the local Hmongs, Vietnamese and Laotians discovered him and offered to buy his culls. Sam explained he didn't have a government approved slaughter facility."Oh, no!" they said. "Want to buy live chicken!"The Southeast Asians were of a generation that preferred to butcher their own and knew how. The customers who inspired the Indiana farmer's unique market are American immigrants from the Middle East, Africa and Mexico where goat meat is a regular part of their diet.
Exchange in breif
COMING MONDAY: A silk-screening business was the key to combining creativity with commerce for one local man. YOUR WEEK Investment opportunities Learn how to invest, develop and identify commercial and/or residential properties in Savannah's historic corridor. Representatives from the Savannah Developmental and Renewal Authority, Historic Savannah Foundation, Community Housing Association, Small Business Assistance Corporation and the Entrepreneurial Center will be available for information and assistance. When: 8:30 a.m.-noon Saturday Where: 518 Martin Luther King Blvd. Cost: $25 donation; tax deductible Reservations required Contact: 447-5590; mail checks to P.O.
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