Shared Website Live in Honor of Colorado Small Business Week

Shared website live in honor of Colorado Small Business Week

Small business appreciation week to take place April 30 - May 6, 2017

Denver - May 17, 2017 - The Colorado Small Business Development Center (COSBDC)along with several statewide small businesses, community organizations and financial institutions, launched a website in honor of National Small Business Week in Colorado.

Coloradosmallbizweek.com is where Coloradans can find all the events and celebrations in honor of small businesses in specific communities across the State. Celebrated during the first week of May, this year the US Small Business Administration's National Small Business Week occurs duringApril 30 - May 6, 2017.

"Small Business Week highlights the impact of entrepreneurs and small business owners across communities and the Colorado economy," said Stephanie Copeland, Executive Director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. "With over 560,000 smallbusinesses in Colorado and half of our workforce employed by small businesses, this week will celebrate their critical contributions with workshops, events and festivities to celebrate Colorado's entrepreneurial spirit."

The www.coloradosmallbizweek.com website features a calendar of the events, workshops, webinars and celebrations that will take place throughout Colorado during small business week. Events will continue to be added by participating organizations leading up to National SmallBusiness Week. Additionally, Coloradans can submit their own small business training events and celebrations to the website.

Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has declared a National Small Business Week to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs and small business owners across the nation.

Join the national conversation with the hashtag #SmallBizWeek. For questions about the SmallBusiness Week or about Colorado SBDC programs, please contact the SBDC navigator at

About the Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network

The Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network is dedicated to helping existing and new businesses grow and prosper in Colorado by providing free and confidential consulting and no-or low-cost training programs. The SBDC strives to be the premier, trusted choice of Colorado businesses for consulting, training and resources. The SBDC Network combines the resources of federal, state and local organizations with those of the educational system and private sector to meet the specialized and complex needs of the small business community.

Jim McNerney Presents at ACG Conference

Jim McNerney has been the CEO of multiple GE divisions (including GE Aircraft Engines and GE Lighting), the CEO of 3M, and -- most recently -- the CEO of Boeing. It is perhaps an understatement to say he has overseen a lot of growth in these roles. He also gained valuable experience in his earlier positions working with Procter & Gamble's brand management and as a management consultant for McKinsey & Company. 

Mr. McNerney took to the stage earlier this month to address ACG Denver's 2017 Rocky Mountain Corporate Growth Conference audience by offering his rare insight into the leadership required of such roles and responsibilities:

Here are a few quotes and notes from his presentation: 

-          If you have no plan for growth, you have no plan.

-          Focus on your customer and your people, period.

-          1% inspiration, 99% perspiration. Are you surrounded by workers?

-          High risk can yield high returns, but remember, there is really only one risk manager in any company: the CEO.

-          Management styles do not cross all disciplines. You many need people to help implement what dreamers dream.

-          Dreamliner was a victim of overreach, not adapting with changing times. What saved us? Our culture and our people

-          Create a team that believes in the mission, that shares the passion, and that buys into the direction.

-          Avoid risk of over delegation- keep your eye on the ball.

-          Why does the 747 still dominate today, well past its normal shelf life? We meet market requirements, cost competitive, minor tweaks to meet customer demands versus always chasing something new. When I was at 3M, we created 2,000 new products every year, almost to our demise.

-          Measure your progress by your customers…. Not all of your own metrics.

-          Constant improvement, motivated employees, culture, culture, culture- staples of a successful organization.

ACG Denver stands for the Association for Corporate Growth - Denver. 

Check out their next upcoming event:

Gaining the Upper Hand in M&A:
How Well-Advised Buyers and Sellers Can Each Make the Process
Work for Them

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

7:30-9:00 a.m.

Embassy Suites
Downtown Convention Center
1420 Stout Street, Denver

Sellers and buyers have fundamentally different objectives. The “standard sale process” doesn’t always suit either party perfectly, and how can a particular party’s objectives best be met within that process while the other side is perhaps pulling in a different direction? Please join us for a fireside chat with nationally recognized experts from both sides who will discuss, in a point-counter-point fashion, today’s current M&A challenges, roles and goals that can either make or break a deal.

OEDIT Launches Next Round of Blueprint 2.0 Initiatives Based on Successes

Denver (April 4, 2017) - The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) today announced it is accepting applications for the next round of Blueprint 2.0 initiatives for 2017.  Applications are due June 2.

"In our continued effort to identify opportunities for the entire state to share in our overall economic vitality, this program provides support to rural communities who are committed to strengthening their economy," said Gov. John Hickenlooper.

Blueprint 2.0 leverages state partnerships and specialized resources to address the unique economic development goals of rural Colorado.  Blueprint 2.0 is a bottom-up effort to turn regional feedback on local economic needs into a statewide set of initiatives to advance the economies of rural communities.

"The first round of the Blueprint 2.0 initiatives were very successful and provided a framework for local communities to create plans that address their needs," said OEDIT executive director Stephanie Copeland.  "We are excited to launch the next round and look forward to working with communities across the state."

Based on participant feedback, community successes and economic opportunities the next round of Blueprint 2.0 will offer 10 initiative options, with six new initiatives. The initiatives include:

Continued Initiatives:

• Brand Building for Communities 
• Tourism Promotion and Development
• Tiny Homes Workshop
• Grow Your Outdoor Recreation Industry

New Initiatives: 

• Coworking 101- Partner with Proximity Space
• Community Placemaking- Partnership with DOLA and Community Builders
• Certified Small Business Community
• Film and Major Production Initiative
• Creativity Lab of Colorado- Partnership with Creativity Lab
• Data-Driven Approach to Economic Development

"We found from the first round of Blueprint 2.0 which initiatives were most successful, and what new opportunities needed to be addressed," said health and wellness champion and senior regional manager for regional development Meridith Marshall. "We are excited to be helping communities address everything from placemaking and branding to housing and economic development."

Communities interested in a Blueprint 2.0 initiative are encouraged to apply online, and will be asked to demonstrate collaboration, strong local leadership and solid support for the initiative they chose to pursue. Initiative descriptions and program application are available online on the Blueprint page on choosecolorado.com.

In 2016, OEDIT led 27 initiatives, of 10 different offerings, in 10 of Colorado's 14 regions. One such community was Delta County who was chosen for the Strengthen Your Local Business Brand Initiative. Colorado's chief marketing officer, Liz Cahill, along with marketing experts from Development Councilors International (DCI) helped the community develop a clear, unique brand, positioning statement, initial target audience, key messages and visual identification (logo).

"The bottom-up approach of the Blueprint 2.0 program works well in rural communities like ours where people are passionate and value local decision making," said Trish Thibodo with Delta County Economic Development (DCED). "The support we received through the Branding Initiative was invaluable and has set us up for success with attracting businesses and families to Delta County." 

Interested communities are encouraged to contact OEDIT to discuss project eligibility prior to applying. The application is available online at choosecolorado.com.  Applications and all supporting documents must be submitted to OEDIT by June 2. Award decisions will be made by July 15.

Questions about the program or application process should be directed to Danielle Lendriet at (303) 844-3711 or  [email protected]. 

Download informational flyer and initiative descriptions here.

Crapo, Brown Request Proposals to Foster Economic Growth

WASHINGTON – Today, United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) announced a process for soliciting legislative proposals to increase economic growth.

“Ranking Member Brown and I have designed an orderly process for consideration of proposals that will help consumers, market participants, and financial companies responsibly participate in the economy in a more effective and efficient manner,” said Chairman Crapo. “We welcome input from all interested stakeholders to that end.”

“After seeing the impact of the financial crisis on Americans, I look forward to proposals that will create real economic growth and jobs, and help reverse years of stagnant wages and widening inequality,” said Ranking Member Brown.

The Committee will collect proposals from Monday, March 20 to Friday, April 14. The submissions should clearly identify three to five priority proposals that will promote economic growth and/or enable consumers, market participants and financial companies to better participate in the economy.

Each discrete proposal should include the following:
·         Brief description of the proposal;
·         Impact on economic growth;
·         Impact on the ability of consumers market participants and financial companies to participate in the economy;
·         Legislative language; and
·         Other background material as appropriate.

Stakeholders are requested to submit electronic copies of their proposals to Committee staff at [email protected].