New!  Business Resource Guide

Finding the right business resources at the right time can be a challenge.  That is why the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce has created a guide to help individuals identify over 15 local resources and organizations offering free or low-cost business development services and/or counseling.  Based on the stage of your business, services are divided into general categories including counseling & research, finance, education & training and location assistance & incubator programs.
 
To begin using the brochure, consider what development stage you are in at the current time.  For example, SCORE or Service Corp of Retired Executives provides FREE private counseling for individuals in the business start-up stage.  SCORE can assist with developing business plans, research, resource and financial assistance.

STAGE ONE First-time/start-up business
Are you starting a business for the first time?  The early stages of development can determine your profitability in the years to come.  It is important that you work closely with the start-up mentor organization to increase your chances of success.

STAGE TWO New business – year 1 – 5
Depending on the type of business you won, your “new business’ stage may last anywhere from one to five years.  Now your operations are underway and new resources may be needed, along with a network of professional to support your activities.  If the organizations in this guide don’t have what you’re looking for, they will help you find additional resources.

STAGE THREE Mature business – over 5 years
Event the most experienced entrepreneurs must periodically take a fresh look at their business and make significant changes to meet the needs of the ever-changing market.  There are local organizations listed in this guide that are ready and willing to help at this stage.

Still not sure who to contact?  Any of the organizations listed in the Business Resource Guide will spend time helping you identify the resources you need.  Your venture's success is important to our community’s future.

 http://www.muskegon.org/downloads/business_resource_guide.pdf

Economic Survival Toolkit  

Below are resources that may be of interest to you as we attempt to manage during what may be the most significant economic transition of our lifetime. The business community must stand together, support and learn from one another while influencing change to the best our ability.  
For over one hundred years, your Chamber has led the way during challenging economic times, and this decade is no exception. In preparation for what we are now facing, your Chamber has taken a leadership role to help your business by packaging resources into an "Economic Survival Toolkit". 
CHECK IT OUT>>>

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Influenza Preparedness Resources for Business

Small business plays a key role in protecting employees' health and safety as well as limiting the negative impact to the economy and society during an influenza pandemic. Advance planning for pandemic influenza is critical and businesses have a special responsibility to their community to plan for continued operations in a pandemic. 

Additional tools and guidance documents have been developed by the federal government to assist employers in their planning. These resources are available online at: www.flu.gov/plan/workplaceplanning/index.html.

One-Stop Access to U.S. Government Information on Pandemic Influenza
www.flu.gov

2009 H1N1 Influenza Information
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

2009 H1N1 Influenza Resources for Businesses and Employers
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/business/

Worker Safety and Health Guidance for a Pandemic
www.osha.gov/dsg/topics/pandemicflu/index.html

OSHA's Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/influenza_pandemic.html

CDC/NIOSH Occupational Health Issues Associated with 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/h1n1flu/   
 

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Resources 

Servicing business is the top priority for the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce. We have a number of low or no cost programs available to area businesses. Overseeing our offerings is the Entrepreneur Advisory Council. This council is made of local entrepreneurs and small business service providers. They catalog and review services annually. Many of the services are offered free of charge to non-members; however, some are for Chamber members only. 

We understand the challenges you are experiencing in your organization. We will continue to bring our members tangible benefits, with low-cost marketing and training opportunities. We promote the community and your business through our website and media activities.  And we will advocate for your business at every opportunity. For details on the economic vision and our other activities, please review our website at www.muskegon.org.

The Chamber theme for 2009 is "Together. Stronger". It is with determination and optimism that we move forward. We encourage you to make an appointment for business counseling or just to discuss ideas with our qualified business counselors at no charge.

Click here for information on business financing alternatives.

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There are many seminars and programs offered by the chamber throughout the year to assist businesses in their development.  Please check our events calendar and our member benefits list for current list activities available to members.  

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Your Chamber hosts two beneficial small business consulting services supported by the Small Business Administration. SCORE, Service Corps of Retired Executives, is available by appointment to meet with people daily. They provide a variety of resources and assist individuals in deciding whether or not they should go into a particular type of business. They offer several workshops and seminars that can be found by clicking here. To set up a free appointment with a SCORE Counselor visit www.scoremuskegon.org or contact 231-722-3751.

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Also available at the Chamber office are the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center consulting services. A certified consultant is available by appointment to assist entrepreneurs already in business with new business ideas, products, expansion issues or general concerns. To set up a free appointment with a MI SBTDC Consultant call 231-722-3751.

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Lakeshore 504 looks forward to assisting you with your fixed asset, machinery and equipment needs.  Please contact David Miller, Vice President Economic Development, in the Grand Haven office at 616-846-3153 or Julie Parker, Program Director, in the Holland office at 616-392-9633, with any questions you may have regarding the Lakeshore 504 Loan Program, your fixed asset financing partner. For more information, please click here.

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If you are looking to expand or buy a new facility in Muskegon County please contact Muskegon Area First, they can offer you information on location opportunities and any possible services or incentives offer by the state, city or township. For more information visit www.muskegonareafirst.org.   

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Downtown Muskegon is a great place to start a business. Downtown Muskegon has a variety of spaces available that are well-suited for new business startups, especially for those that would benefit from a traditional business district "feel", at a reasonable price. Muskegon Main Street can help you navigate the many considerations that come together when starting a business. For more information visit www.downtownmuskegon.org or contact Dan Rinsema-Sybenga at 231-724-3180.

 

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The Employers Association of West Michigan assists employers with up-to-date, comprehensive, information to effectively manage their human talent and stay abreast of pertinent business issues. To help members keep pace with the changing complexities and implement best practices, the Employers Association provides publications and samples, survey data, training and development, professional group forums and the on-going assistance of our professional staff. For more information visit www.eawm.net or contact 231-724-4005. 

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Additional information available at the Chamber office: Member and non-member benefit information, How to Start a Business Kit, Regional Demographic information, local maps, business directories, list of realtors, banks, etc. Chamber members, please take a look at our cost saving benefits for Worker's Compensation Insurance, Health Insurance, Member to Member Benefits, Educational and Networking Events.

 

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Recommended Reading 

Who Moved My Cheese?
Author: Spencer Johns, MD 

Guerrilla Marketing Weapons: 100 Affordable Marketing Methods for Maximizing Profits from your Small Business
Author: Jay Conrad Levinson  

The E Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don?t Work and What to Do About It
Author: Michael E. Gerber  

The Successful Business Plan: Secrets & Strategies
Author: Rhonda Abrams

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

Author: Malcolm Gladwell

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Success in a Challenging Economy - Top 10 Business Tips!

Top Ten Business Tips from the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for staying in business and growing your business during the changing economy of our nation and state:

#1. Think Positive, be determined! Just because your neighbor is struggling doesn?t mean you need to.  It may be an opportunity to pick up a larger share of the market with your competitive edge. Don?t let the negative media mindset get to you.

#2. Embrace Change!  This is critical in the current business climate.  If you have been doing something the same way for the past twenty years, it does not mean you should continue.  Make strategic changes now!  Face fear and make the changes, even if it means dropping your dad?s favorite product line, or firing a long term employee. 

#3. Question Everything! Why are you doing things a certain way? Which systems should you keep or throw out? What products and services are most profitable? Are there new markets to reach?  Will a slight change to a product attract new customers? Question every piece of paper or item that comes in and out your door.

#4. Commit to Technology!  It is never too late to educate yourself on the new technology that is driving today?s marketplace. Is there new technology that will do it better, faster, or cheaper?  Do you have a technology plan to advance your business?

#5. Educate your staff! Challenge them every day to find new and better ways of doing things.  They have the answers you are looking for if they set their minds to the challenge!

#6. Talk to other business people!  Get out of the office/shop and talk to other business owners and managers.  Ask them about their business solutions and reinvent them for yourself. This is where the chamber can help. We provide opportunities for you to talk to your peers in and outside your industry. It is especially important to talk to people outside your industry.

#7. Learn about the financial tools out there! Like everything else, there are new ways of managing money. Whether it is on line banking services, software for accounts receivables, cash flow management systems, etc., there may be a way to save you money or at least staff costs.

#8. Marketing, Marketing, Marketing!  Customers are getting more and more fickle.  You need creative ways to reach them, keep them, and sell them more of your products and services.  There are inexpensive ways to do this.  Talk with the professionals and with your peers.  Think out of the box.  Attend chamber marketing seminars.

#9. Work on it, not in it!  Too often the business owner or manager is lost in operations, trying to do too much.  Stop, take a breath, and look at your business from 10,000 feet above.  Some chamber members attend chamber events simply to make sure they get away for at least a couple of hours in a nurturing business environment to stimulate their thoughts.

#10. Focus on the Future!  The best is yet to come!  You will find new ways to be successful.  The business world is an exciting place to be. If you work smart, everything you put into it will be returned to you in more ways than you can imagine.

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Selling with Technology *

Every business needs additional sales. New technology and the Internet provide interesting, effective, and affordable ways to promote your message and brand. Through your computer you can:
- Target potential customers
- Communicate with your customers
- Increase your market share
- Establish your business as cutting edge
- Increase profitability by streamlining your marketing efforts
- Manage your business effectively with better financial information
- Produce effective market research
- Better understand your competition

Embrace Technology *

Some ways to market your business more effectively include:
- Using the Internet to conduct market research, locate clients, find suppliers, book travel etc.
- Create a website: either build your own or hire one of the many qualified firms
- Develop an email list of customers and prospects and keep them informed of your products and services through well-designed email newsletters and other creative promotions
- Create an effective and usable database
- Accept credit cards online
- Create a rewards program to encourage repeat business
- Design information materials about your company as pdf files and email them to customers and prospects 
Don?t be threatened by technology. Embrace it and learn how to take advantage of all it can provide. But remember, never assume technology replaces human interaction. Though the Internet and other technology can further growth and enhance your image, solid relationships are built on good communications, ethics, trust, and the delivery of quality goods and services.

The Four Basic Steps of Cash Flow Management *

Step 1. List the date cash inflows from all sources. This is self-explanatory, but note that you should also include any income from loans or equity investments.
Step 2. List all the ways in which cash leaves your business. Separate fixed disbursements, like rent or payroll, from variable disbursements, like inventory or advertising. Then determine when each expense must be paid. Remember, your expenses may be consistent, but your cash disbursements won?t be. For example, suppose your insurance costs $1200 a year ? on an accrual system, that?s $100 a month, but depending on your payment plan, that may be $1200 in March or $300 a quarter.
Step 3. Look for patterns. The most important part of any cash flow is not the preparation, but the information that results from careful analysis. For example, if your business is seasonal, your projection would help you reschedule payments to ease your case flow during slower months.
Step 4. Establish reporting systems and controls. Once you?ve established an initial projection, get a reporting system (preferably computerized) in place. Your cash flow statement is only helpful if your use it.  

*Excerpts and information taken from Small Business Basics