College News
State-local seminar offers advice to small businesses
12.15.2008 • College & Community
SANFORD - Hard economic times can be times of opportunity for small businesses, according to speakers at the “Business Success in Tough Times” seminar held in Sanford Dec. 11.
The event was one of nine pilot seminars presented statewide between Dec. 8 and Dec. 11 by The University of North Carolina System’s Small Business and Technology Development Center and the N.C. Community College System’s Small Business Center Network. Each was a call to action for small business owners to carefully review all aspects of their business and make changes that will help them be even more successful when the economy turns around.
The feedback and information gathered and shared at the seminars will enable the SBTDC and SBCN to develop programs focusing on small business success in a down economy. These programs will be rolled out across the state in January and February.
The Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce, Lee County Economic Development Corporation, Committee of 100, in conjunction with Central Carolina Community College’s Small Business Center, hosted the Sanford seminar. The event, held at Chef Paul’s Restaurant, attracted small business owners to hear local financial leaders and others speak about the challenges of the current economic downturn and how to use it to improve business.
“These are extraordinary times we are living in,” Charlie Welborn, managing partner in Davenport, Marvin & Joyce LLP, of Sanford, told the gathering. “Nothing you or I can do will affect AIG or General Motors, but we can focus on the things we can control in our business and community. The successes you experience related to changes you make during this down-time will be the foundation of profitability in better times.”
He and the other speakers offered practical suggestions to help small businesses survive the rough times, such as having a well-written business plan, taking care of current customers rather than spending resources seeking new ones, and honest communication with employees about the status of the company, its finances, and lay-offs. The speakers also urged the business people to build a strong support team including their banker, a CPA, and an attorney.
There is help for small businesses and entrepreneurs, they said. Dr. Ron Ilinitch, regional director of the SBTDC. The SBTDC works with about 5,000 small businesses a year, counseling them in successful business practices. Rita Gale Cruise, regional director of Self-Help, said her organization provides financial support and advocacy for entrepreneurs and small business owners, particularly in rural areas. Central Carolina C.C. operates a Small Business Center in Lee, Harnett and Chatham counties, according to Jim Felton, the college’s SBC director. They offer training for those wanting to start businesses or who already have small businesses.
Robert Gilleland, a partner in Harrington, Gilleland & Winstead LLP, noting that his business is a small business too, provided legal and ownership information to the audience. David Siler, president of Distinctive Human Resources, said that layoffs increase costs to society. Performance-based management and attrition are better ways to reduce the workforce, when necessary. Michael Daly, a BB&T vice president, urged the small business owners present to maintain close contact with their banker and seek the bank's broad assistance capabilities.
The Department of Defense’s Base Realignment and Closure initiative (BRAC) as well as the area’s closeness to the Triangle, offer “incredible opportunities” for small businesses said speaker Mikeal Basinger, Capital Bank Lee County Market executive. He advised those present to improve their cash flows by practicing good fundamentals of accounting, and managing debts and receivables.
Bob Heuts, LCEDC director, said that the Lee County area is well situated for success. It is located between the economic engines of Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill to the north and Fayetteville to the south, and has a depth of excellent business talent.
“With these, in spite of the current economic downturn, we have a sustainable, competitive advantage.” Heuts said.
Among those attending the seminar were Eva and Robert Rogers, owners of Sandhills Stone, in Sanford.
“This seminar was very informative,” Eva Rogers said afterward. “It was nice to see that there is concern in the community about small businesses and this was put together. I hope they do more.”
Mikeal Basinger (right), senior vice president of Capital Bank, in Sanford, was one of the presenters at the “Business Success in Tough Times” seminar held at Chef Paul’s Restaurant in Sanford Dec. 11. He spoke about what is necessary for business success, including improving cash flow. The event, for small business owners, was one of nine pilot seminars presented statewide between Dec. 8 and Dec. 11 by The University of North Carolina System’s Small Business and Technology Development Center and the N.C. Community College System’s Small Business Center Network. The Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce, Lee County Economic Development Corporation, and Committee of 100, in conjunction with Central Carolina Community College’s Small Business Center, hosted the Sanford seminar. From the feedback and information gathered and shared at the seminars, the SBTDC and SBCN will develop programs focusing on small business success in a down economy to be rolled out across the state in January and February.
Dr. Ron Ilinitch (standing), regional director of The University of North Carolina System’s Small Business and Technology Development Center was one of the presenters at the “Business Success in Tough Times” seminar held Dec. 11 at Chef Paul’s Restaurant, in Sanford. The event, for small business owners, was one of nine pilot seminars presented statewide between Dec. 8 and Dec. 11 by The University of North Carolina System’s Small Business and Technology Development Center and the N.C. Community College System’s Small Business Center Network. The Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce, Lee County Economic Development Corporation, and Committee of 100, in conjunction with Central Carolina Community College’s Small Business Center, hosted the Sanford seminar. From the feedback and information gathered and shared at the seminars, the SBTDC and SBCN will develop programs focusing on small business success in a down economy to be rolled out across the State in January and February.
Rita Gale Cruise (standing), regional director of Self-Help, speaks at the “Business Success in Tough Times” seminar as fellow presenter Michael Daly (right), vice president of BB&T, in Sanford, and seminar attendees listen. The event, for small business owners, was held Dec. 11 at Chef Paul’s Restaurant, in Sanford. It was one of nine pilot seminars presented statewide between Dec. 8 and Dec. 11 by The University of North Carolina System’s Small Business and Technology Development Center and the N.C. Community College System’s Small Business Center Network. The Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce, Lee County Economic Development Corporation, and Committee of 100, in conjunction with Central Carolina Community College’s Small Business Center, hosted the Sanford seminar. From the feedback and information gathered and shared at the seminars, the SBTDC and SBCN will develop programs focusing on small business success in a down economy to be rolled out across the State in January and February.
Jim Felton, director of Central Carolina Community College’s Small Business Center, was one of the presenters at the “Business Success in Tough Times” seminar held Dec. 11 at Chef Paul’s Restaurant, in Sanford. The event, for small business owners, was one of nine pilot seminars presented statewide between Dec. 8 and Dec. 11 by The University of North Carolina System’s Small Business and Technology Development Center and the N.C. Community College System’s Small Business Center Network. The Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce, Lee County Economic Development Corporation, and Committee of 100, in conjunction with Central Carolina Community College’s Small Business Center, hosted the Sanford seminar. From the feedback and information gathered and shared at the seminars, the SBTDC and SBCN will develop programs focusing on small business success in a down economy to be rolled out across the State in January and February.
Area small business owners gathered at a ‘Business Success in Tough Times’ seminar held Dec. 11 at Chef Paul’s Restaurant, in Sanford, to hear advice on surviving and thriving in a down economy. The event was one of nine pilot seminars presented statewide between Dec. 8 and Dec. 11 by The University of North Carolina System’s Small Business and Technology Development Center and the N.C. Community College System’s Small Business Center Network. Bob Joyce (pictured), president of the Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce, introduced the speakers. The Chamber, Lee County Economic Development Corporation, and Committee of 100, in conjunction with Central Carolina Community College’s Small Business Center, hosted the Sanford seminar. From the feedback and information gathered and shared at the seminars, the SBTDC and SBCN will develop programs focusing on small business success in a down economy to be rolled out across the State in January and February.
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