by Julie Mierau Nothing — truly, nothing — is more frustrating than trying to figure out how to access the government procurement process. And yet government contracts can be extremely lucrative for small business owners. His expertise includes government business development as well as teaming with federal agencies in new product design and introduction.  He has leveraged management of vendor and sub-contractor compliance issues dictated by product, corporate and government

I am a big coupon user and have many experiences with coupons.  Some of these are bad experiences and they have determined if I will ever return to a business. I recently went into a chain store type business where they have weekly ads with coupons.  I like to stop by and check out the weekly specials, even if I don’t need something.  I often pick up a bargain or stock up on some things that I use a lot of.  Who doesn’t in this economy? During this visit, there was already a

In an announcement from Governor Chet Culver, we learned today that Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa  is among 44 Iowa recipients of grants designed to create jobs by helping businesses get started or expand in rural areas.  Governor Culver highlighted these awards from the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. IWCC Entrepreneurial Center and Economic Development will use these funds for a revolving loan fund.  Low interest loans will be availa

Hopefully at this point you have at least a facebook account where you socialize with friends and family. You may also have a Linked In account where you “network” with colleagues in the community and industry. If you don’t have these things I would suggest getting these things going and start building those natural contacts with the friends you already know. Setting up basic profiles and socially participating is the easy (and fun!) part. Now you want to determine how to use

How do you buy products and services today? What is the first couple of things that you do to begin the process? I am guessing that some type of internet research was very close to the top of your “to do” list. The fact of the matter is that the evolution of technology has completely changed how we as consumers make purchase decisions. So if consumers have changed the way that they buy products and services, small businesses need to change the way that they market to their cu

From the Small Business Association’s Website: If your small business is stressed meeting expenses during these economic times, the U.S. Small Business Administration has a new loan program designed just for you. SBA’s America’s Recovery Capital Loan Program can provide up to $35,000 in short-term relief for viable small businesses facing immediate financial hardship to help ride out the current uncertain economic times and return to profitability. Each small business is limi

We know what the economic downturn has done to our 401K’s.  But how is it affecting the decisions of our commercial lenders/banks in Southwest Iowa? To find out I sent out a quick survey to many of our commercial lenders in Council Bluffs and other surrounding cities within our 7 county region.  Here is what they said. Q: Is it a good time to start a business or to invest in growth for an existing business?   A: Yes or Depends was the common answer.  The respondents collecti